Worth the Fight: Blue Falls Book 3 Read online

  I pull the half burnt pizza out of the oven just as a set of headlights shine through the kitchen window. Asher wasn’t home when I got here but he texted me this morning and told me that he was going to spend the day in town running errands. He walks through the door and the minute I look at him I can tell that something is different. He looks relaxed. I set the pizza on the counter and head straight into his waiting arms.

  “Hey, where have you been?” I give him a quick kiss before he holds up his grease stained hand.

  “I went to work today,” he says.

  “That’s great!” I kiss him again, this time lingering before I lean back and look him in the eye. “I’m proud of you, Asher.” I know it must have been tough for him to face his parents again. He’s always had a tight relationship with them and there has definitely been a strain on all of them since he’s returned home.

  After he gets cleaned up, we sit at the kitchen table and eat the half of the pizza that’s more frozen than black while I tell him about Marty retiring.

  “I can’t believe that old son of a bitch is finally biting the bullet,” he says.

  “God, I know. But I’m fucking relieved. We need someone new in that office.”

  He tells me a bit about his day and the old clunker him and his dad worked on. It’s nice to see some light back in his eyes. I clear the table and put our plates in the sink when Asher comes up behind me and kisses the back of my neck.

  “Katie?”

  “Mm, yeah?” I close my eyes and instinctively lean back into him.

  “Please stop cooking before you fucking kill us both,” he whips me on the ass with a towel and takes off for the shower with me chasing after him. Although I’m grateful for the incredibly hot shower sex that we will inevitably have, I’m even more grateful for the sound of his laughter.

  *

  I’m just hanging up with the event coordinator at The Astoria when there’s a knock at my office door.

  “Come in!” I look up to see Marty and an attractive younger man standing in the doorway.

  “Kate, this is Bennett Smith, my replacement.”

  I never thought I would describe a man as beautiful, but Bennett Smith is in fact a beautiful man. His blonde hair is neatly trimmed and his blue eyes are fringed with long lashes that would make any woman jealous. He’s a bit taller than me and judging by the fit of his suit, he seems to be in great shape. If I had to guess I’d put him in his late thirties. He does absolutely nothing for me but I have no doubt that the ladies in town will be fawning over him in no time, outsider or not. I stand from my desk and shake his hand.

  “It’s nice to meet you Mr. Smith.”

  “Please, call me Bennett. I’ve heard great things about you, Kate.” He seems genuine and I’m hoping he doesn’t turn out to be a complete prick. I’m quite comfortable with my job and I’d hate to have to find a new one.

  “I assure you that Kate will be as imperative to you as your right hand, son. I’ve counted on her many times to tug me in the right direction when need be.”

  Bennett has the decency to at least blush at Marty’s very well meaning, poorly thought out compliment. I think I might actually miss the old fart.

  “Right, well, uh, Marty should we get back to it then?” Bennett says sheepishly.

  “Oh, right, right, yes, let’s continue on. You and Kate can set up a meeting for tomorrow to discuss anything I haven’t covered.”

  I give Bennett a sympathetic nod and get back to the stack of paperwork on my desk. I’m jotting down some menu ideas for Marty’s retirement party when I get a text from Mona.

  Mona: Hey! We’re all meeting at Mac’s tonight, come down after work and bring your man meat.

  I haven’t seen much of anyone in the last month and I know everyone would like to see Asher. I’ve been dying to fill Mona in on everything but haven’t had time to give her much more than a quick text. I know she wants the details. She’s specifically asked me three times now to describe Asher’s penis.

  Me: Sounds good! We’ll come by around 7!

  The rest of my day is pretty quiet. I manage to book one of the smaller ballrooms at The Astoria and also settle on a menu for the dinner portion of the evening. I love checking items off my to-do list, it makes me feel oddly powerful.

  I don’t bother making supper when I get home, since I know Asher is terrified of my cooking and we can just grab some food at Mac’s. I’m just touching up my makeup when he walks through the door.

  “Katie?”

  “In the bathroom!”

  He comes around the corner and gives me an appreciative grin as he looks me over slowly. I’m wearing my favourite leather pants and a tight black tank top. My hair is down and I’ve just finished painting my lips with a nude gloss that matches my pumps.

  “Going somewhere?” His question comes out as more of a growl. His voice is deep and just a bit dangerous.

  “Mona texted me earlier, they’re all meeting up at Mac’s, I thought we could go too,” I give him a wink and zip up my makeup case. If I didn’t glance up at the mirror at that exact moment, I would have missed the hesitation in his eyes.

  “Sure, I’ll just jump in the shower and we can go.”

  I turn from the sink and watch as he peels the dirty T-shirt from his broad chest. My mouth goes instantly dry at the sight of his raging six pack and strong arms. Focus, Kate.

  “Are you sure? It’s not a big deal if you’d rather not, we can take a rain check,” I run my hands up and over his chest so that my fingers are interlaced behind his neck. I pull him down for what I hope is a reassuring kiss and wait for him to respond. I don’t want to push him if he’s not ready for the company yet. Mona and everyone will understand. He runs his hands down my back and pauses to gently grip my ass. Even his lightest touch has the power to make my knees weak.

  “Are you sure, Katie? I don’t want to be a dick, but I’m just not up for the group thing yet,” he nips the side of my neck and suddenly I couldn’t care less about anything other than the way his mouth feels on my body.

  “Mm, let’s just stay in, I’ll text Mona later,” the need in my voice is clear.

  “How often do you wear these pants, Katie?” He asks before tracing his tongue along the column of my throat.

  “Um, these pants? Not often. Usually just when we go out.” I’m nearly out of breath as I answer him.

  “How many men have seen you in these pants, Katie?”

  He’s gripping me harder and pressing his lips to the soft spot just behind my ear.

  “I, I don’t know.”

  Like a moth to a flame, the neatly packaged submissive side of me is drawn to him and dying for him to take control. Dying for him to be just a little bit rough.

  “I don’t want you to wear them in public anymore unless I’m with you. Do you understand, Katie?” He whispers in my ear.

  “Ye-yes I understand.” The heat between my legs is almost unbearable. The power radiating off of him causes my thighs to quiver with expectation.

  “Good. Because this hot little ass belongs to me, and the only way it should be shown off in these tight, sexy as hell pants, is if my hand is resting firmly above it.”

  His grip eases and I want it back so badly that I practically moan my next words.

  “Please, Asher.”

  “Please what, Katie?” He brings his hands around to my front and runs his fingertips across my aching breasts before placing his large hands on either side of my face. “Tell me.”

  I open my eyes and stare into his. “Please. Take me, Asher. Take me until there’s nothing but the feeling of you inside me.”

  The certainty in my voice doesn’t surprise me. I ache for this man and when his mouth finally takes mine, everything around us stops and all I feel is the desire to be his.

  Chapter 14

  Asher

  Katie’s words echo in my mind and all I can feel in this moment is the desire to take everything that she’s offering. Every moan is a gift a
nd every time her body begs me for more I feel like a fucking king. The fact that she gives herself to me so freely makes my cock so hard that I can barely concentrate. I peel her shirt off first, not taking the time to appreciate the scrap of black satin that covers her beautiful tits before I pull it off as well. Her pink nipples are hard and begging to be licked. I suck one perfect bud into my mouth and pull it between my teeth before releasing it and showing my affection to the other. My hands are dark against the soft white skin of her breasts and stomach. She kicks off her shoes as I take my time nipping and sucking downward to the one thing that I want more than anything. I tug her pants down and gently nudge her back so that she’s leaning against the bathroom counter. Every gasp that crosses her full lips encourages me to keep taking. To keep ruining. Not just her but myself as well. Her scent is intoxicating and when I pull aside her black panties, my mouth waters at the sight of her neatly trimmed pussy. One long swipe with my tongue and I’m completely fucked. I place one of her smooth thighs over my shoulder and use my fingers to spread her pink folds. She’s already dripping wet and I want more. I lick her in long strokes and pause each time my tongue meets her swollen clit, I suck the tiny bead into my mouth and groan my approval each time her body shudders with delight. Nothing is hotter than Katie grinding her sweet tasting pussy against my mouth, pleading with me to give her more. Pleading with me to keep on devouring her.

  “Asher, please! Oh God, don’t stop!”

  I keep my mouth on her and slide two fingers inside her tight opening until she’s so lost in the pleasure I give her she can’t do anything but breathe my name. Her muscles tense around my fingers and the first drop of her orgasm hits my tongue. Before she can fall apart completely I stand and release my aching cock from my jeans. I thrust inside of her and immediately feel her pussy squeeze me. She’s slick and tight and so damn beautiful when she shuts her eyes and moans my name that I know I’ll never forget the satisfaction it brings me. I can feel myself getting closer to the edge when she puts her arms around me tightly.

  “Let go, Asher, let me feel all of you.”

  The mirror behind her vibrates every time I push into her, there’s no space between our bodies and I can feel every inch of her damp skin plastered against mine.

  “Fuck, Katie!” I cum hard and don’t stop until it’s dripping down her legs. I’m holding her against the counter, still buried deep when she kisses me gently and runs her fingers through my hair.

  She reminds me with the simplest touch just how much I fucking need her and how badly I want to keep her.

  *

  I look up from the dismantled transmission that I’m currently putting back together to see a pretty brunette pushing a bulky stroller through the garage door.

  “Hi there! Sorry to bother you but do you know where Nadine is?” I notice a set of matching dimples when she smiles kindly. “I told her I’d be coming by to drop off a couple accounting books that she was interested in.”

  “She just ran to get the mail, she should be back soon.”

  “Okay, I’ll just wait then, thanks!” She tries to make a wide turn when one of the front wheels gets caught up on the corner of a tarp.

  “Here, let me help you.”

  “Thanks, you know you think I’d be used to this massive thing by now,” she laughs and backs up while I turn the two man convoy around. “You’re Asher, right?” She asks.

  “That’s right.”

  She holds out her small hand. “I’m Lily Stone, I believe we have a mutual friend.”

  I realize then how familiar she looks. Katie showed me the pictures from her brother’s wedding during one of the last times we skyped.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Lily.”

  She gestures to the two sleeping babies in the stroller.

  “This is Mark and Jackson.” She beams proudly and I begin to think this woman must have supernatural powers to be able to tell them apart because they look like the same damn kid to me.

  “You and Cole must be plenty busy.”

  “Oh, it’s not too bad. His parents are great about taking them now and then and honestly we were a bit scared when we found out we were having twins but when they finally got here we just kind of made it work,” she looks genuinely happy so I take her word for it. “Sorry, I tend to ramble sometimes. I’ll let you get back to work, it was nice to finally meet you Asher. Tell Kate I said hi.”

  “Will do, nice to meet you too.”

  She steps back into the office just as my mom walks through the door. She gives Lily a hug and immediately plucks one of the sleeping babies from the stroller and holds him close, rubbing his tiny back. I know that I should feel something. A normal person would feel something. But all I feel is hollow. This is what normal people do, this is what someone like Katie will want someday. She’ll want a husband and kids and a normal fucking life. In my messed up head none of that seems possible. Because deep down, I still don’t feel normal. No matter how hard I try to pretend.

  Chapter 15

  Kate

  I spot Mona sitting at one of the small booths in the back and make my way to the table. Mac’s is always busy and lunchtime is no exception but there’s no way I wouldn’t see her from the doorway. She’s got her jet black hair pulled back in a messy bun and she’s wearing a black and white polka dot scarf around her neck. Her bright red sweater matches her lipstick perfectly and I suspect her shoes as well. Mona can’t help but stand out in a crowd. I’ve been running around like crazy for the last couple of weeks organizing Marty’s party and working with Bennett. I’m still spending my evenings with Asher at the cabin and I’ve cancelled on Mona twice now for girl’s night. I know she’s pissed. I slide into the booth and judging by the glare on her perfectly made up face, she’s not about to let me off the hook.

  “Hey, sor-“

  “Kate Stone, don’t you dare say you’re sorry. If you say you’re sorry I’m going to assume that means that you know what a complete twat you’ve been for the last two months and if you are in fact aware of the level of twatness that you have reached then that means you’ve been a twat on purpose and that’s just going to piss me off even more.”

  Count on Mona to get right to the damn point.

  “First of all, I was going to say sorry for being late just now but since we’re jumping right into it, why don’t you tell me how you really feel.” I’m being sarcastic and kind of a bitch and I don’t even know why. She’s right. I’ve been a complete twat. I sigh heavily and flag down our waitress. “I’m sorry, really I am. I know I’ve been scarce lately. Works been crazy and Asher…”

  “Asher what? Asher’s magical penis won’t let you go anywhere? Asher needs you every minute of every damn day? What Kate? You better give me something here, because I’m starting to think that Asher has cotton candy flavoured balls.”

  The woman standing beside the table clears her throat and takes our orders.

  “Real smooth,” I say

  “Oh fuck off and spill it, Kate. What the hell is going on with you? I’ve barely seen you, your text messages are insultingly short and to the point, you’ve ditched out on girl’s night. You and Asher as a couple are like some damn rare bird species that no one ever fucking sees. So what is it?”

  “Nothing. Like I said, work is crazy and Asher and I have just been keeping a low profile.”

  “Sophie’s pregnant you know.”

  Shit.

  “How far long is she?”

  “A couple months. They just started telling people and you would know that if you bothered to show up the last time I invited you guys out. Trace is so damn excited, he packs around the sonogram picture and tries to convince everyone that it’s a boy even though it just looks like a blob. You’re missing it, Kate. All of this crazy, wonderful shit is happening and you’re missing it.”

  God, when was the last time I saw Trace and Sophie? It’s definitely been over a month since I saw Lily and the boys. Ugh, I’m a complete asshole.

 
“I promise that when things slow down at the office we’ll have a proper girl’s night. I miss you.” She scoffs and rolls her eyes. “Hey, I do. I don’t want to miss out on these things, you know I don’t. Everything has just been hectic and I don’t know… I guess I’ve been swept up in whatever this thing with Asher is. It’s not an excuse, but I promise to remove my head from my ass and be a better friend.” I squeeze her hand in mine.

  “Well don’t get all sad on me. Jesus. I’m just worried about you spending all of your free time trying to keep Asher from falling apart. I know you care about him, we all do. But it’s not your job, Kate, and no matter how much you do or how good things seem to be, it won’t last unless he gets some real help. You can’t just expect him to go back to normal after everything he’s been through. You can’t distract him forever.”

  I know she’s right, yet again. But it still feels like a kick to the gut to actually hear it.

  “I’m scared,” I say quietly. “I know that we can’t live in our safe little bubble forever but I’m scared that if I push for counseling or any kind of help that he’ll close up on me. Things have been good and I don’t want to lose him.”

  “I get it, but if he doesn’t deal with all this leftover shit, you’re going to lose him anyways,” she says.

  “I just have to get through this retirement party, after that I promise I’ll figure it out.”

  “Cross your heart and swear on your lady parts?”

  “Yes. I swear on my lady parts.”

  “Good. Now we can talk about me. What do you think is the best thing to be tied up with? Because I ordered this fancy shit online so that Walker could tie me to the bedframe and the knots just don’t hold. I think the finish on the rope is too slippery.”

  I really have missed her.

  I walk back to my office and feel the weight of my conversation with Mona. I’m not stupid, I know that Asher needs to work through his issues. It’s been way too easy to set that knowledge aside up until now. I’ve got to talk to him, I just need some more time so that I can make sure I do it in the best way possible. I really am scared of losing him, and not just as a lover but as a friend. I don’t know if that makes me selfish or an enabler. Or both.