That pulled a low groan from James. "Oh, honey." When he didn't immediately move, Ashley strained against his hold on her, leaning toward him with a frown.
"You said for me to ask."
"I know."
"Then, why aren't you letting me?" she asked, licking her lips. It was easy to let her embarrassment go. She had never been so bold, never asked another man to do what she had asked James. Sure, she'd done it numerous times, but she had never wanted it like this—so bad, it was like an ache in her, every second that she didn't have her mouth on him.
He chuckled and released her hands. "Keep pushing, and you'll end up going over my knee."
"Maybe I want that, too," she told him, relaxing more into who she was when she was with him.
"Baby girl," he moaned, fingers moving to brush against her mouth. "You're going to be the death of me." She grinned when his hands moved to his belt.
"Maybe," she whispered, watching with rapt attention as he unbuckled his belt, the slight clink of the metal buckle hitting his thigh when he let it go making her blood feel hot. Natasha had told her that she had all the power, and now, here she was, seeing it in action. James was doing exactly as she asked, and it made her feel so at ease, so utterly comfortable and safe that she didn't hesitate to slide off the bed and fall to her knees in front of him when he unzipped his pants.
"Let me. Please?" She gave him a beseeching look, and at the slight tip of his head, she eagerly reached for him, enjoying the taut muscles under her touch. She scraped her fingernails across his stomach and down his sides, following that ridge of muscles that framed his hips and down further to the top of his boxers. She pressed a kiss against his stomach, nuzzling her face against him and letting out a puff of warm breath that set the big man in front of her trembling.
"You're shaking," she observed, looking up at him.
"You do that to me, baby girl," he replied without hesitation. The earnestness she heard in James' voice floored her and she wanted more. If she set him to shaking with her fingertips and a puff of breath, how would he be when she had him in her mouth? And again, what would he be like when he was making love to her?
She couldn't wait for that. It had been so good the first time, but now, things were different between them. Things were better, and she could barely breathe as she pulled down his boxers to mid-thigh, setting his cock free. It hung heavy and thick against his thigh, and she couldn't stop herself from eagerly taking the tip of him into her mouth, tongue and lips working to feel and taste every bit of him. She bobbed her head, taking more of him into her mouth, and when she moaned, she loved how it made James shudder and his knees go weak. His hands came to her hair, fingers carding through her hair and gently holding her while she continued to control the pace. He was giving her control, she knew that, could tell in the strength she felt in his tightly wound body as she sped up her movements, her hands coming up to touch him. One hand cradled his balls, while she stroked him long and steady in time with her mouth sliding up and down the length of him.
"Baby," he groaned, those strong hands of his that were capable of violence now so impossibly gentle on her that she urged herself to take more of him. Her lips hugged his thick cock, tongue sliding along the underside, her hands and mouth working together faster and faster until he was hitting the back of her throat.
"Sweet girl, just like that, take me, honey." He was groaning now, hands shaking where they still rested in her hair, fingers warm on her skin. James slid his hands down until his fingers slid out of her hair and skimmed her skin. Ashley felt him push lightly on the back her neck, the increase in pressure making her eyes dart up to meet his. He was staring down at her, chest rising and falling in time with each bob of her head.
"Is this okay?" he asked, surprising her. His eyes were a storm over the sea, and he didn't look away from her until she realized what he was asking her. He was asking for some of that control back, the heavy weight of his hands that was increasing with each passing second was evidence of that. A heat in Ashley's belly ignited when he tugged on a lock of her hair, the pull teasing, searching her out, and she moaned happily around his cock. She was greedy in her need for him, continuing to suck and love on his throbbing length that was swelling and filling her mouth. Her eyes drifted closed when he pulled lightly on her hair again, and she hummed enthusiastically, making him cry out in pleasure.
"Honey, that's it, taking me so good. You're so good for me," he crooned, fingers now yanking on her hair in a way that made her gasp happily around his cock. "Take it for me, good girl. Are you going to take it all for me?"
She nodded, body now nearly sagging against his legs as she opened her mouth to take him entirely. "Tell me you're going to take it like my good girl."
Ashley gasped when James pulled her back off him with a pop of her tongue. "I'm going to take it," she rasped, voice hoarse from taking him deep. "I want it. I want it so bad. I'm going to swallow it, all of it, just—"
"Oh, baby," James growled, snapping his hips forward and pushing past her lips once more, pulling a groan of pleasure from Ashley when she felt them moving now in tandem with him guiding her over his cock. "Taking it so good for me. You love it, don't you?"
She almost sobbed in reply. This was everything she wanted, to be here with him like this, to know that he was in control of it, that he had her, the steady pressure of his hands on her, the feel of him in her mouth and against her front, grounding her in a way that made her feel so alive and safe at the same time.
"I'm going to come, honey," he choked out, his movements speeding up. He pulled her hair back and gathered it into one hand while he continued to fuck into her mouth then dropped a hand to cradle her face. Ashley opened her eyes, knowing he was close. She wanted to see what this man would look like when he came undone. She was willing to bet it was as beautiful and wild as he was.
"Swallow it down. I want to taste myself on you."
His words excited her. She wanted to taste him, to swallow every drop and show that she could do it. Ashley flicked her tongue over the head of his cock and placed her hands on his hips, urging him forward, begging him to finish in her mouth. The only thought on her mind was to bring him to that edge of his pleasure and then to push him just a bit further until she wasn't the only one on her knees. She wanted to make him weak for her just the way he had done to her.
"Make me feel so good, that hot mouth, honey!" James' voice rambled above her until she was sure he didn't know what he was saying anymore, and her heart soared at knowing she'd been the one to do it to him. She felt him come, the warm, salty taste of him hitting her tongue, and she sucked him down, not willing to lose a drop.
"So good for me, little one," James breathed. He moved away from her shakily, his legs and feet unsteady, and Ashley grinned up at him. "You're beautiful, baby. I couldn't have asked for you to do any better."
"Thank you," she whispered, fighting back the word that had been right on the tip of her tongue—Daddy. She'd wanted to say it, had said it from that first night with him, and now found it fighting to be said in the quiet of the bedroom with only the sound of his ragged breathing for company. She swallowed back the title and looked away, knowing her eyes would give her heart away before any words ever did. James bent low and picked her up off her knees before she could make another move.
He nuzzled against the side of her neck, his lips grazing her skin with a soft sigh. "Come here, beautiful girl." He cradled her against his chest like she weighed nothing, arms tight around her as he crossed the small space to his bed. He set her down gently, like she was made of glass, and for the first time ever, Ashley felt that way.
Beautiful. Delicate. Cherished.
It was all there in the way he touched her and looked at her, his eyes moving over her skin with a sweet heat that felt both like sunburn and something more lasting. Something that sounded a lot like Daddy.
Chapter 8
Ashley shifted and did her best to not let on that she was staring at James.
He was cooking for her, honest to goodness cooking for her. Pancakes, at that, at the ungodly hour of 5:00 am. When she'd tried to protest, he'd brushed off her comments with a wave of his hand.
"You have a big day ahead of you," he'd told her, pressing a kiss to the tip of her nose. "You need proper fuel for the day. I know Natasha always complains about the fare offered by the company."
He wasn't wrong. She'd also complained about the lack of nutrition in the food catered during the especially long days, and today was scheduled to be one such day. After a slow start, Ashley was finally doing major fits for the production principals, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing since that meant she got to spend more time with Natasha, at some point, but it did mean that she was in for a marathon of a day.
She leaned forward on her elbows and watched James cook. He had a kitchen towel thrown over one shoulder as he flipped a pancake onto a plate and dished up a serving of the eggs that he'd just finished. He was the picture of domestic bliss. Well, if you ignored the scar that ran the length of his face, the scars that littered his knuckles, and the grace he moved with that screamed predator.
"Eat up," James murmured, giving her a soft smile and tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear. "Or else."
"Bossy," she sighed at him, but she was smiling as she reached for her fork.
James snorted and turned back to the stove, preparing his own breakfast. "You like it."
She nodded at him, tipping her fork in imaginary salute. "True."
"When do you think you'll be done?" James asked when he took a seat beside her.
Ashley shrugged and thought it over. Today would be longer than normal, and it was tradition to go out after the major fits were done for principals. At least that was what one of the production benefactors, Tony Wright, swore up and down, that it was a tradition on any production he was backing. Ashley suspected it was just an excuse for the man to be surrounded by the beautiful dancers, but she wasn't going to begrudge a night of fun, especially one that didn't ask her to open her pockets. The entire thing was going to be footed by Tony and was just the boost to morale the crew needed to feed the excitement of settling into what was entering the most grueling stage of production, to get ready for their opening night.
She smiled when she felt James' hand tangle in her hair as they sat eating breakfast. Things had changed so drastically and she had her roommates to thank for it, which blew her mind. Ashley should be riding the subway and grabbing whatever was quick for breakfast so that she wasn't late starting her day, not sitting with this beautiful man eating a homemade breakfast he'd made for her. He would be driving her to the Soho Hall the production team was calling home. She was safe, taken care of, and most all, she felt at peace with how everything was falling into place around her. Men like James weren't supposed to pay attention to a woman like her, or at least they had never done so in the past. Ashley had been fine with that, not taking issue with her place in the background. She didn't attract the eye, never had, and never thought she would. From the beginning, as a dancer, she'd always been one of the ones just out of view, filling out the stage with essential choreography but not the star. It was fine. Ashley had never much liked dancing anyway. Costuming was where her heart had always been, and it was there, and only there, that she had shone brighter than any of her colleagues. Now, at twenty-two, she was the lead costumer and in line for big things if this went well for her. Her talent and vision were singular in the world of theatrics and aesthetics. Ashley was special, but she had never anticipated being able to find that same sort of special with a man who set her ablaze like James.
She glanced sideways at him and blushed when she caught him staring at her. "What?" she asked.
"Eat your food, little one. You're daydreaming over there."
He shot her a look, and she huffed out an indignant sigh but picked up her fork again and did as he asked. Exploring how much she could push back was exhilarating, and Ashley was hungry to understand her boundaries with James. Breaking rules was a healthy part of learning after all, wasn't it?
After a quick breakfast, the pair left the apartment and headed down to the garage where Ashley was shocked to see a top of the line Audi sedan waiting. She balked when he hit the clicker for it and it beeped once as it unlocked.
"This is your car?" she whispered, unable to hide her shock.
James chuckled and nudged her forward with a soft touch at the small of her back. "It is, honey. Now get in, so I can get you to work."
She nodded and couldn't stop the sigh that came out of her at the soft buttery feel of leather beneath her fingertips as she sank into the seat.
"Like the car, I take it?" James asked, starting the engine.
Ashley blushed. "It's a very nice car," she told him, ducking her head.
"It makes me happy you like it," he said, a hand landing on her knee and giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'll be picking you up and taking you to work, so it's good you like it."
She blinked owlishly at him, surprised by his words. "You will be?"
He nodded, eyes on the road but fingers still warm on her knee. "I will. I want you safe."
"Does that mean I'll be staying with you at your apartment?"
He glanced at her then, gray eyes gentle on her, and said, "Yes, honey. You can stay as long as you want. I don't want you near that filth again." His eyes were warm and heavy on her.
She could tell he meant what he said, and she shifted under the weight of his gaze. It was earnest, honest, and offering her more than she knew what to do with.
Ashley bit her lip and looked out of the window. "Thank you," she whispered and swallowed hard. It was a good look from James, even if she didn't know how to return it. "I'm, ah, happy to stay with you."
His hand left her knee to brush against her cheek. "That makes me real happy, Ash."
She glanced at him then, surprised to hear a nickname fall from his lips but said nothing of it and, instead, only inclined her head in acknowledgement. Before long, they were pulling up in front of the theater, and Ashley was leaning across the console to press a quick kiss to his mouth. Though the kiss didn't stay quick for long as James' hand snaked out and caught her behind the head, pulling her close. She felt the brush of his tongue against her bottom lip and eagerly opened her mouth to him. He slanted his mouth to hers, and Ashley's breath caught in her throat as she was thoroughly and slowly kissed within an inch of her life. She sucked in a breath when they pulled apart, and James smirked at the dazed expression on her face.
"Get inside," he told her, kissing her forehead. "If you're going to be busy with a work thing tonight, I'll be home later. I've got a fight with Silas I was putting off, but it's easy money. Text me and I'll pick you up after."
"Okay." Ashley nodded, and her hand was on the door before she furrowed her brow and realized what he'd just said. "Wait, what do you mean, you have a fight with Silas? Like, with him, or against him?"
James shrugged. "It's all the same."
"Not if you end up hitting each other," Ashley whispered, taken aback by his nonchalant manner, but James only chuckled.
"Don't worry about me. Silas won't hurt me. It'll be like rough housing until we decide who should win. We split the winnings 50/50, and everyone thinks we hate each other. It's a good cover, really."
That was interesting.
"So it's like acting?"
He shrugged. "I mean, I guess so?"
"Isn't that what professional wrestling is?"
He bristled at that. "We are actually hitting each other, you know. It still hurts; we just don't go a hundred percent, since we don't need to. We know each other's moves, so it's easy to make it look exciting but stay safe."
"Oh, well, that is different, I guess," she said and tilted her head to the side, giving him a confused look. "But why do people think you hate each other? You're best friends, aren't you?"
James gave her a lopsided grin and shrugged. "People don't know that."
"You two are weird," sh
e told him, opening the door.
"Maybe, but it pays the bills. And remember, I want you texting me when you need a ride home!"
She nearly stumbled face first out onto the sidewalk at that and whirled back around to look at him, mouth gaping like a fish. "Home?" she asked, voice trembling.
He gave a look that could only be described as patient and kind, but his voice held a note of exasperation. "Yes, home. You live with me now until you don't want to. It's your place, too, do you hear me?"
Ashley nodded, not trusting her voice. "Yes," she managed when he raised an eyebrow at her. "I understand."
"Good. Now go on before you're late. I'll see you tonight, honey."
Again, she nodded and pushed the door closed. She stood there for a full thirty seconds before she realized he wasn't going to leave until she was inside. She hustled inside, and only when the door was shut safely behind her, did she see him pull away from the sidewalk as she looked back out.
"Home," she whispered, testing out the word. It had been quite some time since any place had struck her as home. Yes, New York came as close to home as could be, but she had never found that type of peace in a person, and yet, somehow, James was fast becoming her touchstone. How could a man become her anchor in such a short amount of time? It was startling but true, but what was even more so was that she had little inclination to understand it and, instead, opted to feel it where she needed it most—her heart.
* * *
"I am so glad today is over with," Natasha sighed, falling into the seat beside Ashley with a groan. Ashley looked up from the pins she was sticking into a pin cushion and raised an eyebrow at her friend.
"You're tired?" Ashley mused and shook her head. "If I had one more prima donna bellow at me for not showing off her figure, I think I might have gone postal."
"Is that why you stuck Giselle with a long pin when you redid her hem?"
Ashley rolled her eyes. "I did not stick her."
Ashley: Little Girl - Book Two Page 9