Page 6 of Secret Desire (Sapphic Billionaire Club #3)

Ashley

M aeve and I were both quiet for the rest of the ride back to the office. It felt like we’d decided on something momentous, even though we’d basically just agreed to have sex, and the weight of it felt heavier than I expected.

It could be that we would have sex once and get it out of our systems, but somehow I doubted that would happen. That kiss had been so hot it had practically melted my panties right off my body. I had a feeling that once we crossed that line I’d want more. Lots more.

I’d never been in love before, never even thought I was in love before – at least not since my childhood crush on Maeve – but if the emotions I was feeling right now weren’t love, I wasn’t sure what they were.

There was definitely lust between us, but this felt like more. It scared the crap out of me.

Even though we were adults, I knew Maeve and I sleeping together was probably a mistake.

For one thing, it would harm both of our reputations at work if word got out.

For another, even though my sister and I weren’t close, she was still protective.

She’d probably have some strong feelings about me being with one of her two best friends.

There was no way she wouldn’t feel betrayed if she found out Maeve was doing something with her little sister.

But none of that made me want to take back my suggestion to be friends with benefits. It might turn out to be more than that, but for now, the best plan was to keep things secret until we knew for sure what was happening between us.

The limo pulled up in front of AGM Tower, but before I could get out, Maeve touched my arm.

“Let’s give this some thought before we start anything, okay?” she asked softly. “I want us to be sure.”

I nodded, even though I felt disappointed by her backtracking.

“Okay.”

We walked through the lobby, running into Theo on the way.

“I heard you’re finally coming to Found Family Dinner,” he beamed.

Ariel had invited me the day before last month’s event, probably because Theo had badgered her into it, but I’d said no. But when she asked me again, I figured I should check it out.

“Ariel and Sadie were quite insistent that I come,” I explained. “So I said I would.”

“I’m off to deliver some things for the boss lady, but I’ll see y’all tomorrow,” Theo said.

We got on the elevator with several other people, so there was no way to talk. As soon as the doors opened on our floor, Maeve was in motion.

“See you later, Ash.”

I stared after her, wondering what would happen now.

The next night I walked into the AGM Tower restaurant and headed back to the private room where the Found Family Dinner was being held.

I was a few minutes late, and the last to arrive.

Around a dozen people sat around a long table, talking and passing bottles of wine.

Everyone appeared to be having a great time.

Sadie saw me first.

“Ashley, welcome.”

She rushed over to give me a hug. We weren’t really huggers in our family, so it felt a bit awkward.

“Come sit between me and Maeve,” she said. “I saved you a seat.”

That was my future sister-in-law in a nutshell: always thinking about other people.

I nodded to Theo, who introduced me to his husband, and waved down the table to where Grace sat, looking glum.

I’d heard from Theo that she and Nicole had a falling out, something about Nicole rejecting her in front of Nicole’s mom and not being out to her parents.

I didn’t know the whole story, but I knew it had something to do with them losing out on that big project they’d been bidding on.

Theo told me that after the break-up Grace had stayed in bed for several days until my sister and Maeve literally dragged her out of her bed.

Sadie introduced me around to the mostly female-identified group, then we tucked into our dinner, which was served family style.

The food was delicious, an assortment of dishes that included pork chops, scalloped potatoes, salad, house made applesauce, and more.

Even though it was evident that most of these people had known each other for a while now, I felt welcomed and included, which was nice.

After the meal everyone headed up to the exclusive nightclub on the second floor, taking over the VIP section overlooking the dance floor.

Despite the fact that Saturday was the biggest night of the week for the club, my sister and her partners were adamant about reserving space for Found Family Dinner guests.

“So you guys do this every month?” I asked my sister, who was sitting next to me now.

She nodded. “Yeah, we’ve done it for a while now.

It started as just the three of us having dinner with Theo, but as we started inviting other friends, we decided to make it a monthly event.

We thought it was important to create community, especially for people who don’t have supportive friends and family.

Or maybe they do, but they just want to hang out with a bunch of cool chicks.

And Theo. He’s probably brought more people to this group than anyone, he’s always picking up strays. ”

I knocked my shoulder gently against hers. “You’ve created something amazing here, Ariel. I’m really proud of you.”

Ariel gave me a surprised look, then did something unexpected – she pulled me into a hug. I paused just a second before hugging her back. When we let each other go I saw that Maeve and Sadie were both watching us with tender expressions.

Some song from the eighties came on and Theo jumped up, pulling his much quieter husband by the hand.

“Come on bitches,” he yelled to our group. “Let’s dance!”

We headed down as a group, dancing together for a couple of songs. Eventually a few people headed back upstairs, leaving me, Maeve, Theo and his husband, and Ariel and Sadie still on the dance floor.

“Grace snuck off while we were dancing,” Theo told Ariel and Maeve. “But fear not, I have an idea how to fix this. Her lonely girl moping days are numbered now that I’m on the case.”

Theo’s husband rolled his eyes. “You and your matchmaking.”

“Hush, I have a perfect track record,” Theo shot back.

His eyes bounced between me and Maeve. “And I’m already thinking about my next project.”

Maeve must have seen the look too because she stepped back from the group, saying that she needed to use the restroom.

I found her later sitting upstairs on a velvet loveseat in the VIP section.

I dropped down next to her, one side of my body pressed against hers from shoulder to knee.

Everywhere we touched I felt a hum of electricity.

“I think Theo suspects that there’s something going on with us,” I said quietly.

She turned and gave me an earnest look. “He’s not wrong though, is he?”

“Invite me upstairs,” I urged.

She looked around, but no one was paying attention to us here in the dark corner of the VIP area.

I put my hand on her thigh and slowly moved my fingers upward, tracing her soft skin with my fingers until I reached the hem of the dress she was wearing.

She didn’t stop me, so I slid my fingers higher.

When I reached the elastic of her panties, she stood up suddenly.

“Come up in ten minutes,” she whispered. “I’ll text you the code. Make sure no one sees you.”

Ten minutes later I used the code to take the private elevator up to Maeve’s condo. Like my sister’s place, the elevator opened up to a small, narrow lobby that led to the main entrance to the condo. I knocked twice, then keyed in my code and slipped inside.

Maeve was standing on the other side of the door, waiting for me. I looked around, getting a quick impression of an elegant but warm living space, with modern furniture, floor to ceiling windows, and colorful artwork. In the distance I could see the lights of Navy Pier.

“Thanks for inviting me up.”

“I shouldn’t have. This is wrong,” she said softly.

For some reason that made a rush of arousal flood my core. I stalked over, gripped both sides of Maeve’s face, and pulled her in for a kiss.

It was like someone had fired a starter’s pistol. The kiss immediately turned hot. I shoved my tongue into her mouth, and we dueled for control of the kiss. Maeve’s hands moved to my ass, squeezing me firmly, then pulling me closer. But I couldn’t get close enough, not for what I wanted.

“We’re wearing too many clothes,” I panted. “Where’s the bedroom?”

“I think we should…”

“Stop thinking,” I ordered before Maeve could change her mind. “Bedroom. Now.”

Her eyes widened. “I had no idea you were so bossy.”

“There’s a lot of things you don’t know about me,” I sassed back.

She turned towards a hallway leading towards the back of the condo and I slapped her ass hard enough to make her jump.

Then I grabbed her hand and pulled her down the hallway, not even caring where we ended up.

I need her now. And the last thing I wanted was for her conscience to rear its head again before we got off.

“Here,” she said, tugging my hand to lead me into her bedroom.

The space was surprisingly feminine. The walls were a soft pink, and in the center of the room was a large four-poster princess-style bed, complete with gauzy canopy overhead. The bed was covered with a fancy white bedspread and about a million pillows, all in shades of white and pink.

“Someday I want to tie you to this bed and tease you until you’re begging me to come,” I told her.

Maeve inhaled sharply, her eyes growing round. And interested.

“But for right now, I want something else.”

I gripped the hem of my dress, pulling it over my head, leaving me in the lacy panties and bra I wore beneath. And high-heeled shoes. I felt Maeve’s gaze move up and down my body, and I could tell by the way she licked her lips that she liked what she saw.

“Strip,” I ordered.

Maeve turned around. “Unzip me, please.”

I moved forward, moving the zipper down slowly, trailing along her spine with my fingers.

Then I pushed the dress down her shoulders, unclasped her bra, and tossed it on the floor.

Still behind her, I reached around and pulled her back to my front, my hands reaching around to cup her full breasts.

Maeve made a soft moaning noise, arching her back to push into my hands.

My lips found the side of her neck, kissing my way down to her shoulder and back up while I teased her nipples with my fingers.

When I bit down softly on the top of her shoulder, Maeve cried out my name in a needy voice that filled me with a sense of satisfaction.

I moved one hand down over her belly before dipping beneath the waistband of her panties.

I slowly made my way past the soft curls at her apex before slipping between her lower lips.

“You’re dripping wet for me,” I said darkly.

Maeve just moaned, canting her hips to meet my questing fingers.

“Here’s what we’re going to do,” I said, pausing to nip at the shell of her ear. “I’m going to make you come with my fingers, then you’re going to ride my face.”

“What about you?” she gasped.

“That’ll be round two.”

I swung her around and pressed her up against the nearest wall.

After dragging her panties down her legs and throwing them over my shoulder, I crowded up against her and gave her a long, rough kiss.

While we kissed, my fingers found her sweet heat again, and without warning I pushed two fingers up inside her body.

Her inner muscles clenched, then relaxed enough for me to start fucking her with my fingers.

“Spread your legs a little,” I said, kicking her ankles.

When she complied I had a better angle to add a third finger, twisting my hand so I could press my thumb against her clit.

Maeve was dripping with arousal now, and I could tell she was getting there fast, which made me feel like a fucking queen.

I didn’t mind taking the time a woman needed to reach completion, but I loved it when I could get them out of their heads and screaming my name faster than either of us thought was possible.

I redoubled my efforts, fucking her roughly with my fingers, stroking her clit with my thumb, and nipping along her collarbone.

Maeve was rolling her hips against my hand, chasing her release with her eyes screwed closed and a look of ecstasy on her face that I knew I’d remember for a long, long time.

Suddenly she stiffened, then her back arched away from the wall and one leg came up around my calf. Then she was flying, my name like a prayer on her lips as she found her release.

When she was finally done she slid down the wall like her legs couldn’t hold her anymore, her knees coming to her chin while she tried to catch her breath. I squatted down in front of her, lifting her chin with my hand.

“Are you okay there?” I asked, feeling pretty good about my skills.

She gave me a small smile. “I’m pretty sure you just ruined me for any other woman.”

“That was nothing,” I scoffed. “Wait until I eat you out. You’ll forget your own name.”