by Aja Cole
Don’t you know that
I choose you over anybody else
Other people take the floor around us, swaying lightly and holding their partners close while Gemma’s voice soars, poignant and soulful.
I lock eyes with Ash, and he holds my gaze. I feel like he’s saying the words to me, like this song was meant for this moment.
Your soul breathes into my body
Like a cloud of smoke
I should have known
that you’d stay in my system
even when you’re gone
There’s love in his soft grey eyes that I know is reflected in mine. How could it not be? I’m helpless against loving this man. I always have been.
I never stood a chance.
I lay my cheek on his chest, moving with his body and melting into him. I close my eyes and lose myself in the moment, in the words, in this amazing man.
“Baby, look.” Asher’s voice is hushed and I open my eyes, looking in the direction he turns us in.
It’s Riley.
And Asher’s teammate Alex.
She’s dancing in his arms, and the look on her face is one I haven’t seen before.
It looks a little something like…infatuation?
I tip my chin up so I can give Asher a skeptical look.
“There’s no way that’s happening.”
“Stranger things have, I bet.” He drops a sweet kiss on my lips. “Did I tell you I love you today?”
“You did, but I don’t mind hearing it again.” I wink, and he leans down slowly, hovering over my mouth.
“I love you.”
“I love you too, Ash,” I whisper, and the teasing heat of his mouth becomes a reality. I sink into his touch, forgetting everyone else around us.
I want you
I choose you
Everybody needs someone to hold it down
I choose you
End
Want more?
Turn the page for bonus chapters of some steamy scenes…
Bonus Chapters
1
Nova
The club is nothing like I expected. For one, I thought it would be some really gaudy, possibly tacky sex club with chains hanging from the ceiling and orgies out in the open.
I was imagining the worst, truly.
Asher hasn’t bothered correcting me either, he’s just been amused. He wouldn’t say a thing, just kept telling me you’ll see, don’t worry.
Tonight is the night that I finally get to see what this wax play stuff is all about.
Instead of some commercial building, the “club” is in a stately mansion in a secluded area, and Ash pulls up in the line of cars after being admitted through the gates.
“You’re important, huh?”
He rolls his eyes, unbuckling his seatbelt.
“It’s not a public club. It’s by word of mouth, you have to know someone, be vouched for by someone to join.”
“Who vouched for you?”
He shakes his head slowly, a smile growing on those lips that I can’t get enough of. “That’s not my secret to tell.”
I’m super curious, but I can respect that.
“Is it free?” He helps me out of the car, and my heels sink lightly in the gravel. I’m wearing a dress tonight. Asher picked it, but I decided on undergarments.
I want it to be a nice little surprise. My contribution to tonight, since his will be this new experience.
“I pay a membership fee.”
“How much?”
“Why?” He’s enjoying this.
“Because I’m curious.”
“Don’t worry, I don’t pay for it out of the household account, dear,” he quips.
I punch his arm and he grunts, taking my other hand and linking our fingers.
The door opens and a tall, statuesque woman with copper skin and a blunt black bob stands there, a kind smile on her lips.
“Asher.” She turns her cheek to him and they do that air kiss thing. “It’s been awhile.”
I am so ribbing him about this later.
“I was a little busy.” He tugs me forward a bit, his eyes warm. “This is my wife, Nova. Nova, this is Mel Dawes, this is her place.”
Ash and I have plans to have a real ceremony soon, but for now, we use husband and wife again.
After all, the divorce was never real anyway.
“Nice to meet you, Mel.” She turns her cheek to me too and I air kiss it, privately amused.
“It’s very nice to meet you also, Nova.” She moves aside and waves us in. “Come in, make yourselves comfortable, of course.” She closes the door behind us. “You remember where everything is, Asher?”
“Yes ma’am.” He winks at me and we leave her, walking deeper into the dim foyer. “Do you want orange juice or ginger ale?” His thumb strokes my hand softly.
“No, I’m fine.” We stop under the large archways of what’s the bar area. Low lighting, well-placed seating, and a good amount of people milling around with drinks and talking.
There’s nothing scandalous happening, no naked people or men on leashes.
I think I’m a little disappointed, actually. It seems that I’ve read too many stories.
“Do you want to mingle,” he pauses, for what I think is dramatic effect, “or do you want to go to our room?”
“We have a room?” Fancy.
“We do.” His eyes take on that heavy-lidded, sensual look that my brain associates with we’re about to get our world rocked. I shiver lightly, leaning close to his ear and pressing my breasts against his side.
“Well, take me there, cowboy. I can explore later.”
He tugs my hand and we head further into the home, turning down a hallway, then he leads me up a short run of stairs.
He stops in front of a door with a touchscreen keypad, and I whistle softly as he types in a code.
“This membership fee must be something serious.”
“It was worth it to me, at one point.”
“And now?”
“Well, now I’ve got the one girl I want, and we can play at home. But I knew you wanted to see this place.” We step inside the door and he closes it behind us. I hear the soft click of the lock and it makes things feel even more real.
I was a virgin not too long ago, and while Ash has introduced me to how good sex with him in many forms feels, this will be the first time I’ve done this much extra.
It’s not for any lack of trying, though. I was covering the Special Olympics, then I was on location in Bali with a magazine for a series they wanted to shoot, then I was in LA for a few months.
Before, I just traveled and didn’t think much about it because nothing really felt like home.
Now wherever Asher is, that’s where I wish I could be.
I make it to as many games as I can, and I sit with his dad wearing his jersey, rooting for him the same way I used to during high school and college.
So off-season is when I try to take on work that keeps me close to home, so we can do things like this and not worry about anything else.
He comes up behind me, running his hands up and down my arms, and rubbing his nose along my neck, inhaling.
“I’ll never get enough of the way you smell.” He wraps his arms around me from behind and I put my arms on top of his. It’s a favorite of his. I’ll be minding my business and he’ll come up behind me, hug me tight, and bury his nose in my hair.
Sometimes he doesn’t even say anything. He just swoops in, might drop a kiss on my shoulder or neck, and then he goes off to doing whatever he was doing before.
I always roll my eyes, but I love it.
“I’m not wearing anything tonight, I forgot.” I smile, and he moves his arms from being folded under mine and spans his large hands on my waist.
“It’s just you.” He moves my hair aside and kisses the dip between my neck and shoulder softly, lingering, breath and lips warming my skin.
My thighs clench.
All it takes
is the slightest touch from him, and my body goes on high-alert.
“Is that so?”
“Always.” He nuzzles his low beard against me, trailing his lips up the column of my neck and turning my head so that our lips meet. We find each other in that desperate place of need, tongues searching out and breath stuttering. I turn to him, our lips still fused, small sounds escaping from my throat.
His fingers find the zipper of my dress and he drags it down, pushing the fabric from my shoulders and I shimmy out of it, throwing my arms around him when they’re free and letting it drop carelessly to the ground.
I’m naked underneath it.
2
Asher
I’ll never get tired of the feeling of Nova’s body underneath my hands, and I can’t wait to introduce her to a different kind of sensation tonight.
The dip of her waist, the curve of her hips, the sexy weight of her breasts in my hands—it’s enough to drive a man wild.
“Damn baby, nothing?” I fill my hands with her ass, which has been growing lately. She says I make her fat when I’m home more, but to me, the more Nova, the better. I drag her to the gym with me now just so we can get more time together if she has to travel, so I know she’s getting more muscle than she thinks.
She doesn’t believe me, but that’s fine. I get to reap the benefits, regardless.
“I figured I’d be naked soon anyway, no need to add to the process.” She sucks my lower lip into her mouth and tugs it with her teeth, and I come to full attention, jerking her tighter against me and opening her mouth wider with mine. That familiar fog that comes with everything Nova clouds my mind, and I back her up until her back meets the bed post.
Her eager fingers start working at the buttons of my shirt until it falls open, then she goes to my belt, unbuckling it and easing the leather through the loops.
I sip from her lips, her curls sliding over my hand. She flattens her palms on my abdomen and glides them up my chest, pushing my shirt away. I get rid of it and promptly cup her breasts in my hands, tweaking her nipples.
Pulling back from her mouth, I plump the soft flesh of her chest and admire the ring on her left nipple. When I tug it lightly, she sags against the wood post with a gasp, hands going to my shoulders.
“Show me,” she demands in a whisper, eyes liquid and lips swollen. Desire always looks good on her, but then, everything does in my eyes.
With one more kiss because I can’t resist her, I step back, nodding to the large bed.
“Sit.”
She does, that lip creeping between her teeth. I go to the large chest of drawers, opening it and setting my chosen candles on top, removing the lighter and coconut oil.
I light them and carry them over to the table near enough to the bed to be close, but away from the materials. I want her body to be on fire for me, but not literally.
“These are safety candles. They’re not the same as regular candles, and they don’t have any dyes that might make the wax hotter. They’re made with skin in mind,” I explain, because I know she’s wondering even if she’s quiet.
“So it’s not going to burn badly or anything?” she asks innocently, a slightly wary look in her eyes.
“I’d never do anything to permanently mark this beautiful skin.” I hold her gaze, making sure we’re on the same page. “Before it even touches you, I’ll test it on myself. You don’t have to worry, baby.”
“Says the man lighting things with fire.” She eyes the flames. I frown, because if she’s really nervous about it, I don’t want her stressing.
“Do you want to feel it first, before I get the ties?” Her comfort comes first. I can take all the time she needs.
She hesitates, uncertainty on her face. I open my mouth to decide for her, but she gets that resolved look and straightens, eyes clear and steady.
“No. I trust you.”
Her words warm me even more.
I set the container of unscented oil on the bed and stand in front of her, framing her face in my hands. I kiss her and hope she feels how much I love her, how much I want her, and how safe she is with me at all times. I want her pleasure more than I’ve ever wanted my own.
“You wait any longer and I’m gonna drip wax on my damn self. I’m horny, Ash, and you need to fix it,” she breathes, scooting back on the bed. “Tell me where you want me.”
I laugh, not surprised. She frequently tells me I need to move faster, but I can’t help it, I didn’t have her for so long that I want every little moment imprinted on my mind.
I drop my pants, but keep my boxers on because it’s best that I don’t give into temptation right now. My cock has a mind of its own when it comes to my little temptress, and I’ve gotta keep him under wraps.
She reclines on the pillows, watching my every movement.
“You’re so sexy,” she says, appreciation in her eyes. I feel like a man under her gaze, made stronger by my woman and relishing in knowing that she wants me just as much as I want her.
I start at her feet. I sit between her legs and warm the oil in my palms, taking turns massaging the arches of each foot and firmly pressing my thumbs from her toes to her heel. I watch her face, her parted lips, dilated pupils, and beading nipples.
Pouring more oil on my hands, I take my time and massage each of her legs, widening them as I move closer. On my knees, I skip over her center and move to her breasts, my hands sliding over her oil-slicked skin easily. Making my way down her abdomen, I stroke one finger over her clean-shaven mound and over her clit.
“Ah,” she groans softly, clit jumping under my touch. I play with it lightly, coaxing it out to play. Deep pink and softly erect, it’s begging for more attention, and so is she.
Her labia is flowered open with her arousal, and I see the evidence clinging on her parted lips. Her body is primed and ready now. As much as I want to taste her, I leave the bed and check the candles.
They’re melting well.
It’s time to make my girl melt too.
3
Nova
In my head, Queen Bey is singing “Speechless”, and all I can say is yes.
There’s a low hum under my skin, like my body is vibrating with anticipation and need.
Ash’s slow massage took away the little sanity I was holding onto, and it’s everything I can do to stop from begging him to give me more.
He knows what he does to me, and as much I have zero patience, we both enjoy it. I can see how I affect him too, and that makes the pain of waiting a little better.
A wide chest that tapers into the perfect V down to his trimmed thatch of hair, beautiful cock rising against his abdomen, an angry red, veins popping in the hard flesh. I know what that cock feels like sliding over my tongue, pushing inside me, pulsing under my hands. Wonderfully muscled legs and arms that show his strength in the most intoxicating ways, like when he picks me up for a kiss or bands his arms tightly around me for a hug. Or when he braces me against the wall and makes love to me, the only vulnerability being when his knees weaken and he presses me against the wall for leverage as he spills inside of me, whispers of my name and his love falling from his delectable lips.
This is my Ash, and I trust him more than anything.
So when he ties me spread eagled to the bed, checking and making sure nothing is too tight, all I feel is a heady mix of want and suspense. I have to make myself breathe because the air is so thick with expectation. He tells me he’s using quick release snaps for safety.
“Blindfold, or no?” He runs a hand over my brow, and I close my eyes, turning into his touch.
“Yes.” I want it all tonight.
When my vision is taken away, everything else sharpens and I can hear my heartbeat loudly in my ears.
I’m aware of the light air brushing over my body when he moves. I can hear the soft clicks of the classic clock on the wall, and I hear the clink of something against glass, but I don’t know what.
I imagine I can hear the wax dripping down the side of th
e candle, even though I probably can’t.
But it feels like anything is possible in this moment.
I jump lightly when he touches my lips, thumb pressing down on my lower one until I part my mouth, accepting his kiss. He moves away and I try to follow, hearing his low laugh at my eagerness. He trails his finger down my neck and the valley between my breasts, down my stomach, and stops just above my clit.
I hold my breath, wondering if this is it. I shaved bare for this, so nothing would get stuck to hair.
Then I feel his body close to mine, I feel his heat.
“The closer I hold the candle to your skin, the hotter the wax will be,” he starts softly, voice gravel and velvet. “Too far, and it’ll splash.”
I listen with bated breath. I can feel wetness slipping from my sex.
“What’s your safe word?”
“Mushrooms,” I answer confidently.
He circles a nipple with his finger and I press into his touch. “Good girl.”
The first drip of wax shocks me in the most decadent way and I arch against my restraints.
It’s not a burning type of pain, it’s more like a sharp lick of heat that fades into a more mellow hum as each second passes and it cools. I can feel it encasing my nipple, and my breath speeds up, wondering where he’ll strike next.
I whimper when the wax hits my stomach, a touch hotter this time, a touch more intense.
“Good?” He rubs a thumb over my lips and I nod, relaxing again, but only for a second because he drops wax all over my abdomen now, in a pattern I can’t see and can’t discern from just feeling. He doesn’t give me a chance to get my bearings this time and I moan, writhing from the heat that makes my skin tingle and my pussy ache.
Then he’s at my thighs. Then my legs. Each bite of heat stroking the flames inside my body higher, taking my need to unparalleled heights. I’m almost light-headed with pleasure and my breath is coming in soft pants.
“Please,” I beg. “Ah,” I gasp when wax hits my inner thigh in a calculated move. So damn close, but not close enough. Not enough. “Ash.”
