Wayne and Bill pulled up to the front of Ashley's house, "Here you are boss," Wayne said as he put the sprinter van in park. "Thanks you guys, have a good night," I said, sliding the door open and hopping out. As I closed the door, they both told me good night.

I shuffled through my pockets trying to find the key when I looked up and saw the security on night watch. We still hadn't gotten word on the whereabouts of Noelle, so we still had security on high alert. We're thinking she fled somewhere, but we just didn't know where. And sooner or later, we knew she'd make her return, so we're just waiting for her to do something stupid.

"Hey, Mike," one of the security guards called out. I found the key and lifted my hand giving a wave, "Hey!" I said putting the key in the lock. "Goodnight," he called out as I opened the door. "Goodnight!" I said as I walked in. I was met with music blasting throughout the entire house.

I walked down the foyer to the kitchen where I heard movement. I frowned as I neared the kitchen, listening to the lyrics of the song that Ashley was playing and singing at the top of her lungs too.

"Have I told you lately that I love you?

Well, if I didn't darling, I'm sorry

Did I reach out and hold you in my loving arms

Oh, when you needed me?"

Was this girl really blasting 'I Forgot to Be Your Lover' by William Bell at 10 at night?

I walked in the kitchen and saw her with her back facing me as she was doing something on the stove. I looked around and saw a half full glass of wine and two empty bottles with a photo album on the island next to it.

"Now I realize that you need love, too

And I'll spend my life making love to you

Oh, I forgot to be your lover

And I'm sorry, I'm so sorry"

I frowned in confusion and a big part of me was scared. What was all of this about?

"Have I taken the time to share with you

All the burden that love will fare?

And have I done the little simple things to show you

Just how much I care?

Oh, I've been workin' for you, doin' all I can

To work all the time didn't make me a man"

I watched as she sang along full of passion, almost like she was meaning every word she sang. She was even banging her hand on the counter to the beat for a dramatic effect.

I swallowed hard as she turned around. She looked up at me and jumped a little. "Michael, oh my god, you scared me," she said loudly over the music, clutching her hand to her chest trying to slow her breathing.

I just looked at her wondering what was going on.

"Oh, I forgot to be your lover

And I'm sorry, I'll make it up to you somehow, baby"

"What's with the music?" I asked almost scared. "What?" she asked as she wiped her hands off tossing the towel on the counter. I opened my mouth to speak but she held up her hand. She walked around the island, grabbing the remote for the surround system. She turned down the music, "What'd you say?" she asked.

I swallowed hard again, "What's with the music, wine, and photos? What'd I do?" I asked quietly, looking down at my feet. "What?" she asked. "What did I do? You're listening to a song about a man who didn't love his woman right," I said, clearing my throat.

I looked up at her and she had a blank expression on her face. I heard her sigh, "Michael I think we need to talk," she said and at that moment my heart started racing and not in a good way. I nodded and she pulled out a barstool for me to sit down.

I slowly walked over and sat down. I felt like I could cry at any moment and I was so scared. I rubbed the palms of my hands on my thighs, trying to calm myself down. I felt Ashley sit down next to me. She sighed, grabbing my hands. She gave them a squeeze making me look up at her.

"So," she started, "I was thinking tonight, while you were gone," she said and I immediately got sick to my stomach, "I realized that you know, you and I are apart a lot and I get...really lonely during that time."

"And I-I.." she said, not finishing her thought. I felt my eyes cloud with tears, "Ashley," I croaked and she looked up at me, "Don't break my heart. Please don't break my heart," I said feeling my throat get dry.

I felt her hands gently grab my face, wiping the tears out of my eyes, "Michael, look at me," she said and I looked up at her, "Michael," she said through a sigh, "I want to..." she trailed off and I closed my eyes tightly, "I want to get a dog."

I frowned, opening my eyes and saw her smiling at me. "Wha..what?" I asked confused. She chuckled, kissing me. "I want to get a dog," she said, still chuckling. "I thought you wanted to break up with me!" I said chuckling. She vigorously shook her head, "I would never leave you, are you crazy!?" she said looking at me like I was crazy.

I laughed, sniffling, "Feel my heart," I said, grabbing her hand and placing it on my chest. "Michael!" she exclaimed before she stood up, engulfing me in a hug, "I can't believe you would think that. Oh my gosh!" she said, rubbing my back, squeezing me tightly. I tickled her stomach, "Your joke wasn't funny," I said, pouting in her chest.

She pulled back and repeatedly kissed me all over her face mumbling "I'm sorry," in between kisses. I laughed as she pulled back, placing one last kiss on my lips. "Seriously though, what's with the heartbreak music?" I asked.

She laughed, "I don't know," she said shrugging, "It just came on and I like the song so I didn't change it." I laughed, "Well let's change it," I said, grabbing the remote. I pressed the button to change the song and "Misty Blue" by Dorothy Moore came on.

I looked at Ashley and she was trying to hold in her laugh, "Really?" I asked. "What?" she shrieked, "I have a mixtape that's full of heartbreak songs and I listen to it from time to time." I laughed, shaking my head, changing the song again.

"This one's a little better," I said as Teddy Pendergrass came on. She laughed, "I'll go put in another mixtape," she said as I watched her walk over to the surround system. "Fantasy" by Mariah Carey came on, "Much better," I said and she smiled walking back over to me.

She walked in between my legs and ran her hand through my hair, "How was rehearsals?" she asked. I nodded, "It was good. We fixed a couple things that were wrong with the music. It's still not where I want it, but it'll do for now," I said and she playfully rolled her eyes, "You perfectionist," she teased and I waved her off and she laughed. "I'm glad it all went well though. You're back much earlier than I expected."

I nodded, "Yeah, I just was ready to get home to you," I said, making her smile, "What'd you do tonight?" I asked. "Oh," she said walking out of my arms to go over to the stove, "I was making cookies. Wanna help me?" she asked, smiling at me.

I nodded, standing up to go over to the sink to wash my hands. I dried off my hands, "Okay," Ashley said, placing the baking sheet in front of me, "You wanna make the peanut butter ones or the chocolate chip ones?" she asked. "Chocolate chip," I said, licking my bottom lip. She laughed while handing me the bowl.

We joked around as we made the dough, rolling them into balls. "Michael, stop eating the dough," she said, grabbing the spoon out of my hands. I laughed, eating the leftover dough off my fingers and in my hand, "Mm, that's good. I put my foot in these chocolate chip ones," I said as she looked over at me.

"You think so?" she asked. "I know so," I said, smirking at her. She walked up to me, "Let me try," she said, opening her mouth. I smirked, slowly placing my finger in her mouth. I watched as she placed her hand over mine, twirling her tongue around my finger, sensually. My lips parted slightly as I watched her starting to feel my body heat up. She closed her lips around my finger, her teeth grazing my finger.

She pulled my finger out of her mouth and smiled, licking her bottom lip, "Mm, you did put your foot in the chocolate chip," she said, turning to place the bowls in the sink. I watched her feeling turned on as she started washing the dishes. She kept looking over at me and smiling. She knew what she did to me.

She finished and dried her hands with the towel, grabbing her glass of wine taking a sip watching me as she did so. I picked at my bottom lip, chuckling to myself. She sat her wine down, "What do you wanna do while we wait 15 minutes for the cookies to bake?" she asked, "Mr. Jackson," she added seductively at the end.

I slowly walked up to her and she fixed her posture standing in front of me. I blocked her in, placing my hands on the counter on each side of her. I leaned forward and pecked her lips. I pulled back keeping my face close to hers and watched as she smiled at me. I kissed her repeatedly before she opened her mouth against mine deepening the kiss.

I placed my hands on her waist, feeling down her sides lifting her shirt up a little. I felt her tongue slip into my mouth and I gripped her warm skin tighter underneath her shirt, our kiss getting more intense by the second. She pulled away out of breath, "Quickie?" she asked. I smirked at her, "I don't do quickies," I said, licking my lips.

She softly laughed, "Well it's either that or you're gonna have to take a cold shower to take care of that," she said pointing to my erection. I looked down and looked back up at her shyly. She chuckled, "What's it going to be?" she asked, "Bathroom or shower? Time's ticking."

I tried to hide my smile as I grabbed her hand leading her to the downstairs bathroom.

Ashley ran out of the bathroom still putting her shirt on as I ran behind her zipping up my slacks and tucking in my shirt because the smoke alarm was ringing. "Shit, shit, shit," Ashley said as she waved the smoke out of the air opening the oven. "Here, let me grab them," I said, grabbing the oven mits and taking the cookies out. I placed them on top of the stove and they were just as we expected...burnt.

"Aw man," Ashley said, still waving the air. "They're not...that...bad," I said, trying to be optimistic. Ashley picked up a cookie and banged it on the counter and it didn't even break. "Damn," I said.

Just then the security ran in, "Is everything okay? We heard alarms!" they said scanning the room for danger. "Yeah, we're okay. We forgot about the cookies in the oven," Ashley said, clenching her teeth together. They let out a breath, laughing after. "Yeah, those are fucked up," Devon said, making us laugh. "All Michael's fault," Ashley said, putting the blame on me.

I scoffed, "No it wasn't!" I argued back and she gave me a look. "It wasn't," I said trying to hide my smile. It was my fault. I convinced her to go one more round and literally as I was mid stroke while she sat on the counter, the smoke alarm started going off.

"Devon," Ashley said, "Want a cookie?" she asked, smirking at him like a little kid up to something. "No," he said, backing away as she stepped up towards him. "You sure? They're really yummy," she said as he grabbed her wrists holding her back. "No, they're literally black. Get back," he said, making us all laugh. "Lame," Ashley said, "Yannick?" she called out. He shook his head, "No way," he said and she pouted.

"We're gonna head back," Devon said, thumbing towards the front door. Ashley and I nodded at him, "You sure you don't want a cookie for the night shift?" Ashley asked. "I said no!" Devon said through his laughter as he shut the front door. Ashley looked at me, "I was really craving these cookies too," she said sadly. I walked over to her, rubbing her head, "I'm sorry," I said.

She looked up at me, "Yeah, you should be," she said, making me laugh, "They would've been okay if you didn't go another round." I scoffed, "I told you. I don't do quickies and plus...I didn't hear you complaining," I said and she threw the towel at me, pouting. I laughed and kissed her cheek, "I'll buy you some more stuff to make cookies and this time I'll keep my hands to myself," I said.

"Deal," she said, leaning up to kiss me. "Mmm," she mumbled against my lips, "I'm going to take my shower," she said. "Would you like some company?" I asked. She laughed, "No. No more. It's almost your birthday so you can wait till then. I wasn't even supposed to let you get some tonight," she said and I frowned.

"What? Why?" I asked. She smiled, "You'll see tomorrow," she said walking around me to head upstairs. What does this girl have planned?

"Michael," I heard as I started waking up out of my sleep. I groaned, keeping my eyes closed trying to get comfortable to go back to sleep, "Michael, wake up."

I felt someone shaking me, but I turned on my side, "Stop," I mumbled. "Michael, get up!" I groaned, opening one eye to see Ashley hovering over me. "What?" I asked annoyed that I was being woken up.

She smiled at me, "Happy birthday handsome," she whispered leaning in to kiss me. My slight frown turned into a smile as I kissed her, tasting her minty breath. "Mm, thank you baby," I said as she pulled back.

"Are you up now?" she asked. "It depends," I said. "On what?" she asked, tilting her head, smiling at me. "On what time it is," I said and she laughed. "It's 10:07," she said. "Already?" I asked, sitting up a little. She nodded, "Mhm."

"Okay, then I'm up," I said, rubbing my eyes and stretching. "Are you excited for your special day today, birthday boy?" she asked. I gave her a crooked smile, "I am," I said and she smiled moving in the bed, putting her face in mine.

"Good," she said, her lips brushing against mine. I smiled at her. "Are you ready for your first birthday gift?" she asked. I nodded, "Yeah."

She smiled and kissed me. I kissed her back as she sat up on her knees. She slowly pulled away from my lips as she started crawling backwards down the bed. She lifted the covers, smiling at me. "What are you doing?" I asked, smiling at her.

She bit her lip, disappearing under the duvet. "Ashley, what are you doing?" I asked, chuckling watching her figure move under the covers. I felt her hands at the waistband of my underwear and pajama pants, pulling them down. I smiled to myself.

I felt her warm hand slowly start to stroke me and I sat back getting comfortable against the pillows. "Ashley," I said through a moan as she continued to stroke me. Soon after I felt her warm mouth going down on me and I sighed, leaning my head back.

"Oh my god," I moaned as she sucked me off and stroked me at the same time. She took me all the way in her mouth and I slowly grinded my hips because it felt so good. "Fuck," I breathed out as my breathing pattern started to increase. She never gave me head like this. I don't know if it was because of my birthday or what, but I'm not complaining. This was almost as good as penetration.

She continued to please me in a way I've never been pleased orally before as I started squirming. "Oh god, I'm about to..." I moaned squirming, feeling myself starting to twitch trying to sit up but she wouldn't let me. She bobbed her head faster, still continuing to stroke me again "I'm cumming," I said as I started releasing in her mouth.

I laid there, exhausted and out of breath with my eyes closed. Talk about soul snatching. She came back up from underneath the covers, smiling and wiping her mouth with her finger. I heard her chuckle as she kissed me.

I opened my eyes, smiling lazily at her. "Happy birthday, Mr. Jackson," she said, smirking at me. "Thank you," I said, unable to move. "How'd you like your first gift?" she asked, straddling me. "That was....amazing. No, that was better than amazing," I said, making her laugh, "I feel dead, but in a good way."

"That good huh?" she asked, putting her tongue between her teeth. I nodded, biting my lip at her. "I wanna go again," she said, scooting back down under the covers. "Ashley, wait!" I said but I felt her mouth around me again and I moaned laying back down against the pillows.

Waking up to some good head on your birthday? 10/10.

I walked down the stairs, looking for Ashley. She left me in the bed after the second time and I hadn't seen her since. I walked into the kitchen and saw James in the kitchen cleaning up, "Hey, Michael. Happy birthday, man!" he said.

"Hey! Thanks James," I said, giving him a small smile. I still wasn't too fond of him. "Have you seen Ashley?" I asked. He pointed to the backyard and I nodded, "Thanks."

I walked out the door, feeling the warm sun. I looked around and saw Ashley smiling at me, leaning against the pillar under the canopy. She looked so pretty.

She wiggled her finger for me to come to her and I smiled walking over to her. I immediately kissed her, slipping my tongue in her mouth pulling her flush against me. She softly moaned as I felt her up, still kissing her. She pulled away and I pouted playfully.

She laughed a little, "Aw cheer up, it's your birthday," she said smiling at me and seeing her smile, made me smile. "I could cheer up all the way if you'd let me fuck you," I said and she laughed, hitting my chest. "I told you, you have to wait until tonight after everything I have planned is all said and done," she said.

"Why?" I asked. "Because. I have a surprise for you," she said, wiggling her eyebrows, "For us," she said, correcting herself. I smiled, "Hmm, I wonder what it is," I said. She kissed my cheek, "You'll see. It's worth the wait," she said, smiling leading me over to the table full of food.

There were strawberries, oranges, apples, waffles, bacon, sausage, and grits. And of course, there was champagne and orange juice for us to pour ourselves mimosas.

"Breakfast?" I questioned smiling. "Breakfast," she said, nodding as she sat down. I sat down next to her and we both started to make our plates and dig in.

"Mm, that was delicious," I said wiping my mouth with my napkin, "Thanks baby." She smiled, "That's not all, I have some gifts for you to open," she said. I clapped excitedly as she got up out of her seat to go get them as James cleared the table of all of the food and plates.

"Okay, here we are," she said setting them down in front of me. I smiled looking at the gifts. "Open them," she said, sitting back down in her seat. I smiled, grabbing the smallest box that was neatly wrapped.

I unwrapped it and saw a Ray Ban box. I smiled, opening up the box and taking out the sunglasses case. I pulled out a brand new pair of all black frame and lens aviators. "Oo, I need some more. Mine just broke, thanks baby," I said, putting them on.