Embracing Series Box Set #1-6

by Delisa Lynn

  As I pull into my small driveway, my mind keeps going back to Ashton. I want to know him, his story and what happened to AJ’s mother. Sal greets me when I walk through my door. His kisses are the only ones I’ve had for months.

  “Thank you, sweet boy. You’ll always be here for me, won’t you?”

  He wags his tail. He just wants treats.

  I place my wine on my small dining room table and stare at the labels. The name ‘Ellis’ keeps playing in my mind. I can’t believe they own the best wine in California. I laugh at my silliness. I grab my phone from my purse and give my only friend a buzz.

  “I’m so glad you called. How is everything?”

  I sigh. “It’s good. Lonely, but good.” I plop down on my bed. “I have a huge ache between my legs, which my silicon friend isn’t taking care of.”

  “Ans, why haven’t you gone out and met anyone? You’ve been there for months.”

  “I know, it’s just that…” I sigh. “It’s hard, you know that. I thought my life was complete. Then my husband decided he wanted to…Well, you know the rest.”

  “Sweets, I know it’s hard, but I warned you in college about Morris Clay. He was too damn pretty.”

  “Yeah, how many times do I have to tell you that you were right?”

  “I’m going to come visit you soon. I think I’ll take a week off. Have you seen any celebrities yet? Did you go look for 90210?” She laughs.

  “I would love for you too. And nope, no celebs. Well, unless you call the owners of California’s largest winery celebs?”

  “Wait, not Ellis Winery?”

  “How do you know?”

  “You don’t remember that I used to order the wine online? They have the best Strawberry Passion.”

  “That’s where that came from? God, I’m so damn dumb. He has a kid in my class. Then he pierced my belly button,” I blurt.

  “Who, Gill Ellis? He is a little old.”

  “No, Ashton. He owns a tattoo shop too. I went to get my nipple pierced because I wanted to do something drastic. Then he spoke and the thought of him touching my breast had me creaming my jeans and I knew I would dry hump him, so I went for the navel. Shit, Gill must be Nancy’s husband and Ashton’s dad. Fuck, Gill’s Wine store is where I’ve been buying it. Why didn’t you tell me about Ellis Winery before?”

  “Wait, you know Nancy? You haven’t seen her in the magazines? What rock have you been under? There’s also Liam and Kade. I’ve read about them all. Liam almost died years ago when he was in the Army. Kade is from Texas. Liam has a wife and kids. She was in a coma a while back. Shit, I can’t think of her name, but she’s a fancy lawyer there. There was also another girl. She was murdered at a gas station. And I’ve told you about the wine. You’ve been drinking it since we met.”

  “Jesus, no, I didn’t know any of this.” I take a deep breath, debating whether I should tell her about the dinner invite. “I was sort of invited to dinner,” I whisper.

  “Wow, please tell me you said yes.” My silence must give her an answer. “Ansley, you better go. Make friends. They’re celebs.”

  “I’m AJ’s teacher. It would be awkward.” I stand up and look at my new ornament in my stomach.

  “And? Get out of that bubble. Not everyone is like your parents and Morris. You need to learn that not all of us are disappointing or out to hurt you.”

  “I know, I just can’t…I just can’t do this right now. I love you, but I need to take Sal out.”

  “Okay, keep me updated on the Ellis’s.”

  “’Kay,” I say. I slide the phone off and stare at myself in the mirror. I look old. My eyes are droopy. No twenty-six-year-old should look like this.

  I go into the kitchen and pour a glass of wine. I slide the double back door open and let Sal out. I have a small yard, but he is a small dog. He doesn’t need anything extravagant. I watch him run around. He does his business and kicks his little feet before running back inside.

  I close the door, flip the TV on, and sink into my plush brown sofa. I find an episode of ‘All in the Family.’ Archie Bunker and his meathead phrases always crack me up.

  ***

  I awake with a cramp in my neck and drool on my arm. Then I see that it’s not even my drool. It’s Sal’s slobber with treat crumbs. Damn dog. It’s only three in the morning. I turn the TV off and sit my wine glass in the sink.

  I walk into the bathroom. I slide my pants off and throw them in the hamper, then I slide my shirt over my head and follow suit with the rest of my clothes until I’m standing naked in the middle of the bathroom, looking at my sparkly belly ring. I smile, happy that the sexy tatted dad touched my stomach. Yeah, I totally got off on that.

  I turn the shower on and pull my hair up on top of my head so I don’t get it wet. The water hits my back. I turn so I’m facing the spray. The water feels so good on my skin.

  Tilting my head back, I stand with the water running down my neck. Thoughts of Ashton standing behind me runs through my mind. I soothe the ache between my legs with my hand. Leaning against the wall, I remove the shower nozzle and place it above my clit. Holding the sprayer directly above my aching bud with one hand, I slide my index and middle finger from my other hand inside my heat.

  I roll my head in ecstasy as thoughts of him run through my mind. I drop the shower head and pleasure myself full force. I keep thinking about the gleam in his eyes, about the way he says my name, the way it rolls off his tongue. I imagine how great it would feel to have his huge arms wrapped around me. I rub my thumb across my swollen nub and feel my orgasm rock through my core.

  Waves of pleasure shoot through my body, making it rock. I swear my damn toes curl. Pushing myself away from the wall, I wash my body before turning the now cold water off. As I dry off, thoughts about Ashton still play through my mind.

  I throw on a tank top and a pair of shorts before climbing into my bed. I settle under the cover and drift to sleep, dreaming of a man that’s way out of my league.

  Chapter Seven

  Ashton

  “Lift those hips, Lacy,” I say as I push her legs apart with my knees. “You’re always so wet and ready.”

  I slide a condom on and rub the tip of my cock up and down her folds. Her pussy glistens. She enjoys when I play rough. I smack her cheek, then I rub the hand print I left. She moans and I smack it again.

  “Ashton, please. I’ve been waiting for you to fuck me all day.” She pushes her ass up.

  “Tell me what you want, darling. If you want me to fuck you, then tell me to fuck you.” I reach between us and tease her clit.

  “I want you to fuck me hard. Make my pussy explode around you.”

  “That a girl.” I impale her and she lets out a scream. “You want it harder? Tell me,” I growl.

  “Harder,” she moans. I smack her ass again. “Oh, good God, do it again.” I give her what she wants. I smack her ass as I thrust in and out. “Harder! Holy fuck.”

  I pull out, slide under her, and lay back as she straddles me. She isn’t the typical girl I would go for. Her hair is short and she is a little younger. She is one hell of a fuck, though. I watch her eyes as she grabs my length and guides me back to her folds. She moans as she slides down my cock. She has a fast rhythm going. I grab her hips so I can steady her. She tilts her head back, rolling it side to side as she pinches her nipples. For a quick second, I see Ansley.

  Shaking my head, I bring my focus back to Lacy. She’s still grinding. “Almost there,” she moans. I let out a grunt and hold her hips in place. She smiles and I see Ansley’s face again.

  What the fuck? I slide her off of me and roll over. I stand up and slide my pants on. Not looking at her, I turn my back and say, “I gotta go. I’ll call you later. You good?”

  “Okay…You found someone, didn’t you?” Her voice is low but clear. Fuck me.

  “Yeah, this thing we had going on is over. I’m sorry, but I think you and I both knew it wouldn’t last long,” I say, my back still turned to her. I don�
�t want to face her because I feel like a dick. We’ve been having sex for months, though I’ve been with other females when I’m not with her.

  She laughs. “It’s okay. I knew it was just a fling. You know where to find me when things don’t work out with her.”

  “I’ll show myself out,” I say, but she is on my heels with the sheet draped around her.

  “Good luck.” She smiles. I kiss her cheek and head toward my bike.

  ***

  It was a little after two in the morning when I got home. I showered and washed away Lacy. I poured a shot of Patrón and downed it, then headed to bed.

  Here it is going on five in the morning and I’m lying here thinking about the beautiful girl that seems to be afraid of me. I know to some, I may look scary. Hell, I scare myself sometimes with all the ink covering my body and the scruff on my face. I work out at least three times a week and my arms are fairly large.

  Tossing to my side, I grab the extra pillow and hug it tight. Thoughts of her run through my mind as I drift to sleep.

  The sound of the alarm wakes me. I throw my arm out, feeling for the alarm to make it stop. I hit it and realize the alarm is still going off. I get up and notice that it’s my phone and not the alarm.

  “What?” I answer.

  “Um, Ashton? I’m so sorry to call so early. Would you like to go for a run with me?”

  “Who is this?” I ask. I don’t recognize the number.

  “It’s…shit, I knew this was a bad idea.”

  “Miss Dolce.” I grin and sit up quickly.

  “Yes, I’m sorry. I’ll let you go. I’m sure you’re busy.”

  “Ansley,” I groan.

  “Yes,” she replies.

  “Meet me at the school field. AJ stayed with his cousins last night, so give me about ten minutes to get dressed.” I throw back the blanket and search for some sweat pants.

  “Okay, sounds good. Bye, Ash.” Then the phone disconnects.

  She called me Ash…

  ***

  Pulling my truck out of the driveway, I head toward St. Mary’s. It’s one of the best private schools here. I was lucky to get AJ enrolled last year. Of course, I’ve tried to keep his mother’s craziness away from the public eye. Hell, to the people in this town, we’re as famous as the Kardashians. We’re followed everywhere we go. Damn nosey ass people.

  As soon as I pull into the parking lot, I see Ansley standing next to her small car. I smile as I take every inch of her in. Her hair is pulled up on top of her head. She’s wearing a pair of black yoga pants with a tight, gray t-shirt. Throwing my truck in park, I grab my bottle of water. I get out and walk toward her.

  “Well, good morning, beautiful.” I have to shake my legs to adjust myself. She is so damn sexy.

  “Who? Me? I think the sun may be a bit bright and blurring your vision,” she teases.

  “Did you really call me to go for a run? Or is this about dinner?” Yeah, I don’t bullshit around. I get straight to the point.

  I can tell she’s nervous. She looks away and rubs the back of her neck. “I wanted to run, but if I do go to dinner with you and your family, it isn’t a date. I can’t see you like that.”

  “Okay, that’s fine with me. Come on, let’s see what you got on the track field,” I say as I start jogging. She follows right behind me. I gotta give it to her, she keeps up pretty well.

  After running around the track three times, she stops. “Ash, wait. I need to take a break.” She sits down, grabs her water and downs half the bottle. “Okay, listen and please don’t judge me. I moved here because my husband left me…for another man. I had no clue. We’d been together seven years and he came home one day and told me he was gay.” She picks at the grass while hugging her legs. “He was all I had, and honestly, he was the only man I’d ever dated.”

  “Goddamn. I’m sorry, but that’s his loss, the way I see it. It landed you here. That’s a good thing for me. Well, I hope anyway.”

  “I just need a friend. Can you be just that?” she asks.

  “I can be whatever you want, doll.” I wink “Let’s grab breakfast and get more acquainted.”

  “Sounds good. I’ll follow you.”

  I nod and walk toward my truck. Damn, I knew she was divorced, but hearing that he left her for another man…I know that had to hurt her. There’s more to her, and I will find out her story. Let’s see how long this friend stuff will last.

  ***

  Ansley

  I woke up thinking about Ashton, and before my mind registered with my heart, he’d already picked up the phone. Yeah, I’m so damn dumb. Now, here I am following him to breakfast after telling him about Morris. All I wanted to do was go for a run, but I do need a friend here. Although we can’t paint each other’s nails and talk about hot men, I know he’ll be a good friend.

  Following his monstrous truck, I pull into a parking lot behind him. I wipe my face with a tissue. There are sweat beads across my nose. Makes sense, considering I just ran a marathon.

  “Hey, I hope you like Mexican.” He smiles.

  “For breakfast?”

  “Ansley, they sell breakfast food too.” I watch as he runs his hand over his head and flexes his abs through his thin shirt. I have to force down the moan that was getting ready to escape my lips.

  “Oh.” I grin. “Let’s eat, then.”

  We walk in. The host, an older man, asks, “Ashton, how is the family?”

  “Good, thank you. This is my friend, Miss Dolce,” he says with his hand in the small of my back.

  The older gentleman nods. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”

  Smiling, I say, “Likewise.” We walk over to our table, which is actually a small booth. I slide in and Ashton slides in next to me.

  “What have you been doing since you’ve been here?” he asks.

  “Just working and that’s about it.” I think before I speak again. “I work all week. On the weekends, I watch TV and work on papers.”

  “You know, that’s not healthy. You’re like a hermit.”

  I elbow him and laugh. “Are you calling me a crab? I take offense to that.”

  “Yes, I am. You need to get out and meet people. Come to dinner tonight. You can meet Lila and Megan. Lila has a house full of kids, but she would love to have another friend. Her best friend lives in Alabama and she and Meg normally do girlie things on the weekend.”

  “She’s your cousin?” I ask.

  “She’s married to Liam, my cousin. They have two girls and a boy. Actually, Addie and Maddie are in the class next to yours. You’ll probably have them next year.” He takes a drink of his water. “Megan is Kade’s…Well, hell, I’m not sure what they are. Kade is my cousin and they have an odd relationship.” He laughs.

  “Oh, I see.” I brace myself for my next question. “What about AJ’s mom?” I see the look in his eye before he turns his head.

  “Not much to say. She chose whoring and drugs over my son. She sees him sometimes. The last time she was with him, she was supposed to take him to a kids place called Jump Around. I followed them and she ended up dropping him off at a friend’s house and using the money I gave her for him on herself.”

  “I’m sorry.” I sip my water. “He’s a good kid. I enjoy having him in my class.”

  “Don’t be. Thank you. He’s very fond of you as well. Let’s order, shall we?” I can see that he is hurting. I want to hug him. I wrap my tiny fingers around his large hand. “Anytime you want to talk, remember we’re friends now.” I smile.

  “That goes both ways, Miss Dolce.”

  “Got it. So, what’s good here? I don’t like eggs. I think of baby chickens every time I see one.”

  “Damn woman, you done ruined my omelet craving.”

  “I’m sorry.” I feel my cheeks turn red.

  “Pancakes are good, but I’m going to go with the breakfast burrito, minus the egg, with extra bacon.” He smiles and I feel my inner thighs clench. Those damn dimples.

  “That sounds de
lish. I’ll have whatever you have.” It’s hard for me to order at restaurants. I never really went to them. My parents never bothered with them, and when I was with Morris, he cooked at home, since he’s a chef.

  Placing his arm around the back of my neck, he asks, “Why did you become a teacher?”

  “It’s something I’d dreamt about doing all of my life. My parents never supported my dreams. I moved away from home when I was eighteen and haven’t been back since.” I can’t believe I actually said that aloud. Morris and Nina are the only ones I’ve ever talked to about my past and Morris didn’t even know the half of it.

  “Again, that’s their loss. Sweet cheeks, you’re amazing. I see the way you look at your students and I see the way they look at you.”

  The waitress approaches us and sits our plates in front of us. The aroma from this food has me drooling. “Can I get you two anything else, Mr. Ashton?” she asks, refilling our water glasses.

  “Not right now, but thank you.”

  “Why are you so nice to me?” I laugh nervously. “Thank you for the compliments. This food looks delish. I’ve never had Mexican food for breakfast.”

  “I told you, I like you. Ansley, one thing about me is I don’t bullshit. I’m straight forward. If I don’t like something, I’ll tell you. I’ve learned that you don’t get anywhere holding back your feelings.”

  “I like your honesty. Do you say grace before eating?” I ask and feel a little uneasy. My parents were never religious, but I always thanked the lord for what I had. Sometimes all I had was peanut butter, but I was thankful.

  “Not always. We can now, though, if you’d like?”

  “Okay, I’d like that. Will you start?”

  “Of course.” He places his hand in mine. “Dear Heavenly Father, we would like to thank you for the food we are about to consume. Thank you for bringing Ansley into our lives. In Jesus’s name, we pray. Amen.”

  “Amen,” I say as I choke back some tears. He said into ‘our lives.’ He must mean his and AJ’s.