Page 151 of Little Sunshine

“Is this a big event?”

“The biggest Moonlight has hosted. When a VIP starts making a fuss because they think their money makes them better than everyone else and we should do everything but shake the piss from their tiny dicks for them, Maximo sends me to talk them down.”

“Why you?” I pointedly looked around the room. “I mean, you have money, but you’re not pompous about it. And you definitely don’t have a tiny anything.”

And the fact I can barely move without wincing is proof.

He didn’t gloat about my comment. He let his arrogant smile do it for him while he answered my question. “Marco would tell them to suck it up or kick them out. Cole doesn’t deal with guests. And Maximo is the boss, so he doesn’t have to. That leaves me because un-fucking-fortunately, I’m charming and persuasive.”

Since I’d just spent the morning tied up, there was no arguing that fact.

Ash gave me his full attention, watching me carefully. It would be disconcerting if it weren’t so comforting. Maybe that part should’ve been disconcerting.

I didn’t think too hard on it.

“You can stay here today.”

After the previous few days, even my dysfunctional brain couldn’t twist that into something bad, like that he didn’t want me there.

Trust.

He wants me to know he trusts me.

I appreciated it, but now that I knew why he’d had me come with him, I liked it. It sank into some long-neglected part of my soul and made me happy.

That was why I asked, “Do I have to?”

His brows lowered. “What?”

“Can I come with you to Moonlight?”

“Fuck yes, you can. I’d love knowing you’re in the same building, even if I can’t see you. But I’m gonna be running all over today.”

“That’s okay.” Asking him if I could go with him was already a big step. I decided to make it a massive one. “Do you think Juliet would want to see me again?”

His expression and voice both softened to velvet. “Yeah, sunshine, I know she would.”

“Good.” I wasn’t sure what I’d say or how I’d explain everything, but I wanted to try. “Are you okay with me telling her about us? Just, you know, if it comes up. And I wouldn’t go into detail?—”

“Share as much as you want about whatever you want. It’d be good for you to have someone to talk to. But fair warning, if you’re out of the penthouse, Elliot will be with you.”

“Who?”

“The security guard. You don’t have to talk to him or any other detail you might have. They aren’t there for you to entertain. Do what you want. Go where you want so long as it’s on the property. Ignore your shadow. But you will have one.”

Once again, now that I knew why he wanted me to have security, I liked it. I felt bad for whoever had to babysit me, of course, but that didn’t change that it was nice to be protected.

When I didn’t argue, Ash stood and gave me that small smile that made me want to bend over backward to earn it more often. He pulled me to stand. “Shirt off.”

Assuming he wanted to see me naked, I hesitated for all of two seconds before pulling it over my head. His gaze ran over me as he bit out a low curse that seemed to skitter along my skin to tighten my nipples. When he stepped away, he took my tee with him.

“What’re you doing?” I asked.

“Wearing this under my suit. Now go get ready.”

As if that wasn’t an unhinged thing to do, he left.

And as if that wasn’t an unhinged thing to like, I grinned as I went to get ready.

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