Page 47 of Finally Forever
“Perfect. Ask him to.”
“With all due respect, maybe you should go over this plan with Nathan and Riley. There has to be a reason why you didn’t go through with it before.”
“I was a pussy. I’m not that guy anymore, and I’m dead according to the world and my family. The way I see it, now is the perfect time. Make it happen.”
He nods, his expression reflecting his apprehension.
If he knew the truth about my plan and that it involved more than having a guy infiltrate my father’s business to work as a spy, I’m certain he’d try to talk me out of it or stop me entirely.
I get a text.
Ainsley: Are you still in your meeting?
My first thought is that she’s nosey. I have to remind myself she’s being herself. This is normal behavior for her.
Me: Just finished.
Ainsley: Can you meet me in the kitchen?
Me: Did you cook?
I close out of my web searches on my phone, clear the history, and stand.
Ainsley: No. Are you hungry?
Me: I could eat.
Ainsley: Well, this isn’t about dinner, but I can make spaghetti if you’re hungry. I saw pasta in the pantry.
Me: Is the chef here?
Ainsley: I haven’t seen anyone, but someone shopped because the pantry and fridge are stocked.
Me: I made sure they were.
Ainsley: Which is why I want to see you in the pantry.
This conversation feels familiar. Did we have sex in a pantry before? Does she want to now? Is that why she wants to see me? I’m not willing to sleep with her. That hasn’t changed. It would mean more to her than it would me. What we did earlier was different. She got to me. I allowed it. I can’t let that happen again. My walls need to remain up when it comes to her.
She makes me weak. I gave in too easily to her. She could be the reason why I ran from my past life instead of confronting it. There is more to it than that. I remember as much. I had a lot of fear back then. That fear seems to be gone now, replaced with determination to be free of the family and my father once and for all.
Me: I’m on my way.
Ainsley washes her hands at the kitchen sink, a box of Cheez-It crackers on the counter.
She glances up. The way she looks at me—with so much trust, lust, and hope in her eyes—unnerves me to the core. I can’t live up to the person she sees in me.
“What did you need?” I stop across the island from her.
“Your meeting went okay?”
I nod. “Uh-huh.”
“You know, I’m here to help or assist in anything you need. I know you better than anyone. Better than Xavier. You can use me. You should.”
Her offer sounds sexual. Did she plan for it to come out like that, or am I hearing it that way? My dick twitches, the traitorous organ ready to betray me and invade her body with a bat of her lashes.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” is all I give her. She’s a natural temptress and clueless about her powers.
