Free Seduce Me All Over (Seduce #3) by E. J. Adams Page A

let me interrupt you guys. I'm just going to my room.”
    Chelsea knew something was wrong. She also didn't want to be rude and not introduce me to her date.
    “Ashley, this is Wes Griffin. Wes, this is Ashley Sullivan.”
    “Pleased to meet you,” said Wes as he shook my hand.
    “Nice to meet you, Wes.”
    “Is everything okay?” asked Chelsea.
    “Everything is fine. I'm just not feeling well. I'm going to take a hot shower and turn in for the evening.”
    I faked the best smile I could muster.
    “Enjoy your evening,” I said.
    “I hope you feel better,” said Wes.
    “Thank you. I'll be fine. 'Night guys.”
    I padded down the hall to my bedroom. No sooner had I closed my bedroom door then I heard a short knock and Chelsea entered.
    “Okay, liar. What is going on?” She closed the door behind her.
    I didn't want to ruin her evening. I figured we could talk tomorrow. I just wanted to crawl under the covers and hide from the world for a while.
    “Chels, I'm just not feeling well. That's all.”
    “Not true. This is me you're talking to, remember?”
    “Can we talk about this tomorrow? You have a date over. He is cute, by the way.”
    “No way. You are not changing the subject,” Chelsea said crossing her arms.
    I knew better than to expect Chelsea to let it go without some explanation.
    “If I tell you, you have to promise to let it go until tomorrow. That you will go back and enjoy your date.”
    “Depends on what it is.”
    “No conditions. Promise. I mean it.”
    “Okay. I promise.”
    “I broke up with Brandon.”
    “What?! Ashley, what happened?”
    “Nope. You promised. Now that you know, you need to go back to your date. It can wait until tomorrow.”
    “Like hell it can,” said Chelsea.
    “Chelsea, I just want to take a hot shower and curl up under the covers. Forget the world for a while.”
    “Nope. I'm breaking my promise. I'll explain to Wes. He will understand.”
    “You will do no such thing Chelsea Richards. There is no point in my ruining your evening.”
    “Right. Like I am going to go off and enjoy a date when my best friend just broke up with her boyfriend.”
    "I'll be fine," I protested.
    Chelsea ignored my protest.
    “Just give me a few minutes to explain to Wes. Then I'll be back and we can talk.”
    I didn't bother to argue. Chelsea had made up her mind and there would be no talking her out of her decision. I had to admit that talking with Chelsea was better than crying myself to sleep.
    “Okay. Thanks. I'm going to take a quick shower.”
    I was a mess and needed that shower. I peeled off my jeans and blouse. I looked at myself in the mirror. I had worn the black lace bra and panties for Brandon.
    They were the same bra and panties that I wore on our first date. The night that I first felt the excitement of being naked with Brandon. The night that I first experienced the sex that brought me such ecstasy.
    Damn you! I thought. How could you do this to me? Wasn't I good enough for you? Why was sex with me not enough?
    I knew that I shouldn't blame myself. It wasn't my fault. But I knew that Brandon had experienced more erotic sex than we explored together. I also knew that he had liked kinkier sex.
    Was that what he was seeking? An erotic sensation that he wasn't finding with me? Should I have been more assertive in our sexual discovery?
    “Don't do it to yourself, Ashley,” I heard Chelsea's voice from behind me.
    I turned and faced her as she stood in my doorway.
    “Don't do what?”
    “Beat yourself up over this. Second guess what you should have done differently. It's not your fault.”
    It was amazing how well Chelsea knew me. Sometimes I wondered if she understood me better than I understood myself. At the same time, I had lingering doubt. I felt that I held back my sexual exploration with Brandon.
    “You look hot. Brandon's a fucking idiot,” Chelsea offered. When she got mad she could curse like a sailor.
    I couldn't help it. I burst into tears. Chelsea