by Nikki Paris
Elliot shook his head. “Naw. He couldn’t make it.”
“Gotcha.” Ash was sitting so rigidly beside me. I wanted to make her relax.
Lena rolled her eyes. “This place probably isn’t fancy enough for prince Thomas. I’m gonna order a round of shots! We’re celebrating tonight! You ready, Ash?”
“Damn straight!” She laughed.
Lena slid out of the booth and headed for the bar.
“Oh! We need beers too!” Elliot called after Lena, but she didn’t hear him over the loud music. “All right. I got it. Blue Moon’s good with y’all?”
Ash and I both nodded, and Elliot headed to the bar, too.
Once we were alone, I shifted so that the side of my leg touched Ash’s. I could feel the heat of her body. My desire to kiss her was almost unbearable. I cleared my throat. “Am I allowed to tell you that you look beautiful?” I asked. The last three days had been close to torture, working five feet away from her, not being allowed to so much as flirt. Just smiling at her too often seemed to piss her off thoroughly. I was pressing my luck now.
Her eyes flashed over to meet mine. “Not unless you’re going to say it to everyone in our group tonight.” But then she leaned a little closer, and her eyes lingered on my lips.
“Okay, boss.” I grinned. “I won’t tell you that those jeans are sexy as hell and that your pouty lips drive me crazy. I will not mention how hot you look in red. I wouldn’t dare say those things to you, because that would be so inappropriate.”
Ash parted her lips slightly and pressed her leg into mine. “So inappropriate.” She swallowed and licked her lips. Then she looked away. “You were good at making the kids laugh at the game event yesterday. I just thought I should tell you that. Because I’m a reasonable person that recognizes good work.”
I grinned. “Thank you, Ash.”
Elliot and Lena were back. Ash sat up straighter but didn’t move her leg.
“Camden, what can you tell me about the Fostering Success program? How did you find out about it? And do you mind telling me how much they gave you and how far it went?” Elliot leaned forward, elbows on the table.
“Sure. I don’t mind at all.”
Ash’s eyes were glued to my face.
I said, “I started working at a car wash when I was eighteen. I was sleeping on my foster brother’s couch at the time, in this tiny, shitty studio apartment. I kinda figured that was just going to be my life.”
The waitress brought over our beers and tequila shots. Elliot thanked her and said, “Hold up, finish what you were saying, man, then we’ll do these shots.”
I continued. “After about a year, one of my foster sisters called me up and told me about this non-profit that helped her get into college. She found it through the foster parents she had when she was seventeen. Anyway, she told me I should talk to them. It took me another few months before I worked up the courage, but I finally called the number she gave me.”
Elliot nodded. Lena rested her chin in her hands, leaning forward, hanging on my every word. Ash stared at me with something new in her eyes, like a mix of curiosity and confusion.
“I met James at FS, and he got me hooked up with a scholarship. It paid for housing, tuition, and books for my entire first year. Then I was able to get grants and scholarships for the rest and work odd jobs on the side. Now I’m almost done.”
Elliot and Lena were grinning. “Yes!” Elliot said. “We love hearing those stories. That’s awesome! Right, Ash?”
Ash still stared at me with her mouth slightly open. “Wow. Yeah. I had no idea.”
I grinned and nudged her with my elbow. “Ash, have you still not read my application?”
Her cheeks turned slightly pink. “I read it.” She cleared her throat. “Maybe I forgot to read the cover letter.”
I laughed out loud, and Elliot passed the shots around. He held up his glass and said, “To making a difference, even when it feels like you’re not.” We clinked our glasses together and tossed back the tequila.
Two hours later, we were all mildly drunk, and suddenly Ash thought everything I said was hilarious. Fuck, I liked her laugh. She stood to use the bathroom, and I could not, to save my life, keep my eyes off her ass while she walked. I hardly knew what I was doing when I said, “I need to use the bathroom, too.”
I headed for men’s room, and when I came back out, I was face to face with Ash in the narrow hallway between the bathrooms. “Hey.” She smiled.
“Hey.”
“You think I look hot tonight?”
“Absolutely. I think you look hot every second of every day.” The air between us was sizzling.
“Well, I think you look hot, too.” Ash’s eyes lingered on my lips. “I want to kiss you, but I shouldn’t.”
“No. I think you should.” I closed the distance between us and pressed my lips into hers. Ash pushed me up against the wall and ran her fingers through my hair. Her perfect tits were rubbing against my chest, and I wondered if we were about to have bathroom stall sex when she pulled away.
“Wow. That’s the tequila talking.” Ash laughed. “We shouldn’t do this. You are just so damn tempting.” Then her lips were back on mine.
Two seconds later. “Nope. Nope.” Ash shook her head and backed away. “I’m sorry. I gave you so much shit about being professional, and now I’m all over you.” She covered her face with both hands and started to walk away. Ash turned over her shoulder and said, “I’m sorry, by the way, for assuming that you were just a hot guy in a club. You’re a lot more.”
Damn. Was I changing her mind?
7
Ash
I sat alone in my quiet apartment on Saturday night. I’d thought it would take me a while to get used to living alone. Then I quickly realized that Maddox and I had basically been living that way anyway. At least there was no pain or pressure in this loneliness.
I needed to sleep, but I still had so much work to do. I’d just go through the photos Camden took at the last outreach event, and then I’d go to sleep. I needed to pick a few for social media, and a few more for the benefit dinner slideshow.
I started scrolling through the photos and rolled my eyes. The first ten pictures were selfies of Camden blowing kisses and giving sexy eyes. I wanted to be annoyed, but I felt a smile forcing its way across my face. He’d done this on purpose to mess with me. After he emailed the photos to me yesterday, he’d said, “Some of those are just for you, Ash.”
Ugh! Why the hell did I drunkenly make out with him last weekend? I was so serious about needing to keep things professional, and then I ruined it! Now he flirted shamelessly when no one was looking, and I couldn’t even get mad because I liked it.
I stared at the sexy as hell face that filled my computer screen. He made me so hot!
Screw it.
I picked up my phone and typed Nice pics. Then I pressed send.
Camden replied immediately, even though it was after midnight. I thought you’d like them.
My heart was racing. I typed, Come fuck me. Nope. I deleted it and tried again. Why are you up so late?
I’m thinking about your butterfly tattoo.
I rolled my eyes, but I laughed, too. It was completely normal to want sex. It was a biological need. That’s all that was happening right now. You wanna come over?
Ash, don’t fucking tease me. I will be over there so fast if you’re serious.
I bit my lip. I’m serious.
See you in ten.
“Shit!” I jumped up and ran into my bathroom. I brushed my teeth and swished some mouth wash. I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to give it some more sexy volume, and put on some lipstick. I went into my closet next and rummaged through my underwear drawer. Should I just open the door in nothing but my black, lace bra and panty set?
I held the lingerie in my hands, and memories of Maddox washed over me. I bought this set for Valentine’s Day two years ago. Maddox hardly even looked at me when I came downstairs wearing it. Suddenly
I felt so small.
No.
I tossed the lingerie in the trash and held my head high. I stripped down and put on a pair of red lace panties and a plain white tank top with no bra. I’d buy some new lingerie tomorrow. It wouldn’t be for Maddox, or Camden, or anyone but me. From here on out, I was going to feel sexy for me.
There was a soft knock at my door. I stared at myself in the mirror before going to answer it. There was nothing wrong with what I was doing. I was allowed to want sex with a guy that turned me on. Sex was supposed to be enjoyable and free of pressure. Camden and I could just have fun.
I walked through my living room and kitchen and pulled the door open. Camden stood outside wearing black athletic shorts and a tight gray t-shirt that showed off his muscles. “Fuck, Ash.” He ran his hands over his face, and I watched his dick form a tent in his shorts.
“Hey.” I stepped back to let him in. My heart was pounding in my throat.
Camden walked inside and shut the door behind him. “I mean, I thought I was hard when you invited me over, but now…” He pressed his body into mine. “It’s like a whole new level.”
I gave him a soft, teasing kiss. “Should we like, lay down some ground rules first?”
“I hate rules, Ash.” He sucked on my neck.
I laughed and pressed my body tighter into his. I was wet and practically throbbing for him. “You’re so damn hot, Camden, and I cannot deny this attraction. But we have to keep it casual. I can’t deal with complicated.”
He slid my tank top off over my head and sucked my left breast. “I hate complicated.”
I moaned. I usually had so much control over the noises I made, but fucking not when Camden touched me. “And this can’t get in the way of our work, so it’s just sex, yeah?” I gasped as he slid my panties down and kissed my throbbing, aching pussy.
He gripped my hips and looked up at me. Just his gorgeous blue eyes made me want to come. “If that’s what you want, Ash.”
“Okay.” I was breathing heavily, as I led him to my bedroom. I lay back on my bed, naked, legs open, body practically writhing with need.
Camden stood and stared at me, eyes traveling slowly over every inch of my exposed body. “Damn, Ash. It is unreal how sexy you are.” He tugged his shirt off and asked, “Did you happen to buy any condoms in the last two weeks?”
I laughed. “Shit. No.” I wasn’t ready to tell him that it didn’t matter. Hell, I never needed to tell him that because it was only ever going to be sex.
He laughed and shook his head. “I got it.”
After we fucked, we fucked again. Then Camden rolled onto his back, panting and asked, “Sleepovers?”
I buried my hands in my hair and stared up at the ceiling, chest heaving. “No. We shouldn’t even do this again.”
Camden just smiled and said, “Okay, boss.”
He leaned over and gently kissed my cheek again before leaving my apartment.
◆◆◆
I thought I’d gotten my sexual needs fulfilled. I honestly thought we weren’t going to do it again. We managed to get through an entire week of work with minimal flirting.
Then, the next weekend, I found myself buying a box of condoms at the grocery store, along with my eggs, bread, and apples. After that, suddenly, I was texting Camden a pic of said box of condoms. Two hours after that, we were fucking on the kitchen counter in his small studio apartment.
“Oh, God!” I gasped as he thrust into me. I had my legs wrapped tightly around his waist, and my hands tangled in his hair. “Ooh, that feels good, Camden. It feels good when you’re inside of me. Oh, this is so wrong! I shouldn’t be fucking the intern!”
“Sh, don’t think about it being wrong. We’re both consenting adults, Ash. Who cares if I’m the intern?” Then Camden covered my lips with his and continued to thrust into me, faster and faster. I was almost disappointed when we both came —not because it didn’t feel amazing —because I didn’t want it to be over yet.
He slid out of me and tossed his condom in the trash. “Damn, girl.” Camden ran his hands through his hair and leaned against the counter beside me. He let out a deep breath and then patted my knee. “I’m going to go use the bathroom. Make yourself at home.” He headed toward the bathroom, and I gazed at his gorgeous naked ass.
I slid off the kitchen counter and wandered around Camden’s living room/bedroom, not bothering to dress. His apartment was tiny but surprisingly uncluttered. He had a queen-sized bed up against the back wall and a small gray couch next to the window. There was a small TV up against the other wall, and a single black bookshelf. The bookshelf was filled with his school books and framed photos.
One photo was of a woman and a toddler boy. She had Camden’s eyes. Was that his real mom? The next photo was of a group of eight kids with a rainbow of skin colors, ranging in age from infant to teenager. I spotted a seven-year-old Camden in the middle, unsmiling.
There wasn’t another photo of him until he was a preteen. This time, his happy smile lit up his entire face. A sweet-looking old couple had their arms around Camden, and three other children — a skinny little black boy with a toothy grin, a little girl with olive-colored skin and long black braids, and one more tiny girl with bright orange pigtails and a mess of freckles.
I shook my head and backed away from the pictures. If this was just sex, like I kept trying to tell myself, I shouldn’t be looking at Camden’s personal shit. I swore to myself that I wasn’t falling for him. I swore I could stop this at any time.
Then he walked up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. He was hard again. Camden started kissing my neck. I told myself just to smile and say, “Good-bye,” but he felt so good. So instead, I turned around and kissed him, sliding my tongue into his mouth. Then we fucked on his couch.
I left his apartment wanting more while also telling myself that it shouldn’t happen again. He was the Bright Starts intern, and he was exceptional. I was behaving inappropriately.
8
Ash
The following week, we fucked four out of seven days. Twice at my apartment, once at his, and once in my car.
We kept trying to tell ourselves that it was just sex. We’d fuck, hard, and then we’d leave. We didn’t hang around to cuddle and talk. It was just sex!
I glanced over at Camden now. He was typing away on his laptop in the corner of my office, looking so damn fuck-able. He was typing, and it turned me on! What the hell was I doing? Someone was going to get hurt, and it was most definitely going to be me.
Elliot rapped his knuckles on the doorframe of my open office door. I jumped and pushed down the guilt that surfaced. I still hadn’t told Elliot about sleeping with Camden. He would have thought it was funny if I’d told him on Camden’s first day. We could have laughed about it. He could have given me a ton of shit, and then we could have moved on. Now, though, if I told Elliot, he’d be pissed. This thing with Camden had gone way too far.
“Ash,” Elliot said, “do you mind if I borrow Camden? I think he’d be good at talking to this company I’m going to meet with today.”
I answered, too quickly. “Yes! Take him! Absolutely!”
Camden looked up from his work and raised his eyebrows at me. “Geez, Ash, don’t be so excited to get rid of me.”
I gave him a weak smile. “That’s not what I meant. I think it’s great if Elliot can use your skills.”
Camden laughed. “I know. I’m only giving you a hard time.” He stood to follow Elliot.
I let out a sigh of relief and rested my forehead on my desk. I wouldn’t have to look at his sexiness and fight the need to climb him today. He was going to be out with Elliot.
I turned back to my computer and read the email Lena had just sent. It was a list of all the things she needed to decorate the tables at the benefit dinner. I’d go pick up the supplies today, or maybe I’d send Camden when he got back. Maybe if I kept sending him on errands, I wouldn’t have to see him as much, and then he wouldn’t be so tempting.
I needed a coffee, and not the cheap shit we brewed in the office. I headed out to find Tom and Lena arguing. It wasn’t shocking. They came from completely different worlds and were often at odds with each other. Tom came from a prominent white upper-class family, and Lena grew up with a single mom that worked two jobs to pay the bills. Tom was straight and a little conservative. Lena was a loud, left-wing lesbian.
Usually, they kept their annoyance with each other in check. At the end of the day, they both cared about the work more than their differences.
“The slideshow is too long every year! I’ve been saying this since you hired me!” Tom glared at Lena from his desk.
Lena gaped at him, her green eyes filled with anger. “And I disagree, Tom. I think the slideshow doesn’t showcase enough of what we do! I think these people care about what they’re investing in and want to see these kids succeed!”
“Nobody ever listens to me around here! Why’d you hire me if you didn’t want my input?”
“We didn’t hire you for input about the slideshow! We hired you because you’re a dumb trust-fund kid with rich connections!”
“Whoa, Lena!” I interrupted.
Tom was fuming. His pale face had turned beet-red, and he balled his fists up at his side.
“Tom, that is not why we hired you. We very much appreciate everything you do here. We know you could be spending your time making a lot more money.” I smiled at Tom, trying to diffuse the tension.
“He doesn’t need the money. Daddy gives him plenty to live on!” Lena spat.
“Lena!” I gasped. “Lena, come help me pick up coffee for everyone. Now.”
Tom just glared and shook his head. “Screw you, Lena!” He yelled as we walked out.
“Tom, please?” I begged over my shoulder.
His light gray eyes softened, and he sat back down at his desk without another word.
As Lena and I walked to my car, I gave her a sideways glance. “What the hell was that about? Not really the slideshow, I’m guessing.”
