“Excuse me?” My mouth drops open. If anything, I was the one taking advantage. “Did you just imply that I’m not capable of deciding what I want?”
“No,” he denies, although he totally did. When I scowl, he inclines his head. “Okay, maybe. Sorry. I’m still learning not to be so overbearing.”
My eyes widen. Did I just hear an apology from Seth Isles, king of bullheadedness?
Humor flashes in his eyes when he sees my surprise. “Things have changed. We’re not the same people we were, and when our relationship escalates—and it will—it’s going to be because we like and are attracted to the people we’ve turned into, not because shit went wrong and we want comfort.”
I stare at him. I want to be pissed. The self-righteous feminist inside me declares that I should be allowed meaningless comfort sex if that’s what I want, but on the other hand, it could never be meaningless between us. Besides, he has as much right to decide whether we have sex as I do, and he’s saying no.
Oh, God.
My chin dips, and tears of humiliation prickle my eyes. He’s sayingno.
Ugh, why did I have to go and make this awkward? He’s been amazing, and he’s doing me a massive favor. I should be going out of my way not to scare him off.
“Hey.” He touches my chin and gently levers it up. His gaze is tender and turns everything inside me upside down. “I want you, sweetheart. Don’t doubt that. Just not like this.”
“Okay.” I nod jerkily. “I’m sorry for… whatever this is.”
“I’m not.” He draws me close, and I burrow into that safe space in front of his chest. “It proves that there’s still something between us.” His arms tighten around me, and his cheek touches the top of my head. “And that makes me brave enough to fight for you.”
My breathing is choppy. He’s going to fight for me. What does that mean? Is he saying he wants us to get back together? Thoughts swirl in my mind. Excitement, doubt, lust, fear. A cocktail of emotions I could get drunk on.
“What next?” he asks, and for a moment, I don’t know what he means. “With trying to get pregnant—we are trying again, yeah?”
“Yes.” I wet my lips. “If you’re willing to. We’ll need to wait for at least a month.”
“I’m definitely willing.” He sighs, and the tension eases from him. “Don’t you know I’d walk through fire for you? I’m here for whatever you need. However you want me.”
I fight the urge to cry at his sweet words. I want so badly for them to be true.
Seth
For the rest of the week, I make it my job to become Ashlin’s rock. Whatever she needs, I get it. I call in sick for her at work and stay with her morning and night, occupying her bed without pushing for more. Sleeping with her in my arms is the best damn thing I’ve done in years, and I won’t fuck it up by asking for more than she’s ready to give. Yeah, I wake up with a hard-on wedged between her butt cheeks several times, but she doesn’t mention it, and I convince myself that when she wiggles that sweet ass against me, it’s completely innocent. It’s not her fault I fantasize about her every time I close my eyes or that I have to go home every day after leaving her place to jack off before heading to the gym, and return to do it again before going to her in the evening. My sexual frustration is something I can take care of. Been doing it for years.
On Saturday, I spend most of the day at the gym, working with Devon. The guy has a lot of potential and now that he’s taken down Karson Hayes—a former title contender—I’ve got the chance to set him up with a title shot of his own. We’re just waiting for the right opportunity to come along. One that doesn’t involve him facing off against Jase Rawlins, another of my fighters, who currently holds the title for the super lightweight grade that Devon usually competes in. After leaving him to spar with Jase, I excuse myself to my condo and fuck my hand until I come, calling Ashlin’s name, and then I drive to her place. When I arrive, the door is unlocked. I let myself in and wander through the house, but she’s nowhere in sight.
“Seth?” Her voice comes from the bedroom.
“Yeah?” My feet glue themselves to the floor. I’m not entering that room unless invited, in case she’s undressed. While I’ve had to deal with seeing the outlines of her nipples against her pajamas over the past few days, I’ve managed to avoid catching glimpses of anything more than that. I don’t think I could resist the urge to touch her if I got an eyeful of her stunning body.
“Come in.”
I push the door open, and step tentatively inside. Then stop. “Oh, fuck.”
She’s sprawled on the bed, wearing a scarlet corset and thigh-high stockings.
“Fuck, Ash. What are you doing?” If I sound desperate, it’s because I am.
She shrugs one delicate shoulder, drawing my attention to the plumpness of her tits where they threaten to escape the corset. Her waist is so fucking tiny. Her pussy bare.Fuck, fuck, fuck.Despite its recent workout, my cock surges to life.
“I’m not in such a vulnerable place anymore, and I want you.” She slides her legs off the edge of the bed and pads toward me on silent feet, stopping a scant inch from the flesh that’s burning up for her. “Be with me, Seth. Make me feel good. It’s been so long since I felt sexy.”
“Aw, hell.” A groan tears from me, and my hands twitch, eager to get a hold of the body she seems so willing to share. “Goddamn, you make it hard to be a good guy.”
A smile curves lips that are as red as her corset. As though she’s read my mind and knows every dirty Snow White fantasy I’ve ever had about her.
Oh, wait. She does. Because I’ve told her about them. Many, many times. This is what happens when a woman who knows you well decides to seduce you. She can make herself exactly what you desire.
