All Chapters of The Reluctant Daddy CEO : Chapter 11 - Chapter 18

ASHLEYI have seen shirtless guys, but I haven't seen anyone like him before. I couldn't get the image out of my head no matter how much I tried.The joggers hung low on his hips, careless and effortless.I remembered the way his muscles shifted when he moved. Subtle flexes beneath warm skin, the quiet strength in his arms. His chest was toned, broad and smooth, rising and falling with slow, steady breaths. Below it, well-defined abs tightened slightly when he turned, the faint lines catching the light.He saw me in shorts. I was still embarrassed about him seeing me in clothes like that.In my defence, I wasn't expecting to see anyone there so early. I only wanted a cup of coffee.He was normal during the conversation, unlike me, who was a mess. If he noticed anything, he didn't say it.Rather, he showed it...I could still remember the tingles I felt when he patted my back softly. And when he put a finger over my mouth. My heart skipped a beat. I couldn't help but wonder if he fe

ASHLEY He didn't even glance at me.Not once. It ignited something in me.Sadness. I couldn't pinpoint why.Dinner with Kat was amazing. I learnt that she took care of him when he was a child. It explained the closeness between them.That night, I was able to fall asleep easily. __^__^__^__^__^__^__^__^__^__^__^__^__^__^__^One week.Seven days.He went on a business trip the following morning. He hasn't been back since. The mansion felt suffocating whenever Kat left for her house. I couldn't possibly talk to Luciana. Life's boring. Without his presence. Without the weird feelings I felt around him.It's also good in a way. It allowed me to organise my thoughts. Compose myself. To try to understand the weird feelings I felt whenever he was around. To understand what was going on with me.When Maya's text came in to hang out, I couldn't decline the offer."Do you mind watching over Luciana for a few hours?" I asked Katrina.She stared at me for a second before her face broke i

ASHLEY. When did I realize I had a serious problem? And Maya's assumption might be right.When he walked through that door wearing that glasses looking like a sexy nerd.I didn't even know I was into guys with glasses until then. Of all nights, I decided to skip dinner. A night I had to come prepare something because that decision was bad.It had to be the night he came down still wearing those glasses.Thank goodness he came in minutes after I finished dancing. I wouldn't be able to face him again if he saw me doing that. The universe hates me so much. "I hope you like red wine," his voice came up behind me.I collected the glass from him, avoiding the tiniest contact. "Yes, I do. Thank you."He shrugged as I took a sip. I almost moaned. It tasted expensive, something I wasn't used to. Something I couldn't afford.Today's the day I had to face my sister. I was dreading it. I wasn't ready to see the new scars she will be hiding under her long sleeve hoodie. Knowing I was resp

ASHLEY. "A!" A voice squealed before hands wrapped around me.I didn't need to turn around before I knew who.The smell.She smelled like home.The struggles we have been through. The Ashley Walker before this fantasy. "L!" I sighed, hugging her just as tight.I pulled away, slightly. My hands moved on their own. Checking, searching.Bruises. Scars.New ones.My fingers traced them carefully, like I could erase them if I tried hard enough.Scars given by the one person who was supposed to protect her.My throat tightened.This was why I stayed away.Why I made excuses.Because seeing it… made it real.She gently pulled her hand from mine and tugged her sleeve down."A," she called softly."I am... sorry."The words felt useless the moment they left my mouth. I couldn't meet her eyes. "It is not your fault, A," she started. "You are doing everything you can."My laugh came out hollow."My best isn’t enough."I dropped onto the bench, pressing my palms together to steady myself.Wh