Page 96 of The Jilted Lovers Club
“Hell, I’m ready to just let all of it go and start over.” It’s true. There’s nothing in my apartment I’d miss. Well, maybe my little black Chanel dress, or my Louis Vuitton handbag … and thenthere’s my Alexander McQueen gown. “Okay, maybe I could clear it out and just sell what I don’t want. You know, as part of the investment.”
He laughs lightly, moving to the side of me. His hand runs over my bare stomach, light strokes that send chills all over my body. “If you did this,” he says, “I’d want it to beourstore.”
“Okay,” I say slowly.
“And I would want to rename it.”
I turn to face him. “What would you want to call it?”
“You pick.”
I think about it for a moment. In the early days of being here, I’d researched a bit about Lahoma Springs, and I’d learned that Lahoma is not just the name of Bernie’s family who founded this town, but is also the Choctaw word for “The People.” It seems such a fitting name, since the townspeople of Lahoma Springs are a bonded community. The people are who make this town what it is. You can’t separate the two.
“What if we call it ‘The People’s Place?’” I ask, then explain what I’d discovered about the name of Lahoma. “We could continue what Sasha started,” I continue. “Make it a collective of businesses, plus a kind of hub for people passing through to learn more about our town. We could help promote the other businesses in a way, just by helping tourists and visitors find where they want to go.” I smile, even more when I see Ashton’s face light up in the dark. “What do you think?”
Ashton kisses the tip of my nose. “I think that’s a brilliant idea.” Then he kisses my lips, softly, sweetly. “My god, I’m crazy about you.” He grins against my mouth, then leans back to look at me. “Do you realize we get to see each other every single day of our lives.”
I squeal as he wraps his arms around me, pulling me into him.
“Keep doing that, Oregon, and I’ll give you a preview of what every night will look like with me as your roommate.”
His laugh is low and rumbling, and his hands wander over my body, finding the space between my legs.
“Roommate, huh?” He swipes a finger across my center, and I gasp out a breath. “I think I’m getting sweet end of this deal.” He dips one finger in, then another, biting his lip as he watches my expression.
“Fuck, Ashton.” I close my eyes, and he stills his hand.
“Eyes on me, roomie,” he murmurs and I laugh, which only makes me clench tighter around him. I lock my gaze on him, my breath coming out in shallow pants as his thumb runs over my clit, his fingers picking up speed until I can’t hold back any longer. I try to keep my eyes on him, but the pressure is too great. My body completely on fire, his hand moves inside me until I finally explode.
He knows my body so well, he could play me like a piano. I’m lost in the intensity, but keenly aware how he tailors his movement to match my needs, slowing in a way that prolongs every sensation until it feels like a long strand of electricity.
“Welcome back,” he says, when I finally find his gaze again. “Don’t get too relaxed, because I’m not done with you yet.”
My hand wraps around the length of his cock, and he sucks in a sharp breath.
“Don’t I get a turn?” I ask, grinning at him as I maneuver my way on top. He grabs my hips, and I know all it will take is one movement and I’ll be on my back again. But he just grips me.
“What exactly do you have in mind?”
I don’t tell him. Instead, I kiss his mouth, feeling ravenous by the shape of his full lips against mine. Then I drag my mouth down his neck to the closely cropped hair that sprays across his chest. I let my tongue travel along every curve of his abdomen,the hills and trenches of his smooth muscles, down to the dark trail that leads to his cock.
I lick him base to tip, then lower my mouth over his thick head, reveling in the way he groans at my touch—and my god, does he feel good. I fuck him slowly with my mouth, sliding up and down and offering the tiniest tease of teeth just to keep him alert. Every time I do, he bucks his hips, showing me how he likes a little bit of pain with his pleasure. That’s good. I have plenty more of that to give him. Years worth.
I want to taste him, but he has other ideas. His hands grip me under my arms, pulling me up until he lands on my mouth, my head against the pillow. It’s so quick, even the way his hands secure my wrists, his body holding me down, every part of me is secure as he clenches his thighs to hold me in place.
“You’re mine,” he growls against me, and fuck, I believe him.
“I’m yours,” I whimper, feeling his cock nudging at my entrance. He stills, looking down at me. His eyes hold a mixture of defiance and vulnerability. I realize his statement wasn’t just a command, but a question. A need for reassurance.
I loosen one hand from his grip, and he doesn’t fight me. Then I place it on his cheek.
“I’m yours,” I repeat softly. I run my thumb over his lip, feeling the flick of his tongue against my skin. “I’m not going anywhere. This is it, this is all I want. If you’ll have me, I’m here to stay.”
He sighs out a breath, then he leans down to kiss me. Gently. Tenderly. He pauses just long enough to look me over, his eyes traveling all over me as if to confirm my words are true.
And they are. I’ve never felt as complete as I have these past few weeks with him. I’ve never known a place like Lahoma that felt so much like home. If I’m being honest, I’m already in love. With him. With Lottie. With this whole damn town.
I hesitate for a moment, the words pushing against my lips. The feelings inside me are so intense, especially now that I know I’m staying here in Lahoma. Staying with him.
