by T L Swan
“I’m too tired to come tonight.” Natasha sighs. “Bed sounds really, really good.”
I laugh and nod. “Same.”
“I’m exhausted. This function coordinating is over the top,” Adrian replies dryly.
I lean my head back on the wall behind me. “If I don’t eat soon, I may faint,” I grumble.
Natasha burst out laughing. “Way to chase you away.” She elbows Adrian as if this is his fault. “Don’t tell Cam we didn’t even feed you.”
I smile. “There was food. I just didn’t get time to eat it.”
“Thank you so much, Ash. We wouldn’t have got it done without you.” Adrian smiles as he takes my hand in his.
We sit for another ten minutes as we try to get the energy to go home and get ready.
“If I fall asleep at the table tonight, it’s that stupid fucking coordinators fault,” Tash sighs as she stands.
I smile as Adrian pulls me to my feet.
Natasha looks at her watch. “Ash, I’ll send my hairdresser and makeup girl down to your room when she’s finished. Should be there about six, is that okay?”
“Oh.” I frown. “That’s not necessary. I can do it myself, but thanks so much anyway.”
“Nonsense,” Adrian snaps. He throws his arm around mine and Natasha’s shoulders as we walk toward the exit. “Both my girls need good hair.”
* * *
I stare at the mirror as the makeup girl paints on the last of my gloss red lips. I feel like a movie star. I’m wearing a gold sequin designer dress that is fitted and backless with spaghetti straps. My hair is down and set in Hollywood curls, and my makeup is out of this world. When I knew I was wearing this dress, I even bought matching sexy cream underwear. I’m buzzing with nerves. I’m tired, yet excited, and I’ve missed Cameron today. I’ve seen him for all of ten minutes.
“So, this is your lipstick and then this is the lacquer to put over the top. And here is the powder if you get a bit shiny to reapply throughout the night.” The trendy makeup girl smiles as she hands everything over.
“Okay.” I look around for my purse. “How much do I owe you for this?”
She smiles warmly. “It’s all been taken care of. Nothing to pay.”
“Oh.” I frown. This seems so weird. “Are you sure?”
She nods. “Have fun.” And with one last look at me she smiles and leaves the bathroom. I blow out a breath as I turn and check out my behind, once more. I walk out into the bedroom and then into the lounge area where Cameron is standing at the window in a black dinner suit and tie, a glass of Scotch in his hand. He turns and smiles sexily as his eyes drop down my body.
“You look fucking beautiful,” he growls in that come-fuck-me voice he uses so well.
I try to stifle my goofy smile.
He circles me as he does his inspection, and I wipe my hands nervously on my thighs as I feel the heat from his gaze.
“You know what that dress would look great with?” he purrs.
“What?” I whisper.
“My cock in your mouth.”
I giggle. “Sex maniac.”
He brushes my hair back over my shoulder and kisses my collarbone softly. “I’m an Ashley maniac.” His mouth trails up and over my neck and then kisses my ear. “You look beautiful, Bloss,” he whispers. “I’m so proud to have you on my arm tonight.”
Tears instantly fill my eyes, and he frowns. “What’s wrong?”
I swallow the lump in my throat. Stop it. “I’m just really happy Cam, and I’m scared this is going to end,” I whisper.
He smiles as he takes my lips in his and kisses me softly. “It’s not. Don’t be scared.”
“Promise me if something comes up between us, you won’t walk away,” I whisper against his lips.
His tongue dives deeper and I feel his cock harden against my thigh. “Stop being so fucking gorgeous or you going to be bent over this bed and fucked hard.”
I smile as he wipes my tears and he seems to suddenly remember something. “Oh, I got you something today.”
I frown.
He disappears into the other room and reappears with a small, navy blue, velvet box and hands it to me.
I stare at the box for a moment. “What? Why? I—”
“Just open it,” he interrupts.
I open the box to find a pair of gold, filigree-drop earrings with a teardrop shaped gold stone. My eyes widen. “Cam, I don’t need fancy earrings.”
“I know, but I want you to have fancy earrings.”
My eyes hold his. “You’re spoiling me,” I whisper.
He smiles. “For the first time in my life, I have someone I want to spoil. Let me do it.”
I want to blurt out that I love him… but it’s too soon and I have to tell him about Owen before I can even think of doing that.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
I walk to the dressing mirror and begin to put them on. He walks up behind me and, with his hands on my hips, starts to kiss my neck from behind. I watch us in the mirror and I know that this is my Cinderella moment—dressed to the nines with a beautiful prince worshipping me. I’m going to keep this moment in my memory bank forever.
This is how I want to remember us… just like this.
Knock, knock.
Cameron smiles, and with one last peck on the side of my face, he goes to answer the door.
It’s Max. “Time to roll.”
“You ready, Bloss?” Cam asks.
I nod, smile, and walk out into the corridor to see guards on every door and exit of the floor. My eyes flash to Cameron in question. “The children will be here alone with the nannies tonight. Security around them is high,” he murmurs as he takes my hand.
“Oh.” I frown. God, having money is not worth this.
Natasha comes out of the room with Joshua trailing behind her. She’s wearing a navy lace evening gown and she looks amazing.
She smiles broadly as she approaches me. “Ashley, you look fucking awesome.”
I burst out laughing. How is she so normal? Here we are, flanked by security guards and she is just dropping F-bombs in front of everyone.
“You look amazing too,” I whisper as she takes both of my hands in hers to inspect me.
Joshua approaches us, smiles and nods. “Joshua. Look how beautiful Ashley is,” Tash coos.
“Gorgeous.” He smiles as he gives me the once over.
“And all mine,” Cameron interjects with a cheeky smile.
I laugh and Natasha links my arm with hers. We walk down the corridor with the boys behind us, talking.
“How do you deal with all this security?” I whisper.
She shrugs. “It is annoying, but you kind of get used to it.”
“It’s really necessary?”
“Unfortunately, yes. Joshua has some crazies out there and we’ve had incidents in the past. He’s obsessed with the children’s safety.”
I frown in question.
She shakes her head. “God, that’s a whole other Stanton story. I’ll tell you one day.”
We get into the elevator and Cameron takes my hand in his. Joshua is in conversation with the security guard who is staying at the hotel. We walk out into the foyer of the hotel and three photographers appear from nowhere. Suddenly the cameras start flashing and we are shown to a waiting black fancy rented car.
Natasha and Joshua are ushered in first and then I climb into the car as the security push back the photographers. Cameron dives in and slams the door shut.
“Fuckers.” He growls.
“What the hell was that?” I frown.
Joshua rolls his eyes and Natasha smiles. “Photographers.”
“What on earth for? That’s just bizarre. And they were so pushy.”
Joshua and Cameron start to chuckle, while Natasha smiles sympathetically. “Do you have any idea how refreshing you are, Ashley?” She takes my hand in hers.
I smirk as I realize there’s a bigger picture going on here that I don’t know about. “
No, not really.” I definitely need to Google these two when I get home.
What is their story?
As the car speeds into the night, I put my hand up to check I haven’t lost my beautiful earrings and Cameron smiles as he gently kisses my face.
Cameron
We walk into the ballroom and the atmosphere is electric. Tash knows her stuff and these balls are an amazing achievement. Tash and Ashley have clicked and are getting along famously. Even Murph loves her.
“What do you want to drink?” Joshua asks us.
“I’ll have a Margarita,” Tash replies.
“Me, too.” Ash smiles. “My favorite drink. Great picking.”
“Scotch for me,” I murmur.
Natasha smiles and her and Ash begin to chatter. I’m distracted. I need to find my mother before she gets to Ashley.
“Back in a minute,” I whisper in Ash’s ear.
“Okay.” She smiles and gives me a squeeze of my hand.
I follow Joshua to the bar. “Have you seen mother?”
He glances around. “No.” His eyes hold mine in a silent acknowledgment. “Good idea,” he says.
My father comes into view as he walks through the crowd toward us. I laugh and shake his hand and pull him into an embrace. I love my father. He’s travelled from Australia to be here tonight. He never misses a function. His flight only landed a few hours ago.
“Hey, Dad.” I smile.
“How’s my son?” He grins.
“Good. Great, actually.”
Joshua turns when he sees our father and grabs him in a headlock. The two of them laugh together.
“Dad, I have someone I want you to meet.” I smile.
His eyebrows rise in surprise. I think that’s the first time I’ve ever said that to him.
I lead him through the crowd to the most beautiful girl in the room, and I wrap my arm around her from behind until she turns. “Ashley, this is my father, Robert.”
Her face falls in surprise. “Hello, lovely to meet you.” He kisses her on each cheek and smiles and then turns to take Natasha in his arms as he says hello to her. I glance around as the three of them make small talk.
Where is my mother?
Suddenly, I see her approach us through the crowd. Fuck it. I wanted to get her alone before she met Ashley.
“Cameron.” She smiles as she approaches and I wrap her in my arms.
I love my mother but I know she’s an acquired taste with zero tact.
She kisses Natasha and my father.
I smile. “I have someone I want you to meet.”
She turns in surprise.
“This is Ashley, my girlfriend.” I take Ashley’s hand in mine and my mother raises a brow.
“Girlfriend,” she repeats with surprise. “And when were you going to tell me this, Cameron?”
“I’m telling you now. Ashley, this is Margaret, my mother.”
My mother’s eyes drop to Ashley and she looks her up and down.
Ashley shrivels under her glare and I feel my protective instincts kick in.
“Hello, nice to meet you.” Ashley smiles.
Mother puts her hand out and shakes Ash’s hand with a fake smile. “Likewise.”
A frown crosses Ashley’s face and my father interjects, sensing my mother’s lack of manners.
“Ashley, what do you do for work?” he asks politely.
“I’m a final year med student,” she replies meekly as her eyes find mine across the group.
I smile and nod as my fury begins to rise.
I bend down. “A word, Mother,” I whisper in her ear as I pull her over to the wall.
“What is it?” she snaps.
“What was with that greeting to Ashley?” I snap.
She frowns in disgust. “You introduce someone to me as your girlfriend and expect me to play happy families? Forget it. How dare you not tell me you were seeing someone? It’s the height of rudeness. I should know everything that is going on with you.” She sneers.
“Let me make something very clear to you: Ashley is important to me and you will be fucking nice to her.”
“I’ll do nothing of the sort. She looks cheap. Where did you meet her? In a trailer park?” She looks around the room to escape my penetrating glare.
“Listen here… I mean it. You better behave yourself.” I growl.
Joshua walks over and my mother smiles and kisses him. “Oh, Joshua, talk to your brother. He’s picked up God knows who.”
Joshua rolls his eyes. “Cut the shit, Mom. Ashley’s nice.”
“You don’t even fucking know her.” I sneer. I swear to God, if she’s rude one more time, I’m going to lose it.
“Mind your language, Cameron,” she snaps. “How long have you known her?”
“I met her years ago and we lost touch. She’s only just came back to me.”
She smiles slyly. “Well, let’s just see how long she lasts, shall we?” She walks back through the crowd to Ashley. “We do know your track record with women.”
Joshua rolls his eyes.
“I swear to God, if she ruins Ashley’s night, it’s fucking go time.”
Joshua smirks. “Look at you getting all protective.”
I clench my jaw as I watch my mother’s fangs come out as she talks to Ashley across the room.
“You really like her don’t you?” he asks.
I nod once. I don’t even know how to verbalize how I feel about her.
He pats me on the shoulder. “This could be it, mate.”
I raise a sarcastic brow.
“Maybe she’s the one.” He smirks sarcastically.
“Fuck off, will you?” I reply flatly. He walks back to the group and I stand and watch them all talk.
She’s the one, alright. I knew it five years ago.
I know it more than ever now.
* * *
The night has been fun, but it’s coming to an end. Ashley, Natasha, and Adrian are dancing and laughing like they have known each other forever. I stand and watch them from my spot near the bar.
“You can’t take your eyes off her, can you?” Joshua asks.
“Hardly.”
“She’s beautiful.”
“I know.” I smile as I sip my drink.
He watches her for a moment. “It’s a weird feeling, isn’t it?”
I nod, knowing that he knows exactly how I’m feeling.
He’s obsessed with Natasha and always has been.
“How can you be with so many women and feel nothing, only to then meet one woman who makes you feel everything?” I ask.
“I don’t know.” He thinks for a moment.
“Wait till you have kids one day, mate. Then you’re totally fucked. Your heart doesn’t even beat inside your body anymore. It belongs to them.”
I frown. It doesn’t feel like it is now.
Ashley turns and sees me, and her face breaks into a broad smile. She wiggles her finger for me to go to her. I down my drink, put my glass on the bar and walk over to take her in my arms. We sway to the music in a slow waltz. She leans up and kisses me. “What an amazing night.” She smiles.
“It has been.”
“Your mother hates me.”
“My mother hates everyone. Pay her no attention.”
“That’s what Tash said.” She smiles hopefully.
Joshua comes and joins the group. He takes Natasha in his arms and they kiss tenderly.
Ashley smiles as she watches them. “God, those two are so in love, aren’t they?”
I smile as I watch them. “Since they were kids.”
Her face falls in surprise. “They fell in love when they were kids?”
I nod as I watch them laugh together. “They fell in love as kids and then couldn’t be together. They reconnected in their late twenties.”
Ashely smiles in wonder as she watches them. “Sounds so romantic.”
“They’ve got one of the most incredible love stories. They’ve been to Hell and back. They ado
re each other.”
She frowns and then looks up at me, smiling softly. “I adore you.”
I bend and take her lips in mine. “You ready to go home, Ashley Tucker, my all night fucker?”
She laughs out loud and I spin her around.
“With a romantic line like that, how can I resist?” she replies.
“Well, I am a three in the romance category, remember?” I raise a brow.
“Five.” She smirks.
We continue to sway to the music. “I’ve been upgraded to a five?”
She kisses me and then smiles softly, pulling my ear down to her mouth. “Maybe a seven, but don’t tell anyone,” she whispers. “I don’t want it to get out on the street.”
I laugh. This woman kills me. “How about I take you home where I know I can give you a ten?”
She licks her lips and smiles up at me, with those big beautiful eyes shining.
I need to bury myself deep inside this woman tonight.
Fuck. I can’t get enough.
I can’t get close enough.
I push my hips forward so she can feel how hard I am for her.
“Do you want to fuck me, Cam?” she whispers sexily.
“You know I do.”
She smiles as her eyes drop to my lips. “My body is yours. You just have to take it.”
I raise an eyebrow. I want her body. I want all of her body. That beautiful fucking ass is on my hit list.
“We’re going home, Bloss. I need me some supper.”
* * *
I stand at the end of the bed. My cock is thumping at the sight of her lying naked and spread waiting for me. Only a small lamp lights the room. Ashley’s writhing around with arousal as she watches me slowly take my suit off. I undressed her first. I’ve been waiting to do it all night. I undo my bowtie as my eyes hold hers and she smiles sexily as I throw it aside. Then I open my shirt button by button, and then slide off my pants. I’ve never been so hard, so hot for one woman in my life.
This is as much mental as it is physical.