Page 18 of Pretty Puppy

Lee couldn’t believe what Shane had told him. Not only was Ash clearly out of his element, was obviously lying to him when Lee confronted him earlier—but now one of the students had complained that he didn’t feel as if he was getting any real instruction, that Ash was all over the place with the sessions.

While he’d planned to keep an eye on the situation but leave things be for a while, he’d come to the conclusion that he was wasting everyone’s time. Why keep Ash on when he clearly wasn’t capable of handling the position? It certainly didn’t have anything to do with not wanting to see Ash go. That was ridiculous.

And now that Shane had verified that the one applicant with experience was in town and still available, it was time.

A reticent knock sounded at his door. Shane had been sent to hint Ash down, since he wasn’t answering his phone.

“Come in.”

Ash walked in, his steps hesitant as he made his way toward Lee.

“Sit.”

He gestured to the chair in front of his desk. After a beat where Ash glanced around the room as if he were about to be ambushed, he perched on the edge of the chair.

Lee regarded Ash, who was shrinking in on himself with his head hung low. The annoying urge to comfort Ash shot through him, but he shoved it aside. Only Ash had ever been able to make him disregard his natural hardline, no-nonsense outlook.

Stay strong.

He couldn’t allow Ash to see his softer side again. That was what had done him in before.

“I spoke with Shane again, and he’s been getting complaints. This mess you’ve created is carving into time I don’t have to spare. It’s time we end this charade.”

He could swear he heard Ash whimper, but the reaction was appropriate given Ash’s behavior. No need to reassure.Let him embrace what he’s done.

Ash still wouldn’t meet his eyes, appearing as if her were heartbroken, and Lee found himself wavering in his resolve. He took a few beats to get in the proper headspace to confront the man who still managed to have his heart imprisoned, and to allow the tension to build. His plan was for Ash to be so worked up by the time he questioned him, he’d cave and drop his ridiculous act. Lee was done with the games.

Lee sucked in a breath. “So, how’s Dubai’s top Sheikh doing these days? Still pleased with your expert pup training?”

Ash covered his face with both hands, groaning. “Oh, man.” He wrapped his arms around himself, biting his lip and still refusing to look in Lee’s direction.

Lee angled forward, folding his hands and placing them on the desk. “You’re going to tell me exactly what this little game you’ve been playing is all about, and you’re going to tell me now, understand?”

Ash nodded his head with vigor, his eyes rimmed with tears.

Good. “Don’t leave a single detail out. Perhaps you don’t recall from our previous association, but I’m not a fan of liars.”

Ash had winced at the word ‘association’. “I’m sorry, Lee.” His voice wobbled. “Sorrier than you can possibly imagine.”

“I have a strong imagination. But that’s not what I want to hear. Why, Ash?Why? What could I have possibly done to you five years ago that’s inspired you to try and fuck up my name and reputation?”

Ash gasped, straightening in his chair. He frantically waved his hands around. “No! No, no, no. That’s not atallwhat I was doing. I have mad respect for you. Huge. As a matter of fact, I…” His cheeks reddened. “I’m here because of how much you mean to me.”

Lee choke-snorted. “Excuse me?Thisis how you show someone how much you care?” He hmphed. “I’d hate to see how you treat someone you despise.”

Ash’s expression radiated pain, his brow furrowed and mouth turned down. “I know, I know. I can see now, you know, now that I’m here and once the training actually began and…” He curled his fingers in his hair, clutching the strands out of seeming frustration. “I screwed up. In my mind it all made so much sense, was all so clear.” He went back to gesturing wildly with his hands. “Like, seriously. I thought this was the best plan ever.”

Lee shook his head in confusion. “The best plan forwhat? What was all this nonsense supposed to achieve?”

Ash gazed down at his lap again. “I needed a plausible reason for me to come back to Tahoe and be hanging around the resort. I figured if I was working the charity event, our paths would cross several times. I thought…” He peered up at Lee. “I thought you might see me and remember how great we were together, that you might still care about me.” Ash lowered his head again. “That you might want to give things between us a second chance.”

Lee’s chest tightened. He swallowed hard, his gut churning. “Oh my God.”

Carefor Ash? He still loved the little shit. Lee pressed his lips together. But he wasn’t about to be sucked in again, be prey to Ash’s whims. Sure, Ash would probably be devoted for a few months and seduce Lee into thinking he’d stay forever. Then when Lee least suspected it, Ash would run off again with a shiny new Master and leave Lee to fall back into devastation like last time.

“Lee, I get it. I don’t deserve a second chance, I understand how much I hurt you.”

Lee grunted. “I doubt that. But that’s fine, I’m over it. That was then, this is now. I’ve moved on.”

---