Asher Stone is a strong man, both at heart and in wealth. He is a former soldier who became a billionaire. After coming back home from the war, he goes to work for an oil company before he went on to create his own company called Stormgrid. Although he seems to have everything that anybody could ever wish for, Asher is not a happy man. He has built walls around his heart and refuses to let anybody through. Ava Thorne is fire. Fiercely independent and she is not afraid to speak her mind. She puts all her time and energy into work so she can survive and make ends meet. She doesn't let anybody put her down. When she meets Asher Stone, their worlds collide and the form a mutual dislike for each other. Ava doesn't like Asher because he is rude and arrogant. Asher doesn't like Ava because she is proud and untamed. But fate has other plans. As sparks turn into a whirlwind of passion and romance that both of them fight hard against. They find themselves in a love that neither of them want. But love doesn't come so easily with a wicked step-brother that is plotting to kill Asher for his wealth and an ex-lover who refuses to let Asher go. Will Asher let Ava in or will he let go of the only woman who could heal him?
Chapter 1 ASHER'S POV
ASHER'S POV
I dragged myself up the staircase to my room, feeling very exhausted. I had been at work the whole day and it was already almost two in the morning. I needed to sleep.
It had been a very long time since I had slept peacefully. Everytime I closed my eyes, I was haunted by the memories of the things that I had witnessed during my time in the army. I wish I had the peace of mind that allowed me to fall asleep without any nightmares.
That was why I worked so much and when I got back home, I had to take a pill to help me sleep. I was not addicted to sleeping medication. I didn't even like them, but they helped me sleep better and so I used them.
I changed out of my clothes and hopped into the shower. I allowed the steaming hot water to wash all over me. The water was soothing and it helped me to feel less tense.
When I stepped out of the shower, I slipped into my pajamas and then I swallowed a pill.
While I waited for the pill to take effect, I scrolled through some emails. This was my life, I was always looking for something that stopped my brain from thinking too much.
The moment I left the army, I began to look for some work to do. I knew that being idle would lead me into a very dark place that I could never come out from. I was sick and tired of thinking. I longed for the day that the pain would be over and I could live a normal life.
***
The next morning when I woke up, I got ready for work and left so I could beat the New York traffic.
"Good morning, Mr. Stone." Gerald, my personal assistant greeted me.
"Morning, Gerald. Do I have any appointments scheduled for this morning?" I asked him.
"No sir. You don't have any appointments till noon." He responded. "There are some reports you have to look at, though. I've left them on your table."
"Okay. Get me a cup of coffee."
"Right away sir."
There might be something wrong with me, but I was always irritated with how cheerful Gerald was. I only kept him around because he was efficient and he was always here on time.
***
The rest of the work day continued as usual and soon it was time for me to leave. I could have stayed back to keep working, but I just wanted to have a couple of drinks at a bar before heading home.
As I drove down the road heading to Carltons which was an upscale bar for just the elites, a neon light caught my eye. "The Silver Fox" blinked rapidly in blue neon lights. It didn't look so bad and I decided it may not be bad to go to a bar that wasn't filled with rich snobs who only wanted to talk about business and luxurious islands.
I parked my car in front of the bar and locked it up. At Carltons, I could leave my car unlocked, but I didn't trust this neighbourhood. It was probably a very stupid idea to leave my Cardilac unattended, but I didn't have much a choice, I had already made up my mind to check out the bar.
***
AVA'S POV
The moment he walked in, I knew that he was definitely out of place. In fact, every head in the room turned towards his direction as everybody stared at the man who had just walked in with his well tailored suit and shiny gold rolex. The man scented heavily of wealth and he was not the type of customer we usually got.
"Check out that sexy hunk of a man." My coworker, Ariana said, practically drooling over the man that just walked in.
I had to admit, he was actually very attractive. I had never seen a man look quite so handsome like that. He looked like he belonged on the cover of GQ magazine.
The man walked up to the bar and I had to turn my face away so he would not think I was attracted to him just because I was checking out his features.
He walked right in front of me. "Give me a glass of scotch. Neat." He said rudely. He didn't even bother with a greeting. He was defined one of those rich, arrogant assholes.
I smiled at him. "Good evening, sir. Your order is coming right up."
He didn't return smile. His face remained stoic. He pulled out his phone and took a seat. He was extremely focused on his phone when I brought the glass back to him.
He looked away from his phone and then looked at the glass. His face morphed into a scowl. "There is no ice." He mentioned curtly.
"You didn't mention that you wanted ice in your drink." I said through gritted teeth.
He raised his eyebrows at me in a way that made me feel stupid, that fueled my irritation and I wanted nothing more than to smack him in the face.
"Do I need to mention that I want ice in my drink?"
"Yes, you do."
"Whatever. Just put the ice in my drink, I don't wish to spent a second longer than I need to in this place." He said the last part under his breath but I heard it.
"Then why don't you get out? Go to one of your rich people bars where they read minds."
His expression didn't change, but I watched his jaw clench. "Just put the ice in the drink."
"No." I said strongly.
He looked amused. "No? Is this what they pay you to do?"
"No, but I don't have to cater to rude men like you." My voice was a bit higher now and it caught Ariana's attention.
"I'm sorry about my coworker, sir. I'll get you the ice." She told him politely and turned to get the ice and put some into his glass.
"Why did you do that?" I asked when we were away from him, my blood still boiling from the encounter.
"Nothing good was going to come out of a confrontation." She said. "I've told you, you don't need to stand up to everybody."
I was about to respond when we were interrupted.
"This should cover my bill plus tip." The rude man said and then he walked away. No thank you, no nothing.
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