Page 110 of Ruthless Heir

“I’m jealous I missed the mark.” A light chuckle falls from her glossy red lips. “Here’s hoping you’ll still keep me in mind if… things don’t work out.”

Everything about her body language and the way she’s looking at me tells me she wants me.

Logic is still whispering to me that Alexis would be the easy option, but as I stare at her I know deep down that if I pick her I’ll feel trapped for the rest of my life.

I’m about to answer Alexis and tell her that I’d like for us to remain friends when I spot Nolan and Harper walking across the third-floor balcony. The asshole has his arm around her and is guiding her toward the pool lounge.

What the actual fuck?

What the hell is Harper doing with him? I thought she was with the girls.

A glance to my left reveals that the girls are still together. Harper must have left them. I just don’t know when. And I can guarantee Nolan whisked her away.

I look back at Alexis who’s staring at me, waiting eagerly for an answer.

“Sorry, Alexis, I gotta go. There’s something I have to take care of.” I try to keep the irritation out of my voice.

“Oh.” Her smile fades and disappointment takes its place. “Of course.”

“See you later.” I move away before she can say anything more, my eyes glued to Nolan and Harper as they continue their pursuit to the lounge.

I keep going, watching them until I’m at the wide sweeping stairs that will take me up to them.

I take the stairs two at a time then rush past the guests in the archway.

Once I’m in the pool lounge I spot Nolan and Harper at the furthest table. Harper is leaning over the table with her cue, getting ready to take her shot while Nolan is blatantly staring at her ass.

My blood heats and I want to rip his eyes from their sockets then squish them under my shoes like bugs.

I know I can’t blame him for looking at Harper. She’s beautiful and literally perfect, but he’s clearlystillsniffing around her because she’s mine.

And she is.Mine.

Regardless of whatever arrangement we have, a part of me claimed her years ago and has never let go. That’s why I always get so worked up whenever I see her with another man. It’s because that part of me thinks she should be with me.

I march up to them. Nolan spots me first.

“Hey, Asher, just keeping your girl company while you were busy.” He gives me that stupid smile I can’t stand.

Harper straightens and the instant I look at her I can tell she’s pissed as fuck at me.

I want to ask her what I did but I want to deal with this douchebag first.

“Nolan, the next time you think it’s a good idea to steal my girl when we’re at an event be prepared to pick your teeth up off the ground.” My jaw clenches and I hope to God he doesn’t say anything I don’t like because Iwillanswer him with my fist.

“Jesus, Asher. You need to take a chill pill. We were just playing pool.”

I step into his personal space. “I don’t care. I see what you’re trying to do here and it’s not going to work.”

He smirks. “You’re being paranoid.”

“No. I’m not. I’ll tolerate you at work but that’s as far as it goes. So stay the fuck away from my girl.”

“You know what? I’m going home,” Harper speaks up in a firm voice then sets her cue stick down and storms away.

I give Nolan a hard glare before I follow Harper. I know from the quickness in her pace and the tension in her shoulders that she’s definitely mad at me.

“Harper.”

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