And half naked.
I snuggle into him and sniff the scent that sends my ovaries into overload. My hormones are bouncing around like damn grasshoppers. Granted, he’s a little more stinky than usual but for some reason, today, that is enough to do me in. I sniff him again and sigh at the smell that is one hundred percent Jameson Strauss, my favorite smell in the world. I can’t believe I deprived myself of him for years.
“Did you just sniff me?”
I nod in response. I need more of him. In me or on me; I need more. Straightening my back, my chest rises and I feel his body stiffen in awareness. My hold on Jameson tightens before I poke the tip of my tongue out and swirl it around his neck. A low groan rumbles from the back of his throat, and I feel how turned on he is.
Who am I to deny such an obvious invitation? I slide my hands back and forth along his back, allowing my nails to scrape his skin. Before I’m able to do much more, he lifts me up and my legs go around his waist as he lays me on top of the table.
“You’re playing with fire, baby.”
“Mmm . . . burn me, Jameson.”
Without another word, Jameson steals my lips with his own, and I melt into the table. My legs are still wrapped around his waist and his lightweight workout shorts do little to restrain his hardening erection. I lift my hips and the brief contact almost creates an orgasm. I’m like a damn firecracker ready to go off.
I don’t have time to contemplate my almost orgasm because Jameson is tugging down my tank top to expose by breasts to him. The cool air from the ceiling fan causes my nipples to harden just as he flicks one with his tongue.
Our sex is always phenomenal but something about these spontaneous encounters makes it even more so. Jameson and I have always had an attraction, but the moment we quit lying to ourselves and everyone else and made our relationship official, the phenomenal sex became something much more. We’re combustible. Each tug, lick, and thrust is full of passion and heat. Each time we’re together, I can’t believe it will get better, but each time it does.
When Jameson makes love to me, I feel treasured and loved. When he fucks me like he’s about to now, I feel desired and beautiful. I can’t wait another minute and begin tugging off the cotton shorts I’m wearing. Clearly impatient, Jameson smacks my hand out of the way and does the honors. I giggle a little, but the look in his eyes instantly turns me from smiling and giggling to the verge of an orgasm from a look. How does he do that?
“Fuck, Ashton, you’re so goddamn beautiful.”
Smiling, I sit up and wrap my hand around his neck, pulling him toward me. I kiss him with everything I have, hoping he knows how much he means to me. I don’t have a chance to deepen the kiss before Jameson slides his hands under my ass and lifts me up as he thrusts into me. It’s quick, it’s hard, and it’s glorious. His hands stay under me, keeping me in place with him as he thrusts into me. Each movement pushes him deeper into me. It only takes seconds before my orgasm peaks. Throwing my head back, I let out a cry that rivals a howling coyote.
Jameson immediately follows me. With his chin to his chest and his eyes clenched, I can tell he’s trying to hold on, to ride out his orgasm. He fails and comes with a vengeance.
“Baby, why are you crying?”
Shit, I didn’t know I was. “Sorry. I don’t know why. I’m not sad. That was fanfuckingtastic. That orgasm started in my toes and made its way to my head like a rocket. Maybe your dick tapped my tear starter or something.” I mock and tease because I have no idea why everything is making me cry.
“Doubtful. You’d tell me if something was wrong, right?”
“Of course. I’m sorry,” I say as he pulls from me and stands up. His shorts are only around his ankles so he pulls those up while handing me my own. I don’t bother putting them on and, instead, start walking toward our room and the shower.
“Hey, don’t walk away.” Stopping to look at him, I smile. The tears have stopped but I see the concern on his face and realize how much my emotional roller coaster affects him.
“Dude, your jizz is running down my leg. I’m just heading to the shower.” When in doubt, go with humor and an eyeroll. “Look,” I say, walking toward him. My hand goes to his chest where his heart is beating a mile a minute. “I’m fine. The song, the speech . . . they’re giving me some anxiety. Tears are a given when I’m a stressed-out mess. Plus, I’m probably about to get my period so this will all be over in a few days. Don’t worry your sexy self. Now, are you going to shower with me or do I have to wash my own back?” I tap his chest with my hand as I dramatically pivot and begin walking, a little extra sway to my hips.
Before I know it, Jameson’s rushing toward me, and I’m running from him, laughing. He catches me just as I make it to our bedroom door. His arms wrap around me from behind as he leans down to whisper in my ear.
“If it’s too much, don’t do the song. They’ll understand. I don’t like seeing you stressed. It makes me hurt for you.”
And, cue the tears. “You can’t say stuff like that,” I say, turning toward him. “How is a girl supposed to keep it together when you’re sweet? I’ll be fine. You’ll be there, and I’ll just sing to you like I always do. Now, come wash my back.”
Jameson growls and smacks my ass when I step into the bathroom. I know the song and the speech are creating anxiety. I know I should probably talk to my brother and Piper. I also know I won’t. I’ll suck it up and make this day everything they both want and deserve. I can lose my shit another day.
“Minnie, are you sure you and Owen can handle things next week?” I know the answer. It’s a stupid question. Minnie runs my business better than I do. And Owen? Since she came into his life he’s a completely different person. He’s always been one of my best friends but settling down with her? It’s made him more reliable.
“Whoever said there are no stupid questions was a liar. Yes, Jameson, I’m sure. This is a huge thing for Ashton, and I know how special you want to make the week. Go, enjoy. Make her dreams happen.”
I flop into my chair dramatically. Some days I have no idea if I’m doing the right thing. I’ve been tossing around the idea of booking a recording studio for Ashton since she started singing again. I talked to her parents and, although they had reservations at first, both agreed this may be exactly what she needs. But, they haven’t seen her over the last few weeks. The idea of singing at the wedding, an event that will only be attended by the people she’s closest to, has put stress on her and she is not handling it very well.
Not to mention, I may have talked to her dad about a very important question I plan on asking her. But, seeing as how she’s been crying at the drop of a hat for the last month or so, I can’t see any of this going well.
“Maybe I should cancel.” I should. I need Minnie, who has quickly become one of Ashton’s best friends, to tell me to do it.
“You’re an idiot. You should not cancel.” Minnie looks at me like I’ve completely lost my mind. “You are going to take your girlfriend, the one you’ve asked her father for permission to ask a very important question, on a trip where you’ll smother her with love and make two of her biggest dreams a reality. Stop being a ninny.”
“A ninny? And what two? The studio time is a given. She’s wanted to sing a Dolly Parton song and have it on CD since she was a kid. But, what’s the other?”
“Marrying you,” she scoffs. “Seriously, how do you run this successful business?”
“Umm, Min, you run my business at this point.”
“Excellent point. I should give myself a raise.”
We both laugh, and the tension I was feeling earlier dissipates. Our days rarely vary, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it’s a blessing. When I started this company, I had no idea what I was doing. But, over time, Strauss Construction has become quite successful and we’ve built an excellent reputation. In the past year, I’ve hired and promoted Owen to foreman and brought Minnie on to run the office. It’s freed my time to build community relati
onships and work toward larger projects, away from the smaller remodels we’ve been doing.
This past weekend at my lake property with the guys for Ben’s bachelor party really solidified that I’m moving my life in the right direction. A year ago, we were all single and not nearly as successful or happy as we are now. What a difference a year makes. Hell, last summer I would have been at my cabin with a different girl every weekend. Sure, I was trying to screw a certain brunette out of my mind and my memories, but regardless, it’s how I would have been spending my time.
Instead, the four of us packed up our trucks and headed for a weekend of fishing, whiskey, and razzing the groom-to-be. Ben makes picking on him easy since he is so in touch with his feminine side and has no problem talking about his love for Piper. I, on the other hand, hold back a little. I mean, the woman I love is his little sister. The last thing he wants to hear is about how she prefers reverse cowgirl on any given night. Boundaries and what not.
Monday nights are still guys’ night. We meet up at Country Road for the football game, beers, and wings. It’s a bonus for me because my girl works there, and I get extra special attention. Except tonight, instead of working as usual, Ashton is with Piper and Minnie, working on last minute wedding stuff. Well, Ash and Minnie are working on stuff. Piper’s been sick since her bachelorette party at our house.
I pull up to Country Road and see Taylor’s Harley parked under the lights. Taylor’s a cool guy and, even though he’s technically Ashton’s boss, they work side-by-side like equals and share a brother-sister friendship that is like the actual brother-sister relationship Ashton has with Ben. When Ash and I were dancing around each other for years, stupid stubbornness on both our parts, I was a little jealous of how close Taylor and Ashton were. But, now I’m grateful someone is keeping an eye on her when I’m not. Plus it helps to have an ally when I’m trying to pull a surprise trip off and need to get my girl some time off from work.
Country Road isn’t a dive bar or the honky-tonk it was twenty years ago. But, it’s still a bar, and the idea of my girl working here late at night doesn’t always sit well with me. Tonight, it’s not rowdy or full of a bunch of people looking to get wasted and hookup. Nope, tonight it’s football fans decked out in their favorite team jerseys and over the top accessories, drinking beer and giving each other a hard time.
As I open the door, I’m greeted with a roar of cheers and a few jeers. One of the teams must have scored, and if the level of sound is an indicator, it must be the home team. That’ll make Landon happy. I spot the man himself high-fiving a group of guys at the table next to our usual as I approach.
“There you are; we thought you were bailing on us.” Owen is already pouring me a pint of beer before he finishes his statement. I lift it to my mouth and instead of responding with words, I flip him off. That about covers it.
“What’s the score?”
“The Pack just ran it back to make it ten nothing.” Landon is beaming with so much pride, you’d think he actually played for Green Bay.
“Looks like we need another pitcher. Should I put in for a few orders of wings?” I ask but don’t bother waiting for an answer. I make my way across the room, acknowledging a few guys I know and high-fiving some of my employees sitting at the bar. I need to talk with Taylor and make sure he is still good with me taking Ashton out of town next week.
“Hey man,” I say to a waiting Taylor as I push the now empty pitcher toward him.
“What’s up? Another?”
“Yeah, thanks. Oh, and a couple orders of wings and a large basket of fries.”
After a few minutes, Taylor returns with a fresh pitcher and four icy pint glasses. “You still okay with Ash having next week off?” I ask as I take the handle of the pitcher in my hand.
“Yeah, it’s no problem. I knew these two weeks with the wedding and your trip would be chaotic so I planned ahead. Of course, when she gets back I’m going to need her help. Beth put in her notice today.”
“Beth? Really? Where’s she going?” Beth’s a cool girl, and we’re friends. Well, before Ashton and I were together, we hung out a bit. In the biblical sense. But, it was never more than a friends-with-benefits situation. She was a welcome distraction with no strings, and we both kept each other company when necessary. Honestly, if it wasn’t for Beth I’m not sure if Ashton and I would have taken the next step. Her open flirtation with me in front of Ash really catapulted our relationship.
“No clue. But, it sucks for me. She’s one of our best waitresses.”
“Bummer. Hopefully you’ll find someone soon. You haven’t mentioned next week to Ash, have you? I was still hoping to surprise her after the wedding.”
“Not a word. I even put up a fake schedule for next week. She asked why we were doubled up a few days, but I played it off like there was extra inventory and shit to do. She looked relieved. What’s up with her lately?”
“I have no idea.” I sigh. “She says it’s stress. I hope this surprise isn’t the catalyst to send her over the edge.”
I hang out at the bar, talking to Taylor about the wedding on Saturday. He offered to order the beer and wine we’ll have at the reception, so I’m making sure it’s still set to be delivered to the house later this week. He may not be one of our childhood friends, but Taylor has been an easy addition to our group even if he hasn’t offered much about his past.
By halftime, I’ve eaten half my weight in wings and fries, had a few beers, and watched Landon dance around like the Packers fan he is. His team takes a twenty-one nothing lead, and I figure I can catch the end of the game at home. I remind Owen of the early start we both have tomorrow before leaving.
One of the upsides to small-town living, other than the low housing prices, is how quickly I’m able to make it across town and home. When I pull up to our house, I park behind Ashton’s little green car and sit in the dark for a few minutes. It’s hard to believe just a few months ago, Ashton was just my best friend’s sister, and the girl I shared two secret encounters with. Now, she’s the woman I come home to every night. The woman I hope next week will be wearing a little something on her left hand.
Ashton Sullivan is my future.
Piper Lawrence has been my best friend for as long as I can remember. She’s been the one constant in my life, my strongest ally and my biggest supporter. I’ve never doubted our bond and the depths she’d go for me, and vice versa. Of course, there was that time she was dating my brother behind my back, though. I mean, that shit didn’t go over well with me—at all.
Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t because I don’t want them together. If ever there were two people destined for each other, it’s those two. It’s borderline revolting how cute they are. When I found out, my behavior was less than desirable. Fine, it was childish and selfish. But in my defense, I was in a room with a group of people who knew. They all knew before me. I was hurt. And when I’m hurt or embarrassed, I kind of become a mega asshole.
Except these days. These days, I cry. All the time. And nap. Goodness a nap is like the greatest thing ever. Except at work. Yeah, falling asleep when you’re a bartender is not the best idea. Thankfully, Taylor is the most patient, understanding boss. That man is patient with a capital “P” for putting up with my crying outbursts and lengthy daydreams of napping.
This morning, I woke up and looked at my maid of honor dress and the newly formed spare tire I’m sporting. That sent me into my first fit of tears. Jameson, God bless him, had no idea what to do. As usual. He just held me and consoled me, telling me how amazing I am and how I need to give up singing at the wedding. I won’t do it. I worked too damn hard to push through my anxiety about singing for my family and friends. It’s still not my favorite thing to do, but I will do it.
I have the perfect song and have been rehearsing for weeks. “When You Say Nothing At All” by Alison Krauss has always been a song I imagined being played at my own wedding. But, as much as I love the song, it really is perfect for Ben and Piper’s love sto
ry and that makes me happy. Honestly, I don’t feel anxious about singing. I don’t feel the overwhelming need to vomit nor douse myself in deodorant. Nope, the anxiety seems to be at bay except for the crying. Which makes me tired, and therefore, I nap the day away.
Except today. Today, it’s tears, a catnap, and food. I want all the food. Preferably a grilled tuna melt with extra pickles and onion rings with a massive side of thousand island dressing for dipping. Don’t judge me; it’s amazing. This type of meal is probably why my bridesmaid’s dress is fitting a little snugger in the mid-section than I’d like. Thankfully, I invested in the mega version of Spanx and am good to go.
Unfortunately, the amazing dinner I want will have to wait. Tonight is the wedding rehearsal and dinner at my parents’ house. Mom is having the meal catered by one of the local Italian restaurants. Carbs are a decent concession to the grilled tuna sandwich.
I’m applying the last of my makeup when I hear Jameson walk in our bedroom. That’s not true, I smell him before I hear him. Damn he smells amazing. The citrus body wash he uses mixed with his natural scent and the cologne he spritzed in the other room have my ovaries working overtime.
“You about ready, babe?”
I turn from the mirror to take in my boyfriend. Ladies, Jameson Strauss is by far the hottest piece of man ever to walk the streets of Lexington. He’s standing before me in a pair of charcoal gray slacks and a light blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows with the collar loosened. The blue and gray tie he has around his neck remains loose and begging for me to tug it, and him, to me. His hair is styled with a little gel in that “I just rolled out of bed looking this sexy” way and his beautiful eyes settle on me appreciatively.
Poof. That was the sound of my panties self-destructing. A small smile appears, and his eyes crinkle at the side like they do when he’s ready to pounce me. I know he’s thinking of bending me over this sink. The sexual tension in this small space is not only obvious by the look in his eyes, but it’s the little tells he has. When Jameson is thinking kinky thoughts, his breathing speeds up a little, the rise of his chest is more evident. His pupils dilate more when he thinks of bending me over or taking me against a wall. But it’s the way a small vein in his neck pulses that always gives away his thoughts. Dirty thoughts.
Champagne & Forever Page 4