But she didn’t have that power over him. Sebastian wanted her but only on his terms. His timetable.
“If you will excuse me,” she said as she forced herself to step away. They were not equals and they never would be. “I’m not being a good hostess. I should circulate with your guests.”
Impatience gleamed in his eyes. “Running away again, mi vida?”
She didn’t answer and she walked away. Ashley felt his gaze on her. She knew she couldn’t hide from Sebastian Cruz. He saw everything.
* * *
Sebastian fought the impulse to grab Ashley and pull her closer. To find a dark corner and reacquaint himself with her scent and taste. Instead, he restrained himself as he watched the haughty tilt of her head as she glided through the crowd.
Ashley may think she was an island girl but she was meant for the glittery world of high society. She had nothing in common with the guests, but she worked the room with effortless grace. The businessmen were dazzled by her friendly smile and their wives gravitated to her sunny personality.
“Who’s the girl?”
Sebastian’s hand tightened on his champagne glass when he heard the gravelly voice. He turned to see Oscar Salazar, one of his fiercest rivals.
“Salazar.” He gave the man a brief handshake. “I didn’t see you come in.”
“Your attention was elsewhere. I can see why.” A streak of red highlighted Salazar’s blunt cheekbones as he stared at Ashley. “You always had good taste in property.”
“Don’t let her hear you say that,” Sebastian warned. Not that he was going to allow Salazar that close to Ashley. He was territorial, but he knew better than to show it around Salazar. The man liked to compete. The more Sebastian wanted something, the more determined Salazar was in wrestling it free from him.
The possessive feeling was so strong that Sebastian almost vibrated with it. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this way. The women in his bed had always been interchangeable and temporary. If any of them tried to make him jealous, Sebastian didn’t hesitate to cut them loose. He never second-guessed or regretted his actions. He knew he could replace his lover with someone who was willing to follow his rules.
But it was different with Ashley. The woman didn’t understand the word obey. She was exasperating, difficult and never boring. Why did he allow her to act that way? Was it because she was his mistress? Was it because he was her first? Or did it have anything to do with sex?
He wanted to share his day with Ashley. It didn’t matter if they were exploring the waterfalls of Jamaica, falling asleep in each other’s arms or enjoying a cup of coffee in a busy sidewalk café. He yearned for her. So much that he found himself calling her when he was at the office just to hear her voice.
“Who did you say she was?” Salazar asked as his gaze narrowed on Ashley’s slender body.
Sebastian gritted his teeth. He had to play this carefully. “Her name is Ashley.”
“She looks familiar.”
He doubted Salazar socialized with Donald Jones. He was too young and had only made his fortune a few years ago. “You probably saw her in Miami,” Sebastian said. He tossed back the champagne but didn’t taste it.
Salazar dragged his gaze away from Ashley. “She’s different from your other women.”
And that automatically made her an intriguing challenge. The ultimate prize. The man understood what made Sebastian tick. “I don’t have a type.”
Salazar smiled. “This one looks more innocent. Untamed.”
Sebastian curled his hand into a fist. “You don’t know anything about her.” And you’re not going to.
“But I know you,” Salazar said. “You’ll tire of her very soon.”
No, he wouldn’t. He wanted more than a month with Ashley. Craved for something more. “And you’ll swoop in and catch her?”
Salazar shrugged. “I wouldn’t normally take your hand-me-downs...”
Sebastian wanted to punch his rival. No one talked about Ashley that way. No one. Instead, Sebastian stepped in front of Salazar and stared him down. “Stay away from Ashley,” he said in growl.
Salazar looked very pleased that he’d riled him. “Worried that you don’t have that much of a hold on her?” he taunted.