LUCAS (Billionaire Bastards, Book Two), page 21
Do we have to leave the room?
The words almost escaped her lips as he led her to the huge garden tub, then helped her step over the edge. As the hot water surrounded her body, she sighed and sat back. Her eyes drifted closed. “Heaven.”
“I agree,” came his husky voice, close to her ear.
Before she knew what was happening, Ashton drew a washcloth through the water and then over her sensitive skin. Her nipples hardened at the rough texture. She grabbed his hand to stop the downward movement of his hand.
“I think I’d better do that or we’ll never get to work. Don’t you have food to order?” Playfully she pushed his hand away and made a point of washing her shoulder.
“That I do,” he said, and then swaggered out of the bathroom.
Knowing he was going to order food for her now, after drawing her a bath…it was almost too much to believe. She was seeing a side of him that warmed her heart.
God, I’m in so much trouble, she thought.
As much as she wanted to linger, there wasn’t enough time so she washed her hair and her body with amazing smelling soap and stepped out of the tub. She wanted to live in the white fluffy towel that the hotel provided it was so soft.
When she walked out to the bedroom looking for her clothes from the night before, a large white box sat on the bed. Was it for her? She could hear Ashton moving around in the other room so she went closer and saw that the lid had been removed.
“I thought you might need something to change into,” Ashton said from the doorway. “I had it sent up with breakfast.”
Bria ran her fingers along silky material before lifting it from the box. It was a champagne colored sleeveless silk blouse that felt like air in her hands. A navy blue pencil skirt was neatly folded next and there was a beautiful nude colored bra with sheer cups and lace sides and a matching thong to go with it. The sexiest pair of nude heels she’d ever seen with straps that buckled around ankles were last. Everything was obviously designer. She stared down at the outfit that probably cost more than she made in a month.
“Everything should fit. I checked what you had on yesterday.”
Her gaze went watery. “You bought me new clothes?” she whispered. “I can't take these. It's too much, Ashton. I can just go home, it’s no big deal.”
He moved behind her and slid his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his chest. “They’re yours. I want you to have them. You deserve something nice, Bria.”
She thought back to the jewelry she’d sent out on his request to the same women whose calls she fielded. Gifts to his one night stands. Oh god, was this her brush-off?
Bria tensed. “Because of last night?”
“What are you talking about?” He spun her around and lifted her chin until she’d met his stare. There was real confusion in his eyes.
“This is what you do,” she said hoarsely. She took a long breath in. “You send gifts. I’ve done it enough to know how it all works…”
“Fuck,” he muttered. He took a step back and dragged his fingers through his hair. “That’s not what this is Bria. If you didn’t have to go back to your apartment to change we’d have time to eat breakfast together. I wanted you to myself for a little while longer.”
Hope warred with apprehension. He curved a finger under her chin again and titled her head up. His eyes were stormy and dark and then his mouth was on hers, his tongue demanding that she open under him. She felt his hand on the back of her neck, tangling in her wet hair to hold her still as he ravished her mouth.
When he finally pulled back to rest his forehead on hers, her body was alive and aching for him again.
“I’m not sending you on your way this morning, okay?”
He held her there until she nodded. She still wasn’t sure what was going to happen. He’d only said this morning, but did that mean he planned to push her away tonight? Or tomorrow?
“Now get dressed because you standing here in nothing but a towel is going to make both of us late for work.” He moved his hips and she felt the length of his hard-on against her stomach.
“Stop looking at me like I’m your breakfast and I will,” she said against his lips.
He growled and nipped the corner of her mouth then dragged his lips along her neck, her collarbone, then right above where the towel was wrapped over her chest. His open mouthed kisses were driving her mad.
With a flick, her towel came apart and fell at her feet. Cold air washed over her and her nipples tightened. His hot mouth was on one rigid peak immediately. Bria arched into the flashes of pleasure. Ashton nudged her with his body until the back of her knees hit the bed then unceremoniously pushed her back. She barely had time to brace her fall before he had her legs on his shoulders and his face between her legs.
He spread her wide open and lapped at her clit like he was a starving man and she was his last meal. Tension coiled tight and fast and she spiraled upwards, balanced on the peak of release. Ashton sucked her clit into his mouth and used his tongue to throw her over the edge.
She arched up, coming off the bed with a scream lodged in her throat. White lights burst behind her eyelids and she couldn’t catch her breath. He kept going, kept pushing her higher until she came apart again. She sucked air into her lungs. Every muscle strained tight.
He was relentlessly torturing her clit, forcing her past her limits as another climax built inside her. He shifted and she felt fingers pushing into her body. Pressing against that spot that shattered her into a million pieces.
She screamed. The sound bounced around the room and echoed in her ears.
Her fingers were tangled in his hair and she rocked her hips against his tongue, riding out the waves crashing over her. With each breath, his touch gentled. He eased her back down with soft licks. When she finally stopped shaking, she was boneless on the bed.
He looked up from between her legs and licked the evidence of her release from his lips. “You taste better than breakfast ever would.” He kissed the inside of her thigh, stood up and went into the bathroom.
After he emerged, she needed to go back in to clean up yet again, and then get dressed in the luxurious clothes he’d bought for her. They fit perfectly, somehow.
And by the time she came out, the breakfast he’d ordered from room service had arrived, and they ate together, peaceful and easy and relaxed.
She felt like she wanted to tell the whole world how amazing this was, to just run to the window and shout her happiness out to everyone.
Finally, they exited the hotel together, and she tried to remind herself that this wasn’t something she could count on. But something about it felt different. It felt as if they’d somehow become a couple, and she wanted to revel in that feeling.
Leaving the hotel together, she half expected the bellhop to greet them with a, “hello Mr. and Mrs. Carter.”
But then Bria shook it off. It was a fun little fantasy, but now they were going back to the real world. Last night was last night. The hotel was the hotel.
What happened between them would stay back there, a wonderful memory she’d cherish for as long as she lived.
It wasn't until a half hour later, when they pulled up to the headquarters of Carter Media that the uncertainty returned. Even with their morning distractions no one saw them come in together.
With a promise of coffee, Bria sent Ashton to his office so she could boot up her computer and print out his schedule for the day. At least today wouldn't be as bad as yesterday. The sandwich he sent her all over the city for ended up in the hotel room’s trash before they left.
She was still smiling when the screen flickered to life and she typed in her password.
The air in her lungs froze.
Her screensaver had been changed.
It was now a picture of her and Ashton leaving the hotel this morning. His arm was around her and his face buried in her neck. She had her hand on his chest and was smiling. There was no doubt they were coming out of the hotel together. But it wasn’t the picture that sent bile racing up the back of her throat. It was the large word typed across the screen in blood red font.
WHORE.
Her legs buckled and she sat down hard in her seat, fingers pressed to her mouth.
Who’d done this? And how?
“Ms. Long. Can you check my schedule and see what I have at…” Ashton’s voice stopped when she lifted her gaze to meet his. “Bria?”
All she could do was point with trembling fingers.
“What the fuck?” he growled, pressing between her and the screen.
“It was there when I booted up.” Her voice shook.
After a few seconds Ashton clicked the mouse and stepped back. There was a field of sunflowers now. “There.” As if deleting the image changed the fact that someone knew about them.
“Who could have done that? Who saw us this morning and took that picture?”
Maybe there was something on the security monitors.
Ashton could check and see who had done this. When she suggested it he sighed. “I’ll have them check the security footage and also have IT check the computer logs, see if we can pinpoint whomever got into your desktop.” He sighed and scratched his cheek. “But I’m guessing whomever did this was aware of our security. They probably will have found a way to mask the activity, unless they’re just that dumb.”
She felt as though she might burst into tears. “Why would they do that? Who was watching us?”
He shrugged. “Could’ve been a number of people. Unfortunately, some of this comes with the territory. I’ve had very strange pictures snapped of me over the years. People do the stupidest things to get their rocks off—you’d be surprised.”
“I guess so,” Bria said, trying to be as calm and nonchalant as him.
“Seriously, don’t worry about it. We have nothing to hide.”
“Yeah. You’re right,” she agreed, trying to nod and smile.
“Could you print out my schedule and bring it in?” he said, checking his watch. “We’re running way behind.”
“Right away, Mr. Carter.”
She watched him disappear through the door with a sick feeling in her stomach.
Maybe no one else had seen the picture. Maybe whoever had put it on her computer wanted her to know that someone knew what was going on. She hated the idea that an unknown person in the office had seen her and Ashton leaving the hotel.
How the hell did anyone know they were there? Was it the same person who’d ratted her out as having lied about her resume?
Did she have a stalker?
Bria printed out Ashton’s schedule and made him a cup of coffee. When she took it into his office he was already on the phone. He gave her a nod when she set everything on his desk and she left more than a little disappointed.
Apparently Bruce needed three additional copies of the material she’d sent yesterday, something Ashton didn’t mention until she’d already put the first two in the mail. She bound and labeled what he needed and put it in her to mail pile to take down to the mailroom.
“I should be back by four,” Ashton said, coming from his office with his suit jacket on. She already knew he had offsite meetings most of the morning, but she couldn't help the wave of apprehension knowing he wouldn't be here.
What if she got another picture? Or some kind of threat.
“Be ready to leave around five. We’re going to my place for dinner tonight.” His eyes went dark with desire, though he did nothing but nod at her on his way out.
Bria worked at her desk until ten and not a single person came by. Most of the people who would have come up to see Ashton buzzed her first to see if he was in and rarely did anyone just drop by without an appointment.
It wasn’t until she took the west coast material to the mail room that she noticed the looks being thrown her way. People were whispering as she walked past and by the time she got to the counter, her face was beet red.
“I need this to go overnight, please,” she told Tim.
“Overnight?” he said, grinning.
“Yes. Why, is that funny?”
“Nope. Just making sure it comes overnight. That’s how you like it.”
She wanted to slap his face, but managed to keep her composure.
It took all her strength to hold her head high as she walked back through the growing whispers.
Arlene, the head of HR stopped Bria right before she got on the elevator.
“Ms. Long, please tell Mr. Carter I need to speak with him as soon as he gets back. It’s very important and he needs to hear what I have to say. There are some policies that obviously need addressing.” The woman’s eyes had narrowed on Bria before she turned and stormed away.
Tears burned Bria’s eyes when she finally sat back down at her desk. Every part of her body felt numb, except for the buzzing in her ears. Everyone knew. The entire office was talking about her and Ashton spending the night together.
He might not think it was anything, but the looks coming her way were anything but harmless. She was sleeping with the boss. Ashton Carter was sleeping with his assistant.
“Mr. Carter is buying you a condo in Back Bay?” Kassidy said, appearing out of nowhere.
“What?” Bria asked, forcing herself to focus on her only friend.
“Or a Mercedes. Oh wait, that red haired bitch in media relations said it was a Lexus.” Kassidy sat on the edge of her desk and swung her leg. “I told them they were idiots and to stop listening to unsubstantiated gossip.”
Bria met Kassidy’s gaze bleakly.
“Holy shit, you did sleep with him.”
Bria swallowed and nodded. “Yeah.”
Kassidy leaned in. “Tell the truth. Was he as good as they say?”
Bria grabbed Kassidy’s hand and pulled her into a nearby spare office where she closed the door. Once they were sitting on the couch, Bria spilled everything. She didn’t give as many sexual details as Kassidy wanted, especially since she was more focused on having had her picture taken and then the message on her computer.
“Who do you think it was?” Kassidy asked. “Any ideas or clues?”
“I have no idea. None. Ashton said not to worry about it, but the way everyone was staring at me today? Whoever did it made sure to spread it around. Like, someone’s out to get me around here. What should I do?”
“First of all, just calm down. He’s the boss, he’s not going to let anyone screw with you.”
“And HR—“
“He runs the company,” Kassidy said. “He’ll make it all go away. Just talk to him.”
“I just can’t do this, can’t be here with everyone judging me.”
“I’m going to bring some work up and use the excuse that Mr. Carter needs a report finished ASAP. That way you don’t have to be up here alone.” Kassidy stood and dragged Bria to her feet, then wrapped her in a hug. “It’s going to be okay, Bri.”
When Ashton returned to the office a little after four, Bria had managed to avoid everyone with the help of Kassidy, who had decided that she was going to work by Bria’s side all afternoon. When the elevator dinged and Ashton stepped out, Kassidy gave him a long look. “Hi, Mister Carter,” she said, smiling as she walked past him. The look she shot him was knowing, and it gave Bria a strange feeling in her chest.
“Hello,” Ashton replied, frowning a little as they passed each other.
And then Kassidy got in the elevator, gave a quick wave, and the doors closed.
“Did she need something from me?” He said, puzzled and distracted as Bria shook her head.
“Helping me with something,” Bria replied. “How were your meetings?”
“Long.” He sighed and loosened his tie. “Let me send a few emails and we can go.”
“Okay.” Bria used those minutes to change the password on her computer and then shut everything down. She’d put everything that Ashton asked her to finish on his desk, so there wasn’t anything to do but wait now.
When the phone rang, Bria eyed it warily until she saw it was an outside line.
“Ashton Carter’s office,” she said.
“I’d like to speak to Ashton,” came a woman’s clipped voice.
“He’s in a meeting right now, can I take a message?” It was the standard response when a woman didn’t immediately identify herself.
The woman huffed. “This is Chloe Donovan. I’m sure he wants to take my call.”
Bria rolled her eyes. They all said that. “I can have him call you,” she said, even when an ache started in her gut. This was Ashton’s normal.
“I’m confirming our date for the Friday night gala at the Met. I’ve book our usual suite at the Four Seasons and would like to know if we’re riding to the city together or not. Please have him get back to me sooner rather than later.”
The woman hung up but Bria wouldn’t have been able to say anything anyway. Her throat had tightened when that woman mentioned a suite. Which implied that he was planning to spend the night with her.
She set the receiver down and sank into her chair.
Bria felt like such an idiot. She pressed shaking fingers to her lips. The worst part was that she knew it before she even got involved. She could have lied the first night when Ashton asked if she wanted him to kiss her. She felt like such a fool that there weren’t even any tears.
The door to his office opened but she didn’t look up.
“Ready?” he asked in that low voice that made her body respond, even if she didn’t want to.
Before she could reason her cell phone rang. There weren’t many people who called her on it. The ID came up as Unknown. Ashton made an impatient noise but she answered it anyway.
“Hello?”
“Is this Bria Long?” a man’s voice asked.
“Yes.” Her heart started to pound against her ribs.
“This is Rob Teller, I work at Heartland Rehabilitation Center.”
Bria’s blood went cold. Her sister was at Heartland.
“Ms. Long, you’re listed as the point of contact and I wanted to let you know that Shana fell and hit her head today. She lost consciousness for a few minutes and when she came to, she was experiencing confusion and blurred vision so we’ve had her taken to Mass General. They’re going to run tests to check the severity. The doctor will be available after the evaluation for any questions.”
