AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Eleven seemed impossible to wait for. My patience, after all, was extremely thin.
At ten minutes, I stood, sliding my phone into my pants pocket. I had prepared a plate for her, mostly just snacks and ibuprofen, but it was something. And in worst-case scenarios, I could use the plate as a shield if she decided she was done dealing with me for the evening.
My gut twisted. It had been a long time since I’d had a woman in my house. When I did entertain women, I made sure to do it at hotels. My home had always been my retreat, my comfort, and in some ways my investment in the future. Private and separate from the chaos of my public face. I wasn’t sure exactly what had prompted me to bring her here, but I hadn’t hesitated when I’d told my driver to take us home.
Needless to say, I was a bit rusty in the women's department. Flirting with ladies at events or even over coffee was nothing compared to facing off with Ashlyn Grove. She was fierce, frazzled, and more than a little opinionated. I grinned, remembering how she’d hurled curses at me like daggers and dashed away with so much insistence that she’d injured herself in the process.
I took a deep breath. Ian was right. I was letting this woman get under my skin. Even now, the idea of her dressing in my room, using my towels, sent images of that beautiful, curvaceous body straight to mind. Needless to say, I had to reach down and adjust myself, breath hissing between my teeth as more images crashed into my psyche.
I walked slowly down the hall, forcing a look of relaxation, of aloofness to my face as I reached my room with the tray. Just before I knocked, Ashlyn yanked open the door, the light from the room spilling over the two of us.
Sweet baby Jesus, she was wearing my clothes. The light gray pants hung loosely on her frame, the soft white tee she’d stolen had the name of my alma mater across the center, precisely over those perfect breasts, which were hardened to points, begging for my attention. Even better, or worse in some cases, her wet hair had dripped down the shirt, giving me tiny dew drops of a view of her smooth, fair skin underneath.
Pure male satisfaction ripped through me, seeing her in my clothes, standing in my room. My palms itched with the desire to reach forward, to run my fingers over those perfect breasts, to sink into the silk of that bright hair and yank her against me.
I cleared my throat. Desperate to push some words between her and my desire. “Did you enjoy the shower?”
She looked at me, her chest rising and falling rather quickly. “Yes, it was lovely. Thank you.”
A strained silence fell over us. “Are you still hungry? I can grab you something from the kitchen. Otherwise, I have snacks.” I lifted the tray like some kind of overzealous butler.
“Oh, thank you. But I can't eat now. Too much excitement.” She laughed, her voice strained.
I glanced at the clock. It was well past two in the morning now. “Ian’s headed out for the night, but if you’d be more comfortable, I can call him back.”
She smiled up at me again, and this time the smile was genuine. “He seems like a very interesting person.”
I smirked. “Ian will love that you said that. He’s been my best friend for a long time.”
“We all need those types on our sides.”
“We really do.”
I dropped the tray on top of my dresser. “Are you ready to get some sleep? If I can get past you, I’ll just grab a few things and be out of your hair.”
She colored a soft pink as I moved past her. I slowed, letting my body graze hers as I stepped into my room. Thick arousal spun through my body. She smelled like my soap.
“I’m more than happy to sleep in the guest room, or even the couch you mentioned? Surely a penthouse like this with your fancy elevator has more than one bedroom.”
“I do have more than one bedroom up here, but it is still under construction. And the guest room has been taken over with Ian's things since he's here half the time. And that couch does nothing for lower lumbar. Trust me, I know. Sleep here. I’ll manage in the guest room with Ian’s collection of weaponry.”
Her jaw dropped. “I couldn’t ask you to do that.”
I hesitated, picking up my phone charger and a book from my nightstand. “What do you mean?”
My eyes fell to the long, slender column of her neck as she swallowed once, twice, her bright-blue eyes shuttering. “It’s a king-sized bed. You just stay on your half, and I’ll stay on mine.”
A bolt of desire shot straight to my cock as I stared down at her. I should resist. I should tell her the couch would be more than workable. But I can’t. Mainly because I don’t want to. I don’t want anything more in this entire universe than to curl up in my bed with her, feel my clothes as they wrap her skin.
To wake up with her sweet little body wrapped around mine. Ugh. It would be heaven. I may have had an explosive sex life, but I rarely bothered actually sleeping with anybody.
Not wanting to seem too eager, I lifted a shoulder in question, forcing my gaze to remain above her shoulders.
“Are you sure?”
She shifted her bare feet on the carpet. “Of course I am. If you snore, I’m kicking you out though.”
I grinned at her. “Fair enough. The same goes for you, Miss Grove.” I slammed the bathroom door on her smiling face.
