Take Me Down (Suits in Pursuit) (18 page)

Ashley glared at Sebastian as though fault lay with him for the raw passion flowing through her insides. “Does it matter? In the end, neither got what they wanted.”

Sebastian leaned down, whispering, “Hmm, the night isn’t over yet. I still have time to change your mind.” His hand parted her thighs and massaged her swollen button.

She peered at him, anxiety building in waves. “My mind isn’t easily changed,” she said.

“Then the loss will be mine. For now, I’m going to enjoy trying my hardest.”

What was she thinking? How did she let Sebastian sweet-talk her onto the beach at that hour? Since meeting the man, much thinking on her part hadn’t occurred. She lay on the cool, wet sand, staring past him, up into the starry sky. The ocean waves soothed her anxiety.

He entered her slow, took his time. Wispy kisses tickled her neck. His tender touch caressed her in a way she had never felt before, the sensations reaching her heart.

The way he touched her felt different. She peeled her eyes open. “What are you doing?” she asked. Her heart thundered inside.

The hazy look in his soft gaze said he knew. Knew what he was doing. Knew what she meant, without elaboration.

He reared up to a slight hover, determined eyes never leaving hers. “Taking my time. Making love to you.” His brows pressed together, defining an unspoken statement that said more than his words allowed.

Swallowing a breath, she pressed a sand-dusted hand to his chest. Anything to add some distance. Separation. “Why are you doing this?” Her voice cracked.

Sebastian’s head tilted. His lips pursed. She could almost see the wheels in his mind spinning like a slick, oiled can on smooth metal. And then the spinning stopped. “Because that’s what people in our condition do.”

She didn’t remember him pulling her into the ocean. His words became an elixir, his touch became the tonic, and she was drunk.

“I… I can’t swim,” she said, still intoxicated from his spell, legs shaking beneath her.

His sexy grin and a soft chuckle forced a shiver up her spine. Sebastian pulled her to his warmth. “I didn’t bring you out here to swim,” he said, lust in his eyes.

She turned away. Chris always said she should never cry. And since Chris, tears became a menace that she could subdue at will.

A thumb traced her jawline, gently bringing her gaze to him. “What’s behind those tears?”

His words hammered her brain. She had been careful with her emotions for so long. Even numb to them. How did a moment of indiscretion tempt her to abandon the rules?

She blinked, eyes fluttering against the tears leaking from wet sockets. “The salt is stinging my eyes,” she lied.

He said nothing for a while. “Hmmm. Salt, huh? Close your eyes,” he whispered. “I have a remedy for salty eyes.”

His lips found hers. Like a fierce hunger possessed him, passion overtook his controlled movements. His arms snaked around her waist and held her close. His tongue moved like a cobra being charmed by an enchanting melody. A melody that was her. Unhinged, she surrendered, meeting his kiss with matched desire.

He hoisted her up. Her legs wrapped his waist. She clung to his shoulders, bobbing in the shallow waters surrounding their passion. Sebastian eased into her once more. Her heightened senses now aware of his soft, swirling thrusts. Deep and intense. She felt the build, like fireworks bursting from cannons. Couldn’t stop the feeling even if she tried.

Like the waves crashing around them under the moonlit ocean, a flood of emotion and sensation crashed into her. Her fingers curled, piercing nails dug into his muscled biceps. “Sebastian.” Her soft moan screamed of something more, like an echo of his sentiments. Sentiments that almost whispered of love.

Her body convulsed, shuddering. Ecstasy pulsed through her veins and seeped through every pore. She buried her head in his chest.

Sebastian followed, holding her tight against his body as he found his release.

“How are your eyes now?” he asked.

“Better,” she whispered back.

He squeezed tighter. “And the rest of you?”

“The rest of me is fine too,” she lied.

Never had she felt farther away from being fine than in that moment, with him.

Sebastian groaned. “Ahhh! Baby.” His release complemented Ashley’s. She let out a scream, “Sebastian. Yes!”

In the dimly lit room, sweat glistened, drenching limp and tired bodies. She dismounted him and stood beside the bed on quivering legs. Ashley reached for his robe and flung the terrycloth around heavy shoulders.

Glancing at the clock, she noted the time was a quarter after four. The sun would make an appearance, rising above the horizon just after six that morning. “Be right back.” She hoisted her overnight bag onto her shoulder.

“You going to leave me here, like this?” he questioned.

She flashed a smile. “I’m not done with you yet, Mr. Stone,” she teased, knowing full well there wasn’t an ounce of energy left in either of them for another round. “I just need a minute.”

The bathroom door closed, making a soft click. She twisted the button on the knob. Behind the sanctuary of solitude, she unleashed a fury of emotion. She turned on the shower to drown any accidental cries that might escape her lips. Wobbly legs collapsed beneath her and brought Ashley down, seated on the edge of the tub. Hunched over, she buried her face in her palms. After the roiling waves had subsided inside, she turned the handle. The faucet came to a full roar.

Steam quickly filled the room. Water flowed over her tender skin, washing away the scent of ocean and sex and anxiety. He had said he wanted to see her in Atlanta. Maybe she didn’t have to go through with her plan after all. Maybe she should give him a chance. Maybe she wouldn’t be a zebra this time. Her dilemma demanded a decision, a decision that needed to be made soon.

Minutes later, she toweled herself dry and pulled her wet hair into a ponytail. Inhaling a deep breath, a sense of peace fell over her. She landed on the right choice. Ashley rummaged the bag for her cell phone.
Crap!
She left the phone in the room. She didn’t want to explain calling off the cab ride she had scheduled for a five o’clock pickup. Panic set in, and then, as though the thing had miraculously appeared, she spotted Sebastian’s phone on the counter in the corner. Most likely, his phone would be locked. Taking a chance, she glided her finger across the glass screen. Success.

She browsed the name of the cab company and found the number. Javier would be there in twenty minutes. Suddenly, the phone buzzed, jarring her. She ignored the sound until the phone vibrated again.

She knew violating his privacy was wrong, but damn her curiosity. A finger hovered over the text message. Her conscience tugged in both directions at the same time.
Press it. Don’t press it.
Giving into the pesky itch of temptation, she tapped the message. Just a light tap. Ashley closed her eyes. Nervous about her invasion, her leg bounced up and down, scared about what lie on the other side of that click.

Just then, his voice rang out. “Hurry up, darlin’. I’m losing my strength.” The phone leaped into the air from jolted fingers. She scrambled to prevent the crash to the hard tile floor.

Fumbling, she caught the phone and glanced at the screen. Not a scratch. “I’ll be right out, Sebastian,” she managed to say on shaky vocal chords.

Her fingers pressed the precise sequence of buttons to display the incoming text message.

She breathed hard. Hurt burned behind angry eyes. Rage built in her core. She read the words again. There was no mistaking the meaning of the message. There was no mistaking his intent. The message from Daniel was clear:

Hey man, I got your e-mail. I’ll start the search. BTW, did you bang that ebony chick yet? Can’t wait for details.

Ashley strolled back into the room. The bag tossed behind her shoulder was lighter than the weight growing in her belly. An eerie calm had settled over her despite her discovery. Her eyes raked his naked body. Sebastian was all man and muscle. She moistened at the mere sight of him, angering her all the more.

His gray eyes sparkled with mischief. “What took so long, darlin’?”

Ashley didn’t answer, only scowled at him, her stare unwavering through swollen eyes.

Sebastian’s smile faded. “You don’t look okay. Is something wrong?” His eyes scaled her, did a double take. “Why are you dressed?”

Her scathing glare withered his confidence, squelched his euphoria. Her stone face without a smile. Inside raged a swirling tempest as wild and fierce as the storm threatening the peninsula.

“Uncuff me, baby.” He yelled out. “We can talk about whatever’s wrong.”

She reached the door and whirled around. “Fuck you, asshole. Fuck. You.” Hurt behind her words revealed itself, and her brown watery eyes glistened tears that refused to be shed.

His eyes scaled her frame, found her deadpan stare. “Ashley? What… what happened?” His panicked voice boomed. A plethora of sour emotions marred her face, made his chest ache.

Sebastian jiggled his arms frantically. “What the hell happened?” he screamed.

Sobered of their rapture, his intoxication wafted.

Ashley stood in the open doorway, glaring. “You got what you wanted. Now go tell that,” she said. The markings of her soul were revealed, and his heart sank.

Her markings were spotted like the leopard. Sebastian struggled against the cuffs again. “We can talk about whatever’s wrong,” he pleaded.

She didn’t say another word. A single tear streaked her cheek. She stepped into the hall. The door slammed shut.

Sebastian had met revenge, and from the evil he saw in her eyes, she frightened him.

Chapter Twelve

Ashley plopped into the seat. Like a fugitive on the run, her heart pounded hard in her chest. If Sebastian strolled down the aisle at that very moment, she would die. The anxiety gnawing her insides would subside as soon as the plane reached an altitude higher than ground level. She rested her head against the slick leather seat and closed her eyes. Soon, her adventures in the Keys, including Sebastian Stone, would be a distant memory.

His sultry eyes. His tender lips. His expert touch. Ashley paused a hand on her heaving chest. Vivid images of their bodies thrusting and merging together flashed through her mind. The feeling lingered in every cell. She locked her knees together.