Read Once You'Ve Touched the Heart Online
Authors: Iris Bolling
Once You'Ve Touched the Heart (27 page)
“You, too, sir; ma’am.”
“Good night,” Ashley said.
James walked into the family room; Ashley followed. He had made up his mind to allow Ashley in his life days ago. But she had to accept him on his word about Tracy. He could not do that for her. James did not allow people to get close. He had been through hell with his first wife and was determined not to go through that again. For him to consider allowing Ashley in just a little was a feat, but at this point Ashley did not see it that way. James went over to his bar. “Would you like something to drink?” he asked.
“No, thank you. I just need to talk.”
He smiled, walked over, took her hand and sat her on the sofa next to him. “Talk.”
Ashley hesitated then began slowly. “James, I am more than a little attracted to you. I think you know that. But the situation with you and Tracy concerns me. Tracy is not just my partner; I consider her part of my family. I would never do anything to hurt her or betray her trust. If you have feelings for Tracy, then I can’t be involved with you in any way.”
James put his glass on the table. “Did you come over here to talk about Tracy?”
“Yes, I really need to get this cleared up.”
“You could have discussed that on the telephone. You didn’t have to come here for that conversation.”
“I didn’t hear a question,” he replied.
“Well, give me a response to my series of statements,” she said with a little attitude.
“I understood everything you said,” James replied.
“You know what, I’m not doing this again,” Ashley said, looking around for her keys. She thought she was ready to open up, try to feel something again. But she just didn’t have the patience. She liked James, she really did, but his alpha male personality was pissing her off.
James watched her. It was like she was trapped and needed to be rescued. He went over to the foyer and picked up her keys. “Are looking for these?” Ashley reached to take them; he closed his hand then put them in his pocket. “I don’t think you should leave just yet.”
She put her hands on her hips. “James, give me my keys. I want to go.”
He walked away. “No, you don’t. You are running away again. I’m not going to let you do that.” Ashley stood there.
No, this man is not playing this game with me,
she thought.
“We are going to talk, but we are not going to talk about Tracy. We are going to talk about you and me,” James firmly stated.
Ashley put her hand up to her forehead. “You are being an ass. We can’t get to you and me until we clear up Tracy.”
Now James was getting a little frustrated. “Ashley,” he said calmly, “I am not a man to answer the same question more than once. At this moment you are trying my patience. I’m not going to answer any more questions about Tracy.”
“Then we don’t have anything to talk about. May I have my keys?” Ashley held her hand out with the other on her hip. James handed her the keys. “Thank you,” she responded.
James really did not understand what more he could say to ease her concerns about Tracy. She asked the question, he told her no. He even went to her a second time and explained further. In his mind, that should be it. Ashley turned to go out the door. James had mixed emotions, but he was certain he did not want her to leave. As she opened the door he reached around her and pushed it closed. He pinned her against the door, then kissed her passionately. Ashley responded with just as much passion. James’s reaction surprised him, but he couldn’t let her walk out of that door.
James placed kisses from her neck down to the top of her breast. Her blouse was constricting his movements. “You don’t need that,” James said as he pulled her blouse over her head and returned to the spot where he began. Her skin was as smooth as silk and tasted as sweet as honey as he ran his tongue from her breast then down to her navel.
Ashley touched the side of his face and guided him back to her mouth. As James devoured her mouth, he took the keys from her hand and dropped them on the table. James put her arms around his neck, picked her up by the waist, and started climbing the stairs. The heat generating from their bodies caused James to stop midway up the stairs. They fell, unable to walk any further, momentarily ending the kiss. James looked down into those big brown eyes of hers. “For the third and last time, Tracy is a friend. I was interested in her. I am now consumed with you.”
Ashley was lost in the kiss, but she heard what she needed to hear. She looked up at him, pulled his tie off, and began unbuttoning his shirt. “I thought you never lost your composure, Mr. Brooks.”
She pulled his shirt over his head and threw it up the staircase. Ashley inhaled. James had smooth broad shoulders and abs that revealed regular workouts. Ashley ran her hands down his chest. It never occurred to her that James would look so good under his tailored suits. She stared up at him, groaned, and kissed his chest.
“You keep doing that and I am going to lose more than my composure,” James growled as he turned over and pulled her on top of him. He was kissing her neck as he unzipped her skirt then pushed it down her long legs. Ashley slid down his body, leaving a trail of kisses down his chest, removing his belt and sliding his pants down the stairs.
What on Earth am I doing
? James thought. He was always so conservative when it came to sex and women. He was always in control. He pulled her back up to his lips, kissing her as he carried her up a few more steps. They fell again, and laughed, but did not lose contact.
Ashley could feel James growing against her leg.
Can I handle this man,
she wondered as she wrapped her legs around him. That was the leverage James needed. He placed his hands under her rear and carried her into his bedroom, dropping her shoes along the way.
They fell across the bed
.
James never had any concerns about pleasing a woman, but he wanted to please Ashley beyond reason. For him it was important for her to experience the wave of emotions she had stirred in him. As he held her close to his heart, Ashley began to kiss the base of his throat and took control, rising above him with the grace of a gazelle. She groaned. It was a perfect fit. Like a finger sliding into a glove. She slowly began moving against him with smooth, powerful strides. James encircled her waist, guiding her body over him. The pace increased, becoming more powerful with each stroke. Her head fell back as they moved closer to that moment of ecstasy. Wanting to feel her in his arms, James sprang up, holding her tightly as he kissed her exposed neck until they both cried out the other’s name in unison. They sat there entangled with each other, trying to ease their racing pulses. Ashley dropped her head to his shoulder and he stroked her back as they sat there. Her breath against his ear caused him to react, and he could feel himself growing inside of her again. With her legs still around his waist, he leaned backwards, ran his tongue from her throat down to her breast. He pulled out, picked her up and placed her standing on the bed against the headboard while remaining on his knees. He ran his tongue around her navel down to the very core of her. When Ashley was to the point of her knees buckling beneath her, James placed his hands on her hips and guided her body down, then entered her at full force, again. Ashley called out his name with such passion that James nearly lost his control. Ashley took in every inch of him, and there were a few. She held on tight as he continued to fill her like no other before him. With each compelling stroke, he took control of her body. Their release was so overwhelming, he fell backwards and her body followed like a chain reaction. James held her until the waves from their bodies subsided.
By the time they fell asleep, it was time for them to get up, but neither could move. James heard Clair and remembered the clothes they left on the stairs. He looked down at Ashley. She was on his chest and his arm was wrapped around her back, holding her close to him. He realized he never let her go once they fell asleep.
That surprised James. He did not consider himself an affectionate man. In the past he would have sex with women then leave at what he considered an appropriate time. With his wife, she would turn to her side of the bed and sleep. Ashley stretched in his arms and he liked the feel of that. He surveyed her body as she slept, and smiled; Ashley had long, firm legs. James thought she had the legs of a runner. For the first time in years James actually wanted just to stay in bed with her beside him. The thought shocked him back to reality; he had to go to work. He didn’t want to wake her, so he put a pillow under her head and slipped out of bed.
Halfway through his shower, the door opened and Ashley stepped inside, kissing his back.
“You are not shy at all, are you?” he asked as he turned to her. James wrapped his arms around her as he kissed her feverishly.
“No,” she said as she began kissing his chest, then down to his stomach. He grabbed her before she went any further, pulled her up against the shower wall, held her with one hand and braced with the other hand as he entered her. Water from the multiple shower heads was pulsing from every direction, which enhanced the sensation of their simultaneous release.
By the time they finished their shower, Clair had folded the clothes and placed them on the bench at the end of the bed. When Ashley saw the clothes, she gasped with humiliation. “She didn’t see us, did she?”
James laughed as he walked into one of his closets. “It’s a little late to be bashful now.”
“We left our clothes on the stairs. Oh my goodness, I am not going to be able to look that woman in the face,” Ashley exclaimed.
James came back into the room still in his towel, but with a suit in his hand. He placed the suit on the stand and then grabbed her around the waist. He could not believe Ashley was that self-conscious. He tossed her across the bed and landed on top of her. James knew he was running late but she was so damn sexy in that towel and her damp hair up in a ponytail. He looked down at her. “You know, I measured your legs while you were asleep.” He smiled as he wrapped her legs around him.
She laughed. “Did we ever go to sleep?”
“Just for a minute.” He laughed. “We really did not talk last night.”
“Would you like to come to my place for dinner tonight? If you are free, I mean. We could talk then.” Ashley did not want to take anything for granted here.
“Can you cook?”
“Quite well,” Ashley replied.
“Then I will be there.” He smiled.
They dressed then went downstairs. James went into the kitchen. “Clair, I’ll have to pass on breakfast this morning. And I have plans for dinner tonight, but you may want to fix a sandwich or something. I don’t know if she can cook.”
“I heard that,” Ashley commented.
James smiled. Clair returned the smile. “It’s good to see you smiling, Mr. Brooks.”
James did not realize he was smiling. He bashfully turned away. “Have a good day, Clair.”
“You too, sir,” Clair replied as she watched the two leave.
When they reached Ashley’s car, James noticed a note on the windshield. Ashley read the note and was a little unnerved. Ashley handed the note to James.
After reading it James asked, “Ashley, are you involved with Holt in any way?”
Ashley could not believe he asked her that. “No!” Ashley replied with a touch of irritation.
James took the note and put Ashley in the car, then closed the door. “I’ll follow you home.
N
o formal announcement was made but it was a foregone conclusion, Gavin was going to run for governor. The Roth family hosted a fundraiser to assist with financing his campaign. JD reserved a table and invited a few friends to join him and Tracy. To JD’s surprise, Ashley’s date was James Brooks. Tracy
was aware of the relationship between Ashley and James, but JD still had no idea they were involved. Tracy smiled when the two
arrived. It was good to see Ashley excited about a man, especially since that man was James.
JD was a bit unnerved, but was cordial towards James. Actually, JD was a little too busy keeping Tracy away from Jackie and Carolyn to be concerned with James. After the incident at the last function that they all attended, Calvin had a long conversation with Jackie. He did not ask but told her she would not be a part of any future schemes against JD and Tracy. Jackie had to choose for the last time to whom she was loyal —him or Carolyn. Jackie promised Calvin she would stay clear of anything involving his friend.
When Jackie saw Carolyn approaching the table, she excused herself and walked to her. While Jackie and Carolyn talked, Ashley and Tracy took a walk, leaving JD, James and Calvin at the table. “So, JD, how is the case going? Are you going to convict?” James asked.
“On all five counts,” JD replied with confidence.
“Yeah, thanks to Tracy. I swear, man, we need to hire her,” Calvin responded.
“I don’t think the DA’s office can afford her.” James smiled.
“You’re right about that,” JD said. “Besides, I like having her to myself, I don’t want to share.”
“I must say, JD, I’m pleasantly surprised. You two have been hanging in there for a couple months now. Tracy is happy and you appear to be on top of the world. I’m happy to see it,” James acknowledged.
Gavin approached the table. “Happy to see what?” he asked.
“JD and Tracy,” Calvin replied.
“That is surprising.” Gavin smiled. “I didn’t think it would last this long, but I’m glad it has.” He laughed. “The time has given me half a chance with Carolyn.” JD smiled. “You know I would not stand a chance if you were still available,” Gavin said laughing. “There was a time not long ago we all lived vicariously through JD. Every week it was a new woman.”
“Some weeks it was two or three,” Calvin added. Calvin and Gavin at the same time said, “So many women, so little time.” They laughed. JD laughed with them.
“That was the motto,” Gavin said.
“But then he ran across Tracy again.” Calvin smiled pleasantly.
“You knew Tracy before?” James asked.
“Yeah,” JD said, sitting back. “We met when she was a sophomore in college.” He smiled. “She was only 19 at the time. I was working with the DA’s office.”
Calvin and JD at the same time said, “Jailbait.” They laughed.
“Referring to Tracy that way kept JD’s mind off of her.” Calvin laughed.
“But you two ended up together anyway.” James smiled. “That’s called fate.”
“Yes, it is; you can’t mess with that.” Gavin smiled.
“No, you can’t,” JD said, “and I wouldn’t change anything about it or Tracy. God knows I love that woman.”
“Here, here. To fate, the past and the future,” James toasted.
“And the love of a good woman,” JD added.
Each man had picked up his drink to toast when a voice came from behind them. “What woman would that be, JD?” JD turned to see Vanessa standing behind him.
“Speaking of the past.” Calvin squirmed.
JD instinctively looked around for Tracy. He was not going to let her be ambushed by Vanessa or Carolyn again. “She’s out on the balcony,” Vanessa informed him.
JD, Gavin and James stood. “Vanessa,” JD said.
She took the seat between Calvin and JD and crossed her legs, exposing her thighs. JD made the introductions around the table.
James wasn’t sure why, but the friendly mood at the table had changed. He excused himself and went to search for Ashley. Gavin joined James’s retreat and Calvin followed.
“It seems I cleared the table,” Vanessa confirmed.
“You usually have that affect on people,” JD said as he took a drink.
“So you didn’t answer my question: what woman?” Vanessa asked.
JD smiled. “Did I not make myself clear the other night?”
Vanessa looked away. “JD, you’ve been with Tracy all of what, six months?” She looked at him. “We were together for damn near two years; this is all I get?”
JD just raised an eyebrow. “What do you want, Vanessa?”
“I want you to admit that I was right five years ago.” JD looked around, avoiding the question. “Well, you don’t have to answer. It seems you two made it through the events of last week. That’s good,” she said sincerely. “You two may have the real thing.”
“And that means something to you?” JD asked sarcastically.
“Yes, JD, it does; I care about you.”
That pissed JD off. “You care about me? You come in town with the sole purpose of interrupting my life with Tracy because you care about me? Do me a favor: don’t give a shit about me from now on.”
JD got up from the table and joined Tracy.
“Dance with me,” he said, leading her to the dance floor. Ironically, Luther’s “Going out of My Head” was playing. JD laughed as he put his hands around her waist.
“What’s so funny?” Tracy asked.
“People have told me I have lost my mind over you, and they are right.” Tracy smiled and JD pulled her closer and whispered, “Have I told you that I am totally in love with you?” He kissed the side of her temple.
“No, you haven’t told me that, not totally. Did you tell Vanessa that when you were talking?”
He looked into her eyes, “In no uncertain terms.”
They continued to dance quietly.
Later in the evening, Carolyn was introducing people to Gavin’s campaign staff, which included David Holt. As they approached JD’s table, David excused himself and went in the opposite direction. David did not want to have a confrontation with James in front of Carolyn, his candidate’s future wife. As he walked away, David noticed Ashley and Tracy were on the balcony. He looked back to make sure James was still at the table, and then stepped out onto the balcony. “Hello, Ashley,” David said.
Ashley froze. David walked up. “Do you think we could talk privately?” he asked while sneering at Tracy.
Ashley stepped back. “No, and why have you been leaving notes on my car?”
“Why have you been avoiding me? I just wanted a chance to talk to you. We have some unfinished business, Ashley,” David replied, fuming.
“Any unfinished business you may have with Ashley goes through me,” James insisted from the doorway.
Ashley walked over to James. “Let’s go, James, this isn’t important,” she pleaded.
James looked at her. “It is important that David and I talk. You can leave now.”
“James,” Ashley implored, “it’s not necessary.”
“Ashley, go with Tracy,” James ordered in a tone that let Ashley know not to question. Tracy took Ashley’s arm and pulled her through the door. James looked at David. He didn’t like this man the first time he met him with Karen. James walked past David over to the balcony. He wanted to find a way to stop the stupidity David had started with Ashley.
“David, I noticed Karen hasn’t been to work in a week. How is she?” James inquired.
David stepped forward. He looked James up and down. Then he smirked to himself.
This man don’t have shit on me; he can’t handle Ashley,
he thought as he took a drink. “Karen’s good,” David replied.
“I’m glad to hear that. What unfinished business do you think you have with Ashley?” James asked with his back to David.
David smiled. “That would be between Ashley and me. It’s not your concern.”
James turned to face the man and laughed to himself.
I could choke him, throw him over the balcony and just walk away
. “I’m making it my concern, and as such I don’t like it when anyone makes Ashley’s life difficult. You are making her life a little trying and I’m uncomfortable with that. When I’m uncomfortable I have this nasty habit of trying to change things. This means I have to change you or, at the very least, what you’re doing to her. I am a very determined man and usually succeed in things I set out to do. You are now on my list of things to handle.”
David saw the irritated look on James’s face. “Brooks, I don’t know what Ashley told you, but you seem a little intense. Lighten up, man.” He laughed nervously.
James smiled and walked up to stand next to David then looked at him. Since James was facing the ballroom, he saw Ashley watching what was taking place on the balcony. James wondered if she was nervous for him or David. “I don’t like you, Holt; never did. Make no mistake about who you are dealing with here. From this moment on, you don’t go near Ashley.”
“Brooks, I think you got it a little backwards. Ashley still wants me.” David smiled.
James smiled, but never acknowledged what he said. “If you go anywhere near her again, you’re going to have to deal with me. Now son,” James said as he reached up to knock something off David’s lapel, “if you don’t know
,
you better ask somebody. This is the only warning I will give.” James stepped away, turned back and smiled. “Tell Karen to take her time. Make sure she’s okay before she returns to work.” James walked back into the ballroom. He sat at the table next to Ashley as if nothing at all had happened.
Carolyn caught David as he reentered the ballroom. “David, I saw that exchange with James. Is there anything you need to tell me?”
David smiled. “Everything is fine.”
“For your sake, I hope you are right. James Brooks is not someone we can afford to have against us. He is heavily involved with the Democratic National Committee and a major contributor.”
David looked Carolyn over from head to toe. He smiled, then asked, “How in the hell do these old men end up with these fine women? First Ashley with Brooks; now you with Gavin. I wonder; can Gavin handle all your needs?”