EMMA
My ridiculously hot friend: We need to be careful what we do in front of him in the future.
“Oh my God.” I laugh out loud as I lay in bed and watch the short video Ashton attached with his message. It’s of Duke, and he’s going to town, humping the tiny pillow in his bed.
Sweet-thing: I very much doubt he could see what we were up to under the water. He’s never been around other dogs before… he’s probably just sexually frustrated.
My ridiculously hot friend: Makes two of us.
Sweet-thing: Three of us actually.
My ridiculously hot friend: Christ Em. Are you trying to kill me?
Sweet-thing: LOL. No, just stating the obvious. It’s been almost two years since I’ve had sex.
My ridiculously hot friend: Now I’m as hard as a rock. I could always rectify that for you.
My ridiculously hot friend: ????
Sweet-thing: All good, I have Elijah remember.
I’m laughing as I hit reply. I shouldn’t tease him like this, but he deserves it after what he did to poor Bob.
My ridiculously hot friend: Stay the fuck away from Elijah, Emma. Don’t make me come over there.
Sweet-thing: Relax. Elijah is still sitting in his box, unused.
My ridiculously hot friend: So that day you weren’t getting your rocks off?
Sweet-thing: No, I was out to lunch with Carla.
My ridiculously hot friend: Fuck. I almost had a damn coronary that day. And here I am thinking you’re nice.
I giggle at his reply.
Sweet-thing: I am nice, but you deserved to be punished for what you did.
My ridiculously hot friend: I’ll punish you!
I clench my thighs together.
Sweet-thing: Bring it on Barclay.
I’m playing with fire here, but I can’t seem to stop myself.
My ridiculously hot friend: Fuck! If I didn’t have Duke here, I’d be kicking your door down in under thirty minutes.
Sweet-thing: Excuses… excuses.
My ridiculously hot friend: Watch it, sweet-thing. You have no idea who you’re dealing with here.
Another message quickly follows.
My ridiculously hot friend: I’m so fucking hard right now, just thinking about the things I’d like to do to you.
Geez. I fan my face with my hands. He makes me all hot and bothered.
Sweet-thing: Don’t even think about relieving yourself, mister. Your orgasms belong to me now remember. Don’t make me come over there and break your fingers.
I jump when my phone starts to ring.
“I dare you to. Come over, I’m waiting,” he says the moment I answer his call.
“You’re just trying to lure me over there.”
“Possibly.” I can hear the mischief in his voice. “If you’re not coming over, maybe I need to take care of myself. I can’t sleep with this monstrosity in my pants.”
I felt it today, monstrosity is a very fitting description.
“Well, if you’re going to do that, maybe I should finally take Elijah for a spin.”
“Don’t even think about it, Emma.”
I laugh at his harsh tone.
“Jesus, Duke’s at it again. He doesn’t seem too sick to me. Maybe he played us.”
“He didn’t play us,” I say with a small laugh. “He looked close to death when I found him. It was awful.”
“I bet. I’m sorry you had to see that. I wish I was more insistent about coming inside with you when I dropped you off.”
“There wasn’t much you could’ve done even if you did.”
“I could’ve been there for you.” My heart flutters at his sweet words. “Do you think it’s possible he’s never fucked another dog before?”
“Ashton,” I gasp.
“What?”
“You could’ve worded it a little better.”
“There’s nothing wrong with fucking, Em. Actually, we should try it sometime.” I hear him chuckle through the phone.
“Get your mind out of the gutter, Barclay.”
“My mind is always in the gutter where you’re concerned.”
“Goodnight, Ashton.”
“Night, sweet-thing. Dream of me.”
“Never!”
I hang up before he has a chance to reply. A few seconds later, a message comes through.
My ridiculously hot friend: Lies Emma… all lies.
He’s right, they are.
There’s a huge smile on my face as I place the phone on my bedside table and snuggle under the blankets.
I close my eyes, and I know I’m going to do just that—dream of him.
The morning light is poking through the blinds when I open my eyes, stretching out with a yawn. I look over at the bedside clock, it’s almost seven. Reaching over, I scoop up the phone and see there’s a message waiting for me.
I’m smiling as I open it.
My ridiculously hot friend: I woke up to this in my face this morning. I put his bed next to mine last night so he’d be close, and when I opened my eyes I found him crashed out on my pillow. He must’ve jumped up during the night. FYI, his breath smells like ass.
Sweet-thing: Naww. Look at my little man. You’re the sweetest for bringing him to your room.
My ridiculously hot friend: He’s NOT your man Emma, that position is filled… by me. And I’m not sweet, please refrain from referring to me as that in the future. Suave, debonair, sexy, hot… definitely hot, but sweet… NO!
Sweet-thing: You’re sweet to me.
My ridiculously hot friend: Emma!
Sweet-thing: Ashton!
Sweet-thing: How is he this morning anyway?
My ridiculously hot friend: Aside from comfortable and well-rested, he seems good. I took him for a walk along the Strand and he ate his chicken and rice when we returned. I’m heading to work soon, but my housekeeper will be here and she’ll watch him for me today. And before you say anything, she has dogs of her own, same breed actually, so she knows what she’s doing. No need to worry your pretty little head about it. I wouldn’t leave our doggy son with just anybody.
Sweet-thing: Our son?
My ridiculously hot friend: We’re family now Em.
Sweet-thing: Is that so?
My ridiculously hot friend: Yes!
My ridiculously hot friend: We’re all he has. It’s the three of us against the world.
His reply puts a dreamy smile on my face. He can deny it all he wants, but he’s so damn sweet.
The sweetest.
Sweet-thing: I need to jump in the shower. Thanks for the update.
My ridiculously hot friend: Need some help washing your back?