She sucked in a breath at the image and opened her eyes to find him with a devious glint in his eyes. She laughed. “Ashton Isaacs, you kinky bastard. I should’ve known. It’s always the quiet ones.”

“Not card-carrying kinky. Just creative,” he said without apology. “I read a lot. Makes for a diverse imagination.”

“Bookish kink,” she mused. “I’m finding this new side of you quite enlightening.”

She was about to throw out another teasing comment, but he stepped between her knees and tugged her to the edge of the table, making her dress slide up her thighs and baring her. It should’ve been awkward. Her former best friend was staring down at her naked form, but the way he was looking down at her made any awkwardness dissolve. There was nothing friendly about that look. Ash caressed the backs of her calves, sending lightning straight up to the aching spot between her legs, making her tremble with need.

He lifted one hand and gently traced his knuckle along the place she needed it most, her body slick and ready for him. “So fucking sexy, KC. I love that you’re trembling for me. I’m hard as hell just thinking about what you’re going to feel like around me.”

She let out a soft moan, her wrists pressing against the bindings and her body arching with need. “Why doesn’t this feel weird, Ash? This should feel weird. Right?”

“Why? Because we’re old friends?” His voice was soft, his attention on where he was touching her as if mesmerized by how her body responded to him. He slipped a finger inside her, making every muscle in her body clench with want.

“Yes,” she whispered, suddenly having trouble concentrating on conversation.

“Maybe that’s what makes this better. We know each other through and through. The good stuff and the embarrassing stuff. We don’t have to play any role right now. We don’t have to impress each other.” He lowered himself to his knees. “Instead, we can just admit that we turn each other on, indulge in it, and make sure we savor every delicious moment.”

The last words were whispered against her tender skin with promise. He guided her legs over his shoulders, pressed a kiss to her inner thigh, and then his mouth was on her, tasting her in a place he’d only touched in the dark. All worries of weirdness flew out of her head. There was no room for that when everything felt so damn good.

Ash savored her, those full lips of his even more devastating when unleashed upon her most sensitive flesh. His stubble tickled her thighs as he took his time, exploring, kissing, licking, and making her lose her ability for coherent thought. The man seemed intent on making this a seven-course meal, and she was so there for the reservation. She writhed beneath him, murmuring unintelligible sounds, and he slipped a second finger inside her, finding the perfect spot with his fingertips. He dragged his tongue along the center of her, and then kissed her there before drawing the little bud between his lips and rocking his fingers inside her. Her back arched up from the table, and his name fell from her mouth.