Take Me Down (Suits in Pursuit) Read Online Free PDF Page B

quickly shoved the iPad into her bag.
    “What do you want, Sebastian?” She rolled her eyes. “I’m giving you fair warning. I’ve had about as much as I am willing to tolerate from you.”
    “Warning noted and filed away for safekeeping.” He cocked his head and smirked. “Have you given my offer any more thought, Ashley? Will you go out with me?” he asked, raising a bushy brow.
    “Actually, I have.” She narrowed her gaze. “I’ll go out with you on one condition.”
    “And that is?” He leaned in, his elbow rested on the slick metal armrest, and he stroked his chin.
    “You promise to keep your hands to yourself unless I say otherwise.”
    His eyes shimmered, a victorious glint. “Yes, ma’am. We have a deal.” Sebastian shifted in his seat.
    “Oh, and Ashley, you will say otherwise. I’ll make sure you do.” The corners of his mouth slanted upward.
    She huffed, releasing the tension that idled in her stiffened shoulders. “Offering full disclosure, if I was you, I wouldn’t get my hopes or anything else up,” Ashley batted her lashes. “Mr. Stone, I suspect you’ve never met a woman quite like me.”
    Sebastian’s eyes flashed more brilliantly than before. “You’re right. I’ve never met a woman like you, which is why I can’t wait to get you alone.”
    “You certainly aren’t lacking confidence, although you’re clearly delusional.”
    “Thank you for the compliment.”
    “That wasn’t a compliment, but then again, narcissists do tend to bend reality to satisfy their egos, don’t they?”
    He chuckled. “Luckily for you, I’m not narcissistic in bed. I’m a generous lover. Are you up for the challenge, Ashley?”
    “Am I up for a challenge?” She tossed her head back, laughing blithely. “Not generally when complete disregard for common sense and good judgment are concerned. I’ll agree to go out with you purely for the entertainment value. Like I said, you keep your hands to yourself. You got that, Mr. Stone?”
    “Unless you say otherwise, right? That’s the most important clause in our little agreement.” He smiled.
    “Ugh! I can’t believe I’ve agreed to this,” she replied, cupping her mouth to fight her gag reflex. “I must have lost my mind.”
    “You’ll be surprised by what I’ll have you agreeing to, Ashley.” Sebastian rubbed his chin. “I believe in fate.” He moved closer, gripped her with his words as his long fingers stroked her forearm. “Of the thousands of people in Atlanta, what are the chances that you and I met for the first time in front of the Carlisle and then end up on the same flight to Key West? Fate will keep thrusting us together until we work this out.”
    Ashley almost spewed out the sip of gin and coke that she had ingested seconds earlier. Luckily for the couple in the seats in front of her, she swallowed. A roaring laugh escaped her lips. An expectant glance met Sebastian’s icicle stare. Expecting him to join her in laughter. He didn’t crack a smile.
    Ashley’s hand flew to her chest. “It’s worse than I thought. You actually believe the crap you’re saying! You’ve got to be kidding me.”
    “I’m afraid I’m serious. This principle has served me well in my business dealings for many years.”
    “Sebastian, this is not a business transaction. If fate is the driving force, then why haven’t you and I met before?”
    “Maybe fate had other plans for us, preparing us separately through our individual life experiences for this day.”
    Ashley almost pushed the call button for help. Perhaps one business deal too many had driven Sebastian Stone crazy. She managed to keep a straight face. “Let me get this right. In your opinion, fate is a supernatural force for hookups. You think fate brought us together so that we could have sex?”
    “Of course not. Sex is the perk. You and I have been fated to figure out why our paths continue to cross. Want to test fate?”
    “Absolutely not. I’m not going to encourage your