“Nah, you’re just thinking of mine.” He winks and shuts the door behind him.

Before he leaves, though, I see his hand dip back inside to lock the door and shut it again. I flop back on the couch and shake my head. How the fuck did that happen? Today was supposed to be about his punishment, then negotiating terms. How exactly did we get to making out on the couch?

A scream echoes on the TV, and I quickly turn it off before running up to my room. I just sit there for a moment, unable to process whatjusthappened. I cover my mouth with my whole hand. I kissed Ash. I made out with Ash. It was my first time. And he wants more.

Of course, he does. He always wants more. And a kiss won’t win him any prize. If this is some bet, he’d build up my trust, fuck me, and leave. Maybe get some pictures in the process. And I know that. Rationally and logically, I know it.

But when I look across the yard and see him in his room, all that flies out the window. He’s shirtless again, sexy as hell, and wearing a huge smile – a winning smile. He picks up his phone and types something.

There. He’s just going back to his slutty ways. Finding some girl who will actually take care of the boner he has instead of just kissing him and scuttle away.

My phone buzzes as I blow out a breath to ease the tightness in my stomach. I look at it, surprised to see a message from him. We only exchanged numbers earlier today. Of course, he put himself in as “stud”.

I can feel you watching me.

I gulp and toss my phone to the bed. He waves from his window, giving me a naughty smile before I close my curtain. I run my fingers through my hair and then flop back. God, if only that weren’t so good. If only he wasn’t so hot. If only … if only he weren’t Ash.

Chapter 9

Ashton

God damn this woman. Sky is intoxicating and doesn’t know it. The way she was practically riding my leg while watching me with that starry gaze I missed, her kiss all innocent and gentle until she surrendered control. She’s a mix of innocent and sassy, which makes me … think. I can’t justfeelaround her or do whatever I want.

She is confusing and intense, and I know she doesn’t know how much that turns me on and makes me question myself and everything else.

I get through most of the workday until one of the guys I went to high school with – Tyler – comes up to me. “Want to do something tonight? It’s Friday. We can go get some drinks and have a good time.”

Hesitating feels unnatural. It should be an obvious yes. It sounds like a good night out. They expect me to say yes. Probably expect me to pay just like my high school and college friends. But it’s a good time. I can flirt, get Sky out of my system and have fun.

He motions to some of the other guys. “We just want to hit the bar and destress. There’s some buy one get one thing going on, so we can all afford it while bitching about work.” He catches himself with a contrite look. “No offence to your dad.”

“Yeah, no problem. Sounds much needed.”

“A celebration because you’ve made it through your first week without serious damage.” He pats my back.

I grin. “Tonight, like later, right?”

“Hell, yeah. We’re not going in the middle of the day.” He laughs before pushing his red hair back. Tattoos flex on his forearms as he takes off his top shirt. “Just give me your number, and we’ll get everything straightened out.”

We exchange numbers, and I leave work feeling pretty good. Granted, I’m the boss’s son, but maybe they don’t give a shit. Or they don’t care at all about that and just want to hang out. I don’t mind either way.

I get to the gym, where Frank puts under a grueling one-hour workout before letting me work on improving my technique. Sweat slicks my face as he constantly drills me, but then he suddenly goes silent. When I turn, I see him talking to Sky. She puts a hand on her hip. I smirk at her, leaning against the bag. Her eyes flick to me, she snaps a picture, and my trainer moves to block her sight.

“Frank,” I call out.

He looks over.

“Sky’s allowed. I took your advice. She’s helping me with getting my online presence back,” I say. “So as long as her camera stays on me, she should be fine.”

He nods, then shoots me a glare. “I didn’t tell you to stop.”

So, I keep going. I spar, then hit the weights again before a cool down session, while Sky snaps random photos of me. Frank tells me to hit the showers and keep up whatever I’m doing outside of the gym since my strength is obviously getting better.

Sky stands outside, staring at the sheets of rain coming down when I find her. She looks at her rather expensive camera, glances at the downpour, then sits on the smoking bench. I join her and sit close but without touching her. Anything we do, if we move forward at all is on her, even if I should just cut and run now.

But I’m dying to have more than her mouth on mine. I want all of it, to see if we actually have chemistry or are just mouthy. I’m going to fucking behave. I will. Sky is important to me in more ways than one, and I’m not going to fuck up the effort I’ve been putting in now.

I’m not into self-sabotage.