Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! How could he be so stupid as to kiss her again? After he had found her freaking out in the bathroom, he had already decided not to touch her again. It was obvious that she was not used to being kissed like that and it had affected her very much Hell, he could understand her; he himself had been bowled by the sexual interlude between them.The chemistry was getting out of hand and it was becoming hard to control. He had to let her go. For her sake. Abruptly, before his resolve could weaken, he wrenched himself from the kiss and muttered something under his breath not quite meeting her eyes.He could not give in to his desire for her and sleep with her. Not while they still had the deal between them. He was paying her to pretend to be his girlfriend for Heaven’s sake and whatever happened between them now, he was sure she was going to regret it come morning. Hell, she would feel like his whore if they slept together and he didn’t want that.Not for her. Even if h
“Where is he?” asked Ashton as soon as they reached the hospital and found a staff at the reception counter.Selena had followed him without any questions when Jake had phoned to tell them that Uncle Devin was hospitalized. Devastated by the news, she had been worried sick because they had no more information than that and she knew Ashton was equally worried since he was very fond of Uncle Devin too.But there was something terribly wrong. Ashton was not only worried; he was angry too. Very very angry and Selena had no idea why. She wanted to comfort him but felt awkward now that they were back to reality and suddenly she resented the fact of having to return back so soon. How could she be so selfish?It was then that Selena knew it was too late to protect her heart; she had already fallen head over heels in love with Ashton. As her heart absorbed the full impact of the shock, she had to maintain a semblance of normality as they rushed to the room where Uncle Devin was admitted.There
As Ashton sat rigid in the church for the funeral procession, he was still reeling from shock. Uncle Devin was truly gone. Forever. And he regretted suspecting him for nothing. He regretted having reacted so angrily as he had at the hospital. As it is he had ben distressed by the emotional dependence he was having with Selena and on top of that he had thought that Uncle Devin was meddling again.To him, Uncle Devin had been a friend and mentor ever since he was a kid. He had spoilt him so much and had been proud of him whatever. He knew that kind of unconditional love was rare to have and all he had done was defy him and tried to outrun him without really understanding why he had wanted to control their lives. It hadn’t been a whim; on the contrary it had been a way to express his love for his children. How they had misjudged him and Ashton wished that he could repay him in some way.And he felt bad for having made up the charade now. If only he had known that Uncle Devin was that sic
Selena was back to square one again. No job. No money. She had sent her three months’ salary to Ashton’s office to compensate for the lack of notice. She could not afford not to pay her company’s notice again this time too as she feared she would never get the work testimonials she needed. Along with his damn check and rings. She did not want his money anymore.Hurt was too feeble a word to express what she had felt when Ashton had ousted her out of his life. She had been heart-broken since she had been wishing foolishly that he would finally accepted what was between them and make her his. How mistaken she had been. And to think that he had not even wanted to wait for another month to be her pretend fiancé. The two months he had waited had been for Uncle Dev’s benefit and she should know that.When he had not made any effort to break the engagement, she had been over the moon playing along even if she knew she had been building castle in thin air. But had not been expecting him to en
Ashton Jacob Cooper was not in a very good mood. In fact, he was in a horrible mood. And damned if he knew why. Nobody was approaching him in the office since he was acting as ferocious as a wounded bear. For the past week. Ever since that damned stupid woman had left his office and his life.It was pure hell working without her. Not because of the workload; he was managing that all right thanks to the processes she had put in place. It was hell because every time someone was passing by his office door, his foolish heart missed a beat thinking it was her. And it was irritating him so much that he had to find some other things to keep his mind busy.And as if it was not enough, yesterday he had caught her moving out. On top of that to California! To Somerville. He had not slept a wink last night; had been tormented with thought of Selena with that damned Somerville. How was she so readily willing to hook up with that man anyway? Ashton believed he could offer him more than that damned
“Where do you think you’re going?” a voice sounded just as Selena was trying to disentangle her legs from the bed. And she winced. She had wanted to get away furtively without any dramatic scenes. Not that she had regretted last night; she had no words to describe the awesome moments she had spent in his arms.But she feared that it was only a momentary elapse on his part and that he would regret it on waking up. Even if she had been a virgin, she knew how it worked. Men treated sex like a trivial activity; she had her father as a good example to confirm her theory. It didn’t mean anything to them.And Ashton was no different. Who better than her to know that? And besides when she had decided to sleep with him, she had also made up her mind not to cling to him. She wanted him to fall in love with her without any help from her and if she failed to do that, she would distance herself. It was futile fighting for something that was never destined to be hers.“I’m going back home,” she sai
“All’s well that ends well, Dev,” Ana said looking down at the enlaced shadow of their children in each house. Jake and Rachel were happy playing with baby Adam in the nursery while Ashton and Selena was hugging each other not wanting to let each other away from their sight.Devin grinned at the love of his life. They were in Heaven but was still keeping a watch on their children wishing them all the happiness of the world. Parents could never forget their children wherever they were. It was the law of nature.“Yes sweets. I was right all along,” he said smugly cuddling his Ana close.“Of course you were honey,” Ana said looking at the him her eyes glowing with feelings for him. He was the best husband and king that could ever exist. Even God has acknowledged that he was a good soul when she was around. And had forgiven his past sins.Dev had his kingdom in Heaven now and she was his queen. Of course there was no other way since she had pleaded to God to forgive him and she would vouc
“Hi, I’m Ashton. Ashton Cooper.”No answer. Should he ask her name in return? Well, that was what he actually did with any pretty girl. However that one seemed different. Yet, he decided to go for it.“Hmm…what’s your name?” he asked trying the direct approach.The brunette whooshed round and stared at him with a measuring look. “Why do you wanna know?” she snapped haughtily.What arrogance! Hell, what did she think of herself? His seventeen years old ego suffered a blow but still he offered her one of his dazzling smiles and cocked his eyebrows in a flirtatious manner.“Why do you think a guy like me would ask a girl like you her name?” he drawled in his best macho voice.At that, she laid down her pencil and sneered at him. “Oh, you think you are irresistible, don’t you?”Taken aback, he frowned at her not knowing what to retort back for the first time in his life. It was usually the tactic that ticked the chicks off. Hell, no! Usually, he didn’t have much effort to do as the girls
“All’s well that ends well, Dev,” Ana said looking down at the enlaced shadow of their children in each house. Jake and Rachel were happy playing with baby Adam in the nursery while Ashton and Selena was hugging each other not wanting to let each other away from their sight.Devin grinned at the love of his life. They were in Heaven but was still keeping a watch on their children wishing them all the happiness of the world. Parents could never forget their children wherever they were. It was the law of nature.“Yes sweets. I was right all along,” he said smugly cuddling his Ana close.“Of course you were honey,” Ana said looking at the him her eyes glowing with feelings for him. He was the best husband and king that could ever exist. Even God has acknowledged that he was a good soul when she was around. And had forgiven his past sins.Dev had his kingdom in Heaven now and she was his queen. Of course there was no other way since she had pleaded to God to forgive him and she would vouc
“Where do you think you’re going?” a voice sounded just as Selena was trying to disentangle her legs from the bed. And she winced. She had wanted to get away furtively without any dramatic scenes. Not that she had regretted last night; she had no words to describe the awesome moments she had spent in his arms.But she feared that it was only a momentary elapse on his part and that he would regret it on waking up. Even if she had been a virgin, she knew how it worked. Men treated sex like a trivial activity; she had her father as a good example to confirm her theory. It didn’t mean anything to them.And Ashton was no different. Who better than her to know that? And besides when she had decided to sleep with him, she had also made up her mind not to cling to him. She wanted him to fall in love with her without any help from her and if she failed to do that, she would distance herself. It was futile fighting for something that was never destined to be hers.“I’m going back home,” she sai
Ashton Jacob Cooper was not in a very good mood. In fact, he was in a horrible mood. And damned if he knew why. Nobody was approaching him in the office since he was acting as ferocious as a wounded bear. For the past week. Ever since that damned stupid woman had left his office and his life.It was pure hell working without her. Not because of the workload; he was managing that all right thanks to the processes she had put in place. It was hell because every time someone was passing by his office door, his foolish heart missed a beat thinking it was her. And it was irritating him so much that he had to find some other things to keep his mind busy.And as if it was not enough, yesterday he had caught her moving out. On top of that to California! To Somerville. He had not slept a wink last night; had been tormented with thought of Selena with that damned Somerville. How was she so readily willing to hook up with that man anyway? Ashton believed he could offer him more than that damned
Selena was back to square one again. No job. No money. She had sent her three months’ salary to Ashton’s office to compensate for the lack of notice. She could not afford not to pay her company’s notice again this time too as she feared she would never get the work testimonials she needed. Along with his damn check and rings. She did not want his money anymore.Hurt was too feeble a word to express what she had felt when Ashton had ousted her out of his life. She had been heart-broken since she had been wishing foolishly that he would finally accepted what was between them and make her his. How mistaken she had been. And to think that he had not even wanted to wait for another month to be her pretend fiancé. The two months he had waited had been for Uncle Dev’s benefit and she should know that.When he had not made any effort to break the engagement, she had been over the moon playing along even if she knew she had been building castle in thin air. But had not been expecting him to en
As Ashton sat rigid in the church for the funeral procession, he was still reeling from shock. Uncle Devin was truly gone. Forever. And he regretted suspecting him for nothing. He regretted having reacted so angrily as he had at the hospital. As it is he had ben distressed by the emotional dependence he was having with Selena and on top of that he had thought that Uncle Devin was meddling again.To him, Uncle Devin had been a friend and mentor ever since he was a kid. He had spoilt him so much and had been proud of him whatever. He knew that kind of unconditional love was rare to have and all he had done was defy him and tried to outrun him without really understanding why he had wanted to control their lives. It hadn’t been a whim; on the contrary it had been a way to express his love for his children. How they had misjudged him and Ashton wished that he could repay him in some way.And he felt bad for having made up the charade now. If only he had known that Uncle Devin was that sic
“Where is he?” asked Ashton as soon as they reached the hospital and found a staff at the reception counter.Selena had followed him without any questions when Jake had phoned to tell them that Uncle Devin was hospitalized. Devastated by the news, she had been worried sick because they had no more information than that and she knew Ashton was equally worried since he was very fond of Uncle Devin too.But there was something terribly wrong. Ashton was not only worried; he was angry too. Very very angry and Selena had no idea why. She wanted to comfort him but felt awkward now that they were back to reality and suddenly she resented the fact of having to return back so soon. How could she be so selfish?It was then that Selena knew it was too late to protect her heart; she had already fallen head over heels in love with Ashton. As her heart absorbed the full impact of the shock, she had to maintain a semblance of normality as they rushed to the room where Uncle Devin was admitted.There
Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! How could he be so stupid as to kiss her again? After he had found her freaking out in the bathroom, he had already decided not to touch her again. It was obvious that she was not used to being kissed like that and it had affected her very much Hell, he could understand her; he himself had been bowled by the sexual interlude between them.The chemistry was getting out of hand and it was becoming hard to control. He had to let her go. For her sake. Abruptly, before his resolve could weaken, he wrenched himself from the kiss and muttered something under his breath not quite meeting her eyes.He could not give in to his desire for her and sleep with her. Not while they still had the deal between them. He was paying her to pretend to be his girlfriend for Heaven’s sake and whatever happened between them now, he was sure she was going to regret it come morning. Hell, she would feel like his whore if they slept together and he didn’t want that.Not for her. Even if h
It had been Selena’s idea to expand the business to different states of America as their clients in Orlando was limited and she had proposed Ashton ideas to market his company. Now some Mr. Michael Somerville wanted to meet her for a prospective proposal as soon as possible.Two months had gone by without any mishaps since the famous baby episode. The initial intimacy between the two of them had been precarious. They were still acting like lovey dopey couples in front of others even in the office but when they were alone, it evaporated as quickly as smoke and she was still being ignored by Ashton. Actually, he treated her better without any snide remarks and insults just like she had asked but there was no special bonding like there had been during the birthday party and she missed that.It was not a very nice feeling but her every pore was aware of Ashton Cooper and she had a feeling that everything had changed between them. Sometimes, she would catch him staring at her as if on the
Despite himself, Ashton felt his eyes wander in her direction once again to see if she was still having that damned forced smile on her face. Thankfully ever since he had “proposed’ to her, her face was glowing and she was smiling genuinely showing off her ring to everyone.Ashton felt happy that she was happy. It was as simple as that. He could not explain it but he was not feeling too comfortable seeing her so forlorn. He knew it was difficult for her to dupe everyone else but they had gone too far to retreat now. And it was all for the best anyway.The look on Uncle Devin’s face had been worthwhile; he had looked as if someone had snatched away his favourite gift. The sense of satisfaction that had settled within him had been worth all the risks and the lies. He had felt bad for Kyra though; not that there had been anything between them but he all he knew was that he was glad it was not the other way round and Kyra had not found someone else first. To compensate for that, he had sa