Page 31 of A King’s Obsession

I looked up to find Ashlynn leaning toward me, two women she'd met since moving to Westhaven standing behind her laughing about something. Because of course Ashlynn had already collected new friends.

“What?” I asked, setting my tablet down.

Instead of answering, she glanced over her shoulder toward VIP. When she looked back at me, that damn smirk was already on her face.

“That man been watching your ass all night,” she announced, leaning closer.

“Girl, he ain't thinking about me,” I argued, reaching for a receipt.

Ashlynn slowly looked over her shoulder again. I refused to follow her eyes. She took a sip of her drink and made a little *mm-hmm* sound that immediately got on my nerves.

“What?” I demanded, narrowing my eyes.

“Nothing,” she answered, although her smile said otherwise.

“Ashlynn.”

“I'm just saying.” She leaned farther across the bar, lowering her voice even though the music was loud enough to swallow half our conversation. “Girl, that man got money.”

“Clearly,” I replied, unimpressed.

“No.” She gave me a serious look. “I mean money money. Malachi got money, but Ezra? That motherfucker is loaded.”

I glanced toward VIP before catching myself and looking back at her. “And what exactly does that have to do with me?”

Ashlynn's grin told me I already knew I wasn't going to like her answer. “You sure you don't wanna be somebody's little sugar baby?”

I stared at her. “Girl.”

“What?” She lifted her glass innocently. “I'm happy you got your job. Proud of you and everything. But look at me.” She motioned down her body with her free hand. “Bills paid. Apartment paid. Skin glowing. Blood pressure excellent.”

I burst out laughing, shaking my head at her foolishness. “You are so damn stupid.”

“And I don't clock in nowhere,” she continued, taking another sip before nodding toward VIP. “Meanwhile, you got Mr. Billionaire over there damn near burning a hole through your clothes with his eyes.”

“Ashlynn,” I warned, trying not to laugh again.

“I'm just saying. If Malachi's pockets got me living like this, imagine what his rich-ass best friend could do.”

I nearly choked. “So now you trying to recruit me into the sugar-baby association?”

“Absolutely,” she answered proudly. “Membership got benefits.”

“Goodbye,” I told her, waving a hand in dismissal.

Ashlynn laughed, but her eyes slid toward Ezra again. “Girl, you better quit playing and let that old man change your tax bracket.”

Before I could answer, one of my bartenders called my name. I held up a finger toward Ashlynn and handled the issue, correcting an order before turning back around. She was still standing there, still smiling.

“You're irritating,” I told her, reaching for my tablet.

“And housed,” she reminded me with a wink.

I laughed and waved her away, but she stopped after taking two steps. Turning back toward me, she studied my face with that same irritating little grin.

“You like him,” she announced.

“I don't even know him,” I argued, feeling my face warm.