Another thing I learned about Ashlyn is she is an exceptional student. She listened, absorbing every instruction, and had no problem with manual labor. Not one complaint, never as she hammered, tore apart, and hauled trash away. At the end of the day, she was covered in dust and grime, but her smile was still beaming.
At seven, Andi called with a few updates, and I took the call on the patio. This was my first mistake. By the time I came back in, Ashlyn was lying in bed, freshly showered, and fast asleep. Waking her up proved useless. My second mistake was not picking her up and driving to my house. Because when I crawled in behind her after my shower, I realized her bed was shit. She whimpered when I folded her to me but didn't wake.
"Princess, we have to get up."
"Don't you ever sleep?"
"Every night."
"Is it normal that even my toes are aching?" she purrs into my neck.
"The way you went at it yesterday, not surprising."
"I know now why you're so built. This construction gig is no joke. Manual labor is hard."
"Yeah, it is, but baby, I go to the gym four times a week."
"I don't know how."
I chuckle, sliding my hand to her ass and squeezing. "Your bed sucks. We're moving to mine tonight."
"Mmhmm." She's drifting off again.
I hate to do it, but I haul us both up, getting a wail from her. "What are you doing?"
"Getting up to make you coffee, and then we have to get some food. Fucking peanut butter toast isn't my meal this morning."
She inches back, blinking a few times until her eyes are clear. "You had peanut butter toast for dinner?"
"That's all you have."
So many things pass over her face before she glides her hand over my chest and cups my chin. "You missed the game, had no food, and hated my bed, yet you stayed."
It's a statement, and I stay quiet while she processes. She may be finally getting it.
"I may be handicapped with aches and pain, but I'll go get us breakfast after you help me out of bed."
I cuddle her gently in my arms, moving slowly as I swing my legs off the bed and stand. She gasps, her eyes dropping low.
"You're naked, and…"
"And hard, baby. You can say it. Better get used to it."
"You slept next to me all night—nude, and I didn't wake up?"
"Snored your way through it."
Her eyes fly back to mine. "I don't snore."
"Hate to break it to you, but you drool, too."
"I do not!"
I try to remain straight-faced, but it's impossible when she swipes at her mouth.
"Are you trying to pick a fight?"
My cock pulses at the fiery spirit building. "Bring it."
"Why? You refuse to have sex with me." There's a bite to her words.
"Princess, if I thought fucking you would get me what I wanted faster, I'd be balls deep right now. But you're missing the point. Last time I had you, I was so fucking blinded by your hold on me you slipped away. This time, we're doing things my way. Getting to know each other, sharing things, having dates and sleepovers, all the stuff that builds a healthy relationship. When I get you back, I want it all."
The flame in her eyes vanishes and is replaced with a bright green glow.
"You're punishing both of us."
"Tonight, when you're begging me to stop, tell me how brutal the punishment is."
A blush creeps up her cheeks, and she chews on her lip before dropping her eyes again. "What about now? What are you doing about this?" Her hand grazes over my dick.
"You're going to get your gorgeous ass in the bathroom and brush your teeth while I make your coffee. While you're out of sight, I'll have a conversation with myself about stronger willpower, which is something my dick isn't used to when you're around. Since I didn't plan for a sleepover, I'll wear two-day-old jeans and get a clean shirt out of my truck."
"I could help you out…" she scrapes her fingernails along my shaft, "if you want."
"Baby, you want to play this game tomorrow morning at my house, I'm all for it. But I don't take without giving. We have people arriving in less than thirty minutes, and I don't think you want a bunch of men to walk in on me with my mouth between your legs. I'm already going to suffer from a case of blue balls today. Get your ass to the bathroom."
She remains still, tracing her tongue along her bottom lip.
"Ashlyn—"
"Going, going… so bossy." She backs out of reach, but not before giving my cock another glance.
"Fuck me, I am a glutton for punishment," I say to myself when the bathroom door shuts.
I slide on my boxers and jeans, start her coffee, and go to my truck for a shirt. She's sitting on her bed, checking her phone when I get back to her.
"My family will be here Thursday as early as possible. The guys will clear the front and back yard unless you think they should wait."
"Do they know what they're doing outside of pools?"
"Yes. Dad's company is more of an elite outdoor landscaping company."
"Then they can have at it. Tell him to get me a list of what he needs and I'll have it ready."
She nods, typing off a message. "Mom wants to shop."
"Women usually do. Anything specific?"
"Furniture. More specifically, guest room furniture."
"Not a bad idea. You have three bedrooms to fill up."
"Actually, four. I sold my set before leaving Chicago. I sold most of my furnishings because they didn't suit me anymore and it was time for a new beginning. The small storage unit I'm renting is mostly boxes."
"How small is the unit?"
"Ten by ten."
"You have a contract on it?"
"Month to
