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?
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.MICHEAL'S POV “Come on, Ashley…pick up.” I muttered, pacing outside her apartment like a goddamn lunatic. My thumb hovered over the screen before I hit the dial again.Straight to voicemail.I stared up at the building, hoping—willing–some kind of light would flicker on, or a shadow would move behind the blinds, something. Anything.But it stayed quiet. Dark. Like she hadn't been home at all.I cursed under my breath and tried calling again. And again.Same thing. It went straight to voicemail.A blast of cold air cut through me as I rested against the wall. I rubbed my face hard, trying to settle my thoughts, but it only spiralled.Where the hell are you, Ashley? This wasn't like her even if she's mad at me. Not a word since she left, not even a reply to my text. After the look in her eyes when she saw Kate…after what I didn't say, I knew I'd messed up pretty bad. I should've run after her the second she walked out. I should've been honest.Now, I had no idea where she was.I pu
ASHLEY'S POV I didn't know how I made it down to the car.I don't even remember walking out of Michael’s office. My legs just moved on their own, but my heart had stayed back there…stuck in that suffocating room, watching him stand next to her. Watching the silence between us speak louder than anything he could've said.Kate. That name alone was enough to get my stomach all knotted up. My hands gripped the wheel so hard that my knuckles hurt. My eyes pricked with tears, and I blinked wildly, struggling to keep them from falling.I drove for hours. It didn't matter where. I just needed to get out. Away from that building, away from him, away from it all.The sky was already growing dark, and city lights began to come to life like the stars were taunting me. I pulled over on an unknown side street, slouched back in the car seat, and stared straight ahead like maybe the road would have answers. But it didn't.All I could see was her face. Perfect. Composed. Like she belonged there.Lik
MICHEAL'S POV The door clicked shut behind her, but the echo of Ashley's presence lingered like a storm that hadn't fully passed.She was gone. And I hadn't said a damn word. I couldn't even go after her because we couldn't be seen together like that. Not when Kate was here.I stood still near the window, watching the city lights through the glass. Kate was standing behind me, her heels clicking as she stepped further into my office.“I didn't mean to interrupt.” She said quietly.I turned slowly to face her. Her voice hadn't changed. Still poised, calm, threaded with that infuriating elegance she always carried. She wore a black skirt and white blouse, her dark hair falling back in that same style she used to wear during board meetings when she wanted to intimidate everyone at the table.“What are you doing here, Kate?” I asked.Her brow lifted as if she was surprised by the question. “You knew I was coming. Ethan said you agreed to this meeting.” I cursed under my breath. I had ag
ASHLEY'S POVThe moment I stepped out of the elevator into Michael's glassy corridor. I felt the old flutter in my chest. Stupid as it was, he made me feel that way just because I was around him. But today, there was something else beneath it…something I couldn’t quite put my finger on. I held the door and pushed it open slowly. He stood by the window, focused on his phone as he typed something into it. He looked stressed, exhausted “Hey,” I said softly.His head snapped up. For a moment, something flashed in his eyes, but it was gone too fast for me to catch on.“Baby,” he whispered, standing up quickly. “I wasn't aware you were coming,”I smiled “I just wanted to surprise you. I thought you might want to take some time off work.”He walked over to me and placed a kiss on my cheek.“You know I’m always happy to see you. But today’s been a little crazy.”I sat down across from him, placing the coffee I'd bought on his desk. “I thought as much. You’ve barely replied to my messages.”
KATE'S POV The steady buzz from my phone did nothing to help calm my nerves. I was alone in the office, holding a cup of coffee with both hands as different thoughts swirled in my head. The silence in this room was deafening, and I felt so…out of place. Maybe it was the way Micheal had looked at me earlier, as if I were an inconvenience.I had just organized my stuff when I heard a light knock on the door. Ethan entered and closed the door behind him."Hey," I said, forcing out a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes.He didn't smile back. He looked…disappointed. Maybe even hurt.“Why didn't you tell me?” he asked, his voice low but firm. “That you were his ex-wife. You had a different name on your resume.”My heart sank. I placed the pen down slowly.“Ethan I didn't know how to, I found out last minute, and even if I told you, I wouldn't have gotten the job.”“You didn't know how to?” a disbelief edge in his voice. “Kate, I brought you in. I vouched for you. You should’ve told me.
MICHEAL'S POV The rain hadn't stopped all morning. It clung to the city in that heavy way that made everything feel slower, like time itself was dragging its feet.I stood by my office window, holding a cup of black coffee in hand as I watched the drops trail down the glass. The silence was deceptive and calm, but this feeling kept tugging at me. My gut has been twisting since I woke up. A feeling I couldn't explain. Like something big was coming. My phone buzzed on the desk behind me, but I ignored it.“Hey man, you got a minute?”I turned at the sound of Ethans voice—my friend since college days, and now a partner on the tech investment venture we have been exploring on the side. Ethan's office was two floors down, but he rarely came up unless it was important.“Yeah, come in,” I said, placing the cup on the windows ill. “What's up?” Ethan stepped in, brushing droplets of rain off his jacket. His usual easy confidence was replaced by something hesitant. His smile faltered before
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