Second Chance With Me: A With Me in Seattle Universe Novel Read online

  “I had a lot of fun tonight with you. I hope I’ll see you again soon.”

  “Me too.” I’m breathless. I’m begging him to kiss me. What feels like years is making me anxious. Should I make the first move?

  My stomach flops, and I’m questioning the night and what I think will happen. To be honest, I’m not sure I entirely know what I want to happen. I glance down at the grip he has on my hand. Maybe we’re thinking the same thing.

  Oh, Mylanta. Please say something, so I’m not going crazy over here. I’m going to need to learn how to breathe and not freak out. I don’t want to be that girl.

  Clayton puts a strand of hair behind my ear and cups my cheek in his soft and warm hand. “You’re beautiful.” The sexy cadence and deep voice ease my jittery nerves. “When can I see you again?” Before I can answer, our lips meet. I quiet my mind and let myself enjoy this moment. Our lips are pressed tightly at first, and when I part my lips for him, he deepens the kiss and presses me closer to his body.

  A tingle courses through my body from head to toe. Even with this kiss, I can feel his smile. In a matter of hours of talking, and now this kiss, it feels like home.

  “Come back to my apartment with me,” I whisper against his lips, breaking our kiss.

  “You sure that’s what you want?”

  “I mean, you don’t have to, but I …” My voice trails off when his lips land on mine.

  “I want to. I just don’t want you to feel pressured.”

  “I don’t feel pressured. This is what I want, Clayton. Come back to my place.”

  “I’m right behind you.” With one more kiss, he’s opening my car door for me and rushing to get into his.

  I’d like to think I’m not the type of girl who will invite any date over to her place. I don’t want tonight to end with him. Something’s come over me and I like it. I’m not taking the cautious road. Whatever happens tonight, I’m not going to stress about because I don’t want any second guesses.

  Clayton follows me to my apartment, which is close by. The lights are off when we walk inside, and it gives me the courage I need for this to happen. When he shuts the door, I push him against the wall and kiss him again. His hands roam up and down the sides of my body before he cups my face.

  “We don’t have to do anything.”

  “It’s fine,” I whisper and kiss him again. “I want this to happen.”

  His tongue parts my lips and enters my mouth, leaving me breathless and aching for more.

  “Bedroom?”

  Without answering, I take his hand and lead him down the hall and into my room. Before I can take off my heels, Clayton stops me and slides the straps down my shoulders, letting my dress pool to the ground. Standing in my matching black bra and panties, he steps back and looks at me. Without thinking, I try to cover myself. I’m not experienced and have only been with one person in my life. Clayton’s only the second guy to see me naked.

  “Don’t be shy about your body, Ashley. You’re breathtaking. I can look at you all night and be satisfied.” With one step back to me, he turns me around, then unhooks my bra. Placing his lips on my bare shoulder, he makes his way down my spine. “So beautiful.”

  My body quivers beneath his kiss and touch as my heart pounds against my chest, steady and fast. An overwhelming sense of desire strikes me, and waves of pleasure soar through me. It’s something I haven’t experienced. A pool of warmth consumes me, and the throbbing between my legs becomes fierce. Clayton’s strong arms cradle me. He kisses right underneath my ear in a place on my body that I didn’t realize I liked until now. It sends shivers down to my belly. His rough stubble tickles my neck while his hands caress my breasts. I feel his breath on my skin while his hand leaves my breast and travels down to the band of my panties.

  “I want to take my time with you. Cherish this moment.”

  “Okay.” I’m breathless, wanting and needing more.

  Chapter 4

  Clayton

  Everything I crave is right in my hands. I love how she feels against my body. The sounds she’s making are driving me insane. I need to take my time with her. She’s the kind of woman to be appreciated. There’s no rushing tonight.

  Damn, this girl is a game changer.

  Thinking back on the conversations we’ve had the two weeks before tonight, I didn’t think we’d end up here. She’s beyond gorgeous with her long brown hair and golden-brown eyes. I can’t get enough of her. After tonight, I know I won’t be the same. I’ll make sure we see each other again.

  Turning her around, I pick her up with ease as she wraps her legs around my waist. I take her mouth, sliding my tongue between her lips, and savor her sweet taste. It’s addicting, and I can’t get enough. I need more.

  Placing her on the bed, I lift myself and take off my shirt, loving the way she’s watching me and biting her bottom lip. Her long brown hair fans over the bed, and her eyes are hooded with desire, begging me for more. When I lean over her, my thumb trails her bottom lip, and I let it fall down her body once again. Teasing her, needing to hear her moan my name, I slide her panties off and toss them carelessly to the side. My hands stroke her legs until I feel the straps of her heels and take those off as well.

  Her eyes slowly open, and she sets her sights on me. For a moment, the room goes still. “Clayton.” Her soft moan fills the quiet room as her eyes close when she feels my fingers grazing her naval and inching closer to where she wants me to go.

  Lowering myself, I kiss the tops of her thighs and brush my finger along her slit. Her body responds to my touch, and I inch closer until my lips are on her wet clit. I suck gently, tasting her, and then part her lips to slide my finger inside her warmth. She’s wet, and her breathing is getting louder. I continue to stroke her and suck on her clit.

  “Please,” she begs with pure desperation as her fingers play with my hair, gripping it tightly and spreading her legs wider for me. “Keep going.”

  Her arousal coats my tongue. Everything about her is addicting. Her smell. Her sounds. How she tastes. I’m never going to get enough. My throbbing cock pushes against my jeans, but I need to make her orgasm before I let it out. I can barely take it as I pump my fingers harder and faster. Ashley’s body lifts from the bed slightly, and when I feel her pussy dripping onto my tongue, I know she’s found her release. Not wanting to waste any time, I quickly get up and unbutton my jeans, taking them off, along with my briefs, when I remember I didn’t bring a condom.

  “Fuck,” I mutter. I didn’t plan for anything to happen tonight, so I didn’t come prepared.

  “What?”

  I chuckle and run my hand down my face, trying to remember if I saw a convenient store nearby. “So I wasn’t planning on this happening. I didn’t bring a condom.”

  “It’s fine.” She jumps up and goes to her closet. I hear some noises and wonder what she’s doing. Ashley comes back to the bed and hands me the condom. “My best friend got me a club pack for my birthday as a joke. I was mortified, but now I’ll have to thank her tomorrow for being brilliant.”

  “She might be my new best friend.” Even in the darkness of the room, I can see her smile.

  Damn. That smile is going to be the end of me.

  Without wanting to miss any more time, I get on the bed with her and gently slide my hard cock inside her, instantly feeling her tightness grip my length. Pausing for a moment so she can adjust to my size, I hear her soft moan and slide farther inside. Her nails grip my shoulders, and I lean down to kiss her, my tongue delving into her mouth, muting her screams. It pushes me to go faster, gripping her hips and quickening my pace.

  Breaking our kiss, I touch my lips to her cheek and on her neck beneath her ear. Her breathing speeds, and I know she’s close. Her second release gives me mine as I groan her name and feel the waves of my orgasm flow through me.

  I slowly move out of her and leave her on the bed to find her bathroom. When I come back into the room, I take a moment to stop in my tracks and admire this w
oman. Noticing she’s lying there, waiting for me, I climb back into bed with her, taking her blanket and covering us both.

  “Tell me something no one knows,” she whispers against my chest.

  “I didn’t think I’d feel this way. The way I do now. It’s not making sense to me, but I don’t care.”

  Without pause, she responds, “Stay with me tonight.”

  “I’m not leaving.”

  Her body rests against mine. We’re quiet, and this is the first time in a while I’ve felt at peace.

  Peace.

  I like that idea.

  “Tell me more about you. I want to know everything.”

  Her laughter fills my ears, and it’s the most beautiful sound. If I could make a soundtrack of her laughter, I would play it over again.

  “I’m not sure where to start. We’ve talked about so much tonight already.”

  I play with her hair, resting my chin on top of her head, and feel her fingers entwining with mine.

  “You’re right. I want to see you again.” The honesty coming out of me isn’t scaring me or making me want to run for the hills. “If that’s okay with you.”

  “I’d like that.” She snuggles closer to me. “I’d like that a lot.”

  The next morning, I leave a note on her nightstand and hurry out of the apartment and into my car. There’s a Starbucks close by and I want to put a smile on her face when she sees I was listening to yesterday when she was talking about her moods and coffee. She didn’t mention what she likes to eat for breakfast, but I saw the package of muffins on her counter.

  There’s a drive-through so I don’t have to get out. The line is long, but it goes quickly. After placing my order and driving to the window, I pay with my credit card and hurry back to the apartment.

  I pull out her key and use it to get back in. It seems a little creepy that I’m walking back inside without her inviting me, but I don’t think too much of it. She knows I’m coming back.

  When I walk back into her bedroom, she’s still sleeping and hasn’t moved. I sit on the side of the bed, moving her hair from her face, and admire how peaceful she looks.

  “Good morning, beautiful.” I hate to wake her, but I don’t want her drinking cold coffee. “I have a surprise for you.”

  “It’s too early,” she mumbles. “Sundays are meant to be lazy.”

  I lean over and kiss her forehead. “But I have breakfast for you.”

  “Muffin?” She slowly opens her eyes and sees the bag in my hand. “How did you guess?”

  Another point under my name. “That’s my secret.” I tap her nose.

  Ashley sits up on her bed and smiles. “Oh, we have secrets now?”

  “Never. I hate secrets. I saw a box of packaged muffins on your counter, and since you had a lavender latte the yesterday, I simply put two and two together. If I can be honest, since the first day we started talking, I made it my mission to make sure I knew everything about you. Am I doing okay?”

  “More than okay.” She leans over, and our lips meet. Kissing her feels good. She feels good.

  Chapter 5

  Ashley

  The weeks pass, and the connection with Clayton gets stronger. I can’t explain it. We get each other, and we have more in common than we thought. After work, he’s either at my apartment or I’m at his. We hang out with Gina a lot. She’s become our third wheel, and Clayton never complains.

  My mom is anxious to meet him. We’re planning on seeing her soon, but since it’s the start of preseason, his schedule’s making it hard to plan anything.

  “You hungry?”

  Clayton looks up from his laptop and looks at his watch. “I didn’t realize it was getting late. What do you feel like having?”

  “I’m up for anything. Takeout again?”

  “Yeah, that sounds good.” He gets up from the chair and heads to the kitchen to retrieve the menus for some of our favorite places.

  Our favorite places.

  I didn’t think we’d get as close as we are in a short amount of time. I’m not complaining, and I like the speed we’re going.

  “What about a burger?”

  I think about it for a moment. “I had a burger for lunch. What about Chinese?”

  “Had that with Will today.” He flips through a few more menus. “Italian?”

  “I can go for pasta,” I say excitedly. “Are you getting carbonara again?”

  “It’s like you don’t know me.” He laughs and places our orders online. “While we wait, I figured I should tell you that this season is going to get crazy.”

  “I assumed it would. Are you excited?”

  He shrugs and plays with his phone on the table. “Yes and no. Remember how I told you my dad’s been on my case about coming back to visit?”

  “Yes, I remember.”

  “I’m not sure when I’ll have time. I might have to skip out on meeting your mom and go see my parents. He keeps telling me I’m breaking my mom’s heart by not visiting more. They don’t get it. I’m not sure how to tell them how busy I’m going to get.”

  Clayton continues to talk about the pressures from his parents, and I let him vent. I know this is what he needs. Everyone’s pulling him in every direction. His team needs him to be there. The coaches need him to make sure he’s on his game and to help the players. His family wants him to go visit. His dad wants him to take a position at the company he works for and learn the ropes.

  And then there’s me. I only want what’s best for him and I’ll support whatever decision he makes. I’d love for us to spend more time together, but I’m scared to let him know that since I know he’s getting pressure from everyone else so for now I’ll cherish the time we have.

  Everyone’s expecting him to be on the go. I remain silent and let him talk. For once, he can let it all out without the fear of being interrupted.

  “Does that upset you?”

  “No, of course not,” I answer quickly. “I’m giving you a chance to vent, and I didn’t want to interrupt. I understand how you’re feeling. Ever since my dad passed away, my mom’s on my case too. She wants me to move back to Portland. I’ve thought about it a few times, but I like my job and the life I’m creating here.”

  I’m starting my career as a nurse in the NICU department, and after finishing my first week, I know Seattle is home. Not only are my friends here, but Clayton’s here too.

  “I’m so proud of you for getting the job. I know you worked hard. How are you feeling about what your mom is asking?”

  I shrug. “It’s the same conversation we always have. She doesn’t understand why I don’t want to go back to Portland. I’d love for us to go visit her and we can see your parents too.”

  A knock on the door gets our attention, and Clayton gets up from the table to answer the door. After he pays and brings the bag of our dinner to the table, I join him, and we start eating. The conversation is easy between us. Clayton talks more about the team, and his excitement makes me happy. Since the night we met until now, all I’ve seen is how hard he’s working and the passion that bursts from him when he talks about work or researching different methods of therapy to help the players. They’re a family, and as with family, they’re there for each other through it all.

  “Are you staying over?”

  I nod. “As long as you want me to.”

  “I’d love for you to be here every night.” Clayton’s eyes set on mine. “One day, you will.”

  I nod again. “One day.” The heat in my cheeks grows. If I could, I’d move in with him now, but I can’t leave my apartment. Not only because of my lease but for now, I also want my own space. “You know I’d move in with you if I could. With my hours at the hospital, though, well, let’s just say I like how we have things. I like being here with you.”

  “I know you do. But it sucks I can’t have you with me every night.” Clayton makes his way over to my side, where I’m resting on the couch. “There’s a lot we could do, you know.” He grips the bottom of my
shirt and slowly lifts it. “I can make you feel good. Every. Night.”

  We stare at each other, and I wait. He pauses, and I’m internally yelling at him to keep going.

  “I think you should show me what you mean.”

  Clayton’s smile turns dangerous, so I rush out of his arms, and he quickly follows, catching me in an instant and taking me to his bedroom.

  “I think I need to teach you a lesson.”

  “Please do.” I tease him with my words and move quickly to straddle him. “What’s the lesson?”

  “I’d rather show you.”

  Chapter 6

  Ashley

  I make myself a cup of tea and sit on Clayton’s balcony, watching the sunrise touching Seattle. The city I’m so in love with because all my dreams are coming true. I have the perfect boyfriend, a wonderful career, and I couldn’t ask for better family and friends.

  Sometimes I think I’m dreaming, and when I wake up, everything that’s made me happy these past few months will disappear. It scares me to no end. There are so many times I tell myself to stay positive, and everything will work out. I’ve been reading books about the law of attraction, and every night, I write in my journal, and I always end it with something good.

  The cool breeze on my face makes me feel alive. There’s nothing more I can possibly want at this time. I close my eyes and remember the words from Clayton last night. Promising to love me and keep me safe. My heart swells with so much love—more love than I can imagine. I don’t think it’s possible to be this happy, but I am this happy.

  When his hand lands on my shoulder, I tip my head back, puckering my lips for a kiss.

  “Good morning, girlfriend.”

  “Good morning, boyfriend.”

  I watch Clayton sit next to me and place his hand on my knee. Both of us are silent for a beat.