MasukAs an entrepreneur, Ashley West has spent most of her time focusing on business, but she decided to take a break from work and go on a vacation to explore and have fun. What happens when she had a one night stand with a stranger who turned out to be her father's best friend and business partner. Caught between loyalty to her father and a desire she can no longer deny, Ashley faces a dangerous game of forbidden attraction. As emotions flare and boundaries blur, she must decide. Will she follow her heart and risk losing her father's trust or give up on her feelings for peace to reign?
Lihat lebih banyakAshley's POV
“Ashley, Do you have plans for tomorrow?” My Dad asked me over the phone, interrupting my thoughts.” “I don't have any plans, Dad, I will just stay in and watch a few movies, I'm here on a break, remember?” I replied, laying on the cozy bed in my hotel room ‘it's so comfy’ I told myself. “It didn't seem that way to me. All you ever did since you got there was business.” “Touché, but I'm done with all that, and now I'm going to explore the city of Paris.” I said out of excitement, thinking of all the fun I will have. “I think it's too late for that, sweetheart, I need you here. Micheal is coming back into town, and I'm inviting him for dinner to Welcome him home. I need you to be here when he arrives. You've always liked Micheal since you were a child, you will get to see him again and maybe discuss business with him. it's a win-win for you.” I froze on hearing that name that reminds me of most of my childhood memories. Micheal Kingston. I did not get to see him much because he left New York when I was ten . My father's best friend and business Partner, the one who had always been a father figure to me. He practically watched me grow. I can't wait to see him but I would like to stay a bit longer in Paris. “But Dad…” He interrupted me before I could speak further. “No buts Ashley, Micheal is not just anyone to us, he's family and you know that. I expect you to be in New York tomorrow.” “Fine, I will be there. See you soon dad.” I came to Paris to take a break from work ,but it has been all about business since I arrived. But because tonight is my last night in Paris, I am going to have fun and possibly make new friends, before I have to put on a serious face for whatever it was my father had planned for tomorrow. ****** I entered the finest club in Paris later that night. And the smell of luxury perfumes and expensive champagne hit me as I walked closer to the bar. I was here to have fun and enjoy myself. I ordered a wine, and the bartender slide it to me across the counter with a knowing smile. I glanced around the crowd, It's pretty much what I imagined it would be, different people drinking champagne, smoking expensive cigars, and men flirting with women. I wasn't expecting anything else. Then he walked in. He was a tall, well built man with a sharp jawline. He had on an Armani suit that screams luxury, his dark brown hair was perfectly styled, and his face showed no expression. He exchanged geeetings with the bartender and ordered a drink. He looks old, but his young features make it difficult for one to notice He looked at me and our eyes met for a brief moment, I looked at him for a bit longer than I intended ‘Bitch you are staring’ I said to myself. I shake my head to remove any thoughts of him. Then I took a sip of my wine. I couldn't help but look at him once more and I caught him staring, he did not look away. He just came over and stood directly in front of me. “ Why is a damsel like you, Sitting alone in a place like this? you could use a friend, don't you think? He asked, obviously flirting with me. I simply glanced at him, pretending like I hadn't been checking him out ever since he stepped in. “Oh trust me I'm not alone, my boyfriend is out there on a phone call.” I lied, and from the way he's smiling now, I think he knew.” He burst out laughing, holding his drink with one hand as he shook his head. “And you think I will believe that lie of yours, Are you that scared of me?” I forced a smile, feeling a bit embarrassed. “What gave it away?” “This isn't my first time in the club darling, most girls say that to get rid of guys. Nice try tho.” I snorted, trying not to smile. “I'm not most girls and I'm not scared of you. I'm capable of being by myself.” “Oh really? He leaned in a little closer “I can be your boyfriend for tonight you know, to help you keep the guys off your back.” I looked away to hide my face from him. I was blushing to the point of being unable to bear it but I was certainly not going to let him see that he affected me in this way. “You are being a little too confident, don't you think?” “I can be anything just to have you darling.” ‘Damn! Why is it so hot here?’ I asked myself. This man is making me feel all sorts of things but I knew better than to fall for a stranger's charm, someone who looks almost twice my age. But for some reason unknown to me, I wish to know more about this man. Just for the sake of getting to know him, I decided to ask him a few questions “What do you do? it's okay if u dont want me in your business though.” He smiled, sensing my curiosity. “It's okay. I'm a businessman. But tonight, I'm here to have fun.” “So you do this often? Flirting with girls? That's how you have fun?” “He leaned in closer to me, his breath wrams my skin. “Maybe, but none of them had my attention like you have right now. Have spent more than 10 minutes with you, which is a good sign. I guess I was just waiting for the right woman to come along and show me what real fun looks like.” I swallowed hard. He definitely had a way with words, I will give him that but I wasn't about to fall for his charms so easily. “You will have to do better, those sweet words don't work on me.” His smile deepened but he appears to be challenging now. “Oh I will, And I don't plan on leaving. Not until you are ready to have some fun.” I moved closer to him, our faces just an inch apart as I whispered in his ear. “I don't give in easily, you will have to try better than that.” “Is that a challenge?” He leaned in even closer, his breath fanned my skin. “You are playing hard to get, aren't you? I shook, my heart thudding against my chest but I forced myself to be calm. “Maybe I am, or maybe I'm just bored.” “Sweetheart, you are anything but bored.” Without uttering another word, he pressed his lips against mine, he was hesitant at first, to see if I was going to stop him or pull back but when he saw that none happened, he allowed his hands to find their way into my hair and pull me in closer to deepen the kiss. I kissed him back and he moaned Into my mouth. I was so caught up in the heat of the moment to care about where we were. All the sensible part of me screamed at me to stop, that I was kissing a man old enough to be my father but I didn't care. This was reckless but yet, I wanted it. His phone buzzed with a message which interrupted our moment, we pulled apart for a brief second to catch our breath. “You want to get out of here? Let's go somewhere private. I booked a place nearby.” I simply nodded, not knowing how to reply. “Good” he took my hands in his, leading me to the club's exit. My mind raced as I followed him, but I didn't pull away, i didnt stop him. I knew exactly where this is going and how it's going to end but I still wanted it. I might regret my actions tomorrow but I didn't care. For the first time in a long time, I don't want to care about the consequences. I just want to have fun and enjoy myself.ASHLEY'S POV I didn't sleep much last night. I tried—God knows I tried—but my mind wouldn't stop replaying the look on Micheal’s face when he walked out. That silence. That heavy, bitter silence that says you've disappointed me more than I can say. I cried until my throat hurt. And when the tears ran out, I just laid there in the dark, staring at the spot on the bed where he usually slept.It's cold. Empty. It's crazy how fast warmth can vanish when love turns into silence.And now I finally understand what he must've felt every time I pushed him away, every time I shut him out, thinking I was doing the right thing. Maybe this is my punishment—to finally know what it's like to be on the receiving end.But still, none of this would've happened if it weren't for her. Kate.That woman had been nothing but trouble since she reappeared. She keeps pretending to be remorseful, pretending she wanted to fix things. I should've known better. I should've trusted my guts.When I glanced at the
MICHEAL'S POV The moment I walked into the penthouse, Liam was already halfway across the living room, pacing like he'd been waiting for hours.The moment he saw me, the questions followed.“Brother, was she there? Did you get to see her?” he asked immediately, his eyes full of hope and worry.I shook my head, dropped my keys on the counter, and headed straight for the bar.“She's at Jayden's place, but he wouldn't let me see her,” I said, reaching for a glass. “Ashley made sure of that.”The sound of the liquor pouring filled the silence. I downed the shot in one go, letting the burn sit in my chest for a second. I needed it. Anything to keep me sane.Liam sighed, his hands shoved in his pockets.“The only thing you did wrong was not telling her before going to see Kate. This whole thing’s a misunderstanding. She’ll see that eventually.”I poured another shot but didn’t drink it. “Do you think she'll forgive me?”“I do,” he said quietly. “She loves you, Michael. Just…give her time.
ASHLEY'S POV I was on my phone, chatting with Sophie and Jade, trying to distract myself from the ache sitting heavy in my chest. My eyes were swollen from crying, my head pounding from too much thinking and too little sleep.Then I heard it…Knock, Knock, Knock.I froze.“Ash, please. I know you're in there. Open up. I need to talk to you. It's really important.”That voice.Austin?My stomach tightened. Since I saw that photo of Michael with his ex wife, I'd shut everyone out. I didn't want to talk or even breathe near anyone who'd remind me of him. The only people who knew where I was were my Dad, Sophie, Jade and Austin.I knew Micheal might end up coming here soon, which is why I had to threaten my Dad and made him promise not to let him in.He knocked again, louder this time. “Ashley, please.”I sighed, dragging myself off the bed. I unlocked the door and saw him staring down at me with worry in his eyes. “Can I come in?” He asked. “Please, it's important.”I stepped aside fo
MICHEAL'S POV It's been three fucking days. Three fucking days since I woke up half naked in hotel room I don't remember walking into. Three days since Ashley walked out of my life without a word. Three days since I've been losing my goddamn mind trying to find her.I've called her friends. Her assistant. I even showed up at her office. Nothing. She's four months pregnant with my child and she's out there alone with no one to watch her.The thought alone makes my heart ache painfully in my chest. I grabbed the nearest glass on my desk and hurled it at the wall. It shattered like my patience, raining down in tiny, glittering pieces.“Where the fuck could she be?” I growled, pacing like a caged animal.The door creaked open behind me and Liam stepped in, scanning the wrecked office before his eyes landed on me.“Brother,” he said carefully. “You need to calm down. You've destroyed enough of this place to open a new furniture store. You haven't slept in three days. You'll pass out befo






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