Page 59 of Captivated By You

“So I’m a job, am I?”

He grinned. “The best there is.”

“Oh, stop. You got me.”

“And that’s where men go wrong, correct? They win the girl, then stop trying.” He bent to nuzzle my neck. “I don’t plan toeverstop trying.”

“God, you’re good.”

He straightened, his startling blue eyes twinkling in a know-it-all manner. “Shall we go?”

His limousine idled at the curb, his driver waiting to see us safely inside. Once we were alone, I turned to Ash.

“What’s my role this evening?”

He fastened his seat belt, frowning. “Role?”

“Yeah. I mean, this is a business meeting, correct? So am I attending as an employee or as…” I paused. We hadn’t given each other titles such asboyfriendandgirlfriend. Somehow,boyfrienddidn’t suit Ash. He was too mature, too well-put-together. And I hadn’t wanted to assume anything, even if we’d seen each other almost every day this past month, unless Ash had been out of town. And even then, he’d called me every evening, and we’d chatted on the phone for hours.

“You’re attending as my girlfriend, my partner, my very significant other.” His lips twitched. “And if you don’t like any of those monikers, we’ll go withfuck bunny.”

I backhanded his shoulder. “Don’t you dare.”

He chuckled. “Would I?”

“With you, Asher Kingcaid, I’m never a hundred percent sure. You pretend to be this serious executive type, but underneath, you’re a rogue.”

“Funny you should say that. We’re going to meet a rogue right now.”

His eyes shone with mischief while I stared back in confusion.

“Please stop talking in riddles.”

Laughing, he reached for my hand, placing it on his thigh. “We’re going to meet a guy called Garen Gauthier. His company, ROGUES, diversifies their interests as much as Kingcaid, maybe more so. He runs the business with five of his closest friends, and each one takes an arm, very similar to how my family runs Kingcaid. Garen heads up the hotel side. They don’t have nearly as many properties as Kingcaid, but they’re on a trajectory that makes them a serious outfit.”

I wrinkled my nose. “I cold-called them a few months ago to see if they had any opportunities, but they didn’t.”

“More fool them.” Ash lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it, then returned it to his thigh. “And lucky for me.”

“What does he want?”

“He has an idea of how we can work together to benefit us both.”

“But isn’t he the competition?”

“Well, yes, but I’m of the opinion that similar companies shouldn’t work against each other, but pull together. ROGUES and Kingcaid are both pitching to higher-end clientele, making us well aligned. I’m interested in what he has to say.”

“Then I’m interested, too.”

We arrived at the restaurant, and Ash took my hand, leading me inside. An impossibly handsome guy rose to his feet as we approached the table, fastening the button on his jacket with one hand. Beside him, a beautiful woman with long, dark hair and piercing green eyes rose, too. I held on tighter to Ash’s hand, trying—and failing—to quell the nerves swirling in my stomach.

Be cool. Don’t say anything stupid. Above all, donotembarrass Ash.

“Garen.” Ash released me to shake the man’s hand. “Good to see you.”

“And you, Ash.” Garen slid his arm around the woman’s waist. “This is Catriona, my fiancée.”

“Nice to meet you.” Catriona shook Ash’s hand and smiled warmly at me. I instantly relaxed. She had the kind of aura that sent out calm signals. I liked her immediately.

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