Ash to Steele Read Online Free PDF Page A

advocate, “If I sleep with him then it will be something amazing.”
      “I’m not seeing the problem, hon.”
      “The problem is that it will be unforgettable to me, but I will be completely forgettable to him.  I don’t want my first time to be that way.”
       She sighs, nodding her head in understanding, “You’re right; no one’s first time should be like that.”
       “No one’s anytime should be like that.”  
       “Besides, if Breck is your first, you’ll be ruined.  No other man will ever live up to your expectations after that,” Jess states, her lips curving into a knowing smile.
       “He can’t be that good,” I proclaim, frustrated by how every woman seems to fall at his feet. 
       Jess nods her head at a nice looking twenty-something man who just stepped up to the bar.  She begins to grab the liquor of choice as she continues, “You know the expression, ‘it’ll knock your socks off’?”  Jess pours the mixed concoction into a glass, grabbing a lime wedge and squeezing it in as she winks at the man who is taking his time paying her. “Well, after one time with Breck, the next time he just walks by you, your panties will shimmy down your legs on their own accord.”
       I spit out the sip of margarita I just took so I don’t choke at Jess’ brazen words said in front of a man who looks like he wants to crawl over the bar and shimmy Jess out of hers right now.  “Jess!” I hiss. 
       Giving the needy, gorgeous man one last wink, she flashes me her mischievous smile, “It’s the truth, girl.”
       Watching as Jess turns down yet another request for her number with her uncanny skill of leaving the poor man feeling like he is still walking away after the best night of his life instead of being publicly rejected, I ask, “How come you two are still friends if you have personal experience?  From what you told me, he has a woman once, then never looks back.”
       Jess grabs four bottles of beer, dangling them in the air just out of reach from two questionably aged patrons, “IDs boys, and they better be real or Jason over there is going to personally throw you out the door on your asses.”
       One of them hesitates before reaching for his wallet, and Jess zones in, “Nope, no need.  Out now, or I call Jason in two seconds.”
       It takes half that time for them to head towards the door. 
       Turning her attention back to me, she gives a slight shrug, “We have history before our history , so I guess I’m the lucky one, or the unlucky one.  Depends on which way you look at it.”
       Another group hovers at the bar and Jess mixes their drinks while I finish mine.  Feeling slightly buzzed, I decide it’s time to go home and get a few hours of sleep before I have to be at my first job.  I catch Jess’ attention and wave.  She gives me her puppy dog eyes look which normally suckers me to do what she wants, but I’m immune tonight.  “I’m tired,” I call over the noisy crowd.
       “You have no idea how to party.  I’m a complete failure of a friend for not rubbing my live it up lifestyle off on you yet!”
       “I won’t hold it against you,” I tease, steadying myself when I stand up too quickly.
       “Damn lightweight,” she laughs, “I’ve got to work on that, too.”
       “Another night,” I yell to her before pushing my way towards the door.  The cold night air slams into me, and I wrap my sweater tighter around my shoulders. 
       “Going home already?” Gavin asks. 
       Before I have time to answer, a fight breaks out in line. 
       “Break it up!” Gavin yells, stepping in between the two men and grabbing them both by the collars of their shirt, giving a vicious shake.  “You two shake hands now and play nice, or I’ll kick both your asses before sending you home.”
       The noisy crowd becomes silent while all eyes are fixated on the two antagonists being helplessly manhandled at Gavin’s