Page 109 of Ruthless Heir

“Thought you two were together,” comes a menacing voice from over my shoulder.

I turn to find Nolan smiling at me. He glances at Asher and places a hand at his heart. “If you were mine there’s no way I’d leave you standing around all by yourself.”

“I was with Layla,” I reply.

“He looks busy.” Nolan glances back at Asher who is now laughing with Alexis. “Doesn’t he?”

“Yeah. I guess.”

“How about we go sit in the balcony and watch the auction, then maybe we can play some pool if your dearly beloved is still…busy.”

Asher doesn’t want me talking to Nolan but to hell with that. I’m supposed to sit tight looking like a fool while he flirts his ass around with Miss Supermodel?

I don’t think so.

“Okay, that sounds great.” I nod and Nolan smiles wide and toothy, reminding me of a shark in an Armani suit.

“Right this way then, Miss St. John.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Asher

Alexis is looking at me again out of the corner of her eye.

I never expected to get stuck with her tonight. I didn’t even know she was going to be here.

I lost Harper just before the auction began. I thought she would meet me in the auction hall after Layla showed her the ice sculptures.

Since I know how excitable the girls can get when they’re all together, I thought I’d allow them the time to hang out. Admittedly I also wanted Harper to spend time with the girls because I’m in a weird mood tonight. Alexis’ presence has only amplified it.

She’s here because she managed to rearrange her flight to the Maldives.

I told her about the event yesterday, not knowing she’d use it as a way to get closer to me.

Yesterday after we hung out, I got a rude awakening. I realized that as much as I like her she’s not who I want.

The weeks have flown by since I entered this fake arrangement with Harper and there is still only one woman I can’t get out of my head. The woman who continues to be off limits to me.

Something I was reminded of by the email I got from Josh earlier today, which I still haven’t responded to.

Lisa told him the press ran a wild story about Harper and I dating. Although Josh was his usual lighthearted self and joked about the idea being ridiculous, I know him. So I knew he was testing the waters and trying to find out without asking if it was true.

The message felt like a reminder of the warning he gave me years ago.

I didn’t reply because I didn’t feel like it. I didn’t feel like lying. Or like justifying myself.

The auction ends ten minutes later and Alexis and I stand with everyone else.

“Do you want to grab a few drinks?” she asks.

I give her credit for trying even though I set her straight yesterday. I told her that Harper and I were dating. Alexis seemed to understand but I knew she was disappointed. Obviously not enough to deter her from coming here tonight.

“No. I should go find Harper.”

“Of course. She’s a lucky girl.”

“I think it’s me who’s lucky.”

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