Page 125 of Ashley & the A-Listers

“He won’t be forever,” Dylan replied.

Ashley rolled her eyes, fingers tapping on his pecs. He felt something building inside her, and he stayed quiet, waiting for her to work up the courage to share it with him.

“I like being good at my job, and I think professionalism plays a big role in that. I’m usually very good at boundaries and lines when it comes to my clients, but ever since Cam…” Ashley huffed, and her frustration fizzled in the bond.

Dylan hummed softly. “If it helps, I don’t think Cam minds.”

“I know, I know,” she groaned, blowing her hair out of her eyes. “That makes it even more difficult. I mean, going out to dinner, fucking his bodyguard?—”

“Hey, we’re doing more than fucking—” Dylan interjected with a small grin.

She covered his mouth and continued, fighting a smile. “—Staying at hisapartment.Having dinner every night?” She covered her face. “Ugh!”

Dylan reached up, gently removing her hands from her cheeks.

“Do you want to know what I think?” Dylan asked.

Ashley nodded, gazing down at him.

“I think Cameron is different from your other clients. I mean, you don’t want to alpha them all, right?”

He felt her emotions buck in the bond, further cementing his point. “Of course not,” she said.

“There you have it. I think you are a kick-ass trainer, with high-profile clients who respect you. I also think you have it bad for an omega, and those two things can coexist.”

“Does that make me a bad trainer?” she asked. “If I can’t separate my… myfeelingsfrom the job?”

Dylan felt like his chest was going to cave in with the weight of his adoration. She was opening up to him—she was admitting there was something between her and Cameron! Finally! He felt honored that she was sharing these thoughts with him.

“Ashley,” he said, low and soft, and tugged her down to his chest. “You arenota bad trainer. It’s not like the situation is interrupting his training. You’re still doing your job, and he’s still learning what he needs to. I don’t think your emotions are getting in the way as much as you think they are.”

She melted against him, nuzzling her cheek against his chest. “I guess if I look at it that way, you’re right. I’m not doing anything to hinder Cameron’s progress.”

“Exactly. So, what’s the real hang-up here?”

Ashley huffed, and he felt her frustration, the tangle of her emotions that he couldn’t sort any easier than she could. He just wanted her to behappy.

“Remember that place we went to celebrate the end of the first month? That’s way out of my league,” she said. “And if those are his standards…”

She blew out a breath, puffing her cheeks for a second in the cutest way.

“He also had fun hiking. And ordering in. And putting together snack trays,” Dylan said. “And I know you’ve been eying this apartment like a proper alpha does.”

Ashley cocked her head to the side. “It’s sowhite!And harsh! Where’s the string lights and all the warmth? Why is the couch so small?”

Dylan’s lips twitched. “I feel like seventy percent of courting is presents. Sounds like you have a list.”

“Okay, you’re putting ideas in my head now,” she said, shaking it and shifting as if she was going to lay back down. He framed her waist and kept her atop him.

“You like the ideas, though. And you already know he’s jealous. He’d love to be courted by you.”

“What about you? You’re just… there? While I spoil him?”

“Are you asking if it’s okay to cuck me?” Dylan teased. Ashley’s groan was cut off mid-sound as he continued, “Don’t hate the idea.”

“What.” She said, not asked.

Dylan grinned, squeezing his hands on either side of her. “I mean, you put him through hell on the mat. The idea of bringing that to the bedroom? Watching you take what you want?”

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