THE WILDE SIDE, page 24
"And it just keeps getting hotter and hotter," Joel chimed in, then took a drink from his bottle of beer.
Scott slipped his hand around her waist, and she let herself enjoy the intimate and possessive gesture. "We're all waiting to see who'll cave in to the attraction first, Mia or Cam."
"Who knows, maybe it'll be mutual."
"That's what we're hoping for," he said, and caressed his fingers along the curve of her hip, eliciting a sensual shiver from her.
The band toned down the raucous mood with a slow, romantic ballad and urged everyone to grab a partner and join the bride and groom out on the dance floor. Without asking, Scott led the way and pulled her tight into his embrace as the music wrapped around them. He held her close, making her feel more cherished than she could ever remember. It was a wonderful feeling, one she wanted to last longer than just this one night.
Grasping one of her hands, Scott flattened her palm over his beating heart and held it there with his own hand. "So, are you having a good time?"
"Yes." Giving him an honest answer was incredibly easy. "Your family is amazing and fun and very normal."
He laughed at that. "Trust me, we're not without our quirks. But it is Adrian's wedding, and we're all on our best behavior, except for Mia, that is. She doesn't know the meaning of demure."
Ashley didn't see anything wrong with the other woman's bold confidence, though she was certain that Mia's brazen attitude got her in trouble sometimes. "I like her fearless personality. It's refreshing."
"Yeah, well, try growing up in the same house with her," he grumbled good-naturedly. "She could be a real pain in the ass, and both my brothers will back me up on that."
Despite his complaints, it was obvious to Ashley that Scott adored his sister, attitude and all. He was a great brother and an equally caring man.
With a sigh, she closed her eyes and pressed her cheek to his as they swayed to the music. She inhaled the orange-spice scent that clung to his skin, memorizing everything about the day and the man holding her so securely in his arms.
"Thank you for bringing me," she whispered, wanting him to know how much it meant to her to be a part of this special day with him.
His warm lips feathered across her temple. "Thanks for staying."
His simple words said it all. She swallowed the lump that formed in her throat, an abundance of emotion that she couldn't afford to feel. No more words were needed between them. She knew and accepted that today was a one-shot deal, and nothing had changed between the two of them as far as she and her future were concerned.
The sun set, turning the balmy afternoon into a much cooler evening. She and Scott continued to enjoy the entertainment and sat at one of the round dinner tables drinking cups of coffee while sharing a slice of the delicious wedding cake and talking to Eric and Jill. Steve called from the hospital with an update – no baby yet, but Liz's contractions were increasing, and they were hoping she'd give birth by morning if not sooner.
Before long, Chayse and Adrian said their good-byes to everyone and headed off to the airport to catch a flight to Hawaii, where they'd be spending their weeklong honeymoon. Guests gradually dispersed as the celebration came to an end, and Ashley realized that she didn't want to leave. It had been such a fun, perfect day in so many ways, and she didn't want to spend the rest of the night alone. But whatever happened after they left the reception all depended on Scott, and she had no idea how the evening would end.
"I think Jill and I are going to head out, too," Eric said as he stood and helped his wife up. "It's getting late, and she's been feeling achy all afternoon."
Jill waved away her husband's concern. "I'm sure I'm just tired." She pressed a hand to her stomach and grimaced, obviously experiencing a pang of some sort. "A good night's sleep and I'll be fine."
"It was a pleasure meeting both of you," Ashley said, meaning it. Jill and Eric were a great couple, and she'd enjoyed getting to know both of them.
"Likewise," Eric said with a smile. "We hope to see you at another family get-together real soon."
Ashley didn't correct their assumption, and Scott didn't either, which was for the best. It was easier just to let the issue go without a response, rather than fumble with an explanation of why they'd most likely never see her again.
Suddenly, Jill sucked in a startled breath, and her eyes went wide with shock.
Eric jerked his attention back to his wife, immediate concern flashing across his expression. "Jill? What is it?"
His wife laughed, the sound both nervous and excited. "I think we'll be making a detour to the hospital. My water just broke."
*
By the time they returned to Scott's house it was after one in the morning. Ashley was exhausted by the evening's events, but exhilarated at having been at the hospital to share in the joy of the Wilde family welcoming two new members to their fold. That had been an unexpected bonus to an already outstanding day of surprises.
Scott parked the Corvette in the garage, shut off the engine, and turned toward Ashley with a bewildered shake of his head. "Who would have believed that Jill would end up having her baby fifteen minutes before Liz?"
They'd all been a bit taken aback by that, considering Liz had gone to the hospital hours before Jill. "I suppose when it's time, it's time, and no bet is going to dictate otherwise."
He reached across the space separating them and threaded his fingers through her hair. "You're certainly right about that."
She leaned her head back against the seat, remembering the crowded waiting room filled with parents, siblings, and Wilde cousins, all anxious to see who would deliver first. Eric came out after a few hours of Jill being in labor to announce they had a baby girl, followed by a beaming Steve who handed out cigars to celebrate the birth of his baby boy. At that point, it was obvious that neither man cared about the bet that Scott had told her about. Both brothers were just ecstatic to have healthy babies and basked in the pride and thrill of being new dads.
"Thank you again for today," she said quietly. It was more than she ever could have imagined, a gift she'd always treasure.
"You're welcome," he murmured.
She bit her bottom lip, debating on whether or not to voice the question she'd been wanting to ask, then decided to just go for it. "Do I get to come in tonight?"
He stroked his fingers along her jaw in a gentle caress, making her breasts swell with the desire and need that always seemed to accompany his touch. "If you come in, we both know what's going to happen."
She grinned wryly. "That's the whole point."
His eyes met and held hers. "It's been a long day."
He was skirting the issue, and it was all she could do to keep herself from crawling over to his side of the sports car and taking what she craved from him. She knew he wanted her. She could see the hunger in his eyes, could feel the need in his touch. But over the course of the past few weeks, he'd yet to let things progress beyond kissing or heavy petting.
Against her better judgment, she let her frustration get the better of her. "Scott... Are we ever going to make love again?"
A small, teasing smile pulled up one corner of his mouth. "I hope so."
That wasn't the answer she was looking for. "Maybe you'll give me that for a going away present?"
As soon as she saw a troubled frown appear on his brow and his eyes cloud over with unsettled emotions, she immediately regretted her choice of words. "I'm sorry."
"Shhh." He cut her off before she could say anything more.
Curving his fingers around the back of her neck, he brought her mouth to his and kissed her – a long, slow, deep kiss that spoke to her heart, her very soul – and she opened to him, greedily accepting everything he had to give.
For now, for tonight, she knew it would have to be enough.
Chapter 15
"It's after six, and I'm leaving pretty soon to meet Dana for dinner," Alex said to Scott as he strolled into his brother's office at Nolan and Sons early Wednesday evening. "Are you planning on working late tonight?"
"I just have a few more things I want to finish up before I leave." Scott glanced up from the financial report he was reviewing as Alex settled himself into the chair in front of his desk. "I'm going over the budget on the St. Claire project."
"How does it look?" Alex asked, business taking precedence for the moment.
"Pretty damn good." He handed his brother the budget summary to evaluate for himself. "I'm happy with the numbers, and the profit margin is right on target. Dad was thrilled with the latest financial statement I sent to him, and it looks as though those profits are going to exceed what we estimated."
"That's great news." Alex smiled as he set the piece of paper back on Scott's desk. "You took a huge chance with this St. Claire project, but it looks like you got exactly what you wanted with this job."
Scott understood what Alex was referring to. Yes, it appeared that he'd achieved success on a business level, which had been his main objective from the beginning. Nolan and Sons was busier than ever with companies contacting them for bids and estimates on upcoming commercial and restoration work – based on the quality of work on the St. Claire project and the reputation they'd attained as a result.
He'd set out to win his father's respect after his failure with the Wrigley Building project, a financial disaster that had nearly been the downfall of Nolan and Sons. His father had never made him feel accountable for that huge financial loss, but it had been Scott's sole focus over the past few years, nonetheless. And now, he was so close to accomplishing his goal. His father's pride had been unmistakable when he'd seen the numbers on the St. Claire project, which was exactly what Scott had been striving for.
Undoubtedly, his father's admiration and approval had felt damn good, but it wasn't quite as important as it had been when Scott had initially embarked on this project. The determination to make the company flourish and prosper was still there for him, and it always would be. The company was his livelihood and he was grateful for his new successes, yet he was coming to recognize that Nolan and Sons wasn't the main driving force of his life anymore. It was just a small part of who he was, which left a whole lot of room for other personal pursuits.
It had taken Ashley to make him realize that he wanted more for his future. While the company was important to him, he was ready to find a healthy balance between work, play, and maintaining an intimate relationship with the hopes of settling down with one special woman – and soon.
And that one special woman was Ashley St. Claire.
With a heavy sigh, he glanced back at his brother, who was lingering behind longer than normal, especially when he had a date with Dana awaiting him. Obviously, Alex had something on his mind, or he would have said a quick good-bye and been out the door by now.
"Is everything okay with you?" Scott asked.
The one question was all it took to get Alex to open up and talk. "I've just had a lot on my mind since Adrian's wedding last Saturday. All three of our cousins are happily married, and two of them are already starting a family. I'm beginning to feel like the odd man out."
"I hear you," Scott said, completely commiserating with his brother's statement. "And we're certainly not getting any younger, are we?"
"No." Alex's wry grin faded into a much more somber expression. "I'm getting to the point where I'm ready for a wife and kids."
Funny how Alex's thoughts echoed his own in terms of relationships and commitments. Then there were Joel and Mia, both of whom embraced being single and had no intentions of settling down anytime in the near future – if at all.
"How are things between you and Dana?" Scott asked. Last time they'd talked, Alex's emotional declaration to Dana had spooked the woman. "Any progress in the love department?"
"No, unfortunately. From Dana's perspective, we're fine," he grumbled. Then a shrewd look entered his gaze. "But we'll get that worked out, one way or another."
Scott felt an ultimatum coming on between the two, and he understood his brother's frustration all too well. He was in the same position with Ashley.
"I'm more curious about you and Ashley St. Claire," Alex went on. "Especially after bringing her to Adrian's wedding. I can't remember the last time you brought a woman around to meet the family."
Yes, that had shown a huge commitment on his end and had let Ashley know how serious he was about her, about them, without verbally saying so and scaring her off. Yet nothing had changed between them since that incredible day together, and he found that discouraging as hell. She was still putting up emotional walls between them that he was having a difficult time scaling.
"We're fine, from her perspective," Scott said, using the same words his brother had about Dana, because they were oh-so-appropriate.
Alex laughed. "And you'll get it worked out, one way or another?"
"We have to." And he had only a handful of days in which to settle things between them. "Another week and she'll be living in San Francisco, and I'm not into long distance relationships."
Alex winced. "That's gotta be tough."
Tough, yes, but Scott was fully aware of what he was up against. And he knew what he had to do. It was time for him to raise the stakes between himself and Ashley, to lay everything on the line for her, to let her know how he felt about her and hope she believed in him, and herself, enough to give them the chance they deserved.
*
Ashley hung up the phone in her office after talking to her sister – or rather, after listening to Madison go on about how wonderful things were with Adam now that they'd managed to resolve the issues in their marriage and had increased their level of intimacy in the bedroom. Madison had thanked Ashley for her help, insisting she couldn't have gone through the seduction attempt on her own. But Ashley knew better. Her sister had grown into herself over the past few weeks, and her newfound determination and confidence was a tangible thing.
Ashley was happy for her sister. But at the same time she felt a twinge of loss, too. After years of being the older, dependable sister to Madison, and the person she turned to for advice, Ashley knew her sister didn't need her as much as she used to.
It was what Ashley had wanted – a month ago. She'd craved a new, independent kind of life that moving to San Francisco represented, where there were no expectations weighing her down, no constraints, and no familial influences or pressures. But during the course of her relationship with Scott, something within her had changed, something she'd yet to fully define or understand; yet it definitely threatened everything she believed she wanted and needed in her life.
A light knock on her door brought her out of her troubling thoughts, and Ashley glanced toward the entrance of her office. Her new executive manager of the boutique, Joan, stood in the doorway, and Ashley welcomed the distraction.
"There's a messenger out front, and he has something for you," the other woman said. "But he'll only accept your signature as a delivery confirmation."
Ashley found that strange, considering she hadn't been expecting any documents to be delivered. "I'll be right there."
After grabbing her license from her purse for identification purposes, Ashley headed out to the front of the boutique. By habit, she cast a quick, automatic glance out at the lobby.
Not only was she surprised to find Scott and a small crew working at the hotel on a Saturday afternoon, but she was startled to see Evan and her father there, too, talking to Scott – most likely about the restoration work that was nearly completed. His company had done a phenomenal job, transforming the lobby into a beautiful, elegant showcase of gold-threaded marble that added a depth and richness to the old world charm of the St. Claire hotel. She knew both Evan and her father were pleased with the results, and they'd even discussed the possibility of Nolan and Sons restoring yet another section of the hotel, which would certainly be quite a coup for Scott.
"Are you Ashley St. Claire?" the messenger asked once she'd reached him.
"Yes, I am." She showed the young man her I.D. and accepted a manilla envelope from him in exchange for her signature on his delivery form.
There was no return name or address present, which piqued her curiosity. Not wanting to share the contents with her manager and employees, she took the envelope back to the privacy of her office and opened it there. She withdrew a sheet of stationery, unfolded the paper, and a hotel key card fell to her desk. Frowning, she picked it back up, recognizing it as a St. Claire Hotel key card.
Even more confused, she read the attached letter, written in a man's bold, masculine script:
An erotic fantasy awaits you tonight, if you dare to take a walk on the Wilde side with me. Rendezvous meeting place: The St. Claire Hotel, Suite #1483, 7 PM. Yours for the night, S.
A frisson of excitement rippled through her, chasing away all her previous doubts and concerns. Did she dare? Oh, yeah, she most definitely did. This was what she wanted from Scott, and there was no way she'd refuse the chance to be with him intimately again.
It appeared he was giving her the going away present she'd been hoping for.
*
Later that evening, after making her way up to the fourteenth floor as inconspicuously as possible, Ashley used the key card Scott had sent her to unlock the designated hotel room. With her anticipation at an all-time high, she quickly stepped inside.
She was instantly enveloped in a romantic, seductive atmosphere, complete with a candlelit dinner set up on the linen-draped table in the middle of the suite's dining area, soft music playing in the background, and the same beautiful view of the city that she had from her penthouse upstairs.
But the most breathtaking sight of all was Scott, who was sitting casually on one of the high-back chairs at the table, watching her with a devastatingly sexy smile on his face. His gaze took in the outfit she'd chosen just for him, a classic black slip dress with thin shoulder straps and a low-cut, form-fitting bodice that made wearing a bra unnecessary. The hem was knee length, and her heels were high and strappy, accentuating her long, slender legs.
Very slowly, his eyes traveled their way back up to her face. "You came," he said, his voice low and inviting.
