Take Me Down (Suits in Pursuit) (24 page)

“I like the way you think.” Sebastian strolled to the opposite side of the bar and swiveled Ashley around in her seat toward him. “What are you doing today?”

Ashley’s eyes crawled up his tall, muscular frame. “Working on your plan. Why?”

“I want to take you somewhere. There’s something I need you to see.” Sebastian leaned close. “We have unfinished business between us that has nothing to do with the Carlisle or the marketing plan.” Sensual heat radiated from him straight to her core. “But today is all about business.”

Squirming in her seat, she swallowed hard. Confirmation that the desire she felt was returned by Sebastian raised her anxiety. “Sebastian.” Her stare past his shoulder landed on the photo of Chris on the shelf. She closed her eyes. Sucked in a breath. “I’ll do whatever you want me to do to market your development, but we need to keep our relationship strictly professional.”

Amusement tinted his eyes. “Remember, I own you. Every inch of you for the next eighteen months.” His smug expression infuriated her instantly. “Luckily for you, I’m not interested, at least not in the way you think I am.” Sebastian headed to the front door, his hand parked on the knob.

Relief floated over Ashley, followed by a sense of regret.
Damn!
When would that night in the Keys stop haunting her?

She wiggled down from the stool, keeping a safe distance from Sebastian. “Where should I meet you?”

Sebastian leaned against the doorframe. “Bring your laptop.” His broad shoulders filled the space. “Meet me in the lobby at two o’clock. I’ll be out front, waiting. Don’t wear a dress and be prepared to get messy.”

In the hallway, Sebastian reached for his cell phone. The text message he sent to Daniel was short and direct.

I need another favor. Can you get a mattress for me? A king. The best one you’ve got.

Daniel fired back a response immediately.

You got it. Already banged your way through the new one you just purchased, huh?

Sebastian didn’t respond to Daniel’s rhetorical joshing—although the thought of banging his way through a mattress with Ashley did awaken a certain part of his anatomy.

Chapter Fifteen

Ashley gulped down the last of her green tea. She grabbed her keys and red clutch from the sofa table and headed out the front door. Her laptop bag relaxed at her hip. Sebastian would be there to pick her up in five minutes. The elevator doors opened, and she strolled across the freshly painted lobby to the newly renovated entrance.

Sebastian waited in the driver’s seat of his silver and black Jeep Wrangler. As she approached, he hopped out and jogged to the passenger side and opened the door.

He extended a hand and took hold of her bag. Indulgent eyes roved her fitted shirt to her worn jeans. “Hello.”

Ashley climbed into the vehicle. “Hi.” She couldn’t help ogling Sebastian’s defined arms and strong hands resting on the door. Chiseled pecs peeked through his perfectly pressed dress shirt. “I thought you said I should wear something that I could get messy?”

He flashed a smile, closed the door, and headed back to the driver’s side. He leaned back into the seat, his probing gaze stalled on hers. “You look great.” A glimmer of mischief in his eyes.

Sebastian reached behind the passenger seat. She frowned at the rustling sound of plastic. He placed a T-shirt on his lap. “I’ll change into this as soon as we get there.” His eyes seemed to laugh at her.

“As soon as we get where?” Ashley asked.

“My office,” he said. “We’ll work on the presentation. Later you’re going to help me paint.”

“Paint?” She didn’t understand. Wouldn’t he hire professionals to do that sort of thing?

“Yes. Paint.” Sebastian handed the tattered shirt to Ashley. “Hold on to this, would you?”

Ashley stuffed the plastic bag into her oversized Dooney. “Sure.”

He glanced at her. “I enjoy painting. It’s relaxing,” he said, as though needing to explain. “Helps me manage stress.”

Her head tilted and shoulder shrugged, “I understand.”

They drove five miles north up Peachtree Street. “My office is there,” he pointed to a high-rise across the street.

Ashley shouldered her handbag and exited the vehicle. She followed his heavy steps toward the elevator. They rode silently to the twenty-second floor. The doors opened into an open office space brightly colored in shades of yellow and teal.

“Come with me.” Sebastian walked down a hall lined with offices overlooking magnificent views of the city. Inside she could see trendy office furnishings. Some offices showed signs of being occupied. Others were untouched, having nothing on the desk surfaces or walls. They approached a closed door at the end of the hall.

He rammed his shoulder into the smooth surface and opened the door. “This is your office whenever you need to work with me or my staff. I hope you’ll be comfortable here.”

Ashley scoped out the large room. The office was the largest of all the ones she had seen. “Sebastian, this is a great space.” Her open palm pressed flat against her chest. A tiny gasp seeped from her lips.

“Great. I’m glad you’re pleased.” The flat tone of his deep voice didn’t match the look in his eyes. Each sweeping glance devoured her body. “Each office has an accent wall. After we finish the plan, we’ll paint your wall. The color options are teal or yellow. What’s your preference?” Ashley stepped away, putting distance between them.

She spun around. Her office at A.C. Advertising was nice, but didn’t have views as breathtaking as the views in Sebastian’s office. “I like teal.”

“Then we’ll paint the wall teal.” Sebastian hadn’t moved from the entrance. “I’ll be in my office at the end of the hall if you need anything.”

“Sebastian,” Ashley called to him as he turned to leave. “Thank you.” Her words were sincere. Considering the many days and nights that would require her presence there, she appreciated his thoughtfulness.

In a flash, his mood changed. “Don’t thank me,” he snapped. “Get to work. I want the first draft completed by five o’clock. Can you do that?” His frigid tone slapped her back into reality. Sebastian had no other intention than to ensure she delivered what he wanted.

She unzipped the bag, pulling the laptop from its sheath. “Yes. I can do that.”

“Good.” He turned, and then he was gone.

Exactly ten minutes before five, Ashley hit the send button. Her stomach growled ferociously. She stood and stretched her arms wide, her back to the office door.

Sebastian cleared his throat as he leaned against the doorframe. “How’s it coming along, Ashley?”

She whipped around. “I e-mailed the first draft to you seconds ago,” she said, surprise marking her tone.

“Excellent. You must be starving. I ordered pizza and sodas. The food should be here at any time. Follow me.” Sebastian disappeared faster than she could respond.

She hurried down the narrow hall after him. “Sebastian, I think you’ll like my ideas.” She couldn’t help admire his swagger. The man knew how to pick a pair of jeans. And he wore them even better.

He strutted into the last office on the right. As she entered the room, he dipped into a chair behind a massive desk and swiveled around to face the computer screen.

The arrow glided across the screen at the command of his mouse stroke. After several clicks, the presentation popped up. Sebastian’s mouth formed a hard line, eyes narrowed and brows bunched. Ashley clasped her hands, twisting them nervously as she stood peering over his shoulder.

Like the contrail from a jet soaring high, lining the sky, a sly grin streaked his cold expression. “This is a good start. I do want you to make a few tweaks, but overall…” He glanced over his shoulder. “Impressive,” he said with flames flaring behind his eyes. “Hey, why isn’t this working?” he asked, pointing to a stalled animation in the presentation.

Ashley leaned down. “Here. Let me drive,” she said, attempting to take command of the mouse. Slender fingers clasped over his large hand. A hand that stayed fixed. She jerked away. “Oh! Sorry.” Her voice pitched. “May I?”

Sebastian righted his posture. “Uh, hmm.” He cleared his throat and then positioned his hand on the desk beside the mouse pad. “It’s all yours.”

She grabbed hold of the mouse, leaning closer to him. Inhaling Sebastian’s masculine scent, she became woozy. Her breasts pebbled into hard beads. As though an apocalyptic ice storm had frozen him in place, Sebastian stilled. Even his breathing seemed to cease. Her supple bosoms pressed softly against his bare forearm, the obvious culprit.

A groan, deep and summoning, emitted from the pit of his gut, like despair. With a slight turn, his eyes centered on hers. Face-to-face, inches away. “Ashley.” Her name rolled off his tongue like a dope fiend craving his next hit.

“Yes, Sebastian.” Her words met his. She hadn’t felt as strong as she did then since being humbled by his intimidation tactics the day before.

His forehead wrinkled and lips twisted into a smirk. “My pants are buzzing.” Sebastian’s bass reverberated through her core.

She paced her breathing, boldly keeping his gaze. “I’ve never heard that line before.”

The glint in his eyes sparked laughter. “I meant the pizza is here.” He chuckled. Fury boiled her blood.

Ashley shifted away. Her rear end planted on the wooden credenza at the side of the desk. She huffed. Sebastian stood. Her eyes followed his rise and then drifted to the floor. Humiliated. She scooted to the very edge of the cabinet as he neared, distancing herself, yet close enough to see the pulsing vein in his neck and to feel the searing heat of 98.6°F against her flesh.

Cheek to cheek, his breath brushed her earlobe like feathers. “We’ll finish this later,” he said. His mouth twitched, a wisp of a smile exposing delight in her torture.

Her throat went dry. Her mind went blank. Ashley shut her eyes. Sebastian toying with her libido spelled danger for them both.

“Come on.” He said over his shoulder at a pouting Ashley, who remained glued to the furniture. “Let’s eat. I know you’re hungry for it.”

Sebastian swooped up the last slice of pizza, nearly cramming the entire piece into his mouth with a single bite. He stared blatantly. He couldn’t stop gawking. Ashley’s dark brown eyes captivated him since that first night on Peachtree Street. What thoughts floated around behind that pretty face?

“Are you full?” he asked, pushing back from the round break room table.

Still chewing a mouthful, Ashley nodded. “Uh, huh,” she mumbled before swallowing.

“Good. Then it’s time to paint.” He whipped out his cell phone, glancing at the time. “A quarter till six,” he blurted out. “Do you have any other plans tonight?” He asked, not that he really cared about her answer. Based on their understanding, Ashley would do as he pleased, whenever he pleased. Sebastian wondered how far the limits of his power over her extended. His pants tightened around his crotch, his imagination running wild and rampant with naughty thoughts.

“No. I don’t have any plans this evening,” she said, releasing a small sigh.

He licked his lips, remembering her sweet tangy bitterness on his tongue. Sebastian had never relished the taste of a woman as much as that night. “Perfect. We can take our time and go slow.” Circling his index finger on the table, his stare stayed fixed on her.