by Velvet Reed
Slowly, I run a finger down her neck, the path taking me on a journey down between her cleavage and over her stomach until I reach the hem of her shirt. The higher the shirt travels the more of her supple body I get to see. When her lacy, light pink bra comes into view, showcasing perfect breasts, I have to remind myself to take things slow, and, by God, all I want to do is devour her whole.
With her hair cascading over her shoulders, I slip both index fingers under the straps of her bra and carefully ease them off her shoulders. My mouth replaces the lines where the material sat, kissing and licking a path from one side to the other, eliciting the hushed moans from Ashley that I know so well.
My mouth continues downward between her breasts, my kisses moving lower to the waistband of her pants. I nuzzle her belly and have a fleeting thought as I used to about our baby growing there. Too soon.
Popping the button and undoing the zip, I run my hands inside her pants until I’m palming her ass and then slide them down her legs. Crouching at her feet now, she holds onto my shoulders for support as she steps out of both her heels and her pants, and I can toss them aside.
Placing my hands on the backs of her calves, I start my journey back up her body. Ashley’s hands dive into my hair and her chest heaves with every breath. It’s a delicious sort of torture, feeling her soft skin this way, and the sight of her in matching bra and panties is my every fantasy come true.
When I get back to her ass, my need for her is so great that my dick is now throbbing painfully. I can’t take the torture any longer. So I grab the sides of her panties and yank them swiftly down her legs, then put my mouth right where the tiny scrap of material was only seconds before. Her arousal coats my tongue as I lave her pussy with long, languid licks. Her legs quiver and she moans out my name. I know she’s as ready for this as I am.
As I stand to full height, her hands fall from my hair and find their way to my pants. Ash has them unbuttoned and half off within seconds. I kick out of the offending clothes while trying to undo the front clasp of her bra at the same time. Desperation claws within me, making my movements awkward and uncoordinated, so Ashley brushes my fingers aside and successfully releases the clasp, her glorious breasts spilling free from their confines.
Completely naked we stand still, absorbing the view of each other.
“So fucking beautiful,” I breathe, and a small smile takes over her lips, making my dick jerk and my brain snap into action.
Taking her in my arms, I spin us around and lower her to the bed. I position myself above her, then take her mouth in a feverish kiss. Her taste is addictive. Her touch, consuming. All I can think about is that I want more. More of this feeling, this hunger, this possessive need.
Ashley’s moans become louder and more frequent. Her fingers clutching at my skin, trying to draw me closer. When I press my hardness against her, she instinctively tilts her hips up, wanting and needing more friction against her core to ease the ache that I know she must be feeling, because I sure as hell am feeling it, too.
Lowering my head, I take her breast into my mouth, teasing and nipping her beaded nipple as she begs, “Sam…please.” She has no idea what hearing those words does to me and I mindlessly thrust my rigid length against her.
Our hands are frantic as sensation after sensation rush through us, our kisses desperate, and she’s arching her body into me, impatient for more. Wanting to be completely connected in every way possible, I take her hands and place them beside her head, but instead of letting go, I entwine our fingers and hold her there. “Ash, open your eyes.”
Her eyes lock with mine and we both take a shuddering breath. Then I’m entering her in one slow languid stroke, our eyes, our hands, our bodies and our hearts connected in a moment that’s so unbelievably intimate, I’m swallowing back tears.
The frenzied energy is gone, now replaced by something deeper. I slide in and out of her with precise movements. Giving and taking pleasure from each other all while connecting with her intimately and in love. This. This right here is making love. This is being at one with your soul mate and knowing that no one else in the world could ever make you feel the way this person does. No one else could ever make me feel the way Ashley does.
“I love you so much, Ash,” I choke out, even as I continue moving within her.
A single tear rolls down her cheek and she squeezes her fingers around mine. “I love you too, Sam,” she whimpers, and I lower my face to hers so our lips meet.
As we kiss I feel her pussy start to contract around my dick and I know she’s close, so I increase my pace. Within a few thrusts, that familiar tingling in my spine makes itself known and I’m about ready to explode.
“Sam...” Ashley moans. “Sam!”
Her pussy clenches around my dick as her orgasm rips through her. It’s all it takes to send me over the edge and then I’m groaning out her name as pure ecstasy overwhelms me.
I’m not sure how much time has passed but as I lie here, my body slumped on Ashley’s, my face buried in her neck breathing her in. I know without a doubt that I’ve never experienced anything like that before in my life. I’m utterly content. My body replete. Even with how many times we’ve slept together before and though each time was amazing, what we just shared transcended every other experience.
Ashley wiggles beneath me, and I suddenly realize that all of my weight is bearing down on her small frame. Lifting myself up on my elbows, I gaze down at her soft satisfied smile and can’t deny myself the opportunity for yet another kiss. “I love you,” I tell her again, those three little words have pretty much become my new mantra.
She giggles, causing her body to vibrate against mine, the motion jolting my still semi hard dick inside her. As much as I want her again, I’m exhausted after a long week at work and two late nights in a row. There’s no chance I’ll be able to fully arise to the occasion so soon, so I carefully pull out of her and roll to the side, pulling her with me as I go.
“I’ve missed this. Missed you. More than I ever thought possible,” I whisper, my hand caressing her side.
“Me too, Sam. I think I actually forgot how incredible it was with us,” she admits, but I shake my head.
“It was incredible before, Beautiful, but what we have now, what we just did is on a whole other level.”
She nods in agreement and for a little while we simply lie there, watching each other. When her eyes start to get heavy I know it’s time to get cleaned up and settled for the night. I tell her as much and we both head to the bathroom, where I watch as she wipes away my come that has run down her thighs. The sight gives me a sick sense of male pride. She’s my woman and I’ve marked her with my seed once more, reclaiming her completely.
When we climb into bed a few minutes later, Ashley nestles her back into my front and I splay my hand across her belly. I’m not sure if she’s still on the pill after all these months, and I didn’t think to ask, but I know with all certainty that I will spend the rest of my life loving this woman, and having a baby with her would be a dream come true.
As her breathing deepens and her body relaxes against mine, I kiss her ear softly and whisper, “Sweet dreams, Beautiful.”
Her words are laden with slumber but still intelligible when she replies, “I love you, Sam, and I’m so happy you’re home.”
I’m exactly where I belong.
New Year’s Eve. The end of a year full of ups and downs for everyone. Personally, I can’t wait to start new and fresh, forget the bad times and move forward. I can’t wait to welcome in the New Year with Sam.
Since Christmas Eve when he took the chance and came to my house, we’ve been practically inseparable. When we haven’t been at work, we’ve been together constantly, including the nights where we curl up in my bed. I’ve offered repeatedly to stay at his apartment but he’s refused, explaining that my place is so much more comfortable and that he’d rather we stay there. He even confessed that since he returned, he’s realized how much he actually dislikes where he l
ives.
I couldn’t help but think about the day he left when he asked me to move in with him and as much as I want that to happen in the future, I’m happy to keeps things the way they are at the moment. Unofficially, he’s basically moved in with me.
When we are together, we can’t keep our hands off each other. The sex is off the charts and I sometimes wonder if we’re just making up for lost time or if rekindling our relationship has somehow made us addicted to each other physically because we’re scared of losing what we have now. Either way, it only takes a glance from those gorgeous green eyes of his and I’m ready to pounce and get my fill.
We’ve come up for air, of course, and spent time with the others since Christmas. A few dinners here and there and now we’re here tonight, at Gracie and Cole’s for the party just as we were last year. It’s become the norm that Sam and I are together again and having everyone accept and be happy about it has made it incredibly easy.
As I stand here looking around at all the guests, most of whom I’ve seen or met before, I feel blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful and caring people. I may not have any blood relatives in my life, but between the Rivers and the Tierneys, the girls at the shop, and of course Sam, I know I’m loved.
“Why is it that I always find you by yourself on New Year’s Eve?” I turn and wrap my arm around the one person who has always been the constant in my life.
“It’s just so you can spend a few minutes with your bestie before we ring in another year of friendship, my dear Gracie.”
She giggles at my theatrics and wraps her arm around my waist as well. “I think I like that explanation,” she quips.
“It’s been a crazy year, huh?” I muse.
“Yeah, it has. In more ways than one.” I follow her gaze to where Cole stands with Cooper in his arms, talking to some people from the hospital. “I can’t believe that in less than a month, Coop’s going to turn one.”
“Wow!” I breathe, finding it hard to comprehend that fact, but then have another thought. “So when is Cooper going to become a big brother?”
When Gracie doesn’t answer, I turn to look at her, her expression sheepish, and I gasp, “Oh my God! Are you pregnant?”
“Shhhhh!” she splutters. “Keep your voice down, will you?”
I’m so excited by the prospect of her having another baby, how the hell can she expect me to keep my voice down?
“Are you?” I demand, my voice lower but still nowhere near a whisper.
“No, I’m not,” she says, and my excitement falls until she continues, “but we’ve decided to start trying.”
I squeal. A high pitched, attention gaining squeal, and I hug her tight, as I jump us up and down excitedly.
“Would you calm down, woman,” she chuckles. “I’m not pregnant yet, and who knows how long it’s going to take this time? Sam says everything is fine, but I don’t want to get my hopes up before anything actually happens.”
“Well, I’ll just be extra excited for both of us,” I tell her, and both of us laugh as we hug.
As if knowing what we were talking about, Cole calls out to Gracie and she excuses herself to go to her husband. They’re so great together, and with Cooper they make the perfect family. It’s everything Gracie deserves, and I pray that she’ll be blessed with another addition soon.
Feeling his eyes on me, I turn and find Sam. He gives me a quizzical look and smile, but I just give him a bright smile in return. He makes my heart flutter and fill with love and I send up another prayer that one day, he and I will end up exactly like our best friends and live out our own happily ever after.
It’s later in the night and everyone has had plenty to drink, some more so than others. I’ve danced with the girls and caught up with so many people, but the one thing I should have expected, but didn’t, was seeing Tanner. I was honestly struck dumb when he stood before me. I didn’t know what to say, which was stupid because we’re friends.
We’ve spoken on the phone and through text messages, but we haven’t actually been face to face in a month. I realized immediately that I missed him. Not in a boyfriend or lover way, certainly not like I missed Sam, but I missed him like you miss a close friend. It took a minute, but then, Tanner being Tanner, managed to make everything easy and I found myself in his arms.
When Sam was at my side within seconds, I expected a show of macho bravado, only to be taken aback by the respect they showed each other. By the end of the interaction, they were talking and joking around like they’d been best friends for years, and I knew Tanner would remain part of my life.
As the clock ticks closer to midnight, I make my way through the throng of party goers, searching for the man who owns my heart and who I want to share a kiss with to start our New Year and new life together.
Standing in the middle of the yard, I start to get a little worried that I can’t find him, but then strong arms slip around me from behind and soft lips touch my ear.
“You looking for someone, Beautiful?” he asks, his warm breath caressing my cheek.
“You,” I whisper, and slowly turn in his arms to face him. I wrap my arms around his neck and he circles his tighter around my waist.
Sam and I stand there gazing into each other’s eyes as a chorus of “3, 2, 1, Happy New Year!” echoes around us. Then everything fades away, except for Sam and his whispered New Year wish, right before his lips descend on mine, and I’m lost to the sensations his kisses always create in me.
We kiss for long minutes, taking our time and appreciating the fact that we’re here, experiencing this moment together. Before too long, though, we’re interrupted by Olivia and John wanting to celebrate the moment and exchange a few words and quick hugs. Everyone else follows suit, and I know our moment together is well and truly over.
That is, until in a free moment, Sam takes both my hands in his and drops down so that he’s kneeling on both knees in front of me. I hear the shocked gasps of people around us and my heart plummets. No! God please no. Don’t do this, Sam, it’s too soon. As much as I want our happily ever after, it’s much too soon.
I watch his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows hard before he says, “Ashley Brookes.”
I can’t let him do this and I can feel myself shaking my head slowly. “Sam,” I whisper. “Sam, please. We’ve only been back together a week. Please don’t do this now... I can’t marry you… Not yet.” Tears prick the backs of my eyes and I feel terrible and expect to see his crestfallen expression, but he’s smiling. Why the hell is he smiling?
“Relax, Beautiful, and just hear me out.” He kisses my hands reverently and gives me that panty dropping smile of his. “I’m not on one knee, as you can see. Both knees sort of implies that I’m begging, and maybe I am. But while I have every intention of making you my wife one day, that’s not what I’m about to do.”
“It’s not?” I ask in confusion and feel an irrational sense of disappointment that he’s not asking me to marry him, which is stupid because two seconds ago, the thought scared me to death.
He chuckles and shakes his head. “No, Ash, it’s not.” He lets go of my left hand and digs around in his pocket before producing a blue ring box, leaving me even more puzzled.
Clearing his throat, he looks deep into my eyes. “One year ago, we stood not far from here and I kissed you for the first time as the New Year began. It was the most amazing kiss I’d ever experienced in my life and I knew right there and then that no other woman ever had or ever would get to me the way you do.” I can’t help but smile at the memory.
“When we finally got together, it was perfect. I couldn’t stop thinking about you or wanting to be with you. You made me feel things that I never had before and those feelings scared the shit out of me.” He chuckles and so do a few others watching us.
“When Donna showed up and told me the truth about my parents, I did what I’ve always done and locked my emotions up. That was wrong of me, and I know I’ve already told you countless times how sorry I am, but I�
��ll keep saying it because it cost me four months without you.” A single tear escapes his eye so I gently wipe it away with my free hand. This man before me is so different from the one that left me. The one truly good thing to come out of his leaving is that he’s now so open and honest about the way he feels, and I love that.
Opening the small box, he removes the ring, then takes my left hand and begins to slowly slide it on my middle finger. It’s breathtaking. A sparkling oval-shaped pink diamond is the focal point of the ring, and it’s surrounded by a circle of small clear diamonds. The band is platinum and a perfect fit.
“Sam,” I whisper as I take it in.
“This isn’t your engagement ring because you’re right, it’s too soon, and we’re not ready for that… yet.” He gives me a cheeky wink before continuing.
“So I’m going old school and giving you a promise ring right here in front of our family and friends.” He leans down to kiss the ring on my finger before meeting my eyes again. “I can’t live without you, Ashley, and I don’t want to. I love you more than I ever knew it possible to love someone, and I promise that I will continue to love you every day for the rest of my life. I promise I will always be open and honest with how I feel, and I promise I won’t get mad if you have to give me a right hook to knock some sense into me.” Everyone, including Sam and myself, laugh at that.
“But most of all, I promise to never, ever walk away from you again. I won’t leave you, Ashley. There’s no place I would rather be than by your side for the rest of our lives.” The emotion in his voice, the love and sincerity in his words undo me completely, so with tears streaming down my face, I fall to my knees and throw my arms around him once more.
“I love you, Sam. I love you so much,” I sob into his neck.
“I love you, too, Beautiful,” he murmurs into my hair. His hold on me is so tight that I know with all my heart that he’ll never let me go.
