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She leaned in too. Then wrapped her arms around me, practically imprisoning my arms by my side to hug me tight. I laughed at her enthusiasm.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you. I promise you won’t regret this.”

Without warning, her lips landed on mine. Instinctively, I responded. Moving my lips over hers, I deepened the kiss. A kiss that at once felt familiar and new all at the same time. I wanted more.

Ashlyn’s mouth opened, and I slipped my tongue inside. She met the thrust of my tongue with her own. Then her hands moved to the back of my head to tangle in my hair and tugged me closer.

Suddenly, she jerked away from me. Her eyes went wide. “Oh, my God. I can’t believe I did that ... I didn’t mean to. I wanted to say thank you, and I just made you kiss me.” She jumped to her feet, looking like she was about to have a full on panic attack.

I hid the smile that threatened to burst across my face. “That might be the first thing you got wrong tonight.”

“What?” She stopped short and stared at me.

“You didn’t force me to kiss you back.”

“I, ah, still, I’m so sorry for that. I should go. You were trying to be nice, and I—” She threw herself at the cleaning cart and shoved it out the door.

“Ashlyn, wait.”

“What?” She turned and eyed me nervously.

“Don’t forget the business proposal and product for tomorrow. I was serious about helping you.” It felt good to help someone not connected to Prince Industries.

“Yeah, sure. Sure.” She fled, leaving me sitting on the couch with a raging hard-on.

Her kiss, while incredible, reminded me of someone. A beautiful woman who I couldn’t stop thinking about. A niggling feeling that had been at the back of my mind all night started to morph, becoming sharp, more in focus.

Was it possible my mystery woman wasn’t such a mystery after all?










CHAPTER TEN

Ashlyn

Ilay in bed, my heartpounding. I’d been home for at least two hours, and not only could Inotsleep, but thoughts ofkissingDean consumed me.

I texted Stella.