“That’s what friends are for, Ashton. We do shit even when our friends complain and tell us not to.” He bumped my shoulder back. “And I want you to know that I’m here for you. Don’t let anything get stuck in your craw again. Do you hear me?”
I had kept so much to myself for so long, but he was right; I did need to be open with him and Duke. “I promise.” And then my mind was back on Nina. “We’ve already said the L word to each other. And I should confess this to you guys: I love her more than I’ve ever loved anyone.”
“You know that already?” Duke asked with wide eyes.
“I do.” I was sure I loved her more than anything.
Artimus made a tsk sound. “Well, taking things slow certainly looks like it will be next to impossible for these two.”
I thought so too.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Nina
Thursday night, my cell in my hand and my head on the pillow, I lay in bed talking to Ashton on the phone. “I miss you too.”
Even though we saw each other at work each day, it was hard to walk away from each other to go our separate ways once the workday ended.
“Please reconsider Saturday, baby,” he asked me again.
He’d asked me to come spend at least Saturday night with him. And I did want to, but Lila and Julia had cautioned me about moving too fast with him. And I felt like they were right. “I don’t know, Ashton.”
“I’ll make it worth your while, Nina. I’ve got some chocolate ice cream, cherries, and whipped cream. I can make a Nina sundae,” he tempted me.
“That does sound good.” Who was I kidding? That sounded amazing.
It was so hard to keep going slow after all this time. “Close your eyes and imagine me licking chocolate of you as it drips down your stomach to your ripe peach ...”
“Ashton!” I groaned, knowing exactly what he was trying to do, but already wet with desire and helpless to resist his little tricks.
“Come on, baby. Tell Daddy what he wants to hear.” He made a deep growl that sent me over the edge.
“Okay!” I sat up in bed as excitement filled me. “Yes, I’ll spend Saturday night with you.”
With a deep chuckle, he asked, “How about Friday and Sunday nights too then?”
“I would. I really would. But I’ve got to get laundry done on Sunday. And Friday, I’ve got an appointment at the dentist to get my teeth cleaned. I’m leaving work early tomorrow to make that appointment. But Saturday, I’ll come to you.” I was already thinking about all the things we could do, and getting hot and bothered just at the thought.
“I’ll take what I can get,” he said. “I love you, girl.”
The words were new, but I knew they would never get old. “I love you too, Ashton.”
Working only a half-day on Friday, Ashton proved hard to let go of as he kissed me goodbye in his office. I noticed that his usually cluttered desk was cleared of every last thing. And when he pushed me up against it, I had the feeling he wanted to get a little nasty in his office.
“I’ve got to get going. I’ve got that appointment,” I reminded him.
“Your teeth look great already.” His mouth took mine again before he let up. “Skip the appointment.”
I could feel his cock as it pulsed against my aching core. “I would, but he’ll charge me anyway. I’ve got to go, babe.”
His hands moved up my back, grasping me behind the head as he held me tight. “I’m trying to take it slow with you, Nina, but it’s a losing battle. I think about you nonstop. I wake up and find myself wrapped around the pillows, wishing it was you. And when I realize you’re not there, I can hardly go back to sleep. I love you. I miss you.”
“Me too.” I wasn’t lying. I did miss him like crazy. And I understood his struggle all too well with this going slow thing. “Talk to Dr. Patel. See what she thinks about things. And take her advice, Ashton. Whatever it is. I’ve got to go.”
His hands held mine tight. “Go to my place after the appointment.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a key, placing it in my palm. “Please, stay this weekend with me. I don’t want to wait until tomorrow. I don’t want you to leave me on Sunday. Stay with me until Monday. Please, baby. You have no idea how hard this is for me.”
“My laundry, though,” I reminded him.
With a huff, he said, “Do it when you go to your place to pack your bags, or bring it with you.” He smiled at me, thinking he’d solved everything. Then he kissed the tip of my nose. “And I’ll bring dinner home tonight. And you’ll be there waiting for me. It’ll be like a dream come true for me.”
Who was I to squash his dreams? “K.”
And with that one word, I earned another soul-shattering kiss.
The rest of the day went by slowly. The dental appointment took forever. The laundry took forever, plus some. And then I had to pack and catch a cab to his place.
Letting myself into his apartment felt a little odd. I looked around as I walked in. It would be another two hours before Ashton got home. I had no idea what I would do with my time.
Then I got a call from him. “Hi, babe.”
“You home yet?” he asked me.
“I’m at your place, yes.” I smiled at his slip up. I looked around. I could see myself easily making the place our home.
“Good. Take a hot bath and have a glass of wine. You should be done about the same time that I get home. I’m bringing Chinese,” he told me.
“Yum. Don’t forget ...”
He interrupted me, “The eggrolls. Not to worry. I do know what you like, baby.”
And he did, too. We’d eaten so many meals together; he knew what I liked just as well as I did. And I knew what he liked too.
It was great already knowing the man I’d fallen in love with so well.
“Okay, I’ll take a bath then.”
“And put on one of my T-shirts. I’ve been fantasizing about coming home to find you wearing one of them all day long. And leave the panties off,” he added.
“Feeling randy, baby?” I asked with a giggle.
“Very. See you soon. Get all fresh for Daddy.”
“Bye, you freak.” I ended the call and laughed all the way to the kitchen.
His apartment was way nicer than the one I lived in. It was roomier and had state of the art appliances. The flooring and countertops were all top of the line too.
I had the feeling that he would be asking me to move in before too long. And I wasn’t sure what I would do if he did.
As I sipped the wine and soaked up the hot, sudsy water, I let my mind wander to that thought and linger.
My roommates would have to find someone else to move in. They couldn’t afford the rent on their own. But I was pretty sure Sandy could find someone. She knew lots of people.
But I didn’t want to live off of Ashton. Perhaps I could offer to pay half the bills. That would be fair, and keep me from feeling like I was being taken care of.
As I lay there in the hot water, I looked around the place and thought I could definitely call it home. And then my cell rang, and I had to end my little dream to get out of the tub.
It was Ashton again. “Yes?”
“I need you to come unlock the door. I gave you my key. I’ve been ringing the bell, but I guess you didn’t hear it,” he said.
“Damn! I’ll go do that right now.” I put the phone down and grabbed a towel, wrapping it around me as I ran to open the door.
Just as I swung it open, one of his neighbors passed by behind him. He stopped and didn’t even try to hide the fact that he was taking me all in. My eyes went wide as saucers as I stepped back to hide myself from the stranger.
Thank goodness Ashton was oblivious to the man, walking in with a smile on his face. “Hey, baby.”
I closed the door in the other man’s face and locked it, trying to ignore the fact that I’d just been leered at by a stranger. “I’ll run and get changed.”
“That’s okay.” He put the bag of Chinese
food on the coffee table, then picked me up in his arms, letting the towel fall away from my body. “I’m hungry for you anyway.”
His teeth grazed my neck as he carried me straight to his room. “Are you serious?”
“Very.” He tossed me on the bed, then disrobed in no time. His cock was at attention, ready to go. But then he stopped and raised one brow. “Wait. Are you hungry?”
I got on my hands and knees, wiggling my finger at him as my mouth watered. “I am. Come here.”
The sexy grin that spread over his face only made me hotter for him. He came to me, placing his hands on my shoulders. “Do I have something you’d like?”
“You do.” I licked my lips as I took his cock into my hands, running them up and down the long length. “Can I eat until I’m full?” I looked up at him to get my answer.
When I’d given him head, he didn’t want to come in my mouth, preferring to come in my pussy, he’d said. That’s why I asked. When he nodded, I made a little joyful squeal, then kissed the tip of his cock.
“Damn, baby. Go for it.” He stroked my hair as I moved my mouth over his penis. Then he made a groan that instantly made me wet.
Moving my mouth up and down his cock, I sucked gently and ran my tongue along the underside. Using my hands, I made sure to stimulate every part of his organ.
He moved his hips, helping me to take him at the speed he needed. The way he moaned sent chills through my body, and when the first bit of precum hit my tongue, I went down on him with a ravenous hunger.
“Ah!” he yelled as he spurted down my throat. “Shit!”
The salty taste of his cum satisfied my craving. But I wasn’t the only one who needed satisfying. He pushed me back, then kissed my cunt before licking my folds with his hot, wet tongue.
Putting his hands on my tits, he squeezed them as he ate me. My body felt completely connected, like it was one pulsing organ. Everything was heightened. His mouth moved on me like he knew every nook and cranny, and just what to do to make things tick inside of me.
Arching up to make his tongue go deeper into my pussy, I cried out as I came. “Fuck!”
Licking up everything he’d made me give him, he growled like a hungry wolf. Then he pulled his head away from me, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “On your belly.”
I flipped to my stomach and he moved his body on top of mine. His dick went into me as he kissed the back of my neck.
Purring like a kitten, I loved the way his skin felt as he moved his body along my back. No one had ever taken me that way before. It felt even more intimate than missionary style.
He didn’t even try to keep his weight off me. I could feel his entire body moving as he pushed his cock into me deeper than he could in any other position.
His lips touched the shell of my ear. “I love you so much, baby. You’ve got no idea how much.”
One of his hands moved along my arm, pulling my hand up. Our fingers laced together, making our connection even better somehow. “I love you more than you can understand,” I let him know as I pushed my body up against him, demanding everything he could give me.
His mouth moved over my neck, sending shivers through me. He licked up one side of my neck, then bit my earlobe. “I’m not letting you out of my bed this whole weekend, baby.”
“Promise?”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Ashton
Feeding Nina cold Chinese food in bed wasn’t going to cut it for me. She had to get something hot to eat, even though she protested that cold food would be just fine with her.
So, at three o’clock in the morning, I ordered us a veggie pizza with extra cheese. “Yeah, fifteen minutes is more than fine, thanks.” I put the phone down and looked at Nina, who had gotten out of bed and was traipsing toward the bathroom. “What do you want to drink, baby?”
“A glass of cold milk, if you have any,” she said, then went into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
Getting off the bed, I put on some pajamas then went to the kitchen to get the drinks and get out some paper plates and napkins. I thought a picnic in bed sounded good.
Then she came into the living room, wearing one of my T-shirts and nothing else, making my dick go hard again. “Oh, shit.” I looked down and watched my PJ bottoms tent.
She pointed at my erection and put her hand over her mouth as she giggled. “Did I do that?”
Putting everything I’d gathered back down on the countertop, I went to her, taking her up in my arms. “Is there anything about you that won’t set my cock off?”
She shrugged, and we both laughed as I twirled her around. I could not get enough of the woman, that was for sure. We wrestled around until a knock came at the door. “Pizza’s here.” I let her go to answer the door.
She ducked into the kitchen so that she wouldn’t be seen in the short shirt. “I’ll pour the milk. Do you want a glass too?”
“Yep.” I opened the door, taking the pizza and tipping the delivery guy. “Thanks, man.”
He looked at the ten I’d given him and smiled. “Thank you!”
Taking our pie, I headed toward the bedroom. “Come on, baby.”
“Ashton, get your butt back here. We are not eating in the bedroom. Are you crazy?” She placed the glasses of milk on the table, then put the paper plates down too. “We aren’t barbarians, you know.”
“Eating pizza in bed is barbaric?” I had to ask, as I’d had no idea there were any such rules in my house.
She pulled out a chair and took a seat. “Yes, it is. My mother never let us have anything more than a glass of water in our bedrooms. If you leave food or sugary drinks lying around, then you’ll get bugs in your house. You don’t want bugs in your house, do you?”
I guess I didn’t want bugs in my house, because I took the pizza to the table and sat down. “I’ve never thought about that.”
She gave me a cynical look. “Do you eat in your bedroom often?”
“Nope. This was going to be the first time, actually.” I did have a plan in mind. And then I remembered eating some cheese and meat off her tummy the last time we were together. “And what about eating in your bedroom at your apartment, Nina?”
She looked away, as if she’d been caught in some lie. “Oh, over there doesn’t matter. Kyle and Sandy take all kinds of crap to their rooms. We have to spray for bugs every week to keep them out. But here, well, this place is nice. Too nice to be eating food wherever you feel like it.”
“So, no Nina sundae in bed then?” I asked with a frown.
She shook her head, then jerked it toward the kitchen. “But in there is fine.”
The sexy grin she gave me had me laughing as she put pieces of pizza on both our plates. “Okay, I see how things are now. You’re making rules. I like it.”
Her head ducked, then she cut her eyes at me with a shy look in them. “I didn’t think about it like that. I just didn’t want your place getting messed up. It’s a very nice apartment. It should be treated that way.”
I took her hand in mine and decided to make up a rule of my own. “How about we start our own little thing right now?”
She looked at our hands. “Like what?”
“I’m not particularly religious, but I would like to start some type of a tradition that we do at each meal. In my mind, it’s the many meals we’ve shared that have brought us so close.” It was true. She and I had started out our friendship by joining each other and the others for lunch most days.
“I think that sounds nice.” She leaned over and kissed my cheek. “How about we say something that shows how much we appreciate good food and good company?”
“I like that idea.” I thought a moment then came up with something. “I’d like to thank the Lord above for this great grub and for this woman’s love. Amen.” I laughed a little. “What do you think about that?”
“Above and love rhyme.” She shook her head. “But grub? I dunno about that word.”
“You give it a try.” I munched on som
e pizza while she mulled it over. A minute passed, and she had yet to say a word as she ate too. “See, it’s not so easy, is it?”
“No, it’s really not.” With a shrug, she conceded, “You win, then.”
The victory sat well with me. “So, no food in the bedroom, that’s your rule. And my rule is a little prayer before we eat. I like this rulemaking thing. We should make some more.”
She raised her hand like she was in school or something. “Oh! I’ve got one.”
“Shoot.” I took a drink of milk as I waited for her new rule.
“We should always put the toilet seat down.” She nodded. “That’s a good one.”
“I don’t see why we should do that,” I said in confusion.
“Well, I’ve noticed that you tend to leave the seat up,” she told me as she fidgeted a little in her chair. “And if I get up in the middle of the night and I don’t want to turn on the light, then I might fall in and get my butt wet.”
Now it made sense. “I get it. Okay, we will both completely close the toilet lid then.”
She seemed grateful. “Thank you. It will save me some shocking moments if we can do that.”
“I’m sure it will.” I came up with a great new rule. “And here’s the next rule. We both sleep in the buff every night.”
She nodded in agreement. “Every night that we’re together, we can sleep naked, if you want to. That one’s cool with me.”
How badly I wanted to tell her that I wanted us to sleep together every night. But Dr. Patel had told me not to rush moving in together. I had just begun my therapy, after all.
That didn’t seem to matter to me as much as it mattered to everyone else. I felt this overwhelming need to get Nina into my life—full-time and fast. But I didn’t want things to devolve because of my impatient nature.
Time is important, the good doctor had told me. You need time to grieve, time to free yourself from the guilt you’ve built up over the years.
And I needed time to take Nina into my heart properly, a heart that had been closed off until recently.
The funny thing was that I didn’t think I needed time to let Nina into my heart. I’d told Dr. Patel that. But she only shook her head, as if she knew me better than I knew myself.
Dirty Desires Page 14
