“If I turn, my feet will bump your ankles.”
“Right.” She opened her legs, then quickly pulled at her skirt to cover her exposed undies, but too late. He’d caught a seductive glimpse of baby blue lace.
He turned and knelt in front of her, but he kept his legs straight rather than sitting on his calves, knowing that he was blocking her view.
She rested her hand on his shoulder, sending heat rolling through him. She stroked, but then pushed down a little. He purposely didn’t take the hint.
“Um … I want you to…” She pushed down. “Can you kneel down more?”
“Yes, Mistress.”
He bent his legs, then leaned back a little, feeling her silky thighs on either side of him. Fuck, this was torture, but the oh, so good kind.
Her fingers stroked through his hair, sending ripples of awareness through him. He wanted to lean back and rest his head against her breasts. To enjoy her gentle caresses over his hair while he gazed up at her lovely face.
Then he wanted to turn and drag her into his arms and consume her mouth, then press her back onto the couch and prowl over her.
“Oh, this isn’t working. You must be bored stiff.”
He had to stifle a chuckle. He certainly was stiff but not because he was bored.
“I don’t know what I’m doing,” she lamented.
“Ash, I’m not bored, and I’m happy to do whatever you need. Just relax. What did you do the other night with him? Did you watch the whole movie?”
“No. I … didn’t like the movie. I think he picked something to purposely push me to disobey. He wants me to understand that it’s okay to refuse if I’m uncomfortable.”
“That’s good. So you protested?”
“Yes. I mean, sort of. I stopped watching it.”
He turned to face her. “What did he do when you disobeyed? Did he punish you?”
She bit her lip and nodded.
Fuck, he wanted to ask if Dare had exposed her naked ass. If he’d cupped her round flesh in his hand then smacked it until it stung. But the flush on her cheeks assured him that’s what had happened.
She lifted her gaze to his, then her blue eyes widened. His smile had faded and she must know that he was wildly turned on. God, he could barely resist his deep yearning to kiss her. Her lips looked so velvety soft and … his body tightened … would they part for his tongue? At the thought of slipping it inside her warm mouth, the ache inside him blossomed to intense need. He could imagine her tongue gliding over his, then she would open wider as he deepened the kiss.
He wanted to slide his arms around her and draw her close. To feel her soft breasts pressed tight to him and … oh, fuck, her nipples tight buds boring into him. He longed to stroke one. He wanted to feel the hard nub against his thumb. And to hear her whimpers of pleasure as he teased her to a delicious state of arousal.
Suddenly, he realized he’d actually started leaning in toward her. Her eyes were wide, watching him.
Fuck, what the hell was he doing?
He drew back and stared into her dazed eyes.
“Let’s get back to you practicing your domination,” he said.
“Of course.”
He glanced briefly at the TV, then back to her. “So, Mistress, what if I tell you I don’t want to watch the movie?”
“I order you to watch it,” she said firmly.
“And if I refuse?” The words just slipped out.
“I’ll have to punish you then,” she said, looking nervous.
His cock hardened at the thought that she might slap his ass. The thought of her small, feminine hand connecting with his hard ass—God, would she tell him to drop his pants?—sent his hormones reeling.
It was too much. He needed to feel her against him.
He cupped her face in his hands, and drew her close. She tipped up her head and her lips brushed his.
The mere touch of her softness against his mouth made his cock swell even more. Then she pressed her tongue into his mouth and he moaned. Passion flared between them and he clutched her tightly to his body again. Her lips moved seductively on his and by the time their mouths parted, he was totally off balance.
“Fuck, Ash. That was some kiss.”
She smiled, her eyes full of desire. “You don’t know how long I’ve waited for you to do that.”
“Look, Ash. That was just a mistake. We can’t go down this path.”
“But … why not?”
“How many reasons do you want? I’m older than you, I’m your brother’s friend—”
“I don’t care about the age difference. And you and Brad haven’t been close since he moved to San Diego. You and I are closer friends now.”
He frowned. “And I’m your boss.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “That doesn’t matter.”
“It does. Things will get complicated. It’ll get awkward at work.”
He took her wrists and disentangled himself from her arms.
“I’m sorry, Ash. This is just a really bad idea.”
* * *
Ashley climbed into bed, still stinging from Adam’s rejection. She was sure he’d been as affected by that kiss as she had.
She might not have been sure about his interest in her back when she was younger, but she was pretty sure that she’d seen simmering interest in his eyes sometimes when they were together. Like that one time when she went to his place for a swim and she wore that extra skimpy bikini. She had seen a very masculine reaction. She had almost thought he would make a move on her.
Jessica’s theory was that Adam was gay, and he just kept his relationships under wraps. Ashley didn’t understand why he would—people in Autumn’s Ridge were pretty accepting—but then she didn’t really buy into the theory. And especially now, after that kiss.
She pulled the covers around her. He’d given her reasons. The age thing, his friendship with her brother, the fact he was her boss. But she believed there was more going on than that.
She knew something had happened when he was in college—some relationship gone wrong—and he’d been hurt. Badly.
In the two years she’d worked for him, she’d never known him to date. At least, he never told her about it if he did. Which was odd because they talked about almost everything else in their lives. Could that have something to do with why he resisted their mutual attraction?
If only she could get him to open up about it.
* * *
Ashley sank back in her chair as she watched Jessica poke at her dinner. Jess was trying to eat healthier, and had invited her over to try a new recipe. She was testing fish dishes, and the salmon had been delicious.
“Don’t you like it?” Ashley asked.
“Oh, no. I do.” Jess took the last bite, then pushed her plate aside. “I’m just a bit distracted. It’s been a busy week.”
“Problems?” Ashley knew that Jessica loved her job as the buyer for a trendy clothing boutique, but she also knew that politics and creative differences with the manager sometimes frustrated Jess.
Jess glanced her way. “At work? No, everything’s fine.”
Ashley sipped her wine.
“Okay, if everything at work’s fine, then what’s bothering you?”
Jess sighed and stood up, picking up her plate. Ashley did the same and helped clear the table, then carried the dishes into the kitchen. Jess squirted dish soap in the sink and turned on the water. Bubbles danced across the surface as the sink filled.
“It’s not that there’s anything bothering me,” Jess said, “but I wanted to tell you something.”
“Oh? What’s that?”
Jess placed the dishes in the sink and started washing them. Jess grabbed a tea towel and picked up a wineglass, then wiped it dry.
“Well, I friended Dare Gallagher on Facebook.”
Ashley dried a plate. “Why?”
Jess shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve done that with parents of other friends. You know, just to see how they’re doing and keep in touch. I didn’t know if he would remember me, but we did used to hang out at his house with Helen a lot in high school.”