I want to blow just to spite her, but instead, I try to spur on her release.
Why does this woman undo me?
And more importantly, why do I let her?
I like her assertive side, but I’m also a strong man. Strong men don’t like to be told what they can and can’t do. It’s that simple.
My pressure on her clit increases as my fingers slam into her over and over again. “Oh God,” she moans.
“It’s Ashton… although you’re not the first person to have mistaken me for God.”
She releases a small laugh. “Ashton…” My name falls from the lips all breathy, and I love the way it sounds.
Within moments, her body starts to shudder as her inner muscles contract around my fingers. Thank fuck. There’s nothing more beautiful than seeing her come apart at my touch.
Nothing more beautiful.
I can’t hold it any longer.
She senses I’m close too. “You… you can come now,” she utters as she falls over the edge. It amuses me that she thinks she can tell me what to do.
“Fuck, Emma… fuck.”
It’s been a month since I’ve even looked sideways at another woman, and I don’t know if it’s that or her, but my body violently jolts as I blow so hard I’m seeing fucking stars.
My fingers are still buried deep inside her as she wraps her hands around the back of my head, pulling me in for a crushing kiss. I slowly slide them out, but it takes minutes, possibly longer before our lips finally part.
I rest my forehead against hers as countless emotions flow through me.
“Je ne te laisserai jamais partir,” I whisper. I’m never going to let you go.
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay? We can go and get what you need for work tomorrow.” I can’t believe what I’m asking, but I don’t want her to leave. I’ve enjoyed having her in my home.
“I need to go. I have washing and stuff I have to do. Plus, my work isn’t far from where I live. It just makes more sense to stay there.”
When she bows her head, I know she’s uneasy about the thought of spending the night here. “I have spare rooms, I’m not expecting you to share my bed.” Although I’d be lying if I said that thought didn’t cross my mind. I’m still reeling for our romp in the pool. I need more. “Duke will probably feel more comfortable if you were here.” I’m scraping the barrel by using the Duke card, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
“He seems to be doing okay. He likes it here, I can tell.” Emma pulls out her phone. “Do you have a piece of paper and a pen? I can give you Mark’s number just in case you need it.”
“Mark?”
“The vet… from the shelter. The one you met this morning.”
Ugh! Dr. Douchebag. I don’t like that she has his number programmed into her phone. “Hand me your phone,” I say. “I can send his contact to mine.”
Emma hands it over—she’s way too trusting. I scroll through her contacts, and I’m pleased she doesn’t have a lot of numbers in there. Apart from me, Chance, her dad, and Dr. Douche, there doesn’t appear to be any other males.
I send his number to my phone and then delete it from hers. It’s a pretty shitty thing for me to do, but the idea of her conversing with him makes me uncomfortable.
She picks up her bag, throwing it over her shoulder. “Your pie should be ready by the time you get back.”
After she pulled it out of the oven, she said it needed to go in the fridge for three hours to fully set. “Why don’t you hang around and have a slice with me?”
“I really have to get going.”
I blow out a long breath. “Okay, let me grab my keys. Why don’t you get Duke, he can come for a drive with us.”
“I’d like that,” she says, smiling.
Thirty minutes later, we pull up outside her building. I remove my seat belt. “Stay,” she says, holding up her hand to stop me. “You don’t need to walk me up.”
But I want to.
Emma exits the car before I have a chance to protest, Duke is still in her arms, so she places him down on the passenger seat. Her hand gently runs over his fur as she leans back into the car. “I can’t believe how much he’s improved since this morning.”
“Yeah, I kind of have that effect on everyone.”
She releases a small laugh, rolling her eyes. “Do you think you’ll be okay with him? You know you can call me anytime.”
“I’m sure I’ll manage.”
“There’s some more rice and chicken cut up in the fridge. It’s probably best if he sticks to a simple diet for the next few days. I can come by after work tomorrow and take him for a walk if you like.”
“I’d like that. Maybe you could stay for dinner.”
“That sounds nice. And thank you for today and for rescuing Duke. It means a lot to me.”
I shrug. “It’s no big deal.”
I only did it for you.
“It is to me.” She gives me one of her full smiles, and my breath catches in my throat. “His medication is on the cupboard, and don’t forget to take him outside to the toilet before you go to bed. Otherwise, you might have a nasty surprise awaiting you in the morning.” My stomach turns at the thought.
She stares down at Duke, and I can sense she’s anxious about leaving him. You can see how much she adores him. I only hope I don’t fuck this up, she’ll never forgive me if I do.
“He’ll be fine,” I say, and I’m not sure if I’m trying to convince her or myself. “Stop worrying. It’s a dog, Emma, not rocket science. I’ve been responsible for myself for years, and I’m still alive, aren’t I?”
“I know you’ll look after him. I just worry about his health. I know we don’t have him for much longer…” She grimaces. “I hate the thought of him suffering.”
“He’ll be okay. I won’t let that happen.” I reach over the seat and grab her hand.
Emma bends down to place a kiss on the top of Duke’s head. “Be a good boy for Daddy.”
This time I roll my eyes.
Fucking Daddy.
“Do I get one of those?” I ask.
“Sure.” She leans in, and I meet her halfway. Her soft lips brush with mine, and I feel my cock twitch.
When she draws back, I smooth the hair back from her face. “I’ll look after him.”
“I know you will.”
“Thanks for lunch and my pie.”
“Thanks for my orgasm,” she says, grinning sweetly.
My eyes twinkle. “Thanks for mine.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Can I call you later to update you on the dog.”
I just want to hear your voice.
“Please.”
“Bye, Em.”
“Bye, Ashton.”
Giving the dog one last gentle caress before standing, she closes the door and walks around the car. My eyes don’t leave her until she’s out of sight.
I exhale a large breath as I restart the car. “Looks like it’s just you and me, buddy.”
Chapter Twenty-Two