It’s only a matter of time.

Present day

Saturday, November 7 th

As much as Ashlynn wished that Leyton would’ve devoted the rest of the afternoon to her and Jase, she knew that wasn’t an option. They still had business to attend to, despite the fact she wanted nothing more than to strip him naked and feast on him for hours.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t time to play. She would’ve thought otherwise except Rock had received a phone call informing him the meeting with Moroso was a no go. And when he’d relayed that information to Leyton, that had put a damper on the overall mood.

After Rock had safely delivered them back to her house, Ashlynn had headed right for her office, with Leyton close on her heels. Jase had ventured off, probably to ensure there weren’t any issues, but she expected him to return soon. Until then, she was taking advantage and calling her brother.

Stabbing the speaker button on the phone on her desk, Ashlynn punched in Max’s number as she took a seat in her chair, her eyes trailing Leyton as he wandered over to the bookshelves behind her.

“How’d the meeting go?” Max asked as soon as he answered.

Continuing to stare at Leyton, she said, “It went well. The judge has agreed to make nice.”

“Good to hear. And the meeting with Moroso? Is it still on?”

Leyton’s attention turned to her for the first time since he’d come into the room. “No,” he responded to Max’s question. “It’s been delayed.”

“Why?” The tone of Max’s voice had changed from affable to downright lethal.

“Didn’t say, but I’m guessin’ he’s waitin’ to talk to you. We told him it wasn’t an option.”

“Shit,” Max snapped. “What’s the plan?”

Ashlynn knew that standing Leyton up was the equivalent of standing Max up, as far as Max was concerned. Leyton was in charge of all of Max’s business when he was out of pocket, and he commanded the same respect as Max did. Moroso had better have a good explanation, or heads were going to roll.

“I’ve personally left him a voice mail,” Leyton explained. “Gave him an hour to get back to me with a guaranteed time.”

Hearing directly from Leyton, rather than from Rock, would hopefully show Moroso that they meant business. It wasn’t often that Leyton or Max had to make their own phone calls. They had people they trusted to do that.

However, other than wait, there wasn’t anything more they could do, which didn’t help to settle her nerves, but she didn’t bother to tell her brother that.

“You’ll call me when you know something?” Max asked.

“Of course.” Leyton turned away from Ashlynn again.

There was a slight pause before Max said, “Ash?”

“Yeah?” She rested her elbows on the desk and stared down at the phone.

“As of right now, until he hears from Moroso, Leyton’s only job is to be there with you.”

“You can tell him yourself,” Ashlynn began, but Max quickly interrupted.

“No, I’m tellin’ you. As much as I wish we didn’t have to worry about this, the threat is real. Leyton and Jase will take care of you. So let them.”

Her brother’s tone said much more than his words. At least Ashlynn thought it did. Then again, she could’ve been reading so much more into it, but she didn’t think so. For a brief second, she considered keeping her question to herself, but the next thing she knew, the words were tumbling out of her mouth. “Did you warn Leyton to stay away from me?”

Max didn’t respond immediately, and Leyton’s head snapped around, eyes wide, disbelief highlighting the pretty green hue.

“I did,” he finally said.

“Do you plan to tell him it’s not your place to do so?” she questioned, her own frustration evident in her tone.

“He’s responsible for taking care of you, Ash.”

“That’s not what I asked.” Her brother would talk in circles if she let him. Although he was incredibly straightforward and blunt when it came to business matters, she knew he had a difficult time when it came to family. They had always looked up to Max, ever since they were little. He’d been the protector, kept Samuel at bay as best he could, and they’d respected him for it.

No one realized how close they all were. Due to the fact that they’d all had a very volatile relationship with their father when he’d been alive, and a rather estranged relationship with their mother due to the circumstances, Ashlynn and her brothers and sister had always been close. They looked out for one another. They worked side by side, ran the business together, but most importantly, they were family. Despite the fact that they didn’t have proper role models as parents, Ashlynn knew that Max had worked hard to keep them all close.

“Leyton’s a big boy, Ash. He can make his own decisions.”

“You’re avoiding my question,” she blurted. “You know as well as I do that he’s too loyal to disobey a command from you. If you told him to stay away, he will.”

“What do you want me to tell him?” Max grumbled.

“That it’s none of your business what I do with him.”

Her brother didn’t respond, but she was almost positive she heard his teeth grinding together.

“Look,” she began, staring over at Leyton as she spoke to Max. “Leyton and I … we’re adults. We don’t need someone telling us what we can and can’t do. And I’d appreciate it if you’d let this go.”

“As I said,” Max stated firmly, “I want Leyton and Jase to protect you. For now, that’s all you’re gettin’ from me. Leyton, call me when you know more.”

Not for the first time in her life, Max hung up on her.

“You’re gonna get me killed,” Leyton mumbled, his attention turned back to the bookshelf.

Needing something to keep her mind off the issue with Moroso and the fact that her brother stuck his nose in where it didn’t belong, Ashlynn knew it was time to formulate a plan. Seducing Leyton—although not nearly as uncomplicated as she would’ve preferred—seemed like her best idea yet. After kicking off her heels, Ashlynn got to her feet, her eyes still raking over Leyton.

“What’s on your mind?” he asked, looking at her for the first time since Max had hung up.

“Oh, I think you know,” she told him as she stalked closer.

“You heard Max,” Leyton stated, taking a step back.

“I did,” she confirmed. “He said you’re responsible for taking care of me.”

“Protecting you,” he clarified.

“Call it whatever you want.” She was tired of playing games with him.

Ashlynn had never been the type to give up on what she wanted. She didn’t take no for an answer, and she especially didn’t turn away from a challenge.

She damn sure wasn’t going to start now.

Chapter Thirty-One

It’s true. Our pasts mold us into who we are.

Leyton could see it in her eyes. Ashlynn wasn’t going to give up, no matter how hard he tried to push her away. And tried seemed to be the word he was having the most problems with these days.

He tried to resist her.

He tried to convince himself that staying away was the right thing to do.

He tried to tell himself that the attraction would eventually dwindle.

Yep, he tried. And failed over and over again.

To the point that right here and now, with Ashlynn pursuing him from across the room, Leyton knew that it was time to put an end to the games, to either make a stand and refuse her or give in and take what he wanted. Most importantly, to let Ashlynn know she wasn’t in control here.

For a brief moment, he wondered whether or not Jase had ever been down this road with her before. Had he tried to resist her? Or had he allowed her beauty and charm to lure him in? He could see it going either way. Ashlynn certainly wasn’t all that easy to resist.

“Before we move forward,” Leyton began, taking a step back and then turning away from her altogether, he cast a glance at her from over his shoulder as he continued, “I need to talk to Max.”