by Wynn, Renee
“I’m not surprised. You should’ve become a lawyer.”
“I thought about it but I liked journalism more.”
Ashton touched her cheek. She flinched, again surprised by his touch. But he acted as if it was nothing and took her hand and placed it in his large one.
“You were the light of your parents’ lives.”
“I was a surprise because Mom was told she couldn’t have children.”
“You made her happy.”
“I would like to think that I did.”
“Things happen in life. Some we can control and others we can’t.”
“I don’t know why I’m talking to you like this.” She laughed nervously. “I think maybe it’s because you’re different tonight.”
“Really? How so?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s because I see the human side of you.”
“I’m just as human as the next person.”
“Your enemies would challenge that statement.”
His lips lifted just a little, which captivated her attention.
“Now you are the one who’s staring,” he said.
“You almost smiled.”
“So?”
“I didn’t think you knew how.”
“See what you do to me? You make me lose control.”
“I can’t imagine there is anything in your life that you don’t control,” Nicole said.
“You would be surprised.”
“Really?”
“I’m a man, Nicole. I bleed.”
Uncomfortable with how much he was revealing, she tried to regroup. What was happening between them? No argument. This was a first.
“Don’t stop now. You were doing so well.”
“You’ve always been stoic, unapproachable and unreadable.”
“Not always. Anyway, we’re not talking about me. We were discussing you.”
Did the great Ashton Campbell have a soft spot? He was actually trying to console her.
“Thank you for listening.” She released a slight smile; surprised that she could. Tonight would be one she would never forget.
“I’ve always listened to you, whether you’re talking or laughing,” he said. “I like it.”
Taken by surprise, she asked, “What?”
“To hear the musical notes in your voice.”
She did laugh then. “I don’t sing.”
He stared for such a long time, heat warmed her face and she shifted from foot to the other.
“Yes, you do,” he spoke softly. “Your voice chimes its own symphony.”
Lost for words, she thought she must be dreaming or needed a Q-Tip to clean the wax from her ears. Ashton, a romantic? The night had been a little strange but it was getting stranger by the minute.
“You knew that your parents loved you. That’s all that matters. Cherish the memories. It’s something no one can ever take from you.”
Now he’d switched in the middle of the conversation. From telling her that her voice was musical now back to the brooding, unsmiling person he was known to be. The man was an enigma.
“There was nothing you could’ve done to stop the crash. You’re not afraid to fly, are you?”
She shook her head.
“Good. It’s still the safest mode of transportation.”
“Brent said the same thing.”
“I don’t want to talk about him.”
“What’s your problem with Brent?”
The man was Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde tonight. One minute he’s being poetic and half decent and then he turned back to being his contrary self.
“I don’t need to hear what Brent said to you or what he was to you,” Ashton grated out and then his tone softened. “Tonight, it’s only you and me. No Brent is allowed. Besides I want to continue to talk about you.”
He must be bi-polar because he was one moody man with a bad habit of changing a conversation before the other one had been completed. She shook her head. Definitely strange.
“I’m ordinary. There’s nothing special about me,” she said.
“I beg to differ. You were in the top five percent of your journalism graduating class and you secured an internship at a family-owned newspaper in Grand Prairie. That’s a long way from Dallas,” he said.
“I was number three in my class.”
“I stand corrected.”
“Anyway, Grand Prairie is less than an hour away. I’m surprised you know about my internship.”
“You would be surprised at the things I know about you.”
“I see,” she said slowly. “What else do you know?”
“You’re loyal to a fault. Your two best friends, since junior high school, are Danielle Evans and Sarah Beaumont, whom everyone calls Sally. Danielle is now a supermodel but grew up in a foster home until she was ten and then taken in by an elderly widow. Out of the three of you, Danielle’s the only one who didn’t come from money. But it never diminished the bond you had. To hear Brent tell it, you ladies are tighter than an entwined rope.”
“I’m impressed,” she snipped.
“Oh, and you’re slow to anger, except when it comes to me.”
“You feed my temper with your arrogance and ultra-conservative views.”
He ignored her comment. “You’re also off to tour Europe, this summer, with Sarah Lawrence Beaumont before you start your job.”
Nicole snickered. “Sally would be excited that you know her full name.”
A dark brow lifted. “I don’t know why. All the Beaumont’s have Lawrence as their middle name. It’s something that has been passed down through generations.”
“I know. But she’s always oohing and aahing over you. Sally thinks you’re a hunk— intimidating, but nevertheless a gorgeous one.”
He moved in closer and tilted his head, his laser blue gaze holding her immobile.
“And what do you think, Nicole?”
Air caught in her throat at his caressing voice. Breathing became difficult, with hers coming out in jerky sounds. “About…what?”
“Do you agree with Sally’s assessment?”
“No…I …You’re a gorgeous hunk…I didn’t mean…Ah…”
Ashton chuckled. Amazed at the sound, she didn’t move.
“You’re embarrassed, Nicole. He ran his thumb down her cheek. “Your skin is warm, that means you’re blushing. I like it.”
She couldn’t tear her eyes away from him. She felt strange. Was she having an out of body experience? It sure felt like it. “You should do it more often.”
He stroked her arm. “Do what?”
“Laugh. It makes you look even more handso… Look, I don’t need to feed your ego. I’m sure you know you’re gorgeous. But you’re also aloof. However, women don’t seem to care.” She squinted. “You draw them like flies. If you would just smile sometimes, people would find you more approachable and not a bad a person.”
“So you think I’m…bad and gorgeous. Men don’t like being called gorgeous. It’s a little feminine but I’ll accept it from you.”
She sucked her teeth. “Oh, please put a sock in it.”
He threw back his head and offered a deep rousing laugh. She was amazed at the change in his entire appearance. Fascinated, she couldn’t stop staring in awe of how beautiful he really was at that moment.
“You’re really something else, Nicole. I don’t think anyone’s ever told me to shut up so sweetly.”
“This is the first conversation without it being a debate.”
“You like debating with me,” he said matter-of-factly. “And I like it also.”
She ignored his husky tone. “You’re always putting off the vibe that you’re emotionless. I’ve seen how you are with your parents and siblings.”
“My family is important.” He grunted. “But I don’t give a damn about what other people think.”
“I don’t believe that.”
A scowl now darkened his face.
“Well, you should care… a little at
least,” she uttered. “It’s not normal not too.”
“I don’t care about being normal. I am who I am. Take it or leave it. The only person I care about, outside of my immediate family, is you,” he stated seriously with a hard glint.
Her mouth felled open wide. “Me?
“Yes, you,” he said softly.
She blinked rapidly, not comprehending his meaning. She felt as if she was in a wind tunnel, being tossed backward and forward.
“You’re beautiful, especially when you’re telling me off.” His voice warm and sexy washed over her. It held something she couldn’t detect.
Her breathing grew shallow. Excitement cascaded through her veins and she shivered from its impact. His lips descended toward hers and her eyes automatically closed while she waited for the inevitable. Her mind screamed no while her heart sang yes. His tongue grazed across her lips more gently than she would have expected. He released his hold and she felt lost.
“What are you doing?” she whispered and ran her tongue over her lips, searching for something she couldn’t decipher, but craved.
“Something I should’ve done a long time ago.”
His lips captured hers again and searched for an opening. Her mouth relaxed, giving him access. The kiss deepened. The bold flavor of the red wine that he had with dinner was fused along with a smokiness that mated with the taste on her tongue, causing a fever pitch. She was drowning. She shouldn’t allow it but she couldn’t stop from wanting it. Emotions and feelings she never experienced before swarmed through her body and submerged her into a sea of warmth.
Boldly, her tongue connected with his and sucked gently, needing to capture the elusive high that was dangling out of her reach. Arms of smooth steel tightened around her. His low grumble of pleasure was lost as he took control.
Then he pulled back. “You have no idea how much I want you.” His eyes blazed with an emotion that touched the core of her soul. She moaned from its fierceness but welcomed it. He swept her up into his arms, strolled from the library and she didn’t resist.
Her heart beating wildly, she surrendered her head into the curve of his shoulder, not knowing or caring why it felt so right. Fire nipped through her veins and she didn’t want to put it out.
He climbed the stairs to the bedroom as if she weighed nothing. Amazed at the strength of his arms and how carefully he held her to his chest, she felt dizzy and reckless.
The double doors to the room were slightly open, beckoning them to enter. He used his foot to kick the door wider, walked to the king-size bed and laid her upon it as if she was a precious commodity. He drew back and straightened to his full height.
She sat up on her arms and returned his gaze. For a fleeting second, doubt crossed her mind but it disappeared as quickly as it came. Time only existed in the here and now. Her eyes drank him like spring water drawn from a well.
His eyes never left her as he removed his outer garments, shirt, tie and jacket and then hers and dropped them carelessly to the floor. With a heart beating fast with anticipation and also apprehension, her eyes roamed his muscled and toned body.
He leaned forward and placed a hand alongside her head and used the other one to slide gently up and down her thigh in a sensuous, light movement that made her feel boneless.
A small uneasiness crossed her mind that if her life depended on it she wouldn’t want him to stop. Was this a dream? She floated outside of her body in a wave of pleasure not caring about ramifications or what the night may bring.
In a rough almost unrecognizable tone, he said, “You need to tell me now, Nicole, if you don’t want this. If not, we won’t go any further.”
She blinked at the strange sensation of wanting him. Nicole waited for the panic come but when it didn’t, she resolved to experience what her body was craving. She lifted a hand and tentatively laid it on his cheek.
“You and me, it’s foreign. This shouldn’t be happening.”
He lifted away from her.
She stopped him. “No, don’t.”
“I want you to be sure. There’ll be no turning back for us.”
She waited a moment not understanding what he meant but decided not to examine it.. She looked directly into his eyes. “I won’t regret this. I’m not afraid. I don’t know why and I don’t care but I know that at this moment I want you.”
He planted a soft kiss in the palm of her hand. “There’ll be no shadows or doubts between us tonight. I’ll never intentionally hurt you. When morning comes, there will be no regrets.”
She offered a tiny smile. “Morning? Will it take that long?”
“That and then some. It’ll be good for you…for both of us. I’ll make damn sure of it.”
She shook her head silently communicating she knew this thing that was happening between them was only for the moment, for tonight. She didn’t want his promises. “I’m not that naive. The first time is not enjoyable. I know it’s just sex.”
His cool blue gaze held hers. “I would never have just sex with you, Nicole. This is so much more…so much.” He gathered her in his arms and proceeded to show her just how much more it was. His kiss was gentle, then hard and fierce and she met him with every bit of intensity. Fireworks exploded along her skin with fast precision creating an avalanche of a fierce burn that threatened to consume her.
He lifted her; slowly insert a finger in her core. She groaned at the sensation and locked her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. She blindly sought his mouth. He groaned and let her take control of the kiss.
Nicole moaned. “Ashton…please…” she uttered, not knowing what exactly she was asking for but knowing only he could give it to her.
“We have all night, spitfire.” She gasped when he inserted a couple more fingers and began to circle and arouse the tender lips. She groaned to keep from screaming out her pleasure while he whispered gravelly words of encouragement. His urgent tone registered more than his words.
Finally he brought his mouth back to hers. Raw desire clawed her insides and she couldn’t hold back the whimper, but succumbed to the pleasure.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes. Please don’t stop.”
“I don’t plan to, baby.” He pulled his fingers from her heat and lifted her ass at an angle. She clutched his shoulders.
His thigh nudged her legs apart and she pressed against his neck, teeth suckling the smooth skin as raw pleasure scaled her skin.
Color flooded her face when he reached into the nightstand, retrieved a condom, tore it open and sheathed himself. She’d been so lost in the pleasure, she hadn’t thought about protection.
When his tongue slid through the entrance of her core, she forgot all about doubts, fears, and the ramifications of her actions.
He lifted his head and pressed her further into the mattress while shifting his weight. “I want all of you…” he whispered. She arched; her hips moved upward, her legs settling into the flank of his back, and felt the head of penis at her entrance. She gasped at the stimulating sensation, wanting more.
“Look at me, Nicole.”
Her eyes heavy, she lifted them to his. He slowly pushed into her, thickly, slowly, until his penis caused every nerve throb to life. Inch by inch he penetrated the folds that widened to receive his girth.
“I can’t take anymore. It won’t fit,” she said, nervously.
“Relax,” he uttered softly and continued the slow journey. “You were made for me, sweetheart.
He broke through the barrier and she bit back a scream.
“You’re a virgin,” he said matter-of-factly and stopped moving. “Easy, baby.” His hand rubbed her lower stomach.
Tears swelled in her eyes. “Please…” She tried to escape from him.
He groaned, took a deep breath and held himself still. Sweat beaded on his brow. “Give it a moment, sweetheart.” He reached between them and rubbed her mound gently in a circular motion. “I promise the pain will go away.”
She felt him throbbing, emb
edded deep within her. His hand continued soothing away the pain. A warm sensation built and rapidly moved through her body.
Her breathing came in short gasps as she gave into the feeling. He pushed deeper. She gasped at each stroke. Pleasure and pain combined themselves. His movement was deep but continued slowly in and out, giving her time to adjust. Her body arched into his, her breasts crushed against his chest. Intense exhilaration pounded through her suddenly, catching her by surprise. The roaring in her ears echoed like a fast waterfall, smooth but powerful.
Ashton’s strokes were now deeper and faster, drawing out the pleasure, sending her into an orgasm until her body screamed from the crescendo. He continued to move in the walls of her core as another orgasm shook her body.
He stiffened, groaned, and then grunted his release, his face buried in the side of her neck. She held on to him while the storm of pleasure consumed them.
He couldn’t seem to get enough of her and took her throughout the night. Although she was sore, she submitted willingly to the pleasure and him.
###
Nicole squeezed her eyes against the early morning light coming through the open window. She lay very still on her side facing him and forced herself to breath evenly. Then he touched her hair in a soft gesture and planted a kiss in the tangled curls. He placed his hand at her lower back, gently rubbing the muscle and then stopped.
Her heart pumped wildly.
She continued to fake sleep, even managing to murmur a sleepy sigh and light snore.
So she lay there praying that he would leave the bed. Finally he did, going into the bathroom and closing the door. When she heard the shower, she quickly slipped out of the bed, groaning at soreness in places she never knew was possible. Taking deep breaths and moving slowly, she glanced back and saw spots of bright, red blood on the light blue Egyptian sheets. Some blood was caked to her thighs. She was no longer a virgin. Damn. Damn.
Nicole ignored the stiffness while she searched for her clothes. She retrieved them from the floor and hurried through dressing, hastily leaving her dress only half zipper. She found her shoes had disappeared. Finally she located one near the foot of the bed and the other one across the room.
