CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Asher
The city’s skyline is simply incredible. I can’t stop staring at it, just as I couldn’t when I looked out the jet’s window and realized where Ledger was taking me.
It didn’t hurt that I was still recovering from one of the most mind-bending orgasms I’ve ever had either.
Who knew private jets had bedrooms or that having crew members just on the other side of its door could enhance the adrenaline pumping through your veins when you’re bent over and being fucked from behind?
And who knew how masterful Ledger could be at not ruining my hair or dress while ruining other parts of me in all the best kinds of ways?
“It’s going to be hard for you to come and not make a sound, isn’t it Ash?” Ledger murmurs as he runs the tip of his nose down the length of my spine exposed by the open back of the dress.
I gasp as he pushes in deeper, my body already more than primed, and my arousal already on high alert knowing Sally, our flight attendant, who so generously served me a glass of wine just moments ago, is on the other side of the door.
And there is no doubt she knows exactly what is going on in here right now.
Ledger reaches around to my front, his fingers dancing over the slick flesh there and adding the friction I need to push me to the brink.
I drop my head down as pleasure swamps me.
“It’s going to be hard not to mess that hair up.
” He places an open mouth kiss onto my shoulder.
“To not flip you over and watch you.” Another kiss on the other shoulder.
“To not hold my hand over your mouth to quiet your scream.” Faster strokes over my clit.
“To watch you sink your teeth into your bottom lip when you come.”
He pulls out so that just the tip of his cock is in me, teasing me like that for a few moments, before slamming into me again in one smooth stroke.
“Ledger.” His name is a moan. A plea for more. A rasp of appreciation.
“But I sure as fuck am not going to complain about this view.” Another withdrawal out. “How your pussy stretches around me.” Another push back in. “How it grips me so fucking tight.” A grind of his hips. “The sight of how goddamn wet you are.”
His fingers work faster.
“Do you hear that? How wet I make you?”
His hips move harder.
“Yeah. Right there. There’s that spot that gets you.”
His hand grips tighter.
“I want you to come for me Ash. Don’t hold fucking back.”
Sensations build. Pleasure mounts.
I come in a torrent of sensation. All thoughts are abandoned as my body rides each wave as it hits me. And before I can catch my breath, Ledger’s sharp hiss fills the small bedroom as he empties himself in me.
For a few seconds, it feels like the world stands still. It’s just Ledger and this moment and pleasure. Simple, shameless pleasure.
I jump when his lips meet my neck again, seconds before the warmth of his breath hits my ear as he chuckles. “Welcome to the mile high club.”
The mile-high club was definitely all it’s been cracked up to be.
Then again, it simply might be that it has everything to do with Ledger and nothing to do with the plane.
But here we are. In the city I left in a rush twelve years ago, thinking I’d be back, to never end up returning.
Sounds of the gala carry on behind me. Small talk. Polite laughter. Loud exclamations from people who haven’t seen each other in forever. Praise how divine the canapes are. Thank-yous murmured when champagne glasses are refilled. The lowering of voices before the catty comment.
I turn from the skyline and focus on the lavish party before me. I definitely fit the part with this stunning dress and glam makeover, but while I wait for Ledger to come back from the restroom, I feel a bit out of place.
“Ash Ash Bo Bash. Is that you?” I turn to find someone who looks just like Ledger but most definitely isn’t, seeing as he has a stunning woman on his arm.
“Once a teenager, always a teenager,” the woman says before stepping forward with a warm smile and her hand extended. “Asher, so nice to meet you. I’m Sutton Sharpe. And this brother is Callahan.”
“Hi. Nice to meet you,” I say and then turn toward Callahan with surprise on my face. “You’re the first one to get hitched? Never in a million years would I have guessed that one.”
Callahan gives me a lightning-quick grin before kissing my cheek. “Never in a million years did I think I’d ever see you again. With Ledger no less. The years have been kind to you.” His smile turns genuine. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Nostalgia hits me like I didn’t expect, seeing another Sharpe brother again.
“And truth be told, I was surprised I was the first one too, but this one,” he says, looking adoringly at his wife, “she’s a force to be reckoned with. She got me hook, line, and sinker. I’m a lucky man.”
“You are,” Sutton says unapologetically but then winks at me.
“There she is,” another voice says as Ford joins us on the patio. “It seriously is you, isn’t it?”
“Crazy, huh?” I say, feeling a little more comfortable now that I semi-know some people.
“Completely.” He gives a quick shake of his head as if he’s trying to reconcile the past with the present, much like I am. “Out of all of us, you still chose Ledge?” he teases.
“Hey. I heard that,” Ledger says as he steps beside me, puts his hand on my waist, and pulls me into him.
When I found out we were going to the annual Alzheimer’s fundraiser that he and his brothers host, I was curious how he’d act around them. Would I be a friend he brought along, or would I be treated as his date?
The kiss he presses to the side of my temple and the words “I’m glad you chose me,” murmured in my ear, definitely say the latter.
We talk for a bit about nothing of importance. It feels like déjà vu most of the time as memories come back fast and furious.
“The dinner is about to start,” Ford says. “Shall we head to the table?”
And the dinner is lavish. Filet mignon and truffle oil potatoes. A choice of various desserts. Expensive wine flowing like water.
Just like the Sharpe brothers are hoping donations will be—flowing heavily into the charity.
When Ledger, Ford, and Callahan’s speeches are finished, and they’ve been accosted by people wanting to be seen by them, I make my way back out to the patio and the view of the skyline I love.
I told Ledger to take his time doing what he needs to do as I truly don’t mind the fresh air or the time to simply sit and admire its beauty.
I’m just about to reach the doorway when I get stuck behind a group of five or so women all talking furiously about some guy named Theodore and how one of them saw him with someone who wasn’t his wife the other day.
“Excuse me. May I get by please?” I ask when there is a break in their conversation.
“Oh. We’re sorry,” the one in the silver dress says before narrowing her eyes at me. “I don’t believe we’ve seen you before.”
“What family do you belong to?” the one in the gaudy black dress asks, who looks like she uses a Sharpie for eyeliner. Clearly money can’t count for taste.
“Family?”
“Yes, dear,” green dress says. “Who are you? A Rothschild? A Montgomery? A Vanderbilt? Who?”
“A Wells,” I say with a smug smile to match the ones they are giving me. “We’re not from these parts.”
“Oh,” black dress says as she blinks her way through her tangled lash extensions. “Then who are you here with?”
“Ledger Sharpe.”
“Sure, you are,” gold dress says with an eye roll to her friends.
“I’m sorry, but personal assistants are all hanging in the adjacent room.
I’m sure you’d be more comfortable chatting with like-kind and commiserating about how miserable we all are to work for.
Besides, I hear the food in there is great too. ”
For a brief moment, I’m brought back to the farmhouse. To Pop standing toe-to-toe with Maxton Sharpe. To the harsh words that fueled my inadequacies for way too long.
“I’m sure the food is good in there. Leave it to the Sharpes to treat everyone with kindness.” My smile is smug. “And for the record, I’m actually Ledger’s date, but I’ll make sure to tell his PA when I see her.” I smile, having no clue if he even has a PA here in New York.
“Oh. I wasn’t aware,” green dress says. “So you’re with him for the money then? Take it from us, it isn’t exactly the easiest life fawning all over your husband most days to stroke his ego.”
“Not the money, no. I own my own business and can support myself just fine.” I stand a little taller.
“And in case you didn’t notice, the Sharpe men don’t need anyone to fawn all over them.
It just happens naturally to everyone around them.
Besides, fawning is beneath you.” I glance over my shoulder to see that Ledger is still otherwise engaged.
I’m glad you chose me. “Enjoy the rest of your night. We truly appreciate your donations tonight.”
With that, I walk away with my head held high and a smile on my lips.