RUSH (Montgomery Men Book 1) (8 page)

Even worse, the person that caught me was none other than the fire-breathing creature himself.

Ashton stood only a few feet away, arms crossed over his thick chest, which his red dress shirt hugged tightly, looking as if it could barely contain the bulging arm muscles beneath it.

Suddenly I felt as if the atmosphere within the four walls of the elevator had grown quite hot, but I knew the temperature change had nothing to do with the small space.

“Mr. Montgomery,” I said in greeting as I stepped from the elevator, choosing to ignore the fact he’d just caught me basically playing with my tits. I stepped past him to gain some distance and walked toward Lex’s desk. “Mrs. Stockman directed me to pick up some paperwork you had for her.” I knew he already knew why I was here. He was the one that had set this meeting up in the first place. I also knew he hadn’t called me over strictly for the paperwork, as he could have had any one of his employees deliver it for him.

This was a ploy to get me back here, in his domain. The place where he felt he held the most control.

“I’m fully aware of why you’re here, Ms. Masterson,” he said.

The way my name rolled off his tongue gave me unwanted chills. I had grown so accustomed to being referred to as Kiera Masterson, I sometimes forgot it wasn’t my given name. Still, I’d learned to live the life of this new person. But something about hearing Ashton say this false name just felt wrong.

“Why don’t we step into my office and I’ll get those papers for you.” He held out his hand and gestured toward the open door to the left as his eyes appreciatively raked over me from head to toe. I didn’t hesitate to enter his office, but I wanted this entire thing over with.

The first time I was here, I hadn’t made the effort to look around. I was so nervous after the way he had acted that everything moved by in a blur. But today I took a moment to appreciate the beauty of his office. Everything seemed to have its place, being carefully positioned and displayed. The floor-to-ceiling windows gave him an amazing view of New York City.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

I jumped at the sound of his voice and its closeness and turned, nearly bumping in to him, yet he didn’t move away. He placed his hand on my waist and held me near, smiling knowingly.

The bastard knew exactly what he was doing.

“The papers?” I said, ignoring the way my body reacted to his touch.

A knock on his door had my heart racing even more. I needed to get out of here. I was wound so tight I felt like I would ricochet off the walls like a fucking pinball at any second.

Ashton didn’t step back from me, obviously enjoying our closeness entirely too much. His lower lip twitched as he tried not to smirk, and his eyes were hazy as he stared back at me, as if he was planning his attack.

“Just place the tray on the table, Miffy,” he said, and then I realized we were no longer alone.

I looked over his shoulder and found an attractive blonde putting what looked like serving dishes on the small table in the corner. The plates were covered with lids, making it impossible to see what was beneath.

“What’s this?” I asked.

“Breakfast,” he said as he curled his arm tighter around my waist and led me toward the table. “Since you’ve refused to allow me the chance to take you out on a proper date, I figured I would give you no choice but to share a meal with me here.”

He was insane. It was the only explanation.

“I have to get to work,” I said as he pulled out a chair and guided me into it as if I was a child. “I have errands to run and things to pick up,” I continued, remembering the list Ms. Stockman had emailed me.

“It’s taken care of,” Ashton assured me.

“Excuse me?” What the hell was he talking about? “What do you mean it’s taken care of?”

Without answering my question, he pushed my chair closer to the table and sat in the chair opposite me.

“Mr. Montgomery?” I needed him to explain what in the hell he meant.

“Ash,” he corrected me. “Call me Ash.” The ease with which he spoke annoyed me. He honestly didn’t believe he was doing anything wrong. Had he truly grown so accustomed to everyone doing everything and anything he demanded at the drop of a hat that he didn’t see how messed up this behavior was?

I didn’t have time for his games. I just needed him to give me the damn papers so I could be on my way. And explain what in the hell “It’s taken care of”
meant. Something told me I wouldn’t like his explanation, but I didn’t like not knowing either.

“All the items on your to-do list have been taken care of, and everything will be waiting for you once we’ve finished with our meal.”

I sat perfectly still giving him a what-the-fuck look. “Are you insane?” I said, my irritation multiplying with each breath I took. “That’s it, right? You’re a control freak who strives to overpower everyone in your path.”

Ashton looked at me as he leaned back in his chair with his arm resting on the edge of the table. He didn’t speak, only smirked. “You’re feistiness is quite appealing, Kiera.” He trailed his tongue along his lower lip. “And to answer your questions, I am completely sane. I do, however, strive for control. I love power, in all things.”

I think he meant for his response to be appealing, but it only confirmed my suspicions that he was not a man I wanted or needed to be involved with. Flashbacks of my life with Jase came rushing in, and suddenly the expansive office felt as if it was no bigger than a shoebox.

As if he had noticed my uneasiness, he added, “But I also enjoy giving up that control and being at the mercy of a beautiful woman such as yourself.” He leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table. “You’ve caught my attention, Kiera,” he said in a softer tone. “I’m not a bad guy.”

“That’s what they all say,” I mumbled, and he squinted.

I had to gain some control over my emotions. I had to step into the shoes of Kiera Masterson and tame Kinsley Hellman, because she died when I left Miami.

ASHTON

KIERA LOOKED AS IF AT
any moment she would run from the room in a panic. She was doing her best to appear strong and in control, but I could tell I was losing her.

“I know you don’t know me,” I tried to save this day one last time, “but I can assure you, Kiera, I am a good guy. I do have a domineering side, but I respect women and would never hurt them.” I took her hand in mine. She tried to pull it back, but I refused to let go. “I just want to spend time with you, and this here”—I motioned toward the serving dishes between us—“is just breakfast between two friends.”

The silence stretched out between us, and my heart raced in anticipation. She could stand and leave or choose to stay. Either way, the situation was out of my hands. Given that I usually held the upper hand, I wasn’t familiar with being in a position like this.

“Just breakfast,” she said, and I offered a reassuring nod.

“Yes,” I replied, “and possibly the opportunity to watch you do a little more adjusting.” Her eyes grew wide before she pulled her hand back and covered her face in embarrassment. But her mouth lifted in a smile, and I felt a little more relaxed.

Kiera honestly made me feel all tied up inside. I had never been this needy for the company of a woman. I still had no idea what about her made me feel this way, but I intended to find out. I no longer cared if it took months, I would suffer through it for the chance to find out what this beautiful woman was hiding.

She wasn’t as tough as she appeared to be.

“I’m sorry you saw that,” she added as she lowered her hand.

“I’m not.” I shrugged, choosing to ignore her blush. I lifted the lids from the plates and gave her the subject change I knew she was searching for as I displayed the mixture of fresh fruit, bacon, and poached eggs.

Judging by the smile that now graced her lips, she was pleased with my choices.

And oddly that pleased me.

“I should go,” Kiera said as she pushed back from the table. “I can’t believe I’ve been here this long.”

“It just means you’ve enjoyed my company.” I too stood and placed my napkin on the table. “Admit it, I’m not such a bad guy.”

Her sweet, soft laugh only made me smile wider. Somehow her happiness only enhanced my own.

“It was nice,” she said as she picked up her bag and placed the strap over her shoulder. “But as far as you being a good guy, the jury’s still out.”

She’d turned on her heel and begun to walk toward my office door when without a second thought I hooked her around the waist and pulled her body back against my own. She yelped, but I didn’t let it halt me.

The smell of her perfume mixed with her shampoo filled my nostrils, and for a moment I just took in the fragrance. I had never smelled anything more appealing. “Let me prove it to you,” I whispered. She was tense in my arms, and I knew I needed to tread lightly. Something told me that telling her I wanted nothing more than to pin her against the wall, reach beneath her skirt, and find the spot that drove her crazy would only terrify her. Yes, my usual tactics would not work on Kiera.

“Have dinner with me,” I whispered against her ear. “You pick the place and the time, anywhere you want.” I fought the urge to demand her presence, which was my usual method because most women I ran across said yes without hesitation.

But she wasn’t like the women I’d been with in the past.

“Today was refreshing after all the tension faded,” she confessed, and I felt relieved that she thought so too. But it faded as she continued to speak. “I think it’s best that we keep things between us strictly professional. I just don’t have room in my life for anything more.”

I felt like she’d just kicked me in the nuts.

“I don’t know what happened to you,” I said in return, and though she tensed in my arms again, I went on. “I don’t know why you’re so scared of giving this thing between us a chance, but I won’t give up. It’s not who I am, Kiera. I’m a fighter, and when I have my sights set on something I want, I don’t give up until I’ve won.”

I moved closer, making sure she could feel my lips against her neck when I continued to talk. “And you are all I think about. It’s quite distracting.”

Chills covered her neck and shoulder as she shivered in my arms.

Fighting my arousal was becoming more and more of a challenge. I was so fucking wired and turned on I felt like my balls were about to explode.

“I don’t lie, and I don’t hide the way I feel.” I closed my eyes tightly and tipped my head just enough that her hair brushed against the tip of my nose. God, her scent was pure heaven. “I want you, Kiera,” I confessed, becoming lost in her presence, lost to the feel of my body pressed tightly against hers. “I know that seems to terrify you, but I need you to know. I won’t stay away; I can’t. I want to feel you against me, hold you close, and hear the sound of your pants in my ear. I won’t lie to you, Kiera,” I reiterated. “I won’t ever lie to you.”

I pressed a soft kiss against the base of her neck, and for a moment she went stock-still. As if she was terrified of what I may do next. That thought left a bad feeling in my stomach. Did she actually think I would force her to do anything she wasn’t completely willing to do?

I slowly released her, stepping back to put some space between us. My own heart was racing, and she wasn’t the only one that needed some distance.

She kept her back to me as we both remained perfectly still, just calmly breathing. I didn’t speak for fear of spooking her. I’d already told her my intentions. I hoped that was enough.

And when she reached for the door, pulled it open, and walked out without looking back, I felt like she took a part of me with her. I sagged in disappointment as I listened to the fading sound of her heels clicking against the tile floor.