“What were you going on about?” Ash asked, breathy.

  “You asked me to come packing the next time.”

  Ash’s eyes widened with surprise before her lips settled into an excited grin. “Did you really?”

  “Yes. If you’d like—”

  “Hell yes!” Ash pushed Chris away and immediately stripped out of her clothes.

  Chris was slower to move. She also had a lot more clothes to dispense of. By the time she was naked with the strap in place, Ash was already on the bed, stretched out with her arms above her head and her legs spread wide.

  “How are we doing this?” Ash giggled. “It’s been so long since anyone has taken me like this.”

  “Flip over.” Chris climbed onto the bed, her clit already tingling from the press of the base of the toy against it. “Put a pillow under your hips.”

  “One of my favorite positions.” Ash raised her eyebrows twice in succession before moving.

  Chris had lubed up the strap even though she wasn’t sure they’d need it. She didn’t want Ash to be sore tomorrow when she had to deal with the kids and work. Straddling Ash’s legs between hers, Chris leaned over her and positioned the toy just at her entrance.

  “Are you ready?” Chris breathed, not sure if she was asking Ash or herself.

  “More than ever,” Ash answered, lifting her butt up and tightening her legs.

  She had definitely done this before. Chris pressed in slowly, the consistent pressure against her clit adding relief but also building her up even more. She was going to love this. As soon as she was all the way inside, she leaned forward and gripped Ash’s wrists tightly. Ash had shown every sign of loving being restrained, and Chris wasn’t going to give up the golden opportunity while she had it.

  The first thrust was slow. Ash hissed, her eyes closed.

  “Feel okay?” Chris double-checked.

  Ash nodded. “Yes. So much fuller than fingers can get.”

  Understanding the sentiment, Chris pulled out and thrust back in. Their bodies rocked together, the movements becoming smoother and more practiced as they continued. Ash grunted a steady stream with each thrust. Chris couldn’t believe it, but she was so very near to coming herself. She tried to hold back, really wanting Ash to be against her and in her.

  Reaching down, she wiggled her fingers between the bed and Ash’s body, finding Ash’s clit and teasing her again. Chris fumbled so many times, but Ash seemed alive with the pleasure she received. Chris was just about to come when Ash cried out. Stopping sharply, and breathing deeply, Chris managed to stave off her own orgasm. She closed her eyes, every nerve alive and waiting for touch, craving it.

  She could so easily get addicted to this. She already had an addictive personality, so it wouldn’t be out of bounds for her. But the way Ash made her feel alive was more than Chris had ever hoped for. She was wanted. She was desired.

  In a sudden twist, Ash turned and flipped them over, Chris landing on her back with a thud. The wind rushed from her lungs. Before she knew what was happening, Ash had two fingers inside her and her lips surrounding the cock still strapped to Chris’ hips. This was sexy as hell. Reaching down, Chris brushed Ash’s hair to the side so she could see her face, her eyes.

  “How do you taste?” Chris asked, because she had yet to get her own taste that night.

  “Like you know what you’re doing.” Ash thrust back in, curling her fingers up and right into Chris’ g-spot.

  Groaning, Chris bucked her hips up into the touch. Ash pulled aside the dildo as much as she could and dove right in. She covered Chris’ clit with her mouth, sucking desperately. Chris groaned loudly as ringing took over her ears. She clenched her eyes tight. She was already on the edge. Her heart raced, and it didn’t take long for pleasure to overtake every sense she had.

  She collapsed onto the bed, and Ash put the dildo right back where it was. Ash straddled her, kissing Chris senseless again. Chris’ heart raced as she ran her hands up and down Ash’s back and settled into this perfect feeling. But it scared her. She wasn’t ready for it. And that niggling voice in the back of her mind got just a little bit louder.

  “I’m going to ride you next,” Ash whispered, giving love nips all down Chris’ chest. “If I’d known you had this the last time, I would have made you use it.”

  Chris laughed, still out of breath. “Last time we were just getting to know each other.”

  “True that.” Ash chuckled as she raised her hips up and slid down. “Are you ready?”

  “I don’t think I’m ever going to be ready for you.”

  “Same here.” Ash kissed her desperately.

  It started out fast, as if Ash was clawing at some semblance of reality, but it slowed and eased. They became comfortable with each other again. Ash rocked her hips, then moved them in a deliberate circle. Chris’ clit was already on fire, not having calmed from Ash’s first onslaught of touches.

  “Feel good?” Ash had a satisfied smirk on her lips. “Or do I need to do it harder and faster?” As soon as she said the words, Ash mimicked them with her movements.

  Chris hissed. “You’re going to keep me up all night.”

  “No doubt about it.” Ash bent down and kissed her again with a tease, but she sobered quickly. “But the girls—”

  “Don’t worry,” Chris interrupted. “I understand completely. I’ll be gone before they wake up.”

  “But not yet.” A tinge of worry filled Ash’s voice.

  “No, not yet. I still need to catch up with you.”

  “Now that we can manage, I think.” Ash rotated her hips again, and at Chris’ surprised groan, she didn’t stop.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Come on! Come on! Let’s get going!”

  Ash couldn’t wait for morning drop off. It was only a few hours since Chris had snuck out of the house after they’d caught a quick nap together, and Ash wanted to see her again already.

  Who am I?

  This wasn’t like her at all, but the secrecy, the sneaking around, the newness to everything was a thrill she was loving. Ash didn’t want to give it up. The girls were moving extra slow that morning, still half asleep as if they’d been the ones up all night instead of Ash. But she was excited. She had a plan in place, and she wanted to make sure that it happened.

  As much as Ash knew this was what she wanted, that didn’t stop the nerves from battling away in her belly. She snagged her coffee mug and slid into the driver’s seat of her car while the girls climbed in the back and buckled up. It was so cold outside, and she knew the girls would be inside in their classrooms that day because of it instead of on the playground, which afforded her the perfect opportunity, didn’t it?

  Instead of pulling up the drop off lane, Ash turned the corner and parked on the street. Avonlee and Rhubie looked very confused, but Ash said nothing to them as she took a long sip from her coffee to continue to wake up her brain. But her body was absolutely alive. Chris had made sure of that last night.

  “What are you doing?” Avonlee asked.

  “I need to talk to Dr. Murphey for a minute.” Ash glanced over her shoulder. “Nothing bad and nothing about you two, I promise.”

  Rhubie took that answer easily, but Avonlee didn’t. She stared at Ash suspiciously.

  “I promise it’s nothing about you.” But that did bring into question just when they would tell the girls, assuming the conversation went according to Ash’s plan. She didn’t want to talk to them about that for a while, not until she knew what direction the relationship was for sure going. But Chris was a mom, surely she’d understand that, right?

  Ash tugged her jacket a little tighter around her chest as she got out of the vehicle. She forgot just how damn cold it got here. Char had warned her, and she’d been out to visit several times in the last few years since they’d moved there, but she hadn’t spent much time in Cheyenne in the dead of winter. Shuddering as the warmth from her car left her, Ash got the girls out of the car and made her way to the front doors of the school as quickly as possible.

  One of the teachers was there to open the door as soon as they stepped in, not letting the kids linger outside very long. The hallways were alive with children and people. Ash wasn’t sure she’d ever seen the school this busy before. But it really shouldn’t surprise her. Everyone was inside. She took the girls to their classrooms and hugged them goodbye.

  Her next mission was to find Chris.

  Heading to the office while wading through small children, Ash’s hands became clammy. Sweat pooled at the small of her back and in her pits. Was it just nerves or was it because it felt like six million degrees in here? Her heart raced. Was she really doing this?

  Yes. Because it was exactly what she wanted.

  Ash stepped into the front office, and it was so much calmer in here than anywhere else in the school. Ms. Linda smiled at her and looked up expectantly. Ash started, “Hi.”

  Her nerves were so bad.

  “I need to talk to Dr. Murphey.”

  “She’s somewhere. Hold on a minute.” Ms. Linda rustled around on her desk for a walkie-talkie. Ash had seen most teachers who were on playground duty with one and Chris carried one. “Dr. Murphey, there’s a parent here who needs to speak with you.”

  “On my way.” Chris’ voice was firm and confident as she spoke back.

  Ms. Linda pointed to a small chair in the corner of the room. “If you want to just sit and wait, it might be a few minutes.”

  “Right.” Ash nodded and moved awkwardly to sit down. She was crazy for doing this, right?

  Every second that passed, Ash’s nerves got worse. She shouldn’t be doing this here. It was a mistake. She was bringing the personal into the professional, and Chris had been so careful to keep those boundaries in place. Ash was breaking all the rules they had. She had been from the start.

  “Ashton.” Chris’ tone was firm, edging on scolding.

  Ash jerked her chin up, making eye contact with Chris’ dark brown eyes. She looked amazing this morning. That fresh-fucked glow did her wonders. Ash swallowed the fear in her throat, but it made its way back up.

  “Are you okay? I said your name three times.”

  Shaking her head in surprise, Ash licked her lips. “Uh…yeah. I can talk to you another time, if you’re busy.”

  “No, now is fine.” Chris held her hand out toward her office, indicating Ash should make her way there.

  Ash hesitated. Her feet rooted to the spot and her butt glued to the chair. Chris took a step back in her direction, her head tilted down as they locked eyes. What was Ash supposed to do now? She needed to back out of this conversation yesterday. This was such a bad decision to have the talk here.

  “Ash,” Chris said calmly. “Let’s talk in my office. Come on.”

  “Right.” Ash finally pushed herself to stand.

  Chris had locked her hands in her pockets, and Ash was pretty sure it was so she wouldn’t be tempted to touch. Ash should have done that, because all she wanted to do was reach out and run her fingers over Chris in some way. Remind herself that whatever was between them was real. Because it had felt so real the night before.

  The door clicked shut loudly. Ash jumped. Chris furrowed her brow and crossed her arms, leaning against her standing desk. “What’s going on? Is everything okay?”

  Ash pulled her lip between her teeth and shuddered. “Yeah, everything’s fine.”

  “So what are you doing here? I thought we left last night pretty clear.” Chris wasn’t speaking at full volume, and Ash leaned in to hear her better.

  “We did. You’re right.” Ash gnawed on her lip. This was such a stupid idea. “I was just dropping the girls off.”

  Chris nodded, as if she understood what Ash was going on about, but she didn’t. She really didn’t. Ash wasn’t even sure what was holding her back from this conversation other than the fact that they were standing in the middle of the principal’s office at her daughters’ school. She should have talked to Chris off property. But when?

  They rarely managed to see each other outside of these walls.

  Ash fisted her hands and glanced out the large windows alongside one wall. Kids ran inside from the playground, huddled down because of the weather. If teachers looked out their windows and into Chris’ they could potentially see them. Ash couldn’t touch Chris. That would break the rest of the rules they had.

  Dragging air into her lungs, Ash stepped backward and toward the door. She had to get out of there. This was a mistake.

  “Ash,” Chris crooned so gently. “What’s going on?”

  Shaking her head, Ash froze again. She’d ridden the high of sex, that was it. She’d expected that high to last, but being thrown back into reality was what crashed everything down around them. Chris immediately walked forward and grabbed Ash by the shoulders.

  “Look at me.”

  Ash struggled. Raising her gaze to meet Chris’ was incredibly difficult. She didn’t want to look and see pity. She’d seen that enough over the last few years, and for Chris to look at her like that would be the end of what was just starting.

  “Ash,” Chris whispered. “Don’t be scared.”

  Chris used the side of her finger and raised Ash’s chin up. Ash closed her eyes, fighting back the tears that threatened to slide down her cheeks. She wouldn’t cry. She’d come in today to follow her heart and now her heart was stuck back in that damn grieving well she never managed to get out of.

  “Talk to me.”

  “I’ve never done this before, not really.” The words rushed from Ash. “With Mari we just kind of fell together.”

  Chris’ eyes crinkled as she smiled, and when Ash expected her to move away, she stepped in closer. “I’d say we kind of fell together, wouldn’t you?”

  “Many times.” Ash’s cheeks were kissed with heat. “After last night…I want to change the rules.”

  “What rules?” Chris’ brow furrowed, confusion flashing in her eyes.

  “One night of happiness?” Ash’s lips pulled up to the side. “We said this was only going to be one night.”

  “But then there was last night.” Chris’s pink tongue dashed across her lips, wetting them.

  Ash desperately wanted to lean in and kiss her. Her heart raced at the mere thought of it. “Yeah, last night. It was amazing.”

  Chuckling, Chris nodded. “I can agree with you on that.”

  “But I want more than last night.” Ash held her breath, wondering just what Chris’ reaction was going to be. They hadn’t discussed anything more than this, and Ash hadn’t asked someone out in more than a decade.

  Chris slid her hands down Ash’s shoulders, to her elbows, tugging her in even more. They stood a breath away from each other, the tension between them rippling in an instant. Ash was choked from the emotion welling up. She wanted this connection with another human being, and Chris couldn’t be a better person for it to happen with.

  “I want to go out with you.”

  “Like a date?” Chris asked, sliding one hand down to Ash’s and clasping their fingers together.

  Ash nodded, her lips pressed together as she stared down into Chris’ eyes. She was at a loss for words. What if Chris didn’t want that? She’d never even thought about that possibility, but they’d agreed to one night and Chris might just want to keep it sex between them. But Ash couldn’t do that. She craved a deeper intimate connection.

  “Where will we go?” Chris asked, whispering. “Because we’ve gone to my few favorite date spots already.”

  “I don’t know. I haven’t lived here very long.”

  Chris hummed. She moved her left hand to Ash’s side, then slid it around to the small of Ash’s back, tugging her in even closer. “Then I guess I better step up my dating game.”

  Relief rushed through Ash, the anxiety that had bubbled up completely dissipated. “Does that mean a yes?”

  “You haven’t actually asked me on a date, so let me unburden you from that.” Chris pressed her fingertips in, a gentle pressure that pulled Ash toward her. “Will you go out with me, Ashton?”

  “Yes.” Ash giggled, the weight completely off her shoulders. “When?”

  “Whenever you want.” Chris moved up on her toes and pressed their lips together.

  This was what Ash had needed before. She moaned lightly, this kiss freer than the ones last night. They kept the embrace light, but Ash smiled as she pulled away. Complete joy filled her, and she couldn’t stop smiling. “I’ll text you.”

  “Please do.” Chris winked. “But unless you want a repeat of last night, let’s keep the texts PG.”

  Laughing, Ash kissed Chris again. “Will do. Promises. Mostly.”

  Chris stepped away, putting space between them. Ash took that as her sign to leave. She was close to being late to work that day anyway. Rolling her shoulders, she glanced at the door and then back at Chris. “I’ll see you around.”

  “See you, Ash.”

  Her step was so much lighter as she walked out. She waved at Ms. Linda as she left and bundled up as she raced with her head down toward her car. It was freezing outside, but she was so happy and warm inside that she wasn’t going to let the cold bother her.

  As soon as she was in her car with the engine running, Ash called her sister and put it through the car speakers. She had to share with someone, and since Mari wasn’t there—not that that wouldn’t be an awkward conversation, but she was still so used to sharing everything with her late wife—her sister got the honor.

  “Char,” Ash breathed heavily, the same excitement as before rushing through her.

  “What? It’s early.”

  “Shut up. You’re going to want to hear this.” Ash pulled away from the curb.

  Silence reverberated through the line. Ash had to look and make sure the call hadn’t disconnected somehow.

  “I asked her out.”

  “Asked who out?”

  “Chris!” Ash couldn’t stop the smile.

  “The teacher you hated?” Char sounded either disappointed or confused. Ash couldn’t quite put her finger on what.