Chapter Eighteen
Ashton
No longer dreading Monday after having spoken to Nina, I was in a pretty great mood when I walked into the station that morning. I felt renewed. Not one hundred percent over my grief and guilt, but ready to start working through it.
I had an apology ready for Artimus, so I went right up to his office. When the elevator doors opened, Brady and Veronica stood perfectly still, looking at me.
Hesitantly, Brady offered, “Good morning?” in question form.
After Friday’s tirade, I understood his cautious demeanor. “It is a good morning, Brady. How’s it going this morning for you guys?”
Veronica nodded. “Fine. Are you here to see someone, Ashton?”
“I am. Has Artimus made it in yet?” I made my way toward his door, sure he was already in. He always showed up early.
“He is,” Brady told me. “Julia is in there with him.”
“Good.” I knocked on the door, ready to make amends with my friend.
“Come in,” came Julia’s voice as the door opened.
Artimus got up out of his seat to come to me. “I hope you’re not mad.”
Shaking my head as I went to shake his hand, I said, “Anything but that.” We shook hands then I went in for a little side hug. “Thank you, Artimus. It takes a great friend to do what you did. Dr. Patel is the best. I’ve talked to her extensively every day since Friday. I know things are going to get better, with her help.”
Julia grabbed me up as I stepped away from Artimus. “That’s so great to hear, Ashton!” She hugged me tightly, swaying back and forth with me. “I’m so happy for you.”
“I’m pretty damn happy for myself too.” When she let me go, I saw Artimus waving at me to go sit down in front of his desk, so I went over and took a seat as he sat behind it. “Just so you guys know, I went to see Nina and apologized to her too. We’re not dating, but we are friends again.”
“Good.” Julia walked toward the door that connected their offices. “I’ve got to get to work. You guys talk. See you later, Ashton. We’ll have to do lunch together today.”
“Sure thing, Julia.” I waved at her then looked at Artimus. “With Dr. Patel’s help, I’ve made a big discovery about why I’ve held on the way I have.”
“And that is?” he asked.
“Natalia’s things were taken from our home way too soon after her passing. Her family thought it would help me.” I sighed as I thought about what good people they all were. “They didn’t mean any harm in doing it, but it interrupted my grieving process. This weekend I made a call to her father and asked about some of those things. He told me that most of her stuff had been given to people in need. And that made me happy. Natalia would’ve wanted her things to go to good use, not sit around like museum pieces.”
I had earned a smile from Artimus. “Good. I’m really glad to hear that you’re happy with how that went. I suppose them removing all of her things from your place really set you back. I mean, one day she’s there with you, the next she’s gone. And not long after that, all evidence of her ever being there was gone too. I can see how that would shake a person up.”
Shoving my hand through my hair, I tried to do what Dr. Patel had asked me to work on. Live in that moment. Let myself feel that pain. And share it with those I care about and who care about me. “I had pushed the memories of that time into the far recesses of my mind. Next to actually losing her, losing her things in our home was the second most traumatic thing I went through. And the weird thing is that I never told a single soul how bad that hurt, to look around and see nothing of hers in our home anymore. Even the shampoo and conditioner she used was gone.”
Artimus looked stricken as he looked down. “I can’t imagine, Ashton. That had to have been devastating to you. I don’t know if I could’ve taken that.”
“You could’ve. I mean, it doesn’t kill you.” I shook my head. “But it feels like it might.”
With a nod, he said, “I’m sure it did feel like that. And how are you handling that now?”
I had to smile. “Better. Nina and I talked until one o’clock this morning. I shared a lot with her about Natalia. It made me feel a hell of a lot better. Nina is a very special person.”
“She is.” He laughed. “Most women wouldn’t have hung on for so long. You know that, right?”
“I do.” I had more I wanted to talk to him about, but wasn’t sure how. Then I took the good doctor’s advice and just opened my mouth and said what was on my mind. “I’m still afraid, Artimus. I’m still afraid that letting myself fall for Nina will push Natalia out of my mind.”
“I don’t think she’ll allow that to happen, Ashton.” He shook his head. “Nina isn’t the type of person who tries to take over things. I believe she has, and always has had, your best interests at heart.”
“You’re probably right.” I got up; it was time to get to work. “Well, I’ve got to get busy this morning. I am sorry for my little meltdown last week.”
“Nothing to worry about. We all have our meltdowns now and then, Ashton. And if that’s what it took for you to finally accept help, then I’m glad.” He got up and walked with me to the door, clapping me on the back as we went. “You have a good day. I’ll see you at lunch.”
I left there feeling a lot better about things. And a hell of a lot better about my ability to let my friends in on what was bothering me. I had kept it all to myself for way too long. It felt good to confide in my friend for once.
When I went down to the set where the morning news was about to get underway, I found Nina finishing up the cue cards on the long table she always kept them on.
One of the cameramen stopped me before I could get to her. “Hey, Ashton. Man, glad you came down this morning. I need you to take a look at this camera. It seems to be malfunctioning a little.”
I took a look and fixed the problem, then found it was time to get the show started. Taking my usual chair at the back of the studio, I counted down the time for the show to start.
Nina bent over the table to stay out of the camera’s view. I had to admire her round bottom, which was covered in a creamy fabric that clung to it just right.
As everyone got going, I zoned out, seeing Nina bent over just as she was, only in my office, bent over my desk. She looked over her shoulder at me as she hitched the beige skirt up and bit her lower lip.
I moved in behind her, cupping her bare ass cheeks in both hands as I took a long sniff along her neck. The scent of honeysuckle filled my nostrils as I ran my lips along the side of her neck. Her ass blossomed with goosebumps as I rubbed it.
“Commercial, Ashton,” my assistant whispered in my ear.
Shit!
I gave the sign to cut to the commercial and everyone loosened up for the two-minute break. Nina stood up and turned to look at me. She gave me a little wave, and I waved back.
As soon as the news program was over, I went to Nina. “Come to my office when you can, okay?”
With a nod, she picked up her cards and took them with her. “I’ll be there in about fifteen minutes. I’ve just got to shred these first and get them into the recycle bin.”
I had brought a gift for her. The night before, I’d given her roses and candy. But I wanted to give her the present I’d bought for her before I lost my mind that Sunday.
When she came into my office, I was surprised to see that she had a gift-wrapped box in her hands. Pointing at it, I asked, “For me?”
She nodded as she placed it on my desk. I opened the drawer where I’d put the gift for her. It was in a little pink bag, and I put it on the desk in front of her.
She smiled. “Seems like great minds do think alike.”
I took my present and she took hers then we both opened them. “Oh, wow!” She’d given me the same kind of pan that we’d found at Artimus and Julia’s home to make bacon in.
“I saw that and thought of you.” She winked at me. “Maybe you can make me some bacon sometime.”
Jerking my head toward the bag she had her hand in, I said, “Maybe I will. Come on, pull that out of there. I’m dying to see what you think of it.”
When she pulled out the expensive wrap she’d eyed at the market in the Hamptons, a smile took over her whole face. “You didn’t!”
“I did.” I took it out of her hands, then wrapped it around her neck, tying it in front. “Look, it even matches this outfit.”
Her lips touched my cheek, sending a charge of energy from my cheek all the way down to my cock, which thumped in response. “I love it. Thank you.”
I kissed her cheek, straining my cock even more. “Thank you too.”
Her hand went to rest on my chest as we stood close together. Her eyes moved up to mine as she bit her lower lip. It was the same look she’d given me in my little daydream earlier.
My eyes cut away from hers to look at my desk. It wasn’t at all the way I’d seen it in my fantasy. It was cluttered with papers and all kinds of other things. Sweeping it all away would’ve had a dramatic effect, but a messy one.
And I didn’t want to ravage Nina in my office anyway. She deserved better than that.
Taking her by the wrists, I looked at her, then sighed. I wasn’t going to bring her into my cluttered world at the moment. I had a lot more work to do on myself before I did that. “We’re all going to eat lunch together today. You should come too.”
She licked her lips. “Okay. I will.”
My body was on fire, and I knew she was the only thing in the world that could put it out. But I couldn’t do that to her. Not until I had myself straightened out completely. I’d already put her through enough. “I would love a cup of that coffee of yours, if you make any today.”
“I will, and I’ll bring you a cup.” Her breasts rose and fell as she took a deep breath. “I want you to know that above all else, I am your friend, Ashton. Last night, when you were so open with me, it made me feel so much closer to you than I’ve ever felt. Thank you for letting me in. It’s an honor and a privilege to me.”
Her dark blonde hair had fallen into her face a bit, and I brushed it back. “I want to thank you for being there for me. The honor is all mine to have you as a friend, Nina Kramer.”
I meant every word I said to her. And a kiss at that moment would’ve felt perfectly right.
But I rarely did what was right.
Stepping back, I walked away from her to get behind my desk. “See you later, then.”
A brief look of confusion filled her face, then she nodded. “Yes, I’ll come back later with the coffee.”
Watching her sweet ass sway back and forth as she left my office, I looked down at my erect cock. “What? She deserves me at my best. You’ll just have to wait.”