Ruthless Heir (Ruthless Billionaires #5)

Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen

Asher

“I can’t believe you actually took my advice.” Layla gazes back at me wide-eyed with her hands placed on her cheeks.

We’re at the office and she’s sitting across from me. I lean back against my chair and stare at her. This feels like a déjà vu of Saturday. Except I have some control over my wife problem now.

“I can’t believe I took your advice either.”

Layla grins, raises her hands, and claps. “Well done for taking a walk on the wild side.”

“You’re right to call it that— wild .”

We both laugh.

This morning when I arrived at work I sent three messages. One to my father, and the other two to Layla and Hunter. Each of them got different variations of my news about Harper.

Like my father, Hunter called me straight after he received the message. He wanted to talk because I won’t see him until tomorrow at the Astoria.

I knew I would see Layla as soon as she came in. And I expect my father will stop by too when he gets here.

Layla leans forward and bites the inside of her lip. “Alexis called me after you dropped her home. She said you both had a good date.”

I dip my head. “We did.”

“Yet you decided to go with my zany fake dating idea?” She gives me a narrowed stare.

“I guess so.”

I haven’t told her about the crazier parts that happened at the Dark Odyssey and Harper’s loan. It’s not necessary to tell her. The two things are completely separate matters but I’ll admit that my crazy mind— and maybe my dick —put them together because it gave me a reason to go with the fake dating idea.

Layla gazes at me like she can see through my shit but her face remains stoic. “So what’s your plan?”

“As of right now I don’t have a plan as such. The logical thing to do is use the time to get to know Alexis a bit more.”

“You could do that.”

“You haven’t told her anything about my situation with the company have you?” I’m aware that they’re friends so she may have given her more details than the other women to keep her clued in.

Layla shakes her head. “No. The only thing I told the potentials, including Alexis, is that you’ll get back to them whenever you choose to if you’re interested. That’s it. They don’t know the time scale, details about you needing to get married to get the CFO position, or anything else.”

“Good. That keeps things open.” I’m glad she kept the information as basic as I requested. The only thing I wanted the potentials to know is that I was dating with a view to getting married in the next few months.

“It does keep things open. So if you wanted to use the three months to get to know Alexis, or anyone else you technically could.”

I don’t miss the emphasis she places on the word anyone . As we stare at each other for a few moments, I can see her trying to assess me and figure out the workings of my mind.

“Asher?”

“Yes, Layla.” I can imagine a mountain of questions brewing in her head like a pot of tea.

“I’ve known you for a while now and I’ve never seen you take an indirect route to get something you want. Definitely not when the stakes are raised.”

Trust Layla to call me out. The only other person who will do that is Hunter. And if I lie he’ll know.

“What are you really asking me?”

“I think you know but let me spell it out. Clearly you want Harper, so what’s stopping you?”

Realizing I can’t lie or side step her question, I think for a moment on what to say. “Some women are off limits.”

“There’s off limits and then there is pure foolishness. This feels like the latter to me.”

“It’s complicated, Layla.”

“Because of Josh?”

“Yeah.”

“Has Josh ever warned you away from his sister?”

“He has.”

She narrows her eyes with the scrutiny of a lawyer. “Yet he asked you to take care of the same sister?”

“He was desperate and he knew…”

“That you’re loyal to a fault and you wouldn’t touch her,” she fills in giving me a knowing look.

“Something like that.”

“Asher, there’s a time in life when you can’t allow people to tell you what to do. Or stop yourself from doing something just because it will upset your best friend.”

“I know. I’m not normally like this but Josh is like another brother to me.”

“I understand, but if you don’t mind me saying so I’m sure you would have been a better fit for his sister than her ex.”

Of course she looked up Harper’s background. “When did you go digging around?”

“Five minutes after I met her and realized you were smitten.” She chuckles. “But I’m right. Aren’t I?”

“Yes. You’re right.”

She’s not telling me anything I haven’t thought before. Josh practically sang Nick’s praises when he and Harper first got together. All I heard was how good Nick was for her and how in love they were. It felt like Josh was rubbing it in.

When he’d issued his warning he said Harper could do better than me. Nick was supposed to be testament of that. Until he wasn’t.

Josh could barely look me in the eye when he told me how Nick murdered those people and about all the things he put Harper through. I felt he only told me as much as he did because he needed someone he trusted to talk to.

“I think it’s food for thought.” Layla nods. “All of it. And that’s all I’m saying.”

There’s so much food for thought going around in my head I’ll be able to feed a small country by the time this is over.

“Anything else you need me to do?” she asks straightening up.

“Just the job training. I need you to teach Harper whatever you think she needs to learn. Block out a few hours a day in your schedule to accommodate whatever time you need. But that doesn’t mean taking the day off to go shopping at Neiman Marcus.” She’s done that before. And I’m sure she’ll find some loophole in what I just said so she can do it again.

Layla gives me a guilty smile and a wink. “Gotcha.”

There’s a knock at the door.

“Come in,” I call out.

The door opens and my father walks in. He’s come just like I predicted and the proud smile plastered across his face makes me feel guilty for the lie I’ve led him to believe.

I feel bad, but at the same time I can’t overlook the fact that he was being stubborn, demanding, and blind when it came to Portia. This plan is the only thing that’s given me some clarity to focus. Now I feel like I can do everything I need to do.

Layla gives me a cautious look before she stands and acknowledges my father with one of her dazzling smiles. “Morning Preston, I’m about to do a coffee run. Do you want me to grab you a cappuccino?”

“I would absolutely love that, dear,” Father replies.

Layla glances back at me with a wish for good luck in her eyes before she leaves.

As soon as she’s out the door, Father steps forward with a full-blown smile.

“I just wanted to drop by and let you know how happy I am with your decision to pick Harper.” The last time I saw him look so happy was when Hunter and Luna told him they were having a baby.

“I’m glad I’ve made you happy.”

“Absolutely. You’ve made an excellent choice. I’m glad that you two were able to get together. It’s not often that I admit that I’m wrong but if I’d known Harper was an option I would never have suggested Portia.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” God knows how much I am. If nothing else I can take pleasure in knowing that I’ve thwarted the Fairchilds attempts to get a piece of our empire. All I have to do now is stop Nigel and Nolan from getting on the board.

“Harper and I make a better match.”

“Your mother and I have always thought so. I know she went through a lot recently in L.A. so I assume that’s why you didn’t approach her before.”

This is just too perfect. I hardly have to explain anything. “Yes. I wasn’t sure if she was ready for a serious relationship.”

“I’m glad she is. It will also be great to have her working here. When does she start?”

“Thursday.”

“And will we get to see her tomorrow at the Astoria?” He cocks his head and gives me a hopeful look. “It would be great for the press to get a better outlook on you. It would certainly tamp down any remnants of the scandal.”

“Yes, she’ll be there. And I agree, the press will get to see me in a different light.”

“Wonderful. We have a few public events over the next few weeks. I’m sure there will be plenty of opportunity for them to see you as a changed man.”

“Yes.” I smile but inside I know that means Harper and I will be putting on the show of our lives. That’s all well and good, and it’s just acting but it means getting closer. It means touching her in ways I wouldn’t normally and looking like a couple in love.

“I hope you two can make it work. I’m sure Josh will be happy to hear you’re together.”

“Sure.” I try to sound confident but my insides twist at the mention of Josh.

“Alright, son, I better run. I have back to back meetings so I won’t see you until tomorrow at the Astoria. I’m really looking forward to seeing you and Harper together.” Father smiles again and I can see that he was worried about me. Worried that I wouldn’t ever find my way.

“We’ll be there around eight.”

“Perfect. See you then.”

He leaves and I stare at the wall, hoping I can pull off my plans unscathed.

I doubt that will happen since I’m already seeing potholes in this grand plan of mine.

The biggest one being me.

Number one: I’m lying to Josh by omission.

Number two: I don’t want to come between Harper and her brother and I don’t want to ruin my friendship with Josh either. And that leads to number three.

When I take Josh out of the picture, I’m still my own worst enemy.

I could be setting myself up for a fall because in three months I have to let Harper go.

I’m not sure if I can handle knowing what it’s like to be with her, then letting her go.

It seems foolish to feel this way when there is no marriage contract to worry about anymore. Meaning the door is open to a future if we wanted it.

I shouldn’t entertain the thought, but it’s there. Having this fake relationship with Harper may give me a taste of what I could have for real. If we wanted it.

But it’s not as simple as wanting it. Because of Josh.

Deep down I’m also worried because I’d never want him to be right about me. I’d never want to hurt Harper and disappoint her the way Nick did.

I’m not him but I already blame myself enough for her accident.

I wouldn’t want to break her heart too.

It’s show time.

Tonight is the night to put my fake dating plan into action and reveal Harper to my family as my girlfriend.

We have everything carefully crafted to ensure things hopefully run smoothly without a hitch. We spent a few hours last night getting our stories straight and going over a strategy.

The essence of the plan is to go with the flow and act natural. I hope that will be as easy to do as it is to talk about.

I got home fifteen minutes ago.

Olga and I are in the living room talking about the plans for the coming week while Harper gets ready. We’re leaving as soon as she’s done.

Olga is the only member of my staff who knows the truth. I also didn’t need her to sign anything. She’s kept far worse secrets than this for me in the past.

I felt that I had to tell her the truth about Harper and me because it didn’t feel right to lie to her. She knows Josh almost as well as she knows me. And I know she’s figured out my reservations regarding Harper.

“I should be back next Saturday. Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” Olga asks. She’s heading to Japan with her nieces tonight. It will be the first in a long time that I’ll be without her.

“Everything will be fine.” I smile back at her. “Please have an amazing time with your family and don’t worry about me.”

“Of course I’m going to worry about you. This is the first time I’ve left you in a…well a situation where I think you might need me around. As soon as the press hears what’s happening they’ll be camped on the lawn.”

“We’ll be fine. I promise.” I nod with a confidence I partly don’t feel.

“Okay. Well everything here is in order. All the staff know what they’re doing next week and no one should need anything. But if anyone does need me you know where to find me.”

I give her a grateful smile. She never stops working even when she’s on vacation. “We know and like always we won’t disturb you while you’re away.”

She chuckles. “I’m just giving you the option so you know you have it.”

“Thanks, I appreciate you.”

“I know you do. And just for the record I think you and Harper will have a great time tonight.” Olga looks pleased. “She’s just getting the finishing touches on her make up done. At first she was skeptical about using an artist but she soon changed her mind.”

“She’s always been that way. She’s stubborn at first then she?—”

The words dissolve in my mind when Harper walks into the room dressed in a sleeveless black evening gown. The sight of her steals my breath away and erases everything from my world that isn’t her.

The shimmering black fabric clings to her curves, cascading down in soft, elegant waves that glisten under the light.

And that’s just her dress. Her face looks like she’s ready for a magazine photoshoot and her hair is swept up in a loose ponytail, exposing the graceful line of her neck.

Everything about her is beyond perfection—and I’m so transfixed all I can do is stare.

The barest hint of a smile plays on her lips as she meets my gaze and my pulse quickens as if I’ve been zapped with lightning.

“I’m ready,” Harper announces, bringing her hands together, a nervous habit.

I want to speak, say something that shows my appreciation, but my mind is a blank slate.

“Harper, you look absolutely beautiful,” Olga says rushing up to her and taking both her hands.

“Thank you.”

“Yes, you do look beautiful.” I try to sound like I’m not over here holding back my drool and keeping my eyes from falling out.

“I guess it’s a little different from my shorts and t-shirts.” Harper giggles.

“It sure is. Ready to go?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

I hold out my hand to her and she moves toward me looking back at Olga who nods her approval.

I place my hand to the small of Harper’s back and quickly take in the soft beat of her pulse leaping against the smooth skin on her long elegant neck. She’s definitely nervous. So am I.

And… judging from the state of my dick, I’m also fucked.

It’s already difficult to control myself around her because all roads keep leading me back to what I want most.

Her .