My mouth drops open, but I catch the objection before it tumbles out. None of the other men I dated were ever this adventurous – or this insatiable, for that matter – and I’ve decided to just enjoy it while it lasts.
There’s something about Ash that makes me feel safe, and maybe a little reckless, and I don’t intend to fight the latter. It’s time for me to let go of the ‘fear of life’ Celena always accuses me of having. So bathroom sex with a butt plug at a five thousand dollar-a-plate fundraiser gala it is.
“Enjoying the evening so far?” a voice says from behind us, making Ash and I step apart.
We turn to find Mr. Kaladin standing there with his hands in his pockets. He looks immaculate in what I’m sure is a custom-made tux.
This is the first time I’ve seen him in person. He’s in his mid-thirties, fit and handsome, but the images I’ve seen of him online fail to capturethe ‘presence’ he has in person. He’s stupidly rich and powerful, and everything about his bearing says he knows it.
Ash’s hand hasn’t moved from around my waist despite us stepping apart, and I feel his fingers close tighter around me. I recognize it for the possessive gesture it is. He feels Kaladin’s magnetism as I do, and he’s enforcing his claim on me in the face of a potential rival. As if I could somehow attract both a hockey star and a billionaire mogul in one lifetime, let alone have them compete for me.
“Dr. Mackey,” Kaladin says, reaching out a hand by way of greeting. “It’s good to finally meet you.”
I step forward a little to take Kaladin’s hand. Ash’s grip loosens just enough to let me, but his hand remains lightly on my waist.
“Mr. Kaladin,” I say, shaking his hand. “It’s great to meet you as well. I haven’t had a chance to thank you for this opportunity.”
Kaladin smiles as we let go. “I take it things are going well?”
He looks between me and Ash before his eyes dip to the hand Ash still has on my waist, and I have the distinct feeling he’s not asking about our work on trash talk.
“Great,” Ash responds before I can say anything. “The doc and I made some progress on pinpointing my triggers, and now we’re working on…” He trails off, searching for the word.
“Interventions,” I supply.
“Interventions,” Ash confirms. “Which I was happy to learn are different from the kind of interventions that require hugging.”
Kaladin nods as he takes us in. “And the fake dating? Are people buying that you’re together?” He looks again at Ash’s hand, which has drifted to my hip. “You do make a convincing couple.”
There’s definitely a tone to his words.
Ash drags me closer and envelopes me exaggeratedly in his arms. “Gotta sell the story,” he says to Kaladin.
“You’ve been playing better recently,” Kaladin says. “I’m glad to see the good doctor is having a positive influence on you.”
Both Ash and I stiffen. On the surface, the words are complimentary, but I’m sure we both sense something more in them. A threat?
“You should find your seats,” Kaladin says. “Dinner will start in a little bit. It was good to see you both.”
He turns and saunters off toward a group of people I’m certain are politicians.
Ash’s hand finds mine, and he threads our fingers together. “Come with me,” he says as he pulls me after him.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“We’re going to drop our drinks at our table,” he says, “and then we’re going to find somewhere private for me to fuck you.”
Chapter 35
Gray
I’m flushed and self-conscious when me and Ash sit down at our table twenty minutes later. We found a supply closet and slipped inside for some privacy, but the door to the closet didn’t lock. We were far enough away from the ballroom that we didn’t think we’d be disturbed, though.
Ash crushed his mouth onto mine as soon as he closed the door and started to pull my dress up, but I stopped him. I could see he was agitated by the encounter with Kaladin, and I wanted to reassure him. His look was anxious when I pushed him against the shelves, but he swore under his breath as I went to my knees in front of him, unzipped his pants, and took him into my mouth. He tried to put his hands in my hair, but I pulled them away to keep him from messing it up, and he gripped the storage shelves instead.
He only let me work him a minute or so before he pulled me to my feet, though. “I’m coming in your pussy, not your mouth,” he’d said.
Then he turned me around and, as promised, hiked my dress up over my hips. Seconds later, he had a condom on and was fucking me hard against the wall of the supply closet.
