Free Loving Ashe by Liz Madrid Page A

participants can be very demanding.”
    “I can handle that, too. I work in Hollywood, remember?”
    “You might even regret it and disown all possible progeny.”
    “I’ll … take the risk,” he replied, though Riley noticed the pause. Then he gave her a sideways glance, as if suddenly unsure of his decision to come along.
    The walk to her destination was fairly short, a mere ten minutes, and as Riley walked up the steps of a beautiful brownstone, she pulled out the elastic that kept her hair off her face and shook her hair about her for dramatic effect, feeling like Greta Garbo.
    “What are you doing?” Ashe asked.
    “Trying to look sexy,” Riley said. “You want to impress your hosts, don’t you? Take off your beanie. Look manly — like you can handle what’s to come.”
    Ashe gave her a look that was almost distressed, as if he were no longer sure that this was a good idea, but he took off his beanie and ruffled his hair. Then he cleared his throat and squared his shoulders, appearing taller and more refined.
    They heard the sound of a woman laughing from behind the door, then high heels tapping on wooden floors.
    “Are you ready for this?” Riley asked, pursing her lips at him and lifting one shoulder in the best silly seductive move she could think of.
    “I … think so,” Ashe replied, the tension on his face even more obvious now.
    “Well, don’t say I didn’t warn you, Ashe Hunter, because you’re about to experience the most amazing, mind-blowing ménage à cinq you’ll ever have in your life. I hope you brought protection, too,” Riley said, winking, “if you know what I mean.”
    She glimpsed a look of panic in Ashe’s eyes as the door opened to what could only be described as pure chaos.
     

7
Beautiful Again
    “Oh, wow, Riley! Is this your sacrificial offering?” Paige asked as she opened the door, three 4-year old boys dressed up as Ironman, Captain America and Thor running past her. She was dressed in a beautiful Monique Lluilhier full-length gown that shimmered about her feet and as Riley stared at her, she twirled, showing off the ensemble in full effect.
    “He stopped by the Library, and figured he’d help me out with the boys.”
    “She makes a wonderful caffè Medici,” Ashe said, grinning.
    “You still have a chance to get out of this, you know,” Riley said as the triplets, Trey, Trevor and Thomas stopped in their tracks and stared at him. Then before she could introduce the boys to Ashe, Trey, dressed as Thor, yelled at the top of his voice,
I am Thor!
before running off while the other two chased after him.
    “And miss out on my first ever ménage à cinq? I don’t think so,” Ashe said as Clint appeared at the top of the stairs dressed in a tuxedo. Clint was in his early fifties, with dark wavy hair and a hawkish nose. Although he came from a wealthy family that reeked of old New York status, he wasn’t the type to sit back and wait for the checks to come in. After his father had squandered most of the family inheritance, Clint had had to quit college and go to work. It took him fifteen years to build up the family fortune again through real estate and investment banking. He owned an investment company that specialized in commercial and residential buildings all along the East Coast, which meant he and Paige often found themselves attending charity balls and inaugural dinners. It allowed Clint to socialize and certainly didn’t hurt Paige’s love for attention.
    “Paige, Clint, this is Ashe,” Riley said in a loud voice, above the shouts of the triplets who hushed immediately the moment Clint told them to and disappeared into their playroom. “Ashe, this is my sister, Paige, and her husband, Clint Caldwell III.”
    Clint made his way downstairs and shook hands with Ashe, grinning broadly. He always reminded Riley of the American version of Gary Oldman, especially when he wore his reading glasses.  “What a nice surprise! Riley’s never brought anyone