She couldn’t believe they were doing this. Nothing had indicated that they were going to move beyond what they’d already found, but Ash still knew without a doubt that she wanted more. She kept the pattern between her legs steady and calm, waiting to see what Chris would say and do next. She would love if Chris would direct this, anything that would put the image of Chris being in control back in her mind.

  Chris 9:11 pm - Do you have any idea what you’re doing to me?

  Ash 9:11 pm - No.

  Was Chris as turned on as she was? Fuck, Ash wished they were in the same room, or that she could hear Chris’ voice. But she didn’t quite have the guts to call her, not yet, not without knowing more. Ash let out a grunt, hitting her swollen clit just right. Her body begged her to give more, but she was still hesitant.

  Chris 9:13 pm - Are you touching yourself?

  Why was she asking again? Ash closed her eyes, her mind racing while her fingers kept up the gentle rhythm.

  Ash 9:14 pm - Do you want me to? Do you want me to think of you while I do it?

  Chris 9:14 pm - Yes.

  Relief flooded through Ash, taking over her entire being. She hadn’t realized just how much she was holding back because she didn’t have permission, not yet. Spreading her legs and scooting down farther onto the couch, Ash relaxed into the gentle play of her fingers between her legs. She kept her right hand free so she could freely text, needing to know what Chris wanted her to do.

  Ash 9:16 pm - Tell me what to do.

  Ash loved a demanding partner. Chris had proven herself to be that when they’d been together the last time. Maybe it wouldn’t be their only time. But for now texting and Ash’s own hand were going to have to do. What was taking Chris so long to answer? Ash just needed to know what to do next.

  Chris 9:21 pm - What toys do you have?

  Ash 9:21 pm - None.

  Chris 9:21 pm - Really?

  Ash 9:22 pm - I have small kids, and we moved. I wasn’t using them so figured why keep them.

  Chris 9:22 pm - Because you’re not a nun.

  Ash smiled at that. She had been pretty much sexless until the day she’d moved here. It had been a good start to living here. A small downhill afterward, but nothing major that they hadn’t handled well. Ash gripped her phone tightly.

  Ash 9:23 pm - Tell me what to do.

  She knew she was pushing Chris. This didn’t seem to be anything within her comfort zone from what Ash had seen, but she could always be surprised. She and Mari had sexted a few times throughout their relationship, but Ash always preferred to have a warm body against her instead.

  Ash 9:25 pm - Chris. Tell me what to do.

  Those three dots shown on the screen. Then disappeared. Then started again. The anticipation was almost worse than whatever Chris was going to tell her to do. Ash gathered more moisture, needing the lube on her clit to make the stimulation feel better. She didn’t even have lube for this. She cringed. She shouldn’t have gotten rid of everything when she moved. That had been a stupid idea.

  Chris 9:27 pm - Two fingers. Pound yourself. Pretend it’s me.

  “Yessss,” Ash hissed, sliding two fingers inside her. Heat and wet surrounded her hand, spilling into her palm. This had been exactly what she needed. Ash curled her fingers up and did exactly as she was told.

  Ash 9:28 pm - This feels so good. You would feel better.

  Chris 9:28 pm - Maybe someday.

  Ash 9:29 pm - I wish I had your mouth on me.

  Ash was being so vulnerable, willing and able to put everything into this conversation to get what she needed out of it. She bit her lip, her eyes fluttering shut as she focused on what her body was telling her. She rocked her hips into her hand, imagining Chris’ fingers were her fingers, that Chris’ mouth pressed kisses to her bare thighs. Damn it, she should have taken her clothes off before doing this. She should be in her bedroom doing this, where she could be louder and less constrained.

  Chris 9:30 pm - Are you close?

  Wanting to be and being there were two different things. Ash wasn’t going to lie to Chris. Was she closer than she had been five minutes ago? Yes. Was it going to take probably another five to ten minutes? Also yes. Pursing her lips, Ash took deep breaths to steady herself as she debated on what to say because she for damn sure wasn’t going to lie.

  Ash 9:31 pm - Getting there.

  Chris 9:32 pm - Next time we do this, do you want me to come packing?

  Ash groaned out loud. That image put everything into the right place in her mind. The feel of Chris sliding between her legs, not just her fingers inside her but a thicker and fuller toy. Ash fluttered her eyes shut, a wave of wetness pooling between her legs at the images that text created.

  Ash 9:32 pm - Fuck yes.

  Chris 9:33 pm - Can’t wait. Move harder and faster.

  Following directions, Ash did as she was told. The angle started to make her wrist ache, but she kept going because Chris had told her to do it. She tried to shift her pants around to loosen them up and give her more room, and when she lifted her hips to help, she let out a vivacious moan. When had she become a loud lover? Especially when no one else was there with her.

  This was better than the last time she’d touched herself. Even just having Chris’ voice in her head through the texts, taking the decision-making away from her sent an added thrill through her. Pressure built up between her legs, the sweet telltale signs that she was getting closer and closer to her orgasm. It was exactly what she needed.

  Chris 9:37 pm - Rub your clit with your thumb. Think about it as my tongue, teasing you. Tasting you.

  Ash pulled her lower lip between her teeth and bit down to try and contain herself. If Chris was there, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to hold back. She would want to let everything go, all those tenuous lines of control that she held so firmly. And she could trust herself to do that with Chris. The conversation after school proved that, didn’t it?

  Ash 9:43 pm - I’m close.

  Chris 9:44 pm - Perfect. Don’t stop. Don’t change anything. I know how amazing you taste.

  Grunting, Ash clenched her eyes and focused on her body. Goosebumps rippled up her arms, her stomach tensed, her thighs tightened. She brought her knees up slightly as she lost some of that control she had. Ash turned her face into the back of the couch and ground her teeth down to keep her noises to a minimum.

  She wanted to tell Chris exactly what it felt like, what coursed through her, the pleasure that overtook her. Ash gasped. Her entire body jerked tightly as she creamed her fingers, her pussy clenching hard and deep, pulling her fingers farther inside. It took her longer than she anticipated to catch her breath, but when she turned onto her back again, Ash removed her hand and wiped her fingers against the fabric of her pajamas.

  Ash 9:51 pm - That was amazing. I’m not sure I can stand yet.

  Chris 9:52 pm - Well you’re going to have to.

  “What?” Ash stared at her phone. Chris wasn’t typing another response. She could mean anything, really. She could mean Ash had to get up and clean up, could mean that she assumed Ash wasn’t in her bed. They hadn’t really talked about any details. Texting back and asking for clarification was exactly what she did.

  The rapid succession of four knocks on the front door, soft but loud enough for Ash to hear from the couch startled her. Ash glanced at her phone and then the front door. Her heart was in her throat as she forced herself to stand.

  Flicking on the porch light, Ash prepared for whatever might be on the other side of the door. Unlocking it, she twisted the knob and pulled it open. Chris stood, haloed by the porch light, her hair around her shoulders, and a small bag in her right hand.

  “Chris,” Ash breathed out her name like an answer to a prayer she’d never said.

  Staying put, Chris looked Ash directly in the eye. “I know I shouldn’t be here.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chris panicked. Ash said nothing as she stood on the other side of the door, staring at her dumbfounded. She had overstepped. This was a bad idea. She should just go back to her car and go back home and forget this happened. She tensed and was just about to turn around when Ash stumbled a step forward and opened the screen door.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “You really can’t be asking that after those texts.” Chris’ heart was in her throat. Should she go inside or not? The warmth from the house rushed against her cheeks, but that didn’t mean she would be welcome in.

  “No, of course not.” Ash pushed open the door wider. “Are you coming?”

  Chris nearly groaned at Ash’s choice of words. While Ash had gotten off, assuming she hadn’t lied about it in the text, Chris hadn’t. She was worked up beyond anything she could recently remember, and she’d just wanted to find some relief. Stepping into the house, Chris was overcome with nerves.

  She really shouldn’t have just assumed that she’d be welcome here. “I’m sorry if I’m interrupting.”

  “Chris.” Ash smiled, shutting and locking the door. That sealed it. “If you’re here to make good on those texts, I’m glad you showed up.”

  Breathing a sigh of relief, Chris awkwardly stood in the front entryway. “I didn’t want to assume.”

  “Safe to assume on this one.” Ash took her by the hand and led the way barefoot through the house. Chris followed her through the kitchen and down the stairs into the basement. “The girls’ sleep upstairs. This way we can make a bit more noise.”

  As soon as they stepped into the playroom down there, Chris was jarred back to reality. The girls were here. Of course they were, and of course Ash was leading her someplace where they didn’t have to worry about being interrupted. There was a bed in a white room, with nothing but sheets on it and nothing else in the room. Not even a dresser. It was obviously a guest room still in the progress of being furnished.

  “This isn’t because I don’t want you in my bed.” Ash shut the door and flicked the lock.

  Chris stood in front of her, awkwardly. All the smoothness of her flirtations and seductions were gone in an instant. Ash gripped the lapels of her jacket and dragged her. Chris stumbled and nearly fell into Ash’s body, smooshing her between the door and her body.

  “But I do want you in a bed with me.” Ash crushed their mouths together in a brutal kiss.

  Chris dropped the bag she’d brought, moving her hands up to Ash’s body. She skimmed fingers over Ash’s breasts, her nipples hardening on contact. Palming Ash’s left breast, Chris squeezed it lightly, diving deeper into the embrace and tangling their tongues. This was so much better than the brief but intense kiss they’d shared after dinner.

  Confidently, Ash snagged Chris’ chilled fingers and shoved them down her pajamas and underwear, right against her crotch. Chris chuckled and pulled back from the kiss. She canted her head to the side and stared directly into Ash’s eyes. “You’re demanding.”

  “Sometimes. But your fingers are so much better than mine.”

  “My hand is half frozen.”

  “Perfect,” Ash purred. “Take me already.”

  Chris put their mouths together, nipping at Ash’s lips and then her neck. She sucked hard, hoping to leave a mark for the morning when Ash would remember everything they had done together. But Chris didn’t move her hand, despite Ash wiggling against her to try and get more contact.

  “I can’t wait to taste you,” Ash whispered, dropping her hips down as if that would get her what she wanted from Chris. “I can’t wait to be between your legs.”

  Shivers ran through Chris’ body. She couldn’t believe that Ash wanted her so much. Despite what she was saying, that niggling voice in her head still whispered quietly that she was too screwed up for this. But Ash’s voice was louder. Ash pushed at Chris’ jacket, trying to tug it off. Chris was going to have to move her hand for that, and she wasn’t sure Ash would want that.

  But at Ash’s insistence, Chris moved away and tugged off her jacket. As soon as her hand was free, Ash clung to it desperately and put it right back between her legs. Chris chuckled loudly, slowing down her kisses as she pressed them against Ash’s neck and to the top of her cotton T-shirt.

  “Chris,” Ash whined. “Fuck me already.”

  Laughing again, Chris shook her head. “Patience is a virtue for a reason, and you’ve already gotten off once, which means we can drag this one out.”

  “The first one doesn’t count.” Ash pouted. “You weren’t here.”

  Chris moved her free hand up and wrapped it around the side of Ash’s neck. She slid her thumb across Ash’s throat, feeling her pulse quicken. Ash stilled, but the desire in her gaze deepened, and Chris’ fingers became wetter. “Do you like this?”

  “Your hand around my neck?” Ash breathed the words. “Yes.”

  “What else do you like?”

  “Hard. Fast. Repeatedly.”

  Chris’ lips curled upward. “We really should have stopped to talk more that first night.”

  “It was worth it. The orgasms were good.”

  “These will be better.”

  “Yes,” Ash moaned out the word as she undulated her hips against Chris’ unmoving fingers.

  Cocking her head again, Chris eyed Ash carefully. Just what was she going to do with this one? She pressed in a little harder against Ash’s neck, tightening her grasp but not enough that Ash would struggle to breathe. Just the threat of it being there was likely enough.

  “Chris.” Ash strained. “I’ve been thinking about this for weeks.”

  “Me too.” Chris stepped in closer, using the weight of her body to add pressure to Ash’s. “But I didn’t think you’d want to.”

  “I didn’t for a while.” Ash’s breathing became labored. “But I just can’t stop thinking about you.”

  Chris drove two fingers into Ash, pushing into the wet heat. She sighed, more connected than she ever had been before. Starting at a slow pace, Chris pumped her fingers in and out while Ash writhed on top of her. Little noises emitted from Ash’s throat, spurring Chris to maintain every ounce of control she had left in the situation.

  “Yes,” Ash whispered, throwing her head backward into the door. She raised her leg up, resting it on Chris’ hip, deepening the angle and thrust. “Yes.”

  “I love how you love this.” Chris nibbled on Ash’s neck, licking the bare skin that she could find and swirling her tongue in tight circles. She wanted Ash to think of her mouth elsewhere, exactly like she’d told her before. Bending her head, she captured one of Ash’s hard nipples through the fabric of her shirt and sucked it between her lips.

  The wet fabric against Chris’ tongue was rough and a stark contrast to what she knew Ash’s skin would be like underneath. She desperately wanted to feel the press of their bodies against each other, smooth flesh to hot skin. But that wasn’t in the cards for right now.

  Ash groaned, her voice reverberating around the room and wrapping around Chris. Moving to Ash’s other nipple, Chris started the same process. Licking. Sucking. Enticing. She wanted Ash as worked up as she could be.

  “That feels so good,” Ash’s voice was barely above a whisper.

  Reaching out, Ash clung to Chris, digging her fingers into the sensitive flesh at the backs of her arms. She lifted up on her toes. Chris kept her pace the same. It would be slow, torture by pleasure, which was exactly what she wanted for Ash. This was everything she’d wanted to tell Ash via text, but she didn’t have the courage to put it into writing. This was so much better.

  “Tell me when you’re getting close.”

  “So you can stop?” Ash let out a breathy laugh. “Not a chance.”

  “Do you like edging, Ash?”

  “Sometimes. Not tonight.” Ash tightened her grip and tugged Chris closer. She pressed their mouths together in a heated kiss. “Don’t make me wait.”

  Chris increased the pressure and speed of her fingers. She was going to give and give and give. Ash deserved everything. The door echoed as Ash’s body moved into it with each thrust of Chris’ fingers.

  “You’re next,” Ash murmured through grunts. “I want you to come apart.”

  Chris eyed Ash thoughtfully and shook her head slowly. “I think you’re going to want to wait before you decide that.”

  “Wait?” Ash’s nose wrinkled, and she let out a wild groan. “I’m not waiting.”

  “You might for this.” Chris circled her thumb around Ash’s clit, pressing in to increase the pressure. “Close enough yet?”

  The small tells were already there. Ash’s body was moving outside of her control, her cheeks were red with arousal, and her lips were parted but filled with a smile. Chris loved seeing her like this, drenched in pleasure.

  “Don’t be so cocky.”

  Chris’ chuckle was slow and sure. “Don’t be too sure about that.”

  Ash gasped, holding onto Chris tightly as her face screwed up in pleasure. She pulsed as Chris continued to drive her fingers in that steady rhythm. Finally, Ash clasped both her hands against Chris’ cheeks and dragged her in for a sloppy kiss.

  When they broke apart, Ash rested her forehead on Chris’ shoulder to catch her breath. They stood against the door, breathing heavily, Chris’ fingers still between Ash’s legs, the scent of Ash’s arousal reaching their nostrils. It was heaven. Chris didn’t want it any other way.