Page 23 of Ash

“Nope, definitely not.” I tilted my head to the side to give him better access, and his deep chuckle sent a sensual shiver down my spine.

“That’s what I thought.” He brushed my hair to the side to kiss down my shoulder, giving my butt a gentle squeeze. “Just like I’m hoping you earn yourself more punishments in the future because I discovered last night that I fucking love the sight of my handprint on your perfect ass.”

I wasn’t sure what had surprised me more…that his spanking had turned me on or that I’d let him take me without anything between us. I couldn’t imagine that many virgins did something like their first time having sex. And as a medical professional, I knew the risks I’d been taking when I hadn’t insisted on Eli wearing a condom. But none of that had mattered to me in the heat of the moment, and I was less worried about it this morning than I probably should be.

Even after the bad first impression Eli had made—and the hurt he’d caused when he’d had to cancel our date—I trusted him. It was just that simple.

Beaming a mischievous smile his way, I teased, “With how stubborn I can be, I’m fairly confident that’ll happen sooner than I might like.”

His fingertips traced the curve of my butt. “I’ll keep a tally until you’re fully recovered.”

“Aw, gee…thanks.” I rolled my eyes. “That’s so sweet of you.”

He shook his head with a chuckle. “Not sure anyone’s ever called me sweet, even when they were being sarcastic.”

“Oooh, another first for us.”

This time, he rolled his eyes, making me giggle. Unfortunately, our little bubble was burst by the ringing of his cell. Twisting around, he snagged the phone from the bedside table and glanced at the screen. “Sorry, gotta take this.”

“Go ahead.” I pressed a quick kiss against his shoulder before crawling off the bed, grabbing his discarded shirt from last night to tug it over my head. “I need to use the bathroom anyway.”

“There should be an extra toothbrush under the sink if you want it.”

Remembering what he’d told me about not being into hookups, I glared at him over my shoulder. “Oh really?”

He flashed me a knowing grin. “Relax, killer. It’s only because the kind I like are easier to find in two packs.”

“Good.”

His answering laughter only lasted a moment before I heard him say, “Hello.”

After using the toilet and washing my hands and face, I discovered he’d been right about the toothbrush. Sadly, I discovered he’d also been right about needing to take that call when I was done.

Eli was perched on the edge of the mattress, waiting for me with a disappointed expression. “C’mere, baby girl.”

I padded over to stand between his legs. “What’s wrong?”

“I know I said I didn’t have anywhere I needed to be today, but it turns out I have to head to court.”

I puffed out my bottom lip in an exaggerated pout. “I was looking forward to spending the day with you. It was the best part of having a couple of days off in a row.”

“Me too, baby girl.” He brushed his lips against mine in a quick kiss. “But this isn’t the kind of request I can turn down.”

I understood what it was like when duty called, so I wasn’t going to give him too hard of a time. “Rain check?”

“As many as you want. My free time is yours.“

“There you go, being a silver-tongued devil again.” I stroked his bearded cheek, the bristles scraping my palm. “I’m going to have to work hard to hold my own with you.”

His hazel eyes were filled with mirth as he replied, “You more than kept up with me last night.”

I swatted at his bare chest, laughing softly. “You know that’s not what I meant.”

“True,” he conceded. “But that doesn’t make it any less funny.”

“You better get going or you’re going to be late for court.”

“Then quit making it so damn hard.” He climbed off the mattress and gestured at his erection. “Literally and figuratively.”

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