Page 4 of Kinks of a Billionaire
I sat up.
“Virginity?” I repeated shocked. “And who the hell told you I’m experienced?”
She stood abruptly, waving her hands. “Come on, Royce. Everyone knows you’re a playboy. Everywhere you go, girls fall all over themselves for you. So why won’t you sleep with me?”
Silence stretched, unnerving and jarring. “You want me to pop your cherry, and you think it would mean nothing to me?”
I rose and started to pace, trying to convince myself to keep my distance from her despite how aroused I was. She deserved better than me and my questionable sexual proclivities.
“Willow, you deserve better.” My voice deepened, and I hoped she’d hear the sincerity in it. Her next words told me she didn’t. “Please don’t tempt me further.”
“You’re right. This was stupid.” She smiled, and this reaction had me reeling even more. “I’m obviously drunk. Friends?”
“Always.”
“Let’s never bring this up again. Okay?”
“Yeah. Sure.”
We didn’t speak of it again.
The events of the next morning would forever be remembered for a different reason. Willow's life—all our lives—was about to be flipped upside down by Anya’s death and a newborn baby boy.
Chapter 1
Royce
Present Day
Billionaire Royce Ashford is single and under fire again. This playboy changes women more frequently than most people change their underwear.
Irolled my eyes. They made it sound as if I changed girlfriends weekly, or even daily. I continued reading on.
Does he have STDs?
Oh, for fuck’s sake.
Is something wrong with the playboy, or is he looking for love in all the wrong places? Is he in a secret relationship?
I barely held back a laugh as I read the latest headlines while waiting for Willow. I was at The Godfather, the most elitistrestaurant in D.C. located smack-dab in the heart of the city. For the past ten years, we’d made a point to catch up regularly, whether here or in California, and often other parts of the world.
And then of course there was the minor stalking, but that only started recently. And it was just a tiny bit. Only enough to ensure she was safe with the guys she chose to date, and since she refused a bodyguard, I had to resort to drastic measures.
My eyes roamed over the remainder of the article, which was basically just more of the same questions about the “constant women” in my life. Basically my sister and Willow, and occasionally Sailor.
I gave my head a subtle shake.
I didn’t understand people’s obsession with the Ashford family. People always acted like we were celebrities, but the truth was there was nothing glamorous or cool about us. Death and destruction followed us, and karma or the universe or whatever higher deity was pulling the strings up there made each member of this family pay for the sins of our father. Although things seemed to be looking up these days—at least for my brothers.
“Would you like anything to drink, Mr. Ashford?” The waitress’s voice interrupted my thoughts and I lifted my eyes off the paper to find a redhead standing in front of me.
“Scotch on the rocks, please,” I said. “And for my friend…” She glanced around, frowning, and I continued, “She’s coming. Vodka and watermelon punch. It’s her favorite.”
“Absolutely.” The waitress suddenly pulled out a chair and took a seat next to me, blushing excessively. “You’re the hottest man I’ve ever seen.” I stretched my paper out in front of my face, ignoring her. “Your brothers are hot too,” she added, trying to poke her head around the sports section.
“I’m ready for that drink,” I told her, my attention still on the paper. She disappeared with a frustrated breath andthe scraping of the chair against the floor. I knew that drink wouldn’t be coming anytime soon.
The chime of the door had me turning my head, and my jaw nearly dropped at the sight of Willow. She was a vision in snug jeans and a skintight top with a plunging neckline. Her eyes darted around until they landed on me. A wide smile spread over her face and she waved as she headed my way, oblivious to the way every man was stealing glances at her.
