Take Me Down (Suits in Pursuit) (9 page)

Duval Street teemed with people. Tourists enjoyed evening bike rides. Yellow taxies zipped by, taking passengers to their destinations. The hustle and bustle of pedestrians perusing restaurants, bars, and shops gave Ashley relief, a distraction from thoughts crowding her head. She dipped inside a French bakery.

“Table for one,” she said.

After being seated and her lunch order placed, Ashley pulled out her cell phone. Her finger hovered above Sebastian’s number. Her pulse quickened, and then she quickly tucked the phone back into her handbag. Ashley glanced around the patio where she sat. Lush, green foliage surrounded and covered the area. Around her, couples huddled close together, sipped beverages, ate French pastries, and laughed.

Moments later, the garçon decked in tropical colors and shorts reappeared, placed her plate down on the tile mosaic table.

“Enjoy, mademoiselle,” the tall, thin waiter said and then grinned.

“Thank you.”

When Kerrigan bailed on their lunch plans, Ashley breathed a bit easier. Time alone in the tranquil ambiance of the restaurant would help clear her mind. She thought back to the article that she had discovered about Sebastian. The headline had intrigued her. She would read the story later when the site worked again.

If the pompous asshole’s behavior toward women had been any indicator, he deserved business troubles. The time had come to put her plan into action. Sebastian Stone had to go down. She only needed the courage to carry through.

“Mushroom galette. Good choice.” The deep timbre of his voice rolled through Ashley’s gut in waves.

Jolted from thought, she lifted her face to meet Sebastian’s frolicsome gaze.

Ashley took a sip of iced water, swallowed hard. “Sebastian Stone,” she replied flatly with an impassive stare. She was glad that he couldn’t see the baby-fine, bristled hair at the nape of her neck.

“Glad you remember my name.” Ashley’s mouth went dry, and she indulged in his pulsating muscles as he pulled out the chair across from her. “May I join you?” He sat without awaiting her reply.

She rolled her eyes. “Why bother asking?”

Leaning leisurely against the back of the cool wrought iron chair, he said, “I asked out of courtesy. That’s the sort of thing that a gentleman does.” His lips curled into a smile.

“A gentleman waits for an answer.” Anger building inside, Ashley remembered the end goal, and forced a smile back at Sebastian.

Sebastian lowered his head, slowly brought a hand under his chin. He peered into her eyes. “I am corrected.” He stood and then turned to walk away.

Ashley glanced around the patio. She noted the lanky waiter standing off in the distance, watching them. No one else seemed to notice their squabble.

Flames burned hot in Ashley’s belly. “Fine. Fine, Sebastian.” The groveled words leaked from Ashley’s lips made her want to hurl. She closed her eyes. “I’d like you to stay.” Shamefully she tossed her pride to the wind, watched her dignity dissipate into vapors.

Sebastian paused. Turned around. He sat again. “That’s better. Not perfect, but better,” he said, leaning in close.

Remember the plan. Don’t mouth off.
Ashley scolded herself before playing victim to his cunning.

Like a card shark at a blackjack table, Ashley pulled out a trick deck of cards. “I’m trying.” She softened her tone and reached for his hand. “I’m glad you’re here. Maybe we could try to go out again.” Pulse quickening as lies tumbled from her lips, she watched him fall victim to the swindle.

Sebastian’s eyes stretched wide. “Well. I didn’t expect you to come around as easily.” Radiating around him, his arrogance nearly took on an aura. “I only want to get to know you better. See where this leads.”

She could smack the smug off his face. There would be no hesitation on Ashley’s part.
Remember the plan.
She chanted the mantra over and over again silently.

Seven fifteen. The time on Ashley’s cell phone hadn’t been set ten minutes early as the time set on the other devices she owned. Sebastian was late. He hadn’t even called to give her warning. Another five minutes passed. She paced the hardwood floor, walked from the foyer into the formal dining room. Suddenly a knock at the front door startled her.

Ashley twisted the doorknob. An eager Sebastian shoved the door open. Approving eyes caressed her naked shoulders, wandered up and down her curvy form. “You’re beautiful.” The genuineness in his tone surprised Ashley.

“You’re late.” She didn’t mask her disapproval.

Sebastian nodded. “I’m sorry.” He reached into his pocket and retrieved a shiny metal object. “I had to make sure everything was ready for our date.” Reaching down, he grabbed her hand. “For you.” A surge of energy bolted through her body.

Ashley snatched her hand away from his clutches and opened her fingers. The object that Sebastian had placed in her palm stared back. “A key.” She frowned and then parted her lips to speak.

His index finger flattened against Ashley’s lips shushed her reply. “Before you make assumptions about my gift, let me assure you that it’s not what you think.”

A million thoughts raced through her head at once. Curiosity leading the pack of rogue questions, “This wouldn’t happen to be a key to your hotel room?” she blurted out.

Amusement danced in Sebastian’s eyes. “Noooo,” he replied, exaggerated.

Ashley’s arms coiled around her waist. “Then I suppose this is the key to your heart,” she quipped with pursed lips.

He leaned against the doorframe. The amusement in his eyes spread to his shapely lips. “Noooo. I don’t give away the key to my heart easily. That key must be earned.” Luscious lips now grinned broadly at her. “I think you’ll find that this key unlocks a place more suited to you.”

Eyebrows arched, Ashley inhaled a deep breath. “Fine. I’m intrigued.”

Sebastian extended his hand. “Great! Let’s find out what the key opens. Shall we?” Ashley placed her hand into his. The feel of him made her chest tighten.

Sebastian paused. He faced Ashley. “I want tonight to be special for you. A guy only gets one second chance.” His large hand molded to hers gave her heart palpitations.

She eyed him cautiously, watched the small creases in his brow wrinkle. Diverting his gaze, Ashley noted a rusted tin watering can that had blown onto its side. She was like that can, knocked down, a bit tarnished around the edge, but she still had a purpose to fulfill. Conceding with a smile, “All right.” Eager gray eyes stayed fixed to her. “Let’s go.”

Chapter Six

“Push it all the way in.”

“I’m trying, but…”

“Don’t force it. You’ll break the thing.”

“Wait, wait… I think it’s in. Yes, it’s in!”

“Now, turn it to the right. Then push hard.”

The door screeched open. Sebastian lifted Ashley’s freshly manicured hand. The coral polish matched perfectly the floral print dress she wore. He always appreciated a woman who took pride in her appearance.

“That was quite a challenge,” Sebastian said, taking measured steps, not wanting to get too close and not willing to get too far from Ashley. He guided her inside and then released her hand.

Ashley scanned the space. Her mouth fell open. Silence. For the first time since meeting the feisty beauty, she had nothing to say.

“Well, what do you think?” Sebastian studied her face. Watched her expression contort with emotion he couldn’t place.

Still nothing.

“Ashley, say something. You always have something to say.” He wondered if the surprise had been too much. After all, he had no intention of becoming serious with her, or any other woman. “I hope this isn’t inappropriate. I wanted to make up for the way I treated you before.”

Ashley blurted out, “Sebastian, I can’t… I don’t… How did…,” she stammered. Her brows scrunched inward, forehead wrinkled. “Why did you bring me here? Did Kerrigan put you up to this?”

Sebastian frowned. “Uh, no. I wanted to do something nice. Did I do something wrong?”

She cupped her mouth. Spun around slowly. “This is a…” Ashley blew out a hard breath.

“This is Robin’s Nest. Belongs to a buddy of mine. The entire place is ours for the evening. We’ll have dinner, do a little dancing, talk. You do eat, don’t you?”

She nodded. “I eat,” she said, stiffly.

Sebastian narrowed his eyes. “Dance?” She didn’t take a jab in response to his sarcastic questions.

“I dance too.” Her whisper was barely audible.

He turned, faced Ashley. Took several steps backward. “Shall we?” he asked, his hand extended in the direction of the table in the middle of the room. The only table in the room.

Sebastian pulled out a chair covered in light blue velvety fabric as soft as Ashley’s bronze shoulder. The accidental touch sent a scintillating sensation up his spine. Her delicate fingers clawed the chair’s arms as she eased into the seat. Tense shoulders stiffened, refused to relax.

Sebastian’s eyes glued to Ashley as he sank into a chair. Her strong, confident attitude had ensnared him like a fly caught in a web. He watched her movements, examined her expressions, tried to understand her reaction. He rubbed sweaty hands on his thighs.

Branches hung overhead captured Ashley’s attention. Her gaze scanned the room again. The room, filled with greenery, mimicked a treetop. A mural of red robins and birds’ nests covered the walls.

He leaned closer, resting his chin in his palm. “Do you like my surprise?” Ashley’s glossy-eyed stare made Sebastian sweat.

Jolted, she whirled around in the seat. “The room is beautiful. How did you know?”

He frowned. “How did I know what?”

A hand rested at the nape of her neck. “Um, nothing. Forget what I said.” Ashley twirled flyaway strands of hair around her index finger.

Sebastian didn’t know what had spooked Ashley, but he intended to enjoy the evening. “Forgotten.” His left hand glided across the table cloth. He smoothed out the linen. “Tell me a little about you.” The tips of his fingers stroked her forearm.

She jerked away. “What do you want to know?” The tips of his fingers kneaded his throbbing temples.

Leaning back in the chair, Sebastian folded bulky arms across his chest. “You live in Atlanta. You vacation in the Keys. You don’t put up with anyone’s crap. I like that about you.” His voice strained. “What else?”

Ashley inhaled and then released a deep breath. “Well,” she said, her shoulders loosening. “That’s a loaded question. Where do I start?”

He had to take control, otherwise his head might explode. “Start at the beginning. Where did you grow up? What do you do for a living? What is your life’s aspiration?”

She sneered behind a perfect grin. “I was born in Houston. I’m a marketing account manager. When I grow up, I want to…” Ashley paused, stared past him blankly.

Her stare turned cold. Of all emotions, Sebastian recognized sadness.

His lips pursed. “When you grow up, you want to what?”

She shifted in her seat. Her round brown eyes held a far-off gaze. “I don’t know.” She shook her head. “Honestly, I don’t know anymore.” The haze seemed to dissipate. Ashley met Sebastian’s stare.

He spoke softly. “Did you ever?”

Ashley crossed a toned, curvy leg over the other. “Did I ever?”

Sebastian’s eyes scaled her frame. “Did you ever know what you wanted?” He yearned to trail those mocha legs with his lips.

Her shoulders tightened again. “I suppose I did. Things are different now.” She rushed her words like a gust in a windstorm.

Her hasty response told him she desired to breeze past this topic.

Sebastian slid his chair closer. Leaned in. “How are things different?”

An exasperated sigh escaped her luscious lips. “Does it really matter? We’re just hanging out. This isn’t going anywhere. Let’s keep the conversation on the surface, not too deep.”

Sebastian’s hand gripped the back of his neck and massaged the knot. He fired back. “I want to get deep into you. Really deep.”

Both hands wrapped the edge of the table. Ashley pushed back and then stopped. “I’m sure you do.” Her sneer faded into a coy smile. “Your turn. Tell me something about you that doesn’t involve your sex drive.”

He chuckled. “Ashley, I’m sorry. I find you incredibly sexy. I say and do stupid things around you. I don’t…”

Cutting him off, Ashley snapped, “Save the bullshit and stop skirting the subject.”

His eyebrows jolted up. “Well, damn. You’re not a woman to anger.” He wondered how her feistiness would translate under the sheets.

Ashley shook her head. “If this is going to be a one-sided conversation, you can take me home.”

Sebastian shuffled to his feet. He stood in front of a window overlooking a tropical garden. “Ashley, talking about myself isn’t easy,” he said, his hands planted in his pockets. “I’m a Texan, born and raised. Deep down, I’m a good person. I don’t mean to be an asshole. There used to be a time when I knew exactly what I wanted. Things are different for me too. I’m still trying to figure out how to be happy.”

Ashley’s chair scuffed the tile floor as she scooted away from the table. She joined him at the window. Stood at his side.

Sebastian peered down at her with surprise, eyes widened. “Hey.” A tentative smile paused on his lips. He peered down into hypnotizing brown irises.