Protecting Ashley by Jessica James

Author:Jessica James [James, Jessica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jessica James
Published: 2018-08-10T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

“SO YOU HAVE THE STORY straight, right?” Lance glanced over at Ashley, who was applying a new layer of lipstick.

She smacked her lips together. “I think so.”

“Look, we’ve been over this a hundred times. My name is Jack Davies, son of John Davies, an acquaintance of your father’s. We met a long time ago, and then ran into each other at an event just before your father died. We’ve been inseparable ever since.”

“Which is why I’ve been a recluse for the last year.” Ashley let out her breath in exasperation. “But you don’t understand the press. They’re going to want every tidbit, every little speck of intrigue they can find. The idea that Ashley Hathaway has a fiancé is big news.”

“It is?” Lance sat up a little straighter and adjusted his coat. “So I’m a pretty important guy all of a sudden? I might be able to get used to this.”

“Not funny.”

Lance’s smile faded instantly. “I know it’s not funny, but I’m trying to get you to relax a little.”

“I’ll relax when this is over. Let’s see if you think it’s such a big joke when they start making things up about you.” She turned her head to stare idly through the window of the limo, her hair streaked with hints of gold. “That’s how it works, you know. If they don’t get it from a real source, they’ll just make it up.”

“Or get it from Tony?”

He saw a flash of fear in her eyes when she glanced back at him. She didn’t answer, but nodded.

He reached over and patted her arm. “It will be over before you know it.”

An awkward silence ensued, until Lance cleared his throat. “Do you mind if I ask a personal question?”

She shot him a questioning look. “Depends how personal it is.”

“How’d you get your hair to grow so fast?”

“Excuse me?”

“Your hair. It was a lot shorter yesterday.”

She tilted her head. “You’re kidding, right?”

“No.” He looked offended. “Just curious. If it’s a secret that only women are allowed to know or something, then forget it.”

“You don’t get out much do you?”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s called hair extensions.” She ran her hand through the long locks. “Everyone uses them.”

“How would I know that? This isn’t exactly my world.” He swept his hand toward the window.

“Yeah. Okay. Except they’ve only been around for about a gazillion years. I stayed up most of the night trying to get them to look right.” She turned more fully toward him. “Do they look right?”

Lance looked at her again as if seeing her for the first time today. She wore eyeliner and mascara, and her lips were a soft glossy pink. He contrasted her to the woman he’d met a few days ago, and wasn’t sure which one he liked better. This one was decidedly more feminine. Soft. Sexy.

But the other one was more natural. Genuine. Untamed.

He lifted his hand to pick a lock of hair off her shoulder. “It looks real to me.”

She leaned back against the seat. “I guess that’s as good of a compliment as I’m going to get from you.

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