Page 46 of Lovingly Restored

“There’s dessert?”

“Is there dessert…what do you take me for?”

She shakes her head. “With your sweet tooth, I shouldn’t be surprised.”

She collapses into the deep cushions of the leather couch and looks so goddamn relaxed that I worry she’ll fall asleep before I can plate and pour. I rush around the kitchen to get back to her as soon as possible. Ashlyn is curled up on the couch, awake, still gazing into the fire when I return. I hand her a slice of rich chocolate cake topped with raspberries and take a seat next to her.

“Full disclosure, any semblance of talent I have in the kitchen ended at that casserole and this morning’s eggs, so this is from the bakery.”

She slides the first bite off her fork, luscious lips running down the tines.

“Who cares who made it? This is delicious,” she moans.

I inhale my piece, in part because it tastes so good, but also because I want my hands free so I can get closer to her. I wait patiently for her to scoop every crumb off her plate while she chats between bites about the fire pit she and her cousins used to sit around in the summers in Ontario.

“A fire pit. I never thought about that for the backyard. Sounds perfect for roasting marshmallows.”

The warmth of the fire soothes me, leaving me heavy and unhurried. When I reach my left arm around Ashlyn’s shoulders, she melts against my ribs, her hair tickling my neck as I rest my head upon hers. I draw a deep breath of her shampoo and the vanilla perfume she must have reapplied before supper. Having her tucked next to me is perfect.

“Anna will die when I tell her you fixed the fireplace up for me. For all of us.”

“You gonna tell Anna all about our date?” I squeeze her. “You kiss and tell, too?”

“I don’t see any kissing happening, so...”

The atmosphere of pure contentment shifts. Tension hangs heavy in the room like a layer of thick fog. She meets my eyes, gazing up at me innocently, like she didn’t just throw down the gauntlet. Aglow in the fire’s light, I watch her pupils expand as she turns her torso enough that I know what she wants next.

“There’s about to be a lot of kissing, Ash.”

The remaining inch of distance between our mouths vanishes as I crush my lips on hers, harder than I intend. Fused together, neither of us move. Two people pressing against each other, unwilling to yield. When she opens her mouth to gasp for air, chest heaving, I’m back on her in a flash. She tastes like chocolate when I swipe my tongue over her bottom lip. I rake my fingers through the hair at the base of her skull, cupping her head in my palm to keep in her place as I explore her mouth, absorbing the sighs and moans she offers. She’s panting now, squirming on the couch like she needs something. I know exactly what she needs, and I’m going to be the one to give it to her. Leaning toward her, hand still buried in her hair, I lay her back on the sofa, manoeuvring myself so we’re facing each other on our sides, her tucked against the back of the couch. My dick twitches in my jeans as she rotates her curvy hips against me. Every circle she makes is equal parts pleasure and torture. I snake my bottom arm beneath her waist, slip my thigh between her legs and fit her tight against me for a slow grind.

“That feels so good,” she mutters against my mouth.

Her pulse flutters wildly beneath my tongue as I lick and suck my way down her throat to her sternum. I cover her entire chest in one of my hands, her heart hammers against my palm. Her nipples stiffen as she arches her back, forcing her breasts harder against me.

“Jesus, Ashlyn.”

The fire burns at my back, and between the increasing temperature of the room and heat radiating off Ashlyn, I’m ready to ditch some clothes. I push myself up one knee, still on the couch, and pull my long-sleeved shirt off over my head, tossing it onto the rug. Her half-closed eyes rove over me from my face to my belt buckle and back again. She makes a damn good effort of hiding that sexy smile, but I know she likes what she sees.

“Get back down here.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I ease myself over her.

“I’m hot, too.” Her cheeks are pink, a hint of sweat forming at her hairline.

“I can help you with that.”

I peel her top off, brushing her hair back into place once I add her shirt to the pile. Sheer peach lace covers her full breasts, and as I kiss her collarbones, I inhale more of her subtle perfume. Our hips rock in a rhythm that I won’t be able to keep up for long without needing a break to cool down. Her skin is glowing in the firelight, eyes shining as she looks up at me. There’s lust painted across her face, but also something more.

“Fuck, you’re pretty, Ash. You know how stupid I feel for not calling you?”

She shakes her head.

“Monumentally.”

She lifts her neck a few inches so she can kiss me. “Okay, I forgive you,” she says quickly.

I bracket her head with my elbows and kiss her back, dipping my head so she can relax back onto the couch.

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