Page 7 of Reckless Desire

“Not happening.” I put him on speaker and finish with my collar.

“Hey, no need to be snappy. Listen, I need a favor.”

“Of course you do. I’ll put it on your tab. Shoot.” I tousle my hair a bit to give it that purposely unkempt look women like.

“I have a client tomorrow morning. An older lady, mostly stretching and some light cardio, but I’m going away for the weekend.”

I roll my eyes. “And your weekend plans have just materialized, so you couldn’t make arrangements sooner?” I shouldn’t complain. Ash is disorganized and I usually make money out of his double bookings.

“Come on, can you help me out? I’ll owe you.”

“I have a thing tonight. I can’t have an early morning.” I need the money, though. “Can you push her up to the afternoon?”

“What thing?”

“Seriously? A dinner. Focus.” I pull my suit jacket from the hanger. I’m going to be late because of him.

“By the sound of it you plan to stay for breakfast, too.”

“Do you want my help?” I growl. I need a new friend.

“Yes, yes, I do. Drinks are on me next time. She is a long-term client. I’ll call her now and text you the details. Have fun tonight. We should go out together soon.”

“So you can buy me all the drinks you’ve promised?”

He laughs as if I made a joke. “Perhaps next week with the girls from the gym.”

“Have a nice weekend, Ash.”

I don’t have time for this shit. I hang up and put on my jacket. This is my favorite suit. Usually my wardrobe is more casual, but tonight is a fancy affair. I check myself in the mirror. Game time.

In the living room Caro is bouncing around, watching a show while pulling out books from the shelves and using them to build a fort. Half of the covers in my library have suffered under her treatment, but this is her favorite game, so I let her.

She notices me and moves my way. “You leaving already?”

Her face is smeared with chocolate and I glance at her hands. Oh, poor books. “Stop right now, cookie monster.”

She halts, looks at her hands and promptly hides them behind her back. I bite my lip, stifling a laugh, and approach her gingerly. “Don’t move.” I lean in and kiss the crown of her head, staying as far back as possible. “I love you, sweetheart. Have fun with Granny.”

“Before you go, do you think I can get a new scientist Barbie?” The concept of being late is completely lost on her.

“Sure, let’s add it to your list for Santa, okay?” I rustle her hair.

“But the delivery guy comes more often than Santa. Can we ask him instead?” She cocks her head, her eyes shining with excitement.

I chuckle. “You’re a smart girl. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

She hops away and I almost collide with my mom. Her eyes glisten with emotions as she dusts my lapels.

“You look so handsome, darling.” Mom raises on her toes to kiss my cheek. “I’m so proud of you.”

Kill me now. If only she knew.

ChapterThree

Sydney

For some reason, I haven’t run away. I should have. I still should. London is having way too much fun with this, and I’m trying to flush out the conflicting emotions with the last drops of margarita.

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