by LK Farlow
“The white one, for freaking sure.”
“You think?”
She looks at me like I’m dumb. “Literally said for freaking sure.”
“Okay, okay!” I hold my hands up in surrender. “Love you big, Mally.”
“Love you bigger—now go shower!”
An hour later, I’m wrapped in my robe, scrubbed, shaved, and moisturized within an inch of my life. My hair is blown out and set into deep waves, looking shinier than ever thanks to my latest Insta-ad impulse purchase. All that’s left is for me to slather my face with some makeup and to get dressed. There’s nothing like a good book to calm my nerves. I trot into my bedroom to snag my Kindle when a knock at my front door has me course correcting.
“I swear, he better not be early,” I mutter to myself, holding my robe tight with one hand and swinging the door open with the other.
“Stacia?”
Her red slicked lips tilt up in a devious grin at my confusion. “Can I come in?”
“Um, sure.” I step aside to let her in. “But why?”
She wiggles her wrist, bringing my attention to the substantial makeup case she’s carrying. “Your girl Mallory sent me.”
“That freaking sneaky sneaker!”
“C’mon, girl, let’s get your face painted fifty shades of sexy.”
I lead Stacia back to my bedroom to set up in front of my vanity. I grab my foundation and moisturizer while she sets up, then sit down and let her do her thing.
Thirty minutes later, Stacia has me looking red carpet ready. My face is highlighted and contoured to dewy perfection, and my lips are a deep fuchsia color that I never would’ve chosen for myself.
“Ah! You’re a total babe! Now let me snap a few pics.”
She grabs a few from various angles before packing her stuff up.
“Hey, actually, would you mind sticking around long enough for me to get dressed? I want to send a pic to Mallory and can’t selfie for shit.”
“Sure, go get dressed.”
I grab my clothes and scurry into the bathroom to change, donning a matching nude-colored lace bra and panty set beneath my white strappy shift dress, topping the look off with a pair of tall, lilac heels.
Stacia gives a loud catcall when I step back into the bedroom. “Girl! Colton’s tongue is gonna wag when he sees you.”
“Not going to lie, I’m excited to see his reaction.”
“I wouldn’t be shocked if he sprung some wood the second you open the door.” She shrugs. “I’m just saying. Now, you have fun and know that Cruz is in good hands.”
She takes a few pics on my phone before taking off.
Now, all that’s left to do is wait.
Read and wait and try not to obsess over how our first date will go. Gah! Who has their first date after saying ‘I love you?’ Talk about a curved path!
39
Colton
I knock on Ashley’s door at 7:30 sharp. Waiting nearly killed me. After checking the clock for the third time in a fifteen-minute span, I gave up and decided to go for a drive to calm my nerves.
Nerves. How fucking ridiculous. I know how Ashley sounds when she comes, the way she tastes—and yet I’m nervous about taking her to dinner.
My tension eases when she answers the door looking like pure temptation dressed in white. “My God, you look good enough to eat.”
She struts up to me and wraps her fingers around my lapel—just like she did at West’s wedding—and smiles. “You’re not too bad yourself, Mr. Banks.”
Desire pulses through me, stronger than ever, but I stuff it down. Now’s not the time for that—we have to have dinner before I get my dessert.
“Are you ready?”
“For you? Always.”
I offer her my hand, which she readily accepts, and guide her to my car. The drive passes in a comfortable silence, the kind that comes with familiarity and contentment—something I certainly never imagined I’d find with the woman next to me. Yet I’m so damn glad I did. I’m so incredibly thankful she never gave up on me.
Dinner passes in a blur of good food and even better conversation, but it’s not until dessert that the heavier topics hit.
“Where do you see us going?” Ashley asks, dragging her spoon through the raspberry sauce on the plate.
As she brings it to her mouth and sucks it off, my first thought is my room. But I know she wants a serious answer. “Honestly—and please don’t let this scare you off—but I see us going the distance. It feels like, I don’t know, like we were meant to be here or something. A little more honesty? I feel crazy saying that; that we’re meant to be here. Crazy or not, I believe it. You bring out the best in me and you’re a godsend for my son. We both love you and I can see…I can see us going all the way.”
By the time I finish, my cheeks are undoubtedly pink and my anxiety over her reply churns within me like a raging sea.
I’m so lost in my worry, I jump when Ashley reaches over, placing her hand on mine. She curls her fingers over the top of my hand and offers me a soft smile.
“I feel the same way. The way we did things was backward and unorthodox and yet, so totally us. You challenge me and make me feel more alive than ever. I love you—and your son—Colton Banks.”
The feeling of relief her words brings is like having the weight of the world lifted from my shoulders. I’m not so stupid as to think we won’t have problems going forward, but I think that, together, we can work through whatever life throws our way.
After signing the check, my hand rests on the small of her back as I walk us back to my car. Ashley’s all shy smiles and lip bites, and me…I’m desperate to know what’s on her mind.
“What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?” I ask as I pull away from the curb.
She swings her head my way, her heated gaze raking over me like hot coals. “How utterly devastating you look in your suit.”
“You like it?”
“I do. It reminds me of when we met—I thought you were so incredibly handsome. You know, until you spoke.”
I laugh lightly. “I was a bit of an ass, huh?”
“That’s putting it mildly. But now you’re mine.” She moves her hand to rest on my arm. My fingers flex on the gear shifter as she caresses my forearm with a featherlight touch.
She gently scrapes her nails over the top of my hand, and I groan. I don’t think the little temptress has any idea just how much she affects me. Especially after a week of nothing more than small kisses and even smaller touches.
I have no one to blame but myself—I told her I wanted to wine her and dine her before getting her in my bed again. Cheeky little thing even tried getting me into her bed on the grounds that it wasn’t mine.
But I stood firm. I don’t want to risk her thinking this is purely physical. Sure, she elicits a response from me unlike any other, but it’s because of the more between us.
And with our meal done, I’m ready to get her home and have my fill of her. Double helpings, if possible.
The feeling of Ashley’s hand dropping to my thigh pulls me from thoughts of devouring what’s between hers.
“Thank you for such a wonderful evening,” she says, her voice all sex.
I shoot her a brief smile before returning my eyes to the road. “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.”
“I think I’d enjoy just about anything with you.” She walks her fingers across my leg until her hand rests on the zipper of my slacks.
“What are you doing?” I ask, my grip on the steering wheel going white knuckled as she rubs her palm over my hardening cock.
“Dinner’s over,” she says, her nimble fingers tugging down the zipper as she frees me from the confines of my pants. “Dinner’s over, and I want my dessert.”
She leans over the console and takes me between her lips. I damn near run us off the road at the feel of her hot, wet mouth. Ashley sucks me hard before withdrawing with an audible pop.
“Fuuuuuck,” I moan, my right hand mov
ing from the gear shift to the back of her head.
Her eyes roll my way, and a self-satisfied smile lines her lips. Dirty girl is loving this—and, oh my God, so am I.
With great effort, I keep us in our lane and maintain the speed limit as she resumes sucking me. Her head bobs in a languid, steady tempo as she pumps my base at the same rhythm. A little moan leaves her lips with every stroke.
By the time my condo is in sight, my breathing is labored and pleasure is dancing over my skin like electricity. The muscles in my legs tense as I guide the car into my parking spot, throwing the car into park. I can’t hold back any longer.
“Ashley.” I run my fingers through her hair, making her moan and squirm in her seat. “Ash.” I say her name again, but it’s no use. She’s a woman on a mission, and her mission is to wreck me with those pouty lips of hers.
Unable to hold back a second longer, I explode in her mouth. “Fuck, Ash. That was…” My words fail me. “In-fucking-credible.”
Ashley pulls off of me and holds up her index finger, signaling me to wait. She turns away from me, pops open the passenger side door, and spits.
“Much better.” She unbuckles and turns back to me. “Let’s finish this inside?”
I tuck myself back into my slacks. “Yes, please.”
Together, hand-in-hand, we fly to my condo. The second we’re inside, I have her pinned against the door with my lips on hers. I kiss and touch her the way I’ve wanted to all week.
My hands roam and explore as she trembles beneath my touch. “Goddamn, I’m a lucky man,” I murmur against her neck as she wraps her legs around my waist.
“I need you to fuck me.” She pushes me away from her and sets off down the hall, stripping out of her dress and heels as she goes.
“With pleasure,” I growl, following behind her.
By the time I catch up, she stands at the foot of my bed wearing nothing but flesh-colored lace.
“You’re a goddess,” I tell her, falling to my knees at her feet. “Divine. Meant to be worshiped.”
“If I’m a goddess, you’re a god.”
“Then we can worship each other.” I run my thumb over the seam of her panties, feeling her dampness even through the fabric, before pulling them down.
She braces her hands on my shoulders and steps out of them. Unable to help myself, I lean in for a taste of her arousal. Sweet and tangy and so very Ashley.
Her fingers thread through my hair as I flick my tongue against her swollen clit. “Colt—” She breaks off in a moan. “As-as good as this feels, I need to feel you inside of me.”
My body is already on fire for her, but those words—they’re a match.
With one last lick, I rise to my feet. “Watch me,” I tell her as I shrug out of my coat, tossing it God-knows-where. “You’re meant for me, Ashley.” I pop the buttons to my shirt, never taking my eyes off of her.
She rubs her thighs together as her chest heaves.
“You’re mine.” I do away with my belt and unfasten my pants. “Completely and irrevocably”—I shove my pants and boxers down, kicking them away— “mine.”
“And you’re mine, too?” she asks, a hint of vulnerability creeps into her tone.
“Solely yours, Ashley, for as long as you’ll have me.”
She reaches behind her and unhooks the clasp to her bra. It falls away, leaving us both deliciously naked. “Forever,” she whispers. “I’ll have you forever.”
I press my lips to hers, sealing her vow with a searing kiss. We fall to the bed as we hungrily taste one another’s lips. However, the position we land in—her on top of me—gives me an idea. “Ride me, Ashley.”
She nods, nibbling on her lip.
I sheath my dick in a condom and she straddles me, sinking down onto me with a breathy moan.
She rocks against me a few times before circling her hips in slow, controlled movements meant to drive me insane.
“You feel so good,” she whimpers, her nails digging into my chest, hard enough to mark me.
A sheen of sweat covers both of us as she steadily rolls her hips, giving as much pleasure as she takes.
Lifetimes pass as she moves on me—and yet, all too soon, that telltale tingle starts in my balls, telling me I’m close.
Not wanting to finish without her, I pull her in for a kiss. The arch of her back pulls me deeper into her, allowing me to hit that sweet spot with every downward rotation.
I pepper kisses down her jaw and neck. “Rub your clit, Ash. Show me how good you feel.”
Her hand snakes between us, and while I can’t see her actions, I feel them in the way she tightens and spasms around me.
“Oh-oh, shit, yes!” Her movements turn frantic as she chases her release. “Colton!” She screams my name as we both detonate, falling over the edge together, perfectly in sync.
Once I’m recovered from the force of my orgasm, I flip us, my semi-hard cock slipping from her warmth. I make quick work of disposing of the condom, tying it off and tossing it in the wastebasket by my bed.
Ashley, my beautiful tempting goddess, is nearly comatose with pleasure. “Colton,” she sleepily murmurs my name as she reaches for me.
“Yes?”
“I love you.”
I pepper her supple skin with kisses, dotting them all along her neck, shoulders, and chest. “I love you, too, Ash. More than words can express.”
“I don’t need your words, Colton.” She nuzzles her face into the crook of my neck.
Her declaration stops me in my tracks. “What do you mean?” I fall to my back, and she immediately burrows into my side, as if the potential loss of contact is too much for her to bear.
“I don’t need your words when you’ve given me your actions.” She tangles her legs with mine and throws her arm over my chest. She yawns and smiles up at me. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice to hear, but you show me day in and day out exactly how much you love me.”
I trail my fingers up and down her back as her breathing evens out and sleep claims her, vowing here and now to continue showing her day in and day out exactly how much I love her.
EPILOGUE – ASHLEY
THREE YEARS LATER
“Mmm,” my husband says as he kisses up and down my neck. “Merry Christmas, Ashley.”
I arch my back, pressing my ass into his morning wood. “Happy Anniversary,” I counter.
“That, too.” Colton shoves a hand into my silk sleep shorts, his fingers parting my folds to dip inside me. “Already so wet for me.”
“You think we have time before—”
“Mommy! Daddy! Wake up!”
Colton laughs as he withdraws his hands from my shorts. We both sit up and straighten our clothes just in time for Cruz to bound into our bedroom.
“Santa came!” Cruz crawls up onto the bed, bouncing on the space between us, excited as—well, a kid at Christmas.
“Did he?” my husband asks, his voice still thick with unsated desire.
“He did, Daddy! He did! There are so many presents! Get up!”
He climbs on top of me to reach for the baby monitor on my nightstand. “Camilla! Wake up, sister! We have presents!” He speaks into the one-way radio like it’s a walkie-talkie.
“She can’t hear you, bud.”
Cruz pouts.
Colton snorts out a laugh. “Why don’t we go wake her up together, bud?”
“Yes! Can I hold her?”
“Once we’re all sitting down, you can.”
“But I’m big!” Cruz insists.
“You are,” I tell him, ruffling his shaggy blond hair. “But Camilla is so very small. She’s fragile.”
“Okay, Mommy,” Cruz says, as he drags Colton down the hall to the nursery.
My heart flutters in my chest the same way it does every time he calls me that. glob love him, he asked if he could call me mom the second Kelsey signed over her rights to Cruz, which just so happened to be on our first Christmas together. Talk about an unbeatable gift. Colton had the pa
perwork filed and a petition for me to adopt prepped and ready to go the very next day.
For our second Christmas, Colton and I eloped.
This year—our third Christmas—we were given the ultimate gift in the form of the sweet baby girl sleeping in the nursery down the hall.
Camilla is two months old and absolute perfection. It’s crazy how well our sweet baby girl fits into our family dynamic. She’s only been with us a week, but in those short seven days, she’s cemented herself into our hearts with her gummy baby smiles, sweet coos, and tenacious personality.
Seriously, who knew a baby could be tenacious?
We tried for the last year to conceive, but the universe had other plans for us. Eventually, we decided to adopt.
I like to think that our sweet, feisty Camilla was hand-picked just for us by fate. The social worker assigned to her just so happens to be the same one who helped Colton navigate the murky legal waters of fatherhood after Cruz came to him.
She and Colton have kept in touch over the years—both for work and her checking in on our sweet boy. She knew we were looking to adopt and we were the first couple she called when looking for a placement. One look into her deep mocha eyes was all it took for us to know she was meant to be ours.
The sound of Cruz singing Christmas music to Camilla filters through the monitor, bringing a watery smile to my face. I haul myself out of my warm and cozy bed and wrap myself up in my robe before setting off in search of my family.
Have mercy, that feels so good to say.
I find my three C’s gathered around the tree, with Cruz pacing circles around his pile of gifts. I join Colton on the floor, graciously accepting the steaming mug of coffee he passes my way.
“Can we open them now? Please?” Cruz uses those trademark puppy dog eyes of his.
With a grin and a twinkle in his eye, Colton tells him to go for it.
It doesn’t take long for our dude to tear through his presents. With each one he unwraps, he declares it his new favorite thing—even the goofy looking sweater his grandmothers sent. He demands to wear it over his jammies and we agree—quickly snapping a pic to capture the moment.
