by Thayer King
Ariadne frowned. “You said he was drunk. I hate to ruin your story, but are you sure he even remembers?”
Ted scowled. “Yes, he remembers. I felt guilty when I saw him driving around in that crappy old car without a working radio and no air conditioning. I told him I’d confess, but he told me not to bother. That night was a turning point for both me and Asher. I haven’t gotten drunk since and I’m pretty sure that he hasn’t either.”
Ariadne greeted Asher at the door with a hug. He tilted her head back and kissed her. “I missed you, baby.”
She rubbed her thumb over his lips as she studied his face. He was at once familiar and foreign. He was so handsome. She stared into his green eyes searching for the truth. “I missed you, too,” she whispered.
“Why are you looking at me like that? Did I do something wrong?”
“No, it’s, um…” She viewed him differently after her discussion with Ted. Asher had been subtly changing over the years but she hadn’t noticed it. She’d been so busy ignoring and avoiding him. But now she was learning that he’d never been who she’d thought he was to begin with. It was time that she put the past behind her. Asher clearly had. “Ted stopped by to see me earlier.”
“Oh? What’d he want?”
“He came by to make sure that I wasn’t going to hurt you.”
Asher’s eyebrows rose and then he shook his head. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”
“I love you, Asher.”
His smile, while slow in forming, was nothing short of brilliant. “What the hell did Ted say to you?”
She shook her head. “He just kind of made me realize how biased I’ve been against you. I’ve judged you on your past and Ted pointed out that even that wasn’t always what it seemed. I love you and I have for a while. But I kept thinking about how many women you’ve been with and how I’m so different and boring in comparison.”
Frowning, his hands closed over her hips. “No, baby, that’s not true. Those women were nothing but diversions. I was never with anyone who could make me forget about you. I’ve tried so many times over the years to get over you. And the reason why there were so many women is because I couldn’t make the relationships last. When they realized I couldn’t offer them the type of commitment they wanted, things would fall apart. Marriage was out of the question. Hell, I couldn’t even tell them that I was in love with them-”
She didn’t need to hear anymore. She pulled him down for a kiss. Asher moaned and then he laughed. The sound rolled over her like a sensual wave. Would the man never learn? Well, at least now she could satisfy the urges his laughter evoked. With that thought in mind, she tugged his shirt from his pants. She undid his belt and opened his pants. Asher groaned as she cupped his cock and stroked. He grew hard instantly. Yeah, she’d really grown to appreciate his lack of underwear. She dropped to her knees before him. He was a truly beautiful man, even here. His cock was long and thick.
She swirled her tongue around the tip before sucking. She took him deep. Asher thrust into her mouth a few times before he drew her to her feet. “Not again,” he said. Then he added with a groan, “Okay, maybe after dinner.” He quickly divested her of her clothes, leaving her in her bra and panties. She wore a sensible black bra and a one of the lacy thongs that Sierra had suggested she buy. She hadn’t been quite bold enough to go around without a bra. Noticing the aroused expression on Asher’s face as he stared at the panties, she wished that she had. He insinuated a broad palm between her thighs. With one fingertip, he stroked between her folds, unerringly finding her clit.
She reached behind herself and removed the bra and then turned her attention to his clothes. She began working his shirt up over his head. He quickly took over and shed the shirt. He kicked off his shoes and pants. Once he was naked, she led him to the den.
He bracketed her waist. Sliding one hand up her spine, he leaned her over the arm of the sofa. His mouth fastened onto a nipple before she had time to do more than gasp. “Oh, Asher,” she gasped, tunneling her fingers into his soft hair. He sucked on her nipples until she was so wet and ready that she was willing to do whatever he wanted.
He stood, leaving her draped over the sofa. Gripping her panties, he yanked them down her hips. He held them up to his face and inhaled. Emitting a half growl half groan that had her on the verge of orgasm, his eyes fluttered closed. When he opened them again the green was dark and dominated by his pupils. Clasping her hips, he spread her thighs and pushed one over his shoulder.
Ariadne cried out as he licked her. She bucked but he stayed with her until she was calling his name. He stood and arranged her hips so that her ass was perched on the edge of the chair’s arm. She wrapped her legs around his waist and held onto the sofa’s back. Asher rubbed his cock against the seam of her pussy, teasing her clit and her cunt until she was arching into him. He felt delicious. “Please, Ash.”
“You want me, baby?” he asked, notching the bulbous head of his cock in her pussy.
“Yes, please,” she practically sobbed.
“Tell me you love me again.”
“I love you.” Asher filled her with one long thrust. She tightened her legs around him and held on as he set a fast and hard rhythm. He plunged deep, hitting her g-spot, circled his hips until she was moaning, withdrew and started the process all over again. He came down over her bracing himself on his extended arms.
“Touch your clit, baby,” he panted. “Want to feel your pussy sucking my cock.”
Whimpering, she obeyed. She snaked a hand between their bodies and slid her fingers over the slick, plump bud of her clit. She started to come almost immediately. Asher groaned and pumped into her harder and deeper. He came calling her name. The sensation of his cock swelling and filling her with heat was enough to have her moaning again.
He hugged her close, plastering his sweaty skin to hers. “So can I expect this type of welcome every time I come home?”
She laughed and kissed his neck, ear, jaw, any part of him that she could reach. “Occasionally.”
“I owe Ted a big thank you.”
“He told me the truth about what happened with the car.”
“Really?”
“You’re not upset?”
“I would have told you eventually.”
“He said your dad made you pay for a used car after that. Why don’t I remember you driving a crappy car?”
He laughed. “Because I avoided driving it whenever I could. I’d bum rides home or take the bus. I used to pray for it to break down. Damn thing was ridiculously reliable when it came to starting though nothing short of a fortune would make the heat, air, or radio work. I left the doors unlocked and placed the keys in clear sight on the dash, hoping it would get stolen. It never did. Not even thieves wanted it.”
“So how did you get rid of it?”
“My dad eventually felt sorry for me and let me sell it.” He stood and held out his hand to her. “Shower?”
She nodded. She gathered up their clothes before following him upstairs. He had the water warm by the time she met him in the bathroom. They climbed into the stall together. Asher pulled her into his arms. His shoulders blocked the water from hitting her directly. She angled her head so that her hair wouldn’t get wet. “Tell me again,” he murmured against her lips.
She knew exactly what he needed to hear. “I love you, Asher.” She slid her fingers into his hair and brought his mouth down to hers.
Epilogue
“Why are we stopping here?” Asher was taking her to see the building he and his father were going to purchase and convert into offices for the law firm. But instead, he was pulling into the library parking lot.
“I’ve got some research I want to do on the building really quickly before I make an offer. Why don’t you come in with me? It’s too hot to stay in the car.”
She unlatched her seatbelt. Asher came around and opened her door. He held her hand as they
walked inside. “I think what I’m looking for is on the second floor,” he said, leading her toward the stairs.
“We could ask. I think I saw a librarian behind the desk.” She glanced over her shoulder but Asher continued without halting. He headed for a section in a back corner by a long narrow window. There were people there already. A tall man in a hat and a petite woman with flowing blonde hair perused the bookcases lining the wall.
When she saw the woman’s profile, Ariadne’s feet stalled. She hadn’t seen Erika or spoken to her in over a month, but she’d know her best friend anywhere. “Ash, wait,” she whispered.
He squeezed her hand. “Don’t you think it’s time that the two of you talked?”
She looked up at him. He didn’t seem at all surprised to see Ted and Erika here. “You set this up?”
He shrugged. “Along with Ted.”
Her eyes narrowed. “And you chose the library because…?”
He grinned. “You can’t exactly get in a screaming match here, can you?”
By this time, Erika had spotted her as well. Ariadne sighed and walked over. They stood staring at each other for a second. Erika was the first to break. She reached out and pulled her into a hug. Ariadne returned it eagerly. “I’ve missed you so much,” Erika cried.
“I missed you, too. I wanted to call you, but I didn’t think you’d talk to me.”
“Same here. I’m so sorry. I’ve been an idiot. I kind of knew that this would happen all along. I always knew he was into you.”
Ariadne took a deep breath and pulled back. “Let’s sit down.” There was a table right in front of the windows and they sat beside each other. “Why didn’t you tell me that?”
“At first, I thought it was obvious. That you didn’t know kind of shocked me, but then it didn’t matter since you didn’t seem to like him very much.”
She grimaced. “I couldn’t let myself like him since I you were so into him.”
“I’m so sorry. Ted has been trying to reason with me, but I’ve been a dolt about it. He told me how happy the two of you were together. I haven’t been a very good friend. I should have been happy for you instead of trying to ruin a good thing for you. I’m sorry that I’ve been such a wet blanket.”
“I’m sorry I took your dream guy. If it’s any consolation, he snores.”
“I fucking do not,” Asher said in a loud whisper, dropping into a seat across from them. “I’m perfect and you know it.”
“The ego remains unchecked,” Ted said with a sigh. “So, can we go to dinner now? I’m starving.”
Erika sniffed and giggled. “I guess that means our time to catch up is over. I have so much to tell you.”
Ariadne smiled. “Me, too.”
Squeezing her hand, Erika stood. The two of them walked ahead of the men. “Ari, I can’t tell you how sorry I am. You don’t have to worry about me anymore. I love my husband. I really do. Ash is like that hot movie star you fantasize about that you know you’ll never meet. And then he gets married and you automatically hate the bitch that snagged him. Not that I’m calling you a bitch. You know what I mean. Anyway, the whole situation is complicated because I do know Ash.” They exited the library and the sun shone in their faces. “But it’s stupid of me not to have let go of this obsession sooner. And I can’t thank you enough for forgiving me. I’m the luckiest girl in the world to have people like you and Ted who stick by me even when I’m being an idiot.”
Ariadne gave her a quick hug. “Not a problem. I love you.” Asher waited for her by the side of his SUV. He held the door open for her as she approached. She kissed his cheek. “Thank you.” It was going to be a while before her friendship with Erika was back to what it was. She didn’t know when she’d feel comfortable discussing her relationship with Asher with her. They’d always been able to talk about men in the past, but raving about Asher could be potentially awkward. But this was a start. She appreciated that Asher had seen how unhappy she was and had done something to help her.
He grinned. “What are you thanking me for? The two of you would have made up sooner or later.”
She slid into the car. “Well, it seems like it was going to be much later if you and Ted hadn’t forced the issue.” He closed the door and got in behind the wheel. “So I take it you don’t have a building you want to show me?”
“Not yet. I’ve got a few possibilities. I want Dad to see them first before I make an offer on anything.” He started the car.
“I never asked, but can you afford to take this much time off work? There aren’t any cases in need of your attention?”
“I handed my cases over to my dad and another attorney. There was nothing at a critical stage that required my presence.”
They drove along in silence for a while. She could see Ted’s car ahead of them through the windshield. “I love you, Asher.”
“I love you, too, baby.” Then he sighed. “I’ve known all along that eventually you would. Everyone does.”
She rolled her eyes at his arrogance. And then he laughed and she wished that they had time to go home for just an hour or two. “One day,” she said, crossing her legs, “I’m going to find a way to turn you on the same way you do me.”
“Baby, you’ve been doing that since you were sixteen simply by walking into a room.”
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