Lord of Rain (The Dragon Demigods #5) - Charlene Hartnady Page 0,96

was there.” She points at the picture. “This guy was being an asshole, and—”

“Actually, it’s exactly how it looks,” I interrupt. I’ve haven’t known Ashley for a long time, but she means something to me. More than a fucking PA…definitely more than a friend. I don’t want everyone to think she’s my latest fuck. It doesn’t sit right with me. Thing is, I know that’s what’s going to happen. No! Just no! She’s worth more than that.

Both Emily and Miss Shaw look at me like I’ve lost my mind. “Ashley and I are dating. We’re exclusive. We’re serious.” I swallow thickly. “She’s…my…” I look into her eyes, which are wide with shock. “She’s my girlfriend.” It’s hard to say the words but once they’re out, I feel a sense of relief.

“Oh.” Emily rubs her chin and starts pacing. I know her by now. She’s working out how to play the angle.

I take a step toward her and take her hand. “You okay with that, Ash?”

My girl smiles. Her eyes sparkle. “Only if you’re okay with it, because I’m very okay with it.”

“Good.” I lean in and kiss her softly.

“Stop with the sappy shit until I’m gone. Right!” Emily smiles. “I’m going to release a statement to that effect. The media will love it. For once, I have something to work with.” She claps her hands.

“What do you mean, for once?” I snort, but I’m also smiling.

“You’ve been the most difficult client I’ve ever had. The public loves to hate a bad boy. Up until now, that’s what you’ve been. A bad boy who wants a good boy image. Impossible.” She rolls her eyes dramatically. Then she makes a face. “Now we can turn your image around. The public loves a good romance even more than dirt. I’m running with this. I’ll send a photographer tomorrow. Clear an hour or two from your schedules…both of you. I want pictures of the happy couple. This is going to be great.”

“Don’t go too OTT,” I say.

Emily smiles, and it looks downright evil. “Wait until the engagement. Then you’ll see OTT.”

My girl’s eyes get huge, and not in a good way.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Emily,” I say.

She laughs. “The hardest ones to fall always fall the hardest.” She winks at me and then leaves.

“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” Ashley asks. “We don’t have to do this if it’s too soon. You said we were taking it one step at a time.”

“That was two days ago. I’ve loved having you in my bed. I loved being in your bed last night.” I went over to her place and never left.

“Caused a bit of a stir,” she says. I parked my Aston Martin outside her apartment. What can I say, it got some interest from her neighbors. She puts her arms around my neck. “So, I’m really your girlfriend?”

“Yes.”

“We’re doing this?” She licks her lips, looking more nervous than happy.

“We’re definitely doing this. It feels right.”

“I think it feels right too. Just one thing, you can’t keep calling me Miss Shaw, and I probably have to resign as your PA.”

I feel everything bristle. “You need this job.”

“I can work in another department.” She lifts her brows.

I would hate not seeing Ash all the time, but she’s right. I can’t concentrate with her just outside my door. “Okay…we’ll talk to HR.”

“Then, one other thing. It’s something I’ve been wondering about you, and something I should know if I’m going to be your girlfriend.” She gets this amused look.

“What do you mean going to be? You are my girlfriend.”

She laughs. “You know what I mean. I was just wondering what the ‘W’ stands for. I know the ‘S’ is for Steven, but what does the ‘W’ stand for? It’s obviously your second name.”

I feel myself go cold. I need to come clean about who I am. Who I really am. It needs to happen soon. I’m serious about Ashley. I never planned for this to happen. In fact, I fought against it. I tried hard to set boundaries. Ashley pushed back harder, and here we are. I think we can be good together.

“Candice said she’s sure it stands for Wicked.” She laughs, but I can see that my silence is worrying her.

I want to tell her, but now isn’t a good time. Plus, I should really check with the guys. I’m ultimately making excuses, but fuck, I’m not human, and I only hired her because she looks like someone who fucked me up. Someone who