Steele Trap (Heart of Steele) (5 page)

Chapter Ten

“Hello.”

“Ashley? It’s Jake.”

“Oh, hi, Jake!” As if
her phone hadn’t told her who it was.

“I promised to call
you.”

“So you did. What did
you want to talk about?”

For the second time
that day, Jake removed the phone from his ear and looked at it quizzically. Now
what game was she playing?

“Uh, I guess I just
wanted to talk.” What the hell? Now he would have to find something to say.
Jake was beginning to believe that Ashley was either a multiple personality, or
the most annoying woman he had ever met. Was the incredible sex worth the
hassle? Maybe not. One evening in bed wasn’t much of an investment, he could
write that off. But, he still needed to take her to that damned concert. He
tried again.

“So, do you want to
come over?”

“What did you have in
mind?”

God, she wasn’t going
to make it easy. “We could hang out, or go out for a drink.”

“You don’t want to have
sex?” Jake definitely wanted sex; that was the only thing that would salvage
this evening, but at this point he couldn’t read her, couldn’t figure out what
she would want to hear. Ashley made a different contrary answer to whatever he
said. Might as well go for broke.

“I wouldn’t turn it
down. Do you?”

“Maybe.”

“Okay, why don’t you
come over, we can talk, I’ll give you a drink if you want one, and then you can
decide.”

Ashley was beaten at
her own game. If she wanted sex tonight, she would have to concede, and go to
his house. Remembering the last time, she decided, why not?

“I’ll be over in a
while.” At least she would make him wait and wonder.

“See you when you get
here.” Jake wasn’t going to make a fuss, he considered that he had gotten off
relatively easy. If she showed up, great. If she didn’t, well, at least his
apartment would be clean. He wouldn’t expect anything until he held her in his
arms.

Two hours later, Ashley
knocked at the door. Jake strolled over to answer it, still refusing to be the
eager puppy. He had on nothing but low-slung jeans, worn commando. Ashley’s
first glimpse of his physique took her breath away. If he was a statue of a
Scandinavian god, she would convert to whatever Norse religion he belonged to
and worship at his feet. Ashley didn’t understand herself. She had never had
this much trouble controlling herself. But, Jake was perfect. Sculpted muscles
limned his chest, shaped his arms, and as she remembered from last time,
descended to a washboard stomach and genitalia that melted her panties. His
build didn’t come from hours in the gym, like Dirk’s, but from honest work that
he did every day. Topping the body was a face to die for, and the eyes had to
have been stolen from a royal jewelry box. There simply weren’t such eyes
anywhere else in the universe, she was sure.

If Jake noticed Ashley’s
preoccupation, he didn’t say so. Instead, he was assessing her in the same way.
She was still wearing this afternoon’s sun dress, plainly with no bra. Those
luscious breasts filled out the elasticized fabric of the dress like ripe
peaches. The short skirt left plenty of perfectly shaped, golden leg descending
to the sandals that showed her pretty feet and painted toenails. When Jake
raised his eyes to gaze at Ashley’s face, he noticed her checking him out, too.
It was the most natural thing in the world to step forward and take her in his
arms for a deep kiss. As he lingered on her lips, she relaxed until he almost
fully supported her, curved over her like a protective shield. When at last he
ended the kiss and straightened, still holding her, she breathed, “Oh, my God.”

With that, Jake
abandoned his game and swept her into his arms. Ashley giggled as she said, “Someday,
you’re going to have to let me
walk
into your bedroom.”

Jake grunted assent,
but answered, “I just want to make sure you get there.”

This time, Jake wanted
to memorize every curve, every dimple, every beauty mark on Ashley’s body. He
stood her up after carrying her into the bedroom, and slowly peeled the sun
dress down, discovering with pleasure that she didn’t wear panties.
Great
minds think alike,
flashed through his mind as he remembered that he was
commando as well. He knelt at Ashley’s feet and unbuckled her sandals, raising
each foot to slip them off as she balanced with a hand on top of his head. From
his kneeling position, he looked up at her standing over him. Gently, he pushed
her legs apart, and heard her gasp as his tongue found her core. She was
swaying when he stopped to lay her on the bed.

“My turn,” Ashley
murmured. She twisted out of his grasp and knelt beside his supine body to work
his jeans off over his protruding erection and his hips, which he raised to
help her. Moving between his legs, she looked up at him under her brows as she
tongued the first drop of moisture from his tip. Jake groaned as Ashley began
circling him with a pointed tongue. It was so hot! He wondered where she had
learned the technique, but forgot to think as she pulled him fully inside her
mouth.

“God, Baby, that’s
incredible.”

In response to his
praise, Ashley shifted to thrust her breasts forward until they cradled his groin
and moved sinuously. Jake didn’t believe he would last much longer, so he tried
to raise her, urging her to shift upward with his hands. She wouldn’t be budged,
though. Jake’s breath came faster, and he tried to warn her, but was unable
speak. Nevertheless, she sensed it, when his body tensed and a groan began deep
in his throat. She held on as he came, then moved into his arms, one leg thrown
over his groin and her arm stroking his chest.

Jake experienced
several sensations, and couldn’t sort them out. He felt tenderness for the
petite beauty who had given him the ultimate sexual gift. He felt worry that he
would not be able to satisfy her now. And he felt something completely
unfamiliar; a deep urge to wrap Ashley up in his arms and never let go. Also,
apprehension that the next words out of her mouth would piss him off again and
ruin the magic. Jake stroked Ashley’s hair and cupped her face. He tilted her chin
for a kiss, and said, “Thank you.”

Ashley startled, and
Jake pulled her even closer. Of all the things Dirk and her revenge conquests
ever said to her after a blow job, a simple thank you had never been one of
them. And, somehow she believed that Jake meant it sincerely. She considered
the implications. Jake wasn’t a selfish lover like Dirk. His skillful use of
his tongue proved that. She practically had to threaten Dirk to castrate him
before he would do that, and even then she couldn’t enjoy it. He made it clear
he didn’t like it, so the only time she insisted was when she meant to punish
him for being such an ass. Jake, on the other hand, was a virtuoso, and gave
every indication that he enjoyed it. And he acted so loving after sex! Dirk
always rolled over and went to sleep. She didn’t count the conquests, because that
was for revenge, not for pleasure.

Ashley realized she had
crossed an internal Rubicon. She needed to be alone to consider what her
feelings meant. She made a move to release herself from Jake’s arms, but he
held her tightly. That was when she noticed the beginnings of stirring
underneath her leg. Jake was going to be ready to go again soon. The thought
tightened her nipples and let down moisture between her legs. God, it would
feel good to have him inside her! As if he read her mind, Jake rolled Ashley to
her back, deftly swung over her and onto his knees. He took each leg over his
corresponding arm and pulled her closer until his shaft pushed at her opening. He
rocked forward, penetrating with a sudden thrust that took Ashley’s breath
again.

Ashley fought to keep
her eyes open. She wanted to see that beautiful face moving above her, gaze
into Jake’s incredible eyes. What she saw there puzzled her; a tender scrutiny
that almost resembled her dad’s eyes when he was acting particularly
affectionate. That look spoke of love. Jake’s thrusts, though, sent waves of
pleasure through her, and at last she succumbed to the overwhelming urge to
close her eyes and float away. When her orgasm struck, she let out a woeful cry,
knowing that this amazing pleasure would be over soon. Jake heard and responded
to Ashley’s release, which triggered his own. With a  desperate longing to send
her over again, he thrust more deeply than ever and held on until he was spent.
Not wanting to separate from her yet, he pushed in while he wrapped his ankles
around Ashley’s and flipped over with her weight settled sweetly on his chest
and the rest of her aligned perfectly to cover him. He inclined his head to
plant a kiss on her blonde mane.

By the time Ashley left
that night, Jake feared he might be falling in love with her. He couldn’t deny
their chemistry. Both times they made love were mind-blowing, and they seemed
to be well-matched both for what they both wanted to give and receive, and for
pacing. He had known women who took so long to arouse that he had lost interest
by the time they were ready. Ashley, on the other hand, responded willingly as
soon as he was ready…which was as soon as he touched her. But her schizophrenic
nature meant he would never know where he stood. Better to enjoy what he could
while he could, and not think of the future.

His thoughts were full
of her all the next morning, causing a few of his crew to make lewd remarks as
he had to be spoken to several times before they got his attention. He would
grin at them and shake his head.

It wasn’t until later
in the day that he got another taste of what a little bitch she could be. When
he called to tell her good morning, she spoke with a voice as cold as ice.

“I was asleep, Jake,
what do you want?”

“I wanted to tell you
you’re incredible, Baby.”

“Right. Hey, don’t call
me Baby. Bye.”

Jake was spending more
time staring at his phone in confusion than talking on it. Was there some kind
of verbal poltergeist in it? Spared the need to answer because she hung up, Jake
went back to work, certain he was going nuts.

After Ashley hung up,
she sat in her bed, surrounded by silk sheets and wondered if she had screwed
up. She couldn’t get a handle on how she felt about Jake, but she couldn’t
allow herself to fall in love with someone like him. He would never be able to give
her the life she wanted. She liked that life too much to let a man come between
her and it, even an incredibly hot and surprisingly tender lover like Jake.
Ashley worried so much that she didn’t even want to talk to Becky about it. If
she did, she might have to admit that she had bitten off more than she could
chew. Miserably, she flopped over and pulled a pillow over her head.

By evening, Ashley
changed her mind and admitted to herself that she made a mistake. She dialed
Jake’s number.

“What if I was asleep,”
he said, without a greeting.

“I’m sorry, hon. I’m a
bear when you wake me up.”

“Sorry I woke you.”

“You want me to come
over?”

“I don’t think so,
Ashley. I’m kind of tired.”

“Your loss.” Ashley’s
voice turned cold again. Jake understood clearly that he would have to walk a
fine line if he wanted to be with her. When she wasn’t with him, her sweet body
not next to him, he had serious doubts that she was worth it.

Both of them went to
sleep determined to cool it off the next day. Ashley because she was afraid of
falling for Jake, and Jake because Ashley was bound to drive him crazy. It would
be a toss-up who would call it off first, and the way it happened would prove
life-changing for one of them.

Chapter Eleven

Ashley had barely
opened her eyes when her phone rang. Irritated, she picked it up, expecting to
have to ream Jake a new one. Instead, her father spoke, summoning her to a
family meeting. What the hell? Ashley got up and turned the water in her shower
to as hot a temperature as she could stand. Hoping that would wake her up, she
stood under the hot spray, feeling the blood start to flow in her extremities.
She got out, wrapped her hair in a towel, and searched her closet for her
favorite jeans. Even more irritated when she couldn't find them, she threw on
the next jeans that came to hand and a sheer blouse. When she looked in the
mirror, she saw that she would have to wear a bra or give her dad an eyeful of
something he wouldn't want to see. Disgusted, she ripped the sheer blouse off
and found a short-sleeved T-shirt instead, adding a bra for good measure.

With all this activity,
Ashley didn't see the missed call until she was halfway down the stairs. Jake
must have called while she was in the shower. But she couldn't think about that
now, it was time to face her father and whatever he wanted from her. Belatedly,
she wondered if he had found out about her and Jake, or, even worse, about her
and the others of his employees she had seduced. She was more subdued than
usual when she took her place at the breakfast table.

Ashley was in shock.

Her dad had haltingly
told Jessica and her that he couldn't keep the secret any longer; that he had
used poor judgment and loaned Dane Johansson some money that wasn't his to
loan. By the time he finished outlining the potential consequences, Ashley was
terrified. She had never had a job, never wanted for anything except her absent
mother. What would happen if Daddy lost all his money? He even talked about
needing to sell her car! She was beyond devastated, she was humiliated.
Suddenly everything she knew about herself seemed false.

Ashley stumbled from
the table, not seeing the worried look her father gave her. Nor did she notice
that Jessica had risen from her chair and gone to Wally, putting her arms
around his neck and stooping to hug him.

"It will be okay,
honey. We have each other, and that's what's important."

Wally knew once again
why he loved this woman. She had soothed his wounded heart and pride after
Alice ripped him apart, had loved and raised Ashley as her own, and now was
telling him that he was more important to her than money, status and
possessions. She was a priceless jewel. He, a lucky man to have her.

Ashley fled to her room
to consider what she would do if the worst happened. This definitely required
her bestie to help her understand her position. She called Becky and begged her
to come over.

"Be right there,
Ash. What's wrong?"

"I'll tell you
when you get here. I'm dying, here, hurry!"

After hanging up,
Ashley noticed that her bed wasn’t made. Had Daddy let the housekeeping staff
go already? She called to ask him, but he didn’t answer. Resigning herself to
clean up on her own, she tugged at the sheets to straighten them, and threw the
duvet over the mess. The bed didn't look at all like it did when Maria made it.
Ashley crumpled again, sobbing. She didn't know how to do
anything
. How
would she survive?

A fresh wave of tears
surfaced as her scattered mind turned to her beloved Porsche. Her twenty-first
birthday gift! As her heart broke into smaller pieces, she told herself that it
shouldn't matter, but it did. It hurt terribly. Ashley rationalized that it
wouldn't be so bad if it hadn't been a special gift. But a little voice inside
her told her it should be the love that the extravagant gift represented that was
important now. As soon as Becky helped her put herself back together, she
needed to tell Daddy she would love him no matter what.

That realization led to
another; that she was done with her petty revenge project. No more of Daddy's
employees, except possibly Jake, who had become more important to her than she
was prepared to admit. But now more than ever, she couldn't afford to love him.
She needed to reconsider marriage to Dirk, or someone else whose money would
keep her in the luxury in which she had been raised. What a mess!

While Ashley was
reflecting on the end of her revenge project, her thoughts turned also to her
absent mother, whom she hadn’t seen since she was seven. All these years, she
had blamed her dad for throwing mom out. Now she wondered what had caused mom
to cheat on him in the first place. And why did she leave a daughter behind,
never to get in touch again?

By the time Becky
arrived, Ashley had made a list of things she needed to think about. Starting
with a job. Obviously, if Daddy couldn't keep the house, she would need
someplace to live, and admittedly it wouldn't be fair to ask him to continue to
support her now that she was a grown woman. For the first time, Ashley
regretted dropping out of school. At the moment, she had no skills whatsoever.
She would need Becky to suggest what kind of job she might be able to do. Could
she ask Becks to move into an apartment with her? After all, Ashley had been
leading Becky around like a pet pony for more than ten years. What if Becky had
no skills either?

Next, she would need to
gather all her clothes and figure out which ones would be suitable for a job.
Of course, she wouldn't know that until she figured out what kind of job might
be possible. But, no matter what, her things would have to be packed. If Daddy
was going to sell the house, Ashley needed to be ready to move to her own
place. That made her remember her bank account. With a gasp, she wondered if
she had any money left. She never paid any attention to that, Daddy took care
of it. Quickly, she turned on her iPad and checked the balance. Only $1500. Not
much to hold her over until a first paycheck. She'd better get a job quick! At
that moment, Becky arrived, and Ashley fell into her friend's arms, sobbing.

Becky was nonplussed.
Had there been a death in the family? "Ashley, what is it? Is it your
mom?"

That was so far off the
mark that Ashley quit crying at once. "What are you talking about?"

"I thought someone
must have died!"

"No, worse.
Daddy's probably broke and may go to jail!"

"Oh, my God,
Ashley, why?"

Ashley had only a
meager grasp on the situation, but Becky had been raised by lawyers. That they
worked for the public defender's office rather than having a lucrative practice
was a matter of principle. But it gave their bright daughter an understanding
of the issues facing Wally Steele that Ashley didn't share.

"Okay, listen.
I'll talk to my dad, see if there's anything that will help. What else do you
need?"

For the first time
following her friend's lead instead of the other way around, Ashley put herself
in Becky's hands, which proved more than capable. Within a couple of hours,
Ashley's  list of belongings was sorted into what could be sold or given away,
what to pack and what she would need to find storage space for somewhere. They
discussed possible careers, and decided that Ashley should apply to high-end
fashion boutiques as a sales clerk, or possibly personal shopper. By evening,
she was calmer. Becky hugged her and told her to get a good night's rest. On
Monday they would start job-hunting, and afterward would consider getting an
apartment.

After Becky left,
Ashley finally remembered Jake's call and listened to the voice mail. What she
heard finished the job her father had started at breakfast; Ashley shattered for
good this time.

"Ashley, I don't
know what kind of games you're playing, but I'm done. We had a good time,
incredible in fact. But I can't keep up with your moods. I need some peace in
my life, and I can see I won't get any with you. Please don't call me
again."

Who broke up with
someone on the phone? Ashley called Becky in panic, begging her to come back
and spend the night. Ever loyal, Becky turned around and went back. She found
Ashley curled into a fetal position in the middle of the bed. Becky climbed in
and wrapped Ashley in affection, until they both eventually found sleep.