Текст книги "My Best Friend's Stepfather"
Автор книги: Opal Carew
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Ashley had always worried about her friend, but after the divorce, Helen’s mother had moved to Cambria, a small town about a hundred miles south of Autumn’s Ridge, and Dare had moved to New York, so she’d had no way to contact any of them.
“That doesn’t mean we’re not friends anymore,” Ashley said.
Jessica raised an eyebrow. “Doesn’t it?” She leaned forward. “Look, Ashley, I’m all for being loyal to a friend, but Helen walked away from us, not the other way around. As much as I loved her, we both have to face the fact that she’s not our friend anymore.” She squeezed Ashley’s hand. “So don’t you dare give up an opportunity of a lifetime for someone who can’t even be bothered to keep in touch.”
* * *
Wear something sexy.
Ashley couldn’t believe she was dressing up in a sexy outfit to go see the man who was once her best friend’s stepfather. She gulped as she stared at herself in the mirror. She couldn’t believe Dare—the sexy, enigmatic man who had haunted her teenage fantasies—was now playing the role of Dom to her sub.
She inspected the black wrap-style dress she’d just put on. The black front-clasp, underwire bra she wore hiked her bosom up, showing deep cleavage in the V-neckline of her dress. She wore a thong and black garter belt to hold up her sexy black stockings. Not that she expected Dare to see any of that. Asking her to wear something sexy was part of keeping her on edge. Unsure what to expect.
And it was working like a charm.
She glanced at her watch. He’d said to arrive at eight, so she needed to leave very soon.
Tonight wouldn’t get sexual. Her thoughts stirred back to the kiss they’d shared last night. The feel of his lips on hers, the taste of him on her tongue. He hadn’t made a move on her, simply told her to kiss him. She had been the one who’d gotten carried away.
God, he was such a sexy man. Her heart still fluttered at the memory of being in his arms. And last night, after she’d gone to bed, she’d been filled with wicked thoughts, and steamy dreams had filled her sleep time.
But in the light of morning, she’d scolded herself. She needed to maintain her focus. This was about researching an article, not about submitting to either her desire for the man, or to his sexy dominant nature. In fact, he was probably pushing her with the sexual aspect to force her to remember that she had control. Her cheeks flushed. In fact, maybe he’d been shocked at her wantonness in kissing him.
Not that Darien Gallagher was a man who was easily shocked.
Rather than disobeying his command if he ordered her to kiss him again, she could give him a chaste kiss. She fully expected that tonight he would continue to push her past her comfort zone and she’d have to decide how to follow his commands without giving in to the temptation to succumb to her lustful desires.
If she submitted to the sexual pull between them, she would be giving in to her desire to be submissive. She would be strong and avoid that.
She put on her earrings, small ruby studs and headed to the door.
As she drove to his house, she felt the excitement rise in her. The pull he exerted over her was inescapable.
* * *
Dare watched Ashley’s car turn into his driveway, then heard her car door close. He glanced at his watch. She was a little early. He put down his book and got up from the chair by the fire in the living room.
He’d been looking forward to this all day. Seeing Ashley again. She was delightful and sexy. Last night, he’d sported a huge erection most of the time she’d been here. Even after she’d left, it kept inflating every time he thought of her. When he’d ordered her to kiss him, it had been to see how she would react. She’d said she didn’t want this to be sexual, so he had expected a protest, possibly an outright refusal, but thought it was more likely that she would give him a quick peck. He had not expected her to throw herself into it as she had, her tongue gliding into his mouth with wild abandon. And she’d clearly been turned on.
He’d meant to remain distant, but with her soft body pressed against him, her nipples hard against him, he hadn’t been able to help but respond.
The doorbell rang and he smiled. He had not expected this coaching to have such delightful fringe benefits.
After she’d left, he’d struggled with the fact that taking on this role with her aroused him, especially since he was so much older—but really it was only a ten year difference and now that she was in her late twenties, that wasn’t really an issue. And he had to admit, he’d been attracted to her all those years ago. Back then, of course, he never would have acted on it, even if he hadn’t been married.
Now, however, was another matter.
Her claim that this not be a sexual situation barely fazed him. If she’d actually meant it, then he’d take it seriously, but it was so clear that she was attracted to him … and she was very curious about—and highly aroused by the prospect of—being his submissive and being sexually dominated by him. So much so she was practically begging for him to take her.
And if they proceeded with a sexual relationship, she probably would beg.
His lips turned up in a grin. What would it be like to be with Ashley? She’d been lovely when she was in high school, and she had grown into a stunning woman.
She might have convinced herself she only meant this interlude with him as research for her article, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t lead to something more. He was a good judge of people and he knew she’d been attracted to him when she was in high school. Her girlish blushes and the nervous way she’d looked away whenever he’d caught her eye had made it very clear. He wouldn’t have acted on it back then, but now, with both of them adults … With the attraction that simmered between them, he had every intention of exploring the possibilities.
* * *
Ashley rang the bell and Dare immediately opened it.
She glanced at him nervously, worried he’d say she was late, but he simply stepped aside to let her in. She slipped off her coat and hung it up. His eyes glittered as he noticed her sexy black dress.
“Very nice.”
His deep voice, smooth as silk, quivered through her. She could feel the heat of his gaze across her chest and a flush crept up her cheeks.
“Thank you. You said to wear … um … something nice.”
“I said to wear something sexy.” He smiled. “And this fits the bill quite nicely.”
She stood still as he gazed at her, trying not to fidget. Finally, he turned and led her into the living room. There was a bottle of wine on the table, just like last time. She walked to it.
“Would you like me to pour you a glass?” she asked.
“Pour one for both of us.” He sat down on the couch.
She filled the two stem glasses half full and handed him one, then turned to sit on the chair across from him.
“No, Ashley. Sit here beside me.”
She hesitated, then turned and walked to the couch. She sank down beside him, extremely conscious of the heat of him beside her. His big, masculine presence made her shiver.
“What would you like to do this evening?” he asked.
“Oh, um. I want you to show me more about being a Dom.”
“Of course. Everything we do will show you what our Dom-sub relationship is like. But if you were just here for a visit, what would you like to do?”
“Do you mean like talk or play games?”
“Games?” His eyes twinkled and thoughts of erotic, adult games flickered through her brain.
“Like cards or something,” she quickly added.
“Yes. What would you like to spend time together doing?” He leaned back against the couch, watching her. “What do you do with your friends when you spend an evening in together?”
“Well, I have one friend. A … uh, a close friend … who comes over regularly to watch a movie.”
God, she’d almost said Adam’s name, but since Adam closed up whenever she asked him about his internship with Dare in college, she didn’t want to mention Adam, in case there were tensions on Dare’s side, too.
His eyebrow arched and his eyes seemed more solemn. “Is that your boyfriend?”
“No, we run together—for exercise I mean—and, well…” She shrugged. “We’re friends.”
Dare sipped his drink. “But you’d like it to be more.”
She frowned.
“Tell me.”
She hadn’t intended to. She’d been going to shrug it off. But it was as if that authoritative tone he used could get her to do anything.
“We’ve known each other for a while now and I am attracted to him, but he’s never asked me out.”
“Why wait for him to ask you? If you want to be with him, why don’t you take the lead?”
She bit her lip. “I’m not good at that sort of thing.”
He smiled. “That could change. As you learn more about Domination, you might like to try taking charge. Maybe you should take this opportunity to learn to be more assertive. And once you’re comfortable with being in the lead, you can take control of any situation you want. At work, at home. In the bedroom.”
She shivered at his words, and the intensity of his midnight eyes.
In the bedroom was where she wanted to be with him right now. With him in control.
“So we’ll watch a movie,” he said.
Disappointment washed through her. How much would she learn while sitting watching a movie for two hours? On the other hand, she would be spending time with a sexy billionaire drinking expensive wine.
But she didn’t really believe that Mr. Gallagher … Dare … would waste time. He was the type of man who was focused on his goals.
“Get the fourth movie on the top shelf beside the entertainment center and put it in the Blu-ray player.”
She walked to the shelf and retrieved the movie then inserted it in the device. The case was all black and she didn’t recognize the name on the disc label, so she had no idea what the movie was about. She sat down beside him again as the movie started.
“I want you to sit on the floor beside me.”
She put down her wineglass and stood up.
“Actually, I want you to kneel, so take off your shoes.”
She sat again and crossed her legs, then unfastened the strap of her high heels. Her skirt hiked up a little and his gaze lingered on her legs.
She placed her shoes to the side then knelt on the floor.
“Right here between my feet,” he said, moving his legs apart.
She moved in front of him then settled between his calves. He rested his hand on her shoulder as he watched the movie start up on the screen. At the warmth of his fingers cupping her shoulder, she felt a humming deep inside her. She barely saw what was happening on the screen as she found herself leaning against his knee.
He stroked her hair, his fingertips parting the strands gently as they moved. She felt like a cherished pet. She wanted to rest her head on his knee and just enjoy his attention.
Then the sound of muffled moans drew her focus to the TV.
A naked woman with a gag in her mouth was tied to a pole while a bare-chested man flicked a flogger across her back. The soft sounds she made turned to sharper cries as the man struck harder, leaving red marks on her skin.
Ashley’s jaw dropped as she watched. The man pulled the gag from the woman’s mouth and asked her what she wanted. She begged for him to touch her … to fuck her.
The man dropped his pants and held his fully erect cock in his hand, then walked toward her. Another naked man appeared and untied her, then he pushed on her back until she was bent forward. The first man pushed his cock into her mouth. The other man stepped behind her and thrust deep into her, to her moan.
Ashley turned her head away. She didn’t want to watch this, especially with Dare sitting right here. Embarrassment burned through her.
“Don’t you like the movie?” he asked.
“Not really.”
“Call me Mr. Gallagher tonight.”
Oh, God. Her embarrassment burned hotter, as if she were a teenager who’d been caught watching porn.
“Ashley, turn your head and watch the movie.”
She heard the woman’s moans increasing and she wanted to watch … to see the two men driving their cocks into her … then she wanted Mr. Gallagher to do the same thing to her.
But she couldn’t look. Because then she’d have trouble holding back.
“No, Mr. Gallagher.”
He arched an eyebrow. “You’re refusing?”
She just nodded.
His expression turned stern. “I told you to watch.”
She sucked in a breath, reconsidering her position, but then she shook her head.
He grasped her shoulders and stood up, pulling her to her feet with him.
“I told you there would be consequences if you disobeyed me.” He marched her behind the couch then pressed on her back until she was leaning forward, just like the woman on the screen. Ashley grabbed the back of the couch to keep her balance, then …
She felt cold air on her ass as he flipped her skirt up out of the way. Facing this way, the screen was in front of her so she saw the three people on the screen, the woman with a cock in her mouth and another driving into her from behind.
Then she felt the sting of Mr. Gallagher’s hand slapping her ass. It was … invigorating. He slapped again and she felt her flesh heat. His fingers glided over her behind … soothing … then his hand lifted and connected with her ass again. This time, she whimpered as he stroked her, the pain mixed with pleasure from his touch.
She found herself staring at the TV, watching the woman pull the big cock from her mouth, her hand tightly around the base, and moan as the man behind thrust into her. The woman’s eyes closed and she moaned her release.
Ashley’s insides tensed and she longed for the same release.
“What do you want right now, Ashley?” Mr. Gallagher asked.
“I want you to…” But she bit back the rest of the sentence. She couldn’t tell him she wanted him to drive into her just like the man on the screen was doing.
“Tell me,” he demanded sharply.
“I want you to … touch me.”
His hand slapped across her naked ass again. She started and turned to stare over her shoulder with wide eyes.
“That’s not what you were going to say.” Then his fingers stroked between her thighs and over the crotch of her panties.
Oh, God, she was soaking wet and he had to feel it. He could tell she was turned on.
“But I’ll let it go this time.”
He smacked her again. Then he stroked her molten folds through the silk of her panties again.
She couldn’t stop her reflex to push against his hand.
His touch slid away and she felt her skirt drop back into place. Disappointment washed through her.
“Stand up.”
She stood and turned to face him.
“You can refuse me. It’s clear we both enjoy the consequences.” His steely eyes bored into her. “But if you want this training to continue, never lie to me. Understand?”
“Yes, Mr. Gallagher,” she whispered.
“That’s enough for tonight. Come back in one week. In the meantime, I want you to practice what you’ve learned so far, but I want you to take the lead and practice being dominant. Invite your friend to help you.”
“I don’t think he’d want to—”
“He’s your friend. He’ll want to.”
* * *
All Dare could think of was the feel of Ashley’s soft round ass in his hand, her skin heated from his spanking. He shouldn’t have stroked between her legs. The feel of her wetness nearly drove him over the edge. He’d wanted nothing more than to sink his hard, throbbing erection into her sweet, melting heat.
But he’d held back.
The sight of her desire-filled eyes had almost been his undoing, though. She clearly loved him touching her and she would have begged him to fuck her if he’d pushed it.
And maybe he should have. But it just felt wrong. Not because he was older, or because she was friends with his ex-stepdaughter. Ash was an adult now—his cock twitched as he thought about her shapely body—but she had come to him for guidance, not for a sexual tryst.
She was new to this. Vulnerable to her own newly discovered desires. And as much as he’d like to fulfill those desires, he didn’t want to take advantage of her.
So he’d sent her on her way. Even suggested she practice with this man she was interested in. If he reciprocated Ashley’s feelings … feelings she was too shy to express … then Dare had done them both a favor, because Ash cared for this man and wanted more from their relationship, so surely when pushed into this situation, the man would be able to sense Ash’s need.
Dare understood it wasn’t necessarily him that Ash wanted. She just wanted a strong man to show her what it was like to be dominated.
He hoped the other man was up to it.
He sat on the couch and wrapped his hand around his aching cock, thinking of Ashley’s warm wetness against his fingers.
Fuck, who was he kidding? He hoped the man choked and that Ash came back to Dare even needier. He stroked his cock. Then maybe he’d get over his heroism and just give her what she wanted.
What they both wanted.
* * *
“So how is it going?” Adam asked as he ran alongside Ashley.
She’d been different this past week since she’d started this research of hers. More reserved.
“Fine.”
He chuckled. “That’s it? Fine? You’re role-playing a Dom-sub relationship with a strange man and you just say it’s fine.”
She pursed her lips and nodded.
He hated the fact that she seemed uncomfortable talking to him about it.
“Was it awkward?”
“No, not awkward.”
“So he explains stuff to you?” he asked, wanting her to talk about what happened in these sessions.
“Um, yeah. Sort of.”
“Surely you can give me more than that. I’m interested in how it’s going.”
She gazed at him as they ran along the path through the park.
“That’s good, because I have a favor to ask.”
“Sure, what is it?”
“Well, Dare thinks I should ask you to help me practice.”
He grinned. “I could do that.”
This could work out perfectly. What a great way to get insight into what went on during her training. And even better, it would give him a chance to spend time with her. And maybe give her a taste of his own brand of domination.
“Wait, what did you say about a dare?” he asked.
Her eyes widened and she shook her head. “Oh, nothing.”
“Ash…”
“I just mentioned his name. It’s Dare.”
His eyes narrowed. “What’s his last name?”
But this couldn’t be the same Dare. The man he’d known in college. The man who’d … Just the thought made his chest so tight he could barely breathe. He slowed down and headed to a nearby bench and sat down to collect himself. Ash followed him.
He really hoped it wasn’t the same Dare. That man was only five or six years older than Adam. And he was wealthy and exceptionally good-looking. He only had to look at a woman with his compelling navy eyes and they melted into a puddle at his feet.
Ashley sat beside him. “I … didn’t want to mention it but … the man who’s helping me with my research is Darien Gallagher. I didn’t mean to let his name slip.”
Fuck!
Hearing that name again was like a punch to the gut.
“Why?” he asked. Did she know about what had happened?
“Well, when I asked you about your internship with him, you always closed up, so I figured there was some tension between the two of you. I thought it was better just not to mention it.”
Tension was an understatement. The man who had torn his life to shreds.
And now he was afraid that he’d do it again by stealing Ashley away from him.
* * *
Adam sat on the chair kitty-corner to the couch while Ash disappeared into the kitchen. This evening would be … interesting, to say the least. Ash was going to practice her Domme skills on him.
Ashley walked toward him with a bottle of wine and two glasses, which she placed on the table near the couch and sat down. She glanced his way uncertainly.
“You don’t have to be nervous,” he said. “It’s just me.”
Her head bobbed up and down in a nod. “I know. I just … I’m not sure how to get started.”
“Okay, well, what did your mentor do?”
She’d already explained that Dare was teaching her by example, which made Adam nervous because he was certain it wouldn’t be long before Dare started commanding her to do intimate, erotic things. Ash had insisted it wasn’t like that. Not that he’d asked, but she’d felt the need to explain it.
But the man was only human and Ash was … well, she was sweet and a little timid … and delightfully sexy. She was any Dom’s dream. It had to be wildly exiting to have her sitting in front of him, ready and willing to submit to his will.
Adam was getting hard just thinking about it.
“Um … well, he asked me what I wanted to do.” She bit her lip. “I think … you know … because he wanted to take an everyday situation and show me how he could … you know … how it could turn into a Dominant-submissive situation.”
“What did you tell him?”
“I said I like to watch movies with you. That’s why he knows about you and suggested I practice with you.”
“He knows about me?” How much did he know? Just that he was Ash’s friend, or that he and Dare already knew each other?
Her cheeks turned pink. “Well, not you. Just that you’re my friend and we run together. And watch movies.”
“He thought I was your boyfriend.” That’s why she was acting off.
She nodded. “But I set him straight. That we’re just friends.”
Adam wanted their relationship to be more, but he took heart from her reaction. If she really thought of him as just a friend, with no romantic prospects, she wouldn’t be so flustered.
“All right. So we watch a movie.” He stood up and walked toward the TV.
“Wait, what are you doing?” she asked.
He turned to her. “I’m going to put on a movie.”
“No, but … that ruins it. I need to … you know … order you to do it.”
He grinned. “Okay, sorry.” He sat back in the chair. “And are you going to order me to strip down to my boxers first?”
Her eyes widened, then she glanced away. “No, of course not.”
Idiot, he chided himself.
“Sorry, Ash. I was just kidding. Go ahead.”
“Um, okay. Well, first, pour us some wine.”
He reached for the bottle. She’d already loosened the cork so he pulled it free and poured the rosé into the two glasses.
“Good, and when you do something…” She frowned. “I mean when I tell you to do something, then answer with ‘yes’… um … I guess ‘Mistress.’”
He smiled. “Really?”
She tipped her head. “I’m sorry. You think this is really silly.” [We don’t have to do this.” She stood up, clearly ready to herd him out the door.]
“No, it’s okay, I’ll behave.” He grinned again. “Unless you want to punish me?”
Her gaze darted to him, then she giggled nervously.
Fuck, his cock lurched at the realization that the thought excited her. And it was quite possible that punishment had worked into her scenario with Dare the other night.
“Ash, let’s just walk through exactly what you did with your mentor.”
She nodded, then drew in a deep breath.
“Walk to the TV and retrieve the movie sitting on the shelf above the Blu-ray player, then put it in the machine.”
“Yes, Mistress.”
He stood and retrieved the movie. It was a romantic comedy. Chick flick all the way. He put it in the player then returned to the chair.
“Over here by me,” she said patting the couch beside her.
He smiled. “Yes, Mistress.” He sat down beside her.
“Now take off your shoes.”
He glanced at his sock-clad feet. “I took my shoes off when I came in.”
“Oh, right. Good. So now, I want you to kneel in front of me.”
He sank to the floor and knelt in front of her. They were eye-to-eye and she gazed at him in surprise.
“No, I mean … uh … the other way. I want you to kneel in front of me while we watch the movie.”
“If I turn, my feet will bump your ankles.”
“Right.” She opened her legs, then quickly pulled at her skirt to cover her exposed undies, but too late. He’d caught a seductive glimpse of baby blue lace.
He turned and knelt in front of her, but he kept his legs straight rather than sitting on his calves, knowing that he was blocking her view.
She rested her hand on his shoulder, sending heat rolling through him. She stroked, but then pushed down a little. He purposely didn’t take the hint.
“Um … I want you to…” She pushed down. “Can you kneel down more?”
“Yes, Mistress.”
He bent his legs, then leaned back a little, feeling her silky thighs on either side of him. Fuck, this was torture, but the oh, so good kind.
Her fingers stroked through his hair, sending ripples of awareness through him. He wanted to lean back and rest his head against her breasts. To enjoy her gentle caresses over his hair while he gazed up at her lovely face.
Then he wanted to turn and drag her into his arms and consume her mouth, then press her back onto the couch and prowl over her.
“Oh, this isn’t working. You must be bored stiff.”
He had to stifle a chuckle. He certainly was stiff but not because he was bored.
“I don’t know what I’m doing,” she lamented.
“Ash, I’m not bored, and I’m happy to do whatever you need. Just relax. What did you do the other night with him? Did you watch the whole movie?”
“No. I … didn’t like the movie. I think he picked something to purposely push me to disobey. He wants me to understand that it’s okay to refuse if I’m uncomfortable.”
“That’s good. So you protested?”
“Yes. I mean, sort of. I stopped watching it.”
He turned to face her. “What did he do when you disobeyed? Did he punish you?”
She bit her lip and nodded.
Fuck, he wanted to ask if Dare had exposed her naked ass. If he’d cupped her round flesh in his hand then smacked it until it stung. But the flush on her cheeks assured him that’s what had happened.
She lifted her gaze to his, then her blue eyes widened. His smile had faded and she must know that he was wildly turned on. God, he could barely resist his deep yearning to kiss her. Her lips looked so velvety soft and … his body tightened … would they part for his tongue? At the thought of slipping it inside her warm mouth, the ache inside him blossomed to intense need. He could imagine her tongue gliding over his, then she would open wider as he deepened the kiss.
He wanted to slide his arms around her and draw her close. To feel her soft breasts pressed tight to him and … oh, fuck, her nipples tight buds boring into him. He longed to stroke one. He wanted to feel the hard nub against his thumb. And to hear her whimpers of pleasure as he teased her to a delicious state of arousal.
Suddenly, he realized he’d actually started leaning in toward her. Her eyes were wide, watching him.
Fuck, what the hell was he doing?
He drew back and stared into her dazed eyes.
“Let’s get back to you practicing your domination,” he said.
“Of course.”
He glanced briefly at the TV, then back to her. “So, Mistress, what if I tell you I don’t want to watch the movie?”
“I order you to watch it,” she said firmly.
“And if I refuse?” The words just slipped out.
“I’ll have to punish you then,” she said, looking nervous.
His cock hardened at the thought that she might slap his ass. The thought of her small, feminine hand connecting with his hard ass—God, would she tell him to drop his pants?—sent his hormones reeling.
It was too much. He needed to feel her against him.
He cupped her face in his hands, and drew her close. She tipped up her head and her lips brushed his.
The mere touch of her softness against his mouth made his cock swell even more. Then she pressed her tongue into his mouth and he moaned. Passion flared between them and he clutched her tightly to his body again. Her lips moved seductively on his and by the time their mouths parted, he was totally off balance.
“Fuck, Ash. That was some kiss.”
She smiled, her eyes full of desire. “You don’t know how long I’ve waited for you to do that.”
“Look, Ash. That was just a mistake. We can’t go down this path.”
“But … why not?”
“How many reasons do you want? I’m older than you, I’m your brother’s friend—”
“I don’t care about the age difference. And you and Brad haven’t been close since he moved to San Diego. You and I are closer friends now.”
He frowned. “And I’m your boss.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “That doesn’t matter.”
“It does. Things will get complicated. It’ll get awkward at work.”
He took her wrists and disentangled himself from her arms.
“I’m sorry, Ash. This is just a really bad idea.”
* * *
Ashley climbed into bed, still stinging from Adam’s rejection. She was sure he’d been as affected by that kiss as she had.
She might not have been sure about his interest in her back when she was younger, but she was pretty sure that she’d seen simmering interest in his eyes sometimes when they were together. Like that one time when she went to his place for a swim and she wore that extra skimpy bikini. She had seen a very masculine reaction. She had almost thought he would make a move on her.
Jessica’s theory was that Adam was gay, and he just kept his relationships under wraps. Ashley didn’t understand why he would—people in Autumn’s Ridge were pretty accepting—but then she didn’t really buy into the theory. And especially now, after that kiss.
She pulled the covers around her. He’d given her reasons. The age thing, his friendship with her brother, the fact he was her boss. But she believed there was more going on than that.
She knew something had happened when he was in college—some relationship gone wrong—and he’d been hurt. Badly.
In the two years she’d worked for him, she’d never known him to date. At least, he never told her about it if he did. Which was odd because they talked about almost everything else in their lives. Could that have something to do with why he resisted their mutual attraction?
If only she could get him to open up about it.
* * *
Ashley sank back in her chair as she watched Jessica poke at her dinner. Jess was trying to eat healthier, and had invited her over to try a new recipe. She was testing fish dishes, and the salmon had been delicious.
“Don’t you like it?” Ashley asked.
“Oh, no. I do.” Jess took the last bite, then pushed her plate aside. “I’m just a bit distracted. It’s been a busy week.”
“Problems?” Ashley knew that Jessica loved her job as the buyer for a trendy clothing boutique, but she also knew that politics and creative differences with the manager sometimes frustrated Jess.
Jess glanced her way. “At work? No, everything’s fine.”
Ashley sipped her wine.
“Okay, if everything at work’s fine, then what’s bothering you?”
Jess sighed and stood up, picking up her plate. Ashley did the same and helped clear the table, then carried the dishes into the kitchen. Jess squirted dish soap in the sink and turned on the water. Bubbles danced across the surface as the sink filled.
