“I’m glad. I’d hate to have to kick their ass for not taking better care of you.” The air between us crackles in unquenched desire. But I’m not here to seduce Ashton; I’m here to protect her. “Eat.” I point at her sandwich, effectively ruining the romantic bubble we’d created.
five
Ashton
Riker is right—the bubblebath is doing wonders for my tight muscles. I sigh and sink deeper into the sudsy bliss. The only thing missing from the bath is Riker.
Like I would know what to do with him if he were in the bath with me.
Sure, I can write a fantastic sex scene thanks to my imagination and internet porn, but actually feeling someone’s touch on my skin is beyond me. My hands drift to my breasts as I imagine Riker’s hands on me, squeezing them and rolling my nipples between his fingers. I rub my thighs together, hoping the added friction will ease the pressure building in my clit.
Realizing it’s not enough, I slide one hand down my body while the other one continues to play with my breast. Finding my clit throbbing under the water, I run my fingers over the stiff little bud. The feeling makes my toes curl, and my breath come out in short little pants. “Riker.” I moan softly.
“Is that how you like to be touched, little one?”My fantasy Riker teases my body, slipping his fingers between my lower lips, his large fingers pausing at the entrance of my untried body, tapping gently as if saying soon. But the pressure on my clit is too much, demanding my full focus.
Picking up my speed, I rub my fingers faster over my clit, searching for the release my body is craving. Water splashes over the side of the tub, but I’m too far gone to care. With one last stroke, my body tightens for a few seconds before the ecstasy washes over me and I cry out Riker’s name.
Realizing I said his name out loud, I begin to panic, worrying about how I’ll explain calling for him while in the bathtub. I wait what feels like an eternity until I decide he must not have heard me. Giving in to the warm afterglow of my orgasm, I lean back against the plastic tub pillow and close my eyes.
***
I’m not sure how long I’ve had my eyes closed—maybe a few minutes or a few hours, but judging by the temperature of the water, it’s probably closer to minutes than hours. With a wistful sigh, I haul myself out of the bathtub, throw on my white silk robe, the material against my skin making me feel sexy.
I wonder if Riker will think I’m sexy wearing it.
I don’t have to wait long to find out the answer when I see him in my kitchen rummaging through my refrigerator. The way his Adam’s apple bobs up and down as he takes in my appearance is all the proof I need.
“Can I help with anything?” I ask, wanting to make myself useful, instead of this constant feeling of being a burden ever since I received the first threatening letter.
Instead of answering, he nods toward the stool at my kitchen island, telling me without words to take a seat. “Take a seat. I’ll make us something to eat.” His words come out short and choppy, almost like it’s taking everything in him to say those few words.
“Are you always this bossy with all your clients?” I tease, silently hoping he tells me I’m the only one.
“Only those who are my fake girlfriend.”
I pick at the bread of my sandwich, hating the thought of him having a real or even a fake girlfriend. “Have you had a lot of fake girlfriends?” I glance up at him, trying to hide the sadness I feel at the thought.
“You’re the first.” He shakes his head as he answers, and it makes me smile, thinking about him being my first fake or even real boyfriend if I were to be that lucky. Until the thought sours, I’m sure someone as sexy as Riker has had a ton of girlfriends. Or maybe someone lucky to be his wife.
“How about a real girlfriend or even a wife?” I hold my breath, not sure I really want to know the answer.
“No wife or girlfriend. Breathe, little one.”
“You keep telling me to breathe, little one. Are you aware that’s a line from my book?”
“I’m aware.” He hesitates, making me wonder what’s going on inside his head right now. “I read your book.” It's all he says, but the heat in his eyes tells me he’s recalling what he read, making me blush, thinking about him reading the sex scenes I wrote.
“Oh.” The air feels heavy, and I’m not sure what to say. “I don’t have a boyfriend or a husband either.” I sigh, thinking how much I would love to have Riker as my boyfriend.
“I’m glad. I’d hate to have to kick their ass for not taking better care of you.” His eyes devour me, making me squirm in my seat, reminding me that I’m naked under the robe. “Eat.” He points at my sandwich, ending our little flirting game.
The ham and cheese sandwich tastes so much better than when I make it. I eat every last bite before excusing myself. “It’s been a long day. I think I’m ready for bed.” His eyes darken even more, making me realize how that sounded. “To sleep. I’m going to bed to sleep, not to do anything else.” In my haste to escape this awkward situation, I almost knock over the kitchen stool.
“That’s probably a good idea.” Riker stands, picks up our now-empty paper plates, and throws them away before placing a hand to the small of my back, leading me out of the kitchen and down the hall to my bedroom.
“There’s a guest room next door. It’s all made up and ready for you.” I spin in his arms until we’re face to face, well, face to chest in our case. I’m at least a foot shorter than him—no wonder he calls me little one.
With a nod, he reaches behind me and opens my bedroom door, giving me a gentle push into the room. “Goodnight, Ash,” he says, closing the door in my face.
