11. Aspen

CHAPTER 11

Aspen

Jesse: Sophia and I are at Lux. Come out!

Jesse: I know you’re home from your trip don’t ignore me.

Jesse: Babe! Come dance.

Brecken: Got an A on my Lit final!

Jesse: It’s now eight in the morning. If you don’t text me back to let me know you’re alive I’m going to break into your apartment.

Isat up in Crossland’s bed, holding a sheet around myself as I quickly read through the string of texts I’d missed last night. I hurried to type back to Brecken, so damn proud of her for acing that final because I knew she’d been worrying about it.

Then reality caught up to me, and I glanced around the room.

Crossland was nowhere to be found, and I didn’t hear anything outside his bedroom either. When had we even moved in here? The last thing I remembered was him holding me outside on the balcony couch…

I shifted off the bed, spotting a sticky note on the nightstand next to me.

Didn’t want to wake you. Had to run into the office. Please make yourself at home.

I held my phone in one hand, and Crossland’s note in the other, my mind reeling from the memories of last night. I could still feel the effects of him on my body—the sweet soreness between my thighs, the sensitivity in my lips from kissing him so much, the tangles in my hair⁠—

My phone buzzed in my hand, making me jolt so hard I dropped Crossland’s note. I swiped my screen to answer the call.

“Jesse,” I said, catching my breath.

“You’re alive, thank fuck. You know how worried I’ve been? You never don’t text back!”

“I’m sorry,” I said, shifting back against the pillows. “I was busy.”

“How dare you,” he said, but there was playfulness in his tone. “I’ll forgive you if you give me the deets. I’m assuming you were whisked away by blue eyes again?”

“Sort of,” I said, my heart fluttering in my chest at the thought of him. “We didn’t go anywhere. He got my favorite tacos and we had dinner at his place.”

“I knew he was getting the tacos,” Jesse said. “He texted me to confirm your favs. But tacos don’t take all night—ohmigod! You’re still there, aren’t you? You never left!”

I half-laughed, half-groaned.

“Aspen Reed, did you sleep with your fake billionaire boyfriend?”

“Shh!” I scolded him.

“I’m in my bedroom, babe. Alone. Now spill.”

I blew out a breath. “Yes. I slept with my fake billionaire boyfriend. God, when you say it out loud it sounds like I’m in a romcom.”

“A good one, too,” he said. “How did it happen? I thought he hadn’t made a move since that one night and you blamed it on the drinks?”

I nodded even though he couldn’t see me. “That’s what I thought, then last night, we kind of had this moment of honesty and then one thing just led to another.”

“So you’re like really dating now?”

“No,” I said a little too quickly.

“Okay, then it was like a perk in the contract?”

“No,” I said again. “This…it was just…a friend thing.”

“Babe, we’re friends. We don’t do that.”

I laughed, thankful for my best friend’s ability to take the pressure off this monumental tea session. “Last time I checked, I don’t have what you’re looking for,” I teased right back.

“If only you did,” he said wistfully. “We would’ve been perfect for each other.” I laughed again, happiness settling into my bones. “Okay, so you had a friendly frolic,” he continued, and I snorted at his use of the word frolic. “Now, how was blue eyes?”

I sighed contently.

“Damn, that good?”

“Better,” I said.

“Le swoon,” he said. “And you’re still at his place?”

“Yep,” I said. “He’s not here though.”

“He left you alone?” he asked. “Do I need to find him and kick his ass? Remind him you never leave a lady alone⁠—”

“No,” I laughed. “He left a note. He had to run into the office, but he said to make myself at home.”

“Ohhh,” he said, intrigue laced in his tone. “Doesn’t he have one of those ridiculously expensive and equally gorgeous penthouses in lower Manhattan?”

“That he does.”

“That’s a score, babe. I’d go take a dip in his tub Pretty Woman style and never look back.”

“You have the best ideas,” I said. “I’m sorry for not texting back and worrying you.”

“Great sex is always an acceptable excuse. I’m proud of you, babe. You needed this.”

I gaped at my phone. “Who says I needed it?”

“Your best friend, that’s who,” he chided me. “You never do anything for yourself. And this entire situation, however unorthodox it is, has really worked out for you. You deserve it and you should sure as hell enjoy it.”

I chewed on my bottom lip. He wasn’t wrong. I couldn’t remember the last time I actually did something for myself beyond treating myself to a night with Jesse or the girls or taking Brecken out to a play. Was that why a flower of apprehension bloomed in my chest? The fact that I wasn’t used to this situation or was it because Crossland had turned out to be the exact opposite of what I’d expected when I entered into this deal?

A friend.

That’s what we’d established last night. Over the last month, during our ruse, we’d become friends.

I shook my head.

“Don’t overthink this, Aspen,” Jesse said like he could read the silence between us.

“I’m trying not to,” I said. “But you know me. Anytime anything good happens…” Icy dread laced through me.

“You worry your past will show up to steal it,” he finished for me. “I know. I remember it took you years to realize I wasn’t going anywhere. No matter what.”

“I love you,” I said.

“I love you, babe.”

“How was dancing at Lux?” I asked, wanting to know about his night too. “Meet anyone fun?”

“It was a blast,” he said. “Drinks were on point, and I might’ve, maybe met someone.”

“Oh?” I asked, curiosity piqued.

“He seemed a little too good to be true, but I gave him my number.”

“Whoa, that’s huge! You rarely give that out.”

“It was the cocktails,” he groaned. “But Mr. Too-Good-To-Be-True already texted asking for a brunch date.”

“Holy shit, he sounds amazing.” I grinned, genuinely happy for my friend. “Wait, how was he dressed?” Good taste in clothes were a huge plus for Jesse⁠—

“Like I drew him,” he answered, and I squealed. “Right?” he continued. “If anything, he’ll be good for inspiration for my next collection.”

“That’s awesome,” I said. “So glad you went out last night.”

“Me too,” he said. “Now, back to you,” he continued. “Don’t question what’s happening between the two of you. Just enjoy it. It’s not like you’re in love with the guy, so there isn’t a risk for heartbreak.”

“Right,” I said, my stomach sinking for a reason I couldn’t place.

“Good. Now go explore the penthouse and report back anything fascinating.”

I chuckled. “Will do.”

“Love,” he said.

“Love,” I said before we both hung up.

I sat on the bed for a few moments, contemplating gathering my things and leaving. I’d never stayed long at any of my previous boyfriends’ houses before, but this wasn’t anything like those had been either.

Fuck it. Jesse was right, I should just enjoy myself. I was still doing my job—posing as Crossland’s girlfriend, and a girlfriend would certainly stay and take a long, hot bath, especially when Cross insisted I make myself at home himself.

With that decided, I shoved all other concerns away and let the sheet fall off my body, padding barefoot to the bathroom connected to his bedroom.

“Holy shit,” I said out loud as I took in the spacious, spa-like bathroom. It was huge with dark marble floors, a massive shower, and a giant square stone tub that was sat atop the floor.

I gave a giddy little squeal and started to fill the tub, exploring his cabinets until I found some fancy-looking bubbles and salts, pouring them in the steaming water and dimming the lights to a low golden hue. I threw my hair back in a messy bun, then sat my phone near the tub, playing music from an artist Crossland had told me about weeks ago.

Sinking into the steaming water, I moaned as it soaked my still-weak muscles. Turning the water off, I moved my arms back and forth, shifting through the tub that was big enough to fit myself and all my friends until I found a convenient stone bench to rest on. I leaned my head back, sighing as I lost myself in the utter relaxation that came with such a moment. I’d never been in a tub like this one, and I was quite sure I’d never leave again.

I hummed along with the music, instantly hooked to the deep and hauntingly beautiful voice of the singer, and allowed my mind to wander back to last night, my muscles clenching at the memory of Crossland’s mouth on mine, on my body, on⁠—

“Damn,” Crossland’s voice cut over the music, and my eyes snapped open to find him undoing his tie as he looked down at me. “Didn’t expect to see such a prize when I rushed home.”

I gaped at him, suddenly wondering if I should be in here or not. “You said make yourself at home,” I hurried to say. “Should I go? I thought you were working.” And now I was rambling, but it was hard to concentrate when he was unbuttoning his dress shirt.

“I was,” he said, tossing the shirt behind him as he went for the zipper on his pants. God, he looked amazing, all smooth skin, dark whirling tats along his chest, and rigid muscles. “But I couldn’t concentrate.”

That made two of us. “Why?” I asked, eyes widening as he dropped his pants, leaving him in his tight, black boxer-briefs that left absolutely nothing to the imagination. Was he hard?

“I couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that you might stay.” He moved toward the tub. “That you might be waiting for me.”

I swallowed hard, my heart suddenly pounding as anticipation overtook me. Did the tub suddenly grow ten degrees hotter?

“Who says I’m waiting for you?” I teased. “Maybe I’m just enjoying the benefits of being a billionaire’s girlfriend.” I moved my arms through the water to emphasize the lie.

He cocked a brow at me before sliding off his boxer-briefs, his beautifully large cock springing free and on full display. “Then you don’t want me to join you?”

My mouth went dry, need slamming through me with such intensity I wasn’t sure how to speak, let alone answer him.

He stepped into the tub, far enough on the opposite side that he didn’t come close to touching me. Instead, he settled confidently on the bench there, stretching his arms along the edges, a confident smile shaping his lips.

“Cocky prick,” I muttered, but couldn’t contain my grin.

The man made me giddy.

I was in so much trouble.

“You know, every time you say that, it sounds more like an endearment than an insult.”

“That’s because you only hear what you want to hear. It explains that ego of yours.”

Crossland laughed, his smile wide and head tilting back slightly, and the sound filled me up from the inside out, all warmth and tingles and goddamn him, did he have to look like that when he was naked and wet and grinning like I was the funniest person on the planet?

“There are other things that feed my ego other than myself,” he said.

“Like what?”

“Like that little sound you make right before you come on my cock.”

The breath caught in my throat, his words stroking down my spine like a lick of flame. I swallowed hard, tipping my chin. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I lied.

“Really?” he asked, wholly unconvinced. “You don’t remember. It’s such a sexy noise.”

I pressed my lips together. “Nope,” I said. “Don’t recall.”

“That’s a shame,” he said, playing right into the game. “I guess if it wasn’t memorable for you, I should leave.” He lifted out of the water, sitting on the edge to spin his legs around⁠—

I spanned the distance in a heartbeat, my hands gliding over his wet thighs. “Don’t go just yet,” I said, my heart pounding against my chest. The position I was in, me in the water and him just on the edge of the tub, gave me the perfect opportunity to slide between his thighs. “Let’s see what kind of sounds you make,” I said before dipping my head and wrapping my lips around his cock.

He gasped, jerking slightly at the way I took him in my mouth.

I flickered my eyes up to his, keeping him in my mouth as I moved lower.

He groaned, a pleasure-filled sound that vibrated along my bones, and it made me smile as much as I could with him in my mouth. I drew back, stroking his cock with my hand as I swirled my tongue over his thick head, whimpering at the bead of pre-come that coated my tongue before I sucked him in my mouth again.

“Fuck,” he hissed as I upped my pace, my free hand digging into his thigh as I did my best to take him all the way in. It was impossible with his size, but it didn’t look like he minded one bit. “Kitten,” he growled when I dragged my teeth lightly along his shaft, ending only to suck his head before bobbing up and down again.

His fingers flew to my hair, half spilling out of the messy bun I’d thrown it in, his grip tightening the harder I sucked him.

“Aspen,” he said, his voice laced with need.

It was intoxicating, hearing him say my name like that, feeling him so undone by me. I moved my free hand to his balls, toying with the sensitive area between them and his cock.

“Aspen,” he groaned again, more urgently this time. “I’m going to come.”

I stayed right where I was, adrenaline crackling through my veins as I felt him harden another degree.

“Fuck,” he hissed right before he spilled inside my mouth.

I swallowed him down, gliding my fingers over my swollen lips as I moved back slightly. “I like the sounds you make too,” I said, my skin too tight and hot for my body. I needed to get out of this tub, needed to⁠—

Crossland stood up, reaching for me as he hauled me out of the water and immediately laid me down on the heated marble floor. I gasped, my flushed, sensitive skin reacting to the change, but Cross stole my breath with a kiss as he licked into my mouth.

His hand glided down my body and between my thighs, and he slid his fingers through my heat. Everything narrowed to the way he made me feel, to the sensations he wrenched from my body. He kissed his way down my breasts, sucking my nipple into his mouth until it was peaked for him before doing the same to the other, all the while his fingers. He stroked me, teasing my aching clit with light circles.

I arched into his touch, desperate for more contact, and he smiled into our kiss before sliding one finger inside me, then two, filling me, stretching me.

I whimpered, rocking into his hand as he pumped his fingers inside me, curling them until I shivered, dancing on the edge of release. And he kept me there, content to kiss the breath from my lungs and work me up into a tangled mess at his command.

My clit throbbed, begging for attention as everything coiled inside me.

He pulled back, blue eyes trailing the length of my body until he focused on where he touched me, eyes churning with lust as he pressed the heal of his palm into my aching clit, rubbing it hard and fast while he pumped those fingers inside of me over and over⁠—

“Cross,” I groaned, his name a cry of release as pleasure tore through me.

“Fucking hell, Aspen,” he said, gently pulling his hand away. “I can’t get enough of you.”

I was still too thrown to respond or even question when he shifted away from me for a movement, only to return, urging me up to straddle his lap.

“Already?” I asked, breathless as I looked between us, noticing a condom rolled over his hard cock.

He gave me an incredulous look, like I should in no way be surprised.

I didn’t question it twice, and instead crushed my mouth over his as I settled over him, inching my way down until he was seated entirely inside me. I wrapped my arms around him, giving myself a moment to adjust, but thanks to what he’d just done, I didn’t need much time.

I moved on him, slowly at first, explorative to see what felt the best, what made him arch his head back in pleasure, and did as much of that as I could. We were chest to chest, his lips a breath away from mine as I rolled my hips, taking him in over and over again, chasing my pleasure like my life depended on it.

Each stroke felt better than the last, every kiss hungrier, every touch or grip a needy, desperate thing that fueled the heat flowing through my body.

This…this was everything. I never wanted it to end.

“So damn beautiful,” he said, cupping my breasts and rolling my nipples between his fingers. “Riding my cock like it was made for you. Fuck, kitten. That feels good.”

I rocked against him again, relishing the delighted shiver that rolled down his body from the move.

My body trembled, my thighs clenching on either side of his hips as we crashed together again and again, insatiable for the other. Everything in me tightened, that sweet edge sharp and gleaning with every stroke we made together until I completely came undone.

I whimpered, my orgasm tearing through me fast and sharp, stealing my breath as I felt him fall over that edge with me.

I went limp above him, my forehead resting against his as we caught our breath.

He smoothed his hands up and down my back before he pulled away enough to look at me, an infectious smile on his lips.

“What?” I asked.

“I got you all dirty,” he said. “Looks like we’ll have to start over.” He motioned behind us, to the tub. “Unless you have somewhere to be?” he asked.

“I’m wide open,” I said, then smirked. “Unless my boyfriend needs me to make an appearance at an event,” I teased. “Then I’ll have to go.”

His grin widened, and he playfully smacked my ass. “The only place you’re needed is right here.”

I gasped, delight rippling through my body.

In that moment, there was nowhere I’d rather be.