No fucking way.

The smile that tugged at his mouth told me quite clearly that he wasn't taken by surprise. Had he hunted me down or was this some fucked up coincidence?

"Nice to meet you..." He tilted his head and shook my hand a little longer than was appropriate.

Damn, those hands had felt so right on my body the night before. I glanced down before jerking my gaze back up to his and tugging my hand away. Heat rose up my chest and coated my cheeks, making it damn-near impossible to hide the fact that something was racing through my mind.

"Lila Jackson." I jumped in just as Gisele started to. "Nice to meet you, Sir."

"Sir? No need for formalities. From what I hear, you and I are going to be fast friends." He glanced over to Gisele, but I couldn't take my eyes off of him. "Right Gisele?"

"That's right. He's going to be working with both of us, but I'd like for him to start with you. You have room for another client on your plate right?" Gisele cleared her throat and I turned to face her, trying to find the air that seemed to have been sucked out of the room.

"Yes. I do. I'm happy to help." I turned back toward him as he spoke again, his cockiness doing nothing but adding to the internal dilemma I was facing.

"Perfect. Nothing I like better than fitting on to a pretty woman's plate." He winked and Gisele laughed.

"Well, at least we know he can flirt. No need to train him on ways to woo a woman, I bet," she added.

"Nope. He's got that part down pat." I glanced from him to her and back to him. "So you're looking for a wife. A committed relationship?"

"That's right. I need someone beside me to rule the world. I haven't found the right girl just yet." He shrugged and gave me a convincing frown.

Gisele laughed again and moved up beside us. "Though... he thought he snagged a good one last night. But apparently she got away."

I turned my attention back to him as my eyes widened. Surely he didn't tell my boss about our sex-capade. Certainly not.

He shook his head no, his eyes telling me that he hadn't spilled my secrets just yet. I didn't like this. There was no way this shit was a coincidence.

"So, Lila. Beautiful name by the way. It fits you perfectly." He brushed his hand down the front of his black shirt and slipped it into his slacks pocket.

Damn me if I didn't follow the movement. Desire punched me in the gut and spread out along my nerve endings as if gasoline had been poured on a small flame deep inside of me.

"Thanks. Let’s get back to you, though. This is all about you." I smiled and extended my hand toward Gisele. "Do you have a file started on Mr. Harrington’s preferences? I want to make sure we find just the right woman to help him take over the universe."

"I do. Make copies for me and then I think Asher would like to interview you before bringing you onto the project, is that right, Asher?" Gisele placed the folder in my hand and crossed her arms over her chest.

"That's correct." He looked at me and winked. "How about we go grab a cup of coffee and talk?"

"Sure. Gisele can come with us too. There’s actually a great little place right downstairs in the main lobby. We don't have to go anywhere." I shrugged, trying to play off the screaming in my head that I should run… fast. This man was everything I wanted in my life and then some. I was done with men though, and it didn’t matter how hard this bastard pushed and prodded, that wasn't changing. I wasn't offering up anything more than a hot night of sex these days. My heart was my own and I was going to be sure and tell him that the minute we were alone. I wasn't interested and even if I was... I'm not. Just not.

"I would love to, kids, but I can't. I have an international call in fifteen minutes." She shrugged and moved back to her desk. "Have him take you down to the Starbucks at the edge of the street. His car is wicked hot. You'll love it. I know how you are about fast cars and the smell of leather."

My cheeks burned again as I glanced toward Asher, threatening him with the narrowing of my eyes. And why did his name have to be Asher? What a hot name to moan and whisper in a moment of passion? Why couldn't it be Bartholomew or Herbert?

"You will love the car. It's spacious and comfortable. Most chicks dig it." He chuckled, enjoying himself far too much.

"Well, if you insist, but remember... your days of showing chicks the inside of your car are almost over. Marriage is a serious, life-long commitment." I blasted him back, especially enjoying the way he visibly paled at those words.

"I'm quite aware, but until that day comes... let's see if you dig it." He moved toward the door and held it open for me as his eyes moved down the length of my body, leaving me feeling rather undressed and underdone. "Gisele, thank you for your kindness today. I'm sure Lila will fit perfectly beside me for this journey."

"Me too. She's the best I have. Be gentle," Gisele called out as Asher closed the door behind me and chuckled.

"She doesn't know you at all, does she? Be gentle. You never told her that you liked it rough?" He growled the last word and took my hand into his as I slapped at him, unable to keep myself from chuckling at his jovial persona.

"Stop it," I mumbled and pulled my hand from his. The smile on my face almost hurt, but I couldn't let it sink down into my heart. He was looking for a wife and I was there to help find her. I just had to remember one thing.

I wasn't her.

8 - Asher

Incredible.

I couldn't have asked for better luck. To finally give in to finding a wife and showing up at the one place on the planet where my girl worked... incredible. We moved toward the front door and I reached for it first, pulling it open and watching her closely. She was sensual at the club the night before, her clothes, hair and make-up totally fitting a woman on the prowl, but today?

Today she looked like sex in a business suit. Her black skirt and fitted top seemed to have been made for her. She wore very little jewelry, which had me assuming that she was rather modest when it came to spending and money matters.

Another point in her favor. There I was making mistakes with her, meanwhile she was gaining points to become the one woman I wanted beside me. And her name...Lila. How nicely it rolled off my tongue.

"You look amazing, by the way." I turned toward her as we waited for the elevator, needing to study her more closely. Her makeup was subtle, but she used simple accents that brought out the various colors of her eyes and the thick fullness of her lips.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Her voice was nothing more than a whisper, but I could hear the emotion in it.

I lifted my hands in a sign of surrender. "I know you'll not believe me, but I'm honestly here to work with you guys on finding my perfect match. You can check the records if you want. I've been talking back and forth with Gisele for almost three weeks now. This is a total coincidence."

"I don't believe in that shit." She walked into the elevator, her mood seeming to have shifted significantly. As long as she didn't cry, I’d be fine. I never could figure out what to do with a woman once they started crying. Scary as hell.

"I don't know what to tell you. You're stuck with me for a little while longer." I shrugged and moved into the elevator, breathing in deeply in the hopes of catching a hint of her perfume. Now that I knew where she was, I'd be there as often as I could without it appearing overly creepy.