by Levine, Nina
She moans, and it’s the sweetest fucking sound I’ve heard in weeks. Christ, I might not make it into the shower.
As I move my hand towards her pussy, she covers it with her hand and says, “Shower, Ashton. I’m not fucking you while I’m this dirty.”
I hold her in place, refusing to allow her out of my hold just yet. “I don’t care how dirty you are. It’s been almost two weeks since I’ve had you.”
Another moan falls from her lips as she rests her head against my shoulder. The way her body sways against mine, coupled with that sound almost makes me ignore everything she’s saying and slam inside her.
I drop my hands and step away. “Okay, go. I’ll be in there in a minute.” I want to give her some space to get clean so she’s ready for me, but I also need a moment of my own.
I need to slow myself down. After our separation, my desire to have her in my life in every way possible is intense. For the first time ever, my attention is focused more on a woman than on my business. And while there’s not a flicker of doubt in my mind that Lorelei is my future, this is all new territory for me.
Where I once was guarded and cautious, I’m ready to throw that caution to the wind. I’m ready to make this relationship the centre of my entire life, whatever that entails. This exhilarates me more than anything has in a long time. So in an effort not to overwhelm Lorelei, I need to slow myself down.
I leave the bedroom and walk out to the back deck and let the sun warm me for a few minutes. My gaze sweeps over Jack’s property, taking in the pool to the side and the beach the house backs onto. He’s had this place for about five years, and I’ve always loved coming to it because the ocean calms me. It was that same calming effect that convinced me to buy my Hawaiian property. And it’s working on me now. After five minutes, I’m ready to join Lorelei in the shower.
As I enter the bathroom, I pull my shirt over my head and drop it to the floor. Lorelei has her head back while she washes her hair, and my eyes take the same path as the cascading water down her naked body. My dick is already hard for her, but this sight only intensifies that. A few moments later, my clothes are off and I step into the shower with her.
She runs her hands over her hair, forcing the water away from her eyes, and moves close to me. Placing her palms to my chest, she briefly drops her gaze to my abs before looking back up at me and saying, “I don’t want to be away from you for this long ever again.”
I back her up against the tiles. “That won’t happen. I’ll make damn sure of it.”
Not wasting a second, I claim her lips and kiss her.
Fuck.
These lips.
This body.
This woman.
I know deep in my gut I can’t do this life without her. I got this far on my own, but I don’t want to take another step forward without her by my side.
She wraps a leg around my body, and then the other. I lift her at the same time and hold her up against the wall. “Fuck,” I rasp, “I wanted to take my time with this, but there’s no way in hell that’s happening.”
Clinging to me, she begs, “Don’t take your time. I need you inside me now.”
I thrust inside hard, and her moan fills the air.
Jesus.
How did I go so long without her?
Pulling out, I thrust inside again.
I’m like a fucking savage in the way I take what I want.
I don’t even stop to make sure Lorelei is getting what she needs.
I can’t.
Desire drives me to lose all connection with anything but my raw carnal need to fuck her.
To claim her.
I don’t think.
I just feel.
And hell, this is the best damn feeling in the world.
“Oh God,” Lorelei pants, gripping me harder.
Her fingernails dig into me.
Her hips move faster.
Her cunt squeezes tighter around me.
“Fuck!” I roar, slamming into her one last time.
We come together, and when we’re done, I find her lips again and kiss her. This is a deeper, slower kiss. Less frantic. And much longer.
I linger there, not ready to drag my mouth from hers yet. I want to savour this moment. It’s the moment I make a decision I’ve been grappling with. One that will completely change the course of my life. And I want to remember it along with the way Lorelei’s kissing me—like she wants to stay in my arms forever.
When I finally pull away, I find her gaze. “I love you.”
She smiles. “I love you, too.” Her smile deepens. “And I really love it when you fuck me like that.”
That makes two of us.
I trail a finger down her cheek. “I have something for you.”
Her eyes light up. “What?”
“It’s in the kitchen.” I pull out of her and let her go. “It’ll get you through the next few hours while I dedicate time to this body.”
“Ooh, food! You know me so well.”
We finish showering, and I dry her off. After wrapping towels around both of us, I show her where the kitchen is and nod at the counter where I’ve left a bakery bag for her.
She glances around the large kitchen as she reaches for the bag. “Jack doesn’t mess around when he chooses a home, does he? His place is amazing.” She eyes the beach through the window. “And that view is to die for. I see a lot of time in the sun in my future.”
I rest my hip against the kitchen counter and reach my hand out to place it on her ass. “Jack certainly likes his comforts, and this place is full of them. It’s the complete opposite of the farmhouse he owns in Australia.”
As she opens the bag, she glances up at me. “Jack owns a farmhouse?”
I chuckle at her surprise. “Yeah, it’s out in the middle of nowhere. Near Grafton. He’s had it for about three years, but he doesn’t spend much time there. Still, when he does, he roughs it.”
She’s only just listening to me now because she’s discovered what’s in the bag. “Oh my God, you are the bomb,” she gushes as she pulls a cupcake out. Before I can get a word in, she’s taken a huge bite, and her mouth is full of cake. Cream decorates her lips. Fucking perfect.
“I have chocolate, too, but that’s for later.”
With arched brows, she presses her body to mine. “What kind of chocolate? And do you plan on licking it off me?”
“Fuck,” I growl. “You’re killing me here.”
She snakes her hand around my waist. “Good, because I can’t even put into words what you’re doing to me.”
I reach into the drawer where I stashed the chocolate. I had to search hard in LA for this.
When she sees the Cherry Ripes, her fingers dig into my skin. “Dead. That’s what you’re doing to me. How did I get a man as amazing as you?”
I trail my fingers along her collarbone and thread them through her hair behind her ear. She thinks she’s the one who got lucky, when I know I was the lucky one. “Don’t let the chocolate sway you. I’m still the asshole I was last week. But you make me want to be a better man.”
And I will be.
For her, I’ll move mountains to be the man she needs me to be.
64
Ashton
“I saw Lorelei’s Instagram last night. You finally got your head on straight,” Alessandra says to me over the phone two weeks after Lorelei arrived in the States.
I stretch my legs out in front of me as I watch Lorelei and Jack in the pool. The last two weeks have been hard for him, but having Lorelei here has helped. Much more than I imagined it would.
Lorelei has made it her mission to give my friend the female attention he desperately needed. Not the kind he gets from starlets looking to move up the ladder or from fans who push themselves on him or from women chasing a man with cash to fund their lifestyles. No, Lorelei has spent time simply sitting and talking with him, walking on the beach with him, and watching his favourite TV shows with him. He’s slowly started coming out of his
room more often, and I credit that to her. She’s been the female friend he craved but never seemed able to find. And I’ve taken a step back and given them that time together, because I could see they both needed it.
The time I’ve looked forward to with Lorelei has been at night. We’ve spent hours getting to know each other’s deepest desires, fears, dreams, goals, hurts, and joys in life. In fourteen nights, we’ve slowly peeled back each other’s layers. We’ve laid ourselves wide open, ready to live our lives together.
“You spoke to me yesterday, Aly. What’s changed since then?” I don’t bother with Instagram, so I have no clue what she’s referring to.
“She posted a selfie of the two of you out at dinner. There, I’ve just messaged it to you. Take a look. You’ll see what I mean.”
I check my messages and find the photo. “What am I looking for?” It’s a photo of Lorelei and me smiling at the camera. I’m not sure what Alessandra’s seeing that I’m not.
She sighs. “God, you men are so slow sometimes. Look at how happy you both look. That smile in Lorelei’s eyes tells me you’ve manned up. And honestly, Ashton, I’ve never seen you look happier.” Her voice softens as she adds, “I’m really happy for you both.”
I look closer at the photo, noting the things she mentioned. I do look happy. What I can see in myself more than that, though, is peace. Contentment. And Lorelei is breathtakingly beautiful in her happiness.
“How are you and Malcolm?”
“Hmm, where shall I start? We’re okay, but he’s still as infuriating as he’s ever been about some things. I mean, yesterday he had the hide to tell me my driving is getting worse. Can you believe that? I never tell him what I think of his damn driving. Oh, and he also said something about the diet I’m on. He regretted that a lot last night, let me tell you.”
I reach for my drink. “What did he say?” I can’t imagine Malcolm ever saying anything mean.
“Oh, something about the carbs being far too low in his opinion. The man has no idea what it takes to shift just a few kilos.”
“Aly, he loves you. He doesn’t want you to starve. There’s no way he meant that in a bad way. You need to stop reading so much into the stuff he says. We’re men. We don’t have a hidden agenda. If we say the carbs are too low, we mean the carbs are too low. We don’t mean you’re bad at choosing a diet or anything else you might conclude after thinking about that one statement for hours.” I take a sip of water. “Are you two still seeing the therapist?”
“Yes, and she says the same thing as you about men and what they say. I find her as infuriating as Malcolm sometimes.”
I chuckle. My sister is in one of her neurotic phases at the moment, but I had a conversation with Malcolm two days ago in which he shared with me that things are slowly improving between them, so I’m relieved about that. “Lorelei will be home tomorrow. Promise me you’ll keep an eye out for her while I’m still here. I don’t want Dad or Cassia getting near her again.”
“Cassia’s keeping a low profile, but trust me, if that bitch goes near Lorelei, she’ll have me to deal with. And as for Dad, have you spoken to Mum today at all?”
“No.”
“I think she’s left him. She rang me from the Sofitel and told me she’s staying in the penthouse and charging everything she can to Dad. I really feel like she might be having a mental breakdown, you know? Like, not in a bad way, but in a ‘fuck him and his whores’ kinda way. I’m all for it.” She takes a breath. “Anyway, I’ll pick Lorelei up from the airport and look out for her. How long do you think it’ll be until you come home?”
I process everything she’s telling me, making a note to check in with Mum. I’m more than happy at the idea of her leaving Dad. “Probably a week or so. Even if I just come home to take care of some stuff and then fly back to stay with Jack again. Maybe I’ll convince him to come for a quick trip with me.”
Lorelei leaves the pool and comes toward me. Her skimpy white bikini that barely covers anything is plastered to her skin with water. I struggle to take my eyes off her breasts, and my dick grows hard as I watch her. Truth be told, she could wear a sack and I’d grow hard.
“I have to go,” I say. “I’ll get Lorelei to let you know her flight time.”
“See you when you get home,” she says and disconnects the call.
Lorelei slides onto my lap on the sunlounger as I place my phone down. She lies on top of me, soaking me, and presses her lips to mine. After she’s done kissing me, she says, “Who were you talking to?”
I move my hand to her ass, hooking a finger under the edge of her bikini bottom. “Aly. She’s going to pick you up from the airport tomorrow.”
A lazy smile fills her tanned face just as the sun hits it. “I know I have to go home, but I don’t want to. I want to live here in the sun with you forever.”
Better words have never been spoken to me before, but I groan because, with every passing second and every word she says, I’m finding it harder not to flip her over and sink myself deep inside her.
I smack her ass. “I’m going to get a drink. You want one?”
She wiggles on top of me. “Am I causing you some pain?”
“Fuck,” I hiss. “If you do that again, your ass is going to get spanked.”
Heat flares in her eyes. “I told you I’m all about that spanking.” At my pained expression, she pushes up off me. “Okay, okay, I’m off. My ass is safe from your hand. And I’ll get drinks. What do you want?”
Jesus. Now all I can think about is my hand on her ass.
“Make it something strong. I’m going to need it,” I mutter.
Her laughter floats through the air as she exits the pool area. Lorelei is no longer the woman who’s shy about sex toys or fucking me in public. She knows exactly how to work me up, and she doesn’t hesitate to play dirty when it suits her. Exactly how I like it.
Jack lifts himself out of the pool and comes to sit on the sunlounger next to me. Drying himself off, he says, “I’m going to miss that woman.”
I eye him. He has some life back in his eyes, which is a relief. He’s taking his medication religiously and doing everything he’s been told to do to get better. I’m under no illusions, though—his recovery is going to take time. He’s having a good day today, but we never know what tomorrow will bring. All we can do is keep on putting one foot in front of the other.
It’s a lesson I’m taking note of, because the process is so far removed from how I’ve always lived my life. I set goals, tackle each step, and achieve what I set out to. And I use sheer force if I have to. But this journey Jack’s on is showing me that sometimes, sheer force isn’t enough. Sometimes, a whole lot of patience and faith is required. I’m also learning that cash can’t fix everything. We need to be surrounded by people as well. And without them, the shit cash can buy means very little.
I glance at him. “You should come home with me when I go. Just for a quick visit, and then we’ll come back here.”
He considers that as he shakes the water out of his hair. “Maybe.”
I didn’t expect such an easy answer, but then again, by tomorrow he may be dead set against the idea. His moods swing daily.
My phone rings, and before I can pick it up, Jack does. “Hello, gorgeous,” he answers it, and I know from his tone it’s Jessica.
They have a quick conversation, after which he hands me the phone and says, “I think I will head back to Sydney with you for a while.”
I take the phone, trying not to think about Jack being in love with Jessica. Placing it to my ear, I say, “How are we travelling with Steele?”
“He signed off on everything. It’s all going ahead. That’s not what I’m calling about, though.”
“Oh?”
“Sian has more Willow Street properties for you to purchase. I’ve emailed the info, so when you get a chance to look at it, let me know if it all looks good and I’ll make it happen.”
“Is that all of them, then?”
“Almost
. Just three more after these.”
“Good.”
“That’s the best you’ve got? This was a fucking nightmare to put together. I’m looking for a little more than good.”
“Once we have all those properties, you’ll get free coffee for life from Francesca. I’ll see to it.” Francesca’s coffee has become her favourite.
“Where most assistant’s get a bonus, I get free coffee. Go me.”
“Goodbye, Jessica.”
I end the call and track Lorelei’s movements as she exits the house to come back outside. Jack’s voice interrupts my thoughts about what I’m going to do to her later. “I’m surprised you’re still buying up Willow Street. How does Lorelei feel about that? And for the love of God, tell me she knows. Tell me you learned your fucking lesson.”
I turn to him. “I’m still buying them, and I have a feeling she’s going to like what I plan for the street.”
“Oh fuck,” he says at the same time, Lorelei asks, “What am I going to like?”
I pull her onto my lap. “Nothing you need to be concerned with yet. I’ll tell you when the time is right.”
My hands on her skin distract her. “Okay,” she agrees, pointing at her back. “You should give me a massage.”
Jack sits next to me shaking his head while I do as my woman has requested, and I’m struck by the thought that I wouldn’t change my life for a second. Even though the last few weeks have been challenging, and Jack has been going through hell, we’re all still standing. And we’re doing it together.
I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
65
Lorelei
It’s been twelve days since I’ve seen Ashton, and I can hardly contain my excitement to see him today. His flight got in early this morning and he went straight home to shower before coming to see me at my office. I wanted to meet him at the airport, but he insisted he had something he had to do before seeing me. It was all rather cryptic, but I didn’t argue with him. Well, not for long.