Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 87825 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87825 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
He’s obviously not a slob. The floor is clean, his bookshelves are neatly organized, and every drawer in his dark oak dresser is closed, no sign of overstuffed clothing spilling out. I wonder how many women have been in here.
The number is probably something I want to remain in the dark about.
My gaze lands on him again, and I catch him watching me, ensnaring me in the eye of his arctic stare. My fingers twitch, aching to push his hair out of his eyes. It’s been a while since he’s had a haircut.
“This is weird,” I say, wringing my hands.
“It doesn’t have to be. This is new territory for us, but we have an advantage here.”
“What’s that?” I fold my arms across my chest again. I’ve never felt so naked in front of someone, despite being fully clothed. I can’t comprehend how I’ll feel if…when I take my clothes off for him.
“We have a strong friendship. We know where we stand going into this, so just try to relax and follow my lead.” He steps closer and slowly pries my protective arms from across my chest. “Let me show you how amazing sex can be.”
“No. No sex.”
He tilts his head. “Mind telling me why?”
Hell no, I don’t want to tell him why. Not only am I a virgin, but I know if we get too intimate, I’ll lose myself to him—and that would be a travesty because with Ash…there’s no hope for a future.
Only friendship.
Because of that some lines can’t be crossed.
“I’m a virgin, Ash.”
His eyes widen. “Seriously? You’ve never…?”
I shake my head. “Came close a couple of times, but…” I want to say I wasn’t ready, but truth be told, it was never the right guy. Maybe I won’t be ready to take that step until I do find the right guy.
“Okay,” he says softly. “I’m glad you told me.”
“Yeah.” I pull my lower lip between my teeth, considering for a moment. “So no sex, and…no kissing.”
He raises a brow. “You wanted me to kiss you last night.”
“This is different. If we’re going to do this, I don’t want to muddy up our friendship with anything too…”
Intimate.
Understanding dawns on his face, and he seems a little awestruck for a moment, as if my confession told him too much. And maybe it did, but it’s the truth. I can’t let things go beyond a certain point with him, and sex and kissing…
Unwittingly, my gaze lowers to his mouth. God, those lips.
“So everything else is fair game?”
“Within reason.”
He grins, though I’m sure it’s more smirk than smile. “That sounds like a free license to me.”
“A free license for what?”
“We’re wasting time, sweetheart.” Settling his hands on my hips, he slowly backs me toward the bed.
Chapter Six
Ashton
I’ve never been so eager to get a girl undressed. “I want you on my bed,” I say, inching her toward the end of my mattress with every step. “On my bed and naked.”
“Are you serious?” She gapes at me for several long seconds.
“Yes.” I bite back a grin. “Very serious about wanting you very naked. You’ve got sixty seconds.”
“Or what?”
“Or I’ll pull your pants down and spank your ass.”
Damn, the thought is already giving me wood. The vision of her bent over the end of my mattress, fiery hair trailing down her pale back as I redden her cheeks, is too tempting. Before this night is through, I’ll have her laid out on my bed, ass in the air, those fleshy cheeks begging for my hand.
Or maybe I’ll pull her over my lap instead.
“Spank me? What am I? Four-years-old?”
“No, thank God, because that’s a little young for me.”
“Jesus, Ashton. Do you spank all your women?”
“Only the ones that deserve it.” Fuck, they all do. Every single time. “That’s the way I work, Sadie. Pleasure and punishment. I’ll take you places you’ve never been. I’ll teach you how to suck a guy’s cock until he’s trembling and about to fall to his knees, but we’re doing this my way.” I nod to her clothing. “As soon as you strip.”
My tone is all false bravado. I’m afraid she’ll bring me to my knees by the time all is said and done.
“Okay.” A breath whooshes from between her parted lips as she kicks her boots off. She brings her fingers to the button of her jeans, and I’m entranced as she lowers her zipper. Keeping her eyes on me, she shoves her pants down her legs. But when it comes to the next step, she hesitates, gnawing on that lower lip again.
“Seconds are ticking away,” I remind her.
My tone must have convinced her I’m serious. Springing into motion, she yanks her shirt over all of that fiery red hair, revealing a black bra and panty set. She’s wearing lace, and I want to believe she put it on for me.