Take Me Down (Suits in Pursuit) by Lauren H. Kelley Read Free Book Online

and continued her search for just the right outfit to wear.
    Racks of clothes hung along two long walls on either side of a walk-in closet larger than Ashley’s entire loft apartment. She sucked in a deep breath. Her eyes glided over clothes and more clothes and shoes and bags.
    “I can’t believe you have this much stuff in your vacation home. Truly sickening.” She poked her head out of the closet and yelled into the bedroom. Her voice reached Kerrigan, who huddled in a corner, deep in conversation with Axel.
    Kerrigan lifted her head and covered the phone’s speaker. “Well, you know how Axel can be. He arranged for everything, including my wardrobe, when we stayed here for our honeymoon.”
    Ashley rolled her eyes. Long fingers rummaged from one garment to the next. Fabrics in an assortment of styles, patterns, and colors lined the walls. The whole experience of finding an outfit overwhelmed Ashley. “I don’t want to wear anything too revealing. That would send the wrong message.”
    Kerrigan strutted in and pursed her lips. “Why not wear a shower curtain?”
    “Ha. Funny.”
    “Wear what makes you comfortable. Whatever you decide to wear, you’ll be beautiful.”
    “I’m not trying to look beautiful. Sebastian doesn’t need any reason to hope.” Ashley pulled out a strapless dress. Her eyes roamed the piece with caution. “This one. Simple. Elegant. Not overly stated. Yep, I’ll wear this one. What do you think?” She held the dress high and twirled the hanger around for a full 360-degree assessment.
    Kerrigan’s eyes sparkled. “Perfect. That’s a great choice. Pink looks great against your skin. Sebastian will be awestruck.”
    Ashley frowned, remembering the lusty look he wore when he appraised her on the beach. “On second thought, maybe this dress isn’t right.” She extended her arm, attempting to hang the frock back onto the rack.
    Kerrigan snatched the garment out of Ashley’s hand. “Wear the dress, Ashley.” Laughter, like sunshine bursting through dark clouds, met Kerrigan’s seething scowl.
    “Who are you?” Ashley questioned, amusement edging her words. “I swear, you sound like your damn husband.” She grabbed the hanger, tossed the dress over one shoulder. “All right, I’ll wear the dress,” Ashley said and then headed toward the closet door to make an escape.
    In the solitude of her private guest suite, Ashley’s hard facade faded. She leaned against the strength of a tall teak armoire. Her back level against the side of the large wardrobe, she leaned back, head pressed flat against the hard oak wood, and closed her eyes. Lying on the bed across from Ashley, the pink dress taunted her. She couldn’t believe that Kerrigan had convinced her to wear such scandalous attire.
    Ashley hated the feeling that settled deep in her stomach whenever she saw or thought about Sebastian Stone. Downright pig. His honest, yet disturbing, approach to the modern hookup repulsed Ashley. Her arms coiled around her waist, soothing the nauseous waves rippling inside her stomach. His charm, his charisma, what little he chose to display, excited her. The man played a good game, but her game would be stronger. Sebastian Stone never met a woman like Ashley Turner, and he wouldn’t soon forget her or the lesson she planned to teach him.

    Ashley fiddled with the doorknob, anxious fingers sliding around the globe until the latch released. The heavy wooden door opened slowly. There stood Sebastian, dressed in relaxed khaki cargo pants and a breezy cream-colored shirt. The thin linen shirt, left unbuttoned enough to expose the arc of perfection, showcased his sculpted chest. Ashley watched his eyes rove her body. He didn’t attempt to mask his scope, probing her from head to sandal-covered toes.
    Sebastian lingered on the front porch, both hands holding the doorjamb. “Wow! You’re beautiful.” The words oozed out of his mouth like sweet molasses poured over dung; the underlying taste foul