Free Take Me Down (Suits in Pursuit) by Lauren H. Kelley Page A

don’t you?”
    She nodded. “I eat,” she said, stiffly.
    Sebastian narrowed his eyes. “Dance?” She didn’t take a jab in response to his sarcastic questions.
    “I dance too.” Her whisper was barely audible.
    He turned, faced Ashley. Took several steps backward. “Shall we?” he asked, his hand extended in the direction of the table in the middle of the room. The only table in the room.
    Sebastian pulled out a chair covered in light blue velvety fabric as soft as Ashley’s bronze shoulder. The accidental touch sent a scintillating sensation up his spine. Her delicate fingers clawed the chair’s arms as she eased into the seat. Tense shoulders stiffened, refused to relax.
    Sebastian’s eyes glued to Ashley as he sank into a chair. Her strong, confident attitude had ensnared him like a fly caught in a web. He watched her movements, examined her expressions, tried to understand her reaction. He rubbed sweaty hands on his thighs.
    Branches hung overhead captured Ashley’s attention. Her gaze scanned the room again. The room, filled with greenery, mimicked a treetop. A mural of red robins and birds’ nests covered the walls.
    He leaned closer, resting his chin in his palm. “Do you like my surprise?” Ashley’s glossy-eyed stare made Sebastian sweat.
    Jolted, she whirled around in the seat. “The room is beautiful. How did you know?”
    He frowned. “How did I know what?”
    A hand rested at the nape of her neck. “Um, nothing. Forget what I said.” Ashley twirled flyaway strands of hair around her index finger.
    Sebastian didn’t know what had spooked Ashley, but he intended to enjoy the evening. “Forgotten.” His left hand glided across the table cloth. He smoothed out the linen. “Tell me a little about you.” The tips of his fingers stroked her forearm.
    She jerked away. “What do you want to know?” The tips of his fingers kneaded his throbbing temples.
    Leaning back in the chair, Sebastian folded bulky arms across his chest. “You live in Atlanta. You vacation in the Keys. You don’t put up with anyone’s crap. I like that about you.” His voice strained. “What else?”
    Ashley inhaled and then released a deep breath. “Well,” she said, her shoulders loosening. “That’s a loaded question. Where do I start?”
    He had to take control, otherwise his head might explode. “Start at the beginning. Where did you grow up? What do you do for a living? What is your life’s aspiration?”
    She sneered behind a perfect grin. “I was born in Houston. I’m a marketing account manager. When I grow up, I want to…” Ashley paused, stared past him blankly.
    Her stare turned cold. Of all emotions, Sebastian recognized sadness.
    His lips pursed. “When you grow up, you want to what?”
    She shifted in her seat. Her round brown eyes held a far-off gaze. “I don’t know.” She shook her head. “Honestly, I don’t know anymore.” The haze seemed to dissipate. Ashley met Sebastian’s stare.
    He spoke softly. “Did you ever?”
    Ashley crossed a toned, curvy leg over the other. “Did I ever?”
    Sebastian’s eyes scaled her frame. “Did you ever know what you wanted?” He yearned to trail those mocha legs with his lips.
    Her shoulders tightened again. “I suppose I did. Things are different now.” She rushed her words like a gust in a windstorm.
    Her hasty response told him she desired to breeze past this topic.
    Sebastian slid his chair closer. Leaned in. “How are things different?”
    An exasperated sigh escaped her luscious lips. “Does it really matter? We’re just hanging out. This isn’t going anywhere. Let’s keep the conversation on the surface, not too deep.”
    Sebastian’s hand gripped the back of his neck and massaged the knot. He fired back. “I want to get deep into you. Really deep.”
    Both hands wrapped the edge of the table. Ashley pushed back and then stopped. “I’m sure you do.” Her sneer faded into a coy smile. “Your turn. Tell me something about