Finding Ashlyn, page 2
Slate shook his head. “Fuck, you’re gonna be the death of me. Faster, Ash. I want to see and feel your orgasm. Next time I’ll be better, and I’ll get you off with my mouth and hands before I get inside your soaking-wet body. I couldn’t wait this time. Didn’t help that you practically ignited as soon as I touched you.”
Ashlyn couldn’t even feel embarrassed by that. She was wet from the second he touched her. Hell, even before that, just talking on the couch. Slate turned her on as no man ever had before. She grinned wider.
“You always gonna be this hot for me?” he asked.
“Probably.”
“Good. Get there, babe. Now.”
“Yes, sir,” she teased and moved her fingers faster over her clit. She didn’t have a lot of room, but the feel of Slate inside her body as she masturbated was more than enough to ramp her desire into overdrive.
Slate lifted himself up enough so he could watch what she was doing, and began to lazily push in and out of her body.
“So damn hot,” he mumbled. His gaze locked on where their bodies met.
That was all it took for Ashlyn to explode. As the first wave of her orgasm went through her, Slate slammed inside her body. He did it again and again, prolonging her pleasure. Ashlyn had never felt anything quite like this moment. It was almost overwhelming.
It didn’t take long for Slate to grunt, press himself as far inside her as he could get, then hold still, his muscles tensing as he came. The veins in his neck stood out as he threw his head back and groaned.
Ashlyn squirmed under him, wanting more. Needing more.
Slate seemed to sense that she wasn’t done, because as soon as he recovered, he leaned back to sit on his heels and hauled her ass onto his lap. He was still inside her, holding her against him with one hand while the other began to roughly stroke her clit.
“Slate!” she exclaimed, trying to squirm away from his touch.
“Give me another,” he ordered.
“Too sensitive,” she croaked, even as she thrust into his touch.
“You’re not done. Again,” he said.
“Oh, God!” Ashlyn moaned, feeling another orgasm welling inside her.
“My horny girl,” Slate said with pride. “This is gonna work out just fine.”
Ashlyn wanted to respond but was concentrating too hard on breathing.
“Gonna eat this pussy next time,” Slate went on as he stared at her. “Seeing my cock inside you is hot as fuck. I can feel you all around me. I was too fast this time, but I’ll make up for it later.”
Slate was a dirty talker. She’d had no idea, and Ashlyn couldn’t believe it was turning her on as much as it was.
“Stop fucking around,” he said gruffly. “Come, Ash. That’s it. Almost there. Fuck, you have no idea how good it feels when you squeeze my dick.”
Ashlyn flew. She arched her back and let out a strangled scream as she came again. It was even more intense this time. Her internal walls clenched hard, still stuffed full with Slate’s cock. Her muscles twitched and she couldn’t do anything but lie in his arms and tremble.
When the extreme pleasure passed, Ashlyn saw the satisfied smile on Slate’s face before he pulled out, making them both grunt in displeasure. He manhandled her up the mattress so her head was lying on the pillow. He covered her with the sheet and gently ran his hand over her sweaty forehead.
“Feel good?” he asked.
“Fishing for compliments?” she teased.
“Nope. I know the answer, just wanted to hear you say it,” he retorted.
Ashlyn chuckled. “Right, I’ll give you this one. Yes, I feel good. Fucking fantastic, in fact.”
“Good. I need to get rid of this condom.”
Ashlyn nodded, but her eyes closed. She was exhausted. Probably because she hadn’t had an orgasm that intense in years. Maybe ever. And Slate had just given her two. She vaguely felt him leaving the bed and then heard water running in her small bathroom.
It wasn’t until she felt the bed shifting once more that she opened her eyes. Slate was sitting next to her, fully dressed.
She supposed some women would take offense to the man they’d just had sex with leaving so soon afterward, but she and Slate were only casually dating. And she was kind of relieved he was heading home. She liked her space and didn’t want to deal with an awkward morning after. “You going?” she asked sleepily.
“Yeah.”
“Okay.”
He stared at her for a moment, then nodded. “This is gonna work.”
Ashlyn couldn’t help but roll her eyes once more. She felt as if she’d rolled them more tonight than she had in a decade. But Slate just seemed to bring it out in her. “Yeah, it is,” she agreed.
“I’ll last longer next time,” he told her.
“You’ve said that already. Do you hear me complaining?” she asked.
“Nope. But it’s a pride thing,” he said with a shrug.
“Whatever,” Ashlyn said.
“You need to get up and lock the door behind me.”
“Just lock the knob when you go,” she told him.
“No. You need to get up and put the deadbolt and chain on.”
“Slate, I’m comfortable. And warm. And you just gave me two orgasms. I’m not moving from this bed.”
He stood up, and Ashlyn closed her eyes and snuggled down into her covers. But a second later she screeched as Slate picked her up, blankets and all.
“Slate!” she protested, even as she threw her arm around his neck to hold on.
He didn’t respond, just carried her through her apartment toward the front door. He put her down on her feet, and Ashlyn grabbed the blanket to keep it from falling and leaving her butt-ass naked in her foyer. Yes, she and Slate had just fucked, but now that he was dressed and leaving, she wasn’t all that psyched about being naked in front of him.
“Lock the door behind me,” he ordered.
“God, you’re annoying,” Ashlyn complained.
“Anyone could kick in the door with just the knob locked,” he said without raising his voice. “I’m sure Senior Chief Petty Officer Albertson taught you that.”
Ashlyn couldn’t help but chuckle. She and her friends had been going to self-defense lessons with Elizabeth, but the guys couldn’t call her that. They always used her full name and rank out of respect.
“Fine,” she grumbled, knowing Slate was right, but still not liking that she was no longer in bed, enjoying her post-orgasm high.
“You want to do something next weekend?” Slate asked.
Ashlyn nodded. “Sure. I don’t think the girls have anything planned.”
“You need anything this week, don’t hesitate to let me know,” Slate ordered.
“I will.”
Then he surprised her by palming the back of her neck and pulling her close. Ashlyn stumbled a bit, trying to keep hold of the blanket while bracing herself against his chest with the other hand.
His gaze was intense as he looked at her. “I’ll follow your lead as to what you want to tell the others about us.”
“What do you mean?”
“You know as well as I do the second Elodie and the others hear that we’re dating, they’re gonna get ideas. Hell, even my team will. So if you want to keep this on the down low for a while, I’m all right with that.”
Ashlyn swallowed hard. “You want to keep us a secret?”
“No.”
She blinked at his immediate answer.
He went on. “I don’t give a shit if the others know we’re goin’ out. Our relationship is none of their business regardless. But the last thing I want is you being stressed out if you get the third degree from the women. We know that we’re just having a good time, but I don’t want you being anxious if they give you grief about our choices.”
Ashlyn relaxed. “I can handle them. Can you handle the guys?”
“Yes.”
She shrugged. “Then I’m okay with telling them. Besides…I might want some sex advice. Will it bother you if I talk to them about us?”
Slate grinned. “First, you don’t need any sex advice, babe. With how hot you blazed for me, I’m probably gonna need tips on keeping you satisfied.”
Ashlyn knew she was blushing, but he continued before embarrassment could take over.
“Second, I don’t care if you talk to your girls about what we do in the bedroom, but you also shouldn’t feel awkward about discussing anything regarding our relationship or sex with me.”
“Okay,” Ashlyn told him. “Slate?”
“Right here, babe.”
“I…when we decide that we’re done…I don’t want anything to hurt our friendship. Or make things awkward for the others.”
“When this runs its course, we’ll be good,” Slate said. “I give you my word.”
Ashlyn knew it wasn’t that easy, but she was still feeling too damn blissed out after her orgasms to worry about the future of their relationship right this moment. “Okay.”
“Okay. You might want to take a bath tonight,” Slate said.
“What?”
“A bath,” he repeated. “You were really tight. And I wasn’t exactly gentle. A bath might ease some of the soreness you could feel tomorrow. Especially since I have a feeling it’ll take a while before I’m ever able to go easy on you.”
“Right,” Ashlyn said. Now that he mentioned it, she was a bit sore between her legs. And a bath sounded heavenly.
“I’ll pick up some more condoms too. We can keep some here and at my place.”
“I can get them,” Ashlyn offered.
He looked amused. “You know what size I am?”
“Um…triple extra-large?” she guessed.
Slate burst out laughing. When he had himself under control, he promised, “I’ll pick up the condoms.”
“Fine.”
“Friday night. I’m pickin’ you up. We’ll go out to eat, then back to my place,” Slate told her.
Ashlyn wanted to protest his bossiness, but she was just as eager to repeat what had happened earlier in her bed as it seemed he was.
“Why don’t I meet you at your place? That way you won’t have to take me home afterward.”
He stared at her for a long moment, then nodded. Leaning down, he kissed her forehead and let go of her neck. “Lock up after me,” he said again, then turned and, without another word, walked out of her apartment.
Ashlyn did as he ordered and put both the chain and the deadbolt on. Then she wandered back to her bedroom and headed straight for the bathroom. She started the water in the bath and stared at herself in the mirror as it filled.
She didn’t look any different on the outside, but she felt different.
This relationship with Slate was the start of a new Ashlyn. No more was she going to allow herself to fall headfirst into love blindly, like she had with Franklin. The craziest thing she’d ever done was move to Hawaii with a man she’d just met, but she’d actually thought he was “the one.” He was that charming at the beginning.
Now, it was liberating to be in a relationship with no expectations on either person’s part.
There were too many things about Slate that irritated the hell out of her to ever fall in love with him easily. He was impatient, bossy, and controlling; too macho, too into his job, and definitely on the surly side. Yes, he could be funny at times, and his bossiness and protectiveness were a result of what he did for a living, but still. Combined, it was all too much.
But she could put up with those flaws for a physical relationship because he was damn good in bed. And he was easy on the eyes too.
In a few months, when they tired of each other, they’d go back to being friends. Buddies who saw each other when the rest of their group got together. Not feeling the pressure to find someone to spend the rest of her life with was practically cathartic.
Ashlyn smiled as she stepped into her bath, pleased by the unexpected turn of her evening.
Chapter Two
“Anyone up for another fishing trip this weekend?” Aleck asked after PT a few days later.
“When were you thinking?” Jag asked.
“Saturday.”
“Sure,” Midas said.
“I’m in,” Mustang agreed.
“Can’t,” Slate said.
Everyone turned to him with identical expressions of disbelief.
“Why not?” Aleck asked. “You’re always free.”
He shrugged. “Goin’ out with Ashlyn on Friday, and I’m thinking I’m not going to be able to get up early on Saturday to go with you guys.”
Now his five teammates’ mouths were all hanging open.
“Wait, what? You and Ashlyn?” Pid asked “When did that happen?”
“Took her home from the barbeque last weekend. Asked her out. She said yes,” Slate said evenly.
“Wait, wait, wait. You and Ashlyn are dating?” Midas asked. “Do you guys even like each other?”
“Of course we like each other,” Slate said.
“Could’a fooled me. You’re always at each other’s throats,” Mustang said. “The other day, when Ash was leaving to deliver some meals, you once again growled at her and mumbled something about her job not being safe. She lost her shit and tore you a new asshole, then stomped out.”
“Yup,” Slate said. He couldn’t help but grin at remembering the look of irritation on Ashlyn’s face. He knew he was being an ass by constantly harping on the fact that he wasn’t happy she was gallivanting around the island, delivering food to people’s houses. But he couldn’t stop thinking about all the things that could happen to her…including if someone decided they wanted more than just the meals she delivered.
“What gives?” Jag asked.
“We’re dating casually,” Slate told his friends. “We aren’t gonna get married. We aren’t having kids. We aren’t moving in together. Unlike you guys, we’re just interested in some fun.”
“So you’re using her for sex?” Mustang asked.
Slate didn’t take offense. His team leader’s question wasn’t said in a disrespectful tone, he genuinely sounded curious. Besides…how could he be offended when that was essentially what he and Ashlyn were doing? “Believe it or not, I enjoy spending time with her. And shocker, she seems to like hanging out with me too. Yes, there’s sex involved…you all have eyes; you know how pretty she is. Why wouldn’t I want to go there? But it’s a mutual thing. We agreed we weren’t looking for anything serious. That we’d be friends with benefits.”
“Slippery slope, man,” Midas warned.
“We’re good. When the chemistry wears off, we’ll go back to being friends. It’ll be fine,” Slate said.
“Famous last words,” Aleck drawled.
“No, seriously, we’re just hanging out. Believe it or not, two people can have a relationship that doesn’t go from zero to four hundred and sixty-seven in a week,” Slate told his teammates. “We aren’t going into this blindly. We both know the score.”
“But things could get weird if it doesn’t end well,” Pid warned.
Slate started to get irritated. “They aren’t going to get weird. We talked about it.”
The other guys chuckled.
“Right, you talked about it, so that’s that, huh?” Midas asked.
“Yes,” Slate said. “And I think I’m done with this conversation. I know you guys don’t believe me, but we’re both cool being casual. We’re not keeping it a secret, and if Ashlyn hasn’t already told your women, I’m sure she will soon. Nothing changes with the group dynamics.”
“Except you aren’t free to go fishing on Saturday,” Aleck said dryly.
Slate rolled his eyes at his friend.
Mustang clapped Slate on the shoulder. “Well, I hope it works out the way you both want it to,” he said. “Ashlyn is great. Elodie loves her, and the others are all just as close to her. For the record, I think you guys make a great couple. You’re serious and she’s more laid-back. It works.”
Slate nodded. “Yeah, it does.”
“Fine. We can put fishing off until another weekend,” Aleck said.
“I probably wouldn’t have been able to go anyway,” Jag told them. “Carly and I are working on wedding plans.”
“How’s that coming along?” Midas asked.
“Good. We’re trying to nail down a date that will work to rent out Duke’s. It’s not as easy as you’d think to take over a restaurant. Especially one as popular as Duke’s,” Jag said with a small shake of his head.
Talk turned to Jag and Carly’s upcoming wedding, and Slate couldn’t help but let his mind wander. There was a time not so long ago when none of the guys on the team would be caught dead talking about wedding shit, but now that the others were all madly in love, things had changed.
His thoughts turned to Ashlyn, as they had frequently over the last few days. He’d never been so preoccupied with a woman. Honestly, she’d shocked the shit out of him when she’d suggested a friends-with-benefits relationship, but he was all over that. He definitely wasn’t ready to settle down like his teammates. He was only thirty-three. He had plenty of time to get married and start a family after he was out of the Navy.
Still, he was impressed that his friends were making it work, because being in a long-term relationship when you were a SEAL was hard as hell. He’d seen it firsthand with other SEALs and Navy sailors. Spouses who couldn’t handle being by themselves on long, or even short, deployments. Who cheated the second their spouses left for another six-month tour.
Slate didn’t want that for himself. He wanted to find a woman he could trust implicitly not to cheat on him, but until he was out of the Navy, he didn’t see a relationship happening.
So a casual thing with Ashlyn worked out just fine. They hadn’t talked about being exclusive, but he was fairly sure she wasn’t interested in anyone else right now. And he wasn’t either. They could cross that bridge when they came to it.
“How’s Monica doing with the pregnancy?” Jag asked Pid.
Slate turned his attention back to the conversation.
“She’s good. She’s got the weirdest cravings right now, but from everything we’ve read, that’s normal,” Pid said. “Six more months to go, and I can’t fucking wait.”
