Chapter 21

Chapter Twenty-One

Carter

C arter had lain in his bed last night with new and different thoughts keeping him up. Instead of stressing over how to keep himself away from Ashley, he’d been filled with thoughts of what he’d do when he got her alone.

Overall, the night had gone well and all four of them had sat down for dinner without any arguing. Ashley had leaned into him most of the night, and they’d both kept finding reasons to touch each other. It had been amazing.

They’d taken a while to get together on the same page, but the kiss goodnight had been more than worth it. He’d walked her to her door, and she’d reached up on her tiptoes and had kissed him. Nothing more had happened right there, but he’d felt lighter than he could remember.

Now, he planned to take her on another walk and surprise her with some time for yoga. He had a blanket and a couple of towels for her to use. He didn’t know what else she might want for yoga, but he hoped it was enough.

“Good morning.” He leaned down and kissed her neck as he joined her in the kitchen.

She spun to face him and kissed his lips. “Good morning.”

“What did you make today?” He looked over her shoulder at the dirty mixing bowls.

“Chocolate chip muffins. I don’t have a ton to work with, but I figured chocolate was a safe bet for everyone.”

“Always a win. I’ll definitely have some.”

“I made two pans again.”

“Might need to get more pans for you.” He stuck a finger in the batter and tasted it. “Mmm.”

“Stop.” She pushed him away. “That has raw eggs in it.”

“It’ll take more than that to take me out.”

“Yeah, until you’re stuck in the bathroom for hours and feel like you’re dying.”

He laughed as he backed away. “That is a terrifying threat.”

“Good. Stay out of my kitchen.”

“Your kitchen?” He liked the sound of it.

“It is right now. Go.” She pointed to the long island where stools were set up along the far side. “That side.”

He went but kept talking to her. “I thought you might like to try some yoga at the pond still? I grabbed a few towels and blankets, didn’t know what would work best until we get you a new mat.”

That smile, the one that sent electricity through him, was the reason he lived anymore. “That would be amazing. I can be ready after breakfast.”

“I told Matt we needed a few things and asked him to send you some clothes and a new mat. Hopefully, that will arrive sooner rather than later.”

“You didn’t have to do that. I’m fine making do with what I have.”

The odd thing was that she was fine with it. She hadn’t complained much about not having things that she normally did. He had called her a princess back at her apartment but was learning she was anything but that.

“I know, but I’m sure you’d like a few more clothes at the very least, and if he was sending those, he could send a mat with them.”

“Thank you.” She walked around the counter to kiss his cheek. “Thank you for thinking of me.”

“It’s all I do,” he admitted.

“Hey, now. That’s too much before breakfast.” Nate covered his eyes as he walked forward. “Do I smell muffins?”

Ashley laughed. “They’ll be done in a minute.”

Then, the oven timer went off and she crossed to get them out. She set the pans on the stove and turned to them with a warning. “Do not touch these.”

“Come on,” Nate whined.

“I’m serious. They need to cool and then you can have some. I’m going to go change.”

Nate pouted.

“I’ll make sure he stays out,” Carter called after her.

“You stay out, too,” she warned.

Carter turned to Nate. “We better wait or she won’t make them again.”

“What else can she make? Does she need groceries?” Nate asked. “You’ve got a gem there with a woman that can cook.”

“I do, don’t I?” He grinned.

“It’s crazy the way the smell of those muffins permeates the whole house.” Christian walked in, shirtless and yawning.

“Go get dressed,” Carter ground out.

Christian looked down, as if he hadn’t realized he was only in sweatpants. “My bad.” He disappeared again.

“You and Ashley, huh?” Nate said. “Anyone else know?”

Shit. He’d forgotten to talk to them about it. “Not yet. I appreciate you keeping it to yourself until we have a chance to talk to them.”

“You think Ryker will care?” Nate looked unsure.

“Honestly, if she were anyone else, he might not. But she’s his girlfriend’s sister.” Carter dropped his head in his hands on the counter.

“Oh, shit.”

“Oh shit what?” Christian returned with a shirt on.

“Do you know who Ashley is to Ryker?” Nate asked him.

“No. Why? Who is she?” Christian joined them at the counter.

“Ryker’s girlfriend’s sister,” Nate said with a big smile.

“And you’re messing with her? Shit, dude. That’s ballsy,” Christian said to Carter.

“I know. I just asked Nate, but if you can keep it to yourselves until we get a chance to tell them, I’d appreciate it.” Carter hoped they went with it.

“I would, too. Unlike him, I’m not worried about Ryker, but my brother is Ryker’s best friend, so it could be a thing.” Ashley joined them and added to his request.

“The plot thickens.” Nate whistled.

“That’s enough,” Carter said. “We are going to walk out to the pond so Ashley can do some yoga. Call me if you need or hear anything.”

“Yoga.” Nate snorted. “That what we’re calling it these days?”

Ashley glared at him. “You can’t have any muffins.”

Carter grinned, knowing that was going to hurt Nate.

“Come on. It was a joke.” Nate pouted.

“Are you done?” Ashley asked.

“That’s what she said,” Nate muttered, clearly unable to help himself.

Carter shouldn’t have added to it, but he did. “If she’s saying that, you’re doing it wrong.”

At that, everyone but Nate broke out into a full laugh.

“Have a muffin, Nate.” Ashley pointed at him. “But behave.”

“Thanks,” he said.

“Let me grab one and we can head out.” Carter made his way to the counter.

“Better grab two,” Ashley told him.

He grabbed four, two for each of them, and led her out the door. “I never had a younger brother, but I imagine that’s what Nate is.”

Ashley laughed again and took one of the muffins. “I had an older brother and I can confirm he’s a lot like having one. Thankfully, mine grew out of it.”

“Twenty bucks says Nate’s the youngest.”

She shook his head. “You’re on.”

They’d ask him when they got back. The walk to the pond felt faster than last time. Ashley knew where she was going and led the way.

“Eager to do your yoga?” Carter asked, carrying the blankets and towels.

“Sure.” She shrugged.

He sent a questioning look her way. Maybe she just wanted out of the house or something. Either way, they were walking pretty quickly to get there.

At the edge of the pond, Carter found a good, flat spot and spread the blanket out for her, setting the bath towels on it so she could place everything the way she wanted.

He turned to ask her if this was good and nearly ran into her.

Ashley didn’t give him a moment to speak. She covered his lips with her own. He didn’t have the mental capacity to question it as he pulled her into his arms.

He let his hands roam her body for the first time. Sure, he’d held her when she had melted down in the shower, but that had been different. He hadn’t been thinking about anything but keeping her safe. The same thing he should be thinking now.

“Ashley,” he moaned. “Baby, what are we doing?”

She stepped back and tossed the loose shirt she’d been wearing to the ground. “Yoga,” she answered with a grin.

Nate had been right. That was what they were calling it these days. Carter moved in a flash and gently laid her down on the blanket. It was perfect, seeing her there below him, out here on his ranch.

He tossed his own shirt to the ground and covered her body with his own. He kissed her until the need for air took over, trailing a path down her neck to her breasts, which were now being explored by his hands.

She fit perfectly in his palms, and as he cupped her, he let his lips explore her breasts, too. Kissing the swells, he heard her whimper. Emboldened by her reaction to the gentle kisses, he took one hardened peak into his mouth, suckling it.

Ashley cried out, and he felt his cock get impossibly harder. It strained against his pants, begging to be released.

“More,” Ashley pled from beneath him. “I need you.”

“We can’t,” he said sadly. “I can get you there, but I don’t have a condom.” He’d have to wait, but giving her pleasure would be pleasure enough for him.

“I’m clean. I haven’t been with anyone in a long time.”

“I am too. Not with anyone since before I got out.”

“Then there’s no problem.” She was panting beneath him.

Carter tried to make sense of what she was saying while her hands fumbled with his belt. He reached between them, stopping her.

“Are you sure? We can wait until later.”

“I want you,” she told him. “Bare, all of you.”

Any intention of being a good guy and stopping them from going too far was out the window with her words. His self-control broke as he undid his own belt and pulled his pants off.

Ashley tossed her leggings to the side and reached up for him as he lay back down above her.

His cock was already touching her wet heat, helped along by her hips moving, searching for more. He poised himself at her entrance and slowly eased inside her.

She was tight, nearly impossibly so, and clamped around him as he filled her. The pleasure was like nothing he’d known. When she reached his hilt, Ashley moaned.

He withdrew and plunged in again, quicker with each thrust. She locked her ankles behind him, holding him against her as he moved.

“God, yes,” she cried. “Right there.”

Carter grinned, knowing she wasn’t far from an orgasm and intending to follow right behind her. Another time, he’d take his time and explore her more, but right now he was chasing the same orgasm she was and praying it wasn’t a race he won.

“Carter,” she cried out, biting his shoulder as he felt her pussy pulse around his cock.

That was all he needed, his own climax coming with a roar of her name as he spent himself inside of her.

It took a while for him to catch his breath, and Ashley was grinning up at him when he did. “That was a great yoga session.”

“It really was,” he agreed.

Reaching up above her head, he grabbed her oversized shirt and helped her into it before settling next to her. This was heaven, and there was not a worry in his mind at this moment. Soon, they’d have to get dressed and go back to their own reality, but he wanted to drag this moment out as long as he could.

“Thank you for this morning,” Ashley wrapped one leg over him.

He grunted. “The feeling is mutual.”

Kissing her, he got lost in her again. There was one more yoga session before they finally got dressed and headed back to the house.