“That’s my girl,” he praised, voice husky. “Feel how perfectly we fit?"
I whimpered, clinging tighter.
“Faster now, sweetheart. Show me how much you need me."
His pace quickened, hips snapping up to meet mine, the couch creaking beneath us. One hand slipped between us again, thumb finding my clit to rub until I felt like screaming.
“Come again for me,” he commanded softly. “Let me feel you grip my dick so hard."
The command tipped me over. Pleasure detonated low in my belly, then surged outward in fierce, rolling waves. I clenched hard around him, again and again, every pulse milking him as my thighs trembled and my back arched. Breathless, silent cries spilled against his neck while heat flooded every limb.
He followed instantly. A low, broken groan tore from his throat as his hips jerked upward, burying himself impossibly deep. I felt the first thick surge inside me, then another and another, long, heavy throbs that seemed to go on forever. His arms crushed me close, whole body shuddering with each pulse until the last one faded and he sagged beneath me, still joined and trembling.
When he stopped moving, I curled into his chest. He tucked me tightly against him, fingers stroking my hair. His dick stayed lodged inside me as our sex drained out onto his pants, and he didn't seem to care one bit. The moment was unrepeatable, so perfect it felt like a fairy tale, the one Clayton told me would never happen, But here I was.
After a long silence, I whispered, “What are we going to do about Clayton?”
He exhaled a deep, weary breath, pressing a kiss to my temple. “I don’t know yet, baby. But I’m not losing you again. My brother doesn’t get to determine my future ever again…"
I wasn’t sure exactly what might happen, but I was positive I believed Asher this time. And with no secrets between us, I felt confident that we had a future now brighter than I ever imagined.
31
ASHER
I stood at the head of the boardroom table with palms pressed flat against the cool wood so no one would see the faint tremor that still lived in my fingers with only two weeks back to being sober. Fourteen mornings waking up not hating the man in the mirror, and it still felt borrowed, like any second, the craving would snatch it back.
Everyone was here as planned, though I'd have loved for Veda to be here as well and see the look on Clayton's face when he realized his plans had completely backfired. Clayton sat to my left like usual, the yellowing all over his nose and right eye indicating what stage of healing his face was in. And Robert sat to my right looking much fresher than he had when he left my home last night after our discussion.
The votes had already been counted and all that was left was to walk it out. I drew a slow breath and started. “Thank you, everyone, let's get started. Our first order of business is the branding acquisition which closed only moments ago at nine a.m. Their team's already embedding with ours, integrating intoLocke Global SOPs, and we hope for an excellent end to our second quarter.”
A ripple of quiet approval hummed and someone murmured, “Nice work.”
I let the corner of my mouth lift. “Before we move on—Edward Klouse, congratulations on the new grandson.”
Edward’s face softened in joy. I imagined that felt pretty amazing and I hoped one day at least twenty years from now, I'd have that same joy. “Thank you, Asher. Eight pounds, four ounces. Came out screaming like he already runs the place.”
The table broke into easy laughter, and a few hushed murmurs of how cute the newcomer was flitted around. Soon enough, I'd have my own proud announcement, a boy or girl to add to the Locke legacy, but my focus today was on restoring order in the company my father left for me.
When the warmth faded, I straightened, rolled my shoulders once, and let the temperature drop.
“Now,” I said with a steady voice, “we need to address another matter that's been pressing for a few months that we've let slip. Robert and I have already spoken at length, and I’m sure you all understand where I'm going since you've all had your own discussions privately. The matter of Clayton Locke's competency to remain board chairman has?—"
Clayton’s chair scraped like a gunshot as he scooted back and stood. “Oh, for?—”
“Clayton.” Robert didn’t raise his voice much at all because his authority was enough to stop my brother in his tracks. It landedlike a gavel. “Sit down and stay quiet until you’re invited to speak.”
Clayton’s mouth opened and closed before a scowl worked its way across his forehead, but he sat down and closed his mouth without another word.
But Robert didn’t wait for the echo to die. He simply stood and took my place at the head of the table as I backed away. As CEO, it wasn't my position to address board members' behavior, but as the oldest and longest running board member, Robert could.
“To start with, Clayton has displayed a drinking problem. On more than seven documented occasions this calendar year, he arrived at this building intoxicated, including two separate board prep sessions. Offers of paid rehabilitation leave were refused every time.”
Clayton’s jaw worked, but Robert kept going. I felt bad for him, considering I, myself, had a problem, but I stood as proof that I took that seriously and wanted to get help. Clayton had not.
“Then we have the attempt to pay Veda Porter one million dollars—five hundred thousand wired upfront—to seduce Asher, record the encounter, and fabricate a sexual harassment claim sufficient to force his removal. We have the bank records, the audio of Clayton making the offer in his own voice, and Ms. Porter’s statement.” Robert scowled at my brother, and if that wasn’t enough, he leaned forward and tapped a folder on the table where he was sitting. "It's all here."
I felt the words hit the table like stones. No one looked at Clayton anymore. They looked through him. The evidence was stacked against him on multiple counts, yet all he had to do was apologize and get help for his drinking, and I knew thisboard would back off and do for him what they'd done for me. Unfortunately, I knew my brother. That would never happen.
