Walk of Shame Series (Books 1-6)

by Victoria Ashley

  He smiles at me when he notices me watching him. “I’ve been waiting to get out of these clothes all fucking day.” With his abs flexing, he walks toward the couch and takes a seat, practically pulling me into his lap. He reaches for the blanket on the back of the couch and drapes it over us before pressing play with the controller. “You comfortable,” he questions.

  Yes . . . and no.

  He isn’t hard, but feeling his dick pressed against my ass definitely steals my breath for a brief second. There were so many times in the past that I wanted to feel him against me, but was too afraid to get close to him, so I always found ways to avoid contact with his junk. There’s no way I would have been able to withstand begging him to take me, and right now . . . I’m fighting that urge.

  “I’m fine.” I lie. “Just let me know if you want me to move and I will.”

  He pulls me tighter against him and smiles into my neck. “I haven’t seen you in six years. There’s no way in hell that I’m letting you move away from me.”

  My heart beats faster from his words and I have to admit to myself that those are the exact words I wanted to hear. Being with him feels like old times and I’m happy to see that Cale wants me around just as much as in the past. I was scared things would be different . . .

  I just hope that I can keep my feelings under control before I mess up everything we’ve had over the last ten years.

  RILEY FELL ASLEEP IN MY arms over two hours ago, but I haven’t had the heart to move her so that I can get comfortable. She’s sleeping like a damn baby, as if she’s completely exhausted and hasn’t slept in days. I can’t even imagine how much of an effect this huge change must me taking on her both physically and emotionally.

  Everything has changed dramatically for her in the last week. Her grandmother has gone off to a nursing home, she’s packed up all of her things to move from the home she has known for the last six years, and on top of that has just gotten out of a relationship that I’m guessing was not by her choice.

  I’ll sit here all night if she’s content and at home for the first time since she’s left Mexico. She loves her parents, but there’s no way she will be able to be herself there without having them on her ass constantly, making her feel as if she’s a kid again; not to mention that she has to feel lonely there without someone she’s close to. That’s why my offer for her to stay here will always stand.

  I feel her stir in my arms before she looks up at me with tired eyes and attempts to sit up. I pull her back into me and smile down at her as she begins to speak. “How long have I been sleeping?” She asks tiredly. “Sorry if I drooled on you.”

  I give her a small smile as she wipes her mouth. There’s a wet circle of drool on my chest, but I could care less. “You’re all good, Rile. Nothing that I haven’t dealt with before from you.” I help her stand up before I get to my own feet. “You dozed off a couple hours ago. I figured you needed the rest so I didn’t want to wake you.”

  “Cale.” She smiles at me gratefully and pulls me in for a tight hug. “You’ve always been so selfless when it comes to our friendship. I think I’ve missed that the most about you.”

  I smile against her neck. “Now why don’t you go crawl into my bed and fall back to sleep. I’ll take the couch for the night.”

  She pulls away from me and looks as if she wants to say something, but doesn’t. She just turns away and starts heading for my bedroom, before stopping at the door and turning back around. “Night, Cale.”

  I turn off the lamp and strip out of my boxers, while holding the blanket against me. “Goodnight, Rile. I’ll wake you up in the morning.”

  Her eyes linger down to my hand that is holding the blanket, before she nervously turns away and disappears into my bedroom.

  I might have forgotten to mention the little fact that I always sleep naked. It was a struggle for me when Aspen and Slade were staying here, but as soon as they left I went back to my nudist ways.

  If Riley agrees to stay here, then she’s going to see me naked whether it’s me running around the house or me on top of her, burying myself between those thighs of hers. I just hope that she’s ready for me.

  I’ve been more than ready for her . . .

  THE ALARM ON MY PHONE woke me up at seven, not that I really slept much anyways. Having Riley sleeping in my bed kind of prevented that. I kept thinking about crawling into bed with her, but decided that it’s probably too soon. There’s no way I would’ve been able to lie next to her without wanting to pleasure her and make her scream until she fell asleep in my arms from exhaustion, so I spent most of the night fighting with my damn dick.

  I quietly slip into my boxers and prepare a quick breakfast before waking Riley up. There’s no way I’m sending her to work on an empty stomach.

  I walk into my room to see Riley curled up in my bed, holding my spare pillow against her body for comfort. Every part of my body aches to be that comfort. It’s probably been a while since she’s slept alone, and seeing her having to use a pillow makes me want to show her what my body could do for her.

  She looks so damn beautiful and peaceful, lying there in my clothes and bed, that I feel bad for having to wake her so early. A part of me just wants to crawl into my bed with her and say fuck everything else. Fuck Sensual Touches and fuck Walk Of Shame. I want Cale and Riley time and you better believe that I will be getting it as soon as I get off work tonight.

  Just as I’m about to lean in and brush her beautiful, brown hair out of her face, she opens her eyes as if she can sense I’m next to her.

  She stretches and smiles up at me, looking sweet and innocent. It makes me wonder just how innocent her sexy little body really is; although, I have a feeling that it hasn’t been as innocent over the last six years as I’d hoped. “Morning.” Sitting up, she looks around as if trying to figure out what time it is. “Did I over sleep? Shit!” She changes position in a panic, tossing the pillow aside.

  “Hell no, Rile. I wouldn’t let that happen. I got you.” I reach for her hand and help her up to her feet. “Come eat so that I can take you home to shower and get ready for work.”

  She stops walking and gives me a funny look. “You cooked us breakfast?”

  I give her a light slap on the ass to get her moving again. “No.” I laugh as her eyes light up at the food on the kitchen island. “I made you breakfast. I hardly eat in the morning. Plus, it’s early as hell, Rile. I’m never up this early.” I lean against the fridge and cross my arms as she pulls out a stool and takes a seat. “I’m going back to sleep as soon as I drop you off. I have to work later tonight.”

  She holds up a pancake, before slapping it down onto her plate. “Thank you. You really didn’t have to do all of this. I could have stopped for a quick sandwich on the way to work. That’s what I usually do.”

  I shake my head. “You’re in my house; therefore, I feed you. Now eat up.”

  It’s silent for a few minutes while she eats, before she finally speaks up, breaking the comfortable silence. I bring a glass of orange juice to my lips. “You work at the bar tonight? Bartending, right?”

  I choke a little on my orange juice, realizing that I haven’t mentioned the small fact that I’m a fucking male stripper. The last time we had talked I was mostly bartending. I didn’t think the stripping part was going to last.

  I set my orange juice down and walk over to grab her empty plate, bringing it to the sink. “Why don’t you go and change real fast and we’ll talk on the way to your parents’.”

  She nods her head and sets her empty glass into the sink. “Good idea. I’m running out of time and I can’t afford to lose this job if I want to find my own place soon.”

  I quickly dress and we both end up meeting by the front door in less than five minutes. Opening it for her, I lock the door before closing it behind us.

  It feels so strange being outside at this time in the morning. It’s so quiet and peaceful. I have to admit, I sort of like being up right now, and having Riley by my side m
akes it that much more enjoyable.

  After helping her into my truck, I jog over to the driver side, mentally preparing myself for the bomb drop. I just hope that she can handle it without thinking any less of me. I never really cared what anybody thought about it until . . . now. She’s always known me as the sweet Cale. I’m definitely far from her sweet Cale today, especially with my body.

  She smiles and faces me as I pull out of the driveway and onto the road. “So . . . tell me about your job, Cale. I want to know what you’ve been up to. I want all the details.”

  I grip the steering wheel and grind my jaw, preparing for her reaction. There’s really no way of sugarcoating this. I just have to come out and say it and hope that she accepts it. “I’m stripping tonight.”

  She lets out a small laugh as if she thinks I’m joking. “Stop playing around, Cale.” She grabs my knee and squeezes it. “Really, tell me.”

  I stop at a red light and look over at her. I give her a serious look to show her that I’m not joking. “I’ve been stripping at Walk Of Shame for a while now. I only bartend a couple of nights a week now.”

  “Green light,” she says quickly.

  I turn away from her to pay attention to the road, just waiting for her to say something else. I want to know what she truly thinks about me now. I always want nothing but the truth from her and I always know that she’ll give it to me straight.

  “That’s actually pretty cool. I bet you make a lot of money,” she says, as if it’s no big deal. “If you have the body, then hey . . . show it off. I can’t imagine anyone complaining.” She smiles at me and I feel a flood of relief wash through me.

  “I haven’t had any complaints yet.”

  She laughs. “Well obviously, Cale. You have the body of a God.” She gives me a look that makes me want to rip her clothes off and fuck her right here. “I’ve always wanted to go and see male strippers. I’ve just never had the opportunity.”

  I lift an eyebrow. “You going to come and watch me one night then?”

  She gently bites her bottom lip. “We’ll see.”

  I pull into her parents’ driveway and lean in to give her a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll come pick you up when I get off work tonight. We still have a lot of time to make up for, and until then you’re mine.”

  She huffs and glances at the house, looking as if she already wants to run away. “I’ll be here, waiting. I’m off by four and I’ve been thinking about swinging by to see Aspen for a bit.”

  “Sounds good, Rile. Tell Aspen that she needs to come and see me soon. It’s been too long.”

  “Will do.” She smiles one more time before hopping out of the truck and walking away, stopping to smile back at me, before disappearing into the house.

  Damn, this is going to be a long day.

  I’M JUST GATHERING UP MY things to leave work for the day when Hailey stops me by poking her head out of her door.

  “Hey. Are you leaving?”

  I nod my head and look down at the keys in my hand. “Yeah, I’m heading out right now. What’s up?”

  She gives me a sweet smile, obviously trying to butter me up for something. “I’m running a little behind and I have a client that’s been waiting for like twenty minutes. Kylie has been on my ass and I can’t handle her shit right now. Can you please take care of them so I can finish up?” She nods her head toward her door and whispers, “This suit pays a lot of money and he’s not ready to leave yet. So?”

  I look down at my phone in my hand to see that Aspen has finally responded to my message. Holding up my finger to Hailey, I quickly check the message to see that Aspen won’t be home until at least five thirty. I really have nothing better to do anyways.

  “Yeah, I can do it. I’ll tell Kylie to send them to my room.”

  Hailey flashes me a half smile, before disappearing back into her room.

  “Yeah, you’re welcome,” I mutter to myself.

  I walk down the hall to find Kylie at her desk. She looks up from twisting her purple hair around her finger and waves me over when she hears me coming. “You better hurry up and get out of here before that skank cons you into staying longer.”

  I let out a frustrated breath and lean against the desk. “Too late. Send her client to my room.”

  “Seriously?” She questions. “You’re that easy, huh?” She grins while reaching for the phone. “I had a feeling that was going to happen so I didn’t tell Hailey who her client was. You just keep getting lucky, sweets. I’ll call and tell him to come back in.”

  “Alright,” I say while walking away. “Send him on back to my room.”

  I’m in my room for about three minutes before the door opens up and a handsome guy dressed to impress walks in. He smiles at me before reaching out to shake my hand. “Lynx,” he offers. His blue eyes meet mine and capture them.

  I smile back at him as he begins to look me up and down. “Riley,” I say back. “I’ll be taking care of you today. I hope you don’t mind.”

  He offers my hand a little squeeze before releasing it. “I don’t mind at all.” He reaches for the top button of his black button-down and starts to undo it. “Mind if I get undressed?” He lifts a brow, waiting for my response.

  I shake my head, embarrassed, and reach for the door handle. “Oh sorry. Not at all. I’ll give you a few minutes.”

  I quickly escape to the hall and give Lynx a few minutes to get undressed and comfortable before I knock on the door in warning and push it open.

  Lynx is laying on his stomach, dressed in a tight little pair of black boxer briefs clinging to his small, muscular ass.

  “Oh thank goodness,” I whisper to myself, glad that he didn’t decide to get naked like Cale did. I’m not sure I’d be able to handle that at the moment. Cale had me about to explode from touching his body and I have to admit that I’m still worked up and sexually frustrated.

  “What was that,” he asks.

  I smile down at him as he twists his neck to look at me. “Oh nothing. Sorry.” I take a second to take in his body and can’t help but compare him to Cale. This man is undoubtedly sexy with his dark, messy hair, and muscular, lean build, yet . . . he doesn’t even compare to Cale.

  My heart skips a beat at the thought of Cale and it’s that moment that I realize I miss him already. I’ve been trying all day not to think about last night and the fact that I fell asleep in his arms, but seeing this gorgeous man and realizing that he still doesn’t come close to Cale and the effect his body has on me, makes me realize just how much I truly want Cale. I guess six years hasn’t done shit to make my heart forget him. It’s pretty sad that I just got out of a two-year relationship, yet it’s Cale that’s on my mind. He’s always had that power over me.

  ASPEN HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT her job at the salon and other random things for the last hour, but I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Cale and the fact that he’s at the bar stripping right now. I didn’t really think about it much earlier, but knowing that he’s there now, taking his clothes off for tons of women that are probably pawing at his body, has me kind of jealous. I hate that they are there and I’m not. I really want to go and see what it’s like.

  “Let’s go to Walk Of Shame,” I blurt out, cutting Aspen off.

  Aspen leans back on the couch and smiles as if she’s a bit surprised by my request. “Oh boy. I don’t think you can handle it.” She shakes her head. “As a matter of fact . . . I know you can’t handle it. You don’t even know the things those boys do with their bodies.”

  Excitement surges through me at the thought of watching Cale move his body, and now I’m anxious to hurry and get there. “I can handle it. That’s where you met Slade, right? If you can survive there, then I’m pretty damn sure I can too.”

  “Yeah,” she says with a laugh. “It was a bumpy ride, that’s for damn sure.” She stands up from the couch when she hears the shower water turn off. “You should go by yourself. I think I’m going to be busy for the next couple of hours.”


  Standing up, I give her a surprised look as she starts ushering me toward the door. “How damn rude. You’re just going to kick your big sister out like that?”

  We both look over to the hallway when Slade appears dripping wet, his waist wrapped in a small towel that leaves little to the imagination.

  “Damn,” we both say in unison.

  Aspen gives me a little shove as Slade smiles at us and runs a hand through his wet hair. “Hell yes I am. You have somewhere to be and I have someone to do. Goodbye.”

  I wave goodbye to Slade as Aspen shoves me outside and kisses me on the side of the head. “Love you too,” I mumble.

  “Love you, sis, but you gotta go right now.” She hands me my purse. “Slade says hi and bye and hopes to see you soon. Tell Cale we love him. Buh bye.”

  I roll my eyes and smile when the door closes in my face. As rude as this was . . . I want that. I want to want someone like that and for him to want me just as much. I never felt that with Tyler. Yeah, I loved him and he loved me, but we were never desperate for each other and never just had to have each other. What I wouldn’t give to have that feeling, and if I were to admit it to myself, I sort of felt that way last night when being in Cale’s arms. I felt this want and need to be close to him. Sort of like I do now.

  I blow out a breath while walking to my car.

  Walk Of Shame . . . here I come.

  I get hit with a brick of nerves as soon as I pull into the parking lot of Walk Of Shame and see how many cars are occupying the lot. It’s packed and finding parking won’t be easy.

  “Holy shit, these women don’t play around,” I mutter. Grabbing my wallet, I shove my purse under my seat and hop out of my car, pressing the lock behind me.

  Just walking in the door of this place is overwhelming. My ears are instantly assaulted with the sound of screaming women and I can barely concentrate as the guy at the door checks my I.D. I keep my eyes on the crowd of loud and crazy women as the guy places my I.D back in my hand and greets the group of women behind me.