“Comfy?”
Kicking off his shoes, he smiles. “Yep, now I am. What’s happening, where’s the shorty?”
“Napping. She’s like a spinning top. Go go go and then she crashes. No wonder my sister is tired and grumpy all the time. What are you up to?”
“Not much. I figured since the girls were out wedding shopping I’d go look at suits. Ya still good with being my best man?”
“Obviously, you need the best man for the job, right?”
“Whatever, put something on the TV that doesn’t involve catty housewives, will ya?” Turning his body so he’s resting his head on the armrest, Ben looks like he’s about to nap.
Flipping through the channels, I stop on a movie we can both agree on and settle in for those few hours of nothing. My mind drifts to Ashton and wondering if she and Piper are having fun. I’m sure they are and she’s hating every minute of dress shopping. Somehow, I don’t see Ashton embracing the entire bridal shop experience.
An hour passes with Ben and I watching television and debating which of the Fast and Furious movies are the best. I don’t care how much he argues, the first will always be the best. It’s a classic.
Hope woke from her nap starving and looking for Ashton. When I explained where Ashton was, she was not pleased to be left out of the dress shopping. So, when Piper texted Ben that she and Ashton had been freely accepting the complimentary champagne provided by the bridal shop, I agreed to tag along to pick them up.
Ben suggested Hope and I ride with him to get the girls since they had Ashton’s car. That way, I could drive her home while Ben took Piper straight home. Hope is telling us all about how princesses should have many dresses and in every color. I assume she’s going to think this dress shop is the greatest thing to ever happen to her.
The door chimes to signal our arrival in the shop. The girl at the front counter sees something she likes because her posture changes as soon as we walk through the doors. Fluffing her hair and putting, what I assume, is a little more sway to her hips as she approaches, I glance at Ben, who is too busy tapping on his phone.
“Hello, handsome.”
Great, she’s directing this at me.
“Hi. I’m Jameson and this is Ben and my niece, Hope.”
“Mmmm, Jameson. Very nice to meet you. I’m Trinity.” Extending her hand that is laced with dagger-like nails, Trinity giggles as I extend my own in response.
“Piper said she’s just changing out of a gown and we should head back to where they are. Hope, what do you say? Do you want to go see the girls? I bet all of the pretty dresses are back there.”
“Princess dresses, Ben. Let’s go!”
“Excuse me, Trinity.” Dodging what I expect was going to be shameless flirting, I follow Hope as she passes rows upon rows of dresses to where a row of couches sit.
“Hope, don’t touch those. Just look with your eyes, please.”
Mumbling something I can’t hear, and frankly probably don’t want to hear, Hope puts her hands behind her back. A strong effort by a five-year-old not to touch anything. Piper comes out from behind a curtain and smiles at Ben, who walks toward her. After a few whispers, giggles by Piper, and kisses by Ben, they both turn to me.
“Hey, Jameson.”
“Piper, you look pretty.”
“Oh, thanks.”
Distracted by the curtain next to the room Piper just exited opening, I am almost certain time stops for a minute.
“Piper, I don’t know why you insisted I put this on. It’s your day, if you want me to …”
Pausing the moment she sees me, Ashton stares with a stunned expression and hint of embarrassment on her cheeks. Swallowing what feels like a boulder in my throat, I have no words other than “wow,” which I fear was just said out loud.
“Ashton, you look like a princess. Uncle J, can I try on a princess dress too?”
I hear the words being spoken to me but I continue to stand here. Stunned stupid. That’s the only way to describe this moment. Stupid. The dress Ashton is wearing is a purple color; I’m not sure what you’d call it exactly but that doesn’t matter because on her it’s perfect. The top of the dress is lighter than the bottom. Strapless, the middle dipping between her breasts, the light material a criss-cross pattern down to just above her waist. The bottom of the dress is long and I can tell she’s wearing some sort of high heel by the way the tips stick out from the bottom. She’s pulled her hair back into a low bun, which only elongates her neck. Perfection.
Tugging of my hand pulls me from the moment and I look down to find Hope staring up at me, frustrated and excited.
“Not today, we, uh, we need to get going soon. Maybe another time. Ashton, you look…”
“Beautiful is the word he’s searching for. Ash, I knew this was the dress. You look amazing. Woohoo, Maid of Honor dress is checked off the list!”
“You think? I don’t know, it’s kind of revealing, don’t you think? Ben? Do you want all of your sister’s business on display at your wedding?”
All eyes turn to Ben, who up to this point hasn’t said a single word. Wrapping his arms around Piper’s waist and resting his head on top of hers, he simply smiles. “Whatever Piper wants. You look pretty and I don’t think your ‘business’ as you call it is on display.”
Ashton takes a step up on a box they have in front of the mirrors and turns side to side. She can act like she isn’t sure about the dress, but her movements say something completely different. She knows she looks great. Thankfully nobody here knows the unspeakable things I’m imagining doing to her in that dress. Very dirty things.
Clearing my throat, I sit down on the couch in an effort to hide what is happening in my shorts. This woman gives me more public hard-ons than anyone in the history of hard-ons.
“I guess. If you’re sure, Pipe.”
“I’m more than sure. Now I’m starved and that champagne is giving me a headache. Go change so we can eat.”
“Wait, I thought I was driving Ashton and you guys were going home?”
“Oh, well, I’ve decided I’m hungry now. So, dinner before we go home. Hey, Hope, how do you feel about Rosa’s for dinner? Some tacos sound good?”
“My mom says tacos are always the answer. My daddy says we’re going to name the baby Taco because that’s all mama has been eating.”
A round of laughter dies down as Ashton excuses herself to the dressing room.
“Hey, Jameson, since Hope’s booster is in Ben’s car why don’t we take her now and you meet us there?”
“Piper, what are you up to?” Ben asks, nudging her with his shoulder.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Piper Lawrence has zero poker face, which I know from the many times she’s tried to play cards with us. I know she’s up to something but, honestly, I’m too distracted by the thought of Ashton undressing two feet away from me to care.
“What do you say, Princess Hope? Want to ride with Ben and I while your uncle waits for Ashton?”
“I don’t know, what kind of music do you listen to?”
“Whatever you want. Let’s go,” Piper says, grabbing Hope’s little hand and walking toward the doors.
As soon as the door chimes signaling their departure, I fly out of my seat and sneak behind the curtain. Gasping at the sound of the curtain opening, Ashton flies around to face me, holding the dress she was just wearing in front of her. With her standing there in nothing but a pair of high heels and her panties, I allow myself two seconds to appreciate it before I pounce. Like a lion after its prey, I back her up against the mirror. Dropping the dress in her hands, she reaches for and tugs at my hair as her mouth parts for me. No words are necessary.
This is about need.
A need to touch.
A need to feel her.
Reaching between us, I’m greeted by her sweet wetness. Without hesitation, I thrust one then two fingers inside her. Her grip intensifies, sending a shot of pain through my scalp. Pumping, it takes seconds bef
ore she tightens around my fingers. Swallowing her cry with a kiss, I continue my assault of her mouth as she comes down from her orgasm.
I pull away from her mouth and rest my head on the wall next to hers. Our heavy breaths fill the small space just as there’s a knock outside of the room.
“Umm, is everything okay in there?”
“Yes, I was just having trouble getting out of the dress. I’m all set.”
“If you’re sure, I could come in…”
“NO! I mean, no thank you.”
Resting against my chest, Ashton’s head bobs up and down as I quietly laugh. Smacking me, she pushes me away. Shit, she looks pissed. My lips pucker in a pout as I reach deep for some innocence of my youth.
“I cannot believe you did that,” she spats between clenched teeth.
Damn, she really is pissed. Pulling on her shorts in one swift motion, she reaches for her top, which is hanging near me. I grab it from her reach and hold it behind my back.
“Quit screwing around, give me that.”
“Hey, what’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong? You just … did that in public.”
Reaching behind me, she grabs her top and pulls it over her head, then kicks off the heels she was wearing and slides her feet into a pair of flip-flops, grabbing her purse off the chair in the corner. Curtain flung aside, she stomps out of the room, leaving me alone to smile awkwardly at the sales girl.
“So, umm, I thought maybe I could give you my number.”
Is this girl for real? Obviously, I was just in the dressing room with Ashton, and unless she’s truly dense, she knows I wasn’t helping her with a zipper.
“Sorry, sweetheart, I don’t think so. But thanks for the offer.”
If I didn’t know Ashton Sullivan personally, I would think an ice queen had just made her way through the store and out the front door. The chill in the air is evident and sends a shiver down my spine. I didn’t plan on doing anything when I went in that room, but fuck me if the look on her face and just her standing there wasn’t enough to draw something out of me I’ve never experienced. I can’t get enough of her. No matter how much she fights it, I can’t.
Standing next to her, I motion for her to hand me her keys. A grunt and stomp of her foot is the only response as she places the keys in my hand. I cannot believe I’m about to drive the little green machine. If anyone sees me, I’ll never live it down.
No words are spoken on the short drive to Rosa’s. Before I can even put the car in park, Ashton has the passenger door open. I grab her forearm and she halts, but doesn’t face me.
“I’m sorry. Don’t be mad. I had a momentary lapse. You just looked so fucking hot and I just … I’m sorry. Fuck, I feel like I’m always apologizing to you.”
“I think we need to take a step back. Things like that can’t happen, Jameson. Scratching a mutual itch is one thing, but I’m not an exhibitionist.”
“Wait, look at me.” As she turns to face me, I note that where I usually see sass is nothing except blankness and a little bit of sadness. “What do you mean, take a step back?”
“I think we need to put a pin in this thing. Go back to being friends without the benefits. It’s too much.”
Letting go of her arm, I watch as she walks into Rosa’s and takes a seat at the table next to Hope. Great, I’ve completely fucked this up. Not only is she upset but I’ve managed to screw myself out of, well, screwing.
That’s not true, this is more than screwing. These last few weeks have been a taste of what could be and I’d be lying to myself if I didn’t admit I liked it. The laughs, the banter, the no-nonsense way it all just worked. I liked it all. I like her. I like being with her. Ashton challenges me more than any person ever has. She makes me want to try harder at being a better person. She brings out the best in me.
I just ruined all of that with one horny moment. Not my finest moment and certainly one I’m going to have to beg forgiveness for.
There has been zero begging on my part. There has been zero conversation about what happened at the bridal shop. Ashton has either intentionally been avoiding me or she’s busy. Knowing her like I do, I’d go with the former.
My work has been ridiculously busy this week. I’ve added interviews to the mix and it’s thrown my work life into a tailspin. So far, the candidates that Ashton chose have been great. Today is the final interview and I’m hoping to make an offer by end of business tomorrow. Two of the ladies have immediate availability which, truthfully, pushes them to the top of the list.
I also video chatted with Ben and Ashton’s parents this morning. Their cruise has ended but since the work on their house won’t be complete for a few more weeks, they’ve decided to visit family on the East Coast. I assured them both that Ashton was doing well and we’ve had minimal conflict. Each of the elder Sullivans have been witness to a less-than-friendly conversation between Ashton and myself in the past.
Pouring myself a cup of coffee, I’m about to take a sip when I hear a woman’s throat clear behind me. Turning, I lay my eyes upon a drop-dead gorgeous blonde. Long legs, tiny waist, hair flowing over her shoulders and stopping just above a pair of breasts that would normally have me licking my lips and imagining all the things I’d like to do with them. Except, this time none of that crosses my mind. This is the type of woman I would have flirted with and asked out in the past. Before Ashton and I had our arrangement. Before I realized I didn’t like that version of myself.
Still offering the smile, just not a predatory one, I step toward the young woman.
“Hello, you must be Mr. Strauss. I’m Minnie Walker.”
Accepting her hand, I’m a little taken aback. When I saw the name “Minnie Walker” on the resume, I assumed I would be meeting with a much older woman, someone closer to my mother’s age than my own.
Her resume sets forth quite an education and strong employment background, which is great, but I think it was the cover letter that caught Ashton’s attention. While the beginning was standard applicant basics, she ended by stating she had recently had a few life-changing circumstances and needed a fresh start. Hopefully those circumstances don’t include murder or mayhem. Well, mayhem may be okay with this crew.
“Jameson, please. It’s very nice to meet you. How about we sit? May I offer you coffee or water?”
“No, umm, thank you.” Her response is laced with nervousness, which puts me a little at ease. I note that in the thirty seconds we’ve been standing here, she’s checked her watch twice.
To make this interview less formal, I join Minnie in one of the guest chairs. Reaching across the desk to grab her resume, my notepad, and a pen, I peer at Minnie, who seems to have a nervous tick by the way her foot is tapping double time. Flipping through the list of questions I’ve been using, I toss the notepad on my desk and begin.
“Ms. Walker, is everything okay? You seem a little nervous. There’s no reason to be nervous.”
“Minnie, please. I don’t mean to be rude. I’m sorry.”
“It’s no problem. If you’re sure everything is okay we’ll get started.”
Ninety minutes later and Minnie has not only blown me away with her suggestions of changes to better utilize my bookkeeping system, or lack thereof, she’s now finished completing her employment paperwork. You bet your sweet ass I hired her. She explained her life-altering moments and, I’ll be honest, it hit me right in my sympathetic heart.
“Minnie, I’m really looking forward to working together. Thank you for taking a chance on our little company.”
“Are you kidding? You’re a godsend. Thank you, Jameson. And, thank you for the babysitter referral.”
Catching me off-guard, Minnie hugs me instead of a normal handshake goodbye. A hug I return without a second thought. This poor girl has been through the ringer the last few months, I’m sure she needs this hug more than she’s letting on.
“Sorry, that was completely unprofessional. I’m just so relieved and grateful. I know I unloaded a mess of t
hings on you, but I just knew the minute I pulled into this town that this is where we are supposed to be. I appreciate the opportunity.”
“Stop thanking me. Now, go get those kids and move into your new home. I’ll see you on Monday.”
Thanking me, yet again, Minnie leaves the office. Just as I’m picking up my pen to sign her final paperwork before filing it away, the door to the office slams against the wall, drawing my attention.
“Dude, who was that hot piece of ass?”
“Owen, that woman is our new office manager. Show some respect.”
“She’s hot. Totally your type. Hell, she’s everyone’s type. Did you see that rack?”
God, did I sound like this? Horny and disrespectful, only seeing a woman’s body and not caring about how I never bothered to know the person? No wonder Ashton walked around disgusted with me. I’m a little disgusted with myself.
“First, quit being a dick. Second, she’s had a shit run of life lately so back off. Lastly, she’s wicked smart and we’re lucky to have her, so keep your dick in your pants.”
“Whoa, bro. Fine. Chill.”
“What’s with all the ‘dude’ and ‘bro’ business? Watching old eighties movies again?”
“You know I love a good classic. Anyway, now that you’ve hired someone, are you done working your fingers to the bone? You have time for your buddies again? Landon’s been a whiny little bitch; he misses you or some pussy shit.”
“Whatever, you guys are both pussies so I’m sure you miss me, too. What’s going on this weekend? I don’t have any plans.”
“The Road, obviously. What else are we going to do? I think Landon has a crush on that new bartender anyway. I mean she’s hot and all but he must know he has no chance with her. I’m pretty sure she’s batting for the other team. It’s pretty fantastic to watch him try to get her attention.”
“Sure, why not. It’s Friday though, isn’t Ash working tonight? No new bartender?”
“Exactly. Which is why we can take his punk ass out. He won’t sit at the bar all night trying to flirt with her. You want me to pick you up?”
Tequila & Tailgates (A Country Road Novel - Book 2) Page 16