Take Me Down (Suits in Pursuit)

by Lauren H. Kelley

  Ashley smiled, and addressed him. “Axel, earlier this morning I took Brian and Sam on a tour of the property. This afternoon, John, Michael, Bob, and Ryan will join me for a tour.”

  Axel gave an approving nod, indicating for her to continue.

  “Well, for starters, we’ve decided to rebrand. The Carlisle brand has both good and bad name recognition. We want to preserve the good and eliminate the bad, pay homage to the past while forging ahead to the future. Therefore, the property will undergo a name change and rebrand.” Ashley jabbed the button on the slide advancer. “Welcome to the future. Welcome to Carlisle Place, a destination and a place to call home.”

  “The property is absolutely magnificent,” Brian Evans said. “We’re set to begin negotiations this week. Our attorney will contact yours.” An endorsement from the vice president of real estate development at one the nation’s largest restaurant chains would be an added bonus.

  Ashley smiled. “Thank you, Brian. Residents and future patrons have always flocked to cafés, and we are glad you see the potential in this property.”

  “Your website is quite informative, the data compelling, and the creative package you sent to my office captured my attention right off. We definitely want a presence at Carlisle Place.”

  “I have to agree with you, Brian,” Sam Williams chimed in. “We are very close to executing our agreement as well. Atlanta, and this zip code in particular, has a healthy appetite for wellness and health. We feel confident that our organics grocery store will do well in this market. We hope to pilot a larger store here at Carlisle Place.”

  For the first time since meeting Axel, Sebastian saw him smile. Axel exposed teeth and gums. Ashley continued her presentation, showing compelling demographics and psychographic data and projections.

  “I’ll skip the renderings since you all saw those on the interactive website and will see them in person today. Are there any questions?”

  “Yes, can you talk more about space for arts and entertainment?” Michael Blake, head of development for Metro Movie Cinemas, asked.

  “Yes, of course. There is space for up to twenty-four amphitheater-styled auditoriums that will each boast sixty-foot screens. Your sales consultant from Carlisle Place will go over specific details with you later today. Currently, other entertainment venues include six bars, four galleries, an outdoor amphitheater for concerts, and we’ve signed thirty-two other retail partners.”

  Sebastian grinned at her and nudged her knee with his. Ashley advanced the slides again. “Here are details on our media campaign, beginning in two months.” The slide showed high-level information about ad placements in local real estate and entertainment publications, and on the Internet, radio and television. “An additional way we’ll promote Carlisle Place is through events. The Carlisle Place events management team is also working to book several events in the future.”

  “Are there any other questions?” she asked.

  Heads nodded around the table. “The tailored package you delivered answered most of my questions,” Michael said. “Our team is conducting an audit of the market, and we’ll be reaching out for more details soon. Thank you.”

  Others around the table commended her and also extended their thanks.

  “Great.” Ashley rose, her graceful frame stretched tall and confident. “Gentleman, please excuse me. I need to make sure everything is set for your afternoon tour and meetings.”

  Ten minutes later, she returned and the meeting ended.

  Sebastian turned to Axel. “May I have a word?” In the six months of working with Axel, Sebastian hadn’t seen him as jovial.

  “Sure. We can stay here. Is everything all right?” Axel asked, his forehead wrinkling.

  “Yes. I wanted to tell you how thoroughly impressed I am with Ashley’s work. She has been beyond accommodating, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate having her in my arsenal.”

  Axel smirked. “I’ll bet she’s been accommodating.”

  “Well, I wanted you to know. I know she’s after a promotion. If you don’t offer that promotion to her, I just might have to make an offer to her myself. She’s become an invaluable member of my team.”

  Axel leaned back in his seat, his arms folded, crossed his chest. His grin hinted at the secret he held. “Would the nature of your offer be professional or personal?” Axel waited for a reply that Sebastian refused to give. “Don’t give me that look, Sebastian. I see the way you two look at each other.” Axel unfolded his arms, leaned his forearms along the table’s edge. “I found myself in a similar position not too long ago.” He smiled.

  Ashley had told Sebastian about Axel and Kerrigan, and how the two had meant, fell in love and married. While their story had been heartwarming, the last thing he wanted was to fall in love or to remarry.

  Sebastian pushed away from the table. “Axel, I won’t lie to you, I do have a personal interest in Ashley, but my interest isn’t what you think—or maybe it’s exactly what you think. In either case, the thing between us isn’t long-term, and it isn’t anybody’s business except ours. Any offer I make to her would be strictly professional.” A knot formed in his stomach.

  “Hmm. Interesting.” Axel’s hand massaged his chin, rubbing as he seemed to think. “You’re right. Your relationship isn’t my business. Care to join me for a drink to celebrate?”

  Sebastian’s taut facial muscles loosened. The knot in his stomach untied. “The meeting did go quite well. I’ll drink to that.”

  Axel fiddled with his smartphone as he spoke. “Ashley did an outstanding job. She’s always had great potential, but under pressure, she would always cave. With you, she has a new confidence.”

  Sebastian shifted his position. “Just to be clear, she isn’t with me. We work well together.”

  Axel raised a brow. His fingers glided across the screen. “She’ll be excited about the promotion. She’s worked a long time for the senior account manager position. What you two have cooked up will require her exclusive, dedicated focus long into the unforeseeable future.”

  Inside, Sebastian couldn’t help the sense of excitement and pride he felt. He knew how much the promotion meant to Ashley. “That’s great news, Axel. She’ll be ecstatic.”

  “You’re welcome,” Axel smirked, mischief in his eyes. Sebastian frowned at his remark, not sure what Axel meant. “I just texted the good news to Ashley, though I suspect she’ll be sharing the news with you soon,” Axel said.

  As though Axel had orchestrated Ashley’s actions, Sebastian’s phone buzzed seconds later. A text from Ashley.

  I got the promotion! The clients LOVE Carlisle Place. Best day ever!

  Sebastian glanced up to meet Axel’s knowing grin.

  Axel stood. “Later you and Ashley can celebrate together, privately. Like I said, you’re welcome. Now, why don’t we go get that drink?”

  Ashley stepped out of her stilettos and kicked them to the side of the door where her other after-work shoes lived. Sebastian didn’t respond to the text she sent earlier that day. He stated clearly that their relationship didn’t mirror convention. Trying to keep her expectations and emotions in check, she tried to squelch the waves rolling through her insides.

  Eager fingers couldn’t dial fast enough. Kerrigan answered on the second ring. A shrill poured into Ashley’s ear through the cell phone. “Axel told me,” Kerrigan squealed. “Congratulations, Ash! You’ve worked so hard. I know you wanted this for a long time. I’m so happy for you. Are you and Sebastian going to celebrate?”

  Disappointment anchored in her belly. “Thank you, but my world doesn’t revolve around Sebastian. I’m quite satisfied to celebrate my promotion without involving Mr. Stone,” she lied and walked across the dark room. Ashley peered through the large window at the city lights twinkling in the distance.

  At that moment, the sound of feet scuffing the floor came from the other side of the wall separating the living area from her sleeping area. She stilled. Panic struck her heart like a spear. “Ker
ri, keep quiet. I’m not alone. Someone’s in my house,” Ashley whispered. Clammy palms struggled to keep the phone from slipping out of her grasp.

  Through the blackness, she tiptoed from the window to the kitchen counter. Reaching across the cool granite surface, her fingers curled around the slick handle of a long butcher’s knife. “I’m going to my front door. If you hear me scream, call 911.” She pocketed the phone in her slacks.

  Taking feather-light steps, Ashley reached the front door. Her hand covered the knob. Before she could unlock the deadbolt, hot breath singed her ear. A masculine hand reached around her trunk and cupped her breast. Her heart pounded in her chest. A hard body trapped her movements, pinned her to the door. His thick erection pressed against her backside. His other hand squeezed her wrist and pinned her hand to the door at her side.

  “Don’t be afraid, baby.” He spoke softly in her ear. “I’m going to make you scream, but you won’t want any police interference.” He released her, and stepped back. “Congratulations on your promotion.”

  Sebastian’s voice melted away her fear, replaced by a deep ache, a longing for his touch. His mere presence gave her a premonition of his thrusting pelvis between her thighs, soothing her pain. “Sebastian, you, you… I almost stabbed you,” Ashley whispered, stammering and spun around on shaky legs. Blood raced through her veins. Moisture readied between her thighs. She leaned back, her foot propped up on the door.

  “Not a chance, baby.” He held up the knife pried from her jittery fingers. The would-be weapon went down on the table with a clink. “I was waiting for you to come home, to celebrate. From what I’ve heard, sounds like you don’t want me here,” he rasped, his stance strong and masculine, and he stood steadfast. Moonlight streamed into the room, beams gently caressed the crevices of his well-formed chest and abdomen.

  “No, that’s not true. I… I…” she stammered. Her greedy eyes devoured his naked, heaving chest. “Hold on a minute.” She reached into her pocket. “Everything is fine, Kerri. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” She ended the call. The lube mishap at the grocery store taught her to properly disconnect cell phone calls.

  Sebastian lifted a remote control and hit the button. Slow. Soft. Sensual. The melodic tempo of Operate by ASTR started smooth, almost sluggish, filling the space with sound that lifted high to the exposed metal beams twenty feet above them. The bass boomed slowly, the melancholy tune vibrating in and around her, bouncing off solid surfaces in the loft. The remote dropped to the seat cushion.

  He advanced. The collision. The explosion. Being with Sebastian made her lose all senses, and time ceased to exist. She didn’t remember how she ended up on her new bed writhing and moaning, completely nude. Across the room, their clothes lay shed on the floor.

  Sebastian’s tongue massaged her, tasting every inch of her tender flesh, inside and out.

  Ashley arched her back, pressing her head into the down pillow under her neck. “Ahhh,” she moaned, and he dipped into her center, tasting her sweet, savory honey.

  He forced the tip of himself into her slowly until he entered her fully. “If you don’t want me here, just say the words and I’ll leave.”

  Taken by his pleasure, Ashley moaned again. “Ahhh.”

  “What do you want, Ashley?”

  “I want you. Please don’t leave.”

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “We’ll go shopping tomorrow.”

  She lifted her head and frowned. “Huh?”

  “You’ll never forget this night. I’m going to break your bed tonight. I’m going to break you.”

  Ashley swallowed hard. “Shit,” she mumbled under her breath.

  Like the words floating around them and the seductive melody, Sebastian went to work.

  He entered her deep and hard. “Ah. Ah. Ah. Sebastian.” Ashley screamed his name.

  Sebastian’s relentless hammering, his cock mercilessly hollowing out her moist sex with his slow, powerful thrusts, forced her cry. Her legs, shaking violently, were spread wide, wrists and ankles shackled to the headboard on either side of her head.

  “Don’t worry, baby. I won’t leave you here like this.”

  She could do nothing but take every inch of his thick cock as he slammed into her so hard that she shuddered and cried out his name with each blow.

  “Sebastian. Sebastian. Sebastian,” she whimpered. “I love y…” her words trailed off. A thud beat her ear drums. Booming, louder and louder. If her pounding heart slammed against her chest wall any harder, the organ would explode. She turned her head away, embarrassed. “I’m sorry.”

  His hand stroked her cheek, brought her eyes to meet him. “Don’t be.” He slowed his pace, writhing in response to his thrusts, and her sex, clenching around his shaft. They exchanged a tender gaze, lovers coming to terms with new, unexplored emotions. Sebastian loosened the restraints, releasing her from sexual bondage. He held her tight, pressing deep into her center, over and over as he whispered, “Don’t be sorry, baby.”

  “Ahhh! Sebastian,” she moaned.

  After the first orgasm, she was exhausted, but Sebastian wanted more. He slid in and out of her slickness with such force that her head banged into the headboard, threatening a migraine from the mind-blowing sex he gave. The bed wailed, banging against the wall in sync with his rhythmic pounding.

  Although Ashley considered herself to be an expert at sex, she realized she had never been fucked until tonight. Sebastian changed her world. He delivered on his promise. Up. Down. Sideways. Any way he could have her. She would never be the same again, never crave average sex. She wanted what only Sebastian could give. And he fucked good.

  Pummeling her hard, a loud crack stilled his movements. “I think we broke the bed,” he said and then chuckled.

  Sebastian stood at the side of the bed, held out a hand. “Let’s try a new position.”

  He pushed her against the wall. Lifting her, he forced her legs to wrap around his waist, his cock pile-driving into her moisture. Her hips circled around and around. Bearing down, she took him in fully. Surrounding his rod, her walls clutched tight. He sent her over the edge three times in this position, his tip stroking at just the right angle against her jewel.

  Ashley’s legs numbed. Sebastian fastened his hands to the wall on either side of her shoulders, supporting her legs, draped over his biceps. Her head fell limply onto his shoulder, too exhausted for her neck to support.

  She pleaded for mercy. “Sebastian, I’m tired,” she panted breathlessly.

  Mercy did not find her. “We’re not done.”

  He pummeled her deep and hard. Until ecstasy leaked from her eyes. Until sound could no longer escape her lips. After the fifth orgasm had shattered her, body shaking, mind eclipsing sanity in the rapture of his complete possession, Ashley fell limp.

  She lost all control of her motor functions. Her arms dropped to her sides slapping hard against the wall, her legs dangled lifelessly, and she boarded dangerously close to unconsciousness. He knew he’d delivered on his promise, brought her to the brink, finishing her. She felt so good wrapped around his hard cock, her sex clenching and gripping his long, thick member.

  “Ashley. Ashley,” he rasped.

  Pumping furiously into her, he found his release, filling her hot, moist haven with his essence. “Ahhh!”

  Sebastian had never experienced sex as powerful, as satisfying, as intense. He gave everything in him, and she offered herself back to him in equal measure. Ashley hooked him the minute she let him inside. He craved her, needed all of her.

  He slid out of her sweet heat, and her lithe body collapsed down the wall. Sebastian caught Ashley, gathering her in his arms, and carried her to the bed. Her languid limbs seemed lifeless. He kissed her gently, tenderly as he laid down beside her. Heavy lids covered her eyes. After her confession, he ravaged her with wanton desire, and he didn’t think to take it slowly with her. Seeing her like this, lifeless and wiped, worry struck his heart.

  “Ashley?”

  “Yes,”
she said softly.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “I’ve never felt anything like this. You’re amazing.” She barely managed above a whisper. A faint, tired smile painted her lips.

  “I’ve never experienced anything like this either.” He kissed her forehead. “We’re amazing together.”

  Her moon-kissed skin shimmered in the night as she lay next to him, her naked bronzed body wrapped in white sheets. Ashley’s beauty reminded him of the robin sent by fate.

  Sebastian stretched his arms wide and headed to the kitchen. Careful not to wake her, he quietly pulled pans from the cabinets. Ingredients that he’d purchased were placed on the counter at his disposal. Half an hour later, breakfast awaited.

  The faint sound of bare feet slapping against the hard, cold floor brought Sebastian’s eyes to her as he whipped around.

  Like a bee drawn to nectar, he stepped to her. “Good morning, darlin’.” Sebastian’s arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her in. He closed his eyes and inhaled the scent of their sex that she wore. The musky aroma made him stiffen.

  Ashley pushed out of his clutch. “Sebastian, what is this? What are you doing?” She gestured, pointing with frantic arm movements.

  “I made breakfast. Hungry?”

  She shook her head. “I see that.” Burying her face in her hands, Ashley inhaled a breath. “I mean, why are you still here? Our arrangement… We have rules,” she mumbled into her palms. Balled fists dropped to her sides, her forehead wrinkled. “This, you…” Stammering, a hand mounted her hip. She released an exaggerated “Ugh!” and paced the floor along the edge of the counter. “We agreed there would be no sleepovers. You’re supposed to leave after we…”

  “…make love.”

  She huffed. “Have sex,” she said, sternly correcting him. “This is, this is…”

  “…this is what you want,” Sebastian finished. His confidence hadn’t been rattled by her rant. “Baby, your eyes, your body, say it all. You want me, and not just in your bed at night.” He walked toward her, pulling her back into his embrace. Her chest heaved, nervous brown eyes lifted to his. His head descended, lips captured her willing kiss, slow and tender. “Now go ahead, lie to me and yourself. Tell me I’m wrong. Tell me you don’t want more than this arrangement.”