Sebastian stepped forward, grinned at the pretty blond. His outstretched hand collided with the woman’s hand. “Miss Kennedy, I’m Sebastian Stone.”
The woman was quite attractive. Scratch that. She was flat-out gorgeous.
Sebastian squeezed Ashley’s hand. “And this is my lovely date, Ashley.”
Does he sense my jealousy?
The woman’s pale green eyes locked on Sebastian’s fingers entwined with Ashley’s. Snatching her hand from his grip, Ashley reached out. “Hello, Miss Kennedy.”
She smiled. “Nice to meet you both. The studio is all yours.” Small, frail hands untied the sash behind her waist and lifted the smock over her head. “Will anyone else be joining you?”
Playing the perfect gentleman, “No, ma’am,” he replied. “This special evening is for Ashley and me. Is everything else, uh, set up?”
Like a cat chasing a shiny moving object, Ashley’s head turned from side to side, listening and watching their exchange. If Sebastian found Miss Kennedy attractive, he should be awarded an Oscar for acting as though he had no interest.
“Yes. Everything else is ready.” Miss Kennedy headed to the back of the gallery. “I’ll leave through the back door. You’ll exit through the back door too. Lock the bottom. I’ll send someone to lock the deadbolt after you’re gone. When you’re done, place your brushes here.” She pointed at a ceramic bowl set on a cabinet at the rear corner of the room. “Have a great evening,” she said and dashed out into the night.
Ashley admired Sebastian’s date-planning skills. Even though his intentions weren’t pure or genuine, he made her feel special.
“Why are you doing this?” she asked softly. Her right hand massaged her chin.
“Because I like you. Because I want to get to know you better. I have something to show you.” Ashley placed her hand in Sebastian’s open palm. His touch always made her tingle inside. “This way.”
Sebastian led them to a metal spiral staircase that ascended to the loft above.
He nodded. “After you.”
Ashley smirked and glance back, looking down at Sebastian. “Thank you. Don’t you dare look up my dress,” she said.
Sebastian chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’ll be too close to look up your dress.”
The warmth of his body pressed against her. His stealthy swagger synchronized with Ashley’s steps as they glided in unison up the spiraled treads.
They reached the loft. Ashley froze. Her mouth dropped open. A wall of glass doors framed a breathtaking view of the ocean and a magnificent sun setting at the horizon.
Sebastian advanced. He didn’t say a word. She spun around to face him, mere inches between them. “Sebastian, I… I…” She closed her eyes. Shook her head, at a loss for words.
Tender lips melted into hers and jolted Ashley. She whimpered into his kiss, eyes shut tight. Sebastian’s left hand held her in place, drew her nearer to him. She reached up. Her fingers tangled thick hair at his nape. Eager hands captured her wrists, commanded them to his will.
“I’m in control tonight, baby,” Sebastian murmured. He held her hands against his chest. Her tender breasts pressed into him, igniting an inferno.
Feverish kisses blazed the crook of her neck. Her heart pounded hard, as though it would burst. “Ahhh, Sebastian.” Ashley exhaled a breathy release. She couldn’t help the moan that escaped her.
His skillful hands eased the stretchy fabric of her strapless dress down. He unsnapped her bra. “Baby, you belong to me tonight.”
His deep bravado thundered through her core. Ashley couldn’t object even if she wanted to.
Strong hands covered her chocolate mounds, molded the fleshy peaks. Sebastian dipped his head low. His tongue swirled around her erect nipples, tasting the sweet, succulent morsels. Ashley moaned. “I want you.”
Sebastian pushed Ashley against the wall, pinned her arms above her head. His senses abandoned, unrestrained erotic energy coursed through his veins. He wanted her. Wanted to be inside her. Her smooth velvety skin, her soft feminine aroma, and her tight, curvy body called to his masculine desire. The look in those big brown eyes revealed she wanted him back. Damn, she’s beautiful. Blood rushed to his cock. His chest heaved with uneven breaths. “Then I’m going to give you what you want,” he said, releasing her hands. “I’m going to make you scream.”
The room began to spin around them. She clung to his shoulders, her grip clamping down hard. “Yes, Sebastian. Make me scream,” she panted breathlessly.
His hands slithered along her inner thigh until he reached her thong. Needy fingers dipped under the fabric and found her slick wet folds. A surge of sexual heat flowed through his body and his temperature rose. His cock throbbed with an ache. Sebastian stroked her vigorously. Ashley moaned at his touch. He ripped the lacy nuisance from her flesh. The flimsy wadded fabric crumpled in his fist, disappeared in his hand. He pitched the shredded panties over his shoulder.
His eyes locked on hers. He lifted a hand to his nostrils, and then inhaled. “Mmm,” he groaned, savoring the delicate scent that lingered on his fingertips. His heart hammered. His hard cock twitched. He slid a damp finger into his mouth and closed his eyes. His tongue swirled around the digit relishing her tangy flavor. "Mmm," he groaned again. She tasted like sex. And she belonged to him for the taking. Her sweet essence, like an appeteaser taunted his sexual appetite, and he was ready for the main course.
Sebastian lifted Ashley on top of a nearby cabinet. She released a small whimper. He crouched down slowly while stroking her sumptuous thighs. His shoulders wedged between her silky legs and his knees hit the floor. Anxious hands gripped her ankles and spread her legs wide. God, she was perfect. His cock pressed firmly against the metal zipper of his annoying jeans.
Her small hands braced him again, nails digging into his shoulders as his tongue found her center and stroked her tender flesh. His tongue whirled around, gliding over her soft pearl. His fingers fondled her wetness as he spread her lips to taste her honey. She trembled as he devoured all of her. Slowly, he eased a wet finger into her warm center.
“Ahhh,” she moaned.
“You like this?” He broke into a light sweat.
“Yes,” she rasped and arched her back, thrusting her round naked bosom forward.
Her feminine heat provoked his natural impulses. “This?” he asked, inserting another finger.
“Ahhh, Sebastian. Yes!”
“So sweet,” he murmured. “Mmm, I’m going to fucking break you.”
A sharp pang shot through his groin. The thick heat between them stifled his breathing. Taking harsh, ragged breaths, he snatched himself up from the floor and stepped between her gaping legs. He clawed at the small round buttons, couldn’t strip open his shirt fast enough. A few buttons popped off and bounced on the floor. Ashley’s jittery fingers fumbled with the buttons on the lower half of his shirt until his shirt hung open.
He leaned forward and covered a nipple with his mouth. Heat rolled through his chest. The chocolate morsel beaded under the stroke of his circling tongue. Another pang, sharper than the one before, shot through his groin and Sebastian stepped back.
“You ready to scream, darlin’?”
“Yes!”
He fiddled with the leather strap at his waist, unbuckled his belt, and then unzipped his jeans. The rugged twilled cotton fell to his ankles. Yanking furiously at the elastic band, briefs pooled to his ankles, joining his jeans.
Ashley’s eyes widened. “Damn,” she said, gawking at Sebastian’s erection. Hungry brown eyes coasted up his washboard stomach to meet his eyes.
Sebastian leaned down, kissed her, nibbling and sucking her bottom lip. “Think you can handle this?” he asked, a touch of danger and a dare edging his question.
“Yes,” Ashley whimpered, hoping she was right as she watched him stuffed himself into the condom that appeared too snug for his swollen penis. Every inch of her burned. She would burst into flames at any moment. “I can handle it.”
Sebastian held his cock, ready to guide himself into her wet opening.
Ripped out of the moment, Ashley bolted forward. “Did you hear that?” Her heart leaped in her chest.
Heavy lids covered Sebastian’s lustful gaze. “Did I hear what?” He whispered the question.
Sebastian leaned forward. The tip of his cock surged between her moist folds.
Ashley’s back arched. Her walls ached with desire. “Ahhh, yes. I want you so bad.” She tossed her head back against the wall.
“Yoo-hoo!” A man’s cheery voice rang out from the gallery below. Then silence. Then footsteps. Clack. Clack. Clack. The sound drew louder with every step.
“Shit!” Sebastian stumbled back, nearly crashed to the floor. He clung on to the wall to right his position and then yanked up his pants to his waist. His throbbing erection prevented the zipper from closing. Nervous fingers fumbled to button his shirt.
“Get dressed, baby. Quickly.” Sebastian faced the stairs. “I’ll cover you,” he whispered, shielding her view of the staircase.
The footsteps grew louder, nearer as the intruder ascended the staircase. Frantic, Ashley leaped down from the cabinet, raised her dress over her naked bosoms. Her eyes scoured the floor, hunting for the evidence of their impropriety, her destroyed panties. She remembered seeing them sail over the rail. “Oh, shit.” Smoothing the rumpled dress with her clammy palms, she slid on her sandals. The visitor appeared with not a millisecond left to spare.
A bald head peaked over the staircase’s top riser. Then two bushy brows and a pair of dark, beady eyes. The man’s face came into view. “Well, hello, folks.” The gruff voice greeted them, his tone salty and brows raised. He paused, scanned the room, and then frowned. Glaring eyes rolled up Sebastian’s six-foot-plus frame. His stare idled on Sebastian’s shirt, misaligned buttons and holes fastened together out of sequence.
“Either you dressed blindfolded before you arrived or you just got dressed in a hurry.” The man walked closer to them, placed both hands on his hips.
He glanced at Ashley, pursed his lips. “I suppose these belong to you,” he said, opening his left fist, his hand raised high. Red lacy thongs dangled in the air from disfigured fingers.
Ashley glowered at him, her cheeks warming. She could cram the four-foot dwarf into the trash bin she had seen in the corner.
Sebastian snatched the panties out of the man’s hand. “I’ll take those.” Stuffing them into his back pocket, he placed a protective arm around Ashley’s shoulders.
“This isn’t a whorehouse. I’m sure Miss Kennedy wouldn’t approve of your behavior.”
A hand mounted Ashley’s hip. She struggled to break free of Sebastian’s hold.
He squeezed her shoulder. “I’ve got this, baby,” Sebastian whispered into her ear.
Before she could protest, Sebastian had jacked the man up against the wall. He held the scrawny imp at least a foot off the floor by the jugular. “You don’t want to fuck with me,” Sebastian warned. Fire flashed in Sebastian’s eyes. Ashley moved back. “I don’t appreciate you coming into my place, interrupting my date, and insulting my lady. Get the hell out!” Sebastian released the man. The man crumbled to the floor, nearly passed out.
The man held his throat and gasped hoarsely for air. He scrambled away from Sebastian and to his feet. “I’m sorry. Miss… Miss Kennedy,” he rasped. Sebastian’s larynx-crushing chokehold made speaking difficult for the man. “Miss Kennedy asked me to stop by… make sure you had everything you needed.”
Ashley didn’t imagine that Sebastian could get so mad. One minute he was ready to pound into her until the cabinet broke. The next minute, he was ready to pound the man’s face into dust. She had already been turned on by Sebastian’s ostensible swagger. Coming to her defense had earned him some major points. Tonight proved one thing only. The hunger they shared had to be satisfied.
Chapter Eight
Sebastian’s firm grasp fused Ashley’s hand to the console between them. He regarded her with a sullen expression, his lips tugged into a frown. “I’m sorry.” He spoke softly, stared straight ahead, and waited for the light to turn green. “I wanted this evening to be special. I owe you that at the very least.” A melancholy tune, Sam Smith’s “Safe With Me” piped through the stereo and matched his mood.
Ashley saw a different side of Sebastian tonight. A side that she liked. A side that intrigued her.
“Sebastian, maybe you’re trying too hard. You don’t have to arrange elaborate dates. You’re very thoughtful and your plans are great, but truthfully,” she paused, flexing her fingers. “This is temporary.”
Sebastian raised his brow. He glanced at Ashley. “You think I should be more spontaneous?”
Ashley bit down on her bottom lip, remembering the taste of Sebastian’s sweet, salty lips. “Oh, I don’t think spontaneity is a problem for you.” Sebastian’s chuckle made her stomach flip-flop.
He pursed his lips. “I can’t take all the credit for my actions.” His eyes darkened. “We can’t keep our hands away from each other.” The glint in his eye indicated Sebastian shared as vivid a memory of the evening as she did.
“I’m just saying every date doesn’t have to be staged.”
“All right. No plans. You want to hang out with me? See where the night takes us?”
“Sure. I’d love to see what happens when Casanova lets spontaneity guide him.”
“Fine.” He twisted his lips, and turned the steering wheel hard to the left. The Jeep made a U-turn. “We haven’t eaten. Are you hungry?”
“Well, I didn’t get this curvy figure by eating air pie,” she said.
Sebastian huffed. “No, I suppose you didn’t.” He shot Ashley a sidelong glance.
She winced. “That was rude. I’m sorry.”
He shook his head. “No apology needed. I like your plainspoken honesty. I like that you speak your mind. And I especially like your curvy figure. No, air pie will not do.”
Ashley laughed. Being herself felt like being unshackled.
Sebastian pulled the Jeep into the parking lot. “I imagine people never wonder where they stand with you.” His dimpled grin her tonic, Ashley’s slumped shoulders lifted.
“Honesty is my gift to the world,” she raised convicted hands, shrugged her shoulders, and released a sigh. “And my personal burden.”
Fine lines creased the edges of his eyes. He cupped his chin. “You should never see your strength as a weakness. I admire your outspokenness.” He stared at her in puzzlement. “Beautiful independence,” he muttered under his breath. “That’s the way I see you.”
“Beautiful independence?” She frowned.
Sebastian placed a hand on the door handle. “You’re strong. Independent. You can take care of yourself. I like that about you.”
Ashley smiled. Most men cowered at her confidence and didn’t have an appreciation for her quick tongue. Before she could respond, he jumped out the Jeep and slammed the door.
Despite his gruff exterior, Sebastian was chivalrous, opening doors and pulling out chairs. The sort of behavior that made a woman feel like a woman. Even a strong, independent woman like herself wanted a man like him. Mr. Chivalrous.
The passenger door opened. He held out a hand. “I hope you like hot dogs and chips.”
A man pumping gas into a sporty red convertible eyed them as she hooked arms with Sebastian.
Ashley laughed aloud. “Convenience-store store grub. My favorite.”
He winked. “Not staged. Not elaborate,” he said with a cocky smile.
“Perfect!”
“Oh, but there’s more. Come on.” He gave a gentle nudge. “Our dinner awaits.”
“I can’t wait to find out what else you haven’t planned.” She walked through the door. He followed behind.
Sebastian’s arm settled across her shoulders. “That makes two of us. I’m mak
ing this up on the spur, so anything goes.” Unwittingly, Ashley leaned into him.
A new feeling emerged. A feeling she hadn’t felt before. A feeling she didn’t think was possible. Safe. Safe to be her. Sebastian’s strength and self-assuredness didn’t come at the expense of stifling hers. Not having to temper her temperament freed Ashley, felt as natural as the erratic pitter-patter of palpitations in her chest and clammy palms whenever Sebastian held her close.
Sebastian looked too good. He leaned against the black Jeep, his muscular arm extended. Calm. Commanding. Confident. Once Ashley broke through his rough exterior, she learned that there had been more to Sebastian Stone. Beyond his disturbing beliefs about dating and interactions between men and women, she liked him. She already determined him desirable, which didn’t have anything to do with his personality. Being likeable put Sebastian into a new category. As far as she was concerned, liking Sebastian Stone could be very good or very bad.
Sebastian set out a large blanket. They lounged seaside, side by side. Ashley lay propped up by an elbow. Sebastian leaned forward, rested his forearms on bent knees. He stared at the waves rolling to shore.
He met Ashley’s gaze. “That’s when I decided to try my hand at commercial real estate investing,” he said.
Ashley covered her mouth to contain her laughter. “I didn’t mean to laugh. I just can’t believe you said that to the judge.” She laughed again, clutching her side.
“Yeah, well neither could the judge. I’m a smartass. What can I say?” He turned back to the ocean. “I guess I never belonged in the courtroom. I’m much more suited to buying and selling and property management than I am to courtroom decorum.” He popped the last piece of his hot dog into his mouth.
Ashley frowned. “So were you disbarred?”
“No. I wasn’t disbarred. I decided that practicing law wasn’t for me. I stumbled my way into investing. When I turned twenty-five, I inherited a distressed property as part of my trust. My options were to sell the property at a loss or turn it into a profitable venture. I discovered I had a knack for taking broken things and fixing them to make money.”
Take Me Down (Suits in Pursuit) Page 8