Romance: My First Time With The Tycoon

by Ally Nelson

  “It’s all right,” Ashley said with a light laugh, her ponytail sweeping her shoulders as she shook her head. “I was just giving you grief, earlier. I understand that every book in the series has to end with a cliffhanger. It was like in The Chauffeur, when you had Reginald find out at the end of the second book that his mother had cancer and he had to go home to Scotland to be with her, not knowing when he would be able to come back, and Leslie knowing she had to stay in New York and step up to run her father’s business, with his former partner about to spring that loophole that would rip the company out from under her.”

  “My, you remember that very well,” Tom said, looking amused. “That particular book has been out for several years, now.”

  “Doesn’t matter,” Ashley said. “Good books always leave a lasting impression. That’s why I love yours. They’re romantic and erotic, but they’re also full of suspenseful twists and drama. They’re going to make great movies. I can’t wait to find out who they cast for the leads. Leslie has to be someone who can play tough while still being beautiful. Please, if you get to have any say in the matter, do not let them go with some no-talent loser.”

  “I cannot make any guarantees, I’m afraid,” Tom said. “But if you would like to make a few suggestions, I’ll be sure to pass them on to the studio.”

  She eyed him. “I can’t tell if you’re making fun of me right now or not.”

  He held up his hands. “Oh, believe me – I would never do such a thing. I grew up in a house full of women. My father passed when I was three, and Mum never remarried. Granddad was the male authority figure, and he had only the utmost respect for Nan. To see them together…” He shook his head and smiled wistfully. “Theirs was one of those storybook romances you often hear about, childhood sweethearts who met during the Blitz. They had so many amazing stories to tell, and so much they had survived together. Quite inspirational, really.”

  Ashley smiled. “I know what you mean. My own parents have been married for almost thirty years. Mom was a doctor, Dad worked at University of Michigan. I was an only child and while some people could say they spoiled me, they really didn’t. They taught me the value of a good education, and a good work ethic. Yes, they help me pay for my apartment, but I’ve already planned on paying them back once I get my degree. As far as romance? They’re pretty crazy about each other, too. They have so much in common. They do everything together – golfing, boating, hiking. They love to dance, too. Take them to a wedding reception or a family reunion, put on some Big Band or Swing, and they’re doing the jitterbug all over the floor.”

  “They sound amazing,” Tom said.

  “Yeah, they are.” Ashley picked at her muffin. “So, how about you? You’re, what? Thirty-five? You ever been married?”

  “You flatter me,” he said. “I’m forty, and yes, I was married once – briefly – fifteen years ago. We met at university. She was the kind of woman I admired, strong, full of purpose.” His smile faltered and he looked down at his plate. “Unfortunately, I found out that not everything is always as it seems.”

  “How do you mean?” Ashley asked, frowning.

  “Well,” he said, “let’s just say she was not always honest with me. She had been involved in a few illegal practices. We were only together three years before I was forced to file for divorce.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Ashley said. “So, I’m guessing you didn’t have any kids?”

  He let out a brief laugh. “No,” he said. “She hadn’t wanted children. Because I had been sick as a child, there had been some concern that I might pass on that illness genetically and with far worse results…which is why it was decided that I should have a vasectomy.” He sighed. “Five years after going our separate ways, I chanced to run into her at a play in the West End. She was with her new husband, and was seven months pregnant with their second child.”

  Ashley stared at him, horrified. In her mind, she screamed. That bitch! She makes you get snipped, and then she goes and has kids with someone else? “Did you say anything to her?”

  “I told her she looked well, and wished her all the best.”

  “Oh, my God.” Ashley shook her head. “I do not know how you could do that. Someone would have to hold me back because I swear I would go to town on anyone who did that, to me.”

  “But to what purpose?” Tom looked into Ashley’s eyes, and she saw no anger, bitterness, or remorse – just calm acceptance. “It’s actually a blessing that we never had a family together, as I could not in good conscience allow any child of mine to be exposed to her particular lifestyle choices. I would not feel right in denying the child access to his mother, but at the same time I would fear for his safety whenever he left me to visit her. No,” he shook his head, “it all worked out for the best. My experience with her had been a very difficult but well-learned lesson. I accepted long ago that I made certain choices that I would have to live with…as did she...” He smiled again. “I am quite happy with my life, now, who I am and where I am going. What’s passed is past, as they say. Now, I only look ahead.”

  Despite his reassurance, Ashley still could not wrap her mind around how he could move on so easily from someone who had put him through something like that. Telling him she didn’t want kids, and then turning around and getting pregnant with someone else? Maybe that kind of forgiveness came with age. Tom had twenty years on her. He had already suffered from serious illness and the loss of his father – and probably much more – before Ashley had ever been born. Ashley still held a grudge against a girl who broke into her locker back in sophomore year of high school and stole a denim jacket with a hand-painted image of the Celtic goddess Brigid on the back, a Christmas gift from Tasha that year; after Ashley had reported the theft, the girl had decided to get back at her by setting the coat on fire. Ashley never understood why she had been targeted – she didn’t even know the girl, personally.

  “I guess some people are just hateful,” she said at last. “Hateful people do hateful things.” She rolled her shoulders and shook her head. “I would have a hard time forgiving someone like that.”

  “I know,” Tom said softly, and nodded. “But sometimes you have to, in order to move on. You aren’t excusing their behavior, you’re actually releasing the thing that ties you to that person – that anger – and setting yourself free.” He lifted his mug to his lips, and peered at her over the rim. “Trust me, Ashley: letting go is much easier than holding on.”

  “You know, I came here to discuss the book,” Ashley said, trying to lighten the sudden heaviness of the conversation. “I didn’t mean to stir up a bunch of bad memories.”

  Tom swallowed and licked his lips again. “A bit of serious discussion about life is never a bad thing,” he said. “Especially when forming a bond of friendship with someone.”

  “Is that what we’re doing?” Ashley asked, even as a flutter of excitement coursed through her belly. She liked the thought of becoming friends with this man – even if he wasn’t the creative mind behind W.T. Hamilton’s work. She tore a piece off her muffin and popped it into her mouth. “Forming a bond?”

  “If you’d like,” he said. He pressed a long-fingered hand to his chest. “I know I would.”

  Ashley smiled. “So would I,” she said, and ate another bite of pastry.

  Chapter Five

  The banquet room at Tailler had been rented out for the evening to host an event for local screenwriters and authors connected to the film industry. Ashley had been placed on hostess duty for the night, showing everyone in and escorting them to their tables. To her surprise, Tom’s name had been on the guest list. She felt excited for him, knowing this had to do with the upcoming project to turn The Chauffeur series into movies.

  Tom arrived twenty minutes before the banquet started. Ashley smiled at him in greeting. “Good evening, Mr. Whitehall,” she said, professional and cheerful. “Welcome to Tailler. Shall I show you to the table where you will be sitting tonight?”

  He grinned at
her. He looked like James Bond, dressed like most of the other male attendees in a black tux and white linen shirt, his hands thrust down into his trouser pockets. “Yes, that would be lovely,” he said. She could see him looking her over, too, in her black pencil skirt and crisp white blouse. She had her hair up tonight, as she often did for work, in a sloppy bun held together with a pair of brushed nickel sticks to reflect the restaurants décor of black, white and silver.

  “Right this way,” Ashley said, sweeping her arm toward the banquet room, before leading him through the maze of tables. The place had already begun to fill up, and the noise levels had risen. Waiters were already bringing water and taking orders for drinks. She stopped at a table where three other attendees already sat, and touched the back of an empty chair. “Your seat, Mr. Whitehall.”

  “Thank you, Ms. Kilpatrick.”

  “If there is anything you need through the course of the evening,” she went on, as he sat down, “please alert one of the wait staff and I will see to the matter, personally.”

  “I shall keep that in mind,” he said, looking up at her and giving her a quick wink. Ashley smiled. As she started to walk away, she heard him introducing himself to the other diners at his table.

  Later in the evening, after the main course had been served, Ashley was surprised to see Tom making his way toward the room’s exit. She smiled at him. “How are you enjoying yourself, Mr. Whitehall?” she asked. She could hear a speaker addressing the room from time to time, along with laughter and applause, and the normal clink of silverware and crystal.

  “I’m having a marvelous time, thank you,” Tom replied, touching her arm. “But I’m afraid I’ve had a few glasses of champagne and now I need to find the nearest wash room.”

  Ashley was used to customers coming to her to ask for directions to the bathrooms. If they had been drinking, she had the obligation of escorting them to their destination so they didn’t wind up accidentally wandering into the kitchen. “I’ll take you to it,” she said, moving out from behind her podium. Tom fell into step beside her as she walked him across the main restaurant floor to a hallway leading back to the men’s and women’s restrooms.

  “Thank you.” Tom pushed through the door. A moment later, he stuck his head out again and looked around. “Ah, there appears to be a problem. Could you…perhaps…?”

  Ashley blinked. Was he really asking her to come into the men’s bathroom with him? “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  He motioned to her. “Just…please. I need you to help me with something. It’s all right, there’s no one else in here.”

  Ashley checked her watch. She couldn’t be away from her post for very long. “Okay, but then I have to get back to work.” She cast a look around. No one appeared to be coming, so she slipped inside. She looked around. She had been in the men’s room once before, after hours, when the cleaning staff had been working on the ladies’ toilet and she had to pee before heading home. Both bathrooms had been decorated in glossy black and white tile, very art deco. On the counter by the brushed stainless steel sinks were warmers containing moist rolled towels, along with jars of individually wrapped mints, combs, dental care products, and mouthwash, and even condoms. Because sometimes people have sex in the car on their way home from dinner. The only difference between the two rooms had been the urinals and the number of stalls. “So, what’s wrong?” Ashley asked, turning around to face Tom.

  “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.” As she watched, he reached up and turned the lock to secure the door. “But I felt it should be done somewhere with a bit of privacy.” He pronounced the last word like pivot instead of private, with a short “i” instead of the usual long “i” that Americans used. Tom focused on Ashley, those pale blue eyes gazing directly into hers. “I’ve been thinking about you a lot, lately,” he said, his voice low and husky. He took a step toward her. “I hope you won’t think me too presumptuous, but I knew if I didn’t take this opportunity, I don’t know how long it would be before I had the courage again to do so.”

  “What are you – mm!” Ashley found her words cut off as Tom suddenly lunged forward, swept her up around the waist with one long arm, and pressed his lips to hers in a kiss. Shock and confusion gave way to a more powerful force that she could not name, one that seized control of her will. Her body relaxed in his hold. Her hands stole up along his jacket lapels, her fingers coming to rest against his cheek as she allowed him to deepen the kiss. He tasted like champagne and raspberries and chocolate. Ashley moaned around his tongue as it slid into her mouth.

  Tom swung her around and pressed her up against the nearest wall. He continued to kiss her as he stripped off his tuxedo jacket and let it drop to the floor. Bringing his hands up to frame her face, he reached up and tugged the sticks free from her hair, letting them drop to the floor where they made a light, metallic clatter on the tile. He let his fingers drag down her neck to her cleavage until they came upon the top button of her blouse. Ashley’s heartbeat ramped up. She lifted her arms in surrender, her hands on either side of her head, as he opened her shirt. One of his hands drifted back up to cover her breast through her white lace bra and knead gently before slipping into the cup and palming her flesh. Ashley shuddered as his thumb brushed over her nipple, feeling it harden instantly into a tight knot. She wrenched her mouth away from his in order to gasp for breath. Tom took that chance to dip his head down. He lay a line of kisses along her throat to her bosom, nuzzling the soft swells before pressing his open mouth over her nipple. She could feel his saliva saturate the satin as he suckled at her through her bra. Ashley groaned again, head tilted back against the tiles and eyes fluttering.

  A moment later, she felt his hands moving again, dropping lower, followed by a tugging along her thigh. He managed to work her skirt up over her hips. He caressed her bare legs before drifting between them, fingers seeking out her center. Ashley sucked in a sharp breath as he stroked her through her panties. She could feel liquid heat rushing to that region of her body. He was making her wet. Then, he slipped in around the edge of material. Ashley whimpered at the sensation of his fingers touching her labia, rubbing her clitoris before easing into the slick entrance to her body. Her hands fell onto his shoulders, nails digging into his linen shirt. She buried her face in his neck and breathed in the scent of his cologne, clean and cool and masculine.

  The sound of a zipper being lowered and the rustle of cloth brought her back to focus. Looking down, she saw him withdraw his cock from his pants. Her eyes widened. Like some of his other appendages, it had substantial length but an average girth. To her surprise, he had not been circumcised but she could not really tell because he was so hard that the foreskin had drawn back tight to expose the head, flushed a dark pink with arousal. As she watched, Tom held up one of the complimentary condoms. He smiled. “Always play safe,” he said.

  Is this really happening? Still dazed by Tom’s impromptu seduction and her own uncontrollable desires, Ashley watched Tom roll the condom down over his cock. Her pulse hit top speed. The next thing she knew, he was kissing her again on the mouth. She felt him hook her under one knee and draw her leg up alongside his hip. Boldly, she reached down. Her fingers closed around him and she heard him moan deep in his throat. As she held onto his cock, he used both hands to lift her up. Ashley did not need any further instruction. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she guided him in and felt him thrust upward, penetrating her. She brought her hand out and wound both arms around his neck. Clinging to him, she gasped and uttered a soft cry as he began moving.

  Tom’s initial strokes were deep and quick, punctuated by low grunts. Ashley could feel his muscles moving under his clothes, felt the ripple of his body with every fluid jerk of his hips. When she turned her head and opened her eyes, she could see their reflection in the mirror over the sinks. It almost seemed surreal, watching this happen to her and feeling it at the same time, her fingers tangled in dark curls as Tom pressed his face into her neck and drove into he
r over and over.

  The next thing she knew, he stopped abruptly and pulled out. Setting Ashley on her feet, Tom turned her around and positioned her in front sinks. She watched him over her shoulder as he got behind her, placed a hand between her shoulder blades, and gently urged her to lean forward. “Bend over,” he said, his voice a deep rasp now. Ashley did as instructed. She braced her palms against the countertop. She felt his hand on her hip, and then the solid heat of his cock as he pressed inside her again. Ashley’s eyes rolled shut and her mouth dropped open. She felt Tom holding her steady as he built back up quickly to his previous pace, plunging into her over and over with his full length. She opened her eyes again as he leaned over her. In the mirror, she saw her blonde hair, set free by Tom, framing her flushed face like a wild golden mane. She could see Tom behind her, his handsome face set in a look of complete ecstasy, eyes closed and lips parted. The sight of him mesmerized her, and all she could do was stare at him. Then she felt him reach under her, one hand finding its way down between her legs, seeking out her clitoris.

  “Ashley.” Tom buried his nose in her hair behind one ear and moaned. “Oh, my darling, you feel amazing…”

  The instant his fingers found her, Ashley felt her body tense. She had masturbated several times using a vibrator, inserting it inside while stimulating her clit, and it had felt fantastic, but none of that could have ever prepared her for the sensations she felt in this moment. Tom wrapped himself around her, one hand between her legs, the other back inside her shirt, plucking at one of her nipples. “Oh, God,” she panted, her body beginning to quiver. She could feel Tom’s strokes becoming more erratic. Ashley gasped. “Oh – oh, God!” She arched her head back and choked out another broken cry as she peaked.

  A moment later, she heard Tom utter a short, desperate sound. He stopped thrusting but she could feel his cock jerk inside her. She felt him sag against her, and the rush of hot breath as he let out a deep sigh against her neck. Finally, he withdrew. Ashley felt herself being pulled up and around, and then Tom’s lips on hers in a soft kiss.