Seduction (Club Destiny #3)(53)
Author: Nicole Edwards

“You did.” She told him, then turned her head away, but she didn’t pull away.

“When did I say that?”

“It was a long time ago. It’s no big deal.” She said, trying to shrug him off.

Taking a step back, Alex had to pull her off the dance floor and out of the path of the other dancers before they were trampled. He took her hand and led her to the darkened hallway where at least it was a little bit quieter.

“What are you talking about?” Alex crowded her against the wall, blocking out the people walking in and out of the restrooms behind them.

When she looked up at him, she looked far away. “You came to the guest house that night, and you told me I would never be enough for you.”

Alex didn’t remember the night she was referring to and for the life of him, he didn’t remember ever going to the guest house.

“I’m sorry.” He said, knowing it wouldn’t change a damn thing, but if he’d ever said anything of the sort, he couldn’t blame her for trying to keep distance between them.

“You remember?” She asked, sounding both hurt and hopeful at the same time.

“No, baby. I don’t.”

“Of course you don’t.” Ashleigh sighed. “You kissed me that night.”

Alex dug deep into the dark corners of his memory but didn’t remember ever having kissed Ashleigh before recently. He was sure if he’d had those sweet lips on his, he’d have remembered it. But he didn’t doubt what Ashleigh was telling him.

“But it doesn’t matter, Alex. I think you’re right. I’ll never be able to handle you.”

Alex thought back to the first time he’d had her or the many times after… she hadn’t had any problem handling him then.

“Up until recently, you were treating me like I’d break. I don’t want a man who’s going to hold back from me.”

Alex was pretty sure they’d gotten past that part because if the other day in his office, when he’d fucked her ass like a wild animal, was anything to go by, he wasn’t holding anything back. And neither was she. Before he could tell her as much, she pulled away.

“I really need to go.” She said, but then she swayed when she pushed away from the wall.

“I’ll drive you.” He insisted, knowing she was far too drunk to drive.

“No. I’ll drive… whoa.” Ashleigh put her hand on the wall to steady herself. “I’ll have my brother take me home.”

“I’ll take you home, Ashleigh. No arguments.” Alex was not going to let up on this. He was taking her home.

~~*~~

Her muddled brain told her this wasn’t a good idea. She should argue; she should go back to the table and insist that Dylan take her home, but when Alex put his arm around her, it felt too good to resist. As much as she wanted to be angry, Ashleigh couldn’t deny that her heart hurt and being near him soothed that ache, even if it was only temporary. Leaning into him, she allowed him to walk her back to the table as he said their goodbyes.

Ashleigh’s eyes met Sam’s and she saw the other woman’s concern. She hadn’t asked if something was wrong, but there was no way her body language would have fooled anyone. And now, she looked like a complete idiot, one who lacked a spine, allowing Alex to take her home.

When he pulled her along beside him, she put one foot in front of the other, although the room was beginning to spin. She definitely shouldn’t have had that fifth drink. But by the third, she was beginning to feel no pain.

Alex helped her into his truck, even buckled her seatbelt while she sat back and closed her eyes. That was worse. Forcing her eyes open, she tried not to focus on any one thing for too long because her stomach began to churn.

Oh, God. She was going to be sick.

“Alex.” She warned him, but then thankfully he pulled over to the side of the road immediately, and she pushed open the door and vomited right there in the grass. Her stomach heaved, the alcohol pulsing through her blood until she was puking again, then dry heaving when there was nothing left.

Alex, bless him, had come around to her side of the truck and managed to help her back in; got her resituated before once again climbing behind the wheel. “We’ll be home in a few minutes, baby. It’ll be ok.”

With that, Ashleigh did close her eyes, and she willed sleep upon her. There was no way she would live this down.

The sun crept through the slats in the mini blinds, teasing the edges of Ashleigh’s vision and making her want to cover her head with a pillow. Reaching out, she felt the bed beside her and thankfully she was alone.

That would be the last time she drank. Ever. Well, the last time she indulged in hard liquor anyway.