Even as wet as she is, she’s incredibly tight. I ease back and press in, my cock gradually disappearing inside her, my eyes fixed on the place where our bodies join.

When I shift my gaze to her face, her expression is strained. I think she might be a virgin. I didn’t ask, because I didn’t want that final assault on my conscience. Things were too far gone by then for turning back.

I’m probably hurting her, but I’ll make it up to her.

Finally, I’m stuffed inside her as far as I can go. I start working her clit with my thumb and she clenches and releases around me, her soft moans filling the room. I circle, press, and roll her swollen point until her head goes back and she cries out, clamping down on me.

Now I start to move, flexing my hips, using my hands to bring her up to meet me.

“Ashton … it feels …”

“What?”

Her head tosses on the mattress. “Don’t stop.”

“I won’t stop.” I come down over her, stretching out, one forearm holding me up. My hand tangles in her hair and I tighten my grip just a little, until she gasps and vises around me. “Spread your legs, honey.”

With another moan, she obeys, her dancer’s body lithe and flexible. I start to fuck her hard and slow and deep, just the way I promised. Her nails dig into my back, then my ass, spurring me on.

“Fuck, Tori. You’re perfect.” I don’t ever want to stop, don’t ever want to be anywhere but deep inside her, her exquisite cunt swallowing my cock.

“Ashton … please …”

I look into her eyes and see the pleading there. “More?”

“Yes. More.”

I fuck her harder, the sound of our bodies meeting echoing off the walls. She’s crying out with every stroke now, but not in pain. “Touch yourself,” I order her. “I want you to come on my cock before I lose control.”

She slides her hand between us. I can’t hold on much longer. “Hurry, Tori.”

“Ash … oh fuck … Ash!” Her pussy spasms frantically around me as she goes over the edge, and the frayed rope that’s what’s left of my self-control snaps.

I start pounding into her, her screams filling my ears as I fuck her like a jackhammer. Hard and fast and frantic, until the climax shoots from the base of my spine into my balls, and I pour myself out, her cunt milking me for every last drop.

My body goes limp, collapsing on hers. As soon as I’m able, I roll us onto our sides, holding her close. “Are you all right?”

She opens her eyes and studies me for a moment before her lips curve softly up. Her smile is exquisite, lighting up the room. “Yeah.”

I tuck her against me, savoring the afterglow. If Tori comes to her senses and decides she doesn’t want to do this again, I’ll have to try to change her mind.

Once is definitely not enough.

* * *

I don’t have to persuade her. The week flies by, our evenings spent in a blissful haze of sex. During the day, I try not to go to work with a “just got laid” spring in my step, but the change in my mood is too obvious to miss.

“You’re chipper these days,” Shane remarks.

I don’t look up from the contract I’m studying. “New workout routine.”

“Mm.” I’m certain if I make eye contact he’ll be smirking at me, so I don’t look. If I do, then I’ll have to deal with him and his too-astute questions, and that’s best avoided.

On Saturday, Tori and I go for a walk in Central Park. It rained last night; the air is chilly. We stroll together, but don’t hold hands, or otherwise act like lovers. There’s an ache in my heart that I can’t give her that.

We’re in Strawberry Fields, near the mosaic, when we hear what sounds like a heated argument. Tori shoots me a worried glance, and we go in the direction of the voices. Just off the path, under a tree, we find a man looming threateningly over a woman.

His hands are clenched in fists, while she’s cowering, her arms wrapped protectively around her torso. “I told you,” he snarls. “Why don’t you ever listen, you stupid bitch?”

I start toward them, but before I can intervene, he backhands her. The woman staggers back, slipping on wet leaves and falling to the ground.

“Hey!” I snap, marching forward.

The man turns to me with a sneer. “Stay out of it, pretty boy.”

“Fuck you.” I can’t stand to see women mistreated. No way is this asshole getting away with it.

His fists come up when it’s obvious I’m not going to stop. I deflect his haymaker swing with one arm, wincing, and land a roundhouse on his jaw that knocks him flat on his ass.

Flipping him onto his stomach, I sit on him to pin him down. The jerk still tries to wriggle away, but I’m bigger than he is.

Tori rushes up to me, her phone in hand. “Are you all right? I called 911. The police are on the way.”

“Good.” I give her a smile. “I’m okay.” I almost wish the guy would fight back so I could pop him again, but I’m better off not giving the police a reason to haul me in too. Self defense only goes so far.

Fortunately, it doesn’t take the cops long to show up and figure out the situation. After they question all of us, they arrest the man and take him away. The woman is pale, shaken, and I wish I could offer her a hug, but I know better.

“Could we buy you a coffee?” I ask instead.

She doesn’t look at either of us. “I’m all right. Thanks, though.”

Tori goes near, but doesn’t touch her either. “Just until you feel better,” she says, her voice very gentle. “And then we can make sure you get home safely.”

The woman glances at Tori, then away. There’s a bruise already forming on her face. I think she wants to say yes, but – from what little I know about battered women – years of fear and isolation have probably made it difficult to trust.

“Okay,” she says at last, and we walk to a nearby diner. Once we’re in a booth, Tori coaxes the woman into having some soup along with her coffee. We both get something to eat too, so she’ll feel more comfortable.

Gradually, the woman’s story emerges. Her name is Lisa Hopper, and the man who was beating her is her husband, James.

“We’ve been married five years. At first, he was sweet to me, but once we got married he changed. I can’t do anything right; every little thing is another reason for him to go off on me.

“I wanted to leave him, but I never went to college, so the only jobs I can get don’t pay worth beans. I can’t afford rent in this town on what I can earn.”

“Do you have children?” Tori asks softly.

“No. James wanted kids, but I managed to hide my birth control pills from him. I couldn’t bring a child into a situation like that.”

“You’d leave him if you could?” I say.

She hunches into herself. “I don’t see how.”

Carefully, I pull out one of my business cards and slide it across the table. “I’m a lawyer. If you’re ready to leave James, divorce him, I’ll represent you at no charge.”

Lisa studies the card like it’s filled with hieroglyphics. “I’m not sure what to do – I mean, how to go about it. Where would I go? He’ll be out by tonight.”

“We can help you find a shelter – now, while he’s locked up. Once you’re safely away from him, I can file the paperwork for the divorce.”

“You make it sound so simple.” She looks ready to say no, but I can’t stand the thought of her going back to that man. Odds are he’ll kill her one day.

“It won’t be easy,” I say, trying to be as honest as possible. “You’ll have to work hard to build a life away from him. But if you’re willing to do that, I’ll help you. Every step of the way.”

Lisa scrutinizes me for long moments. It’s clear enough that she’s trying to see inside me, to decide if she really can believe what I’m saying.

Finally, the faintest hint of a smile crosses her face. “If there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s work hard. It’d be nice to put the effort toward something that’ll actually make my life better.”