Always(Time for Love Book 4)(35)

“That’s not fair on you, Bren. He doesn’t have the right to expect that of you.”

“I know. I do put my foot down, but I try to say it nicely. He is under a heck of a lot of pressure, including financially. He let it slip the other night that money was becoming a problem.”

“I can sympathise with that. But Bren, please don’t make their problem your problem. You have your own life to live. You’re way too nice sometimes.”

“I know,” she said, Ash filling her mind.

“Getting back to stripping for Ash, when are you gonna do it?” Gemma teased.

She took a deep breath. “Tonight. After I hang up the phone.”

*****

Brenna rang Ash’s doorbell, her hands cold and shaking from nervous anticipation. A couple of minutes passed and there was no sign of movement inside. She pressed the button again, wondering if she should have called first. Maybe he wasn’t home? But where could he be at ten o’clock on a Tuesday night?

After another long moment, she turned around to go back to her car, her spirits low. Was he out on a date? No. From what she’d gathered when they were going out, Ash didn’t do romantic dates with other women. He had sex nights.

Ugh! Shut up, Bren, she ordered herself.

“Brenna!”

Oh, thank God.

She swivelled and saw Ash standing by the door, wearing sweatpants and a white t-shirt. Her breath caught in her throat, her body already preparing itself for what she had in mind.

“Hi,” she said, walking towards him.

“Were you waiting long? I was in the shower.”

She smiled. “Only for a few minutes. I thought you weren’t home.”

Ash stepped aside to give her room to enter. “What’s up?” he asked as he closed the door.

She turned to face him. “I wanted to see you.”

“Oh, okay. You want a drink?” Ash asked, heading towards the kitchen.

Oh no, Ashton. You are not gonna do the we’re-only-friends act again. “No, I don’t want a drink,” she answered.

“Right. Do you need something else?”

“Yes.”

He raised his brows in query.

Holding his gaze and taking a deep breath, she started to unbutton her dress. Fortunately, she had one which fully opened at the front. It was the perfect dress for stripping in front of a man.

Ash’s Adam’s apple bobbed, then his chest heaved, his lips parting to take in more air.

His reaction gave her a boost of confidence. Licking her lips seductively, she slowly walked up to him as she undid her last buttons.

“I need you,” she breathed, stopping right in front of him and sliding the dress off her shoulders, revealing one of her sexiest pairs of lacy underwear.

Ash’s eyes roamed her body, his pupils already dilated. His hands remained at his sides, but when she glanced at them, he was rubbing the tips of his fingers together. The bulge that formed in his pants also didn’t escape her attention.

“I’m dying for you to touch me, Ash.”

Ash looked into her eyes, his expression transforming from stunned to carnal. “Where?”

“Everywhere,” she mouthed.

“Show me,” he said, his sensual tone making her shiver in delight.

She took his hand and placed it on the valley between her peaks, pressing it there. Her heart was thudding hard and fast, and she wanted him to feel it. Then she moved his hand so it was cupping her breast.

Ash’s thumb moved to circle her nipple, shooting off bolts of pleasure within her, and creating a fresh rush of moisture between her legs. His eyes didn’t leave hers when he unclasped her bra. Taking it off her, he discarded it somewhere on his living room floor.

“Where else, Brenna?” he asked, his eyes hooded with lust.

Panting softly, she took his hand again. This time, she let it slide down her belly, before resting it on her panties.

“Do you want me to take this off?” he asked, playing with the band.

She nodded, unable to break his gaze.

He lightly ran his fingers on her mound, teasing, before hooking her undies and rolling them down her thighs. Ash knelt in front of her to completely undress her. But instead of getting up afterwards, he ran his hands up her legs and positioned them at the apex. She almost stopped breathing.

“You want me to touch you here?” he asked, his voice hoarse and heavy with desire.

“Yes, please,” she breathed.

He smiled, his gaze hot and smoking. He parted her folds, uncovering her nub, then he dipped his finger into her wetness before rubbing her needy c-lit with it.

“Ash,” she cried, bracing herself with a hand on his shoulder as desire weakened her stance.

“I missed this,” he murmured, before leaning in and replacing his finger with his tongue.

Oh, God. She didn’t how long she could stand still with him doing that. She wanted to raise a leg to give him more access, but she was scared she might topple over.

“Ash, I want you,” she moaned.

“You have me, baby,” he said against her pu-ssy.

“I want more,” she whispered.

He looked up and gave her a salacious smile. “Tell me.”

“I want to spread my legs for you,” she said, blushing. “In bed. So we can have lots of room.”