Chapter One
ASHTON
“Yes, yes, yes…” Her cries echo around the room as long nails dig painfully into my back. We’ve been going at it all night. “Mmm… just like that… oh God, you’re so good at this.”
A cocky smirk tugs at my lips.
I’m better than good, sweetheart.
Fucking is my forte.
Her legs grip my hips like a vice as one of her hands slide down to my ass, squeezing it tight. The other moves up to cup my face, trying to pull me in for a kiss, but I jerk my head back.
I already told her—no fucking kissing.
That shit is too intimate, and I don’t do intimacy.
I fuck hard, but that’s where I draw the line.
I know there’s more to life than meaningless sex, but contemplating anything other than this, terrifies me. I haven’t always been such a cold-hearted prick, but past circumstances have a way of changing you, hardening you.
Fucking you over.
Taking away your ability to see the good in people.
Robbing you of your trust.
The scars it left inside me run deep, so deep you’d need a miner’s permit just to find them.
When I feel her pussy start to spasm, my hands anchor on the back of her knees, pushing her legs further back into her chest.
That’s it, so fucking deep.
My large frame looms over her petite body, beads of sweat collect across my forehead as the droplets sporadically drip onto the pillow below. Drip-thrust-thrust-drip.
My cock slams into her at lightning pace making the headboard slam into the wall, over and over again. I’m not even sure if she lives alone, the place was in darkness when we got back here last night.
I continue my assault nevertheless, moving harder, faster, and deeper with every plunge, driving her home as she shudders through her orgasm. Her inner walls contract around my cock, and her high-pitched scream rings in my ears.
Pulling out, I tear off the condom. There’s a look of tranquility on her face as her legs go limp either side of mine. My head instinctively falls back resting between my shoulder blades as my hand wraps around the girth of my cock, pumping with long calculated strokes to spur on my own climax.
“Fuck,” I grate out through a clenched jaw as my release shudders through me, spurting all over the smooth skin on her stomach.
I never come inside them anymore.
Never.
It’s another one of my rules. The last thing I need is some gold digger looking for an easy ride, claiming I’ve knocked her up. Been there, done that. I’d never knowingly put myself in that position again.
Hence my six cardinal rules. Rules I now live by.
No exchanging of last names.
No kissing on the mouth.
Never bring a woman to my house.
No more than one night.
Always wrap it—I mean always!
And never lose my load inside them.
It’s what I need to do to protect myself.
Scooping up the box of tissues she dumped beside her bed earlier, I pass them to her.
“Mind if I use your bathroom?” I ask.
It’s time for me to leave.
“Sure, go right ahead.”
I lock the door behind me because I’m not looking for company. Reaching into the shower stall, I turn on the faucet. My focus is on cleaning up and leaving. I grimace as I step under the spray, the hot water stinging my back from where her nails have torn into my skin.
Pumping body wash into my hand, I lean my head back, trying to clear my frantic mind. The hot water flows through my short hair and down over my weary muscles as I slowly inhale and then exhale. Rinse and repeat.
The towel is draped low around my waist when I re-enter her bedroom. She pushes herself up on her elbows as her hooded eyes follow me across the room. My cock twitches when she licks her lips, spurring me on for another round. But, my time here is done.
I collect my clothes before letting the towel shamelessly drop to the floor.
She drinks me in. “You’re beautiful, you know that?” she says. “Why don’t you stay? Maybe we can grab some breakfast together, then spend the rest of the day in bed.” She arches a perfectly sculptured eyebrow, trying to entice me.
“Sorry, babe. I can’t.”
“Can I see you again?”
Here it comes.
She knew the deal.
I hate how some of them agree to my terms all the while thinking they can change my mind—like they have some kind of magical pussy that’s going to erase my past. It would take more than a good lay to do that.
Ignoring her, I slip into my boxers before stepping into my jeans and approaching the bed. “I’ve got to go,” is all I say, bending down to place a chaste kiss on the top her head.
Her face drops, and I feel like an ass. There are times the man I once was threatens to shine through, even though I make sure they’re clear on where they stand coming into this. “Thanks for last night, though… it was good.”
I throw the word good back in her face.
What else can I say?
Standing to full height, I punch my arms through the sleeves of my shirt and slip into my shoes before turning and walking toward the door.
“The pleasure was all mine,” she purrs to my retreating back, and a satisfied smile tugs at my lips.
I rake my fingers through my wet hair as I step off the elevator and walk through the foyer of her building. Deep down, I hate the cold and cynical person I’ve become, but I refuse to let this shit eat away at me, my past does a good enough job of that.
It’s not like I gave her a promise of tomorrow.
I push those thoughts to the back of my mind, burying them deep, and by the time I hit the sidewalk making my way back to my car, all is forgotten.
Over the years, I’ve become a master at this.
Easy come, easy go.
I slide my phone from my pocket when it dings, rolling my eyes when I see it’s from my mother.
Mother: Don’t forget dinner tonight, darling. The Hendersons are bringing their daughter, Willow. You remember her, don’t you? She’s perfect for you.
My jaw ticks as I read her message.
Ashton: I’m not interested in Willow, mother! I’ll see you at six.
When three dots dance at the bottom of the screen as she types her reply, I switch my phone to silent before shoving it back into my pocket. I’m not in the mood for her matchmaking today.
“Mmm.” The sensual moan stops me in my tracks. It’s a sound I’ve heard many times in the bedroom, but not while I’m walking down the main street in broad daylight.
My head snaps up just in time to see the woman before me take another bite of the donut in her hand. Her eyes are closed as if savoring the taste of the small, sugary morsel in her mouth. “Mmm,” she whimpers again, and not only does that sound make my cock twitch, but I find myself grinning.
Who knew eating a sweet treat could be so erotic?
Her eyes remain shut, so I use the advantage to drink her in. She’s tall and slender with tanned, shapely legs that seem to go on for days. Her curved hips only accentuate her tiny waist. My gaze flickers over her flat stomach, then pauses momentarily on her impressive rack that’s straining against the material of the tight white top she’s wearing. I see a hint of lace through the thin fabric. Her brown hair is pulled back into a tight ponytail, and her long dark eyelashes fan out against her flawless skin.