Chapter 129: Not Your Typical One Night Stand-1
Ashcroft swallowed, a flicker of unease crossing his features. He forced a casual shrug, but it did little to hide the tension coiling in his chest.
“Harper?” Ashcroft echoed, tone casual, but the twitch in his jaw betrayed him. “What about
her?
But the question hit a nerve, and despite his easy front, something unsettled twisted in his
chest.
Damn it. He remembered everything. He’d been tipsy, sure, but not drunk-not enough to forget-and Harper wasn’t either. It had been late, just the two of them left, the air thick with alcohol and reckless silence. One glance, one spark, and heat took over.
And she wasn’t like anyone else.
He hated admitting it, even to himself, but Harper was beautiful. Too beautiful. And fiery- always too chatty, too sharp, too strong-willed for his liking. He preferred women who bent easily to his control, submissive, soft, the kind that let him lead without resistance. Harper? She was the opposite. With her, every second was a tug of war-power against power, and that made being “alpha” impossible.
And yet… he couldn’t deny it. Last night had been wild, unrestrained, intoxicating. The best sex he’d ever had. Just thinking about it made his jaw tighten, a mix of pride and irritation flaring in his chest.
The kind of heat that burned into memory and refused to let go.
He hated it. He craved it.
But that wasn’t something Damien-or anyone-needed to know. Not now.
Ashcroft’s grip on the glass tightened, the amber liquid trembling as if it carried his unrest. He cleared his throat, forcing a lazy smirk back onto his face, masking the storm underneath. “Tch. It wasn’t intentional. What happened, happened. She already said it herself earlier-it’s nothing. No big deal.”
He waved dismissively, though his grip on the glass tightened just a little. “Nothing worth talking about.”
But even as the words left his mouth, guilt coiled in his gut. Because deep down, he knew- Harper was far from “nothing.”
Maya tilted her head, her brows knitting as she glanced between them. She could feel the
Chapter 129. Not Your Typical One Night Stand 1
Clar
tension slicing through the air. “Nothing?” she echoed softly, suspicion creeping in.
Damien’s eyes narrowed further, his voice low, dangerous. “Are you lying to me, Nick?”
Ashcroft chuckled, but it was sharp, edged-the kind that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Why would I lie? Look, I know I crossed a line-she’s your employee, and I’m not proud of it. I apologize for that. But… we’re both adults, bored, had too much to drink, and yes… we had sex. Consensually. Nothing more, nothing less.”
A flicker of warning passed through Damien’s eyes, his voice low and controlled, but edged with barely restrained anger. “Forget that she works for me-you knew she’s Maya’s friend. You should’ve controlled yourself… kept your distance from the situation.”
Ashcroft’s grin wavered, just for a moment, as the room’s tension thickened. The air between them felt heavier, charged with unspoken consequences.
Maya hesitated, her voice quiet but curious. “Nick… do you… do you like Harper?”
Ashcroft blinked, flustered and overly dramatic. “What? No! No way! Absolutely not!” He paused, then cocked his head with feigned arrogance, masking a hint of hesitation. “Wait… why? Did she say she likes me? She better not…”
Maya blinked, caught off guard by his over-the-top reaction.
Damien’s stare sharpened, his gaze calculating. Really, Nick? That’s your answer? he thought, the corner of his mouth tightening. He’s either lying-or more involved than he’s willing to admit. That smirk doesn’t fool me.
His jaw clenched as he leaned back slightly, studying Ashcroft like a predator sizing up a potential threat, unwilling to let the matter go so easily.
Maya shook her head gently, a soft blush creeping up her cheeks. “No… she didn’t say anything like that… I’m just… curious.”
Ashcroft raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing yet suspicious. “Curious about what?”
Maya hesitated, swallowing lightly before clearing her throat. “About… why. Why did you two… do it if… if you didn’t like each other?”
Comments
LUCK DRAW >
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.