by Jackie Wang
“You need to learn about our clientele and about our brand before you can graduate to something more,” Lexi explained. “Spend a few months learning about our design style and unique bridal collections. I think you'll do well here.”
“Thank you, Lexi, thank you!” I chirped.
“Shoot me a call when you’re ready to work and I'll put you in touch with Brianna, okay?”
“Okay. Thank you for this opportunity. You won't regret it!” I clutched my designs against my furiously beating chest.
“You should thank your boyfriend. I've known Asher for a long time. He's never asked me for favors before. You must be very important to him.”
“I know. I'm grateful for that too.”
“He's a great guy, you know. Underneath that tough shell, he has a vulnerable side too,” Lexi said. “Treat him well.”
I nodded. “Thanks again, Lexi. You've changed my life.”
“Good luck Sierra. I hope to see you working here next time I come to Northbridge.”
+++
“DID YOU GET A JOB?” Asher asked when I came through the door.
I nodded. “Sorta. She said once my leg's all better, I can start working in sales at her flagship store.”
“That's a pretty good opportunity, Sierra. Lexi is usually very picky about who she hires.”
“I know. She said I should thank you.”
“Well you got it based on merit too,” Asher pointed out. “We should celebrate. I finally launched my business. You got a new job. Let's go out.”
“Where did you have in mind?”
“It's a surprise,” Asher said.
In fact, he was so adamant about the surprise that he blindfolded me after we got in the car.
“Where are we going? You know I don't like surprises that much,” I said.
“You'll like this one,” he reassured me.
We wound through the streets in the waning light. I heard sirens and loud music fade away into the churning of waves, then the occasional bird calls.
I realized where we were going before Asher even cut the engine.
I'd grown up listening to those sounds for most of my life.
“Why are we here?” I asked him before he could remove the blindfold.
“Because it's time to patch things up with your parents. And I've got some news.”
“Good news, I hope.”
“Spectacular news,” Asher said.
We walked hand-in-hand towards the farm, me leaning on Asher for support.
Mom sprinted down the porch as soon as she saw me. “Oh, Sierra! I thought you wouldn't come! Thank goodness you did. Asher. Thank you so much for bringing my baby back here.” She gave me a bear hug.
I smiled. “Asher kinda kidnapped me and brought me here against my will.”
“You needed to come back,” Asher said. “Besides, I think your mom made you your favorite lasagna. Right, Lillian?”
“I sure did. C'mon in. I'll call Jordan and Ernie inside.”
When Dad walked through the back door, overalls caked in mud, he took one look at me and grunted. “You're here.”
I tensed. “I can leave if you don't want me here.”
Asher squeezed my hand. “Sierra.”
I shot him a look and hissed, “You could've warned me you were bringing me here.”
“Why don't you take a seat?” Asher said.
Over a very tense dinner atmosphere, Asher uncorked some red wine and poured everyone a glass. “I have something very exciting to announce,” he began.
Mom stopped mid-bite, and even Jordan perked up. Dad seemed less interested in what Asher had to say. That is, until Asher made his announcement.
“I've secured an wealthy contact,” Asher said. “Her name is Vanessa Holdom of Clarisse Holdom Enterprises, and she called to tell me this morning that she wants to donate $200,000 in this farm.”
Mom dropped her fork on the floor and didn't even pick it up.
Dad's jaw fell wide open.
Jordan spoke up. “What's the catch? There's always a catch with these rich people.”
“No catch,” Asher said. “That's the best part. Vanessa says it'll be good local publicity. Maywood Farms has been running for generations; it's a Northbridge gem. It would be devastating to local morale if it'd been bought over by a corporate giant like Newfeld.”
“No way it's just for the publicity,” Mom said. “Are you sure?”
“I believe Asher,” I chimed in. “I've met Vanessa, and she's an extremely nice and generous woman. Her sister too.”
“You're telling me some rich investor is just going to drop two-hundred grand into our laps and not expect anything in return?” Dad asked.
Asher nodded. “The Holdoms are friends of mine as well as clients. I trust them implicitly. Why don't we celebrate this good news with a drink?” Asher raised his glass. “Cheers! To Maywood Farm!”
Everyone reluctantly held up their glasses and clinked them.
I think my parents were more shocked than anything. They needed time to process all of it. In the meantime, I dragged Asher into the kitchen and asked him what really happened.
“Nothing 'really happened'. That's the truth. Vanessa said she wanted to support the farm. She was touched by my generosity when I waived my fee and wanted to pay me back by donating to the farm.”
I swallowed a huge gulp of wine. “It's a lot of money, Asher. You shouldn't have done a month's worth of work for free,” I said, looking down at my feet. “I feel awful.”
“When I sign them on as my first clients, they will bring me hundreds of thousands of dollars in business. So don't worry baby,” Asher said. “Once I land such big-name clients, others will follow. Word-of-mouth, love. Plus, now I can use my own savings to start up my firm and your family will have money to upgrade the farm and infuse some new life into it.”
“You've really thought of everything, haven't you?” I asked.
Asher leaned in and kissed me. “Of course, I have. I need to look out for your family and for us. This is the perfect solution, don't you think?”
“My family doesn't deserve your kindness,” I said. “They were rude to you.”
“They were just scared and defensive. Protective over you,” Asher reasoned. “Besides, your family is my family.”
I buried my face into Asher's neck and felt a surge of emotions sweep over me. I suddenly felt overwhelmed and happy and exhausted all at the same time. Before I knew it, I was sobbing into his shoulder, and he was stroking my hair, whispering, “Everything will be all right now. It's going to be all right.”
I squeezed him tight. “Thank you, Asher. Thank you. For everything. You've saved all of us.”
CHAPTER 28
ASHER
Six Weeks Later...
“I'M NOT A BABY,” Sierra said, folding her arms across her chest. “I can walk just fine.”
“You just took off your cast last week. You're still shaky. Let me help,” I offered.
“You can't possibly follow me around work and school all day long. Get back to work, Asher. I can handle myself.”
I sighed. My girlfriend was stubborn as ever.
But I wouldn't have it any other way.
“If you need a ride, call me. I mean it,” I said, still worried despite Sierra's reassurances. It was her first day back to school, and I didn't want her tripping or falling on the bumpy sidewalks.
“I know,” Sierra replied, shrugging on her backpack and pulling her massive portfolio out from the backseat. She was still a bit unsteady on her feet but for the most part, she'd healed perfectly. “Now get back to the office before Rachelle throws a fit. Poor girl's working her ass off day and night. You need to give her a raise.”
I gave Sierra a kiss. “See you tonight, babe. I'll cook.”
“How am I supposed to get better at cooking if you never let me?” Sierra asked.
“Babe, I love cooking for you,” I said. I neglected to mention how sick I was of burnt pasta and dry c
hicken. She still had a long way to go in terms of cooking a decent meal. But I found it incredibly endearing that she was making an honest effort. She visited her parents at least every other weekend and Lillian had been teaching her a thing or two in the kitchen. “Come on, get going. Class starts in ten minutes,” I said.
“Okay, see you later, baby.”
After I watched Sierra disappear inside, I drove to my new office. It wasn't too far from home actually. Fourth floor of a brownstone downtown. Decent rent prices and kept in excellent condition. In the past few weeks, my team had grown from three to ten staff members. Even my dad showed up two weeks ago and congratulated me on starting up my own firm. He still wasn't happy I was still with Sierra, but even he had to finally admit that I was more than capable of juggling a girlfriend and my professional duties as a lawyer.
Everything was falling into place.
I was running my own company and doing what I loved most: practicing law.
But work didn't get in the way of play anymore.
On our days off, Sierra and I went on mini getaways. I even took her lingerie shopping last week and picked out a few scandalous numbers for her to model. After all, the past eight weeks had been absolute torture. I couldn't wait a second longer to make love to her. And tonight was the night.
I was going to wine, dine, and sixty-nine my girlfriend. About damn time, right?
+++
“WHAT'S THE OCCASION?” Sierra asked, marveling at the spread before her. After work, and before she'd gotten home, I'd assembled a picnic in the backyard.
On a checkered tablecloth lay fresh loaves of sourdough bread, cold cuts, cheeses, fruits, veggies with dip, and other snacks. A bottle of champagne was chilling in an ice bucket beside me.
“No occasion. Just wanted to have a nice picnic with my girlfriend.” I reached for a strawberry and pressed it against Sierra's lips. She opened them and bit into the red fruit. Some juice dribbled down her chin, and I didn't hesitate to lap it up for her.
“Just a picnic hmm?” Sierra murmured, cupping my face and stroking my stubble. “No ulterior motives?”
“Nope,” I lied. “Should I have one?”
“Well, seeing as how I have full function of my legs again, I would think so,” Sierra purred, parting her legs and straddling me. She ground her hips against my already swelling cock and leaned down to kiss my neck. “First day of school was kinda stressful. I think I need an orgasm first to wind down a bit.”
“Your wish is my command then,” I said, palming an ass cheek in each hand and kneading them. “I've wanted to be inside you since the first day we met.”
“Is that right?” Sierra murmured, sucking in an earlobe.
“No woman's ever made me wait three months to get laid.”
“Hopefully, it'll live up to your expectations,” Sierra continued, layering kisses along my shoulders, then down across to my collarbone.
“I have no doubt it'll exceed my every expectation. Fulfill my every fantasy.” I pulled aside Sierra's v-neck collar and ran my tongue along the swell of her breasts. “God, I love your breasts. I'll never get tired of looking at these beauties.”
Sierra eased her shirt off until she was straddling me in a bra and skinny jeans. The bra was one of the ones I'd picked out for her last week. A gorgeous, rich purple number with tiny rhinestones on it. I swallowed hard at the thought of what lay underneath her jeans. If I remembered correctly, the matching thong had a little bow-tie in the back. Fuck me. Just the thought of Sierra in a thong made me unbelievably hard.
I ran my palms up and down Sierra's length, taking in the sight of her creamy skin and silky curves. Ever since I’d fallen in love with her, she'd ruined me for all other women. It'd become more apparent with each passing day that I would never love another the way I loved her. I needed her to know that. I needed her to understand how I couldn't live without her.
But how could I possibly explain the depth and breadth of my emotions? I had no words for it. I could only settle for showing her how I felt through my day-to-day actions.
“You seem pensive,” Sierra pointed out. “Penny for your thoughts.”
“Just thinking about how much I love you,” I said, “and how much I want to spend the rest of my life feeling this way.”
“I love you too, Asher. More than words,” Sierra replied, her voice breathy. “You complete me in every way.”
Sierra unbuttoned my shirt and slid it off my shoulders. I tensed as her fingers explored my pecs, abdomen... then lower...until she flirted with the waistband of my slacks. “These need to come off. Pronto.”
“I agree.” I slid Sierra off of me and eased out of my pants.
“Someone's happy to see me,” Sierra said, nodding at my arousal.
“More than happy, I'd say,” I replied. “He's fucking ecstatic to see you.”
“He'll be even more ecstatic when he meets my pussy for the first time,” Sierra purred, unbuttoning her jeans.
When I saw that little bow tie on her thong, my body surged with delirious need. I grabbed her hips and pulled her on top of me, not wasting another second with words. She ground against me; I could feel her wetness soaked through the thin patch of fabric covering her sex. I was raring to go myself, a bead of precum dotting my briefs.
Fumbling behind me, I reached for the gold packet I'd stashed earlier and tore it open. With one quick motion, I rolled Sierra underneath me and then slipped on the condom. Sierra pushed aside the plates of food, and I lowered myself on top of her, pinning her down with my thighs.
“I want you inside me. Now,” Sierra groaned. “Please.”
Without another word, I pulled aside her thong and pushed inside her slick entrance. I grunted as her warmth enveloped me. It was like coming home.
Holy shit, it was better than anything I could've ever imagined.
This was what it felt like to be in love with your sex partner.
I fucking loved the feeling.
Sierra let out an “Oh” and squeezed her eyes shut. I felt her nails dig into my back.
“Am I hurting you?” I asked, pausing.
“No babe. It feels...perfect,” she replied. “Just go slow, okay? It's been a while.”
“Of course, baby.” I rocked against her gently after that. I noticed her every contented sigh, the way she arched her back and curled her toes. How her fingernails scraped against my lower back and the way she moaned my name.
And I wanted to pleasure her like this forever.
After several minutes, Sierra shifted onto her belly, her heart-shaped ass in the air. “Take me from behind, baby. Deep. I'm ready.”
I nodded and bracing myself with my left arm, plunged inside her from behind, almost down to the hilt. Sierra let out a sharp cry, of pain or pleasure I didn't know. But it felt so damn good to be with her. Her tight channel pulsed against me, and I could hardly contain myself. All nine inches of me stretched and filled her until she was gasping for air. I reached under her, found her swollen clit and toyed with it, eliciting feral purrs from her lips. I rocked against her, pistoning in and out fast, fast, slow. Fast, fast, slow. Within minutes, Sierra was bucking against me.
“Oh God, Asher! Fuck!” She twisted the picnic cloth, and I pulled her hair as I climaxed with her. Firecrackers ignited through my veins and blissful euphoria blinded me. Sierra's orgasmic cries were hypnotic melodies. I felt like I was fucking high, and I never wanted to come down again.
After we'd cleaned up, we returned to finish the picnic. “So was it worth waiting for?” I asked, pouring her a glass of champagne.
“Most definitely.” She fed me a slice of buttered bread and licked her lips. “How about we go for round two after dinner?”
“Deal.” I grinned.
With this woman, I could go forever.
EPILOGUE
SIERRA
One Year Later...
LOVE OF MY LIFE? Check.
Home of our own? Check.
Career of my dreams? Chec
k.
And I had one more surprise waiting for Asher when he got home from work.
Cally had been the first to know. After all, I couldn't possibly keep the news to myself.
And I was certain Asher would go insane when I told him.
And my parents...I had no clue how they'd react. With joy, I hoped.
I couldn't wait.
I ran my thumb over the framed photograph. To the untrained eye, it didn't look like much: a grainy black and white printout. But I hoped Asher would be smart enough to decipher it. I placed the silver frame on the mantle and grinned to myself. Underneath the picture sat a handwritten card. I'd written and re-written my message at least twenty times.
The scene was set. Dimmed lights, scented candles, table set for two...the works.
My phone dinged.
ASHER: Sorry, babe. Running a bit late.
ME: No problem. I'll be here. XOXO.
My heart was going a mile a minute, and I was fidgety. I walked around the house, admiring all the feminine touches I'd added to Asher's bachelor pad. Pastel throw pillows, plush rugs, fresh paint on the walls...It definitely wasn’t a bachelor's pad anymore. I spent a few more minutes making sure everything looked neat and tidy and perfect for our big moment.
Our home was functional as well as inviting; a mixture of modern and traditional. And it was 100% ours. It was also more than big enough to accommodate the newest addition to our family...
I'd gone a little crazy myself when I found out. Went out and bought a book of baby names and the cutest little knit slippers. (They were 75% off!) And a few adorable onesies. Okay, more than a few. I couldn't resist. Perhaps it was a bit premature but...could you really blame me?
I rubbed my belly and smiled. Five weeks pregnant. With Asher's baby. Things couldn't be more perfect. I'd gone off birth control, and we’d both agreed to try, but I didn't think it would happen so quickly.
And I was absolutely thrilled.
Beyond thrilled.
I glanced at my watch. He said he'd be home by seven. It was already half-past. What was taking him so long?
I sighed and peeked inside the oven. I hoped the roast wouldn't be too dry by the time he showed up. I'd used Mom's old recipe, the one she called a 'sure thing'. But even a 'sure thing' would taste like shit if it sat around for an hour waiting to be eaten.