by Leah Holt
“Right this way, Mr. Devoy.” Holding two menus to her chest, the young woman walked in front of us, leading us through the dinning room.
The place was packed, same as it always was. I was honestly even surprised that we were able to get a table to begin with. When he told me to meet him there, in the back of my mind I was pretty sure I'd show up to him changing the plans because we didn't stand a chance at getting in.
Ash braided his fingers into mine, holding them firmly as we zig-zagged between tables and diners. A small area was roped off in the back, the table adorned with a bright white cloth and a candle in the center.
As we walked closer to the table, I could see rose petals sprinkled over the fabric, painting the white with deep red splashes.
Wow.
My throat tightened, making it hard to swallow. No one had ever gone out of their way like this for me. Not once.
You never gave anyone else a chance.
Ash let go of my hand and pulled out my chair. “For you,” he said, kissing my cheek as I slid onto the plush cushion.
“How did you do this?”
The hostess sat the menus down, giving Ash another smile that made me cringe and my blood boil. I didn't like how she was looking at him, it made me want to jump up from my seat and pin her to wall so she wouldn't question if she could go home with him when we were done.
Stop! You're thinking crazy!
“Your waiter will be right with you.” Her eyes lingered on his, her lips broad and flirting as if he was sitting alone.
“Thank you, Olivia.” Ash gave her a tender smile, arching a high brow.
I had to do my best to not go all wild cave-woman on the girl. But I held it together, reminding myself that he was there with me, not her.
I'd be lying if I said I didn't question if they had slept together at some point in time, if he had laid his smooth talk on that young girl and got her into his bed before we met.
It worked on me, there was no way he hadn't used it before.
“So, you know her. . .” Drawing out my words, I lifted the water to my mouth and took a sip.
“You could say that.” Shifting in his seat, he watched me closely.
“Could I?” I knew my tone had given away everything that was going through my head. The drop in sound, the hard pitch, it was more than obvious.
Chuckling, he placed his elbows on the table and steepled his fingers. “Go on, ask me already.”
“Ask you what?”
“You want to know if I slept with her, so ask me and I'll tell you.”
Well did you? The question sat on my tongue, singing it like hot coals.
It's none of your business, Nol.
I couldn't—no, I shouldn't ask or care.
If it was in the past, that's all that mattered. I wasn't that naive to think he didn't have a history outside of me. I was no virgin, it wasn't fair to rain holy hell on him for his past.
“I wasn't thinking—”
“Yes you were.” His jaw crooked, eyes penetrating me to the core. “So ask me, ask me if I slept with her.”
Fuck, how the hell does he do that?
He was so bold, unafraid to speak his mind no matter what it was. I saw it when he approached me at the bar, it's what drew me to him. I loved how he didn't talk circles around what he wanted or what he was thinking. I didn't have to guess what he meant or what his intentions were. It was a nice change for once.
Fiddling with my hands under the table, I danced my eyes around his face. Of course I wanted to ask him, but I wasn't sure I really wanted to know the answer.
“Does it matter?” I asked, pursing my lips.
Ash smiled, lowering his hand to the table and picking up a single petal. “This isn't that type of question. If you don't really want the answer, don't ask. But, assuming this is going to eat you alive, I'm telling you to ask me.”
Looking down at my hands, I spoke softly. “Well did you?”
“No, I didn't.” Exhaling an audible breath, my body relaxed. Running his finger up and over the soft rose petal, he lifted it to my cheek and slipped it against my skin. “Feel better?”
“I feel ridiculous.” Letting out a heavy exhale, I forced my eyes to his. “I'm sorry, I don't know why the thought bothered me, it just did.”
“Don't, don't do that to yourself.” His smile filled his face as he cupped my chin and lifted my head higher. “Don't ever doubt me, don't doubt us.”
“Us?” I asked, unsure if I had heard him right.
“Yeah, us.” His thumb slipped back and forth over my jaw, following the curve. “I like you, Nola, and when I decide I want something, that's all I can think about.” Holding my face in his hand, his eyes went hawkish as they narrowed. “And all I've been thinking about is you.”
A waiter walked up to the table as Ash released my face, letting his fingers brush against my skin with the weight of a spider-web.
My flesh tingled, burning under hidden flames. Flames only I could feel, a fire only I knew was there. Touching my cheek, I let my fingers rest where he had just been.
He had taken another sliver of my heart, another small bit just for him. Ash was claiming me in pieces, pieces so small I wouldn't have noticed if my heart hadn't been empty to begin with.
It was a lonely world I lived, because I had chosen work over friends, work over boyfriends and a life outside the office.
My father had molded me into the perfect machine. A stern faced, cold-hearted woman who only saw numbers, pages, and power. Heading the magazine came with more than just a bigger paycheck. I had authority over everything.
Which meant I had no desire for anything else—until Ash. I'd make time for this man if it was last thing I did.
What is going on with me?
Placing our orders for drinks and dinner, the waiter took it all down and left us alone again.
Ash sipped his water, his eyes never leaving me once. I couldn't help but feel like I fucked up this special night he had planned with my jealousy.
“This really is beautiful, I can't believe you did this all for me.” Running my hand over the table top, I let it hover just above the petals. “It's amazing.”
Holding out his arms, his lips thinned as he sucked in air. “I told you before, you're a beautiful girl and I'm just a simple man trying to impress you. But don't get me wrong, I'm not soft, as you know.” Winking, the corner of his lip pulled back.
“That I do know.” Giggling, my cheeks blushed and my heart sped up.
Maybe I didn't ruin it after all.
The rest of our dinner was incredible. He told me about how he grew up in South Jersey, and how he had two older brothers. He spent a few years playing football in high school and that got him through college.
Which didn't surprise me; six feet tall, broad shoulders, muscles that had muscles—I wish I had the chance to see him in those tight pants.
We talked about the different places we wanted to visit if we ever had the chance and listed all our favorites; favorite food, band, movie, book—it was perfect.
Holding my hand, we walked through the restaurant. Passing the hostess, he gave her a big smile. “Have a good night, Olivia.”
The girl grinned back, darting her eyes between the two of us. “You too, Uncle Ash.” Throwing her hands to her mouth, she immediately said, “Oh crap, sorry. I didn't mean—”
Holding up his hand, he cut her off. “It's alright. Tell your dad I'll be over Saturday to help him fix that window.”
Olivia nodded, saying she was sorry again with an apologetic half smile.
Uncle Ash. . .
I'm a fucking idiot alright.
Stepping outside, I squeezed his hand with both of mine. “I wish I hadn't asked you that about her now.”
“It's fine, it's kind of funny actually. Gross, but funny.”
“So she's your niece, is that how you did all this?”
“Well, that and my oldest brother owns the place.” Ash chuckled as he unbraided our fi
ngers. “So, where to now?” he asked, wrapping his hands around my hips and spinning me into his chest.
“Where do you want to go?”
“Maybe I worded that wrong, I think I should have asked, your place or mine?”
“Well, I guess that depends.” Swirling my finger against his chest, I looked up. “How thick are your walls?”
A devious smile emerged on his face as he took a small step back. Waving his hand in the air, he yelled, “Taxi!”
Stuffing me into the bright yellow car, he barked at the driver. “River St apartments.” His hand slipped up my thigh, moving dangerously close to my sex, only to pull away.
Ash did that over and over again, bringing his fingers to the very brink of touching my most delicate part. I could feel him there, I could feel the pressure of his fingertips. He was torturing me, making me wet, making my sex clench with each temptation of his touch.
Curling his arm around my shoulders, he pulled me into his chest. It felt so perfect to be in his arms. The small nook wrapped my body, capturing me and licking me inside.
Bringing his lips to the shell of my ear, he traced the curve with his tongue.
And I moaned.
He slipped his fingers under my dress.
I moaned again.
Flicking my panties to the side, he dipped two fingers into my pussy. My thighs opened wider, giving him all the room he needed.
He worked my body as if we had known each other for years. His hands knew where to touch me, his fingers knew how much pressure was just right to make me crumble.
Hot air splashed over my neck as he nuzzled his face into my hair, pushing his fingers in until they reached the knuckles. Nipping at my throat, he pulled out, plunging in hard. Over and over he drove his fingers in and out.
Biting the inside of my cheek, I was trying so hard to stay quiet, to not let one noise escape.
Ash bit my neck, sucking the skin and dragging the sharp edges of teeth down to my collarbone. His hand moved faster and faster, his thumb swirling in rapid circles over my clit.
Every inch of my being was trying to stay silent, to not give the driver a show so he would keep his eyes on the road and not on us in his rearview mirror.
Gripping Ash's thigh, I dug my nails in hard, replacing my voice with a violent scratch. My legs were trembling as the orgasm cracked against my clit like a whip. The groan came, Ash stole it from the air with a filthy kiss as he drove his lips onto mine.
His hand stopped moving, but his thumb, fuck that thumb kept massaging my clit, drawing out the orgasm like the last note in a song. It hung there for an eternity, turning my body to mush.
Pulling his lips from mine, Ash lifted his fingers to his mouth and sucked them clean. “This is just the beginning, don't think that's the last time you'll come tonight.”
I sat breathless, still trying to figure out which way was up and which way was down. Raking my hand through my hair, I could still feel a very faint tingle running up and down my body.
His smile grew wide as the cab rolled to a stop.
And I knew I was in for one hell of a night.
Chapter Five
Nola
Kissing Ash goodbye, he gave me a sleepy smile and stroked the back of his fingers down my cheek. His voice was low and husky as he spoke. “You're perfect, absolutely perfect.”
Pressing my hand against his, I leaned into his touch. “You really know how to make a girl feel special.”
“It's easy when it's true.” Releasing my face, he blew me a kiss.
My heart fluttered as the invisible kiss penetrated my chest and tattooed itself on the muscle. “What do I say to that?” Blushing, I slipped on my heels and stood up.
Stretching his arms up above his head, I watched his abs as they rippled with a deep breath. “You don't need to say anything.” Biting his bottom lip, his lids lowered. “You know I'm going to make you love me, right?”
“Is that right?” Adjusting my dress, I ran my fingers through my hair, brushing out the knots. “Love is a strong word to be tossing around. How do you know you can make me do anything?”
“Because,” he said, his voice playful and amused. “I don't give up.”
“So you're going to stalk me into submission?” Giggling, I watched him as his gaze gobbled up my body, devious and needy.
I swear he was ready to go again, and if I had climbed back into bed with him there was no way I'd ever make it out. As much as the thought sounded really good, I still had a company to run, playtime was over.
Ash pushed himself up in the bed and reached out to hold my hand. “Stalk; no. . .” His voice fell to nothing as he let the silence consume me. His eyes were smiling the same as his lips, his pulse was beating hard and powerful, same as his breathing.
Be strong, it's time to go.
“Then what? How will you make me love you?”
Placing a tender kiss on the inside of my wrist, he answered. “Because we're meant to be, Nola York, we're meant to be. And I won't have it any other way.”
My breath hitched as his words sank in and I couldn't come up with a viable remark to tell him he was wrong. I had dreams of that kind of life. The one where you have that special someone, that one person you could share everything with.
Unfortunately, that wasn't my life, it wasn't in the cards I had been dealt.
Love was a fictitious idea that I only dreamed about as a little girl. The older I got, the more I understood that my career towered above everything else.
Leaning over, I kissed Ash's forehead. “I'll see you later, don't be late to work.” With my head firmly anchored in place, I didn't look back, afraid that if I did, I'd tear my clothes off and jump back in bed.
Catching a cab home to change, I tried to look as presentable as possible. My skin was still illuminated from all the orgasms, my knees were raw and red, and the circles under my eyes needed a strong dose of concealer.
With high black heels, a tea length, bright pink dress, and a smile on my face, I strolled into the office like a woman on fire. I could feel the eyes of my employees as I walked past their desks and heard the subtle whispers being passed around.
The smile on my face probably gave away the evening I had. I couldn't erase it, no matter how hard I tried to keep my lips down.
After getting to his apartment, we barely made it in the door before he stripped me out of my clothes and fucked me over the arm of the couch. We had sex four more times after that; in his bed, on the floor of his living room, on the kitchen counter top, and in the shower before we both passed out from exhaustion.
When I woke up, I felt different. It was hard to explain. I couldn't shake the feeling that my life was suddenly complete, like this small piece had been missing and I didn't know it until I finally had it.
Being with Ash, curling into his arms, the feel of his chest against my back as we drifted off to sleep, it all felt so right.
Stopping in the center of the room, I cocked out my leg and rested a hand on my hip. “This magazine won't write itself people, so unless you all have another job lined up to start tomorrow, I suggest you get back to work.”
Even as I tried to sound stern and authoritative, I still had the urge to smile, and my voice was two octaves too high for a true threat to these people. I felt too good, like I was floating on cloud nine. There was this permanent euphoric sensation flowing through my body, and nothing could shake it free.
Today is going to be a good day.
Heads zipped back into position, fingers typed on keyboards, and the office fell back into its normal rhythm.
Stealing a quick glance, Ash was sitting back in his chair, nibbling on the end of his pen. His eyebrows were arched high as he grinned, flashing me his pearly whites.
'You're late.' His lips move in soundless words as he winked and shook his head as if he was disappointed.
But I held strong, I didn't give him a smile, I didn't let my breath still or my muscles shake, because no one could know what was
going on between us.
It was hard as hell to stay stoic. My legs started trembling as if he had the ability to manipulate my insides with just his mind. A cold shiver scaled my spine as I forced myself to turn away from his unrelenting stare.
This was my world, I ruled this place like a fucking puppeteer, pulling strings on every arm in the room. The last thing I needed were more rumors spreading; there were enough of those going around already.
Stepping into my office, I started to close the door as a heavy hand stopped it. Glancing over my shoulder, Clint's eyes were on my ass.
“Aren't you a sight for sore eyes,” he said, licking his lips. “You didn't have to get all dressed up for me. But if this is your apology for yesterday, you got my attention.”
Rolling my eyes, I turned to face him, wrapping my arms over my chest. Not that it mattered, he still wouldn't look me in the face, keeping his eyes on my tits as if they were his.
I hate when he looks at me like that.
Moving my arms up higher, I did my best to show him as little cleavage as possible. “Is there something you need, Clint?”
“There is now.” Reaching down, he subtly ran his fingers over his cock. “How about we take this inside?”
“How about we don't.” Taking a firm step closer, I blocked him from being able to come through the door. “Look, I'm just coming in, so if you don't need anything, I have stuff to catch up on.”
“Just coming in, huh?” His eyes did this twitchy dance, lids hooding like he was half drunk. “Were you up late?”
“Yeah, I was, not that it's any of your business.”
So why am I giving him an answer?
“Baby, don't be like this. I know I get a little jealous at times, but it's natural.” Lifting a closed hand to his mouth, he bit down on the knuckle. “I mean look at you, hot damn.”
“Don't you have models to ogle for next months issue?” Flaring my nostrils, I gripped the trim of the door and started to close it. “I have work to do, I suggest you do the same.”