This Time Around

Welcome to Baby Blue Series!

Five baby-blue-eyed men.

Five women who did not ask for feelings.

Too late—these men fall hard, love louder, and kiss like they’re trying to rewrite your DNA.

💙 This isn’t a fast-paced book. We take the scenic, hands-shaking-from-holding-back route around here. Patience is rewarded, though. 👀 💙

Chassie

Four lavender gin fizzes in, and I was still pretending I wasn’t looking for him.

And failing.

The patio buzzed with the opening-night frenzy—laughter, clinking champagne glasses, and the low hum of jazz floating out from the restaurant’s open doors.

Tonight was meant for celebration, for me and my friends. For Francisco Piero and Andrei Parkinson finally opening their dream restaurant. Summer Daniels had just landed her first teaching job. Julie Montgomery and I had both scored internships at one of New York’s best newspapers.

And yet here I was, perched on the edge of the fountain, nursing my drink, while Summer and Julie—barefoot, drunk, and far too invested in a plastic fish—tried to scoop it out of the water with champagne flutes.

Behind me, Franz was yelling something in Italian. Andrei flitted around, nerves written all over him, making everything look chaotic and perfect at once.

Somewhere between sips two and four, I started scanning the crowd. And I hadn’t really stopped.

I smoothed the hem of my mini dress, my palm grazing the skin exposed by the dramatic slit. I hadn’t meant to dress for anyone. But then again… I hadn’t not meant it either.

My gaze kept drifting to my sister across the patio. Not because Kathie was telling some scandalous story to her two best friends, but because he would likely be there.

Somewhere in that cluster of laughter and champagne, he was probably just waiting to make me lose my mind.

A nudge on my arm pulled me out of my thoughts. Julie had abandoned the fish rescue entirely and leaned in, her grin conspiratorial.

“Why do you look distracted? Did DeepSeek just tank?” Julie teased.

I frowned, trying to look serious. “Uh… actually, it’s up four percent. You might want to double-check before roasting me.”

Julie laughed, voice dropping mischievously. “God, Chassie George Lewis, I could kiss that smart mouth.”

Summer, catching the tail end, asked, “Do I need my phone for this… will there be tongue?”

I scrunched my nose, playing along. “I’m not drunk enough.”

Julie nudged my arm again. “Relax. At least you won’t be interning for your dad’s company this year. You’ll be partying with me in New York.”

I narrowed my eyes playfully. “For the record, I didn’t hate interning for my dad.”

Julie snorted. “Oh, like sitting in a corporate boardroom is sooo thrilling.”

“I don’t do just that,” I said, shrugging. Then, with a wicked smirk, “I kiss other interns.”

Julie threw her head back, laughing so hard I almost joined her. Almost. Because finally… I saw him.

He stepped onto the patio, all tailored charcoal suit and broad shoulders, wristwatch catching the light, casually straightening his sleeves. He scanned the crowd, maybe searching for Kathie… or maybe just making me sweat.

Nathaniel Forester.

Yes. My sister’s best friend. My eternal obsession. And, at that moment, my walking dirty dream.

My heart skipped the way it always did.

He’d been at charity galas, country club events, and afternoon teas my mom hosted. Close enough to feed my fantasies, never close enough to make any of them real.

Kathie adored him like the brother she never had, and I was the little sister in the periphery, waiting for him to notice that I have boobs. Hell, I constantly rub up against him like a cat in heat.

I blame those heart-wrecking Jack Dawson eyes.

James Cameron might as well take responsibility for my entire sexual awakening, because just one glance and my hand was already sliding against the fogged-up car window with Nathan ripping my clothes off.

I shook my head and had to resist letting myself imagine more than I probably should. At least, not in public.

“Uh-oh,” Summer said beside me, leaning close. “Crush alert. Six o’clock.”

“I’m looking,” I admitted, tilting my head toward the crowd, hand brushing the edge of the fountain.

Summer cackled. “You turned pink. Like, instantly.”

Julie squinted at me. “You’re either just blushing… or dangerously close to turned-on blushing.”

“Just blushing this time, Jules,” I murmured with a sly curve to my lips. “I’m appreciating the view.”

“Oh, sweetheart,” Julie said gently, “you’re glowing like a really turned-on glass of rosé.”

“Look all you want,” Summer teased, tipping her head toward the crowd, “you’re leaving for New York in a couple of weeks.”

I chuckled, but the sound caught somewhere in my throat. It wasn’t just a tease. It was a reminder. Maybe this would be the last time I saw him for a long time.

Nathan had responsibilities waiting for him, big ones. He was brilliant, destined to take the reins of his dad’s tech empire, and somewhere in that universe of power and legacy, I was my dad’s intern-slash-sidekick, trying not to spill coffee on ours.

Another nudge at my arm snapped me out of my thoughts.

Julie’s grin widened. “He’s looking at you,” she whispered, trying not to draw attention.

I looked up… and found him staring. Nathan hadn’t moved. He hadn’t gone to Kathie. The moment our eyes met, that infuriatingly devastating smile shook the butterflies awake in my belly.

His eyes drifted lower, unmistakably lingering on the thigh-high slit in my dress. Then he quickly flicked his gaze away.

I gave myself a mental high-five.

I looked down at my drink. Just a few melting ice cubes and a splash of lavender gin fizz left. I set it down, then I rose, tugging at the heart pendant of my necklace.

My eyes stayed on target.

My very sinfully handsome target.

Step by step, I closed the distance, heels clicking lightly against the patio stones. My heartbeat raced as Nathan straightened and began moving toward me, meeting me halfway.

When we met in the middle, I let the faintest smile play at my lips, flicking a thumb toward Kathie. “Kathie’s over there.”

His mouth curved, amused. “I wasn’t really looking for her.”

I nodded, tamping down the ginormous grin threatening to split my face. “Oh, were you looking for me then?” I was kidding… mostly. A girl can dream. I scrunched my nose and added, “I hope I wasn’t that hard to find.”

“You’d be surprised how easily I can find you in a crowd,” he said casually.

He probably didn’t mean anything by it, but my cheeks were already on fire. And they burned hotter when his gaze snagged at the heart pendant resting above my cleavage, dragging along the low-cut neckline.

Then he blinked, quickly looked away, and cleared his throat.

A thrill licked down my spine, and yeah, maybe a tiny ache had flickered between my legs.

My parents weren’t happy about the dress, but it was worth every confiscated credit card.

Kathie’s voice cut through the hum of the patio. “Chassie! Nathan!” She waved from across the crowd, sporting a grin bright enough to power the string lights. “Come join us!”

Nathan turned toward Kathie and nodded.

I waved back, grinning like a triumphant fool.

We started making our way across the patio. Kathie’s best friends, Audrey Danler and Jessica Keith, gave me a once-over. Then a second one, slower and far more appreciative. Jessica even offered a subtle, approving nod, like I’d just passed some unspoken hot-girl inspection.

I sat beside Kathie and tried very hard not to scoot closer to Nathan when he took the seat next to me.

Kathie was in the middle of animatedly recounting something about her charity event last week when my fingers grazed the edge of the table for balance, my head suddenly a little woozy.

She paused mid-sentence and cupped my cheek. “You okay?” she whispered, tucking a dark brown strand behind my ear.

I nodded. “Just a little tipsy.”

Her gaze flicked to Nathan for half a second before returning to me. “Maybe you should call it a night.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but Nathan leaned in and I caught a warm, unfairly delicious whiff of his cologne. “Everything okay?”

“Chassie’s calling it a night,” Kathie announced.

I shot her a betrayed look. I can’t be leaving now. I still hadn’t had my fill of Nathan.

He glanced at me and his face lit up. “We could carpool.”

Kathie’s brown eyes sparkled. “Great idea.”

Jessica raised her glass. “Oh, that does sound great.” She nudged Audrey with her elbow.

Audrey glanced up from her phone. “Mm-hmm. Splendid.”

I bit back a laugh and turned to Nathan. “Wait—you’re leaving? It’s not even that late.”

Kathie took a sip of her rosé and gave me a subtle wink. “Early conference tomorrow.”

Nathan nodded. “Yeah. So… taxi?”

I lifted a brow. “You’re taking a taxi?”

“Had a couple drinks,” he said, matter-of-fact.

I tamped down a dreamy sigh.

Always responsible.

Always thinking ahead.

Also… kinda hot.

“You and your responsible streak,” I teased.

Nathan chuckled, offering me his hand. “Shall we?”

I squealed inwardly, my heart doing a little happy dance, and slipped my fingers into his.

From across the patio, near the fountain, I spotted Andrei and Franz with Julie and Summer. Every single one of them was wearing the exact same meaningful smirk.

Enablers. The lot of them.

Nathan threaded his fingers through mine and guided me along the edge of the patio, past glowing string lights and clinking glasses, his body half a step ahead like some very competent, very attractive bodyguard clearing my path.

We almost made it to the steps when Nathan slowed.

“Nathan,” a familiar voice called.

Vren, Christian, and Matthew—Andrei’s brothers and Nathan’s closest friends—stood near the bar, glasses in hand, all flashing identical dimples. Well… except Matthew’s was on the right cheek.

Matthew’s dimpled grin turned toward me. “Hi, Chassie.”

Christian’s gaze flicked to our joined hands, brows lifting.

“Heading out already?” Vren asked, way too innocently.

Nathan didn’t let go of me. If anything, his thumb brushed my knuckles. “Early conference,” he said, smooth and unbothered.

Christian snorted. “Right. Conference.”

A flush crept up my neck. I gave a tiny wave. “Nice to see you guys.”

Vren grinned at me. “Take care of our boy, Chassie.”

Nathan huffed. “Ignore them.” Then, quieter, just for me, “Ready?”

I nodded and let him guide me the rest of the way out.

The night air hit me the second we stepped outside, ruffling the hem of my dress and tugging gently at my hair.

Nathan’s eyes flicked toward the street, then he raised a hand, hailing a cab with ease.

“After you,” he murmured, nodding toward the backseat.

I let go of his hand and slid inside.

He followed, closing the door behind him.

“Two stops,” Nathan told the driver. He passed along the addresses, his place nearer, mine just a little farther into the night.

The cab pulled away from the curb, and Nathan’s eyes returned to me.

“So…” He hesitated just for a beat. “You’re leaving in a couple of weeks, huh?”

A pang sliced through my chest.

I scooted a little closer, my fingers inching toward his, craving one more touch, one more familiar pull of his cologne.

Before I could answer, he added, “Congratulations on your internship.”

I nodded. Everything had been going perfectly… right up until the moment I let go of his hand.

I swallowed past the knot in my throat and forced a smile. “Don’t go missing me too much,” I said.

Nathan let out a low chuckle. Then his fingers brushed mine against the leather seat.

“I don’t know,” he said quietly. “This place might feel dull without you.” His mouth curved. “But I don’t think I’m supposed to admit that out loud.”

My heart slammed hard against my ribs.

Was he teasing?

Did he mean it?

I turned toward him, taking in the way a few strands of his light brown hair fell just right across his forehead, those baby-blue eyes that had no business making me want to forget about leaving.

And then that mouth… the one I’d spent years imagining kissing me, licking me, leaving hickeys in its wake.

Nathan stared back at me, eyes wandering to my heart pendant again, taking a reckless detour to the swells of my breasts and down the slit of my dress.

My pulse thundered in response. My skin tingled where his gaze touched me. My thighs pressed together as I felt myself growing slick between them. I bit my lip, fiddling with my pendant.

Fuck it.

I surged forward and grabbed his face, pulling his mouth against mine.

Nathan froze and inhaled sharply.

My lips brushed over his in exploratory strokes, and I let out an involuntary sigh at the firm, intoxicating give to his mouth. God… so much fucking better than any filthy dream.

I parted my lips, letting my tongue flick against his mouth, tasting whiskey on him. I couldn’t resist getting another taste. Then another. And then another.

When I pulled back, I was pretty sure I was a lot more tipsy, but not from lavender gin fizzes this time.

Nathan blinked at me, brows pinched together, his mouth dewy from my kiss.

He looked even more kissable like this.

And also… utterly dumbstruck.

Oh shit.

I swallowed, my heartbeat drumming in my ears. I tucked my hands back to my lap, as if suddenly remembering my etiquette lessons after giving Nathan a very unsolicited goodbye kiss.

I dropped my gaze to the first button of his crisp white shirt, toying with my pendant.

But one strong arm moved to my waist. And in a flash, Nathan was grabbing me, jerking me against his chest.

My breath punched out of my lungs.

Nathan hooked his hand behind my neck, his mouth firmly slanting over mine in a claiming kiss. He gently sucked on my bottom lip, coaxing me open.

I yielded instantly with a soft sigh.

Nathan stroked against my lips with the tip of his tongue, brushing along the seam of my mouth before slipping the tip inside and rubbing it against my tongue.

Fuck, that was hot.

I moaned, my hands gripping the front of his shirt as I curled my tongue along his, tasting him just as eagerly.

He groaned against me, one hand gripping my waist, the other darting along the slit of my dress, grazing the bare skin of my thigh.

“Hey, lovebirds, let me know if this is just going to be a one-stop after all.” The driver’s voice scratched through the haze.

We both flinched, shifting back just an inch, breaths uneven.

But Nathan hadn’t let go.

His hand stayed firm on my waist, the other tracing along the edge of the slit like he didn’t know how to stop. Mine stayed planted on his chest, feeling his erratic heartbeat against my palm.

His eyes frantically searched mine, as if he was looking for a reason to stop.

I didn’t give him one.

He swallowed hard. “One stop.”

Then he dug something out of his pocket, handing a wad of cash to the driver, gaze locked on me. “Keep your eyes on the road. I’ll double that if you get us there in fifteen minutes.”

My lips twitched into a victorious little smirk.

Nathan’s fingers dug into my waist, yanking me onto his lap.

I straddled him, clamping my thighs around his hips, lowering myself onto the impressive bulge in his slacks.

We both let out desperate, ragged moans.

My dress had ridden up high on my thighs—probably just one inch more and I’d be exposed to him in all my lacy glory—but I didn’t care.

Nathan sucked in a sharp breath.

Yep.

I definitely flashed him.

“Fuck—Chassie,” he bit out.

Then he tugged me forward, stamping his mouth on mine. His teeth snagged my lower lip, sucking hard, before roughly stroking his tongue into my mouth.

His hand moved, closing firmly over one of my breasts, plumping it in his palm.

A gasp tore from me as I arched into his touch.

His other hand slid between us, pushing past the hem of my dress. His fingers grazed the front of my underwear, then dipped downward, cupping me.

I shivered, parting my thighs wider for him.

Nathan cursed under his breath, and I knew even through the fabric, he could tell I was soaked.

The damn material didn’t stand a chance.

“Wet for me already?” he gritted out between kisses.

I ground against his hand. A shaky nod was all I could give.

Nathan’s fingers started rubbing me back and forth over the lace, echoing the wet thrusts of his tongue. I felt his thumb dart forward, dipping into the lace, then pressed down on my clit.

I nearly lifted off his lap, and I cried out, the sound swallowed by his mouth. I clawed at his suit jacket, eyes squeezed shut, lost in the sensation of his fingers.

My breaths came out in ragged pants, my hips rising and falling, chasing his fingers—only to whimper loudly in protest when Nathan stopped.

My eyes fluttered open, and I couldn’t resist pouting.

Nathan leaned in to peck at my mouth, suddenly tensed. “Chassie, I don’t have condoms at my place.”

I let out a relieved sigh.

I leaned in, running my tongue along his parted lips, then sucking on the bottom one. “I’m on the pill.”

Nathan swallowed, hesitating. “I know…”

“You do?” I bit my lip, the corners lifting into a naughty smile. I reached down between us, stroking along the front of his pants, glorying in the hard length of his cock.

His breath hitched.

My hand pumped over his erection, rubbing him through the fabric. “I don’t mind you going bare inside me. Would you?”

He took in a sharp breath, his hips thrusting up against my hand. “I’d love nothing more than to fuck you raw, Chassie.”

I grinned against his mouth, my thighs squeezing him tightly.

Please let tonight be a long, delicious test of my stamina… because I fully intended to ace it.

🗒️Ailee’s Note:

Hi, I’m Ailee!

Welcome to Baby Blue Town💙—where blue eyes abound, feelings run wild, and chaos is always delicious. 💓

I have one rule here: be nice. Everything else—naughty, flirty, chaotic—is highly encouraged. 😉

Leave shade in the comments? Instant delete.💨 And yes, it warrants a two-universe-down flick—🦝-style, naturally.

How would you handle a “one stop” situation? 😏🚕 Comment 💙 on your choice (s) below:

A) Jump in and don’t stop 🔥

B) Play it safe… for now 👀💋

C) Almost cross the line… then pull back 😳

D) Resist temptation and talk it out 🤍