Take Me Down (Suits in Pursuit) (11 page)

Cool water cascaded down rigid shoulders, rushed over Ashley’s arm, and trickled down to her toes. Easing away tension and heat, even the tight knot in her belly loosened. Tonight she shortened her time in a relaxing shower. Within an hour, Sebastian expected her to be ready. The evening promised to be less eventful, she hoped. Imagining him outdoing the Robin’s Nest date, impossible.

She pulled her hair back into a long, thick ponytail. Lightly applied makeup, mascara, and a hint of lip gloss would be the extent of her beauty regimen. Sebastian didn’t say where he was taking her that evening. A knock at the bedroom door interrupted her thoughts.

Kerrigan poked her head inside. “Hey, Sebastian is here. Are you almost ready?”
Ashley glanced at herself in the mirror a final time. Hand on her hip. “This is as ready as it gets tonight. What do you think?” She spun around, flashing a smile as brilliant as the moon shone down on the sparkling the sea.

Kerrigan smiled back. “I think you look great, just like you always do.” She turned to head out. “I’ll let Sebastian know you’ll be ready soon.”

Sebastian was sitting on the sofa when Ashley strolled into the living room. He bolted to his feet the moment she approached. 

Standing an inch away, “Wow!” he greeted her. His gray eyes sparkled brilliantly. “You look amazing.” 

Sebastian’s compliment forced a grin on Ashley’s tight face. “Thank you.” She noted how his jeans hung from his waist, the way the muscles in his arms flexed and pulsed as he moved.
Damn, the man is hot.
Not hot in the kind of way that left her slightly warm and flustered. Sebastian was the kind of hot that made her break into a cold sweat, tingle from the inside out, and draw her knees together tight. He was the kind of hot that made her look away for fear of eyes that would betray the sensuous thoughts floating in her head. Thoughts that turned to physical manifestations like the drool pooling at the parting of her lips ready to ooze down her chin.

She swallowed hard. Her lips became a quivering line. “Are you… you ready?” she asked, stammering and anxious to get their evening started. She whirled around and raced toward the front door.

Sebastian reached out, fingers coiled around her wrist. “Hold on a minute.” His palm seared her skin, giving Ashley a heat flash. Her eyes glided up from their joined flesh, met his wanting gaze. His hand that had been hidden behind his back emerged. “This is for you.” He held out a single yellow rose. 

Her eyes stretched wide. Ashley’s words caught in her throat. “Sebastian.” She paused and then turned away from his imposing stare.

He pulled Ashley to him. Towering from behind, he leaned down, whispered in her ear. “A simple ‘thank you’ would be nice.” His hot, minty breath singed the hairs at the nape of her neck.

She turned to face him. “Thank you,” she replied softly, batting surrendered eyes. Ashley yanked her arm away. She retreated to the door and shuffled down the walkway toward Sebastian’s Jeep. 

Sebastian trailed Ashley’s hurried steps, his heavy feet crushing and crunching fallen palm fronds beneath his shoes. “I’m glad to see you’ve made a full recovery.” The I-know-you-were-lying smile in his voice made Ashley’s insides tingle. 

Sebastian raced ahead and opened the passenger door. Ashley climbed inside. He strolled around and crawled into the driver’s seat. The Jeep rolled onto the street. Sebastian’s heavy gaze landed on her. “Where are we going this evening, Sebastian?” Her icy tone lowered the temperature in the vehicle.

He cut a sidelong glance at her. Didn’t say a word. Ashley squirmed.

She looked him squarely in the eye. “Where are you taking me?” Her tone was more insistent than before.

Sebastian’s hands wrapped the steering wheel. “I’m afraid if I tell you where we’re going you’ll come up with a thousand reasons to escape.” 

Ashley laughed. “I won’t. I swear.” There would be no escaping this date.

The Jeep rounded the corner. An art gallery caught Ashley’s eye. She whipped her head around. Tropical foliage and plants in brightly colored acrylics and watercolors stained canvases displayed in the picture window of the Moss Studio and Gallery. 

Sebastian pulled the Jeep into a parking spot and turned the engine off. “Let’s go.” He jumped out and jogged to the passenger side of the vehicle. 

The door opened. Sebastian guided Ashley out with a steady hand, clutching her small hand tightly. “This way.” Despite her protesting tug, he kept a firm grip and led her to the front door. “I thought we could explore our creative ambitions tonight.” 

A deep breath released, a heavy weight lifted from Ashley’s shoulders. There would be no sexual tension between the two in this atmosphere. Sebastian held the door open. Ashley walked inside. The gallery was larger than its roadside appearance. Canvas art mounted the walls, leaned against easels, and hung overhead on a thin wire. 

Ashley whirled around. A light tapping sound drew her attention. A woman wearing a smock smeared in a rainbow of paint colors sauntered from a room in the back of the gallery. “May I help you?” Her brow wrinkled.

Sebastian stepped forward, grinned at the pretty blond. His outstretched hand collided with the woman’s hand. “Miss Kennedy, I’m Sebastian Stone.”

The woman was quite attractive. Scratch that. She was flat-out gorgeous.

Sebastian squeezed Ashley’s hand. “And this is my lovely date, Ashley.”

Does he sense my jealousy?

The woman’s pale green eyes locked on Sebastian’s fingers entwined with Ashley’s. Snatching her hand from his grip, Ashley reached out. “Hello, Miss Kennedy.”

She smiled. “Nice to meet you both. The studio is all yours.” Small, frail hands untied the sash behind her waist and lifted the smock over her head. “Will anyone else be joining you?”

Playing the perfect gentleman, “No, ma’am,” he replied. “This special evening is for Ashley and me. Is everything else, uh, set up?”

Like a cat chasing a shiny moving object, Ashley’s head turned from side to side, listening and watching their exchange. If Sebastian found Miss Kennedy attractive, he should be awarded an Oscar for acting as though he had no interest.

“Yes. Everything else is ready.” Miss Kennedy headed to the back of the gallery. “I’ll leave through the back door. You’ll exit through the back door too. Lock the bottom. I’ll send someone to lock the deadbolt after you’re gone. When you’re done, place your brushes here.” She pointed at a ceramic bowl set on a cabinet at the rear corner of the room. “Have a great evening,” she said and dashed out into the night.

Ashley admired Sebastian’s date-planning skills. Even though his intentions weren’t pure or genuine, he made her feel special.

“Why are you doing this?” she asked softly. Her right hand massaged her chin.

“Because I like you. Because I want to get to know you better. I have something to show you.” Ashley placed her hand in Sebastian’s open palm. His touch always made her tingle inside. “This way.”

Sebastian led them to a metal spiral staircase that ascended to the loft above.

He nodded. “After you.”

Ashley smirked and glance back, looking down at Sebastian. “Thank you. Don’t you dare look up my dress,” she said.

Sebastian chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’ll be too close to look up your dress.”

The warmth of his body pressed against her. His stealthy swagger synchronized with Ashley’s steps as they glided in unison up the spiraled treads.

They reached the loft. Ashley froze. Her mouth dropped open. A wall of glass doors framed a breathtaking view of the ocean and a magnificent sun setting at the horizon.

Sebastian advanced. He didn’t say a word. She spun around to face him, mere inches between them. “Sebastian, I… I…” She closed her eyes. Shook her head, at a loss for words.

Tender lips melted into hers and jolted Ashley. She whimpered into his kiss, eyes shut tight. Sebastian’s left hand held her in place, drew her nearer to him. She reached up. Her fingers tangled thick hair at his nape. Eager hands captured her wrists, commanded them to his will.

“I’m in control tonight, baby,” Sebastian murmured. He held her hands against his chest. Her tender breasts pressed into him, igniting an inferno.

Feverish kisses blazed the crook of her neck. Her heart pounded hard, as though it would burst. “Ahhh, Sebastian.” Ashley exhaled a breathy release. She couldn’t help the moan that escaped her.

His skillful hands eased the stretchy fabric of her strapless dress down. He unsnapped her bra. “Baby, you belong to me tonight.”

His deep bravado thundered through her core. Ashley couldn’t object even if she wanted to.

Strong hands covered her chocolate mounds, molded the fleshy peaks. Sebastian dipped his head low. His tongue swirled around her erect nipples, tasting the sweet, succulent morsels. Ashley moaned. “I want you.”

Sebastian pushed Ashley against the wall, pinned her arms above her head. His senses abandoned, unrestrained erotic energy coursed through his veins. He wanted her. Wanted to be inside her. Her smooth velvety skin, her soft feminine aroma, and her tight, curvy body called to his masculine desire. The look in those big brown eyes revealed she wanted him back.
Damn, she’s beautiful.
Blood rushed to his cock. His chest heaved with uneven breaths. “Then I’m going to give you what you want,” he said, releasing her hands. “I’m going to make you scream.”

The room began to spin around them. She clung to his shoulders, her grip clamping down hard. “Yes, Sebastian. Make me scream,” she panted breathlessly.

His hands slithered along her inner thigh until he reached her thong. Needy fingers dipped under the fabric and found her slick wet folds. A surge of sexual heat flowed through his body and his temperature rose. His cock throbbed with an ache. Sebastian stroked her vigorously. Ashley moaned at his touch. He ripped the lacy nuisance from her flesh. The flimsy wadded fabric crumpled in his fist, disappeared in his hand. He pitched the shredded panties over his shoulder.

His eyes locked on hers. He lifted a hand to his nostrils, and then inhaled. “Mmm,” he groaned, savoring the delicate scent that lingered on his fingertips. His heart hammered. His hard cock twitched. He slid a damp finger into his mouth and closed his eyes. His tongue swirled around the digit relishing her tangy flavor. "Mmm," he groaned again. She tasted like sex. And she belonged to him for the taking. Her sweet essence, like an
appeteaser
taunted his sexual appetite, and he was ready for the main course.

Sebastian lifted Ashley on top of a nearby cabinet. She released a small whimper. He crouched down slowly while stroking her sumptuous thighs. His shoulders wedged between her silky legs and his knees hit the floor. Anxious hands gripped her ankles and spread her legs wide. God, she was perfect. His cock pressed firmly against the metal zipper of his annoying jeans.

Her small hands braced him again, nails digging into his shoulders as his tongue found her center and stroked her tender flesh. His tongue whirled around, gliding over her soft pearl. His fingers fondled her wetness as he spread her lips to taste her honey. She trembled as he devoured all of her. Slowly, he eased a wet finger into her warm center.

“Ahhh,” she moaned.

“You like this?” He broke into a light sweat.

“Yes,” she rasped and arched her back, thrusting her round naked bosom forward.

Her feminine heat provoked his natural impulses. “This?” he asked, inserting another finger.

“Ahhh, Sebastian. Yes!”

“So sweet,” he murmured. “Mmm, I’m going to fucking break you.”

A sharp pang shot through his groin. The thick heat between them stifled his breathing. Taking harsh, ragged breaths, he snatched himself up from the floor and stepped between her gaping legs. He clawed at the small round buttons, couldn’t strip open his shirt fast enough. A few buttons popped off and bounced on the floor. Ashley’s jittery fingers fumbled with the buttons on the lower half of his shirt until his shirt hung open.

He leaned forward and covered a nipple with his mouth. Heat rolled through his chest. The chocolate morsel beaded under the stroke of his circling tongue. Another pang, sharper than the one before, shot through his groin and Sebastian stepped back.

“You ready to scream, darlin’?”

“Yes!”

He fiddled with the leather strap at his waist, unbuckled his belt, and then unzipped his jeans. The rugged twilled cotton fell to his ankles. Yanking furiously at the elastic band, briefs pooled to his ankles, joining his jeans.

Ashley’s eyes widened. “Damn,” she said, gawking at Sebastian’s erection. Hungry brown eyes coasted up his washboard stomach to meet his eyes.