by M. C. Decker
“Nah, we decided to see other people. So, this is me, seeing other people,” he shrugged. I could tell Brad seemed hurt by his admission, but this wasn’t the place to discuss it in detail. I made a mental note to talk about it further at work the next day.
“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I can take Ashlynn home if it’s more convenient,” Carson offered.
“You OK with that, Ash?” Brad asked, looking between Carson and me.
“Sure, that’d be fine. You go and have a good time,” I told Brad.
“OK, thanks! You’re the best,” he said, grabbing my shoulders and pecking me on both cheeks. “And, thanks, Carson,” he added, reaching out to shake his hand.
“He sure is quite the character,” Carson said as we watched the two men leaving the bar together.
“You don’t even know the half of it,” I chuckled.
“Have you eaten?” Carson asked, grabbing my jacket from the hook by the door.
“Not unless you count the gin and cranberry I drank earlier,” I said with a shrug.
“We really do need to work on your diet,” he scolded, shaking his head.
“Now I’m not sure if you sound more like my mother or my doctor.”
“Ouch. Both equally as bad, I think. Let me take you to dinner to apologize. I know of a perfect twenty-four-hour diner and pizzeria just down the road.”
“Yeah, OK,” I agreed as Carson opened the door to the cool autumn breeze. “You know, I don’t typically accept rides from strangers, but here I am getting into a car with you for a second time just a few days after meeting you. There must be something special about you, Doctor Foster.”
Shaking his head, he laughed, “You’re never going to let up on the whole ‘Doctor Foster’ thing, are you? And, for the record, I certainly hope there’s something special about me because there’s certainly something special about you, Ash.”
“You didn’t just say that,” I laughed, sliding into his SUV.
“Unfortunately, I did,” he chuckled.
Ashlynn
ENTERING THE DINER, my mouth watered from the sweet aroma coming from the buttery pancakes slathered in maple syrup along with a side breakfast sausage.
“I think I’ve died and gone to heaven,” I said aloud, forgetting Carson was standing right next to me.
“What was that?” he laughed.
“This place. It just smells delicious. I’m starving,” I smirked.
“Doesn’t take much to please you, does it?” If only he understood the irony of his words.
“Not when food is involved,” I laughed.
“And here I was thinking I needed to wine and dine you. Little did I know you would be content with a greasy spoon like this,” he said as we took a seat at the counter.
“What are you calling a greasy spoon, Doc?” a gray-haired woman wearing a bright blue, waitress apron said as she handed us two menus.
“Sorry, Franny. You know I love this place,” he said, taking the liberty to order us two coffees.
“Come here often?” I asked, perusing the oversized, grease-stained menu.
“Yeah, Franny and I go way back. Don’t we, Franny?” he asked, adoration in his voice.
“If by way back, you mean thirty-seven years then yes, we go way back, Sugar,” she said, smiling. “And, who is this lovely young lady you’ve brought in tonight?”
“Franny, this is Ashlynn Sommers. Ashlynn, this is Francis Riley. Franny and her husband, Joe, own this fancy establishment.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Ashlynn. How do you know our Carson?”
“Oh, we just work together,” I explained, hoping she didn’t ask any further questions.
“Ah, I see,” she said, nodding in understanding. I could tell that Franny and I would become fast friends if given the chance.
“So, you’ve known Carson since he was just a baby then, huh?” I asked, remembering that Carson was just a few years older than I.
“Not just a baby, Dear. I knew Carson when he was still in his mom’s belly. She was a waitress here many, many moons ago. This guy and his brother practically grew up in this place. Always running around causing trouble–even breaking a saucer or two when they’d toss them around like frisbees,” she said with a wink.
“You didn’t!” I gasped.
“Oh, we did,” he chuckled. “Don’t worry though. Camden and I had to pay every cent back to Franny and Joe from our allowances. Mom made sure of it.”
“The two even worked for Joe and me before they were hotshot doctors making beaucoup bucks.”
“You were a waiter here?” I chuckled.
“Yeah, in high school,” he answered. “Why is that so funny?”
“I just can’t picture you waiting tables, that’s all,” I explained with a shrug.
“Yeah, my brother and I both did what we had to do to help our mom out. Our dad was killed in a car accident when we were three. Obviously, I have very few memories of him,” he said. “We lost our mom in the same way shortly after we both graduated from medical school.”
As Carson shared these bits of his childhood, a sense of ease that I’d never felt before came over me. No one besides Parker had ever confided in me in such a way–or maybe I’d never given anyone else the opportunity.
“I’m so sorry to hear about your parents,” I whispered, placing my hand on top of his–the first sign of actual affection I’d shown anyone in years.
“Thank you. It was hard growing up without a dad, but we did all right. Losing Mom was tough on us all, but Joe and Franny really stepped up and helped Cam and I both through it as best as they could,” he said, smiling affectionately across the counter.
“Joe and I couldn’t be any prouder of what both you and Camden have accomplished. Speaking of which, how is that brother of yours? He hasn’t been around here in months. I bet that boy of his is growing like a weed.”
“As far as I know, they’re good. Truthfully, I haven’t had much time to connect with him lately. The new position at St. Therese has me pretty busy. Next time I talk to him, I’ll tell him to stop by.”
“You be sure to do that,” Franny said.
As the two continued to catch up, my stomach growled angrily, interrupting their conversation.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry. I’m so embarrassed. I must be hungrier than I thought,” I said, rubbing my belly.
“Nonsense! We’re the ones rambling on like you didn’t come in here for some of the best chili cheese fries in the metro area,” she said.
“Sounds good,” I said, my stomach growling again in anticipation of what was to come.
“You can also add two cheeseburgers onto that order, Franny,” he said, handing her the menus.
“Make mine a double, please,” I said with a grin.
“I like this girl, Carson. Any woman who isn’t afraid to eat around a man is a keeper in my book,” Franny said.
“I think you’re right, Franny,” he said, squeezing my thigh under the counter.
“How about I get you both a Joe Special instead,” she suggested.
“Oh, I haven’t had one of those in years. Sounds perfect to me,” Carson replied.
“What may I ask is a Joe Special?”
“Trust me, you’ll like it, but it’s a surprise. At least that’s what Joe and Franny have been telling their customers all these years. They won’t give anyone the secret recipe,” he explained, smiling across the counter at Franny.
“Don’t go flashing those dimples at me, Sugar. It wasn’t until after we were married and I signed a non-disclosure agreement that Joe trusted me with it,” Franny laughed.
“Wow, whatever it is must be really delicious,” I said.
“You better believe it. Anyway, enough chit-chat. Two specials and a chili cheese fry coming right up,” Franny said, placing the order at the window.
Carson
“Thanks for dinner. I had a great time tonight,” Ashlynn said, exiting the diner. “You two weren’t kidding about th
e Joe Special either. I could’ve eaten two more of those, but I didn’t want to look like too much of a pig.”
“Ha! I think your bottomless-pit-of-an-appetite is sexy,” I said, flirtatiously. It wasn’t my finest move, but it was too late to take it back now.
“I doubt you’ll be saying that when I’m as big as a house,” she joked.
“Stop it. You’ll always be beautiful,” I said, playfully swatting her on the arm. “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself though and that Franny didn’t scare you off with her many crazy stories about me.”
“She came pretty close with that one about the fake rat in front of the health inspector. They could’ve lost their license, you know!” she lectured.
“I swear to you that it was all Cam’s idea! I felt horrible about it for an entire week afterward,” I pleaded. “You believe me, right?”
“Well, since it seems like my girl, Franny, has forgiven you then so can I,” she sassed.
“Phew, well then, now that we have that out of the way, I hope we can do dinner again sometime soon. Maybe even a movie or something?” I suggested, grinning when I noticed a piece of the apple strudel we’d shared on the corner of her lips.
“What? Do I have something in my teeth?” she asked.
“No, just a tiny piece of Franny’s apple strudel, right there,” I said, using my finger to lightly brush it from her lips.
“Thank you,” she said, her eyes pleading with mine to kiss her. I knew this time I wouldn’t be able to resist.
Without giving it a second thought, I pulled her into me, gently placing my lips on hers. Our kiss was slow at first, neither of us ready to play the aggressor. After several moments, I parted her lips with a flick of the tongue as our mouths began dancing together in perfect harmony. Feeling her fingers rake through my hair, I deepened the kiss until we were both left breathless and wanting for more.
Pulling away, I blinked slowly to make sure I hadn’t been dreaming. I hadn’t been with a woman in quite a few months, but that kiss was nothing like any kiss I’d had before. I couldn’t speak as Ashlynn rested her head against the seat of the SUV.
“That was . . .”
“Incredible,” she said, finishing the sentence for me.
Knowing I couldn’t take her right there in the diner parking lot, I closed her door and slid behind the wheel. Hoping she wouldn’t notice the bulge in my pants, I buckled my seatbelt before pulling out into traffic. The drive back to her place was quiet, both of us seemingly lost in our own thoughts.
“I would invite you in, but I know we both have to be to work early in the morning,” she said.
“Yeah, you’re probably right. I had a great time tonight,” I said, giving her a quick peck on the forehead.
“Good night,” she replied with a smile. “See you in the morning.”
“See you in the morning,” I said as she shut the door. I watched to make sure she got inside safely before heading back to my downtown apartment.
Ashlynn
Barely closing and locking the door behind me, I stripped off my clothes and headed toward the bedroom. After a quick glance around the room, I was pleased to see I’d taken the time to make the bed that morning. Shutting the bedroom door so Steve Urkel couldn’t interrupt my playtime, I padded over to the lingerie chest. Reaching into the drawer, I pulled a slinky camisole over my head, barely covering my breasts which were heavy in anticipation.
Leaving my bottom bare, I pulled my vibrating rabbit from the drawer before falling into the center of the king-sized bed, the luxurious satin comforter cradling around me. Pulling up the hem of the camisole, I grazed my palms across my already hardened nipples. Pinching the taut peaks, my bottom squirmed in anticipation of what was to come. This may finally be the night.
I replayed Carson’s kiss in my head, the way his lips crashed upon mine, the way his thick hair felt between my fingers. He was gentle yet intense. I could tell he was just as hungry for me as I’d been for him. That much was evident by his growing erection on our drive home. I hated sending him off to tend to things on his own, but I couldn’t risk the situation escalating between us. I had a feeling that I wouldn’t be able to fake things with Carson. He was much too intuitive. He’d be able to spot a fraud from a mile away. It was probably why he was interested in me in the first place.
Typically, I didn’t care for kissing. I’d do it, but it felt far too intimate. I’d go through the motions without actually letting myself feel anything, even with Parker for most of our relationship. I suppose I was much like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman minus the whole hooker thing. A kiss hadn’t evoked emotions in me since Kyle first kissed me all those years ago and those weren’t feelings that I ever wanted to experience again.
Ridding myself of memories of Kyle, I exhaled sharply before placing the vibrator between my breasts, dragging it down my torso before landing just above my slit. Checking my pussy for wetness, I slid a finger inside stopping to rub my clit. Working myself to the hilt, I plunged the rabbit into my aching core hoping to finally relieve myself of the tension that had been building for years.
Staring up at the ceiling, I fantasized about Carson using his hands on my body. His mouth sucking on my tits as his dick slammed into my pussy.
“You like it like that don’t you, Pretty Girl. You like it dirty, huh?” a voice in my head said. A voice I’d blocked out for years. Without any hesitation, I yanked the rabbit from my pussy and tossed it across the room without even the slightest ripple of an orgasm. Sliding under the covers, I blanketed myself in the protection and cried myself to sleep. Tossing and turning for several hours, I dreamt of Carson holding me in his arms. Feeling safe and protected for the first time in years, I opened my eyes to find it wasn’t Carson holding me at all. It was Kyle.
Jolting awake, trembling, and covered in sweat, I looked around the bedroom only to remember I was alone. “Oh, shit that felt so fucking real,” I said aloud, blowing out a breath. “It wasn’t real. You’re OK. You’re alone. You’re safe. It wasn’t real,” I repeated to myself.
Glancing at the clock, I saw it was just after four in the morning. I hadn’t had a nightmare like that in over a decade–not since I’d gone back to college to pursue my degree in social work. Counseling others who’d experienced similar situations had been my own form of therapy. It’d been my coping mechanism–a way to ease my pain and calm my fears.
In the brief time since I’d known Carson, my panic attacks and now my nightmares had returned after many years of dormancy. I could only speculate that he was bringing something out of me–something that I never thought I’d revisit again.
Not wanting to go back to sleep and fall into the rabbit hole of my dreams, I momentarily thought about calling Carson. Even though I’d only known him for a short time, just hearing his voice would have a calming effect on my nerves.
I quickly squashed that idea, knowing that he’d want me to talk about my nightmares. That was one thing about Carson, he certainly liked to talk–a lot. I suppose that was the therapist in him. But, the subject of my dreams was not something I wanted to discuss, especially not with Carson. I was falling for him. If we even stood a remote chance at something real, then he could never learn the truth. I didn’t want him to see me as broken. I didn’t want him doctoring me.
I could’ve called Brad, but I didn’t want to ruin his romp in the hay with Nick. I didn’t agree with his behavior, but lord knows I couldn’t judge either. I’d taken home a stranger or two in hopes of forgetting my pain too.
Before deciding to give sleep another try, I heard the cat scratch on the other side of the door.
“Oh shit, I’m so sorry Steve Urkel. Mommy didn’t mean to lock you out of the bedroom,” I said, hopping out of bed and throwing on a pair of pajama bottoms. Meow.
“Please forgive me,” I said as he immediately began brushing up against my bare legs. “Well you don’t stay angry for long, do you?” I added as we both headed back to bed.
Waking up ju
st before the alarm, I noticed I had an incoming text message.
Carson: I had a great time last night. I really do hope we can do it again soon. See you soon. ~C
Not sure how to respond, I typed out a noncommitting reply.
Ashlynn: I had fun too. See you at work in a bit.
As much as I wanted to go out with Carson again, I wasn’t sure it was the best idea. Those old emotions which I thought I’d squashed years earlier were once again resurfacing. I wasn’t exactly sure why, but I could only guess that it had something to do with my growing feelings for him.
Ashlynn
AFTER SEEING CLIENTS all morning, I was looking forward to catching up on some reading during my lunch break. Reading had always been an escape when things in my life became too difficult. I’d always loved to get lost in the pages of a book, even as a child, but my passion for it really began after everything happened with Kyle and only intensified when things started unraveling between Parker and me.
Just as I’d become engrossed in the romance novel I’d been reading, there came a light knock on the door.
“Come in,” I yelled, hoping whoever it was would hurry. I only had thirty minutes left of my lunch break, and I’d finally reached the good part of the book.
“Here’s today’s mail, Ms. Sommers,” the new temp who’d been filling in for my assistant said as she opened the door.
“Thank you. I’ll take it over here,” I said, reaching over the desk.
As she turned to leave, I began rifling through the letters and bills before coming across an office memo inviting me to the staff Halloween party. Not thinking twice about it, I tossed it into the wastebasket. In my six years at the hospital, I’d never attended the Halloween costume party and I didn’t intend on breaking with tradition now. If I had it my way, I’d just sleep through the entire day and not wake up until the calendar flipped to November.
“Want to run down to the cafeteria with me?” Brad asked, barging into my office. “I didn’t get much sleep last night and woke up too late to pack a lunch–if you get my drift.”
“Drift taken and go get your own lunch. I’m kind of in the middle of something here,” I quipped, closing the cover of my Kindle.
