I grabbed my drink and we weaved our way through the room, dodging people who were watching the ladies do their thing. Every time Eden and I would come here we’d leave with lingerie envy, and the following day we would have to hit up Victoria’s Secret. Tonight was no different, and tomorrow I’d be the proud new owner of red lingerie.
A vacant booth toward the back came into view and, as I slid in, Josh slid in across from me. I shot a smile at him, and then focused on the show. His eyes remained latched onto me, and I couldn’t stop myself from glancing at him. When our eyes met, he smirked and I felt my body flutter. Jesus, how strong was this vodka? I threw caution to the wind and downed my vodka in one go, then ordered another. Soon enough, three Vodka Cokes were swimming in my veins and I had a case of loose lips that were spilling out a bunch of crap. Thankfully, Josh was also on his way to drunkville, so I wasn’t the only one populating that fine city.
“I’m sure I could be a dancer,” I announced as my eyes fixated on a busty blond who was working that pole like a champion. “I’ve got some serious moves, Joshy. Maybe if the blog doesn’t take off, I could get a job here. You’d come and see me dance, wouldn’t you?”
“I wouldn’t let you work here.”
My attention moved from the stage to him. “Excuse me?” I scoffed. “Since when have you been allowed to tell me what to do?”
“If you really want to dance, I’d be more than happy to have you to dance for me in private. But there is no way in hell I’d sit there and watch other men gawk at your body.”
Dancing for Josh? Shit. The thought alone made my lady bits tingle and scream at me to throw myself at him. This whole no-sex/no-men thing was making me crazy. Not only did the thought of dancing for him turn me on, but his caveman attitude was insanely hot. God, what was happening to me?
“You couldn’t handle my moves, and stop being such a caveman.”
I focused back on the stage and tried to forget the smirk he just fired me. I quickly found myself getting lost in the music, and it was the first night in a long time that I felt truly at ease. Since I returned, I repeatedly found myself getting lost in thoughts of Lachlan and trying to figure out why I wasn’t good enough to remain faithful to. I thought I was a good lay, I didn’t do drama, and I looked damn good in lingerie, so what the fuck was the problem. It messed with my head. The poison of those memories swam through my body and infected every bit of self-confidence I had. I hated him for that.
But here tonight, I was starting to feel free. I felt myself switching back on, I felt the confidence start to shine through, and I knew it had something to do with the man sitting opposite me.
I looked at Josh to find him watching the show. The strength of his jaw, the light peppering of stubble, and the pout of his lips held my attention. He was fantastic to look at. Being under my gaze caused his eyes to flash to mine, and I took that as an invitation to speak. There was something that I needed to confirm, just to make sure I wasn’t completely off game. If anyone would give me an honest answer, it would be Josh. “I’ve got a serious question for you. Do you have time for a serious question?”
“Of course,” he responded with a nod and leaned over the table to get closer.
“If you had a girlfriend with some serious moves, and I mean serious moves, and she offered to show you those moves while wearing her most expensive and seductive lingerie, knowing that it would lead to the hottest sex of your life, would you:
A: Encourage her and fuck her into oblivion.
B: Let her do her thing and maybe fuck her.
C: Tell her that you’re tired, then roll over and go to sleep, leaving your girlfriend who hasn’t had sex in weeks, is needy, and wearing said lingerie, to her own devices.” I leaned forward, resting my chin on my open palm, and awaited his response.
Josh didn’t hesitate. He leaned over the table until his mouth was next to my ear, causing me to shiver as his hot breath caressed my skin. “If it were you, Ash, I’d let you show me your moves and I would enjoy the fuck out of watching you. Once you were done, I’d throw you on the bed and feast on you. Then I would fuck you, not into oblivion, but into a whole other universe. You’d be feeling me for days, and I would be walking around hard knowing that. So to answer your question, I would choose D, and create a whole new option for us.”
Holy fuck. My body flushed and my panties dampened at the mere thought. My eyes slammed shut as the lightest of kisses hit my temple, and I shot to a land of ecstasy. Josh moved back and sat against the leather of the booth, and I matched his stance. A lingering gaze between us fell over the table, and I couldn’t break away. I knew I needed to descend back into reality, but the thought of him between my legs was a beautiful confusion that I wanted to bask in for a little longer.
A fresh vodka coke was put on the table, and he was already sipping on his whiskey. I needed to get my thoughts off the orgasm I’d be giving myself that night and change the conversation. Did I pack Mr. Good Vibes?
“Is he another one of your book husbands?”
My head shot up to find Josh’s amused gaze. Please, God, do not tell me I said that out loud. I decided to throw caution to the wind. I was tipsy, I was with a friend who had seen me naked before, and I had an awesome vibrator.
“He is my vibrator.”
He choked on his drink and his eyes bugged wide open at my admission. “Warn a man before you start talking about vibrators.”
“You use your hand, and I use Mr. Good Vibes. It’s really no big deal. All this talk of sex has put me a little on edge, so I’ll be spending some time with him tonight, and I know he won’t disappoint. He never does.” My mouth was moving before my brain had a chance to stop me. I had just divulged that I was going to go back to his apartment, disappear into the room next to his, and give myself a rocking orgasm or two. Ladies and gentlemen, please refer to me from now on as Ashlyn “No filter” Hart.
“A lot of women have vibrators, Josh. Probably even your mom.” I smirked and lifted my glass to my lips.
His face went ashen, and he slowly shook his head in disbelief. I could only imagine the thoughts running through his mind. One point to Team Ashlyn. Mom jokes for the win.
“You did not just make a mom joke that involved the word vibrator.” A glint of mischief hit his eye, and I trembled with anticipation as he leaned in closer. Would he unleash a dirty comeback? Whisper something highly inappropriate? Or would it be the promise of some form of retribution? I loved our friendship.
“Josh Crawford?” A high-pitched voice sounded from beside the table.
Josh winced at the intrusion, then sat back in his seat and broke the closeness we were sharing. I turned to find a girl with a fierce red bob, a corset that looked like it belonged in the pages of penthouse, and a face full of so much makeup that it made her look older than her years. It really was a shame, because she was a stunning girl.
“Hey, Lucy,” Josh said without conviction.
“It’s Louise,” she said, correcting him with a genuine smile. “Can I sit? I was hoping I’d run into you again.” She didn’t wait for an answer.
I watched in fascination as she slid in next to Josh until she was practically sitting on his lap. My amusement wasn’t lost. Josh was famous for his shit-eating grins, and I knew I was now firing one that could match the best of his.
“Hi, I’m Ashlyn,” I said sweetly, and held out my hand to her.
Josh’s eyes shot wide as he watched who I assumed was a recent conquest shake my hand.
“How do you know our dear Josh?” I asked.
“About a month ago he was in my bed, and I can’t get him out of my head,” she cooed, and shifted her body so she was facing him, then she placed one of her manicured hands on his chest and started playing with the buttons of his shirt. “I am hoping he will be back in my bed tonight.”