Between Desire and Redemption

Chapter 1

Stepping back into Riverford, Elena Foster found it hard to put her feelings into words. The cold bit at her skin, and her breath escaped in frosty puffs.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket—Richard Langley was calling.

“Hey, Foster! Where are you?” Richard's cheerful voice chimed through the line as soon as she answered.

“I just landed, and I’m running behind,” Elena replied, her tone as cool as her stunning appearance implied. “You guys go ahead without me.”

“No way! There are still others on their way. Just be careful out there!” Richard laughed before hanging up.

Elena stared at her phone after the call ended, then quickly pulled up a ride-sharing app. Once in the car, the warmth of the heater enveloped her, making her feel more alive.

Tonight was the alumni gathering, a reunion she hadn’t attended since graduation. But when Richard had playfully pleaded with her for weeks to join, she had reluctantly agreed. It made things easier that Thomas Ashford, someone she had an intricate history with, would be there too.

As she gazed out the window at the ever-familiar cityscape, she couldn’t tell if the flutter in her stomach was nervousness or excitement.

The venue was a trendy nightclub called The Grand Hall, and by the time Elena arrived, it was well past nine.

“Thanks, driver,” she said, stepping out and closing the car door. Standing under the streetlamp, she bent her head down to text Richard; she had no clue what the room number was.

Richard hadn’t responded—likely lost in the excitement of the party. Sighing softly, she felt a chill creep over her. She was dressed too lightly, and just as she was debating whether to give Richard a call, a pair of polished shoes and crisp trousers came into view.

Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of him, and she gripped her phone tightly, breath hitching in her throat. It had been three years, yet just one glance made it all feel like yesterday.

“Long time no see,” a low voice broke the silence, exactly like the one she remembered.

Elena steadied her breathing and forced herself to meet his gaze.

Thomas Ashford stood before her, his broad shoulders and tailored suit making him look strikingly handsome, more so than she remembered. His long lashes framed deep, dark eyes that seemed to focus on her alone.

Elena realized she didn’t know what expression she wore and replied with a quiet, “...It’s been a while.”

“Do you know where the party room is?” he asked, casually looking at her collarbone that peeked from her V-neck top. With his height, he could easily catch a glimpse down her shirt if he leaned in closer.

His gaze dimmed for a moment before he slipped off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

“Wait, you...” Elena stepped back in surprise.

“Don’t move,” Thomas commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument. Surprisingly, she halted her retreat under the weight of his presence.

He was close enough that she could smell the fresh cedar scent of his jacket wrapping around her, making it hard to breathe.

“Thomas Ashford...” she whispered, averting her eyes. Her voice had softened, almost shy.

His low chuckle sent a thrilling shiver down her spine. He ruffled her hair playfully, “Speak nicely; no need to be coy.”

“You’re the one being coy,” she shot back, irritated, her fists clenching as if she wanted to hit him.

“Enough messing around.” Thomas took her hands in his, fingers weaving together, gripping tightly. “Keep it up, and I might just kiss you right here.”

Caught off guard, Elena froze, fully aware that Thomas always meant what he said.

Chapter 2

Elena Foster stared at the two hands intertwined in front of her, at a loss for words. They had broken up ages ago, yet here he was, effortlessly holding her hand like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"What are you thinking?" Thomas Ashford asked, his gaze fixed on the floor, but the warmth in his eyes hadn’t faded, a remnant of the past.

Elena quickly looked away, feeling flustered. "Nothing."

He let out a gentle, "Hmm," and, ever the gentleman, chose not to pry. After briefly asking the server for the private room number, he tugged her along toward the door.

"Sir." The server bowed slightly as they reached the entrance.

"Thank you." Thomas released Elena’s hand, taking out his wallet from the inside of the suit jacket draped over her shoulders. He pulled out a tip and handed it to the server.

With both hands, the server accepted the cash, and a brighter demeanor followed. He bowed once more and left.

Elena felt the sudden void in her palm, as if a piece of her heart had gone missing. Even as he reached across her chest to retrieve his wallet, she couldn’t muster the energy to protest.

Before running into him, she had been doing just fine...

Had she known this reunion would happen, she would have skipped the alumni gathering. Elena bit her lip, regret flickering in her bright eyes. She had craved Thomas Ashford’s touch far more than she realized.

"Here, take your jacket back." Elena peeled off the tailored outerwear and forced a smile that masked her unease. "Thanks."

Thomas’s expression dimmed slightly as he accepted the jacket without a word.

As she opened the door to the room, the loud, chaotic atmosphere flooded her ears, instantly giving her a headache.

"Ah, Elena Foster!” someone shouted upon spotting her.

“Foster! Foster!” Richard Langley soon added, noticing her message notification. "Oh man, I just downed a few shots, didn’t hear my phone... How did you find the room? I don’t think I gave you the number..."

Richard ambled toward her, but then his voice trailed off as he noticed the man standing beside her.

"Ah, Thomas Ashford."

The booming music within the room abruptly cut off, leaving an echoing silence that felt like a sharp gasp.

"Elena Foster came in with Thomas Ashford..." someone murmured.

"Are they back together?"

"It's been three years since they were last seen together."

Their low whispers caught Elena’s attention, and she heard everything clearly.

"We just ran into each other downstairs," Elena said with a hint of a smile as she stepped into the room.

Thomas, tall enough to almost touch the door frame, nodded to the group as he entered, casually draping the jacket over his arm as he found a corner to settle in.

He was surrounded by women, the air thick with a medley of perfumes and smoke, yet he could distinctly smell Elena’s subtle, elegant fragrance lingering on the jacket.

It was the one thing that eased the tension of wanting distance between them, however briefly.

As the music blared back to life, the vibrant beats flooded the space, erasing the earlier awkwardness. People sprang into action, ready to let loose.

"Foster! Come play some dice with us!" a man called from a table in the center.

"Ah, I think I’ll pass..." Elena began to decline, but before she could finish, another woman shoved her playfully.

"You have to play! It’s your first alumni gathering since graduation! You have to join us for a few rounds!"

"Foster, come on!" Richard chimed in, waving her over with enthusiasm. "Don’t worry, if you drink too much, I'll make sure you get to The Silver Crown Inn."

Sighing to herself, Elena reluctantly gave in, hanging her bag on a nearby chair before heading over.

Thomas quickly became the center of attention among the women, holding a glass of ice-filled drink, his eyes subtly locked on Elena, narrowing ever so slightly.

If he remembered correctly, Elena never could handle her liquor.

Chapter 3

Elena Foster had never been much of a drinker, and her attempts at playing dice usually ended in more losses than wins, especially when others were deliberately targeting her. After a few drinks, a rosy flush crept onto her pale cheeks, adding an alluring touch to her typically cold demeanor.

“I can’t do this anymore,” Elena said, waving her hand as she stepped back hesitantly.

“Oh come on, you’re still functioning just fine,” a man urged, reaching out to grab her arm to stop her from leaving, but before he could lay a hand on her, another figure intervened suddenly.

Thomas Ashford, his presence somewhat dark, quickly reverted to his usual polite self as he stepped closer to Elena.

“Elena Foster can’t hold her liquor. If she drinks too much, it’ll be trouble,” he stated firmly.

The man he was addressing recoiled in surprise, stammering, “Uh, fine. Then let someone else take her.”

Richard Langley was having too much fun to remember to look after his friend, and he didn’t even notice when Thomas guided Elena out of the room.

“Are you feeling sick?” Thomas asked, draping an arm around Elena’s shoulders as he directed her towards the bathroom. While there was a restroom within the private area, he preferred to take her somewhere more discreet.

“I just need to splash some cold water on my face. I’ll be fine,” Elena replied, managing a fully coherent sentence, though her body felt heavy against Thomas’s side.

“Alright,” Thomas said as they reached the bathroom. Elena took a moment to steady herself and nodded at him.

“Thanks for your help.”

With that, she stepped into the women's restroom, teetering slightly in her high heels.

Thomas glanced at the restroom sign, feeling a rush of heat at the sight of Elena’s tipsy but captivating expression.

Elena splashed cold water onto her face, slightly alleviating the flushed skin, though it did little to clear the haze that alcohol had cast over her mind.

Surely, she must be imagining things—there was no way Thomas Ashford would actually walk in…

“Ah—!” She gasped, covering her mouth when she realized he had entered, feeling her heart race. Before she could react, Thomas pulled her into the spacious stall at the back of the restroom.

The upscale club’s restroom was immaculate, and the larger-than-average stall easily accommodated both of them.

With a gentle hand covering her mouth, Thomas leaned in and kissed her forehead, his voice soothing as he whispered, “Shhh, don’t make a sound, okay?”

Elena melted into the softness of his voice, nodding obediently. Once he released his hand, her lips parted slightly as she took a few breaths, her mind still heavy with drink. “What are you doing? You scared me!” she pouted, her intoxication making her feel suddenly vulnerable.

Thomas pressed her back against the door, his long legs sliding between hers. “If you can’t handle your liquor, why did you drink so much?”

“I didn’t drink too much…” Elena blinked, trying to defend herself. “I’m still coherent.”

Thomas chuckled lightly, then grazed her earlobe with his fingers, causing a soft gasp to escape her lips. Her body responded with a warmth that seemed to awaken something deep inside her, even after three years apart.

“Still sensitive in this spot,” he murmured, before leaning down to tantalizingly kiss her ear.

“If you don’t like it, you can push me away,” he suggested, his lips trailing down her neck, creating a rush of sensations.

“Thomas Ashford…” she breathed, gasping as his touch sent shivers through her. Even after all this time, her body ached for him.

“Are you going to push me away?” He left a bold mark on her neck, admiring the evidence of their closeness, finally able to hold her this way again.

“No… no, I won’t push you away,” Elena found herself yielding to the heat of the moment, driven by the alcohol emboldening her desires, leaning closer and angling her body towards his.

“What do you want from me?” Thomas teased, briefly letting his tongue tantalizingly trace over her collarbone, something he had been longing to do since he laid eyes on her that day.

“Just… kiss me…” Elena gasped, surrendering to the longing overwhelming her senses, her weight leaning against him.

“Just a kiss isn’t enough,” he replied, slipping his hand beneath her blouse, tracing the curves he had missed for far too long.

“Ugh…” Elena whimpered, the intensity of the moment sparking a thrilling electricity that consumed her, muffled cries caught within the depths of his passionate kiss.

Chapter 4

Thomas Ashford was an expert kisser. His tongue deftly pried open her lips and ventured deep within, mingling his saliva with Elena Foster's.

"Ah... Ashford," Elena moaned as the kiss left her breathless, eyes glistening from the intensity. Her lower body throbbed with desire, her inner core growing wetter by the second. She tried to ease the ache by squeezing her legs together, but Thomas's long leg was firmly pressed between her thighs, allowing only minimal friction.

Thomas noticed the sparkle in her eyes and deepened the kiss, swallowing all her gasps and sighs. One of his hands lifted her blouse, revealing her soft, rounded breasts clad in delicate lace. With practiced ease, he unclasped her bra, and her breasts popped free from their confines.

Elena’s ample breasts were both firm and smooth, with nipples that quickly responded to the cool air. "Ahh..." She clung to Thomas's collar, pulling herself even closer.

"You’re stunning," Thomas murmured, pulling back just enough to let their lips part, a thin string of shared saliva connecting them. He took a moment to admire Elena's appearance, his handsome face filled with adoration and lust.

Elena's eyes were full of longing, her cheeks flushed from the alcohol and their passionate kiss. Her slightly swollen lips parted as she panted softly, looking alluringly kissable and flushed like a ripe fruit.

"Ah..." Elena gasped as Thomas's mouth closed over a nipple. Her back arched instinctively, offering more of herself to him.

Thomas buried his face in her breasts, suckling one nipple while his tongue teased the sensitive peak. The intimate sounds of his licks and sucks filled the small room, creating an atmosphere thick with desire.

Elena was melting under his sensual assault, her other breast aching for attention. "The other one... please..." Her breathy plea was barely coherent as she was lost in the pleasure Thomas was giving her.

Three years. It had been three years since she last saw her ex-boyfriend, Thomas Ashford. And now, here they were, locked away in the secluded corner of The Grand Hall, his tongue teasing her hardened nipple, making her core drip with arousal. She was beginning to wonder if her pants were also getting wet.

"What does the other one need?" Thomas's teeth grazed her nipple lightly, making her moan. The nipple was now swollen and sensitive from his attention, standing erect against her fair skin. Thomas’s arousal was evident as he shifted slightly, his bulge pressing against her.

"Please... Lick it... lick it for me," Elena's usually composed face was now flushed with desire, her voice sweet and pleading.

Thomas let out a low chuckle, releasing one nipple to focus on the other. "Mmm... ah... yes..." Elena sighed as he switched, her hips grinding instinctively against his thigh, seeking some relief from the ache inside.

"Thomas..." Her mounting pleasure only made her needier, her body trembling against him. Tears clung to her lashes as she whimpered, "It’s not enough... I need more..."

"What do you need?" Thomas's gentlemanly question seemed almost mocking as he continued to knead her breasts, fingers occasionally tweaking her nipples, watching as she struggled to catch her breath.

Elena bit her lip, stifling her moans, not wanting to voice her deepest desire. She yearned for Thomas’s length inside her, pounding away any doubts they were no longer together. But she feared he might see her differently if she admitted her need so bluntly.

"Tell me." Thomas kissed her again, his tongue slipping past her pristine teeth, stopping her from biting her lip.

"Baby..." he murmured against her lips, the endearing term making her heart ache.

Tears welled up in Elena’s eyes at the sound of his voice calling her that. She couldn’t hold back her longing any longer, no matter if Thomas thought her wanton. Leaning close to his ear, she whispered breathlessly, "I’m so wet... I need you inside me... I need your cock in my pussy..."

Chapter 5

Thomas Ashford was pleased with her honesty, his tone carrying a hint of command as he said, "Take off your pants."

Elena Foster's arms were weak. She was wearing loose-fitting lounge pants today, and as soon as she undid the belt, the pants fell to her ankles. Now, she was almost completely naked on top, her breasts exposed to the air, the nipples gently trembling. She was only wearing panties on her lower half, her slender legs trembling and too weak to stand.

"Good girl," Thomas Ashford praised her as he admired Elena Foster's body, his words a reward.

Elena's long lashes fluttered slightly, her gaze shifting in embarrassment, unsure where to settle, her small mouth trembling as if about to cry.

"You're beautiful," Thomas Ashford whispered in a deep, soft voice as he kissed the corner of her eye, "Don't cry."

"Mmm..." Elena Foster, feeling wronged, reached out her arms to wrap around his neck, raising her head slightly and planting kisses chaotically around his mouth.

Thomas Ashford took the opportunity to kiss her back, sucking on her tongue, exchanging their saliva. "Mm-hmm..." Elena Foster felt breathless from the kiss, hearing the sound of her belt's metal buckle coming undone. Soon, a hot, rigid length sprang up against her stomach, sending shivers down her spine.

Thomas Ashford's erection pressed haphazardly against her abdomen, the hardness causing a bit of discomfort. He restrained his desire to take her immediately, reaching down to rub her covered intimate area. Her panties were already soaked, and his fingertips quickly became damp with her juices.

"Mmm... ah..." Elena Foster moaned softly.

Thomas Ashford chuckled, bringing his sticky fingers to her face. "You're wet," he stated matter-of-factly.

Elena Foster blushed, turning her face away, unable to meet his eyes.

Thomas licked his fingers clean, the liquid tasted sweet. Elena's core grew even wetter at the sight. "Don't... don’t lick that... it's dirty," Elena Foster tried to pull his hand away from his mouth.

"It's not dirty," Thomas Ashford said, licking his lips and following her movement with his hand, returning to rub her again. "Your juices are sweet."

With that, Thomas Ashford pushed aside the edge of her panties and began to gently rub her directly.

"Mmm... ah..." Elena Foster moaned more intensely, feeling her core pleasured beyond reason.

"You're so sensitive," Thomas Ashford praised her, enriching the stimulation by rubbing her clit before unexpectedly sliding a finger inside her.

"Mmm... it... it's in..." Elena Foster instinctively wanted to squeeze Thomas Ashford's hand, her inner walls pulsing around his finger.

"So tight," Thomas Ashford muttered, frowning slightly. Elena Foster's tightness made it hard to insert even one finger, making him wonder if she was a virgin.

"Have you ever touched yourself here?" Thomas Ashford asked, his finger exploring the hot, slick interior that clung to him tightly, almost like it was sucking him in.

"No... no... never... mmm... ah... Thomas Ashford..." Elena Foster moaned, her hips moving unconsciously to take his finger deeper.

"No one else has either," Thomas Ashford noted, inserting a second finger and mimicking the rhythm of intercourse.

Elena Foster was too overwhelmed by pleasure to question why he asked. She raised one leg to meet Thomas Ashford's thrusts, her hips swaying and making lewd, uncontrollable sounds.

"No... never... only you... mmm... so good... Thomas Ashford... Ashford..." Elena Foster unconsciously called out his name, her hips seeking more. "I want... more..."

Thomas Ashford's gaze darkened, his heart swelling with the significance of her words. He added a third finger, pushing in forcefully.

"Mmm... ah..." Elena Foster screamed as her legs convulsed, her toes curling tightly. Her vision went white with pleasure as her mind blanked out.

"I... I'm coming... ah... I'm coming, Ashford..." Elena Foster's juices flooded out, dripping down her thighs.

"Ah... no more... can't... ah... it's too deep... too fast... I'm going to break... my core's going to break..." Thomas Ashford didn't stop; he intensified his thrusting. His face buried in her chest, teasing her nipples as the doorframe rattled with their movements.

"Mmm... mmm... ah... deeper... too quick..." Elena Foster's words came out in fragments, her mouth open with uncontrollable moans. Her inner walls clenched involuntarily around Thomas Ashford's hand, leading to another peak of pleasure.

“Aah—" she screamed, reaching climax once again.

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