by Parker, Ali
He sat between my legs, spread open so there would be space for him. Completely on display for him, I was surprised by how much it turned me on. The raw lust in his eyes told me he felt the same. “I was an ass. I’m sorry I didn’t see how much I was upsetting you, can I make it up to you?”
“Please,” I breathed, reaching for his shirt.
Catching my hands in one of his, he used the other to reach behind him in a fist and pulled it off in a smooth slide. As his body came into view, I wished he wasn’t sitting between them so I could clench my thighs together to ease the need building there. Seeing me squirm, his hands went for my bare legs, running up and down my thighs.
“You’re gorgeous, Aston. And the best thing that has ever happened to me. I’m so sorry I fucked up.”
His eyes were glued to me, alternating between searing glances into my eyes that were so filled with love it made my heart swell and lustful looks at my half naked body that made me want to forget about my heart.
Every stroke of his hands on my thighs set me on fire. I was throbbing for him. Though I couldn’t see how wet I was, I could feel the heat at my entrance. The cool air in the hotel room did nothing to cool my body.
Blake’s eyes grew even hungrier when they ran all the way down and caught sight of me. “Blake, I need you. Please.”
Shifting on the bed, one of his hands reached for his pants. I trembled in anticipation of feeling his hard body on mine, of having him inside me.
Blake kicked off his shoes, lifted himself up on his knees to get his pants off and then crawled up over me. Keeping most of his weight propped up on one arm, he used the other hand to draw circles on my hips, my stomach, around my nipples.
A low groan rumbled from his chest as he flicked a sensitive nipple with his thumb. Seemingly transfixed by the way I was writhing and gasping, he kept going, the touch of his fingertips light as he teased his way down my abdomen to cup my mound.
“Where do you need me, baby?” He bent over until his lips were so close that they brushed against mine when he spoke.
“Here, like this?” Dipping his fingers into my wetness, he spread me wide before dragging them slowly all the way up my slit. When he reached my clit, I moaned.
“Or would you prefer this?” Tongue darting out between his lips, he licked a soft line from my ear to my collarbone, his lips ghosting across my nipple before coming up to kiss my lips.
Lifting his hips, he angled himself so I could feel his cock straining at my entrance and bucking my hips against him. He held steady, looking deep into my eyes. “Tell me what you want first tonight, because you’re coming all over me, Aston. I just need to know where you’d like to start.”
“I want you,” I told him, my breaths coming so fast I was practically panting. “Just you, however you want.”
“You’ve already got me, Aston. All of me, you have it. Whatever you want.” His voice was low and needy, yet filled with thick emotion.
Pushing my hips up to tease his tip into me, I looked into his eyes and brought my hands up to his cheeks. “Then let me feel you, Blake.”
He groaned, sinking into me so slowly it was like he was savoring every inch he dipped in. “I don’t know how long I’m gonna last. I want you so badly, Aston. I need you.”
When he paused to kiss me before sliding all the way in, I felt his need vibrating into me. The kiss was of a different kind. A slow, passionate kiss that matched the rhythm of his hips as he started moving them.
Without breaking the kiss, he reached for my hands and curled our fingers together, holding them on the pillow on either side of my head. He squeezed my hands as he made love to me.
And that was what he was doing, making love to me. This wasn’t sex or fucking.
These passionate, yet somehow sweet kisses, the explosive rhythm that I felt in my heart as much as I did in my body, the way his hands clung to mine, this was making love.
Blake’s muscles started quivering at the same time mine did. He increased the speed and pressure of his hips rocking as we both hovered on the edge.
Together we chased our peaks, swallowing noises of pleasure made by the other until we had no choice but to break apart. I cried out, my lips against Blake’s as I moaned his name.
Pure ecstasy crashed into me as my orgasm took hold, ripping through my body. Blake stiffened when I did, my walls milking him as he growled my name and released inside me.
Careful not to collapse onto me, he rolled so he was cradled against my side with his hand on my stomach. I had noticed him doing that a lot more often nowadays, touching my tummy.
When our breathing was back to normal, I turned on my side to face Blake. Just because I was okay with what Danny had proposed didn’t mean it solved all Blake’s, no, not Blake’s, all of our problems. “If Danny is staying, what are we going to do about the California branch? We can’t just leave it as is, not long term if I’m really not going back.”
“Do you want to go back?” He asked the question quietly, almost cautiously, as he lay on his back, one arm hooked behind his head.
It was a good question. Being the manager in Palo Alto was something I’d worked for, something I valued and was proud of. But if I was being honest with myself, I was excited about moving to a new position.
I’d worked for that too, and had been working towards it since I started at the company. Having had some time to think over everything Wayne and Blake had said earlier, I realized they really did think I had what it took to do Danny’s job.
Wayne had even thought that before I’d ever met Blake. His opinion, and the confidence of both of them counted for something. For a lot, actually.
And if Danny was willing to stay on, not only in Florida but to help me, I wouldn’t say no. Florida was where Blake needed to be from now on, and I wanted to be with him. I probably could’ve just stayed with him and never had to work again, but I didn’t want that. I didn’t think it was what Blake wanted for me either, despite the fact that I knew he would be okay with it if that was what I asked for.
Blake, and Florida, was my future. There was nothing left in California for me now, but I didn’t want to leave the hotel high and dry. The people there were still important to me. Too important to leave them without proper leadership.
“I don’t want to go back,” I finally replied, knowing it was true. “I want to be where you are, and that’s here for now. I just don’t want to leave everyone there without a manager. They don’t deserve any more upheaval or disruption.”
“Some degree of disruption will happen because you’re not going back,” he told me, reaching out to draw me closer to his side. “It’s manageable though, and don’t worry about California. I have a plan.”
Chapter 69
Blake
Three months after the last time Aston and I walked out of the hotel in California, we were back for a visit. It had been a long three months. We had meant to pop in for a visit weeks ago, but we never got around to it.
As it was, we’d almost had to cancel again. Aston managed to dodge the bullets flying her way, with Danny’s help, and we’d hopped on the jet as soon as our meetings let out. We were like kids fleeing from school on the last day, excited to be getting away from the head office that took so much of our time.
Our visit to California wasn’t a vacation though. Soon, I would whisk Aston away for a break before the baby was born, but for now, we were working.
It didn’t make Aston any less excited to be headed back to her hometown. She missed her friends and had been looking forward to spending time with them, even if we would have to get some work done at the same time.
Dressed in a soft, flowing red dress that clung to her newly rounded stomach, she looked more beautiful to me than ever, and her friends made sure she knew it as she greeted everyone. Needless to say, she didn’t agree.
She wasn’t showing that much yet, but she was already convinced she was starting to resemble a whale. No amount of argument from me seemed to convinc
e her otherwise. And damn had I tried.
A woman I didn’t remember meeting when I was at the hotel before practically stormed Aston, enveloping her in a giant hug and gushing. “You look gorgeous, my dear. Absolutely stunning. There has never been a more beautiful mother to be.”
Aston rolled her eyes, giggling as she put her hand on the woman’s arm. “Try every other pregnant woman, but thank you, Sheila. How are you?”
“Missing you,” the woman sighed. It was a sentiment that had been shared a few times since we arrived just a few minutes ago. “But you look wonderful. The head office has certainly been kinder to us since you’ve been there too, so we take solace in that. This must be Blake.”
I stepped forward, clasping her extended hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Sheila.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you two hadn’t met since—” Aston trailed off, her cheeks warming. I hadn’t missed Sheila’s reference to the head office being kinder, which I understood to mean that she knew how close the branch had been to cuts being made. “Anyway, this is Blake. Blake, this lovely lady is Sheila. She’s on the housekeeping team.”
“And happy to be there,” Sheila said, shooting me a look before shrugging it off and turning back to Aston to keep chatting. People here clearly hadn’t forgotten about the recent cuts. I sighed inwardly.
Fixing Danny’s messes over the last months had been tough, but we were getting there slowly but surely. Strangely enough, Danny himself had been a great help in undoing the damage he’d caused.
Aston said goodbye to Sheila and was swept up by a couple more people, all of whom were happy to see her. It warmed my heart to see all the love people had for her here. She’d been worried before we came, wondering if they would have forgiven her for leaving.
It seemed like she had nothing to worry about. Everyone was welcoming her back with open arms, albeit only for a short time. We couldn’t stay as long as Aston wanted, but it wasn’t only because of me.
Aston had taken the head office by storm. She was already respected, revered even. People loved her there as much as they did here and she didn’t want to leave her post for too long.
We were only in California to check in on Tiffany, who’d agreed to stay on as manager of the hotel without any argument whatsoever. As it turned out, Tiffany enjoyed managing. It helped that she had a stellar team behind her, all of whom knew exactly where they fit in and what to do thanks to Aston’s leadership.
The transition into Tiffany’s management style was an easy one for the staff to make. They liked her and more importantly, they trusted her. She was one of them. No one had had any objections to her appointment being made permanent. No one else had even thrown their hats in the ring to compete for her position.
The branch was still thriving, its numbers holding steady after Aston left. I knew Aston was still working with Tiffany, strategizing on how to keep their numbers up and how to build on them again. They didn’t know I knew, but I didn’t mind. It made Aston happy to stay in close contact with Tiffany, and Tiffany seemed more comfortable knowing Aston hadn’t left her in the deep end alone.
After a couple more minutes and some more introductions, I heard Tiffany’s familiar voice behind me. “Oh my god! I can’t believe you’re really here. Get in here!”
She flung her arms wide open and pulled Aston into an uncomfortably tight looking hug, but my girl seemed to love it. She shrieked with laughter, then surprised me by pulling me into the hug, too.
I wasn’t much of a hugger, except for when it came to Aston, and my arms were always automatically reaching out for her. I especially didn’t hug staff members, but I made an exception for Tiffany. The girl had been a rock for Aston since the news came out that we were in a relationship, and even before.
She’d also made my life a hell of a lot easier when she first agreed to manage the hotel in Aston’s absence, and then later when she agreed to stay on in the position permanently. I knew it wouldn’t have been easy to convince Aston to take the job at the head office if she was worried about the people here.
Knowing it was Tiffany who was in charge gave her peace of mind. For that reason, I joined their embrace and found myself in the middle of the crushing hug.
“I’ll forgive you for stealing her away from me if you keep making her this happy, mister.” Tiffany laughed, stepping back with her hands on Aston’s shoulders to get a good look at her. “And look at you! Pregnancy has been good for you.”
Aston flushed, smiling shyly. “After the first few months, it got a lot better. The little one and I have finally gotten used to sharing this body for now.”
Tiffany reached out and rubbed Aston’s belly, something I knew she hated if it wasn’t me doing it, but she also didn’t seem to mind Tiffany’s hand on her. She shuffled forward a little, laughing when Tiffany’s eyes grew when she felt the baby kick.
“See?” She exclaimed proudly. “Little Aston loves me.”
“Little Aston?” I lifted my brow, lips curving up into a smile. “It could be a little me. Don’t get me wrong, I would love it to be a little Aston. I’m simply stating the facts.”
Tiffany snorted, shaking a finger at me. “Oh no, you. Whatever this baby’s gender is, it better inherit its mama’s awesome personality traits.”
“I have some awesome personality traits,” I smirked, winking to let her know I was kidding. Mostly.
Aston pushed up on her toes and brushed a soft kiss to the bottom of my jaw. “Yeah you do.”
Tiffany rolled her eyes with a smile, then linked her arm with Aston’s. “Let’s just agree you’re both pretty awesome and leave it at that, shall we? Let’s go to the conference room, I had the kitchen whip us up some snacks. You guys must be starving after the flight, and you need to get off your feet.”
Aston shook her head, but didn’t disagree. Despite how hard she’d been working, she was still taking it easy. The doctors weren’t worried about her anymore and the pregnancy was progressing without any further complications.
She wasn’t taking any chances though. She kept off her feet as much as possible during the day, avoiding racing around the office. We made a point of not working too late and if we had to, took work home with us to do in the office I had set up for us.
Tiffany led us into the smaller of the conference rooms at ground level, one where Aston and I had shared dinner not so long ago, yet it seemed like a different lifetime now. Aston walked over to the window, releasing a happy sigh to be looking out over the ocean. “It feels like I haven’t been here in forever.”
“For you and me both, girl.” Tiffany sighed. “Welcome back.”
“Thanks,” Aston replied softly. “You should come visit us in Florida sometime. We’ll be happy to have you.”
“Once the baby is born, try keeping me away,” she said, reaching out to pat Aston’s belly again.
The two friends shared a moment. I hung back, getting settled at the table. When they sat down, Aston joked, “Oh, you’ll only visit once the baby is born? That’s still months away.”
“Good point,” Tiffany said. “Maybe I’ll come out there sooner. Is your nursery set up yet? I can come help with that.”
“We’ve been settling into the house,” Aston told her. “We haven’t gotten to the nursery quite yet. It would be great if you could come out to help.”
The girls made plans for Tiffany to visit in a few months, then turned to me. It looked like it was finally time to get down to business.
Aston wasn’t quite ready. “You’ve been helping way too much though, Tiffany. Thanks so much for helping with my apartment. There is barely anything left for us to take care of.”
“It was no big deal,” she replied. “Besides, I took a few liberties with some of your things. You really do have good taste, you know.”
“You helped me pick half of it out, as I recall,” Aston said with a smile.
Sitting up, I hoped to move things on. Taking Aston’s hand under the table. She let it rest
on her leg. It was a pose we often took when in meetings together.
“How has management been treating you?” I asked.
“It’s good,” Tiffany told me. Her eyes lit up as she conveyed all they’d gotten done in the last three months. “I’d say we’re well on track with maintaining the numbers we have now. We’ve hired two new chefs and people seem to be loving the variety we’ve added to the menus. Our suites are all booked out for the next few months.”
Aston’s eyes warmed with a smile. “Well done. That’s great news! You’re doing so well, it’s like you were born for this job.”
Tiffany shrugged. “I learned from the best. I’m enjoying it a lot more than I expected to, though. You were right, it is the best job in the world.”
“I don’t know about that anymore,” I said. “But I’m glad it’s going so well for you. You guys sure are making us proud. It’s good to know we don’t have to worry about you.”
“Not at all,” Tiffany said. “We’re fine. Holding your good name high. What about you, Aston? You happy there in corporate?”
Aston nodded enthusiastically. “It’s been great so far. The people are wonderful and the work is challenging, but I love it.”
“What about Danny?” Tiffany asked, a dark undertone sneaking into her voice. My brother wasn’t loved by any of the staff in the company at the moment, but since Tiffany knew a lot more about everything that happened, she had a particular disdain of him. “Has he been behaving himself? I haven’t seen him in the news recently, so that’s a good sign at least.”
“He’s turned over a new leaf,” Aston said. Surprisingly, she’d taken quite a liking to my brother and vice versa. They worked well together, better than I’d ever imagined. “He’s been a huge help and actually he has become one of my favorite people.”
“Hey!” I objected playfully.
Aston smiled, squeezed my hand. “I said one of my favorite people. The two of you are still above him on my list, don’t worry.”
Tiffany laughed. “Of course we are. I’m glad he’s behaving though, I was worried about him.”