by Missy Blue
I liked watching her enjoy it.
Watching her enjoy the show was like watching a show in and of itself. A private show. Just for me. Her eyes would widen at times, and be heavy-lidded at others; her full lips would part, the corners occasionally pulling into smiles. She would bite her bottom lip, then purse them, then sigh contentedly before starting all over again. Though the theater was dark, I could see the lights from the stage reflected in her large eyes, sparkling with appreciation and contentment.
Watching her in a state of happiness I'd never seen before made my heart tug in a funny little way. Although I'd been struck earlier in the evening by how lovely I thought she looked, it was nothing as compared to how she looked now. In this moment, she had never been so beautiful to me.
And it had nothing to do with her appearance.
Her
AFTER THE BALLET, we came straight back to my place. It didn't really take a whole lot of persuasion on my part to convince Asher to lay in bed with me.
I stopped short, seeing Asher standing in front of my bed with his back to me. He was pulling off his shirt and I forgot about everything as I looked at the muscles of his back, his well-defined trap muscles, the curve of his shoulders. He turned around and caught me looking, and smirked at my expression. He moved past me and I couldn't help but eye his chest and stomach.
I moved toward my bed, and after a moment's hesitation, undid my dress and let it fall to the floor. It was an extremely bold move, but I felt at ease. I lay down, pulling the covers over myself.
In the darkness, Asher crossed toward the bed. He slipped beside me and I froze when he brushed my bare leg with his foot. He gathered me up and pulled me against his chest. "Did you have a good time?" he asked.
"I can't even begin to describe how much I enjoyed myself," I answered sincerely. "That was probably the most thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me. But I don’t understand. You must have bought those tickets the same day they went on sale. Before we talked. Because by the time we did, they were sold out. How did you know?"
"I wish I could take all the credit," he admitted. "But your girl Ruby hinted it was your favorite ballet and that you were pretty sad when you didn't think you'd be able to go."
"Ah, Ruby," I said, giggling. "Still, you didn't have to do anything about it but you did it anyway, just to make me happy."
"I’d take on the whole world, Jewel, just to make you happy. I don’t usually like to use my fame to pull strings—but for you, I’d do anything,” he said, stroking the ends of my hair.
We stayed like that for a while, my fingers twitching as I fought the urge to run them over his warm skin. I no longer felt sleepy. I felt warm. Then hot.
Then aroused.
As though he could sense it, Asher began brushing his lips against my forehead, my temple, down my cheek, until he found my lips in the dark. I latched on immediately and grabbed at him, deciding to allow my hands to move over him all they wanted. His body was incredible and his face was better. I was in heaven.
He was only wearing sweatpants, and once again I could feel his hardness spring to life against my thigh, as his hand slid down to it, touching my smooth skin and pulling my leg up to his waist. At the same time, his tongue was coaxing mine to meet his in a slow, moist tango, and I could taste the sharp mint flavor of his mouth.
His fingers slid up my thigh and swept across the front, heading for the warm shelter they'd found between my legs before. They hesitated over my panties, and I knew he was making sure it was okay with me again. Given that I'd hardly been able to think of anything else since then, I whispered, "God yes."
His fingers brushed slowly, lightly, against me, through the fabric of my panties, and I shuddered, feeling my sex moisten. He continued to tease me through my panties, and I felt the same, familiar tight coil of heat tense in my pelvis. Finally, after several long moments of agonizing teasing, he slipped his fingers under the material, against my flesh.
When his finger stroked my ultra-sensitive nubbin, primed with desire after three agonizing days thinking of him, and wanting him, I burst immediately, gasping into his mouth as I dug my fingers into his flesh. He chuckled softly, amused at my lightning-fast orgasm. He slipped his fingers lower, teasing my opening and enjoying my wetness.
I lay very still, breathing hard, wondering if I would allow him to enter me with his fingers. And I hardly had time to fight myself about it when I felt one slip into me and stroke my inner wall, slowly but firmly. I gasped again, the hot sensation alien to me, after all this time. But I was so turned on that I wanted more. Yearned for more. My thighs unconsciously spread wider, and as my wetness gushed again, he added a second finger.
He seemed to be breathing as raggedly as I was and I felt him straining against my thigh. I was tempted, so tempted, my body screaming for it, but I knew if I let my body make that call, my mind would suffer for it.
"Asher," I whispered. "I-I'm not sure—"
"Sshh," he whispered into my skin. "I told you. I just want to touch you."
His fingers found a rhythm, and as they worked inside me, he buried his face in my neck, listening to my breathing, my soft moans. I could hardly believe I was experiencing this, that I was allowing it to happen, but...it just felt so good. So good, in fact, that I felt the familiar heat coiling in my stomach yet again, but this time it felt deeper, buried inside my core, more intense.
“Ash…” I whimpered, as his fingers coaxed the feeling inside me to come to the surface, stronger and stronger, until my eyes were flying open again. My body shook and shuddered and Asher's lips dropped onto mine as I came again—so intense, it literally took my breath away for a second. He waited until I'd calmed down a little before stroking me gently a few more times and then withdrawing his fingers.
I was suddenly overcome with the desire to give him something in return. I felt shy about it, having been out of practice for quite some time. Despite that, my fingers touched the skin above the waistband of his boxers, before closing around the elastic and tugging downward.
Instantly his hand was over mine, pulling it away. "No," he groaned throatily, his breath warming my neck.
"But…" I said shyly. "…I want to."
"And I appreciate that," he replied, smiling into my flesh. "But I'll be okay. I wanted to touch you. That's all. Remember?"
"But—"
"No," he rasped, kissing me. "Not yet." He gathered me up against him again, wrapping his arms around me. “Not until I’m worthy of you.”
As I snuggled into his embrace, I felt slightly bad that I wasn't giving him anything back. But he was right. It might have been too much too soon. I laughed inwardly at my own grudging selfishness and quickly pressed my lips to his shoulder, wondering how in the world I'd gotten lucky enough to find someone like Asher Prince.
They called him The Tornado.
But he’s proving to be the shelter to my storm.
Him
THE LITTLE BUNDLE of warmth that had spent all night pressed into my chest was suddenly gone. I immediately opened my eyes in the darkness, reaching out, seeking for it, when I felt a small hand grab me.
"Hey," an angelic voice whispered in the darkness. "Just stay there and sleep a little. I have to get ready to go into the café."
Years of military training had taught me to wake up instantly, so I was already fully awake. "It's like, four-thirty," I replied, my voice deep and gruff with sleep. "Come back here, Nutcracker." Her small form sat back down next to me, and I felt a pair of plump lips press into my cheek and then my neck.
"I left early yesterday so I need to get there early this morning to make it up to Ruby," she whispered back. "I feel like I've been sneaking out early all the time lately. Otherwise I would still be lying with you, I promise." She trailed a finger down my cheek and along my jaw. "Just lie here for a little bit while I go get ready. It's too early for anyone sane to be up."
Suddenly a small shadow leapt onto the bed beside me, a low purring noise accompan
ying it. "Hey, man," I murmured to the cat, holding out my hand as Rocky leaned his head into my palm. The cat swiped his cheeks against my hand then stepped closer, ‘bunting’ me in the chest before stretching up to rub his tail end against me.
"Looks like Rocky's claiming you for his own, now," Jewel sniggered, getting up from the bed.
"What’d you mean?" I asked.
"He’s marking you," she replied. I glanced at her, cocking an eyebrow.
"Christ, he’s not gonna piss on me or something, is he?" I grunted.
Jewel laughed out loud. "No," she reassured me. "I mean...I don't think so. Maybe. He’s never been around a boy before."
“Great,” I said dryly, before Rocky jumped down and sauntered out of the bedroom.
I lay quietly as Jewel disappeared into her bathroom. When I heard the shower turn on, I leaned back and shut my eyes. But I knew I wouldn't go back to sleep. I thought about my girl in the shower and instantly felt rock hard, and an ache deep in my groin from being unable to release a load last night. Even so, I still felt satisfied that I'd brought Jewel pleasure after pleasure. I'd never intended for her to reciprocate, and had she really tried, I wouldn't have allowed her to do so anyway. I knew I had to ease her back into intimacy. She would never regret being with me.
I thought about the amazing feeling of the juices her perfect pussy squirted on me, earlier. The way her body had tensed right before she came, the tremors that overtook her, the way her lips had parted, and how she'd gasped out something that sounded like my name—all of that had been so satisfying. I couldn’t think of another time in my life when I'd been so fucking horny.
Of course I wanted to sleep with her, to be cock-deep in her sweet pussy. I was a hot-blooded man with needs too, but something told me that taking it as slow as possible with Jewel, would reap rewards for us later on. And I respected her far too much to be so insensitive to her needs and boundaries. Jewel was beginning to trust me, I could sense it. And I'd be damned if I did anything to destroy that trust, ever.
When she emerged from the bathroom, her dark hair was swept up into a sexy bun at the crown of her head, and she was dressed in tight jeans, boots, and a black sweater that hung off one shoulder. She smiled shyly and looked down at her feet, lifting a hand to scratch her head. I knew she was feeling timid after last night, but I wanted her to feel great about it and not awkward.
I got up and stretched a little, the small bones of my back popping satisfyingly, before making my way over to her. I trailed a hand over her bare shoulder before lowering my face to her neck, breathing in her freshly clean scent before I pressed my lips to her flesh. I was pleased when she shivered a little.
"All right if I use your bathroom?" I asked.
She smirked up at me. "No. You have to pee off the balcony."
I shrugged. "I'm pretty sure I've done worse. I mean, they're your neighbors."
She laughed and shoved me in the direction of her bathroom. After I finished getting washed, I glanced at my watch, noting that it was just after five. I'd need to leave soon and get home to change and get to the gym. I was leaving for Ithaca soon and needed to make these last workouts and sessions really count.
Speaking of Ithaca... I wondered what she would ultimately decide. I'd like to think that she would agree to come with me, because she liked me just that much, but if she declined, I wouldn't be upset with her, nor would I not be understanding. I'd be disappointed, but I'd get it. After all, the Ithaca tournament was immediately before the trial. She would be traveling with people she barely knew. Although her anxiety issues seemed to be a lot better than when I'd first met her, I didn't know how she'd fare in such a testosterone-riddled, violent atmosphere as befit an MMA tournament. I inwardly face-palmed myself. What had I been thinking, inviting her along?
I left the bathroom and headed down the short hallway that opened up to the living room and kitchen area. Jewel was leaning over the back of one of her chairs. I took a moment to appreciate the sight of her backside and thighs, showcased in her tight jeans. My balls were bloated now after holding off all night, and I knew then, when I got home, I’d have to empty a load or two in the shower, thinking only of her. I walked up behind her and rested my hand on her back gently. She looked up at me and smiled, then straightened so she could give me a proper hug.
"You know," I began, "I was thinking about how I invited you to come to Ithaca."
"Mm-hmm," she murmured back, her cheek against my chest.
"I was thinking maybe that wasn't a good of an idea."
She lifted her head and cocked it curiously. "Why do you say that?"
I shrugged. "Just got to thinking maybe it wasn't the best environment to bring you to—loud. Violent. Dudes walking around like they got something to prove to everyone."
"And those are some of the things I'm thinking about," she said with a sigh, as if she was relieved I had said it first. "Deciding whether or not I can handle that. But you just can't disinvite me." She frowned at me. I couldn't help laughing.
"Don’t fear, I’m not planning on throwing an alarm clock at you.” She narrowed her eyes playfully. “All right. Well...you keep thinking about it then. I wouldn't be upset either way."
"You wouldn't?" she murmured, pressing up onto her toes. "You wouldn't be upset if I didn't…come…for you?" She brushed her lips against me, and my cock stirred at the slight touch.
“Baby, you’ll always…” I swiped my lips slowly over hers, amused by her hands suddenly tightening around me. “…come…for me.”
She tried to press her body against me, and my cock continued to swell at her touch. I carefully gripped her waist in my hands and held her away from me slightly. I was going to fucking explode, right there and then. Like I’d said, bad as a fucking teenager.
"Thought you said you needed to get to work," I groaned throatily. She made a little noise of frustration and dropped her arms.
"I do," she sighed. “I'm exhausted."
“Oh, why’s that then?” I asked with a cocky smile.
“Asher…you know why,” she murmured, dropping her gaze. She was blushing.
"Must have been all that snoring last night," I teased.
"Excuse me?" she said, smacking my chest lightly. "I don't snore."
"Right, of course," I said. "My mistake. Of course you don't. That must have been Rocky."
"Rocky does snore," she insisted. "So, yeah. It probably was."
I smirked and nodded. "Sure. Blame the cat. Poor guy."
"I do not snore!" she said and smiled. "Jerk."
She moved to her kitchen counter and handed me a steaming mug of coffee. I accepted it hesitantly.
"You didn't have to make this for me," I said. "I won't be able to drink it all before you leave."
"Take the mug with you," she said. She smiled at me with a mischievous look. "I know where you work. Not where you live—but where you work. I'll find you."
It occurred to me that Jewel had never been to my place. "I guess I can't hide from you then," I said, grinning. "I'll drive you to work."
"Officer Safety, it's like three blocks away," Jewel protested. I shook my head.
"It's also like, five in the morning," I pointed out, mimicking her tone. "It's dark outside. Come on. Don’t argue with me. You won’t ever win."
I carried my mug carefully down the stairs as she fed Rocky and locked up behind her. Her boots thumped hollowly down the stairs as we walked out to my car. As I usually did, I reached for the handle of her door and pulled it open for her.
"So what’re you gonna do in there so early?" I asked once we were settled in my Charger. "You don't open for a couple of hours."
"Oh, I'll get the front end going, the machines assembled, then get the bakery case loaded, stuff like that," Jewel said, stretching in her seat. "And what about you?"
I sipped at my coffee. It was perfect. "Run to the gym. Open the gym. Do some paperwork. Train. Spar. The usual..." I watched her closely. I didn’t want to leave her, didn’
t want to be without her. "One day," I said.
"One day," she echoed.
When we arrived at the café, I insisted on walking her to the front door and waited while she unlocked the gate, pulled it aside, and unlocked the door. She wedged her foot between the heavy glass door and the frame and looked up at me. I got the feeling she was suddenly shy again. I met her gaze and reached out to push a stray lock of hair that had fallen free of her bun behind her ear.
"Take care of my mug," she said finally.
"I'll protect it with my life," I said.
But I wasn’t talking about the mug.
Chapter Seventeen
Her
AS THE DAY wore on, I found myself unable to think of anything but the previous night. It had been so perfect, and it was the sort of thing that I'd never really believed existed in the real world for victims like me. But, it had happened.
And it wasn’t a dream.
I could still feel how his fingers had glided against me, teased me, touched me so perfectly, and exactly how I never knew I liked to be touched, until my peak had burst out of me, stronger than I could ever remember experiencing. I couldn't even really recall when the last time I'd had an orgasm. It had been long before even the attack, although the attack had solidified the obsolescence of that part of my body.
I never thought I'd ever feel arousal or desire again. I assumed I would never have sex again for the rest of my life. Never want it again. I'd healed physically, although that had taken months. I'd had to undergo a series of several surgeries. The damage done from his gun had caused the need for an impromptu hysterectomy at the ripe age of twenty-two. Mentally, I'd assumed I would never be intimate with anyone again.
And then, Asher had completely discombobulated me.
I thought about the idea of having sex with him. The thought, on a surface level, made me want to run screaming for the hills. Not because of him—the overall idea of allowing anything to penetrate me again, terrified me. But as I forced myself to envision it, remembering the feeling from last night, I wondered if it couldn't be as wonderful as people made it out to be.
