Into The Fire - E. L. Todd Page 0,87
didn’t join the military just to spite your parents. You’re golden to them.”
She rubbed my arm then kissed my bicep. “You’re so much more than all of those things, Ash. You’re the most amazing man I’ve ever known.”
“In bed?”
“No.” She gave me a fond look. “In general.”
“Yeah?” I kissed her neck and inhaled her scent. “I like where this is going.”
“Well, you were fishing for compliments,” she teased.
“Was not. I was just explaining that my parents love you. Mom wants us to get married and have a bunch of brats.”
She smiled. “That would be nice.”
The idea of marriage and kids still terrified me but I didn’t say it out loud. “So…can I take you to dinner tonight?”
“Why?”
“What do you mean why?” I demanded. “Because you need to eat and I’m supposed to take you out.”
“Supposed to take me out?” she asked. “I don’t like sitting in a room full of strangers anyway. I’d much rather eat on the couch wearing one of your t-shirts, especially if I can get fucked at the same time.”
My eyes darkened in excitement. “You’re my kind of woman.”
“I know,” she said with a chuckle. “You already told me.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Alessandra
Overnight, my life became whole.
Ash was the guy I wanted. He’d been the one since we met. His arrogance and cockiness got old quickly, but his thoughtfulness and generosity made up for it instantly. He was sweet to me without even trying, and his eyes glowed every time he looked at me. I wasn’t sure where this relationship would go or what we would do next, but he said he would try to take it wherever I wanted to go. I didn’t want to waste any time on something that was likely to fail but…I couldn’t turn away from him. He was the only guy who made my heart race. That never happened before.
Even if I regretted it, I couldn’t stop.
I just couldn’t.
I was sitting in the living room when Ash barged in. “Honey, I’m home.” I purposely left the door unlocked in the hope he would walk in unannounced. Now I waited for this time every day when he got off work.
“I’m glad you’re here.”
He leaned over the back of the couch and looked down at me. “Why aren’t you wearing slutty lingerie?”
“Did I tell you I would be?”
“No…but it’s implied.”
“I never implied that.” Sometimes Ash heard things that were never said. Or he chose a complicated way of manipulating me.
“Well, I’m implying it now. Get some black teddies with some matching heels.” His eyes turned greedy as he spoke of it. “And lay on the bed when I get home with rose petals everywhere. And then tell me you’ll die unless you have me right then and there.”
I tried not to roll my eyes. “You’ve been thinking about this extensively, haven’t you?”
“What gave me away?” He wrapped one arm around my waist then kissed my neck.
“And what do I get out of that?”
“Uh, me. Duh.”
I could slap him sometimes. “No, I meant what are you going to do for me.”
“Make you come—like always.”
I smacked his arm. “I want a dirty fantasy too.”
“Oh…” He finally caught on. “What would you like, cream queen? Name it and it’s yours.”
I was a little embarrassed to say it out loud. I’d never done anything like it before. “I want to handcuff you to my bed frame…and blindfold you.”
His eyes had a wicked gleam in them. “Bondage? Didn’t think you had it in you.”
“I’ve never wanted to do it with anyone before.”
“Even better,” he said with a smile. “I’m more than happy to oblige.” He extended his hand to shake mine. “We have ourselves a deal.”
I shook it. “Good.”
“Now go out and get that slutty lingerie.” He snapped his fingers. “Pronto. Maybe I’ll tie you up and have my way with you.”
“Well, I can’t do it tonight,” I said. “Maybe tomorrow.”
“Why not?” He moved to the spot beside me on the couch. His hand immediately moved for my thigh and he squeezed it. “You on your period or something? Because I couldn’t care less about that.”
“No.” I tried not to cringe at his words. “I have to work tonight.”
“But it’s a Wednesday.”
“I work during the week too. I have a new client.”
Ash’s eyes smoldered in rage. He never cared about my job before but now he was irritated every time I escorted my clients. An invisible storm brewed around him but I could feel the wind and the rain.
“I’ll be back by midnight at the latest.”
“And who is this loser