Take Me On (Take Me Series Book 1)

by Summers, Stephanie

  “May I join you?” Ash knocked on the shower door, and I almost slipped.

  I was so startled that I thought I was going to jump out of my skin. “You scared the shit out of me!”

  “Well, it’s a good thing you’re in the shower then so you can clean yourself up.”

  “You ass!”

  “I figured in this age of ‘green’ living it’d be a waste of water to use my shower when you were using a perfectly good one over here that we could share. I didn’t mean to scare you, though.”

  “Well, you did!”

  “So, may I come in?”

  “Yes, but keep your eyes to yourself, sir.”

  “I’m not making any promises I don’t intend to keep.”

  He opened the door and stepped in behind me. I turned my head slightly to try and catch a glimpse of him and his man parts.

  “Easy there, Lady. You keep your eyes to yourself. If I can’t look, neither can you.”

  “I thought you said you weren’t making any promises.”

  “Turn around and face me,” he huskily said against my ear. His abdomen pressed against my back.

  “No!” I started to panic. My heart was practically beating out of my chest and it was getting difficult to breathe in the steamy air. “I don’t know if this was such a good idea, Ash. I’m starting to feel weird.”

  “Take a deep breath. I won’t touch you if you don’t want me to. I just want to see you. I want you to see me. I want to know your body just as bad as I want you to know mine.”

  I slowly turned around to face him, keeping my arms in front of myself to try and shield my lady bits. I felt so awkward.

  Ash, on the other hand, exuberated confidence. There wasn’t an awkward thing about him. He was just as marvelous as I imagined. Every part of him was pure sex. My body tingled and the area between my legs began to swell as I took in the full sight of him. His strong arms, his broad chest, his defined stomach with the “V” leading to the most perfect cock I’d ever seen, all supported by long, lean legs.

  My butt pressed against the shower door as I moved aside for him to get closer to the water. It ran over his chest and down his body. I thought I just might melt and run down the drain with it. It was getting really hot, and it wasn’t from the steam. I turned back around. I couldn’t look at him another second without dying.

  “May I wash you?”

  He picked up my loofah and squeezed out a dollop of body wash onto it. He started with my back, gently washing me with tiny circles as he worked down to my butt. “I knew your ass was perfect,” he breathed into my ear.

  He washed my arms before turning me around to face him again so he could start on my chest.

  “Kiss me. Please,” I pleaded.

  He obliged and dropped the loofah. Not wasting any time, his arms wrapped around me while his lips met mine with pure hunger. His tongue licked my bottom lip as it found its way to mine, intertwining like two long lost lovers.

  Grabbing my hair with his left hand, his right hand slid down to my hip, where it lingered momentarily before moving around to cup the left side of my butt. The fingers of his left hand lightly brushed over my skin as he found his way to my breast and began to caress it. He turned me around and pressed himself against me while both hands found my nipples, pinching them with the perfect amount of pressure. I struggled to keep myself in an upright position, and placed my hands on the shower wall to steady myself. His lips skimmed over the nape of my neck.

  “I want you so fucking bad, beautiful. I need you…” He turned me around again to face him and grabbed my ass as he lifted me up. I tried desperately to wrap my legs around him, but the running water made his skin too slippery, and I couldn’t latch on. I reached back and turned off the water. With one strong arm holding me up, he opened the shower door with the other. As he stepped out, I was finally able to wrap my legs around him. He carried me to the bed and laid me down, kissing me the whole way.

  He continued kissing and caressing me as he rolled over to the right of me. His hand explored my body, inching further and further down. His fingers stopped just below my belly button. “Is this okay?”

  I nodded and placed my hand on his, guiding it to exactly where I wanted it to be. He spread me apart and stroked me in all the right places. Soft kisses were planted up and down my neck with little bites peppered in amongst them. The sensation I felt was mind altering, like I was tripping on a new drug named Ash London. I couldn’t think of anything else but the two of us right there in that moment. Nothing else mattered, and I finally felt like I could let go.

  “I want more,” I whispered.

  “Anything for you,” he whispered back.

  He kissed his way down my body. His tongue took over the job of his fingers and my breath quickened as I moaned softly. I could explode at any second. That was the most intense pleasure I think I’d ever experienced, and I loved every bit of it. I tangled my fingers deep into his hair and opened my thighs wider for him. He slipped a finger inside, and I couldn’t hold off my climax any longer. I exploded with such a force of pleasure that my body shook as aftershocks rocked me.

  He came up to lay beside me propping his head up on his hand, and I could see how much his cock had grown for me. I hadn’t been so turned on by the sight of a penis in all of my life. He wanted me, and I wanted to please him.

  “Did you enjoy that,” he asked with that wicked smile on his face.

  “Fabulous.” I pushed him down on his back and climbed on top of him.

  I kissed him and whispered, “Make love to me.”

  “Are you sure?” he asked as he reached up and pushed a few strands of hair behind my ear.

  “I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life. It’s now or never. No more indecision. I can’t take the back and forth anymore. I need you…”

  “Hold on a sec. I’ll be right back.” He hurried to the bathroom, leaving me high on anticipation and post-orgasmic bliss. He entered the room with something in his hand, and I was suddenly on my back again with him between my legs. I’d never been tossed around so easily before, and I loved every bit of it. The muscles in his arms flexed as he rolled a condom over the tip of his cock and down his shaft. Leaning down, he kissed me as he gently guided himself into me. His hips moved, pouring long forgotten ecstasy over my body. In my quest to write off men for good, I’d forgotten just how enjoyable being with one could be.

  A plethora of feelings began to build inside me with every thrust of his hips—desire, pleasure, hunger, but worst of all, anxiety, fear, and hopelessness. Trying desperately to push those negative feelings aside and focus on how much I wanted him and how much I needed him, I clung to him. My fingers dug into his shoulder blades as I fought to push back the feelings rushing up to taint the beautiful thing we were working on building between us.

  My eyes moistened with the soft sheen of tears threatening to let loose at any moment. Positioning my face between his neck and shoulder, I hoped and prayed he wouldn’t notice that I was losing it. As the tears began to fall, I found my hands moving to his chest, pushing against him, very little pressure at first, but building until I pushed at him with all I had.

  Stopping, he pulled back, peering down at me while he still held me in his arms. Looking deep into my eyes, he said, “Look at me, Lila…” Placing a soft kiss on my lips, he spoke again. “I’m not them.” He placed another sweet kiss on my neck. “Stay here with me.” Another kiss left on my forehead. “Don’t leave me,” he said as he watched for my reaction.

  The tears stopped falling as I listened to him. Looking into his eyes, I saw peace. I saw happiness. I saw everything I wanted, and it was all finally within my grasp. Bending down to kiss me once more, he gripped me firmly, pulling me on top of him as he rolled to his back.

  “You’re in complete control of me, beautiful. Do with me what you will.”

  I moved my hips around slowly at first until I began to cling to him once more. A feeling of empowerment rushed over me, as
I sat up, straddling him. My hips swayed as I took control. Taking his hand, I placed it on my breast, urging him to tease me. His other hand followed suit as I threw my head back, closing my eyes. I savored the feeling of him inside me and his hands on my body. Holding onto his strong forearms, I moved faster, yet I kept him deep inside of me.

  His lips were on the front of my throat in an instant as he sat straight up and wrapped his arms around my back. My body danced over his as sweet pressure began to build deep in my belly. Gently grasping my hair, he tugged, pulling my head back slightly as he nipped at my neck. The scrape of his teeth ricocheted throughout my body, forcing every nerve ending to stand at attention.

  He kissed my breasts, paying special attention to both taut buds. His arms were strong around me, holding me close to him. With each flick of his tongue against my nipples, the pressure in my belly began to grow until waves of pleasure overtook me. Moaning his name, I held onto him tightly as I rode that tidal wave of passion until I could move no more. The strength drained from my body. I could barely hold onto him to keep myself upright.

  Pressing my cheek to his, I said, “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome, but I’m not done with you, sweet Lila.”

  Before I knew it, I was on my back again with him settled between my thighs. Brushing his knuckles against my jawline, he asked, “Are you ready for more?”

  “Yes,” I whispered. “Please?”

  His thrusts came slow and deep, becoming harder and faster as he went. After several minutes of pure bliss, he pulled himself out of me and kissed me deeply. As he moved to lay behind me, he rolled me to my right side and lifted my left leg. I draped it over his thigh behind me as he entered me again. His teeth gripped my ear lobe. My god, I never knew an ear lobe could be such a sexy place, but he proved it to me just then. My left hand grabbed the side of his head, and I tangled my fingers into his hair as I pulled him forward. Growling into my ear, he found his release. He held me for a few seconds, planting soft kisses on me before rolling over to his back.

  I turned to him and placed my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. He held me tightly, and I was the happiest I’d ever been in my entire life in that moment. For once, I was exactly where I belonged. His breath finally started to slow after a few minutes. He removed the condom and tossed it in the trash can beside the bed. We laid there in silence, holding one another until we both drifted off to sleep.

  * * *

  I awoke in the middle of the night as a hunger pang jolted through me. So much for going out to dinner, though I preferred the way we had chosen to spend the evening instead. I quietly slipped out of bed and into my bath robe. Smiling to myself, I looked over at Ash to find him sleeping peacefully. He was like a beautiful dream come true to replace the nightmare I’d found myself living in for what seemed like eternity. The thought crossed my mind to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming before quietly closing the door behind me.

  I rummaged around the kitchen while remembering that I hadn’t been to a grocery store. The only thing I had was a banana I’d bought at the airport that I’d stuck in my purse in case I needed a snack while traveling. It would have to do, though it was a little riper than I liked. I peeled the skin back and ate it quickly. The thought of Ash laying in my bed all alone made me eager to get back to him. The allure of the ocean and the moon reflecting off of it got to me though, and I had to take a minute to enjoy it.

  Walking over to the balcony, I slid the door open. The cool air rushed in around me and the sound of the waves crashing filled my ears. The light of the moon reflected off the waves, illuminating the beach with a soft glow. I felt like a whole new woman, no longer weighed down by the baggage of my past. I would never forget the horrible things that had plagued me, but I felt free for once. Free to enjoy the present without the torture of the past. Free to embrace love again. Free from the anxiety and fear of knowing another person’s touch. I was excited to see what the future held for me—for us.

  I could find myself loving this beautiful beast, but it was still a little too soon to know for sure. I could’ve just been on a sex high.

  One thing I did know for sure was that the feelings I had for him, whatever they might be, I had never felt for anyone else. I thought I knew what love felt like before him, but I was wrong, terribly wrong. He made me question everything I thought I knew, and I was more than ready to explore the answers to those questions with him.

  In an effort to not slide back into my old ways of fearing another person’s touch, I decided then that I was going to seek professional help. As free as I felt right then, I knew how easily it could all come crashing back down. With help from a therapist, the love of my two best friends, and the support of a man who cared about me, I knew I could overcome my issues once and for all. It was time to tell them. I only hoped both Tori and Paige would understand why I couldn’t bring myself to confide in them before.

  I felt Ash’s presence just before his arms embraced me and his lips grazed my shoulder.

  “Is everything alright?”

  Nodding, I said, “I was just hungry. Then I decided to listen to the ocean. Just doing some thinking.”

  “Why don’t you come back to bed? We can crack open the balcony door in there if you still want to hear the ocean. I’ll be leaving you soon, and I want to hold you while I can.”

  “How long until you come home?”

  “Two months.” He sighed, turning away from me.

  My heart sank. I couldn’t stand the thought of being without him for that long, not after I just got him back. I took his hand and we went back to the bedroom. He quickly cracked open the door before joining me in bed. I snuggled up to him and breathed him in as he covered us up with the thick, white blanket.

  “What were you thinking about?” he asked, turning on his side to face me.

  “You… me… us...”

  “Oh, yeah? Anything I should know?”

  “Maybe. You’re serious about helping me work through my problems?” I grasped a piece of his hair that was lying against his shoulder and began to play with it absent-mindedly.

  “I’ll support you however I can.”

  “I think I might try and find a therapist. It’s time to let my hair down, as Edie would’ve said. I need to work this all out and get my life back.”

  “That’s probably a good first step. I’ll pay for the best in the city.”

  “You don’t need to do that.”

  “You need someone who specializes in post-traumatic stress disorder, not some run of the mill counselor. I’m no professional, but I’d say there’s a pretty good chance that PTSD is what you’re dealing with. I want you to have the best care you can get.”

  “You still don’t have to pay for it. I’m not broke, you know? I’m doing quite well for myself.”

  “I know, but I want to do it, and I can afford it, so let me…”

  I collapsed onto my back in a comedic fashion. “Well, if you insist…” I said while thinking there was no way in hell I was letting him take on such a huge expense. Maybe he’d forget his offer once I found someone.

  “I do… but before I go and start taking care of you, there’s something I need to know.”

  “What’s that?” I asked as I turned my head to look at him.

  “I know you’ve questioned why I would want to be with you, but what I really want to know is what’s so special about me?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’m sure someone out there showed an interest in you before I did. Someone had to have really tried to be with you before me. You’re a beautiful person on the outside and in there,” he said, placing a finger against my temple.

  “Flattery will get you everywhere, my friend,” I giggled. “Men haven’t exactly been beating down my door to get to me. I told you most of the men who have been interested always flake out when I don’t hop right into bed with them.”

  “Their loss is my gain, I suppose. They don’t know what th
ey’ve missed out on. But why did you allow me to have you and no one else? You could’ve opened up to any one of them, but you didn’t. You opened up to me…”

  I hesitated in answering him, while I searched for the right words. “You make me feel safe, like no one would ever dare to hurt me again. I feel secure when I’m with you. Even when I’ve freaked out, deep down I knew you wouldn’t hurt me. You also treat me like a lady most of the time, except when you feel the need to inform me that you have to take a piss or tell me that my ass is nice,” I poked him and smiled. In the dark I could barely make out a real smile—not that cocky one that drove me crazy—creep across his lips. “I can’t remember the last time a guy was so chivalrous to me, always opening doors or offering a hand to help me if I need it.”

  “That makes me happy. I’m glad you feel that way when you’re with me because I would never let anyone hurt you. I’d say you could thank my parents for the way I treat you if they were still around. My dad was always that way with my mom, even after they had been together for so long.”

  “I wish I could’ve met them.”

  “Promise me that if we ever see those two shitbags who hurt you that you will tell me. I’m tempted to hunt them down and beat the hell out of them for what they’ve done to you. Promise me, please?”

  “I can’t make that promise. I don’t want you going to jail. I would miss you too much, and then who would make me feel safe?” I snuggled closer to his chest as his arms squeezed me.

  “I guess I can respect that, but if I ever find out who they are, it’s on. I’ll beat them and catch a flight out of there before they know what hit them. See, we can have it both ways. I get to thrash them, and I don’t get arrested.”

  “Ha ha,” I said. “You’re funny, but somehow I think they might recognize you so it wouldn’t be as easy to just run. You’re kind of a big deal, you know?” I tried not to, but a yawn snuck up on me and I couldn’t stifle it.