by Chloe Lang
“Perfect. Let’s start with that.”
After Adam and the sommelier left, she turned to Nic and Sylas. “Quite the place Phoebe sent us to, don’t you think?”
“Very nice,” Nic said. “And I don’t know about you and Sylas, but I’m glad that the boss is picking up the check instead of us.”
Sylas laughed. “I agree. Phoebe certainly knows how to impress, doesn’t she?”
“Yes, she does.” Ashley couldn’t get over how friendly they were being with each other. What is going on?
The mood never changed between the two guys as the three of them ate the delicious food. Sylas selected a bottle for each course, but she only sampled one glass from each. Any more, and they would have to carry her out. But would being carried out by Nic and Sylas really be a bad thing? She grinned.
Nic looked up from his plate. “What’s so funny, Ashley?”
“Nothing at all. Just having a good time.”
“She’s not telling the entire truth, Nic,” Sylas said. “Can you tell?”
“I sure can.” Nic smiled. “What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours, sweetheart?”
She pushed her empty glass to the side. “I was picturing you two having to carry me out of here if I drank any more wine.”
“In that case.” Sylas filled her glass and pushed it back to her. With a wicked wink, he said, “Have some more.”
“No way are you getting me drunk.” She smiled and pushed the glass to the center of the table. “In fact, I wouldn’t mind having dessert and coffee.” She knew that the little buzz she was feeling would vanish with the help of chocolate and caffeine.
“Sounds good to me,” Sylas said. “How about you?”
“Same, but I’m not letting this wine go to waste. The practice paid for it.” Nic took her glass and downed the contents. With a devilish grin, he pretended to be smashed, slurring, “You ann Ashkey be sssure ta let our bossss know dat I didn’t sssquander a sssingle drop.”
She and Sylas roared.
Reminiscent of their past friendship, Sylas and Nic continued joking with each other all the way through dessert.
“God, I wish this night wouldn’t have to end. It’s been so much fun.”
Nic looked down, which caused her heart to skip a beat. What is he thinking? Did I say something wrong?
She looked at Sylas.
“No, sweetheart. Nic and I are having a wonderful time, too. Aren’t we, buddy?”
He nodded and grinned, making her feel better. “We sure are.”
* * * *
Nic grabbed Ashley’s hand, enjoying the feel of her delicate fingers. “This is the best night I’ve had in forever, sweetheart. But unfortunately you have your bar exam to study for and Sylas has his meeting with the O’Learys in the morning. Maybe when he and I get back from Chicago, we can do this again.”
“I’d like that.” The softness of her tone drove him wild. “How about you, Sylas? Shall you, Nic, and I have a sequel dinner date?”
“Absolutely, we will.” Sylas seemed genuine.
Nic smiled, though his insides tightened with jealousy. She’s mine, buddy. Mine alone. You’ll see. But he wasn’t about to show his true feelings. That would definitely be a mistake. He wanted Ashley to continuing enjoying herself, despite his renewed resentment that Sylas was here, too. Seeing her smile and hearing her laugh had made Nic so happy. It was worth all the effort. Hell, even joking with Sylas had made this evening fun. Nic had begun the night with the intent of showing Ashley that between him and Sylas, he was the one who could be cordial and friendly. But the role he’d chosen for himself faded fast as he relaxed into the camaraderie he and Sylas once shared. But their friendship could never be again unless his old friend was willing to stop pursuing Ashley.
Chapter Eight
Ashley said her good-byes to Nic and Sam at the front of the hotel. “Thank you for a wonderful evening. I can honestly say it went so much better than I imagined.”
“For me, too,” Sylas said, hugging her. “I’ll call you tomorrow. Maybe the three of us could have dinner again.”
“That would be wonderful. We have a terrific Chinese restaurant I believe you both would like.”
“Then that’s settled,” Nic said, pulling her in for a squeeze. “Chinese tomorrow. The three of us. You need to study, Ashley, so we will make it a quick meal, okay?”
“I do. I have at least a couple of hours of reading ahead of me tonight.”
“Then Nic’s right, Ashley. Go study. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Night, guys.”
“Goodnight,” they said in unison.
She walked back to the limo. The driver held the door for her. She got inside, and he closed it. As they drove away, she watched Nic and Sylas walk into the Dream Hotel together.
Still warm from the effect of the wine and from being so close to the men of her dreams, Ashley melted back into the seat. Did tonight really happen? She still couldn’t quite believe it. She reminded herself that she had cried herself to sleep many times since the breakup. Was it worth the risk to open her heart again to them in the hopes they would understand the Destiny way of life? More than that. Would Nic and Sylas actually want to live the Destiny way of life with her?
The driver pulled up to her apartment and opened the door for her.
“Thank you.” She handed him a generous tip.
“Thank you, Ms. Vaughn.”
She walked to the security gate and typed in her code on the keypad. The metallic click let her know it was unlocked. She went through it onto the grounds of the Wild Oaks Apartments. The complex was made up of six buildings, each with eight apartments, four at ground level and four above. Ashley’s place sat in the middle of the complex, apartment 3, building C. The fencing around Wild Oaks had been added after Cindy Trollinger, the town’s nemesis, blew up the Silver Spoon Bridge. Some of the residents didn’t like the fence, while for others it made them feel safer. She didn’t mind either way.
She headed up the sidewalk and heard the metallic noise from the gate. It was late, but since many of the residents were computer analysts who worked at O’Leary Global and TBK, they kept unusual hours. She liked her neighbors very much, though they did take a little getting to know. Brilliant people could come off as odd.
She turned around to see which neighbor was coming through the security gate. “Hi, Anna. You’re out late. I should have known you would go back to work after our run.”
“I just needed to finish some coding I was working on. But I’m not the only one out late.” Anna grinned. “How did the date go with the two hot Chicago attorneys?”
“It went well, I think.”
“Think?” Anna stepped next to her. “By the look on your face, I can tell it went very well.”
“Hello, ladies.” Henry Underwood, her next-door neighbor, stood outside his apartment, smoking a cigarette. He was a very close family friend of Nicole Coleman, one of the county’s deputy sheriffs. Henry was a retired Chicago police officer and had been Nicole’s mentor.
Anna waved at him.
“Hi, Henry,” Ashley said. “How are you doing?”
“Doing great. I hope you girls are doing good, too.” He put out his cigarette and walked back into his apartment.
Anna turned back to her. “How about I grab a bottle of wine I have at my place and I come over to yours and we talk about it? I want more details.”
“I wish I could, but I really need to study.”
“The bar exam. Right. Another time.”
“Absolutely.”
Anna nodded and turned down the path that led to building F, which sat at the back of the property, where Anna’s apartment was located.
Ashley unlocked the door to her apartment. Once inside, she kicked off her stilettos and started unzipping her dress as she walked to her bedroom. Stripping out of her bra and thong, she put on her most comfy pajamas. She wanted to get in at least three or four hours of studying before calling it a nig
ht. Since she didn’t have to go into the office, it wasn’t going to be an issue if she slept in.
She grabbed the study guide with the practice questions, stepped into her kitchen, and put on a pot of coffee. Returning to her sofa, she placed her feet on the footstool and opened the book, but instead of reading, she just stared at the words. Her thoughts wouldn’t let go of replaying the night’s events.
She smiled and took a sip of coffee. “No matter how much fun I had with Nic and Sylas, I have to get down to business.”
She’d worked too hard to blow the bar. Phoebe was counting on her, and she wasn’t about to let her down. With her mind put in check, she dove into her studies.
Thirty minutes later, Ashley heard a knock on her door.
Anna? The woman could be pushy at times.
Ashley went to the door and looked out the peephole. The person she saw wasn’t Anna. It was Nic.
She opened the door. “Hi. What are you doing here?”
How did he get past the security gate? Probably just followed another tenant inside the property.
He no longer wore a suit and tie but was dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt, still looking so mouth-watering good.
“I couldn’t sleep. Thought you might like a study partner.”
“But that would be so boring for you, Nic.”
“Not at all. I love the law and a good lawyer never stops refreshing his mind—or her mind.”
“How can I turn down a Harvard grad’s offer like that?” She smiled. “Come in. Please. I just put on a fresh pot of coffee.” As if on cue, she heard the maker beep. “In fact, it just finished brewing. Would you like a cup?”
“Since this is likely going to be an all-nighter, I most definitely would like a cup.”
All-nighter? Did Nic plan on staying until the morning? The idea that he might want to made her a little nervous and excited at the same time. Stop it, Ashley. He only wants to help you study.
Sitting on the sofa, sipping their coffee, Nic took the book and started quizzing her.
Jittery at first because of how knowledgeable he was, she still answered every question correctly.
An hour later, Nic closed the book and grabbed her hands. “Sweetheart, you are more than ready for the exam. I have little doubt that you will ace it.”
“Ace it?” She shook her head. “I just want to pass.”
“You will. I just know it.” He stared at her with his forest-green eyes, making her tingle.
“Thank you for believing in me.” Unable to look away, she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “I really am glad you came over tonight to help me study.”
“Me, too.” He pulled her in close and pressed his mouth to hers.
With not even a drop of hesitation left inside her, she melted into the kiss, enjoying the taste of him on her lips again. She felt him touch her breasts, and a shiver ran up and down her spine. The right thing to do was to put the brakes on, but her body wasn’t listening to reason. Being in his arms again felt so good, so familiar. She’d missed this so much.
He deepened the kiss, tangling his tongue with hers. Happy memories of her time with him flooded her mind as his hands roamed over her body.
He removed her PJ top, exposing her naked breasts. When he brushed her nipples with his fingers, a spark shot through her, igniting her desires for him that had been pushed down for the past couple of months. There was no possible way for her to stop now. She had to have him inside her. It had been too long. Burning from head to toe with want, she pulled his T-shirt off of him and tossed it to the coffee table.
He caressed her breasts and licked her neck. The pressure began to build inside her. She was crazed with thirst, and he was the only drink that could satisfy her need. He moved down and began licking her breasts, applying just the right touch, setting her on fire even more. When he captured one of her nipples between his teeth, he reached down and removed her PJ bottoms. With only caresses, he guided her to stretch out on the sofa. She obeyed his silent command willingly. He stripped out of his boots and jeans, placing them next to his discarded T-shirt on the coffee table. She stole a quick glance at his cock, which she knew intimately. He was rock hard, every inch of him.
He climbed on top of her, pinning her down to the sofa. She could feel the moisture between her thighs.
After laving her breasts, he kissed his way down her body to her pussy. She reacted like a wild woman, thrashing under him, totally out of control. He ran his tongue over her wet folds before circling her clit. The sensations he was creating in her rolled through every inch of her body, taking her completely over.
“Oh God,” she whimpered. “So good.”
Her words seemed to excite him even more, and the oral pleasure he was giving her intensified. When he sucked on her clit, she could no longer hold back.
“Yes. God. Yes.” The time without him was over, and she drowned him in her drops of pleasure.
He licked up every drop, holding her legs over his shoulders.
“I need you in me, Nic,” she said, trembling. “Please.”
He looked up from between her legs and smiled. She could see her cream glistening on his lips.
“And I want to be inside you, sweetheart.” He stood and reached into the pocket of his jeans, pulling out a condom.
He rolled the rubber down his thick shaft, and then got back on top of her. She loved the feel of his body on hers. She heard him moan as he slipped his cock into her pussy. As he stretched her insides, electricity spread throughout her body, sending her into overdrive.
He thrust into her again and again. She clawed at his back, wrapping her legs around him. It felt so good to be with him again, enjoying the pleasure he gave her. Her body’s movements synced with his. Her pussy ached and her clit throbbed. Each time he sent his cock into her, she got nearer to the edge. She was mad with desire. She needed release.
“I’m close,” she panted out. “So close.”
“I’m close, too.” His thrust became more powerful, more fierce. She could see the primal hunger reflected in his eyes as he drove deeper and deeper into her.
All at once the pressure inside her burst and she climaxed violently. Every part of her shook and she felt her pussy contracting around his cock.
He let out a hot groan before sending his cock into her depths in one final thrust. “Fuck. Yes, baby. So good.”
He collapsed on top of her, and she loved feeling his muscled frame covering her body. She could feel her heart beating wildly inside her. She placed her hand on his chest and could feel his heart pounding ferociously, too.
“Nic, I’ve missed this so much.”
His eyes narrowed. “You’re mine, Ashley. All mine. No one else’s. Forever.”
She felt like the wind had been knocked out of her. “No one else’s? You still don’t get it, do you, Nic?” She could feel the tears well up in her eyes. “I was so certain after tonight’s date that you finally understood. But now I know you don’t.”
“Ashley, I love you.” The confusion she’d witnessed from him when they’d broken up had returned to his face. “Don’t you love me?”
“You know I do, but you also know I love Sylas. I think you’ve known that since we saw each other last in Chicago.”
“I can’t share you, Ashley.” Nic’s tone was deep with emotion. He seemed to be choosing his words carefully. “How does a man share the woman of his dreams with another man, even if that man happens to be his best friend?”
“It’s because of love, Nic. You love Sylas, even though you’ve been angry. And I know he loves you, too.”
“So? That doesn’t change a thing, Ashley.”
“You love me. I love you. I love Sylas. That’s what is important. Love. The question isn’t how does a man share the woman of his dreams with another, but how much does he love her? Do you love me enough to share me with Sylas?”
Nic stared at her for what seemed like forever. Finally, he stood and said, “Ashley, I don’t understand
any of this.”
The tears streamed down her cheeks. She took his hand and looked up at him. “Then let me help you understand. Please, Nic.”
He shook his head and began dressing. “What you’re asking doesn’t make any sense to me. I should be enough for you. I don’t understand this town. I don’t understand how Phoebe could be married to three men. And I definitely don’t understand why you want me to share you with Sylas.” He looked her straight in the eyes. “I should go.”
“Please, Nic. We can work this out.”
“I could never share you.” He walked to her front door and opened it. “Good-bye, sweetheart.”
He left, closing the door behind him.
Sobbing, she felt her heart breaking apart again.
Chapter Nine
Nic stared at his reflection in the mirror. His eyes were red. No wonder. He hadn’t slept since leaving Ashley.
“Fuck.” He pounded his fists on the sink’s counter. Once again, he was getting the short end of the stick. Typical. That’s how his entire life seemed to always go. He loved her. That should be enough. But it wasn’t. How could it be? What did he have to offer her?
His father’s liquor-soaked breath spoke to him from the past. “You’re a worthless piece of shit, boy. No one wants you. Not me. Not your whore mom. No one.”
“Fuck you,” Nic said aloud, but the old demons he’d fought back were haunting him again. He got his wallet and pulled out the photo of Pop Jim and Mama Gayle. Unlike his biological parents, Jim and Gayle had loved him. They were his foster parents for two years and had even started the paperwork to adopt him. God, he missed them.
“What should I do?”
The two loving people just smiled back at him from the photo.
Ashley deserved to be happy. If he couldn’t give it to her and Sylas could…
I know what I must do. But knowing it didn’t make it any easier. This was going to be the hardest thing he’d ever have to face, and he’d faced the devil in the eyes and lived to tell about it.