by Opal Carew
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About the Author
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From Part 1
“Daddy, it’s so good to see you.”
Ashley froze at that voice. She pulled the robe tighter around her as she glanced at the door. She wanted to run. To hide. Anything to prevent being seen by the newcomer.
Helen threw herself into Dare’s embrace and his arms reluctantly slid around her.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
“Can’t I come and visit my dad?”
“I’m not your dad.”
Helen fluttered her hand in the air dismissively. “Okay, my stepdad.” She glanced toward the dining room. “Oh, I see you have a guest. Anyone I know?”
“Helen, another time would be better.”
But Helen dodged past him and marched toward the dining room. As she approached Ashley, her expression suddenly switched from determination to one of confusion. Then she clenched her jaw and looked even more solemn. She stopped beside the table and glared at Ashley.
“I thought it was Jessica fucking my stepfather,” she muttered just loud enough for Ashley to hear. “But it seems you’re the little slut doing him.” Her eyes narrowed. “Well¸ believe me, I will make sure you pay for this.”
Ashley’s stomach clenched. She hadn’t seen Helen in six years, and she had missed her, but now she was confronted by a vindictive¸ angry woman she barely recognized.
Of course, she could understand Helen being upset finding Ashley here, in her stepfather’s robe, clearly having spent the night. She simply stared into Helen’s blazing brown eyes, at a loss for words.
“Helen, what are you doing in town?” Dare asked.
Helen had moved away from Autumn’s Ridge years ago, and Ashley had heard that she was living near her mother in Cambria, a town about a hundred miles south.
Helen dragged her gaze from Ashley’s, then her sour expression blossomed to one of adoration as she turned to Dare again.
“I heard you were in town on business for a while so I thought I’d come visit. It’ll give me a chance to catch up with a few old friends, too.” Her sharp gaze flickered to Ashley. “Of course I hadn’t expected one of them to be sleeping over.”
“Helen…”
At Dare’s warning tone, she sent him a sugary smile. “You don’t mind me coming to visit, do you?”
“Some warning would have been nice.”
“Yes, I suppose that would have prevented this awkward situation. So I’ll just go get settled in my room.”
She grabbed the handle to her suitcase and rolled it across the room, then down the hall.
Dare walked toward the table.
“I’m sorry about that, Ash. She does this kind of thing.”
“It’s okay. I’ll get dressed and head home.”
“You don’t have to leave.”
Ashley stood up. “But it’s best if I do. I don’t think either one of us wants to suffer the awkwardness of me staying.”
She walked to the bedroom and pulled on her clothes. She’d have to rush home to shower and change if she was going to make it to work on time. When she walked back into the living room, thankfully, there was no sign of Helen.
Dare intercepted her at the door and drew her into his arms. He was still in just his jeans and bare chested and the feel of his hot, hard flesh against her set her insides aflame. His lips found hers and the lingering kiss made her want to take his hand and drag him back to the bedroom.
But Helen was just down the hall and that thought was like a bucket of cold water splashing over her.
Reluctantly, she drew her mouth from his. “I’ve got to go.” Then she turned and slipped out the door.
* * *
When Ashley got to work, she walked past Adam’s office to her desk in the pit, as they called it. An open workspace with half dividers where the staff writers and production staff worked. Adam’s door was closed.
She dug her journal from her purse and started up her computer. After opening a new document in her word processor, she began compiling the notes she’d been keeping about her research. She kept an eye on Adam’s office door but it was closed all morning. She didn’t know what she’d say or do once she saw him, but they had to find a way to get past the tension between them. They were both professionals, so she knew they’d get by, but she wanted more than that.
He was her friend. And he could be so much more. But it seemed that would only happen if she was willing to give up her time with Dare.
Why did things have to be so complicated?
After lunch, she did some online research to incorporate into her article, digging more into the BDSM lifestyle. It was fascinating to discover the levels of control people allowed. There were submissives—subs for short—who gave up control to their Dominant, the latter often spelled with an uppercase D, but some people took it even further. Some people would essentially become a slave to another person, often calling that person Master. Surrendering so completely to their Master that they made no decisions of their own, even signing over all their possessions.
She learned more about punishment, too. Flogging, spanking, paddling. How the sub would get excited by the pain. Even come to crave it.
Her cheeks heated as she remembered how it felt to be spanked by Dare. How much it had turned her on.
She closed her browser and tried to focus on organizing and reviewing what she had pulled together, but it all reminded her of Dare and his fiery touch. The way his commanding voice burned through her to kindle a flame deep inside her that burned hotter than anything she’d ever known before.
This craving to be dominated—to allow herself to surrender totally to his will, and her own desires—was powerful. So powerful she was willing to give up what she might have with Adam just to have another few weeks of it with Dare. Because Dare wielded a control over her that set her free.
“Ashley, come into my office.”
Startled, Ashley glanced up to see Adam standing beside her desk. His words were curt, unlike his usual friendly tone. She stood up and followed him, becoming aware that the pit was empty. She hadn’t realized how late it was—after six— and most people had left for the day.
She followed him into his office.
“Close the door,” he said as he walked to his desk and leaned back against it.
She closed the door and then approached him uncertainly.
She didn’t know what she’d done wrong but his somber expression assured her he wasn’t happy with her. Her throat tightened. She knew he was upset about her turning him down the other night, but it wasn’t like Adam to allow their personal lives to affect them at work. They’d never really had an argument before, though, and certainly not one so emotionally charged, so they were definitely in uncharted territory.
“What’s wrong, Adam?”
* * *
Everything inside Adam told him this was a mistake, but he pushed aside the uncertainty.
> “I didn’t want to do this in the office, but you wouldn’t return my texts.”
“What?” Startled, she grabbed her phone from her jacket and stared at the display. “Oh, I didn’t have my charger last night and…” She shrugged. “Well, I have to replace my battery. It doesn’t hold a charge much these days.”
His gut clenched. The only reason she wouldn’t have her phone charger was because she hadn’t slept at home.
“You spent last night with him.”
It killed him that she’d gone straight from him to Dare. After their conversation yesterday … Fuck, he’d hoped she’d at least think about the situation before going back and screwing Dare.
Her lips compressed, but she didn’t say anything.
“Doesn’t it bother you at all that he’s older than you? And your best friend’s stepfather?”
She lowered her gaze, wringing her hands together. “I didn’t think so. I mean at first, but … he’s only ten years older—Helen’s mom was kind of a cougar. And we’re adults now. It shouldn’t matter.”
What was going on here? Something had shaken her confidence.
“It shouldn’t but…?”
She just shook her head, but he wasn’t in the mood for evasion.
“Talk,” he demanded.
She started, her gaze flickering to his. He knew she wasn’t used to him talking to her so sharply.
“I … uh…”
“What happened?” he prompted.
She sighed and wrung her hands even tighter. “You’re right. I spent the night with him, then this morning … when we were having breakfast … Helen showed up.”
Helen. Oh, shit. That meant trouble. For Ashley. For Dare.
And for him.
“I take it she wasn’t happy finding you there.”
Ash shook her head. “Especially not in her stepfather’s robe.”
His lips compressed. “I imagine she wouldn’t like that.” He didn’t, either.
He drew in a breath. She had to be shaken, and part of him wanted to take care of her, but he couldn’t allow that to distract him from his goal.
“Ash, I know you’d probably love for me to offer a shoulder to cry on … to be able to talk this out with me … because we’re friends. But right now I have no interest in helping you patch things up with your lover.” He pushed himself forward and closed the distance between them. “Because I don’t want you to be with him.”
He reached down and grabbed her hand, then drew her to her feet. “I want you. I have for a long time,” he said solemnly.
Then he dragged her into his arms and kissed her. She was stiff at first, resisting, but then her body relaxed. Her lips turned soft and yielding under his so he deepened the kiss, gliding his tongue into her mouth. He could feel her body quivering against him.
Then she drew back. “Adam, I—”
He stopped her words with another kiss, driving his tongue deep. He mastered her mouth, thrusting and stroking, then he softened his approach and caressed her back as he suckled her tongue. Her soft body melted against him and her arms slid around him. She clung to him, pulling him closer to her.
“I can be whatever you want,” he murmured against her mouth, then nibbled her lips.
When he suckled her lower lip gently, she sighed sweetly.
Then in a sudden movement, he turned her and backed her to the wall, then crushed her against it with his body. She sucked in a breath and stared at him with wide eyes. “So if you like it rough … if you want a man to control you … believe me, I can do that.”
He found her neck and sucked hard on the delicate flesh, feeling her shiver against him. He ground his hips against her, his erection pulsing against her belly as he marked her as his own. God, he wanted to be inside her. When he released her neck, he saw the angry red mark where he’d drawn the blood to the surface.
Let her explain that to her lover.
Her hands slid to his shoulders and she pressed against him. He eased back, giving her a little space.
“Adam, please, you know I’m seeing Dare.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You aren’t seeing him. You’re screwing him. He’s going to walk away in a month.” He stroked her hair from her face. “But me, I’m still going to be here.” He gave her a predatory smile. “And I’m your boss. If you like being dominated, I can call you into my office any time, order you to strip, and fuck you hard against my desk. Tell me you wouldn’t like that,” he demanded.
He could tell she would by the hunger flickering in her eyes. And that hunger triggered a need in him so deep, he could barely stop himself from crushing her to the wall and driving into her right here and now.
He pressed his lips to her ear. “Tell me,” he insisted.
She stared at him with wide eyes. “I don’t know, I…” She shook her head. “I’ve never seen you like this.”
He cupped her breast. The softness of it in his hand was almost his undoing. He could barely stop himself from ripping open her blouse and burying his face in her delicious curves.
She arched against him and he could feel her hard nipple through the fabric.
“I want you right now, Ash. And I know you feel the same way.”
He captured her mouth, driving his tongue deep as he ground his cock against her again. His swollen, aching member demanded to be freed. To find her hot, slick core and drive deep inside.
“Tell me you want me, too,” he insisted.
“Yes. I mean no.” She shook her head. “I’m confused. I want you but I already told you I don’t want to end it with Dare. And … even though he’ll be leaving in a month, I keep hoping…” She locked gazes with him. “I’m sorry, I need to be honest with you. I’m going to try and convince him to continue what we’ve started.”
* * *
Ashley enjoyed the breeze across her cheek as she sat on the patio of the small bistro sipping her drink. She watched the people walk by on the flower-lined sidewalk as she waited for Jessica to show up.
She couldn’t believe what had happened in Adam’s office. She stared at the droplets of condensed water gliding down her tall, ice-filled drink.
Oh, God, when he’d pulled her into his arms … when he’d kissed her with such passion … when his hand had cupped her breast … Her heart pounded at the memory. She’d wanted to melt into his arms. To strip off her clothes and let him take her right there.
But it was so confusing. She wanted to be with Adam so much. Knew she could build a happy future with him. But what Dare gave her … It was like an obsession. Even if it would only last a month, she wouldn’t give it up for anything. Even Adam.
Adam might be willing to take charge, but it wouldn’t be the same. There was something about Dare’s brand of domination that was like nothing she’d ever imagined. Or was it just Dare himself? Something about the man that she craved?
“Hey, you look deep in thought.” Jessica tossed her purse over the back of the chair across from Ashley and sat down, then flagged the waitress. “Tough day?”
The waitress appeared and Jessica ordered a drink.
“An interesting day,” Ashley responded to Jessica’s question.
“Yeah? What happened?” Jessica plucked her napkin and smoothed it on her lap.
“Adam called me into his office and … well, he made it clear he wants to start something with me.”
“About time. You two have been skirting your attraction for far too long.”
Ashley sipped her drink, the ice cubes tinkling against each other.
“But I’m seeing Dare.”
Jessica shrugged. “Yeah, but that’s just screwing around. It’s not serious.”
Ashley leaned forward. “But it’s amazing. I don’t want to give up what I have with Dare.”
Jessica shrugged. “Okay, well, maybe Adam will be willing to wait until it’s over with Dare. It’s just a month.”
Ashley raised an eyebrow. “You don’t really believe that, do you?” She didn’t mention that sh
e’d already suggested it and he hadn’t been impressed with the idea.
Jessica rested her chin on her hand. “No, not really. It’s too bad, though.”
Ashley nodded. “But you know, I’ve been thinking. And … well … what if it doesn’t have to end in a month with Dare?”
Jessica’s eyes sparked with interest. “Did Dare say something?”
Ashley frowned. “No, but … I don’t want this to slip away. When I’m with him … I just … I want to surrender to him completely. To be his.” She shook her head. “I don’t want it to end.”
Jessica covered Ashley’s hand with hers. “Oh, Ash. Are you falling for him?”
“I don’t know. We don’t know each other well enough yet to really know but … I don’t want to lose how I feel around him. It may just be intense sexual need…” Her face flushed as a woman walking past the table glanced at her and she realized she’d been talking a little too loudly. She lowered her voice and leaned in closer to Jess. “But whatever it is, I don’t want it to end. And … if I do fall for him … I think we could make it work. Despite the age difference. Despite everything.”
Now Jess frowned. “Yeah, I’m sure you could, but it won’t be easy.”
“You mean because of Adam?” Her heart ached. She knew deep inside that she and Adam could have a chance at happiness together. They were so well suited to each other and now that they’d taken the first step past the barriers that had stopped them from proceeding in the past, she believed deep in her heart that if they began seeing each other, they could make it work.
If it didn’t work out with Dare … There was no reason to believe he’d want to continue with her after this month—long-distance relationships hardly ever worked—but if she made it clear to him that she wanted a future with him …
But that wasn’t fair to Adam. And Dare wouldn’t want her directing how their relationship went. He was the one in charge.
“Adam is part of it,” Jess said, “but I mean there are other complications.”
“Like what?”
“Okay, well, I had lunch with Helen today.”
“Really? But she only got into town this morning,” Ashley said. “I was going to tell you that—”