“I need to see him tonight. I want to ask for his help,” I finally relented.
“The night before your big wedding, huh?” she said softly. “Getting cold feet and want to try out someone else before you’re trapped by the marriage ball and chain?”
“Maybe,” I muttered. “Do you think he’d be able to help me?” There wasn’t any doubt in my mind that she understood what I meant. We’d known each other since we were in diapers and had been attached at the hip ever since. She was the one person I could trust implicitly and her the same.
“Just tell him your story and he’ll take care of it for you. Tell you what. Why don’t I come get and bring you to Jaxon? Meet you at our favorite coffee shop?” she said quickly.
“Thanks, Ash. I would really appreciate it,” I replied, and she cleared her throat.
“A word of advice though. He won’t offer his help for free. Just know that,” she said.
“I get it. I won’t forget this,” I offered.
“I hope you find what you’re looking for,” she said softly. I could tell she was worried about me and I chewed my lip.
“See you shortly,” I replied, trying to smile as I did so.
“On my way,” she said, then she hung up and so did I.
Her words resonated with me long after the phone call ended, and I couldn’t stop myself from thinking about what the cost of his help might be.
* * *
When Ashleigh finally pulled up in her blacked-out Range Rover outside our favorite coffee shop, I climbed inside, sipping a caramel macchiato I had purchased while I was waiting for her in a sad attempt to calm my nerves.
It hadn’t worked.
“You look good,” she murmured.
“Thanks, bitch,” I smiled, and she pulled away from the curb. After that, she drove out of the city into the surrounding suburbs.
I was quiet and she didn’t push me to speak. She knew me well enough to recognize when I got lost in my own head and this was one of those times. She was the only one I’d talked to regarding my reservations about the marriage and the only one I trusted to keep that information secret.
I didn’t pay much attention to our location as she drove and when the car finally slowed down, I looked out the window to see that we’d entered through a large steel gate. I expected to see a small community behind it, but there was only a single massive white mansion up on a hill. The landscaping was elegantly done and when we pulled up to the house, the doorman opened the front door for me, and I climbed out of the car. I looked back at Ashleigh and she smiled gently, giving me the opportunity to speak first.
“I’ll talk to you again tomorrow, either at the wedding or not,” I whispered. Her face lit up with a smile.
“You better, bitch,” she countered lightly, and I laughed. She always seemed to know what to say to brighten my mood no matter what and I adored her for it.
“Now go get what you need,” she added as her smirk grew even wider with her own amusement.
I just shook my head as I closed the door and my nervousness returned almost twofold as I watched her drive away.
It was time.
With an anxious sigh, I strolled up to the house where the doorman was waiting to lead me inside. The interior was just as luxurious as the exterior, but I could hardly focus on it because my thoughts were so horrendously consumed with the man I was here to speak with.
The butler led me to a seating room that felt like a comfy study. There was a small desk in the corner and a number of soft leather couches to relax on. It had a certain subdued elegance to it that spoke to power and money and masculinity all at once.
“Mr. Blackwood will be with you presently,” the man announced, and I nodded.
“Thank you,” I whispered as I tucked my hands in my lap. I tried to think of what I would say, but when I heard the sound of footsteps coming my way I sucked in a nervous breath. I pressed my hands against my thighs and lifted my head, focusing instead on the problem at hand rather than the incredibly attractive man who was about to walk into the room with me. The door opened and I lifted my gaze to see him stride inside, a certain curious expression painted all over his face.
“Miss Esposito,” he purred, and a shiver of excitement raced across my skin.
“Hi there, Mr. Blackwood,” I replied a bit more cautiously than I meant to.
He was just as attractive as I remembered. His presence was distinctly overwhelming, and I found that I couldn’t look away. His thick brown hair looked like he’d run his fingers through it a few times, but it only added to the authoritative aura that surrounded him. His brown eyes met mine, consuming in their intensity. I couldn’t help but notice that his beard was well kept, and I found myself wanting to run my fingers along its edges. My gaze dropped to his hands and I swallowed heavily, watching as he flexed his fingers as he took a seat on the couch across from me. A simmering heat arose just beyond reach deep within my core and I only vaguely identified it as arousal. My pussy tightened greedily, and for a second I stopped breathing as I processed my building desire. He’d only said two words to me, and I already knew I was wet.