by Angel Allen
As I follow him through the two bedroom house into the dining room, he glances at me from over his shoulder. “I made dinner. I figured we should eat first.”
“Yeah. Okay.” The table is already set, and the smell of food has my stomach rumbling with the reminder that I haven’t eaten much today. He pulls a chair out for me.
“About Mandy,” he says as I slide into the offered seat. “I think the less she knows about this, the better.”
That’s one thing we can agree on, because she wouldn’t understand. And I doubt she’d approve of my arrangement with her brother. Amanda and I don’t have secrets…except now we do.
Ashton disappears into the kitchen, leaving behind heavy silence. I’m not sure what I’m doing here, yet I can’t bring myself to move from this chair and bolt. He returns a few moments later, carrying a dish in each hand.
Leaning forward, I take a peek after he sets the food on the table, and I can’t help but shoot him a grin. “Mac and cheese, and broccoli?”
“Mandy stole the cooking gene,” he says with a sheepish smile. “I can teach you to suck cock like a pro, but this is all I’ve got in the cooking department.”
I burst out laughing. In some strange way, his bold statement sets me at ease. This is the same old Ashton I’ve known most of my life. Sweet, endearing…even if he is a manwhore. He’s never failed in the friend department.
We fill our plates with food, stealing glances at each other every few seconds. “Why haven’t you settled down with a girl yet?”
He pauses, fork halfway to his mouth, and the intensity of his stare steals a beat of my heart. “None of them were the one.”
“So ‘the one’ is something you believe in?”
“Yes.” He says it matter-of-factly, without hesitation before shoveling in a bite of mac and cheese.
Several seconds pass, rife with things left unspoken. “Hmm, that’s…interesting.”
“Why’s that?”
“I figured you were gun-shy of commitment.”
“No, Sadie. Commitment isn’t my issue.” He points at my plate with his fork. “Eat up.”
Eat up…so we can get on with the rest of the evening. Nerves barrel through me with a vengeance, and each bite is a tasteless swallow as I force it down my throat. I help him clean up the mess from dinner before he takes my hand and leads me to his bedroom. Stepping into the place where he sleeps—where he fucks an abhorrent amount of women—has a stripping effect on me. We aren’t friends in this space anymore.
We’re not talking and laughing over mac and cheese at the dinner table. In this room, everything changes. We cross over into stupid territory, become insane people playing with each other’s lives…each other’s hearts. More importantly, we’re risking a friendship we’ve built since grade school.
“What are we doing, Ash?” I hug myself, suddenly feeling way too damn self-conscious in front of him. Another new development. Since when do I feel awkward around him? He’s the other half of the two people I trust most in the world.
Since you got on your knees and sucked his cock.
“We’ll do whatever you want, Sawyer.” Reaching out, he twirls a lock of my hair around his finger. “Or we don’t have to do anything at all. It’s up to you.”
“I thought you said you were calling the shots?”
“Oh, believe me, I will. But not until you’re ready.”
“That’s kind of my problem. I should be far past ready.”
“You either are, or you aren’t. There’s no shame in that.” He lowers his hand, and my hair slips through his fingers. But he doesn’t move away. The heat of his body blasts me from where he stands.
Much too close.
Not close enough.
I distract myself by taking in his bedroom. Of course, I’ve seen it before, but never under these circumstances. His bed is huge and takes up most of the space. The slatted headboard is a nice accent against the wall. A black and gray comforter covers the mattress, and I can’t help but wonder how soft it is. The color suits him.
He’s obviously not a slob. The floor is clean, his bookshelves are neatly organized, and every drawer in his dark oak dresser is closed, no sign of overstuffed clothing spilling out. I wonder how many women have been in here.
The number is probably something I want to remain in the dark about.
My gaze lands on him again, and I catch him watching me, ensnaring me in the eye of his arctic stare. My fingers twitch, aching to push his hair out of his eyes. It’s been a while since he’s had a haircut.
“This is weird,” I say, wringing my hands.
“It doesn’t have to be. This is new territory for us, but we have an advantage here.”
“What’s that?” I fold my arms across my chest again. I’ve never felt so naked in front of someone, despite being fully clothed. I can’t comprehend how I’ll feel if…when I take my clothes off for him.
“We have a strong friendship. We know where we stand going into this, so just try to relax and follow my lead.” He steps closer and slowly pries my protective arms from across my chest. “Let me show you how amazing sex can be.”
“No. No sex.”
He tilts his head. “Mind telling me why?”
Hell no, I don’t want to tell him why. Not only am I a virgin, but I know if we get too intimate, I’ll lose myself to him—and that would be a travesty, because with Ash…there’s no hope for a future.
Only friendship.
Because of that, some lines can’t be crossed.
“I’m a virgin, Ash.”
His eyes widen. “Seriously? You’ve never…?”
I shake my head. “Came close a couple of times, but…” I want to say I wasn’t ready, but truth be told, it was never the right guy. Maybe I won’t be ready to take that step until I do find the right guy.
“Okay,” he says softly. “I’m glad you told me.”
“Yeah.” I pull my lower lip between my teeth, considering for a moment. “So no sex, and…no kissing.”
He raises a brow. “You wanted me to kiss you last night.”
“This is different. If we’re going to do this, I don’t want to muddy up our friendship with anything too…”
Intimate.
Understanding dawns on his face, and he seems a little awestruck for a moment, as if my confession told him too much. And maybe it did, but it’s the truth. I can’t let things go beyond a certain point with him, and sex and kissing…
Unwittingly, my gaze lowers to his mouth. God, those lips.
“So everything else is fair game?”
“Within reason.”
He grins, though I’m sure it’s more smirk than smile. “That sounds like a free license to me.”
“A free license for what?”
“We’re wasting time, sweetheart.” Settling his hands on my hips, he slowly backs me toward the bed.
Chapter Six
Ashton
I’ve never been so eager to get a girl undressed. “I want you on my bed,” I say, inching her toward the end of my mattress with every step. “On my bed and naked.”
“Are you serious?” She gapes at me for several long seconds.
“Yes.” I bite back a grin. “Very serious about wanting you very naked. You’ve got sixty seconds.”
“Or what?”
“Or I’ll pull your pants down and spank your ass.”
Damn, the thought is already making me hard. The vision of her bent over the end of my mattress, fiery hair trailing down her creamy back as I redden her cheeks, is too tempting. Before this night is through, I’ll have her laid out on my bed, ass in the air, those fleshy cheeks begging for my hand.
Or maybe I’ll pull her over my lap instead.
“Spank me? What am I? Four-years-old?”
“No, thank God, because that’s a little young for me.”
“Jesus, Ashton. Do you spank all your women?”
“Only the ones that deserve it.” Fuck, they all do. Every singl
e time. “That’s the way I work, Sadie. Pleasure and punishment. I’ll take you places you’ve never been. I’ll teach you how to suck a guy’s cock until he’s trembling and about to fall to his knees, but we’re doing this my way.” I nod to her clothing. “As soon as you undress.”
My tone is all false bravado. I’m afraid she’ll bring me to my knees by the time all is said and done.
“Okay.” A breath whooshes from between her parted lips as she kicks her boots off. She brings her fingers to the button of her jeans, and I’m entranced as she lowers her zipper. Keeping her eyes on me, she shoves her pants down her legs. But when it comes to the next step, she hesitates, gnawing on that lower lip again.
“Seconds are ticking away,” I remind her.
My tone must have convinced her I’m serious, because she springs into motion and yanks her shirt over all of that fiery red hair, revealing a black bra and panty set. She’s wearing lace, and I want to believe she put it on for me.
And I want to see more. God, I want to see so much more.
“Lose the bra and panties.”
Her hands tremble as she brings them to the front clasp of her bra. Parting the cups, she lets the straps slide down her arms, exposing the sexiest pair of tits I’ve ever seen. They’re not too small, not too big. They’re fucking perfect. Perky, round, creamy, with rosy pink nipples forming two buds I can’t wait to get my mouth on.
“Your panties,” I rasp out.
Her shy gaze falters as she pushes her panties down her thighs and steps out of them.
Naked. Sadie is completely fucking naked in front of me. The moment is too surreal.
I gesture to my bed. “Lie back and spread your legs.”
“Spread my legs?” She sounds incredulous, which is kind of cute.
“Uh-huh.” A gentle shove sends her onto my bed. “I want to see you.”
“W-why?”
God, does she have no idea how gorgeous she is? “You saw me last night, did you not?”
Her cheeks turn pink as she lowers her gaze to the front of my pants, and I know she’s remembering. She didn’t just see me—she also tasted me.
I wish I could return the favor, but that’s not happening. Not yet. Every move I make with her has to be careful and thought-out.
“Spread your legs,” I repeat.
She appears stricken by what I’m asking of her, but she follows my directions anyway. Hell, I can hardly believe I’m letting this side of me out in front of her—the take charge side that few women see, unless they’re naked in my bed.
Sadie’s trembling as she scoots back on the mattress by a few inches. Bending her legs, she parts her thighs before my hungry eyes, and my breath hitches.
She’s already wet.
I fist my hands, clamoring for composure at the sight of her glistening pussy. I can’t fuck this up.
Not with Sadie.
“God, you’re beautiful.”
“Thank you,” she whispers, almost reverently as she locks her jade eyes on mine. We stare at each other for what seems like forever, and I think we both recognize this moment for what it is.
A journey down a rocky path we can’t come back from.
“Rub your clit.”
She visibly swallows, her gaze taking in my towering form standing between her splayed thighs. I clasp my hands at my back and wait her out, knowing this isn’t easy for her. She’s inhibited, unsure of herself, and I want her to see just how much watching her can affect a man.
How much it affects me.
“Ashton…” Her right hand forms a fist at her side.
“I can smell your sweet scent from here. You’re aroused and wet as hell. Touch yourself, Sadie.”
Inch by inch, she moves her hand toward her pussy, eyes drifting shut the instant her fingers slide home. But I’m not about to let her retreat into herself. Shedding my own shirt, I toss it across the room then lean over the bed, fitting my torso between her legs. I prop myself up with a hand on either side of her head.
Her eyes fly open.
“I want to watch you come.”
“I-I don’t…I don’t know if I can in front—”
Dipping my head, I suck her nipple into my mouth, and she cuts off her protest with a gasp.
“Jesus!”
“Jesus isn’t here right now, sweetheart. It’s just you and me.” I kiss a path across her heaving chest to her other nipple and gently capture it between my teeth. She’s moaning, writhing underneath me, and I know she’s finally getting out of her own head, losing herself to impending orgasmic bliss. Glancing down between our bodies, I watch her fingers move fast over her clit.
My jeans are becoming too tight, and the need to unzip is overwhelming, but I don’t dare move. One glance at her face has me transfixed. She’s straining her neck, chin tilting toward the ceiling, and though her eyes are closed, it doesn’t bother me this time, because I know she’s lost to the touch of her hand. To the heat of my body hovering over her. To my mouth on her feverish skin.
She is one-hundred percent here in the moment with me.
I drag my tongue over her nipple then blow on it, loving the way it puckers. Loving the way she moans my name.
“You taste so fucking good.”
“I’m gonna come.” Sweat breaks out on her skin, and she’s rolling her head back and forth as she chants oh God over and over again.
“You’re close,” I whisper, brushing my mouth over her collarbone. Barely grazing her skin, I make my way up the smooth column of her neck until I find her ear. “The pressure’s building, making you wetter.”
“Ashton.” The way she cries my name—with a breathless whimper that pleads for mercy—spears straight through me, slicing me in two.
“So fucking sexy. Surrender to it, Sadie.”
She cries out as a shudder rips through her body. Spine arching, her limbs held hostage by the waves of pleasure wrapping her in ecstasy, she comes undone before my eyes. An endless amount of seconds go by before she descends from the high. Her gorgeous green eyes flutter open and meet mine.
“That was the hottest thing I’ve ever seen,” I tell her, my voice hoarse with the truth in those words. My breaths are as ragged as hers. Before she has the chance to retreat into shyness again, I shove off the mattress and haul her to her feet. My fingers find their way into her wild locks, and I’m tempted to break the no-kissing rule. But the haze of desire in her eyes pulls me under, and I drop my hands to her shoulders, needing to feel her mouth on me again too damn much.
“On your knees,” I rasp out.
Her eyes are huge and round as she sinks to the floor. I gather her thick mane in my hands and hold it back from her face. “Unzip me.”
Licking her lips, she brings her fingers to the front of my pants and frees my erection. I fist her hair, fighting the urge to bring her closer. It takes everything I have not to push inside her mouth and take control.
“God, Sadie. You’ve got me so fucking worked up.” I loosen my fingers, and some of her hair slips through the cracks. “But as much as it’s killing me, we’re doing this at your speed.”
Her gaze veers to my face, full of trust. “Can I touch you?”
“Fuck, yes.”
Her dainty, hesitant fingers curl around the base of my cock, and my eyes almost roll back at the softness of her warm touch. The sweetness of it. Watching her hand slide up and down my shaft is enough to hypnotize me. I’m so far gone that I don’t realize I’m pulling on her hair too hard.
But her wince of pain is short-lived, and she doesn’t seem to mind my harsh grip. Tilting my hips forward, I rub the head of my cock along the seam of her mouth, bathing her soft lips in the pre cum I’m already leaking all over the fucking place.
I remember all too well how perfect the glove of her mouth felt last night. She opened Pandora’s box the instant she crawled underneath that table. Her tongue darts out to taste me, making me hiss in a breath between clenched teeth. Hot damn, I’ve entertained fantasies of
her on her knees for years, have never wanted inside a woman’s mouth as much as I do now, but I hold back, determined not to rush her or scare her away. I’ll wait as long as it takes for her to open her sweet mouth and take me in.
Her jade orbs flick up to my face, and I’m surprised by the bold way she holds my gaze as she parts her lips. Slowly, I push inside, sheathing my cock in the perfection of her hot, wet mouth.
Blessed hell.
Her lips close around my shaft. Her tongue swirls around the head. She sucks me in like I’m a damn lollipop. I find her inexperience intoxicating, her flushed cheeks endearing, her need to please addictive.
Moving my hand to the back of her head, I urge her forward until she opens her throat. “That’s it, baby. So fucking good.” I cover her hand with my own and show her how to stroke me while she sucks.
The instant her eyes drift shut, I know she’s getting into it. And I’m lost, moving my hips in a steady tempo, plundering her willing mouth, thrusting the head of my cock between her tonsils. I can’t help but love the way she gags.
The way she doesn’t pull away.
“Fuck,” I groan, fighting for air. Fighting for control. “Just like that. Take me deep. Don’t stop.”
She whimpers around my shaft. Maybe even whines a little. But one glance at her face tells me she’s empowered by this, because her eyes are on me. Unwavering. Darkening with desire.
“You’re so beautiful.” And I’m so fucking close. As much as I want to come down her throat, I don’t think she’s ready for that. Fisting her hair until my nails bite into my palm, I moan, and she responds with one of her own, her pleasure at sucking me vibrating around my shaft.
I’m a goner.
She drags the orgasm from me before I’m ready, and I barely pull out of her mouth in time to come all over her tits.
Chapter Seven
Sadie
He finishes on my breasts, and as his release drips down my belly, I suddenly find the floor fascinating. The fact that he didn’t come in my mouth tells me everything I need to know. The realization has me fighting back tears.