Tagged & Ashed (The Sterling Shore Series #2) (12 page)

"That would be great,
Shannon.  Thanks."

Chapter Six

Extinguishing Flames

Ashiara

“So you haven’t talked to him since the wedding?” Shannon asks as I sit down in her chair to get my hair done in her salon.

“No.  I told you.  It was a fling.  A hot fling, but a fling.  For once I was carefree, fun, and a little dirty.”

“It’s just weird he hasn’t tried calling in six weeks.  I mean, from what you and Billy have told me, he didn’t sound like a guy who wanted just a fling.”

My heart sinks as I stare in the mirror at her oblivious face.  She has no idea how bad this fight with Billy has been hurting me.

“Billy’s been coming in?”

She looks up from snipping my hair, suddenly registering the reason for my pause, and then her dark eyes soften.

“I’m sorry, but yeah.  He has gotten a few haircuts since the two of you got into it.  He mentioned the fact you changed your number, and he even asked me if I had your new one.”

“You didn’t give it to him, did you?” I worry.

“Of course not.  I told him if he wanted your friendship back, I was doing him a favor by not letting him call you like a coward.”

I breathe out a sigh of relief, and my body visibly relaxes.

“Speaking of the reason you changed your number... Jimmy can't get approval to investigate using police resources unless this guy makes a physical appearance of some sort," she says in a huff.

"I wish he’d find someone else to screw with," I grumble, steadying my trembling hands.

Shannon doesn't need to know how crazy scared I really am.  She'd never let me stay alone if she did.

“What does his voice sound like?”

“I don’t know.”

“What?  I thought you said he makes threatening phone calls.”

“I said he makes phone calls and threats.  He just sits on the other line, breathing heavy.  A while back, he sent flowers with threats, and random notes would pop up on my door, car, windows… various other places.  The notes had the worst of the threats.  I gave them all to the police the first time this happened.  Eventually this guy will move on or make a mistake.  Either way, the punishment for harassment is barely a slap on the wrist.”

“I wish that ass would show himself.  I’d give him more than a damn slap on the wrist for fucking with you,” she says with a thug-like attitude that makes me smile.

“I’m sure you would, but until he slips up, it’s on me.  For now, I just need to concentrate on work.  I’ve got a few clients to meet this afternoon, which is why I’m getting my hair cut.”

“Well, these layers are perfect.  I’m sure you’ll land their accounts, and you’ll make their websites look phenomenal.”

***

Tag

“Sir, your one o’clock is here,” Sidney, my assistant, says as I grumble behind my desk.

Loosening my tie, I reply, “Thanks.  It’ll be short.  Have you pushed back my other appointments as I asked?”

“Yes, sir.  Do you need anything else?”

I shake my head to dismiss her, and she scurries out.  I can remember when I used to fuck her and enjoy it.  Now, my damn cock won’t do anything but stay soft.  I don’t know what’s wrong with me.

Is it possible to have erectile dysfunction at twenty-six?  I mean, maybe I’ve overused the damn thing.  It hasn’t worked since the wedding.

Coming back from the elongated photo shoot to find Ash gone without so much as a
goodbye
was enough to ruin any ideas I had about us.  I’m glad she walked the hell out when she did, instead of letting me make a fool of myself.

“Evening, Tag,” Bity says as he walks in, looking like a professional.

“Hey, Bity,” I murmur very cordially.  “Want to tell me why you requested this meeting?"

He frowns, and then he sits down in the chair across from my desk as he stares at his hands.

“So you know... this isn’t easy for me.  I was hoping you’ve been in contact with Ash.  She moved, changed her number, and now I can’t get a hold of her.  It has me worried.  Even her work number has changed, and she has never changed it before," he says in a quick rush, his eyes finally coming up to meet mine.

I take a deep breath, and then I pull up her business website on my computer.

“Have you tried emailing her?” I ask while spinning my monitor around to show him the screen.

“I did, and got nothing.  It’s possible she didn’t bother reading my email, but I’m still worried.”

I’ve been worried, too.  I won’t tell him that though.  Melanie called to ask me to keep an eye on Ash since her stalker was back.  Until now, Melanie has
never
asked me to do anything at all.

“You were there when this guy was harassing her before.  Did he ever cross any lines in the physical sense?”

His eyes widen and then narrow in confusion.

“No, never physical.  She told you about all that?”

“It came up,” I say casually, refraining from disclosing the circumstances.

“Mom and I were the only ones to know.  She never even told her parents.  I’m surprised she shared it with someone she barely knew.”

I thought it was because she wanted more, but instead, she bolted.  I know that maneuver better than anyone.  Still, I’m worried about her.

“Did she ever say what he said over the phone?”

“Nothing.  He would just breathe heavy.  The notes he sent were threatening though.  Hell, they scared me.  It’s why she spent nights at my place until she found a new apartment.  I wouldn’t let her stay alone.”

“What did they say?”

“Some were graphic depictions of the type of rape and torture the sick bastard thought she deserved.  Others were different drawings of the ways he wanted to kill her.  It was the most sadistic, twisted shit I’ve ever seen.”

I get sick at my stomach.  This is a hell of a lot worse than I thought.  She downplayed it big time when she confided in me during our game of
truth.

My anger toward her for fleeing is suddenly replaced with fear.  If this is why she changed so much so quickly, then she needs protection.  I’ll hire her some bodyguards if I have to.

“I just really need to talk to her,” he mumbles, making it almost a guilty whisper.  “What I said was stupid and petty.  I don’t want it to end our friendship.  I know you don’t care, but I love her like a sister.  Right now, she doesn’t really have anyone else.  With her parents now out on the road, she’s alone.  It’s always been us against the world, and now she’s having to deal with this alone.”

This is the first time I’ve ever seen Bity show concern for anyone but himself.  I suppose Ash has that effect on everyone.

“I’m sure the two of you will make up if you’re seriously her friend.  Until then, I need to get going.  I’ve got a couple out-of-office meetings to attend."

“Thanks for at least meeting with me.  I would have just called, but I didn’t think you’d really talk to me after… well, everything.”

I wouldn’t have.

“Just tell me something.  Did you talk Ash into leaving the day of the wedding?”

He looks at me, keeping his eyes honest and his lips tight.

“No.  I actually went to tell her I was sorry after we finished up with the photo session, and I found her room completely cleaned out.  As much as you and I don’t get along, I was going to tell her it wasn’t my business and I crossed a huge line with what I said.”

Yes you did.

At least I know Ash left on her on accord.  It makes swallowing how much I miss her all the more infuriating though.  I wanted to blame Bity so I could forgive her.  Now… I just want to get the hell over her.

***

Ashiara

“Thank you for this opportunity, Mr. Kent.  I promise I’ll do what I can to make you pleased with your website,” I murmur while shaking the hand of the portly old man.

I rarely have to do a face-to-face.  Only the
Sterling Shore clients want to meet me, since they're so close.  I hate it.  I prefer to be a hermit.  People often annoy me.

“I’m sure you will.  I love your work.  You came highly recommended, and now I see why.  I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.”

I nod as I stand from the table, and the waitress rushes over to hand him the check.

“I’ll get it,” I offer sweetly.

“Nonsense.  I asked for lunch, so I’ll take care of it.  A pretty girl such as yourself shouldn’t be out paying for a business lunch.  Until next time, Ms. Branderwood.”

I nod, and he hands the girl a card while he and his assistant grab up their briefcases and notes.  I put my own notes away just as the girl sweeps back in with the tab in her hand.

Mr. Kent signs it, and then he heads out to make room for my last client of the evening.  It’s almost three now.  I had no idea that was going to take so long.  My last meeting is for drinks only.

“Anything else, Ms. Branderwood?” the meek girl asks.

“Um, yeah.  I’ll take a white wine; whatever you suggest.  My last client should be here shortly.”

“Of course.”

She scurries off, and I start fumbling around on my phone to double check my notes for the Kent project while waiting on the representative for Kinset Industries.  I’ve never heard of them, but apparently they need a website to make sure people do start hearing about them.  It's an internet business, but apparently the founder lives in Sterling Shore.  I really need to take my location off my website.

“Ms. Branderwood?” a smooth, familiar voice asks, and my phone drops to my lap as my heart stops beating.

Very slowly, my eyes peek up to see if my ears have heard right, and I get sick to my stomach when I see they have.  There he is - icy blue eyes, perfectly tailored suit, and sexy dark hair tousled to perfection.

Oh damn.

***

Tag

She looks stunned, speechless, and completely flabbergasted.  I almost smirk, but I keep my stern, businesslike face as I stare down at the trembling girl who is frozen in shock.

“Should I sit?” I finally ask, mockery in my tone.

“I…um… well… I’m supposed to be meeting someone.”

I finally do smirk as she stands and her phone drops from her lap and slaps the floor.

“Damn it,” she says under her breath, but I bend to pick it up before she can reach it, my eyes falling on her sleek, perfect legs as I slowly stand back up and take a step toward her.

“I’m here about Kinset Industries - my newest company.  I believe you’re interested in designing the website?”

Her jaw tries to fall, and I stifle my ha-ha grin as I walk over to hold her chair for her.

“After you, Ms. Branderwood.”

She looks so damn good from the back.  Her perfect ass is shaped all the better in this tight little dress meant to be pulled up so her legs can wrap around my waist.

“Okay,” she hoarsely releases, not turning to meet my eyes.  “What did you want to see on your site?”

Her quick business air almost makes me smile as I take the seat across from her.

“Straight to the point, Ms. Branderwood?  What happened to foreplay?”

She swallows hard as her eyes involuntarily rake over me, remembering what it felt like to be under and on my body, and then her cheeks blush as those scandalous memories arise.

Staring at her generously exposed cleavage, my cock twitches and hardens to the point it’s damn near painful.

What.  The.  Hell?

There’s no way it only gets hard for her.  I can’t be this fucking obsessed.  I’m going to need therapy to get back whatever this damn girl took away.

***

Ashiara

This is so fucked up!  What is he doing here?  Is he trying to make me squirm?  Why is he offering me a project for a startup company?

“Um, I don’t think I’m the girl for this project, Mr. Masters.  You should probably find someone a little more qualified,” I murmur with a little more of a respectable, less stammering tone,
completely
ignoring his foreplay remark.

“I think you’re perfect for this,” he says while leaning forward, his hands forming a steeple in front of his face as his elbows rest on the table.

His eyes burn into mine.  I’ve never seen him like this.  He’s not the playful, flirty guy from the wedding.  He’s a commanding force in a suit - calm, composed, and sexy as hell.

“How did you… I mean why did you-”

“Kinset is mostly an internet business, so I knew I needed a phenomenal website designer.  Melanie has some of the best web designs for her many little businesses, so I asked her who she used.  And here we are.  Not to mention, she’s been a little worried about you.”

Shit.

I should call Melanie.  I didn’t think about her calling my old number and worrying.