10. Emily
Chapter 10
Emily
My heart pounds as I pull up in front of what can only be described as a freaking mini-mansion. This house looks like it belongs in a magazine spread, complete with an immaculate lawn, elegant columns, and a fountain sparkling in the morning sunlight. My first appointment as a mobile dog groomer feels surreal, and the stakes are higher than ever. I take a deep breath, trying to calm the nerves prickling in my stomach.
As I glance in the rearview mirror, I do a double take when I see Ashton’s patrol car pull up next to the curb. My heart skips a beat, a mix of excitement and unexpected warmth flooding me. Just the sight of him in that uniform sends butterflies swarming in my stomach.
Leaning out of the window, I wave at him, my grin broadening like an idiot. He catches my eye and tilts his head in acknowledgment, his smile matching mine. There’s some comfort in seeing him nearby.
I hop out of the van, the sun warming my face as I walk up to the front door. I ring the doorbell, and a sudden rush of adrenaline surges through me as I prepare to meet my first clients.
The door swings open to reveal a middle-aged woman wearing a starched white shirt and black pants. “Good morning. How may I help you?” Wow. She must be the housekeeper. So, this is how the other half lives.
“I’m here for Princess’s grooming appointment,” I say confidently, brushing off my first-day nerves.
“Of course,” she replies, redirecting her smile. “Please, come in and I’ll get her.”
I follow the maid into the posh house, and she leads me through a spacious hallway scented with something floral and fresh.
“Princess!” the maid calls, and within moments, a regal brown standard poodle glides into view. She’s a vision, prancing in a way that says she knows she’s a star.
“Hey there, gorgeous!” I bend down, running a hand over Princess’s silky fur. “Are you ready for your spa day?”
The poodle responds with a happy bark, and I can’t help but laugh.
The maid clips a leash to her pink sparkly collar and hands it to me. “Thank you. It shouldn’t take more than an hour or so.”
“Perfect.” She smiles back as I lead Princess out to my grooming van. The mix of excitement and nerves amplifies tenfold as I feel Ashton’s presence nearby. It’s absurd how much having him close puts me at ease.
Once we’re at the van, I start prepping for the grooming session, talking to Princess as I wash her. “You’ve got to tell me all your secrets while I work my magic,” I say, feeling the bond deepen. The poodle closes her eyes while I lather her up, letting me know she’s enjoying the pampering.
Halfway through the process, I glance out the window and see Ashton still parked by the curb, his arms resting casually against the steering wheel. I can’t help but smile to myself, feeling a jolt of love so strong it nearly brings me to my knees.
After drying her off, I give her a traditional poodle cut with all the pom-poms. Princess is the perfect first client, and everything goes smoothly. “You look incredible,” I tell her as I finish up.
With the appointment complete, I escort a freshly groomed Princess back to the front door. “She’s all done,” I declare triumphantly to the maid.
“Thank you so much! She looks beautiful,” the maid says, her gratitude sincere as she pets Princess affectionately. “Mr. Thomas wanted me to make another appointment six weeks from now,” she tells me and I pull out my phone to schedule it.
“Have a great day,” I tell her as I step outside and make my way back to the van. Glancing over my shoulder, I spot Ashton leaning against his car, still watching, a proud look on his face that makes me feel all tingly.
“Are you following me to the next appointment?” I call out, already knowing the answer.
“Of course,” he replies, laughter dancing in his voice. “Protecting you is the most important job in the world.”
I already knew I loved him, but his sweetness seals the deal.
“I’ll see you at the next stop then.” I give him a wave before hopping into the van.
The rest of the day passes quickly as I wrangle and pamper my new clients. I finally wrap up my last appointment feeling both exhausted and excited by my successful day. Every single client booked follow-up appointments, so my schedule is steadily booking up. I send Ashton a quick text letting him know I’m done and heading to his house before I leave my last stop.
I buckle up, flipping on the radio and tapping my fingers against the steering wheel to the beat of my favorite song. The drive to his house is a quick one, filled with thoughts of being wrapped around Ashton and the way he makes me feel.
Arriving at his home, I pull into the driveway, already planning the special meal I’m going to make for Ashton to celebrate my successful first day. I grab my bag from the back, feeling giddy as I approach the front door. With the key Ashton gave me, I push the door open.
“Edna, I’m back!” I call out, stepping inside. The familiar scent of his home wraps around me like an embrace.
Just as I drop my bag on the hall table, Edna appears, waddling over with her usual swagger. “Hey, pretty girl.” I crouch down, ruffling her ears, and she beams at me with her lovable bulldog smile. "How was your day?"
“It’s perfect now that I’m home with you,” Ashton says behind me, and I spin around, realizing I was so caught up in giving Edna attention, I didn’t hear him come in.
His sweet words combined with the emotions shining from his dark eyes cause my insides to turn to mush.
The L-word works its way up my throat, but I clench my teeth to keep from blurting it out. While I know I’m already all in with Ashton, I need to know he feels the same way before I lay my cards on the table.
In the middle of the night, I wake up with Ashton wrapped around my body and his cock digging into my rear end. I slip my hand behind my back and wrap it around his hard erection. Running my thumb across the head, I gather the wetness leaking from the tip and rub it around.
His breathing hitches and I realize he’s awake. “I don’t think you’re up to this right now.”
“Oh, yes, I am.” I turn in his arms and smile as his arms encircle around me. “Now, lie back and let me have my way with you.”
“Whatever you want.” He props up on his elbows and watches as I kiss my way down his muscular chest while slowly stroking his hard erection. A tremor runs through his body as I replace my hand with my mouth.
He digs his hand into my hair and holds me tight as I explore his cock with my tongue. “Stop torturing me and suck it,” he growls, and I follow his order. I slowly suck him to the back of my throat and swallow.
He groans my name as I pull back, stroking the bottom of his erection as I go. While I throw myself into blowing his mind, he tells me in great detail all the dirty things he’s going to do to my body.
His words send electricity flowing down my spine as wetness drips down the inside of my thighs. I’m pretty sure I’m enjoying this almost as much as he is.
I give a little squeak of protest when he sits up and drags me over to lie on my back. “I can’t take anymore,” he growls against the side of my neck as he lines his cock up with my opening. “And I want to come in your sweet pussy.”
Sounds like a plan to me. He watches my face while he slowly thrusts deep. My inner muscles protest at first, but I breathe deeply, forcing them to relax. By the second thrust, the tiny twinge of pain is replaced with intense pleasure.
He slides his arm under my leg and hitches it up on his shoulder. My eyes roll back in my head as this new position allows him to slide even deeper.
It doesn’t take long before an orgasm starts deep inside me and blasts up through my body. He slows a little but continues to thrust until the last tremor passes, and then he picks up speed again.
The third time I climax, I clench my inner muscles tight, making sure he comes with me.