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Falling for a John 8
ASHTON Willow rests her chin on my chest and looks up at me. "Just the two of us. Well, except for the two strapping bodyguards, the bakery staff, and your three siblings who will join us at seven." I had invited my two sisters and brother to join us later. "I appreciate you calling the bakery in advance," I say sincerely, without a hint of sarcasm. When I asked Willow if my younger brother could come along, her immediate response was, ‘I'll reserve the entire bakery for a couple of hours.’ Willow and I don't usually shut down establishments for our own convenience. We can handle the attention from the media and the public. But Willow understood that my brother, Blake, wouldn't feel comfortable with strangers around. Instead of suggesting we leave him behind, she was the first to offer a solution that included him. "Avec plaisir," [With pleasure]she says in a smooth, silky tone. So here we are, fluent in two foreign languages for completely different reasons. I won't delve into th
Falling for a John 9
LENNOX Ashton descended to the first floor. "It's only been two minutes since I last saw you." "Thirty-three," I corrected, watching Willow settle down on the loveseat and unscrew the bottle of sweet almond oil. I had a feeling I knew its purpose. I shifted my attention to Tony. "Security wants more information about the Camp-Away." Realization dawned on him, and he nodded. "You'll have to wait. I promised Willow a massage, and she comes first." "Are you giving or receiving?" I inquired, a mischievous smile playing on my lips. His eyebrows shot up, and he licked his lips, tilting his head slightly as he rubbed his sharp jaw. I smiled, feeling a flutter in my chest, but I pushed the sensation aside. "The massage, wolf scout. Are you giving or receiving it?" "Receiving," he answered more easily. "Willow is trying out massage therapy." She tied her wavy hair into a low ponytail. "If you two need to discuss the Camp-Away, I can wait—" "No," Ashton firmly replied, shaking his head
Falling for a John 10
ASHTON I find myself in a state of utter desperation. With every breath I take, I try to calm the raging emotions coursing through my veins. Is it desire? Frustration? Obsession? I stare defiantly into his eyes, unashamed. However, deep down, I can't deny that I've never wanted to obey an order as much as I do in this very moment. I've always been drawn to alpha males, those who crave dominance as much as I do. Most of the time, I get what I want, but the idea of being with someone equally strong and dominant entices me like nothing else. As I stand here, I can't help but imagine that person. And it hits me like a lightning bolt that Lennox Burke is the ultimate match. He's my bodyguard, a fact that my moral conscience reminds me of. It's the reason I refuse to let my gaze wander to his tempting lips or his imposing six-foot-three build. I don't even allow him to read my reaction for too long. I quickly tie the loose drawstring of my pants and then kneel on the rug, eventually ly
Falling for a John 11
LENNOX The street was alive with activity as the bright street lamps illuminated the scene. Rapid camera flashes filled the air, casting intermittent bursts of light on the idling black Escalade. Ignoring the continuous chatter in my right ear from the security team, I confidently maneuvered through the chaotic swarm of paparazzi. Around five men swarmed the car, desperately trying to capture a glimpse of whoever was inside. They pressed their lenses against the tinted windows, while others paced anxiously on the sidewalk, hastily relaying information to their colleagues. "Hurry up and get here!" "We think it's one of the Johnson kids, hopefully Blake." Two men were huddled near the rear door, but I powered forward. With each stride, I exuded an air of menace that sent them stumbling backward. Taking hold of the Escalade's handle, I mimicked opening the car door to shoo away the overly eager fools. Suddenly, a man rushed towards me and collided with my solid back. I shot him a br
Falling for a John 12
LENNOX I handed her a cup with a mixture of mouthwash and saline solution. "Swish it around and spit." Blanca winced as she swished and attempted to say "dammit" with a mouthful of salt water. Saliva dripped down her chin, and I guided her to the sink. "Now spit," I instructed. She did as told, and bloody salt water splattered into the metal sink basin. "That stings so bad," she breathed, gripping the sink's edge. "It's happening again," I warned her. "Stick your tongue out." Blanca winced preemptively. "Right now?" She wiped her forehead with her arm, her cheeks turning beet-red. I needed to take her temperature. Ashton glared. "Do you plan on going somewhere, Blanca? What else are we doing?" "Well, Willow promised a movie night. We could watch the movie first and then come back," she suggested, awkwardly shrugging her shoulders. "Yeah?" She gave me a thumbs-up. "Stick your tongue out," I said. Blanca frowned. "Tony is supposed to be the tough one." I rolled my eyes. "I was
Falling for a John 13
LENNOX Seth absentmindedly scratches his unshaven jaw, sweat glistening on his golden-brown skin. A small scar lies beneath his eye, and his slightly crooked nose bears the evidence of a past boxing injury. Davin shares similar marks. Security personnel often joke that no matter how many punches they've taken in their professional boxing careers, they will always be good-looking. "I was deliberately censoring myself," Seth clarifies. "I didn't want to mention anything inappropriate about a teenage girl, you know?" "Clit," Perry interjects. "Jelly bean," Davin adds with a smirk. "Magic button," Perry chimes in again. Seth shakes his head, as if thinking we're all messed up. I raise an eyebrow at him. "You're the one who jumped to 'clitoris piercing' when I said 'unmentionable.' And weren't you a teenager yourself just a year ago?" Davin and Perry burst into laughter, while Seth gives me a half-hearted glare. He still has a lot to learn about intimidation—he's new to the security
Falling for a John 14
LENNOX Perth began, "Tony made it crystal clear that he won't allow any of his siblings or cousins under eighteen to attend the event." "Then Epsilon is out," Davin remarked, referring to the security provided for the young kids by SFE. Perth shook his head, his black hair slightly tousled. "Most of them will be present at the event to enhance security measures." I stretched my legs, feeling the strain in my muscles. We had never needed extra security for the Camp-Away before, and that realization hung heavy in the silence that followed. "We asked Tony for more than seven days to conduct background checks on the attendees. That means the raffle would have to be closed more than a week prior to the event," Perth mentioned, addressing the main point of contention for the security team. "Tony agreed to give us more time, but he handed us twelve pages of statistics compiled by Willow." I shook my head, a smile forming on my face. Wolf scout. I already knew what he had done before Per
Falling for a John 15
LENNOX The saltshaker slips from my fingers, falling to its side. Tony glanced at me as I straightened the salt shaker on the table. It was a simple gesture, but it triggered a surge of jealousy within me. I found it absurd that I could feel this way about an anonymous celebrity wearing a beanie at a bar. My ex-boyfriends would have found it hilarious that I cared so much about a twenty-two-year-old famous person. I unwrapped a piece of gum and just as I peeled off the foil, Ashton, sitting across from me, asked an unexpected question, "What's your favorite color?" A smile formed at the corners of my mouth. "My favorite color?" I repeated, as if he had asked me something trivial. Well, it was a kindergarten-level question, but in that moment, I couldn't help but think that Ashton's interest had shifted from that other guy to me. Ashton crossed his arms and challenged me, "What kind of high school names someone valedictorian when they can't even answer their favorite color?" Leani
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Falling for a John 117
ASHTONThe silver lining in the midst of losing my job and ending the tour prematurely is the beautiful scene unfolding before me today. Lavender floral bouquets fill the air, accompanied by the presence of tuxedos, a hundred close friends, family members, and a charming garden gazebo.As the spring flowers bloom, I find myself seated in the front row, surrounded by my siblings. From this vantage point, I witness a heartwarming sight. Underneath the gazebo, my mom wears a radiant lilac dress, her face beaming with joy. Beside her stands my dad, dressed in a striking black-on-red tuxedo. Both of them exude pure happiness and contentment.I remember being present at their wedding as a young child, although my memories have faded over time. However,
Falling for a John 116
LENNOXWhat surprises me the most is Ashton's reaction. He ignores Jesse, not giving him a lingering look or allowing his anger to take over. He doesn't storm forward to attack an unconscious body.His eyes lock with mine.He notices the blood, most likely smeared across my forehead, cheeks, and caked in my hair."Not mine," I say quietly. "Animal." Most likely.He continues to approach, unwavering and committed.I remain motionless, clutching the knife, unable to let go.We were
Falling for a John 115
LENNOX"Watch it, you little bastard," I exclaimed as I quickly snatched Warren, the calico kitten, before he could dart into security's townhouse. With a swift kick, I shut the door and Warren meowed while pawing at my cheek.My lips curled into a smile, not because of the cat, but because I couldn't stop replaying the moments I had just shared with Ashton. Every little detail kept playing in my mind: the primal noises he made, the intensity in his eyes, the raw vulnerability, and the overwhelming emotions. Damn it, I was annoyed at myself for leaving my stuff in his room because all I wanted was to be with him.But I needed to focus and make this quick.I released Warren, allow
Falling for a John 114
ASHTONThe realization seized my thoughts, and I could vividly imagine Lennox penetrating me with fervor on that very bed.Fuck. I blinked several times, snapping out of my daydream. I had been lost in my thoughts for too long. Grimacing, I focused on the six-foot-three Yale graduate who leaned casually against the dresser, observing me.A smile tugged at his lips. "Welcome back, space cadet."I scowled and unbuttoned my jeans. "I wasn't spacing out that much."His smile broadened. "Let me ask you something. How many times have you fantasized about me fucking you on my bed?"
Falling for a John 113
ASHTONThey look more like pink suede sandals with a chunky glittery heel attached. My aunt usually sticks to simple black dresses and classic heels, but these are eccentric.These are Willow.Upon seeing them, Willow stops midway down the stairs. "What are those?"Serena delicately holds the heeled sandals. "They're for you, but I'm not trying to buy your love," she says sharply. "I saw them, and they screamed Willow Eleanor Walsh, my beautiful and brilliant firstborn daughter... If you don't want them, I'll return them to the store or throw them into a fire. Watch them burn..." She tries to lift her chin, fighting back tears, quickly brushing the corners of her eyes. "Whatever
Falling for a John 112
LENNOXFor Perry, Kaleb, Seth, and even Davin, it was the only place they had ever known. They never went to college or moved elsewhere. It had always been Philly.Some people have a strong connection to a specific place, as if it's a person, an inseparable part of them. I could see that in Perry's eyes."Say I'm from L.A. one more time!" Perry threatened. People mistakenly believed we were from L.A. because that's where our fame originated.Kaleb started yelling back at the heavyset guy on the end. He was so irritated that being off-duty made him throw the rulebook out the window.Davin whispered to me, "Those S
Falling for a John 111
LENNOX"Get the hell out of Philly!" The profanity-laden heckle echoes through the smoky billiards and darts bar, its packed interior making it difficult to identify the source. However, the contemptuous stares and raised middle fingers leave no doubt about the target of the heckling.Surprisingly, it's not aimed at Ashton or Willow or any of the well-known figures. Instead, the recipient of the insults becomes apparent as I scan the crowd. Davin, who is currently arranging the pool balls, takes in the hostile atmosphere and comments, "Perry is going to lose it when he arrives."Perry, unlike us, wouldn't take kindly to someone demanding his departure from his own city. Philly is home to all of us, and the barrage of jeers began the moment Davin
Falling for a John 110
LENNOXHe cracks his knuckle and briefly acknowledges a boy who calls out his name. His forest-green eyes return to me as he says, "They were vague, but they mentioned that there might be a possibility for me to be reinstated as the CEO. They didn't disclose any details yet."I drum my fingers against my mug, the sound of my rings clinking together. You see, I don't appreciate the fact that they conveniently omitted what he needs to do. It could be anything, and they could demand anything from him."They hold the power," I remind him. He has very little leverage in this situation.Ashton nods. "I know, but it's the only hope I have. They said they would provide more information i
Falling for a John 109
ASHTON"Seven years ago," he continues, relentless. "Molly fell into the creek behind the lake house, sinking into the treacherous mud. I was halfway there, already ankle-deep in water, but you emerged out of nowhere, donning your shining white armor and carrying a ten-foot rope."His eyes are bloodshot as he says, "It's these little moments that define you. You mean everything to my siblings. To the Haynes girls, to your own sisters and brother. You've become an inescapable shadow, because when you're everything to them, I can't be anything. So who am I?" Sandro points at his chest. "Who am I? And what do I become if I follow you to Harvard? Lost and confused? I was already filled with self-loathing and bitterness, but I'd be even more resentful, waking up every day hating myself for not being more like Ashton J
