Page 27 of Ruthless Heir

My breath catches when I see him. He’s standing at the head of the table talking to Olga.

Dressed in a suit like last time, he looks as handsome as ever. Except today he has a five o’clock shadow that gives him a sexier, rugged edge.

Still, he looks like his net worth—powerful, important, wealthy.

And here’s me in my yoga pants and off-the-shoulder jumper looking completely underdressed for something as simple as dinner.

Oh, well. I can’t do anything about that now.

What was that mantra I saw onAmerica’s Next Top Model?

Walk like you own the world even if you’re wearing a paper bag.

I try and do my best.

As I walk in he looks my way with those bright blue eyes and God help me, those old feelings resurface. Then I realize they never actually left.

Chapter Six

Harper

Pride is a taunting devil to those who are helpless.

It sits on your shoulders laughing at you when you fall on your face and realize you need help from the one person you shunned.

Nights ago, when I last saw Asher, I cursed him to hell and back in my mind. To me he was another asshole in my world and I hoped I’d never see him again.

Now here I am in his home, a step away from being a hobo on the street with no place to go.

When I get closer Asher pastes a smile on his handsome face, revealing sinful dimples that look even more alluring with his fuller beard.

“Hi,” I say first, because I should be gracious and grateful.

“Hey.”

“We’ll start bringing the food out now,” Olga says, giving me a once-over.

Throughout the day I’ve tried to figure her out. She hasn’t got a wide range of emotions so it’s hard. It does, however, seem like she’s not sure about me. Regardless of being Josh’s sister, maybe she thinks I’m a gold digger.

I can assure her I’m not. As long as I can play my music, I’d be quite happy just to pay off my debt and live a comfortable life.

Olga leaves us and Asher returns his focus to me.

“Sit.” He points to the chair next to him on his right.

I sit and he does, too. There’s enough space between us but I feel like he’s too close. Like when we were in the car and he seemed to take up all the air and space.

“Thanks for letting me stay with you.” I bring my hands nervously together.

“No worries.”

“I'll try not to overstay my time.”

“Stay as long as you need to.”

Again I feel that pang of indifference and that he's doing this for me because of his loyalty to Josh. But of course he is. They’re like brothers and he’s just doing Josh a favor. “Thanks again.”

“Have you settled in okay?”

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