As 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?
View MoreAshley'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 Two weeks ago, I had this perfect plan with my best friend—ditch Liam and travel out of town to anywhere that doesn't remind me of Micheal. Anywhere that didn't make me think of him. Anywhere else that didn't make me want him despite what he did to me.But fate—fate had other plans.FLASH BACK TWO WEEKS AGO After making sure Liam was in a deep sleep, I quietly slipped out of the room and tiptoed down the hallway. My heart was pounding so fast I thought it'd give me away. I found Austin waiting by the kitchen door with his keys dangling in one hand and his hoodie pulled over his head.“He's out,” I whispered. “We have to leave now.”“Good,” he muttered, checking his phone.“Give me a minute, I just need to grab something.”A minute later he came back with a bunch of keys in his hands.“Where exactly are we going?” I asked as we walked towards the garage.“My dad's got a place outside the town. It's been empty for a while, but we'll be safe there.”I nodded. I didn't car
JAYDEN’S POV The last time I felt this kind of fear was when my wife left me in this world with a ten year old who became my entire reason for living. I've faced struggles in business, suffered heartbreak, and lost a loved one. But nothing—absolutely nothing, compares to the fear of losing my only child.And right now, that fear is crawling under my skin. Because she gave me an ultimatum—make things right with Michael, or you won't see me again. I guess that's what love does to people. As much as I hate the idea, I still have to do this.So here I am, standing in the lobby of Kingston Technology, swallowing the last of my pride to be here.“Micheal,” I called out the minute I stepped in, my voice echoing across the walls of the building. Heads turned, whispers followed. There's nothing to hide now, it's all on the news. Then he appeared turning around slowly like he couldn't believe his ears.Hell, I couldn't believe mine either.He looked at me with that icy calm look—the kind that
KATE’S POV I was shoving the last of my files into the briefcase when someone knocked loudly at the door. My heart jumped. For a second, I froze, staring at the door like it might break down any moment. Then I heard his voice.“Kate! Open this damn door.”Jayden.I swallowed hard and unlocked it. He stormed in the second the door opened, his eyes blazing with pure fury.“What are you doing here?” I asked, though my voice came out small and shaky.He slammed the door close behind him.“Seriously? You're asking me that after your big confession almost killed my daughter?”His words hit like a punch to my chest. I took a step back, trying to breathe. “Jayden, I messed up. I know I did. But I had no choice…” “No choice?” he barked. “That's what you're going with after putting my daughter's life at risk?”“Simon threatened me,” I blurted out. “He knows about us, Jayden. He knows everything.”He froze. “What do you mean everything?”I felt my throat tighten. “He called me when I was in Ne
AUSTIN’S POV My kitchen smelled like garlic and butter, the way It always does when I throw a quick meal together after a long day. Cooking helps me relax. It kept me grounded. I was stirring the sauce, humming to a song under my breath when I heard a sharp knock at the door.That's strange. I wasn't expecting anyone.I wiped my hands on a towel, frowning as I moved towards the door. Curiosity gnawed at me, but nothing could have prepared me for what I saw when I peeked through the door.Ashley?I blinked. My brain refused to process it at first—its like my eyes were playing tricks on me. Ashley stood there at the entrance with a suitcase by her side and her hair slightly messy. And behind her—Liam, Michael's brother, stood there like some sort of bodyguard.What the hell is he doing here?I pulled the door open before I could voice out my thoughts. Ashley tilted her head, giving me the smallest smile. “Austin Carter, how long are you going to keep a lady standing outside?”“I…uh…sor
ASHLEY'S POV The ride back from Micheal’s felt like the strongest drive of my life. Every mile between us was a painful reminder that the world I had—the love I thought I had—was slipping through my fingers like sand I couldn't hold on to no matter how tight I clenched my fingers around it.I hadn't felt this much pain since the day my mother passed. That hollow, aching silence that stays with you long after the tear stops falling. If she were here right now, I knew exactly what she'd do. She'd scold me. She'd tell me how stupid I was for making those choices, for trusting so easily, for believing promises whispered to me in the dark. And maybe she'd be right. I'm indeed stupid. A big one at that.How could he? How could Micheal do this to me? After all the vows he made, after telling me I was his, after swearing he'd never hurt me. And he knew to do it at the worst time, when I was most vulnerable, when I had finally let my walls fall for him completely.Beside me, Liam’s voice cut
MICHEAL'S POV FEW HOURS EARLIER The liquor burned as it slid down my throat, but it didn't sting as much as the thoughts clawing through my head. My fingers drummed against the glass, a restless rhythm that gave away what I was trying to bury under the alcohol. I promised myself I wouldn't drink again for my child's sake. Yet, here I am…drowning deep in it.“I'm sure there's a better way to fix this,” Liam muttered for the fifth damn time since he got here. His voice was low but sharp enough to dig into me. “You don't have to go that far to make her stay away.”He was wrong. Dead wrong.I swallowed another shot and slammed the glass down harder than I meant to, and then I finally looked at him. “It's the only way we can make this real, Liam. You were there. You held her in your arms when Simon pointed that gun to her head. Do you think he's going to stop? Do you think he's going to give up just because we're tired of his stupid game? No. If I don't do this, if I don't play it smart,
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