he returned to the bed, pulling her to him, with her back against his
chest.
* * * *
Ash stroked her cheek and her temple, smiling as she drifted to
sleep. The candles had all gone out, and he should have been asleep
an hour ago. Instead he was wide awake, watching her. Moonlight
filtered in through her windows, illuminating her skin, making her
appear even more fragile and beautiful.
Breathing deep, he remembered how she’d lowered her shoulders
to the bed in submission, something he was sure didn’t come naturally
to her. She’d tipped her ass up so he could clearly see her little pussy,
glistening in the candlelight. Her hips had undulated, and more of her
juices had flowed for him, a treat he’d been unable to resist. Her
quivering pussy had been luscious like the flesh of a ripe peach. He’d
plundered her, pushed her hard, and she’d trusted him. It was that
trust that now kept him awake.
He loved her. He’d probably fallen in love with her Christmas
night, impressed with her fierce loyalty to a man who had not earned
it. She’d stood up to him and told him off, even though he’d only
wanted what was best for her.
He loved the fire in her eyes and the way she cared about her
friends and her family at the store. Juliana was an others-centered
kind of person, sometimes to her detriment. He had noticed a shift in
her recently. Juliana didn’t talk as much about the store and its
workings and seemed to have relaxed some.
He whispered as he stroked her cheek, “You’re everything in this
world to me, darlin’. You take your time, but I hope you come to love
me as much as I love you.”
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Heather Rainier
Nestling his head behind hers, Ash pressed his lips to the back of
her neck so that he could sleep with her womanly fragrance filling his
senses and drifted off, curled around her.
Spurs and Heels
155
Chapter Fifteen
The rest of January and the beginning of February passed in a blur
for Juliana. Between after-Christmas chores and promotions and
preparing for inventory, she had not been able to further reduce her
hours.
Leah persisted in doing away with the commission sales. Doug
had finally taken the matter into hand and made the decision for
Juliana as was his right, since he owned the store. Then he’d
announced it at a morning meeting to the whole store. Juliana had felt
sick the entire time, watching her employees’ faces as they reacted to
that news.
He’d tried to sweeten any negative feelings by giving raises where
appropriate and increasing other benefits here and there. That didn’t
make it any better for the employees like Teresa, who, until recently,
had needed the commissions in order to survive. Juliana was certain
Doug had just cost her the store’s best floater. Teresa now had no
reason to stay.
Changing the pay structure had soured her on working for the
Woodworths, even though she knew they were good people. Doug
had intimated that he had other changes in the works that included her
but hadn’t offered any details. She grew weary of the way he hinted
but was never more forthcoming about his plans and where she fit
into them.
Thinking about it made her feel exhausted all the time.
Ash regularly stopped in with lunch or sometimes brought her
flowers. He defined stability in her life. The sound of his voice when
she was stressed about work was all it took to ease her. And the sound
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Heather Rainier
of his spurs jingling as he walked through the store never failed to
make her heart jump and her body to respond in excitement.
Valentine’s Day was just such a day. Juliana stood in the open stock
room doors talking with Leah when her ears pinpointed a telltale,
metallic jingle.
“What is that sound?” Leah asked, turning to look in the
stockroom and then scanning the sales floor.
That, dear heart, is the sound of guaranteed heart-stopping,
pussy-pounding sex headed my way. How fortuitous that she was
leaving for the day in less than five minutes. Ash had promised her a
special Valentine surprise and had asked her to take the evening off.
He turned the corner, sauntering toward her, bearing a bouquet of
cheerful white daisies.
“Well, boss, enjoy your Valentine’s evening.” With a heartfelt
sigh, she added, “I sure hope there’s another one like him somewhere
out there for me.”
“Ah, you’re young, Leah. Give it some time, and your knight in
shining armor will make his appearance.” Juliana watched happily as
Ash sauntered up to them. He nodded politely at Leah and held the
bouquet out to Juliana.
“Hello, darlin’”
“Hello, honey. These are beautiful,” she murmured as Ash leaned