Fixing Ashley Read online

  I feel her nose skim softly against my throat, making my breath falter and a soft groan fall from my lips. I close my eyes and hold her even tighter, not wanting this to end.

  “Did you still want to kiss me?” she whispers, her warm breath making me shiver.

  Swallowing, I nod into her hair and pull back slightly to look at her face. There aren't any more signs of sadness, all I see there is joy and lust.

  “Do you want me to kiss you?” I gently take her face between the palms of my hands and stroke her cheeks with my thumbs. I won’t do it without asking this time. I won’t put myself in that place again. Not unless she says yes. Not unless she wants it as much as I do.

  She nods slowly as her tongue peeks out of her parted lips, moistening them. As if she weren’t enough of a temptation, she fists the sides of my flannel and pulls herself impossibly closer to me. I know she can feel how hard I am. She does this to me. She turns me on and inside-out without even trying.

  And dammit, I haven’t even kissed her yet.

  Her warm breath washes over my face as I lower my lips to hers in a tentative kiss. She whimpers at the contact, and my breathing goes completely erratic as our kiss quickly escalates into a hot, passionate mess. She’s warm and sweet and everything I remember from the other night, but more this time because she wants it.

  Taking her bottom lip between my lips, I suck on it lightly and trace it with my tongue as she takes my top lip between hers. She then opens her mouth to me, her tongue meeting mine as her hands roam up my chest and settle into my hair. I groan and pull her close, my hands going up and down her back, fingers digging into her skin.

  We kiss and kiss, frantically touching each other, but I’m trying to be a gentleman about it, keeping my hands safely on Ashley’s hips, while she does the complete opposite and rubs herself against my obvious hard-on.

  I’m not sure how it happens, but my hands end up cupping her tits while my mouth descends on her collarbones, licking and nipping with my teeth. “Fuck, you taste good.” Like sin and sweets and all girl.

  Her hands are on my belt buckle and she’s fidgeting with it, brushing her fingers against the tip of my cock as she pulls at the waist of my pants.

  This is going too fast too soon, but I can’t stop her. Taking her lead, I finger the edge of her shirt and pull it up, exposing her slender waist. I feel a little lost as her hands leave my pants and she takes it upon herself to shed her shirt by pulling it over her head.

  And that’s when the haze sort of blurs out and reality rears its ugly head. “Shit Ashley, are you sure about this?”

  Biting her bottom lip, she pants as her eyes roam my body, and then she finally speaks, her voice coming out low and raspy. “Devon...you are the blindest man.” She shakes her head. “I’ve been doing my best to...stay away from you. I’m not...wasn’t. God—” She fingers her hair, then brings her hand to my jaw, letting her fingers scratch at the stubble. “I didn’t think I could be with someone so soon...and I want this, whatever it is. Us.”

  Threading my fingers in her hair, I lean down and brush a kiss against her lips, once, twice. “You do realize we can’t do this only once, because Ashley I don’t think I could ever get enough of you.” The thought of only getting this one chance to be with her this way makes my heart ache.

  Her smile is blinding as her eyes twinkle with happiness. This is the first time I see her so free around me, and I never want to see her any other way. “Then don’t stop.” Her hands return to my belt, and even though this is certainly not the right place, and it’s probably not the right time, I kiss her with everything I have.

  Clothes are quickly discarded, but not as frantically as before. I take my time letting my hands roam over all her curves and kissing every piece of exposed skin. This is everything I have been dreaming, wanting, coveting in these past weeks while making this house into something she’d be proud of. She is everything.

  We’re in our underwear, and as awkward as it is, I’m glad the carpet is thick and plush as I lay her back and kiss her. I’ve never disrespected a customer this way, but since the boss is with me, I suppose I can make an exception.

  Her hands are in my underwear, stroking me, and I’m trying to get her bra unhooked. Seemingly, I’ve reverted back to a helpless virgin as I struggle with the damn hook. “Jesus, what is wrong with this thing,” I mumble against Ashley’s skin, making her laugh.

  She pushes me off her and sits up, then proceeds to unhook it. “It’s not that hard, Devon,” she teases then pulls off the offending garment, throwing it in my face, giggling the whole time.

  She’s a devil-woman and I like it.

  “Oh, yes it is that hard...and you’re going to pay for that.” I crawl on all fours toward her until I’m settled between her thighs with my mouth attached to her tits. I lick and suck and tease until her giggles turn into moans as her hands go back to my dick.

  Leaning on my elbow, I palm her sex over her lacy underwear, feeling the heat of her. Her hips rotate to meet my hand as I brush a fingertip up and down her pussy, feeling the wetness seep through the lace, clearly driving her to the brink.

  “Take them off, please,” she pleads, and kisses my shoulder, neck, and any piece of skin she can get her mouth on. She sucks on the skin of my collarbone and gently bites at my Adam’s apple getting me lost in her touch. Her breathing comes in quick little pants when I hook both sides of her delicate panties and slide them down her legs.

  As I settle back between her thighs, I let her lower my boxers, first with deft fingers and then with her toes.

  “Condom?” I ask, my forehead resting against her chest, breathing erratically as her hands skim up and down my back. I need to gain some sort of control before I come all over her. If that happens, it’ll be game over and I’m pretty sure I won’t get a second chance.

  “I have some in my purse,” she replies, and I look up at her, quirking an eyebrow in question, making her snicker. “What? I’m a safety girl. Besides, I’ve had...fantasies about you, Mr. James.” First off, the fact she’s quoting Pretty Woman should probably not be what I’m thinking of right now, and second, I doubt her fantasies come anywhere close to the ones I’ve had about her.

  “Oh, my God, Ashley,” I groan out against her skin and suck a taut nipple into my mouth, my dick brushing up against her slick flesh. “Feel what you do to me? That’s no laughing matter.”

  She giggles and groans, making her tits jiggle as she moves under me. “Don’t judge me. Nobody’s touched me in over a year, and actually I bought the condoms this afternoon.”

  I bring myself eye-to-eye with her and search her face, taking note of her smile, the twinkle in her eyes and the dark brown tangled halo of hair around her head. She’s so beautiful, it takes my breath away.

  “So, you were expecting this?” I tilt my head to the side, my eyes never leaving hers as I sit up.

  She reaches toward her purse and takes out a little black box. “I wasn’t expecting this,” she explains, taking one of the condoms out of the box. “But I was planning on asking you out.” She crawls over to me on her knees and I help her lay down once again. It all feels so weird and normal; as though we’ve done this a hundred times before. Only, if we had, I’d remember every damn time. Each would be engraved in my memory for me to look back on every chance I get.

  “You were? And what if I would have said no?” I challenge, kneeling between her parted legs. Like hell I would have said no. At this point, I’d probably follow her to Hell and back, just to make sure she’s okay.

  She shrugs. “I wasn’t thinking that far ahead, to be honest.” Her hands are in my hair and she’s tickling my neck, and I can tell she’s a little nervous by the way she bites her lip and shifts her hips.

  I look down her body and see all of her exposed to me. Her vulnerability is apparent and this says so much. She trusts me, I know. I see it. I guess that’s one thing I didn’t screw up on this job. One of many things, actually.

  Opening
the little foil packet, I sheath myself in latex and lower my body over hers, cradling her head between my forearms. “I’ve been thinking about this since the first time I heard your voice,” I confess, softly kissing her. Her lips are warm and supple as they move with mine.

  The low keening noise coming from the back of her throat is the sexiest noise I’ve ever heard. It turns me on like nothing else ever has. I want to hear all her noises and hope I’m the last person who ever does.

  The carpet sort of burns my elbows and knees, but as I line myself up with her, and push myself into her heat, everything around us disappears. She’s warm and tight around me, as she grinds her hips, meeting mine thrust for thrust.

  The fire we had earlier returns, as we both work toward our mutual release. She feels so good, and I tell her repeatedly as she gives herself over to me. Those noises of hers get louder and her mouth forms this little “O” as she breathes.

  Drawing her hips closer to mine, I grab onto her legs and wrap them higher around me, reaching deeper inside her with every push and pull of my hips.

  Watching her face as she climbs and climbs, brings me closer to my own release. I’m not sure how long I can hold off. It’s been ages for me too, and this woman is the embodiment of every fantasy I’ve had...ever. “Jesus Ashley, are you close?”

  Because if she’s not, I’m not sure how long I can hold off.

  She nods and moans, unable to form words as she grinds her hips faster and faster against mine. I lean down and suck one nipple into my mouth and kiss her chest, her neck and finally find her lips. I get lost in the feel of her and for one solid moment, my own release isn’t what’s important. I want her to tremble and fall so hard she’ll see stars.

  Trailing a hand down her shoulder, then her stomach, I find that magic spot near where we’re joined. Taking a cue from her noises, I know she’s close to finding her bliss. Just when I think I can’t stand anymore—as my balls get that familiar tingle and my dick gets impossibly harder—I feel her squeeze me and pull me deep into her as she comes. She’s calling out to God and me, and cursing words I’ve never heard coming out of her pretty, little mouth. I love every moment of seeing her this way.

  I pull out of her and push back in several more times, amazed at what I’ve just done, but that burn ignites and swallows me whole as I find my own release, panting and cursing breathily.

  “Shit,” I mumble against her neck, feeling the squirmy rubber full of fluids around my softening dick.

  Her breathy, little giggle makes me laugh, too, which is probably not a good idea as I’m desperately trying not to make any messes here.

  I’m still breathless as I pull out of her, making sure to hold on to the condom. “What am I supposed to do with this?”

  Ashley’s laying on her back, relaxed with a hand behind her head and her other hand casually resting against her stomach. Looking up at me, the expression on her face clearly amused, she says, “There’s a dumpster out front.” She shrugs, giggling while I stand up and make my way to the bathroom to chuck it in the toilet.

  When I come back into the living room, I almost expect her to be getting dressed, but I find her in the same spot, still on her back and completely bare.

  I feel a little awkward, standing there naked in the middle of this big, empty house, but she seems comfortable with this, so I carefully lie down next to her and pull her into my arms.

  Kissing her neck, I whisper, “Let’s hope nobody tells your clients what we just did on their living room carpet, all right?”

  She pulls away from me minutely and examines my face, pinching her lips together. “I don’t think it’ll matter.” She smiles and sighs as she snuggles into me.

  Pushing her hair to the side, I kiss her shoulder. “Why not?” If my suspicions are correct, I need for the truth to come out of her mouth.

  With her eyes trained on the fireplace in front of us, she whispers, “This was supposed to be my dream house, Devon.”

  Her confession hits me harder than I thought it would and I pull back as a bunch of different little pieces come together for me. “Um, Ashley?”

  She turns her head and looks at me. “My ex-husband bought this land years ago. I love it here,” she explains wistfully. “I made plans, and worked hard making sure all the details were perfect.” She smiles sadly. “My books were supposed to grace those shelves.”

  “So, you were the client?” I clarify, sweeping some hair out of her face and holding her closer to my body.

  She nods and looks away. “With the divorce, I got the house. Unfinished, of course. I don’t know what I’m going to do with it.”

  I sigh, 'cause I know I should tell her. “I, ahh, I had a visitor the other day.” I lick my lips and search her face.

  She frowns, her lips pursing before she speaks. “He was here?” It’s more of a statement than a question.

  I nod and press a kiss to her forehead. “Yeah. He said to make you happy.”

  She shakes her head minutely and closes her eyes. “I was very happy, until I wasn’t.” When she reopens them, there is a sadness there I never want to see again. “Things aren’t always sunshine and roses in any relationship, but when two people work at it, they can get through anything. I was tired of working at it on my own.” Her last words are soft and sad.

  I tuck her into my side and breathe her in. I can’t believe we’re still lying here naked and talking about this. “Why won’t you live here anymore?” I gently smooth my hand over her hair, untangling a few strands.

  It all makes sense now. Thinking back, I never actually wondered about it much, I suppose, but her actions were those of someone who had been deeply hurt. I want to be the one to fix that for her.

  “It’s a big house, Devon. Honestly, I’ve been a real pain in your ass all summer because I...I just don’t know how to let it go, you know?” When I look at her and see her watery eyes, I immediately wrap my arms tight around her; wanting to give her comfort, protect her. I’d do anything for this exceptional woman.

  Seeing her happy only moments ago is the only thing that matters. Always. I know it’s not going to be sunshine and unicorns all the time, but damn if I can spend my life trying.

  I nod in understanding. This explains so many things. “Then don’t. Don’t give up on your dreams. Not for anyone.”

  She smiles softly. “As handy as I am,” she says confidently, “I’m not sure I could take care of this place very well on my own.”

  I kiss her lips. “Maybe you won’t have to.”

  Chapter 7 - Epilogue

  Looking at the plans in my hands, I can’t help the chuckle that escapes my lips.

  Ashley never noticed how I’d snuck these out of her office. I’m not sure she would’ve minded. After all, everything she draws up, I end up having a hand in building.

  Nowadays, the offices for Evans Interiors are located on the second floor over James Construction. We converted my old loft space into Ashley’s office. This way, it makes it easier for me to consult with her and her clients.

  Together, we’ve been able to take on extra workers. Brad already had a thriving business, but he now works for us more than anyone else.

  Laurie can’t be trusted with anything design-wise and she certainly can’t build for shit, but she can schmooze like nobody’s business. She answers the phone and keeps our busy asses organized. The customers seem to love her, so we keep her around. No more serving drinks in a bar that plays non-stop, shitty country music. I still shudder at the thought of having to step inside that place.

  All in all, it’s been a wonderful couple of years, filled with a bunch of ups and downs.

  Ups being when I convinced Ashley to keep the house because,not only was it her dream house, it was also mine. I’d only worked on the property for six weeks and had fallen completely in love with it. I couldn’t imagine being in Ashley’s shoes—working on something for over a year and then having to sell it.

  I want her to be happy. Always.

&n
bsp; I had to promise her I’d help her out with maintaining it. It was difficult at first. We barely knew each other. I mean, who does that? Who moves in with someone they’ve only known for a few weeks?

  I guess us...because that was exactly what we did. Once I finished all the renovations and professed my undying love for Ashley, it was inevitable I move into this house with her. She was moving out of her apartment and into the house to keep it from deteriorating until it sold, and I wasn’t going to let her live all the way out here on her own.

  Of course, the perspective I had when out on the lake and the view I got when watching Ashley lay outside in the sun surely helped, but neither eclipsed what lay deep inside my heart. I fell in love with her and all her silly Post-it notes, during those first weeks; and nothing could take what I feel for her away from me. Nothing. She’s my other half and it’s that simple.

  We may have done things backward, hell, we’re still doing things ass-backward, but it works for us, nonetheless.

  Those downs I mentioned? They came when we’d been together for about a year. I asked her to marry me, and she said no.

  Not because she doesn’t love me. She loves me with her whole heart and soul. She’s said it and I feel it whenever she’s around. The way she looks at me or treats me, or even in the little things she lets me get away with. It’s undeniable. The heat between us has never flickered. Not once. Not even when I broke one of her beloved antique vases.

  No, her answer has always been due to the fact she didn’t want to go through it all again. Divorce is tough on everyone. I couldn’t blame her. So we settled on being perpetually engaged. It worked for a while. It was us and I was okay—am okay—with it.

  She’s still mine, completely, and always will be. We’ll just wait until she’s ready for that extra step, and if it never comes... I’ve come to accept that wholeheartedly.

  Right now she’s off with her sister and my brother’s wife. The three of them are really scary together.

  Laurie and Ashley instantly took Eliza as sort of a long-lost extra sister.