by Nikki Ash
I give the guys a minute to soak in what I just said before I continue. “Ashley’s upset because she went to pick out the venue and it was the same venue where Gabrielle and I were married.”
“Fuck, bro. That’s why you got upset when I mentioned your wife at the wedding. I’m sorry.” Cooper comes over and gives me a bro hug.
“Nah, it’s all good. My mom just said Ashley is extremely emotional and feels bad. I told her I’m going to plan the wedding. I don’t want her to think anything she plans won’t be good enough or will upset me because I already experienced it with Gabby.”
Bentley smirks. “Your ass is going to plan the wedding?”
“How difficult can it be? Pick out some colors and shit, a cake… good to go… right?”
All the guys bust out laughing. “You’re fucking nuts,” Alex stops laughing long enough to say.
“The gesture is sweet as fuck,” Cooper adds. “But you better make sure it’s the wedding of Ashley’s dreams. Sure, she’s upset and willing to let you take over the planning right now, but when the day gets here she’ll be expecting a goddamned fairy tale.”
All the guys nod repeatedly in agreement. I pull out my phone to text my mom, realizing I’m going to need back up. I have a feeling I’m in over my head, here.
“Who are you texting?” Caleb asks.
“Who else? My mom.”
The guys all laugh.
“Hey, I spoke with the contractor for the Rec Room and he said they should be able to break ground next month.” Even though the four of us have gone in equally to build the sports complex for kids to go to, Bentley’s taken on the brunt of the work. We purchased the property next to the gym and had the old building demolished. Bentley has been dealing with the architects, the city, and now the contractors to get this place built.
“If all goes well we should have this place up and running by the end of the year,” Bentley says. “We’re going to have to start thinking about staff. We don’t want to wait until the last minute.”
“With that Benjamin fucker buying Caleb’s club, maybe Ashley would be interested in running the place. She loves working with kids.”
Caleb laughs. “Benjamin fucker? The guy saves your fiancée’s life and you’re still pissed at him for calling you out?”
“Fuck him. Anyway, what do you think?”
“I think It would be a great idea. Liz has already agreed to handle all the accounting shit,” Cooper says.
“Ashley is great at managing the club, and with her experience as a teacher, I think she’ll be great,” Caleb adds. “Talk to her and let us know.”
“Sounds good.”
* * *
The guys have all left, Tristan’s sleeping, and I’m wiping down the counters after putting away all the food and drinks, when my phone rings. Pulling it out of my pocket, I see it’s Ashley video calling me. I hit accept and her beautiful face appears on the screen.
“Hi,” Ashley says softly. I can see a bit of the background and know she’s in my old room at my parents’ house. She and her mom both fly home tomorrow.
“Hey baby. I miss you.”
“I miss you, too. I forgot what it’s like to sleep by myself. I would take your snoring over the quiet any day.” She laughs at her own joke, making me smile. Earlier, when she was sad, my heart was broken. I don’t like to see her sad, ever.
“So, what are you wearing?”
“Ashley,” I say admonishingly. “Are you trying to start phone sex with me while sleeping in my old bed in my parents’ house?”
“Maybe.” Her cheeks turn a light pink and it makes my cock stir. I go to our bedroom, pull my basketball shorts off, and lie on the bed.
“I just laid in bed and I’m in nothing but my briefs. You?”
She looks down and her cheeks turn brighter. “Can I pretend I’m in something sexier? I’m in a shirt that says, ‘I’m crabby in the morning’ and there’s a crab on it.”
I laugh. She has tons of shirts like that. They all say weird and funny shit. I wouldn’t expect her in anything else.
“How about you take it off, then tell me what you’re wearing?”
The phone gets put down and when she comes back I have a view of her shy face and a little bit of her tits at the bottom of the screen.
“Okay, now I’m naked.” My cock swells.
“Ash, put your fingers in your pussy, baby. Is it wet for me?” She does what I tell her to, and I know when her fingers are in because her eyelids flutter in pleasure.
“That’s it, baby, finger yourself good.”
“Kaden…”
“Yeah, baby?”
“Will you… do it, too?”
I look down at my hard cock that’s already getting stroked. “Oh, I am, baby.”
“Tell me something you want to do to me. Something we’ve never done before.”
This woman is going to be the death of me.
“If you were here right now, I’d start by fingering that perfect pussy of yours. Then after making you come, I would put you on your hands and knees, and taking that baby oil you put on your body every night, I’d squirt some right onto your ass.”
“Mmm… Kaden. Are you about to fuck me in the ass?” Ashley’s eyes are closed and I can hear the noise her pussy’s making as she fingers herself. She’s soaking fucking wet.
“Baby, I am about to devour your ass.”
“Keep going.”
“I’d rub the baby oil all over your ass cheeks, then opening your ass up, I’d apply it to your tight hole, sticking one finger, then two in there, getting it ready for my dick.”
“Stick it in my ass, Kaden.”
“You want me to fuck your ass, baby?”
“Yes!”
“You got it, baby. Lining my cock up, I would slowly push in until you’re completely full of me. Then I would reach forward, and wrapping your hair in my hand, I would fuck your ass. I would make you rub on your clit so we would come at the same time. Are you rubbing on your clit, Ash?”
“Yes, yes, Kaden! I’m about to come.”
“Me, too, babe. Where do I come? In that sweet ass of yours or all over your ass and back?”
“In my ass. Holy shit! I’m coming, Kaden.” Watching her throw her head back in ecstasy, pushes me over the edge, and my hot seed spurts out all over my hand and stomach as she moans into the phone coming as well. After a few seconds of quiet, I ask, “You still there?”
Ashley’s eyes open and she looks at me shyly. “Yeah, I’m here. Umm… Kaden…”
“Yeah, baby?”
“Can we do that for real when I get home?”
“Hell, yes, we can. You don’t have to ask me twice.”
Ashley giggles into the phone. “I’m going to get cleaned up. I’ll see you tomorrow. Love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Ashley
It’s been almost a month since I got upset while trying to plan the wedding. Since then I’ve noticed my emotions are all out of whack. My mood swings are getting worse and I’m crying over the littlest things. Physically, I have sore boobs, I’m feeling sick all the time, and I missed my period, again. I would say all signs point to my being pregnant, but I haven’t picked up a test yet.
Work has been crazy busy. Caleb went through with the sale of Assets. Luckily, for at least right now, Benjamin’s keeping things the way they are. I’m still managing the club while Benjamin assesses everything. It’s Friday night and Benjamin’s out of town dealing with another one of his clubs.
After confirming the schedule and lineup for the night, I meet with Bianca to discuss the private parties for the evening. I can already tell it’s going to be a busy night. I check on the tables, the bar, then work my way upstairs. When I get to the dressing room to check on the girls, there is utter chaos.
“What’s going on?”
Michelle, a newer dancer, is packing her stuff up while Veronica is screaming profanities at her back. I’
m confused because not only are they best friends but they’re roommates.
“Whoa! Calm down. Veronica, what are you upset about?”
“This bitch slept with my boyfriend.”
“You said you were broken up!”
“It doesn’t matter!”
They’re about to start a cat fight when Steve, the bouncer on duty, breaks it up. “Both of you, let’s go.” They both yell and scream, but he’s not having it, forcing them to leave with him.
“We’re now short three dancers,” Scarlett says.
“Three?”
“Yeah, Stephanie called out. She wasn’t feeling well.”
“Okay, let me go down and check the schedule.”
I get over to the hostess stand and take a look at the reservations for the night.
“We’re going to have to cancel the party. I don’t have a dancer.”
“These men are VIP who do dealings with Benjamin. Are you sure it’s a good idea to cancel them?”
“No, but I don’t know what else to do.”
I’ve tried to reach Benjamin several times, but his phone just keeps going to voicemail. I know the logical thing to do would be for me to cancel their party, but I’m afraid Benjamin will fire me for incompetence. He leaves and one girl calls out, and two get into a fight, leaving me short staffed.
“Ashley, they’re here.” The gentleman all walk in and you can tell they scream of money. They’re going to be pissed if I have to tell them I don’t have anyone to entertain them. Without thinking, I tell her to send them to the room, and then I go to the dressing room to get changed. I’ll just have to handle this one party myself. Deep down, I know Kaden is going to be pissed when he finds out, but I’ll explain to him it was a one-time thing and figure out from Benjamin what he wants me to do in this situation in the future, since there’s no way I’ll be making this a regular occurrence.
I borrow one of Scarlett’s outfits, a sexy see-through top with leather booty shorts. I won’t strip down completely naked. I’ll just dance and get them some drinks. Maybe they won’t even want lap dances. Who am I kidding? Of course they’re going to want lap dances. I will just have to figure it out.
“You’re stripping tonight?” Scarlett asks, walking into the dressing room.
“I don’t know what else to do. We’re short several girls and the party I was going to cancel are apparently associates of Benjamin’s.”
“Okay, how about you do the dance, and by the time you’re done, I should have my tables under control, and I can take over and do the rest?”
“Oh, my God! Thank you!”
I quickly apply some makeup, doing a quick smoky eye, then throw on a pair of my shiny black fuck-me heels.
I take the back hall to the room then slip in the back to turn on the music and start my dance. The dance goes well. It reminds me I need to find time to take my pole dancing lessons again. I really enjoy them when my clothes are all on… and stay on.
After the song ends, I don’t see Scarlett yet, so I do one more dance, hoping to buy some time. About half way through the song, I’m about to remove my bra when I see Scarlett walk in to take drink orders. I’m so thankful she’s got my back. Dancing is bad enough, at least I don’t have to explain giving lap dances to Kaden.
As I’m walking to the dressing room to get changed back into my work clothes, I am pushed against the wall from behind.
“Well, well, well. What do we have here?” I recognize the voice but can’t place it right away. Before I can twist back to get a view of the guy’s face, he grabs my hair and pulls my head up violently. The hairs on my head feeling like they’re being ripped from my skull.
“Please don’t hurt me.” I try to push against the man, but he’s stronger than I am.
“Hurt you? I’m about to make you feel so good.” His breath is hot, and I choke on the smell of the alcohol dripping off him.
“Please don’t do this,” I beg, still unsure who this is. Regardless, this can’t end well. We’re in a dark hallway and nobody but management comes back here. Taking my sharp heel, I stomp on his feet, which only pisses him off further.
“You think you can walk around here dressed like a slut and not get fucked? You’re nothing more than a cock-tease. It’s time you act on it.”
Keeping my hair firmly in his hand, he pushes me toward Benjamin’s office. I start to yell for help, but he covers my mouth with his hand. I try to open my mouth to bite his hand, but I can’t get a firm grasp on his skin. We get to the door and I pray Benjamin’s in there but know he won’t be. Once he’s closed the door behind us, he throws me onto the couch and I finally get a look at him.
“Eric?” It’s the gentleman from Double D’s, the man whose son I used to teach. The same man who turned me in and got me fired.
“We never finished what we started. I saw you a couple weeks ago when I came here and knew one day I would get my chance, and then while looking for the bathroom I stumbled down the wrong hallway only to see you once again dressed like the fucking tramp you are. I knew it was meant to be.”
“Look, Eric. I’m sorry. I never tried to tease you. Please don’t do this. I’m engaged to be married.”
“I don’t give a shit! You ruined my life. After I reported you to the board, the principal told my wife! She left me and I’ve lost everything. It’s all your fault! And for what? I didn’t even get to fuck you.”
Eric undoes his belt and drops his pants. I look around to see if there’s a weapon to use on him, but there’s nothing more than a tissue box. Then I remember I still have my heels on. Pulling my legs back, I kick at him as hard as I can, trying to delay him from entering me as I scream at the top of my lungs for help.
Eric jumps on top of me, covering my mouth with his hand. I bite down on his palm, hard enough that I can taste blood and scream again.
“Bitch! Shut the fuck up!” Eric slaps me across my face and grabs my shorts, pulling them down. I kick my legs, trying to stop him, but it does no good.
I feel sick to my stomach, like I’m going to throw up, but I don’t give up. I keep kicking and screaming until there’s a punch to my face. My head feels fuzzy and everything goes black.
***
“Ashley… Ashley, open your eyes.”
My eyes open at the sound of Benjamin’s voice. “Everything is going to be okay, Ashley. I’ve called Kaden, and the police just arrived. That fucker is being detained as we speak. He didn’t get a chance to rape you. I walked in, in time. Fuck! Are you okay?”
“He didn’t rape me?” I feel sick as I recall Eric on top of me. I jump from the couch and make it to the trash can just in time, throwing up everything in me.
“No, he didn’t. Here, put your shorts back on.” He hands me the tiny leather shorts Eric pulled off me. “My schedule got all messed up and my flight was delayed. I came straight here to meet with my business associates. I walked in and Eric was hovering over you but nothing happened. I called Kaden.”
After wiping my mouth with the tissues, it hits me. He called Kaden. “Why would you call Kaden?”
“Why the fuck wouldn’t he call me?” Kaden storms into the office and takes me into his arms. “You were attacked! Why the hell wouldn’t your boss call your fiancé?”
“I’m sorry.” Hot tears spill down my cheeks, and Kaden steps back to assess me.
“Why are you in a stripper costume?” His eyes sear into mine before he jerks his vision to Benjamin. Kaden grabs him by the collar, pushing him against the desk. “Why the fuck is my girl in a stripper costume?”
“Kaden! Stop! Don’t hurt him, please. He didn’t know.”
“Didn’t know what?” Kaden still has Benjamin pinned. Benjamin could easily fight back or push him away, but he doesn’t.
“Three girls called out, and I didn’t know what to do. I just danced on stage. I didn’t do any lap dances or take off my undergarments, I swear.”
Benjamin shakes his head. “Ashley, you shouldn’t have done that. I a
ppreciate you going above and beyond, but you should have just cancelled the party.”
Kaden lets go of Benjamin and comes toward me. “You promised to never strip again.” He says the words slow and so low I barely hear them.
“I know. I’m sorry.” I look at Benjamin. “It was some associates of yours and I didn’t want to cancel on them.”
“Ashley, you are a manager. If you weren’t here, do you think I would’ve stripped down and danced?” I appreciate the humor, but Kaden isn’t having it.
There’s a knock on the door. It’s a police officer and he asks if I can please recall what happened. I start from the beginning, replaying the events that led to the assault, and when I get to the part where Eric slapped me, Kaden growls, “That fucker is dead.”
I continue to recount what happened until I blacked out from the punch to my temple. Once Kaden hears I’m okay and wasn’t raped, he stands. “Let’s go home.”
“Who’s watching Tristan?”
“Liz is with him.”
The drive home is silent and once we get inside, I thank Liz for coming over last minute.
“Anytime. Is everything okay?” She looks at Kaden warily.
“I was kind of assaulted at work.” I try to whisper so Kaden won’t hear me and freak out, again.
“Oh no! Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” My eyes shift to Kaden, who is looking at his phone. Liz, thankfully gets the message.
“I’m going to go.” She gives me a hug. “If you need anything, please let me know.” She closes the door behind her, and I wait a few minutes for Kaden to say something.
When it’s obvious he’s not going to say a word, I do. “I know you’re mad, but can we talk about this?”
He looks up from his phone then walks away from me.
I follow him into our room where he packs a bag. “Where are you going?”
“I’m going to stay at a hotel.”