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.MICHEAL'S POV The glass hit the counter harder than I meant, a sharp click echoing against the low hum of the music in the lounge. I took another shot, another burn down my throat. I don't even keep count anymore. I didn't know if it was my third or tenth. I didn't care.What the hell was I even upset about?She loves me. I know that. Ashley has never made me doubt her heart, never once made me think she wasn't all in. But the way she looked at me in the eyes earlier— the way her soft voice said NO to me—it tore something out of me.Not because she refused me, but because she refused the one thing I knew could keep her safe. The only thing I want to do right now is protect her. And she doesn't want that.The weight of it pressed on my chest harder than the alcohol did.“Why's a fine man like you drinking alone?”I didn't even notice the woman until she was standing too close. Her perfume clouded the air, the scent was sweet and at the same time suffocating…I almost gagged.She slid o
ASHLEY'S POV I have never loved any man the way I love Micheal. Not in my wildest dreams did I think I was capable of this kind of love—the kind that claws at your ribs and makes your chest feel too heavy and too light at the same time. If it meant keeping him safe, I would burn to keep him warm. If it meant keeping him alive, I would give every last drop of myself, every breath, every tear….to save him.But when the man you love looks you in the eye and asks you to move in with him, that's not just love anymore. That's a whole new commitment, a kind of surrender I wasn't sure I was ready for.So when he asked, I stood from his lap and stared at him. My voice came out quieter than I wanted, shakier than I liked.“I don't think that's a good idea.”The disappointment in his eyes hit me like a wave. He leaned back on the couch, his jaw tight, his hands flexing as though he was trying to restrain himself.Then he said, “I need you close at all times, Ashley. Simon’s out there, plotting
MICHEAL'S POV The second Austin stormed out of my office, I didn't waste a second. I grabbed my phone and dialed Kai's number.“Kai,” I said as soon as he answered. “Why the hell is Simon still breathing?”There was a pause on the other end before his voice came through, calm but caution.“Michael…”“You had one job, Kai.” I snapped. My hand tightened around the phone, veins pushing through my skin. “One job, and you failed.”“I'm sorry, Micheal,” he said quickly. “He had help from the inside. One of my men betrayed me. But it's been handled.”I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to keep my rage in check. The thought of betrayal, of someone switching sides—it crawled under my skin like reptiles.Kai cleared his throat. “Do you want me to make the move again?”For a moment, I thought about it. Ending Simon once and for all. But no, he wasn't stupid. He probably already knew it was me behind the first attempt. Making another move now would only be predictable.“No,” I said coldly. “
AUSTIN’S POV I'd thought about this for days. Spent sleepless nights weighing it in my head, pacing my apartment for hours, telling myself to keep my mouth shut, and just watch them fall apart while I grab my chance with Ashley. But the truth was ugly, and I knew Micheal would never take it lightly. But the longer I kept it inside, the heavier it became, pressing on my chest until I could barely breathe.And it all came back to her.Ashley.The only reason I was here, sitting in Micheal’s office, staring him down while he glared at me like I was the last person he wanted to see. I hated the fact that he had her, that she looked at him in ways she never looked at me. That jealousy burned hot in my veins—but it was nothing compared to the fear that Simon Veltor's name carried.Her safety was more important than my pride.More important than my resentment.Micheal leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes cutting through me like blades. “Can we be fast about this?” He asked. “I have a si
MICHEAL'S POV If looks could kill, Liam would already be six feet under. Ashley hadn't stopped glaring at him since the vase shattered. It didn't matter that most of her things were already packed by Liam and that all that was left was waiting for the moving truck—Ashley’s day had been completely ruined by that one broken vase.And I find it hard to support her this time. Because I don't just get it. A vase was just a vase, right? It's replaceable if broken. But judging by the way she sat beside me now with her arms crossed, cheeks flushed from anger, I was starting to realize this was more than just about some piece of porcelain.Liam, of course, wasn't helping. He scoffed from the passenger seat. “I mean, it's just a vase. I don't get why she's so pissed.”I didn't even have the time to react before Ashley shot up with fury in her eyes, ready to lunge at him.“Ash…” I grabbed her, pulling her down quickly and setting her on my lap before she actually scratched his face off. “Enough
MICHEAL'S POV It had been a week. One damn week of silence, and it was eating me alive.The last time I'd seen Ashley was the day after her birthday. Since then, all I got was excuses— “baby, I'm busy, or let's talk later.” I kept telling myself she needed space, but the truth was simple: I missed her. The ache of not having her near me was sharper than I care to admit.So, I did what I always did when something clawed at me—I buried myself in work. Meetings, contracts, late night at the office. But even in the middle of presentations, my thoughts drifted to her smile, her voice, the way she looked at me like I was the only one in the room.And still, despite everything, I couldn’t shake the unease. Tyler's little stunt on the yacht replayed in my head more than I wanted. That's why I still had Liam watching her. Not that I fully trusted him—hell no—but he'd saved her once, and that earned him a credit.Just as I was flipping through files on my desk, the office door swung open witho
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