Fast Lane | ✔️

8

Ch8

Juliana left before the sun came up, obeying the one rule both girls had agreed upon when their relationship first began--never but never spend the whole night.

It had been Ashton who'd originally mentioned the idea, as she had made it her own personal law after she'd begun dating in her late teens. Spending the whole night with a lover would be reserved only for a serious relationship, should she ever find herself involved in one. It would be the one special privilege she would give to the person she decided to share her love with, not just her bed. So far, she'd never woken up in the arms of another person.

Although, she secretly longed for Juliana to stay. There was something that felt so right about their being together, something she had never before felt with another human being. It was more than just enjoying time spent with her best friend. Ashton was in love. Truly in love for the very first time in her life! In a way it was heartbreaking. She was terrified to confess her feelings to Juliana out of fear she would be rejected, just as her mom had always rejected her in the past--past being the operative word. Never again would she allow that woman to dismiss her, she was letting it all go. That relationship was over. Finished. Marilyn Montgomery was dead to her. It's not the way Ashton wanted it, but it's the way it had to be.

It's true, she went to great lengths to keep her and Juliana's affair a secret, but it was for the best. She didn't think the world would understand the consummation of their relationship. Two successful and very famous females getting it on together? No way would the public accept that--they would be the butt of every joke from Hollywood to Timbuktu! And Ashton was terrified of the affects the revelation would have on their careers. Her very livelihood revolved around her company, RedHead Productions. She was immensely proud of all the hard work she'd put into it. Finding movies to produce and watching them come to life gave her the biggest thrill she'd ever experienced . . . and yet so did being with Juliana.

Oh, her mother would throw an absolute fit if she knew her daughter was dating another female! Marilyn Montgomery only cared about one thing, and that was Marilyn Montgomery. She had proven herself a shrewd and selfish woman over the years--even toward her only child. Especially toward her only child. Nothing Ashton ever did was good enough. According to her mother, any mistake Ashton had ever made over the years somehow reflected back on Marilyn. Exactly how Ashton could never quite understand. There were many people who didn't even realize the two women were even related let alone mother and daughter--that's how little contact they'd had with one another over the years.

Oh well, it didn't matter anyway. Ashton intended on keeping her secret safe. No matter what. And Marilyn Montgomery was a long forgotten memory of the past.

Mother or not . . .

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The shiny red Ferrari pulled up to the Mediterranean-style mansion situated in Beverly Hills a little past noon. The first thing Brianna Walters noticed was the lack of security as she entered the estate. It was obvious the lawns were well taken care of, but where was the locked gate keeping crazy fans out? Where were the security cameras and the vicious guard dog patrolling the grounds? She figured once Brooks asked her to move in with him, she would take care of all those pesky details--it was quite obvious he needed someone to look over his affairs.

She hopped out of her car and turned to inspect her reflection in the tinted window. Not too shabby, Brianna thought with a pleased smile. She was glad Tiffany had been home to help her put together an outfit. What they had come up with was absolutely perfect! Just the right amount of sexy and innocent to make any boy weak in the knees.