7. EVE
7
EVE
T he nerve of him, all because of his power. He thinks he can step into my life and fix it like one of his little challenges. The door closes, and I hear footsteps trailing behind me.
"Eve," he calls out softly.
I walk faster back to the dining room and his brothers, where he better not dare mention what we discussed. Just before the room comes into view, I stop and turn back to Ash. "You don't get to fix my life. Do you understand?" I look up to him and point my finger like he's a little boy that needs to be scolded.
"I won't let someone hurt you, Eve." He steps into my space and grabs the finger I am pointing.
“You’re my employer, well, potential employer…” I remind him, but I don’t pull away from his warm grip on my hand.
“We’re more than that.” His head cocks to the side while his tongue moistens his lips.
My mind drifts back to the previous morning, watching him… them. Surely, that can’t be what he means. It’s like the awkward elephant in the room. “I’ll only ever be your employee, Mr. McKenzie.” I pull my hand from him and walk into the dining room, where his brothers seem to have dipped into the booze while we were away.
I take my seat and force a fake smile, hoping not to give my mood away.
“Where’s Ash?” Ford looks behind me.
“He was right there.” I swing around but don’t see him. Was he upset with me? For the first time, fear builds inside of me. Ash didn’t get what he wanted, but he better get his ass out here.
“So what’s this big secret you both have?” Hardy asks.
I look back, but he’s still not there. “Ash is better to explain.” I grab my presentation pack and pretend it’s the most exciting thing in the room. As the brothers make idle conversation around me, a knot forms in my stomach, a sense of discomfort settling in at being alone with them too long. Where was Ash?
“There he is.” Lane lifts his glass in acknowledgment as Ash rejoins the table.
“Sorry, phone call.” Ash looks at me with a playful smile.
“Phone call?” I repeat, leaning into him.
“Don’t worry.” He winks as if he's celebrating a victory.
“Why would I worry?” I whisper, desperately hoping the brothers are oblivious to the tension between us.
“We need to keep going. I have dinner plans.” Ash glances down at his phone, checking the time.
“A working dinner?” I ask. A rush of heat floods my cheeks at the mere idea of Ash with someone else. I slam my napkin on the table absentmindedly, inadvertently catching everyone’s attention.
“We can discuss that later.” Ash is back in business mode. He’s flipping through his papers and rambling on to his brothers. The thoughts in my head drowned out their voices. How can I be so jealous of this man? I’ve only known of his existence for a mere twenty-four hours.
“Eve?” Ash’s hand touches mine.
“Yes?” I break out of my thoughts and return to the table. All four of them are focusing their attention on me.
“Can you read the numbers on page six?” A low, rumbling tone escapes Ash’s lips, a troubled expression etched on his face. His hand squeezes mine under the table.
“Um... Yes.” With a shiver, I flip through the book, feeling coldness linger where Ash's hand used to be. I ramble off the numbers, encouraged by their responses. From now on, this was work. I didn’t care if he had the body of a god and made my insides melt into wetness with one sly look. He was used to having many women, and I wasn’t into that kind of guy. I’d work for him until I had enough money for my own place, and then I’d find a proper job.
“We need to keep this client at arm's length,” Lane says, and all brothers nod in agreement.
“I’ll continue to be the contact. No one else needs to meet them,” Ash adds.
“You sure?” Hardy asks.
“It’s best that way, for everyone.” Ash makes eye contact with me as I try to decode his brother's concerns.
“I can keep Dad off your back till next month, but I can’t guarantee anything past that,” Ford says.
“He’s off fucking that redhead.” Hardy laughs.
“Hardy.” Ash's voice serves as a warning.
“Sorry, Eve. A little too much sauce.” Hardy picks up his wineglass in acknowledgment, then finishes it.
We wrap up our meeting, and I stay at the table as Ash sees his brothers off. I tried to stay focused on professionalism, but I zoned in and out during the meal, as the warmth of Ash’s body holding mine was all I could think about besides the feeling of being his possession that he wanted to protect. I can’t let him treat me like this.
“Eve.” Ash’s hand rubs the small of my back, and I let him. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” I move away, picking up all the packets his brothers left behind on the table, concealing the potential tears waiting to fall at another thought of him and another woman.
“What’s wrong?” Concern etches Ash's face, creasing his brow.
“Nothing.” Anger seeps into my voice, and I can't help but acknowledge my slightly childish behavior. “We need to get back to the office.”
“I know the boss. He’s pretty lenient.” He smirks, trying to lighten the mood. “Now tell me, what has you bothered?” He steps behind me and wraps his arms around my waist, pressing me firmly into his body.
“We can’t.” I push against the table to escape, but he doesn’t budge. A server enters to clean, sees us, then quickly retreats, closing the door behind him.
“We’re alone.” Ash’s voice is in my ear, his hands moving up and down my stomach, squeezing slightly, careful not to touch anything he could get in trouble for.
“Who are you going to supper with?” I twirl around, my heart pounding in my chest. His hands slowly withdraw from my body, leaving a trail of lingering warmth.
“You. That is. Will you have supper with me, Eve?” His hands slide into his pockets, and he’s like the little boy again.
A sigh of relief escapes my lips, a sound I should have suppressed, …just like my anger and jealousy. I return to the table, resume my cleanup, and hide the smile on my face.
“I booked us a spot I think you’ll like,” Ash continues.
“And if I don’t want to go?” I meet his gaze with a firm, serious look.
“Then that green dress would go to waste.” His eyes linger on my face as they travel from my eyes to my mouth. A slight smile on his face leaves me to wonder what he’s thinking.
“What time?” I give in too easily because the thought of him taking someone else…
“I’ll pick you up at six.” His hand brushes away a strand of loose hair close to my cheek. “Thank you for today. I know that was hard to throw at you on your first day. You did amazing.”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“You underestimate yourself.”
“It wouldn’t have been any different if I wasn’t here,” I push back.
“They wouldn’t have been on their best behavior, and I wouldn’t have gotten them to give me more time.” Ash packs up his briefcase. “Ford can be a hard-ass when there are no women around.”
“Like a respect thing?”
“Yes. Respect.” Ash stands still for a moment, his gaze distant and contemplative, then continues what he was doing.
“So, we were successful then? You got what you wanted?”
“Yes, and no. I got more time, but I still need to close the deal.” He slips his jacket back on and fidgets with the cufflinks.
“Do you want me to go to your meeting with the client?” A smile spreads across my face as I imagine myself as his lucky charm.
“No. Under no circumstances can you ever meet the client," he says, his eyes turning dark. The tone of his voice turned harsh and reminds me I am just his secretary, until I’m dismissed like the blonde.
“I’m sorry. I just assumed…” I stutter, confused by his mix of emotions.
“They aren’t people you want to fuck with, Eve. I’ll handle the client.” His voice is firm and not to be challenged.
“You handle the client,” I repeat, wanting the playful little boy to return. I have to remember who I was working for, the rumors about them, and what kind of business they run.
“That was rude of me. I shouldn’t have said it that way.” His hands rub my arms. “They are dangerous people.”
“Okay.” I half smile, thinking I didn’t want him near them either. I didn’t care if he could handle himself. The idea of him getting hurt made me feel sick to my stomach.
“You can trust me, Eve. I will only ever have your best interests at heart.” His voice is sincere, but the man barely knows me, and I him. Why should I trust him ?
I nod, unsure how I could reply to that comment. We have this odd connection, and I feel like I can say anything to him, but we barely know each other. And he also has a temper I’ve only seen the edge of.
Ash’s phone buzzes with a text. Suddenly, his expression turns hard, shifting his whole demeanor as he heads for the door, leaving me behind. “I have to be somewhere. Take the limo back to work.”
I nod, the familiar jealous feeling churning in my stomach.