by Alex Grayson
I lift her up bridal style to carry her to the bathroom.
“Doing something I’ve been dying to do.”
“And what’s that?” The soft smile she gives me nearly steals my breath.
I set her down and turn on the shower. The water heats immediately, and I adjust it to the perfect temperature. I turn and give her a devilish smile.
“Getting you in the shower to clean you, only to dirty you right back up again.”
Chapter Fifteen
Poppy
I wake to warmth at my back and a heavy weight over my waist. Hot breath blows the small hairs at the back of my neck. The combination of the three has me snuggling deeper into the delicious feeling. Something pokes me in the ass, and I wiggle my behind back further against it. A deep groan in my ear has my eyes opening wide as memories of last night pop into my head. I jerk and try to get away from the arm that’s holding me in place.
“Where are you going?” Asher grumbles sleepily.
I freeze in place when I feel his lips at the back of my neck.
Oh my God! What have I done? Thoughts of Sterling overwhelm my mind, and I close my eyes when a sharp pain enters my chest. I can’t believe I let myself get swept up in Asher. My only excuse is the change in him yesterday; he was so different. The dominant and forceful side to him had me crumbling under his gaze and skillful hands. But in the light of day, guilt eats away at me. I like Sterling. I really like Sterling. I want to know who he is and see where our situation leads.
That’s out the window now, though. All because my libido took over and I slept with Asher. There’s no way I can face Sterling now. But I have to tell him. I cringe when I think of how angry he’ll be. He’s been so sure that I would end up his. He’ll hate me after I tell him and want nothing to do with me. I’ve never cheated on someone, but I know how it feels to be cheated on.
But then I think about the text message from last night. What Sterling said had my insides quivering from the image he portrayed, but also left me angry, hurt, and confused. He almost sounded like he wanted those things to happen. But why? After everything he said about me being his, why would he welcome another man to touch me? If I’m being honest, I wanted to belong to Sterling. It’s utterly reckless, but the heart and body knows what they want. It sounded like he was tossing me away to another man.
Tears prick my eyes. I try once again to pull away from Asher, but again, he doesn’t let me.
“Let go, please,” I whisper, unable to hold back the remorse in my voice.
He lets me go. I go to move away, but the next minute I’m on my back with Asher leaning over me, one of his legs thrown over mine. I turn my face away when he looks down at me with concern. His thumb and forefinger tilt my head back so I’m forced to look at him.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, a frown drawing down his brows.
I swallow thickly and gaze up at him. A tear leaks out the corner of my eye when I see the concern on his face. His eyes flicker back and forth between mine, seeming pained.
“I can’t believe I had sex with you while I’m seeing someone else. I can’t believe I’m going to hurt Sterling like that. He doesn’t deserve it. No one deserves that.” I close my eyes because I can’t look at him anymore. I’m so confused and don’t know what to do.
“Hey,” he says softly. When I don’t open my eyes, he says a bit more forcefully, “Hey, look at me.”
I open them, and what I see has me jerking. Guilt is written all over his face. What does he have to feel guilty about? Yes, he’s the cause of my pain, but it was my decision to sleep with him. It’s not like he forced me to do it. But what I see from him is more than just guilt for being ‘the other man’. This is much deeper.
“It may not seem like it now, but I promise you, Poppy, it’ll work out in the end.”
He swipes at a tear trailing down my face, then bends to kiss my eyes, cheeks, the tip of my nose, then settles a soft kiss against my lips, making my body tingle all over.
I don’t know what to make of his words, but they do little to help the guilt I feel. I’ve screwed up big time. I really like Asher, and had he said he wanted me before Sterling came into the picture, I would have accepted him without question. I’ve always been fascinated by him. But Sterling is in the picture.
But you don’t know him. You know nothing about him. You’ve never even seen him, my mind says.
I wanted to know, though. He intrigues me. I want to know what he looks like. What he does for a living. What he does on weekends. What his childhood was like. These are questions I’ll never know the answers to now, because once he finds out, he’ll hate me.
You can know Asher. He’s here, right now, and he wants you.
But for how long? He said last night he was never giving me up. What does that even mean? Does he want to keep me forever? Or is it until he gets tired of me. Forever is a long time.
Asher’s hands frame my face. “Stop thinking so much and just enjoy.”
I nod, which earns me a heart-stopping smile. I decide to let the cards fall where they may and melt back into the mattress. Asher has been so sweet to me, and the interest is definitely there on both sides. It’s not that I like Sterling more, it’s just he was there first. Well, I guess technically he wasn’t, but he was the first to make a move. But then again, Asher is here and willing to show me his face, willing to share himself openly with me.
I push all thoughts and doubts aside and gaze up at Asher. He smiles down at me and winks.
“That’s better,” he says, running his thumbs down my cheeks. “Now, get your ass outta bed. We have plans today.”
I laugh against the kiss he gives me, before he climbs from the bed. I pull the sheet over me and linger a few moments, taking in all the beauty that is Asher. He has his back to me as he looks through a dresser drawer. He not only has tattoos covering his arms, but also has several across his back, and a couple on his chest and sides. One dips down and goes over his hip bone. The man is absolutely gorgeous.
When I don’t get out of bed, he turns to face me, arching a brow. The sun glints off his eyebrow ring. My breath catches in my throat when his fully hard cock is fully displayed.
Holy shit! That thing actually fit inside me last night?
With my limited experience, I’ve only ever seen one cock in my life with my own eyes, but I’m no prude and have seen a few porn videos. Asher has every single one beat. He’s fucking huge! My mouth waters and a pool of moisture seeps out between my legs.
Asher chuckles as he palms his cock and starts to stroke it.
“I guess you like what you see?” he asks, heat flaring in his eyes.
I bite my lip and nod. “Yes.”
“How much?” He takes a step closer to the bed. “Show me. Pull the sheet down.”
I blush and grip the sheet tight to my chest. I was bold last night, but I’m not sure I can be today. The room was shrouded in shadows, but now the sun filters through the window, lighting up the room.
Asher’s feet carry him to the end of the bed where he grabs the sheet and starts to slowly pull it down as his hand continues to stroke his cock. I watch, fascinated, while he strokes himself slowly, up and down, up and down.
“Come on, Poppy. I want to see how wet you are for me.” His voice is husky with desire and it sends sparks up my legs, through my pussy, and into my stomach.
My fingers loosen on the sheet. Asher sees this and gently pulls it from my grasp. The cool air touches my body inch by inch. The feel of the soft material sliding down leaves my body shivering. When he pulls it past my nipples, they tighten up and turn to hard little points. His eyes follow the sheet as he reveals every part of me. He looks like he’s seeing me for the first time. His breathing has become labored, and I didn’t believe it was possible, but his cock gets larger. My own breaths come out in pants.
Once the sheet is past my hips, he brings his eyes up to mine. He tugs the sheet over my pussy and down my legs, then drops it to the floor. He br
eaks his gaze from mine and they land on my center. His nostrils flare and a barely heard groan leaves his throat.
“Bend your knees and spread them. Let me see how much your body wants mine,” he growls. His face is fierce and his body looks tight. He looks to be restraining himself from getting to me. The look makes me feel powerful and sexy.
Wanting to please him, I do as he says.
“More.”
I do, and feel pleasure course through my middle when his hand fists his cock and moves faster. I feel so exposed, but I love his appreciative gaze.
I feel a bit of déjà vu as I lay there with my legs spread wide with him watching me. I was just recently in this same position with Sterling, but this time, I see the face of the man who watches me, and I can see how much he likes that I’m exposing myself to him. A twinge of guilt tries to worm its way in, but I push it away.
Keeping his eyes between my legs, he says, “Now touch yourself.”
Knowing this will turn him on more gives me the courage to do what he says. My hand travels down my chest, over my stomach, until it meets my slick pussy. My body jerks when I touch my clit. I’m so wet and warm, and it feels so good. I feel the heat of his eyes on me, so I lift mine and see he’s moved closer to the bed. His knees touch the mattress and he’s holding onto one of the tall bed posts, breathing heavily.
“Do you like touching yourself, Poppy?” he groans, back to slowly running his hand up and down his shaft. The head is a deep purple and there’s a pearly drop of precum on the tip. I lick my lips at the sight. I want to know what he tastes like.
He follows my gaze and looks down at himself.
“Don’t worry, baby. You’ll get plenty of chances to take me into your mouth. Now answer my question.”
What question? He asked me a question? A blush crawls up my cheeks when I remember what he asked.
“Yes,” I answer quietly, “but I want you to touch me more.”
He smirks sexily at me and kneels on the end of the bed. I’m resting against the pillows in a reclined position, so I can still see him without straining. The heat of his body drifts up to mine. I place two fingers at my hole and dip just the tips in. It feels incredibly sexy doing this in front of him. I close my eyes and arch my body when I push my fingers further inside.
“Keep your eyes on me. I want to see them as you pleasure yourself.”
I force my eyes open to meet his, moaning when one of his warm rough hands run up my leg. I dig my heels into the mattress and lift my hips. He scoots up the bed a little more so his thighs are beneath my still bent legs, leaving them draped over his. His eyes never leave mine and his hand continues to work his cock. My belly quivers and my pussy starts to spasm. My moaning becomes louder. I’m on the edge, about ready to tip over, when he grabs my wrist and stops me.
I whimper in protest and try to take my hand back. I’m so damn close! I need to come!
“Not without me,” he scolds, and grabs my other wrist to yank me to a sitting position in front of him.
His lips take mine for a brief kiss, before I squeak in surprise when he flips me over so I’m on my hands and knees with my ass in the air. My hair has fallen from the band I put in it last night and curtains around my head, so I use my arm to flip it back and over one shoulder. I look back to see him watching himself as he lines up his cock against my center, feeling just the head at my opening. He looks up at me, one corner of his mouth tipping up, and slams his hips forward, impaling me on his shaft. I scream and drop my head to the bed.
Holy fuck!
I fist my hands in the sheets as Asher gives it to me in a punishing manner. He pounds away at my pussy without abandon, and any pain I was feeling is now replaced with so much pleasure. The grip Asher has on my hips, I have no doubt, will leave bruises. But they’ll make my body tingle every time I see them, and will leave disappointment behind when they go away.
Asher’s forceful thrusts are unforgiving. His balls slap against my clit, sending shards of delicious pleasure through me. My tits bounce and my nipples scrub against the sheets, stimulating them. I’ve never been taken so hard before, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to go back to sweet and soft again.
Asher reaches one hand around and pinches my clit. I cry out and push my hips back against him. My orgasm hits hard and sends my body reeling into bliss. I feel tingles at my toes, working their way up my legs. I start to become lightheaded and my vision blurs from the force of my release. Hands at my hips hold me still as he thrusts three more times, before coming to a stop with him all the way inside. I feel him jerk and he groans low in his throat. Something wet drips down on my back that must be Asher’s sweat. His lips meet the back of my neck and he drops his head down between my shoulder blades. I’m having a hard time drawing in air. My legs give out, but his hands hold me and slowly lower me to the bed with him behind me. I can feel his heart racing against my back.
He murmurs something against my neck that I can’t understand.
“What?” I turn my head around and look at him over my shoulder.
He gives me a stunning smile. His breath has evened out. “Nothing. Just admiring your beauty and wondering how in the fuck I got so lucky.”
I can’t help the smile that takes over my face. “Let me know when you find the answer.”
He chuckles and lays a kiss on the tip of my nose.
“All right, you distracted me enough. Get your ass outta this bed. We have a schedule to keep.”
He slaps my butt, making me squeal. He climbs out of the bed and drags me to the end by my ankle. I laugh and tug, but he doesn’t let go.
“Up, woman! Get dressed and meet me in the kitchen. Breakfast will be waiting.”
He walks back to the dresser and pulls out some clothes. I sit up and watch him dress. My mouth drops open when he’s finished.
“What?” he asks when he notices my shocked state.
I close my mouth and swallow, trying to wet the dryness in my throat.
“I’ve never seen you in anything other than dark clothes, or slacks,” I admit.
He looks sinfully hot. The shirt he’s wearing is a white button-down and the jeans look worn and soft, like he wears them often. His hair is disheveled. I’m mesmerized by the look and want to crawl up his body.
“Stop looking at me like that,” he growls, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt, “or we’re never leaving this room.”
I blush and giggle, embarrassed I got caught staring at him. His eyes rake down my body, reminding me that I’m naked, and my blush becomes deeper. I reach for the sheet to cover myself, but his words stop me.
“Don’t even think about it.”
I hesitate, but drop the sheet and stand. It’s stupid to be embarrassed anyway. It’s not like he hasn’t seen me naked, or felt every inch of my body. I tremble with the reminder. He’s definitely felt me all over.
With one last smoldering look, he turns to leave the room, but stops with the doorknob in his hand and says over his shoulder, “Wear your cowgirl boots.”
I opt to use his shower instead of mine. It doesn’t take me long. I walk out with a towel wrapped around me and spy Asher in the kitchen, talking on his phone. His eyes land on me as I walk past. I feel his heated gaze all the way to the door. A tiny smile plays on my lips as I close it behind me. I walk over to my suitcase and heft it up on the bed.
I’ve never understood why people put their clothes away in the dressers at hotels, unless it’s a dress or a suit or something that’s easily wrinkled. It just seems pointless to me because you’ll just have to load the suitcase back up in a day or two. Of course, Asher is a man, and a rich one at that, so I’m sure he’ll use every article of clothing he placed in the drawer, so there will be no unloading and reloading his suitcase, except for his used clothes. I, on the other hand, am a woman, and like to always pack more than what I’ll need.
Unsure of where we’re going, I decide on a pair of jean shorts and a cream colored sleeveless silk blouse with a c
ami underneath. After slipping on some socks, I tug on my black cowgirl boots. I pull my hair up into a ponytail and apply some light makeup. At the last minute, I grab the cowboy hat Asher got me yesterday. Picking up my phone and slipping it into my purse, I walk out of my room. Asher is still in the kitchen, sans the phone. He stands from the bar stool when he sees me coming. His eyes light up and it sends flutters through my belly. He pulls me to him and plants a kiss against my lips. I want to linger and never stop kissing him, but he backs away and ushers me to a chair.
“I’ve made you a plate. Eat so we can get going.”
I take a seat and look down at the plate. Everything on here is my favorite.
“Wow! You’re either really good, or you’ve been spying on me. You picked all my favorite breakfast items.
I laugh and look over to him. He has a strange look on his face that I can’t decipher. Before I can question him on it, he turns, walks around the bar, and pours some coffee into a mug. After putting some sugar and creamer in it, he sets it down in front of me and walks back around the bar and takes the stool beside me. He must have seen me make my coffee before in the office because it tastes perfect.
Picking up my fork, I look over and notice he doesn’t have a plate for himself.
“You’re not eating?”
“I ate while you were getting ready,” he says, turning in his seat and propping one arm on the bar and one arm on the back of mine. His knee brushes against my hip.
I spear a chunk of pineapple and bring it to my mouth. I feel his eyes on me.
I shift in my chair. “Are you going to watch me eat?”
“Yes,” he says simply.
Um… okay.
“Why?”
I feel light tugs on my ponytail, indicting he’s playing with it.
“Because I like looking at you. Now eat,” he urges.
I decide to do just that, but feel weird with him staring. My eyes keep flickering over to him, and each time he’s still looking at me.
“So, where are we going?”
“You’ll see,” is all he says.