Share
40
ASHTON
The board meetings convened promptly at eight in the morning, resembling a brief, intense burst of energy, akin to the fleeting sprint of an average person. It was expected for everyone to come prepared and contribute swiftly, ensuring that we would conclude by 8:10, dispersing to our respective offices.
As I took my place at the head of the table at the age of twenty-two, I couldn't ignore the undeniable role that nepotism had played in my ascent. It was a reminder I carried with me constantly.
Yara, a longstanding board member and the Chief Operating Officer of Walsh Inc., spoke up. "We have three grant applications that show promise," she informed the room. Our organization, J.H.W. Philanthropies, not only focused on our own projects but also provided funding to local and regional nonpr
Related chapters
Falling for a John 41
ASHTONLennox carefully examines my childhood bedroom as though it holds precious artifacts in a museum. His gaze drifts towards the wooden dresser, where he picks up my collection of Fourth Degree action figures. His brown eyes then scan the walls painted black, adorned with X-Men chalk drawings and an array of Batman posters.Allowing Lennox into my world at such a profound level is a first for me, beyond my own family. It's far from a mere fantasy; I've imagined Lennox Burke in this very room countless times, though usually confined to the bed.I prefer reality, though, where he means so much more to me than just a passionate encounter.I grab a damp bone from my orange rug and toss it onto Gotham's dog bed. Lennox lets out a whistle
Falling for a John 42
ASHTONLennox raises an eyebrow when I concede. I would much rather have Lennox, with his experience, pierce my siblings than risk messing it up myself. Nevertheless, I still don't understand why we're doing this in the first place."Do you really want to do this, Blanca?" I inquire. "After all the trouble your tongue piercing caused?""But it healed, and I love it," she responds, sticking out her tongue with a lime-green ball in the center. "And if all of us get piercings, it'll be a symbol of our sibling bond. It's something the Walshs would do. Don't we have that too?"Blanca looks at each of us, even Lennox, as if mentally grouping us together as the Johnson family—a band of peculiar individuals.
Falling for a John 43
LENNOXAs Regina's former bodyguard, I prided myself on my familiarity with the Johnson family. I had numerous conversations with Ro, Regina's husband, and I had never felt uneasy or intimidated. It never made me break a sweat.However, being alone in the kitchen with Ro, cooking a simple pasta meal for Blanca's birthday, was a different story. I carried a weighty secret: I wasn't just protecting his son; I was sleeping with him. We had been intimate earlier that morning, and he claimed it was the best experience of his life.I managed to maintain an air of casualness, trying not to appear nervous. But I was standing on the precipice of a completely unfamiliar territory. It was a wholly new and unsettling feeling.I filled a pot with wat
Falling for a John 44
ASHTONAfter enjoying dinner and a birthday cake, my dad pulls me aside for a private conversation. We retreat to the back patio, where I turn on the pool lights to illuminate the area.I settle into a patio chair, and he perches on the edge of a lounge chair. Curious, I ask him what's on his mind.My dad has a stern, angular face with sharp lines and no soft features. When he's serious or deep in thought, his countenance becomes even more uninviting.But I've never been afraid of him. Not even now, as he sharpens his jaw and focuses intensely on me."It's been a year, and I haven't brought this up before because I thought you needed time to figure things out for yourself. But w
Falling for a John 45
LENNOXAshton suppressed his seductive gaze just to slick back his hair one final time. He snapped off his gloves and tossed them in the trash, then set a ten-minute timer on his phone. "Do you need help?" he asked me.No, wolf scout. I could easily cut my hair myself, but no one had ever offered to help me before. It was more than just cute. "Here," I handed him the clippers, and Ashton approached me from behind, exuding confidence. I looked at him through the mirror. "Start from the back of my neck and work your way up, not going higher than my ear.""Got it."I gripped the edge of the sink, standing in a slight lunge with my head dipped, allowing him to reach my neck without extending hi
Falling for a John 58
ASHTONDamn it. "We've always been the ones protecting them," I explained, frustration evident in my voice. "We even used to confiscate their phones and block numbers of porn producers who called us, just so they wouldn't be able to reach them." Lennox closed the binder in front of me. "Look at me," he said firmly.Reluctantly, I turned my gaze towards him, my shoulders tense. I wanted to reopen the damn binder and read through everything again."Ashton," he began, his voice calm and understanding, "I understand why you're irritated. I'd feel the same way if my younger cousins decided to repay a debt I didn't want to exist. But this is happening, and you have to deal
Falling for a John 46
LENNOXI watched Ashton step away from a group of girls. He lifted the corner of his red shirt and wiped sweat off his forehead, revealing his perfectly sculpted abs. Then he pulled the shirt up and over his head.Damn.Camp-goers screamed and pulled out their phones. Some were probably recording on Snapchat, capturing the moment for their followers.A girl walked by and froze in her tracks. Her eyes widened. "Oh. My. God."I knew.I stretched my arm, feeling the blood rush downward.She pulled out her phone and started narrating. "He's even more beautiful in p
Falling for a John 47
LENNOXIn the midst of emotional conversations, both girls and guys shedding tears, Ashton offers comfort by placing a consoling hand on their back. He listens intently, leaning closer, and gives them encouragement and praise.At this moment, a young girl, no older than twenty, wipes her teary eyes while clutching her cellphone tightly. She admits, "It may sound silly, but every time you post on Insta**** or if I see you in the news, or if a new episode of We Are Rees comes out, it just brings me happiness. You've always been my favorite. I've been watching you since I was little, and it feels like we've grown up together in this strange way.""It's not strange," Ashton assures her.Tears well up in her eyes, emotions overwhelming her. W
Latest chapter
