Rhett Read online

  That still didn’t loosen her up. I tried a different tactic. “There’s a big factor that determines good sex, and it’s not just one person. It’s both. Sex is good when both partners have the right chemistry, the right feeling. It can’t just be one person. So, it was stupid for him to blame you for its lack of goodness. It was both of you, because neither one of you really loved the other. Aspen, you and I are madly in love. It’ll be amazing.”

  “Yeah?” She relaxed slightly.

  “Yeah,” I said with confidence. “And I would never leave you over something like that. You give me so much more than physical satisfaction. I already know you’re going to be amazing. You want to know how?”

  She nodded.

  “You’re the best kisser I’ve ever had. You make me want to explode just from pressing your mouth to mine. If you give that same kind of passion now, I won’t be able to keep up with you.”

  She moved her fingers into my hair and felt the strands. “You always know the right thing to say.”

  “Because I know you—better than anyone.” I kissed her gently before I pulled away. “Now, can I make love to you?”

  She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me closer to her. “Yes, please.”

  I rubbed my nose against hers before my lips sought hers in a gentle embrace. The kiss was purposeful but slow. My hand felt her long brown hair and I breathed hard while I kissed her.

  She tensed in the beginning but she loosened up within minutes. Her passion had returned, and she kissed me harder than I kissed her. Her nails stuck out like claws and she gripped the muscles of my back.

  I directed my head to her entrance then gently pushed. The moisture moved against my tip, and I knew she was more than ready for me. She was soaked, desperate to feel me move inside her.

  I paused because it felt so good. Aspen felt right, nothing like all the other girls. I pushed further inside her and listened to the quiet moans she made. It was turning me on even more. Once I was completely sheathed, I kissed her and gave her a moment to acclimate to my large size.

  She cupped my face then breathed. She looked into my eyes as she allowed me to stretch her.

  Then I moved inside her gently, keeping the pace slow. I wasn’t in a hurry. I wanted to make it last as long as possible, for her as well as for me.

  She rocked into me from below, matching my thrusts like they were synced together. She sucked my bottom lip then ran her hands down my back. Sometimes she would moan loudly then crush her mouth against mine just so she wouldn’t scream. Then she would whisper my name over and over while she pulled me inside her.

  I wasn’t going to last if she kept this up.

  I kissed her, concentrating on her lips. My cock moved inside her tightness. It felt unbelievably good, better than I’ve ever had. My dirty fantasies couldn’t compete with reality.

  Aspen tightened further, squeezing my cock while I moved in and out of her. Her breathing changed and became deep and raspy. Her nails dug into me harder, and she suddenly wanted more of me, wanted it harder.

  I kissed the corner of her mouth while she exploded around me. She yelled my name. It sent ripples down my body, listening to her hit a climax that was powerful and blinding. I moved into her harder, wanting to make her pleasure last as long as possible. Her moans faded away as the moment passed. When she finished, her chest was red and her nipples were hard. Stars were in her eyes and she looked dazed.

  I kissed her, feeling my tongue dance with hers.

  She gripped my arm then pushed me gently. Then she turned me on my back.

  I looked up at her and tried to hide my surprise. Since she was self-conscious about her performance, I assumed she would want me to be on top and lead the way.

  She moved me back against the headboard and forced me to sit up. “I’ve always wanted to do this to you.” She straddled my hips then balanced on the balls of her feet. Then she gripped my shoulders.

  I breathed hard and felt my cock twitch when I realized what she was doing. I wasn’t even inside her yet and I wanted to come.

  “This is what I imagined when I touched myself.” She directed me inside her then sheathed me.

  I released a loud involuntary gasp. That was the hottest thing I’ve ever heard. I fulfilled my fantasy with her, and now she was fulfilling her fantasy with me. The idea of her touching herself and thinking of me was enough to make me explode then and there. “Aspen…”

  She guided herself up and down, her tits shaking in my face. Her perfect body moved quickly, and her hair reached the top of her breasts. I grabbed her hips and directed her movement, giving her extra support as she slid up and down my cock over and over.

  I breathed hard and felt myself prepare for an orgasm that would leave me breathless. I tried to hold on because I wanted to make this last forever.

  Aspen moved one hand between her legs and rubbed her clitoris while she continued to ride me. Her eyes were brighter than I’d ever seen them, more vibrant than the moss on Oregon trees. Her head rolled back as she moved into me harder then she released a scream as she came around me again.

  I couldn’t hold on a moment longer, not after that performance. My fingers dug into her skin as I squeezed her and a tidal wave of immense pleasure rocked through me. My body tightened in preparation and I released. “Fuck, Aspen…” I filled her, having the most intense orgasm of my life.

  She leaned forward and pressed her chest to mine. Her arms moved around my neck and she held me as she caught her breath.

  My face moved into the valley of her breasts and I inhaled her scent. It smelled like vanilla mixed with sweat. It was intoxicating. I kissed the area gently, still catching my breath. “You’re the best I’ve ever had.” It wasn’t a line to boost her ego or an attempt to mask a terrible performance. It was the truth, and only the truth.

  Aspen knew I wouldn’t lie to her. She looked at me with a relaxed expression. Her eyes searched mine, looking for something only she knew. “Because I’m in love with you.”

  12

  Aspen

  Rhett and I didn’t leave the bedroom often. We were wrapped around one another, going at it like rabbits in winter. Our lovemaking was sensual and slow, and neither one of us wanted to reach the finish. He took me gently, and I seemed to want it harder than he did most of the time.

  Sex with him was completely different than it was with John. In comparison, I wasn’t even sure what John and I did. It was awkward and uncomfortable. It didn’t even feel good most of the time. Rhett was different. I could never get enough of him. Despite how often we did it, I was never sore because he knew what he was doing.

  As soon as he got off work in the evenings, he came to my place and we retreated to the bedroom until we needed food and water. I never asked about work or whom he was escorting. I trusted him and knew he would never betray me, but I didn’t want to hear about him spending the evening with random women, even if he only touched their hand or their waist. Rhett was smart enough not to bring it up.

  On Saturday morning, I woke up to him sleeping beside me. He spooned me from behind, his arm wrapped around my waist. His breathing fell on the back of my neck, and his chest was pressed to my back.

  I wanted to lie there and never move but I had breakfast to make. I decided to make him French toast, eggs, and bacon to get the day started. He always cooked for me and I wanted to do something for him.

  I slipped out of his embrace without waking him then threw on one of his t-shirts. Once I was in the kitchen, I began cooking and tried not to screw anything up. I wasn’t completely clueless but I wasn’t a chef either.

  I was on cloud nine, making breakfast while my ridiculously hot and sweet boyfriend slept in my bed. My life was amazing, absolutely amazing. I’d never been so happy before. If I saw Isabella right now, I would hug her and thank her for taking John from me. She could have him. John was a minnow that escaped from my line and Rhett was the large swordfish I caught by accident. It worked out in the end.


  I was singing under my breath when there was a knock on my door. I flipped the French toast in the pan before I walked to the peephole. It was probably Harper, wanting all the dirt about the size of Rhett’s package and how he used it. But it wasn’t her.

  It was John.

  What. The. Hell.

  I froze, unable to believe I was looking at him through my peephole. We hadn’t spoken since the night he dumped me. I didn’t even see him at the engagement party. What could he possibly want?

  I decided to stay absolutely still, hoping he would just go away.

  “Aspen, are you home?” he said through the door. He wore a suit like he just got off work. That was unusually dressy for a Saturday morning.

  I didn’t even breathe so he would just give up and walk away. The last thing I wanted to do was have a conversation with him. What would we talk about? The weather? And I didn’t want Rhett to see him. I wasn’t sure how he would react, but I knew he wouldn’t be happy that my ex-fiancé showed up on my doorstep this early on a Saturday. I patiently waited for him to leave.

  The alarm on the oven went off, telling me the rolls were ready. It beeped loud and high.

  Son of a bitch!

  I ran over and quickly turned it off like that would erase the sound it already made.

  “Aspen?” John said again.

  Fuck. My. Life. “Stupid rolls,” I mumbled. I turned off all the appliances so they wouldn’t make any more noise.

  “I just want a minute of your time,” he said through the door.

  I stood in the kitchen just wearing Rhett’s shirt. I didn’t know what to do. I needed to get rid of him before Rhett woke up. We’d spent the past two weeks in heavenly bliss and I didn’t want to ruin that. Why did my past have to haunt me like this?

  “Aspen?” John said.

  I wanted to strangle this guy. He wouldn’t go away unless I got rid of him. And I had to shoo him away before Rhett woke up. I put on my big girl panties and cracked the door open. Thankfully, Rhett’s shirt trailed past my knees. I hoped the sight would make him uncomfortable. “What?” I snapped. “You didn’t catch me at the best time.” My meaning was clear, and I hoped he would be so discomfited that he would just walk away without saying a word.

  He eyed my legs then dropped his jaw. “Uh…”

  “Rhett and I are in the middle of something so can you just go away? Thanks.” I shut the door and locked it. I looked through the peephole and waited for him to walk away.

  He covered his face for a moment like he was embarrassed before he turned and disappeared.

  “Crisis averted.” I turned back to the kitchen and got back to work. A minute later, Rhett walked out of my room, just wearing his boxers. His chest was wide and expansive. It was hard like a slab of bricks and I loved feeling it against my back when he took me from behind. His stomach was outlined with muscle, an eight-pack that looked like rocks, and then a noticeable V led into his boxers. He had a thin happy trail that disappeared under the fabric. His legs were toned and thick, and they were long, like a soccer player. His hair was messy from rolling around the night before, but it still looked sexy. He stared at me for a moment. “What?”

  “Huh?” Did he say something? I was too distracted to notice.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?” He had a cocky grin on his face, like he knew exactly why I was staring at him like that.

  I realized how ridiculous I looked. I stood there holding a spatula while my jaw hung to the floor. I eyed him like an underwear model just walked into my kitchen. “I just…you want breakfast?” I couldn’t think of anything else to say.

  He ran his fingers through his hair, still smiling. “I’d love breakfast.” He came behind me then pulled me to his chest. “What a nice surprise.”

  “I wanted to make you breakfast in bed.”

  “Well, I’d rather have you in bed.” He kissed my neck. “That would save you time. But I admit, seeing you wear that t-shirt and cook me food is pretty damn hot.”

  “I think it’s the spatula that’s got you so excited…”

  He took it from my hand then spanked me playfully. “Hmm…let’s use this later.”

  I chuckled then faced him, giving him a big peck on the lips.

  His hands moved up my shirt to my stomach. “I could get used to this.”

  “So could I.”

  He rubbed his nose against mine. “Who was at the door?”

  All my giddiness faded. “What door?” I blurted.

  He cocked an eyebrow but seemed amused. “The bathroom door,” he said sarcastically. “Because I’m sure you have guests come through there all the time.”

  How did I get out of this? I didn’t want to tell him it was John. We were having such an amazing morning. I wasn’t willing to sacrifice that for anything.

  “So, who was it?”

  Think, Aspen. “Girl scout cookies.” That was believable, right?

  He seemed more confused. “Don’t they come in early spring?”

  Was this guy a detective? Why did he have to be so smart? “Fine, it was Harper.” She was my lifeline. “She had to drop off something.”

  “Oh.” He seemed to believe that. “You should have invited her for breakfast.”

  “No, I want you all to myself.”

  He smacked my ass playfully again. “Well, I’m all yours.”

  I liked knowing that. It was the reason I woke up with a smile on my face.

  “Do you need help?” he asked.

  “No, I think I got it.”

  He looked into the pan. “Well, the French toast is burned and…” He opened the oven. “So are the rolls.” He gave me a grin. “But I’m sure it’ll taste great.”

  “Okay, I’m terrible at this. Please help.”

  “My pleasure.” He grabbed the apron off the rack and put it on. It was pink and red.

  I eyed him like he was crazy. “Um…what are you doing?”

  “You’re wearing my shirt,” he said. “I don’t want to get burned.”

  “Well, it looks good on you.” I tried not to laugh.

  “Only a man secure with his masculinity could wear a pink apron and pull it off.”

  “You definitely pull it off.” I smiled while I eyed him.

  He grabbed me then lifted me on the counter. Then he pulled my underwear off. “I’ll show you.”

  “What about breakfast?”

  “Forget breakfast,” he said. “Let’s go out—after we’re done.”

  “You’ve been happy every single day for the past few weeks,” Jane said when she handed me my coffee. “What’s with the change?”

  I couldn’t stop smiling. “I’m in love.” I sighed after I said it. I was higher than a cloud.

  “With that new boyfriend of yours?” she asked with a smile. Jane was a few years older than me and she was a great assistant. We weren’t necessarily friends, but we were friendly.

  “Yep. He’s dreamy.”

  She smiled. “I’m glad you found someone, Aspen. You deserve to be happy.”

  “Thank you, Jane.” She was nicer to me than my own father, and I had a feeling it wasn’t because I paid her. “Any messages?”

  She shifted her weight, suddenly looking uncomfortable. “Actually, yes.”

  I eyed her, waiting for her to continue.

  “Marshall from Canadian Oil called. He wants you to return his call.”

  That wasn’t odd. “Okay.”

  “Then Scott from payroll needs to discuss the 401k packages for the employees.”

  “Okay.” None of these were a cause of alarm.

  “And John called…” She fidgeted with her hands. “He wants to have lunch. He wants you to give a call back with the details.”

  This could not be happening to me. “Did he say what he wanted?”

  “I’m afraid not. When I asked, he said it was between you two.”

  What the hell did he want? He never called me when I was suffering, but the second I was happy, he butted b
ack into my life. Did Isabella know he was calling? Was this another ploy to torture me? “If he calls again, tell him I don’t have time to see him. And tell him not to call again.”

  She nodded. “You got it.” She walked out and left me alone with my thoughts.

  When he saw me in Rhett’s t-shirt, I figured that would scare him off permanently. I doubted he’d come back and try to talk to me again. But now he was cornering me at work.

  What the hell did he want?

  Right before I took lunch, Jane’s voice came over the intercom. “Ms. Lane, John is here.”

  I froze, feeling my heart increase to a dangerous level. A minute passed and I was unable to move or speak.

  “Ms. Lane?”

  Why was this happening to me? “Tell him to leave.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  I stayed in my office and decided to skip lunch. I was starving but I’d rather struggle with hunger than speak to that man. At least I would get more work done and get off work early. The earlier I got off work, the sooner I would see Rhett.

  Jane’s voice came over the intercom again. “He’s gone, ma’am.”

  I breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Jane. Do you mind running out and picking up a sandwich for me?” I didn’t usually send her on runs like this but I didn’t want to leave the office on the off chance I bumped into him.

  “Of course. I’ll be back soon.”

  After I finished lunch and responded to a few emails, Jane’s voice came over the intercom. “Your father is coming down to see you.”

  Did I hear her right? He never came down to see me. “Did he say why?”

  “No. But John is with him.”

  Fucking son of a bitch.

  “I can’t send them away,” she said. “I’m sorry.”

  “I understand, Jane. Thank you.” I covered my face with my hands and tried to remain calm. It was such a low blow to go to my father to talk to me. If we were two guys in a fight, he just kicked me in the nuts.