Always(Time for Love Book 4)(22)

“You can go back in anytime, though,” she said softly, shifting so they were face to face.

“Anytime? Promise?” he asked with a happy grin.

“Well, of course, you have to be nice to me first,” she said with a laugh.

“I think I can do that,” he said.

“Yes. I know you can do that. That was... um... great.”

Ash smiled at her tenderly. “It was amazing,” he murmured, sliding a caressing hand up and down her arm.

“You really knew how to... arouse and pleasure me,” she said shyly, wanting to share with him how deep of an experience their first time had been for her.

“I’m glad, sweetheart,” he said huskily.

“I didn’t think I could come so soon after the first time,” she continued, running her fingers on his chest.

“No?” he asked, a grin and a heated look forming on his face.

She shook her head. Geez, even the memory of it was making her hot. Ash had a body made for sex.

“Well,” Ash said, gathering her close and nuzzling her neck. “Maybe we should find out how soon you could come again after two back-to-back orgasms.”

Ooh, she wouldn’t say no to that.

*****

Brenna waved to Amanda and Sarah from a corner table in the Thai restaurant where they’d agreed to meet. She hadn’t seen any of her best friends since she’d started her temp role in Ash’s clinic.

She appreciated them giving her and Ash the time and space for those two weeks. They’d refrained from calling her to check up on what was happening. But since her two-week temp stint had ended yesterday, she’d suggested a girls’ night out. She was sure they were all dying to hear about her news, especially Amanda. Even Rebecca had requested they call her in London—where she and Zach were enjoying the last leg of their honeymoon.

“Hey, Bren,” the two greeted, kissing her.

“Hi, girls. Gemma’s running about ten minutes late. She said we could order. By the time the food’s served, she should be here.”

They quickly chose and ordered their favourite dishes, then Amanda looked at her with impatience and excitement.

“What have you done to my brother?” Amanda asked with a grin.

“What do you mean?” Brenna asked innocently.

“You know Ash—always telling me not to be a snoop, although he’s the biggest one around. But he couldn’t hide his happy face from me. So, is it because things went so well at the clinic while you were there, or...”

“Or...?” Brenna hedged.

“Or has something happened between the two of you?” Amanda said, her eyes narrowed.

Brenna wasn’t surprised that Ash hadn’t been open with Amanda about their relationship. Ash had always been a closed book when it came to his love life. Plus, even she and Ash hadn’t exactly discussed their status yet. This last week had all been about the two of them getting to know each other in a romantic sense—simply going with the flow and staying in their little bubble.

“We’ve gone out to dinner most nights in the last two weeks,” she revealed.

“Really?” Sarah asked.

“Well, Ash said he felt guilty that I was working for him during my leave, and that he should have paid me more. But because we wanted to avoid office politics, he took me out to nice dinners instead of raising my pay above receptionist rates.”

“Uh-huh,” Amanda said, obviously not finding that news interesting enough.

“And we also had lunches together.”

Still no major reaction from the girls.

“And we’ve—” She paused when she saw Gemma walk in. “Here’s Gem,” she said.

Gemma sat on her chair, telling them about the burst water main at the end of her street that had caused a bit of chaos.

Amanda looked impatient.

“What’s up, Amanda?” Gemma asked.

“Sorry. It’s not that I’m not interested in what you’re saying, but Bren was telling us about her and Ash.”

“What about Bren and Ash?” Gemma asked eagerly. “What have I missed?”

Brenna chuckled. “So far, I’ve said that Ash and I have had lunches and dinners together in the two weeks that I worked in his clinic.”

“Right,” Gemma said. “Get to the juicy bits, Bren.”

Brenna laughed out loud. “Okay, okay. We kissed.”

“What?” the three asked in unison.

“When? Where? How?” Amanda asked.

“How? Surely you know how people kiss, Amanda.”

Amanda rolled her eyes. “What I mean is, was it toe-curling, or was it just a quick peck on the lips?”

Brenna sighed. “Toe-curling.”

Repressed squeals came out of the three.

“Finally!” Sarah exclaimed.

“So when and where?” Gemma prompted.

“Geez, there are multiple answers to that question,” Brenna said.

“Tell us about the first time.”

Brenna smiled. “Our first real kiss was at the botanic gardens, amongst the roses, when we went there for lunch.”

“Aww. How sweet,” said the girls.

“Yeah. We ate sushi and read this magazine with pictures of you and you on the cover,” she said, pointing to Sarah and Gemma. “By the way, Gem, have any reporters or paparazzi harassed you yet?”