“Hi, Bren,” Darren said, placing an arm around his girlfriend’s shoulders.
“Hi!” she answered, giving the other woman a warm smile.
“This is Monica. I’ve told you about her,” Darren said. “Mon, this is Brenna. I’ve also told you about her.”
“Hi, Monica. I’m very pleased to meet you,” she said. “I hope you know what you’re getting into with this man,” she added with a big wink.
“Now, now, Bren,” Darren said.
“I hope so, too,” Monica said with a shy chuckle. “So far, he’s already managed to shock me several times with the secrets he’s been keeping from me.”
“Hey, they’re not secrets anymore,” Darren said, kissing Monica’s forehead.
Brenna felt a burst of jealousy—not from Darren being with someone else, but from seeing the two clearly at peace with past ‘secrets’. She could only hope that she and Ash could sort out their issues. She missed him so.
“Go on in, Bren. We’re having a party, after all,” Darren said.
“We are? Who else is coming?”
“You’ll see.”
Brenna walked in, her jaw dropping at the sight before her. Ash was there, sharing a laugh with Patty.
“Brenna!” Patty cried. “Hello, dear. I’m having a wonderful time here with your boyfriend.” Then Patty gasped in delight, looking past her. “Hello! You must be Monica!”
Brenna didn’t hear the rest of the chatter that went on around her. All her senses focused only on the man walking towards her.
“Hi,” Ash said, stopping inches from her.
“Hi. What are you doing here?” she asked, her breathing shallow.
“Believe it or not, I thought your fake engagement party was still on.”
“What?” she asked with an incredulous laugh.
“Well, neither you nor Amanda—nor any of the others—found it fit to inform me it was cancelled.”
“I’m sorry,” she said, looking at him with disbelieving eyes. “But... even if it were still on, I can’t believe you’ve turned up.”
Ash smiled apologetically, running a knuckle on her cheek. “I wanted to show you that I do trust you and that I support what you and Darren are doing for Patty. I’ve been such an idiot, Bren. I’m so, so sorry.”
“It’s over now,” she said softly.
A look of pure shock, then absolute pain appeared on Ash’s face. “No,” he whispered.
“That’s not what I mean!” she cried, reading his misapprehension. “I meant Darren and I don’t have to pretend anymore.”
Ash sighed deeply, closing his eyes.
“Why do you have to assume it’s always bad news, Ash?” she asked with censure in her tone.
Ash looked at her, his eyes brimming with emotion. “I love you so much, Brenna. I’ve loved you for so long. All those years that you didn’t notice my feelings dug me deeper and deeper into a pit of silent despair. When we finally got together, you dragged me out of that pit and took me to the stratosphere. But I’m afraid a fall from that elevation would just about kill me. My instinct is to bring myself down to a much lower expectation—a much lower height—where I could still survive a fall, even if I end up severely bruised and battered.”
“Oh, Ash.” She cupped his face as tears escaped her eyes. “I love you, too. Please don’t be afraid to fly high with me. I promise I’ll hold on to you so tight and never let go that you’ll probably start complaining I’m too clingy.”
Ash chuckled through his tears. “Somehow I can’t imagine myself complaining about that. I don’t think you could ever be too clingy for my liking, Brenna Ward.”
“I hope that’s true, Doctor Payne,” she said curling her arms around his neck and lifting her lips to meet his.
She didn’t know how long they’d been kissing. She simply got lost in the moment. But something hard poking on her belly brought her back to the room. She broke the kiss and looked around.
“They went to the back of the house,” Ash murmured, kissing her neck.
“We still can’t make out here, and you’re getting hard,” she whispered urgently.
Ash pulled her closer to him, groaning softly. “I missed you so much, baby.”
“Me, too,” she breathed.
“Maybe we should encourage them to get this impromptu party going so we could go home soon? I’m dying to make love to you.”
“Great idea. Let’s see if we can get away early,” she said, her body attuned to his. “Then can we go to my place first? I want to pack a few things,” she added with a grin.
“Speaking of packing,” Ash said, appearing to suddenly remember something. “How come you avoided staying overnight with me for the last month?”
“Sally’s daughter Jane recently moved to my building, same floor. She’d know if I didn’t go home, or if I’d invited you there. I was trying to avoid more complications, since she thought Darren and I were engaged.”
“Ah. And there I was thinking you were starting to distance yourself from me.”
“That was my fault. I’m sorry.”
“We have a lot of making up to do,” he said with wicked grin.
“Can’t wait.”
*****
Brenna took an overnight bag from her closet, then walked over to Ash, snaking her arms around his waist. She was glad that one of her work colleagues didn’t mind covering for her at the conference tonight. It meant she and Ash could spend the rest of the day together. She lifted her face to his for a kiss, and he obliged. But he only gave her a peck, not a thorough one she’d been angling for.
“Finish your packing first,” Ash said, pulling away.
“But I want you now,” she said sultrily, running her fingers on his chest and down to his belly.
Ash captured her wayward hand. “I don’t want you to get distracted so you only bring a few clothes with you. When you eventually run out of things to wear, you’ll say you have to go home and leave me lonely and cold in my big bed.”
She chuckled, kissing him. “That won’t happen again.”
“Why don’t you fill up a big suitcase rather than a small one?” Ash asked.
“Eager for me to move in, are you?” she said, grinning at him like a loon.
“Me? Nah. Just a suggestion,” he said.
“Oh. Okay. I was actually thinking of organising it soon.”
“Really?” Ash asked, letting his excitement show. “When?”
She shrugged. “Seeing that we’re not in a hurry...”
“You’re such a tease,” Ash said, curving an arm around her and giving her a loud, wet smooch.
She clung to him, deepening the kiss.
“You’re packing, Bren,” he said against her lips, but his hands raked her hair to hold her in place.
She let out a little moan, tightened her arms around his neck and wrapped a leg around him.
“If this is the clingy Brenna that awaits me, I’m definitely not complaining,” he murmured.
“Can you handle a demanding Brenna?”
Ash chuckled. “No sweat.”
“Good,” she purred. “Because I demand that you undress me.”
“Ah, since I don’t want you getting mad at me again, I better do as I’m told,” Ash said, lifting her shirt off her.
She raised her arms to aid him, moisture quickly pooling between her legs. The way she was feeling, she’d soon be demanding more of him than just stripping her of her clothes.
Ash disposed of her bra, then his fingers moved to the button of her jeans. Slowly, way too slowly, Ash unzipped her jeans and pushed them down her legs, leaving her with just her undies on.
“Lie on the bed, sweetheart,” he whispered in her ear.
Eagerly, she did as she was told. She looked at him as he stared at her, his eyes devouring her body as if it was the first time he’d seen her naked. Well, semi-naked, because she still had her panties on. She was tempted to take them off herself, but it was much more fun when Ash did it.
/> Ash leaned down and started kissing her legs. She parted them for him, her breathing becoming soft gasps as Ash made his way to the apex.
“I better get rid of this, before I get told off for not completing the job,” he murmured, pulling her last piece of clothing down her legs. Then he reared on top of her. “Now what?” he asked, a naughty smile appearing on his face.
She grinned, biting her bottom lip. “Take your clothes off.”
“Gladly,” he said, disposing of his garments in record time.
Ahh, she’d missed his hot body, especially the hardness that pointed at her. To her surprise, she wanted him inside her immediately. What was it about Ash that got her soaking in seconds? But it would be a shame to make this so quick.
“Stand by the side of the bed,” she instructed, then scooted in position in front of him. She wrapped her hand around his length, tasting the dew that had formed at the tip, before sliding it in her mouth.
Ash groaned. “I’m loving this game,” he said, running his fingers through her hair as her head bobbed up and down.
With her free hand, she caressed his balls as she continued suck and tug him. Before long, Ash stepped back, gently pushing her head away.
“Hey, I didn’t hear me say we can stop,” she said.
Ash reached for her nipples with both hands, flicking them with his thumbs. “I thought you might want to demand something else.”
Ahh. He was right. “Lick them with your tongue?” she asked shyly.
Ash chuckled. “That doesn’t sound like a demand.” But he did anyway.
She lay down in bed, taking her with him, his mouth still latched on to a bud. “Ash.” Her voice carried the intense need she had for him.
“Anything else, sweetheart?” he asked between licks.
“I want you,” she gasped, bucking her hips to tell him exactly where else she wanted attention.
But Ash didn’t stop kissing her breasts. Instead, he placed his hand between her legs. He dipped a finger in her, then pulled it out to spread her juices onto her clit.
She moaned—a lusty cry she wouldn’t have been able to stifle even if she wanted to. His tongue laving her nipples and his fingers playing with her pussy were driving her arousal to fever pitch. It was so damn good, and she was so close, when Ash stopped abruptly.
“Honey, don’t stop,” she pleaded, squirming with need.
“I’ll give this to you instead, baby,” Ash said, inserting his cock inside her.
Ohhh.
“Good?” Ash asked, grunting as he thrust inside her.
“Yes... oh, yes.... Faster, please,” she cried.
Ash groaned. “Anything you want, Brenna. Anything you want.” He drove into her, pushing to the hilt, then pulling out just to drive into her again, over and over.
The sounds of their connecting bodies mixing with their cries of pleasure added to the magical force that pushed her further and further up. Once again, Ash was taking her to heights of pleasure she’d never thought possible. And she was almost at the crest.
Her body tensed, her breath coming out in faster, louder gasps.
“Yes, baby, come for me,” Ash panted through gritted teeth, his face a picture of single-minded concentration as he lunged into her.
“Oh God,” she breathed, before she cried out loud, her body trembling uncontrollably as an intense orgasm washed over her.
“Fuck... Bren...” Ash gasped, bucking into her with abandon before exploding and filling her with his come.
*
“Can you demand that again when we get home?” Ash asked as he pulled out of her.
“I’m home. I’ll give you a few minutes to recover, then I’ll demand it again,” she teased.
Ash wrapped his arm and leg around her. “I mean my place. Since you’re moving in with me, that’s home for you now, too. But I won’t complain if you want another one in a minute.”
“A minute?” she asked with a giggle. She was more than glad Ash was insatiable. When it came to him, she was too.
Ash rolled his eyes. “Fine. Thirty seconds then.”
She shifted on her side to fully face him. “There’s something I really, really demand when I move in to your house.”
“What?” Ash asked, smiling at her with obvious love in his eyes.
“I want to go through the remaining boxes in your garage. Even though we take ages sorting through each and every single item we find, it’s so much fun. It’s like going down memory lane. I actually think I’ll be sad when we run out of boxes to open.”
Ash held her tighter. “There’s one big reason why I refused to go through them before.”
“What?”
“When we find a particular item, you’ll know,” he said mysteriously.
“Ooh, now I’m intrigued. What item?”
Ash shook his head. “Find it, and you’ll know.”
She pouted. “Tell me,” she demanded, too curious to wait.
Ash grinned. “And spoil your fun? No.”
“Please?” she asked, batting her eyelashes at him.
He simply shook his head again, covering her mouth with his. Soon, her interest went to where his wandering hand was going to touch her next.
Ah, well. There would be plenty of time to uncover the mystery of the hidden item.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Ash followed the verbal directions given to him, and arrived at his intended destination. There were only two people in the room, and they were huddled close together in a corner, holding each other’s hands tightly, conversing in hushed tones.
Quietly, he sat on a chair furthest from them. He didn’t want to announce his presence. It seemed like an intrusion at a time like this.
He had to admit that a small part of him—okay, a big part of him—still didn’t like seeing Brenna that close to Darren. Or any other man, for that matter. When it came to her, his possessive streak couldn’t help but act up.
But he was tolerating this vision of Brenna and Darren comforting each other. He’d accepted the fact that the two were friends and always would be. He was just relieved that Darren also had a girlfriend now. It made him breathe easier. Speaking of whom, he wondered where Monica was.
“Ash!”
“Hey,” he said, getting up and walking towards them.
“How long have you been sitting there?” Brenna asked, frowning and searching his face.
“I just got here.” He gave her a genuine smile, wordlessly telling her he wasn’t bothered by the scene he’d witnessed. And seriously, only an ass would be so misunderstanding.
Brenna smiled back and put her arms around his waist. “Thank you for coming.”
He squeezed her tight, kissing her temple. “Always.”
They let each other go and he went to give Darren a man-hug. “How are you holding up?” he asked.
Darren let out a huge sigh. “I’m a bundle of nerves at the moment. What do you think the chances are of this operation going badly, Ash? I mean, Mum has been quite sick already. Do you think her body will accept her new liver?”
“She’s being operated on by the best liver transplant surgeon in Australia, Darren. I’m sure everything’s going well. And post-operation, she’ll be looked after and monitored by a top team. She’s in good hands.”
Darren nodded, sitting down. “Whoever that person was who died in the car accident, I’m so grateful for her for being a donor,” he said, his eyes watering.
“We’re all grateful,” Brenna said softly.
“Darren!”
Sally rushed to her nephew, followed by two women. Brenna introduced them to Ash as Sally’s daughters.
“Where’s Monica?” Ash whispered to Brenna.
“She was in Canberra for work when Darren got the call that there was a compatible donor for Patty. She’s on her way back now.”
“How are you?” he asked, cupping Brenna’s face so he could inspect it properly for signs of stress.
She smiled serenely at him. “I’m
okay. Nervous for Patty, but very glad.”
He gave her a quick peck. “I’m afraid I have to leave for the eye hospital in a few minutes. I have a cataract operation to perform.”
Brenna nodded.
“I assume you’re staying here with them?”
She nodded again. “I hope that’s okay with you?”
“Of course, sweetheart,” he said, smiling. “Did you drive here? I can pick you up later if you want.”
“No, I drove. I’ll see you at home tonight.”
“Okay.” He still got a thrill whenever Brenna called his place home.
*****
Ash stood in his roomy walk-in closet, surveying it with satisfaction. Brenna’s clothes were all unpacked now, and her stuff took about sixty percent of the closet space. He didn’t mind. And he knew he’d end up moving some more of his less-used things to the spare bedroom. Women always needed more room than men.
“Ash?” Brenna called.
“In here,” he answered.
Brenna appeared, her face alight.
“How’s Patty?” he asked, gathering her to him.
“The operation went well. She’ll be staying in the hospital for at least a couple of weeks, but the doctors don’t envisage any major problems.”
“That’s good news. It’s a great Christmas present for her and her family.”
“It is, isn’t it?” Brenna said. “Darren is gonna try and see if he can get in touch with the family of the donor—to extend his gratitude and condolences. We hope that their grief at losing their loved one will somehow be lessened by the knowledge that she'd saved a life."
Ash nodded solemnly.
“Will you go with me next time I visit Patty? She really likes you.”
“I’d love to. She’s a lovely woman,” he answered, hugging her tight.
“So what are you doing back here?”
“I realised that you have sixty percent of the closet space.”
“Are you trying to figure out how you could claim some of your space back? Unfortunately, Dr. Payne, if you want me here, you’re gonna have to learn to share.”
“Share? You’re right. What would you say is fair? Fifty-fifty?”
Brenna giggled. “I thought seventy-five/twenty-five was more the norm for couples, with the woman getting the lion’s share, naturally.”
Always (Time for Love Book 4) Page 15