Disclaimer: I own nothing!

Thank you for the reviews guys – you're awesome.

A/N: Some mild swearing and adult scenes – it that offends, you shouldn't be reading M rated stories :-p.

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8.

Ashley spent the next couple of days back and forth at the recording studio, finishing off her last few songs and editing it all together, to make the final product... her long awaited new album. The pictures Spencer had taken also got the approval they needed and a huge launch was planned to commence over the next few weeks, with a big magazine spread using said pictures and an exclusive interview, as well as huge billboards of Ashley on the bed with her Fender going up in major cities – which would be sure to create a buzz.

It was Friday night and with all the hard work and preparations done, Ashley took Spencer out to another party to celebrate. Ashley was dressed in a form fitting, knee length black halter dress, while Spencer was in a simple azure summer dress which came to just below the knee, with her hair up off her face, she was completely unrecognisable from the woman Ashley had met on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard, less that a week earlier. They both looked stunning and made a very striking couple, as they made their way out of the hotel.

They were sat next to each other in the limo holding hands. Ashley could feel Spencer wasn't all too comfortable though, in the way she clung to Ashley's hand tightly and kept avoiding Ashley's eyes when they talked.

"Hey Spencer… are you ok?"

"Huh? What? Yeah of course I am" she laughed nervously

"Really? Because you look and feel like you're about to dive out of here and run back down the street. C'mon you can talk to me"

"I guess I'm just apprehensive about tonight. You know… it's an evening to celebrate your album release and people are going to be asking mequestions about the photos of you and how we know each other. It's going to be the real me in there with you tonight, not the Spencer who tries to turn tricks, and that's a little scary"

"Listen… you're going to do great. I'll be there to hold your hand and you mine! That first party you came to with me I saw the real you, in how you handled everyone gracefully. You should give yourself more credit. It'll be nice for me to not have to cope with all the attention for a change!"

Spencer smiled ruefully and relaxed into the warmth emanating from Ashley.

"C'mon were here now" said Ashley, tugging on Spencer's hand gently and leading her out of the limo onto the red carpet and into a swarm of flashing lights. They ambled up to the entrance, posing for pictures together and waving to the crowd, before they both gratefully accepted a proffered glass of champagne each, downing them in one long slow gulp before taking a second glass to sip at.

"Right lets go mingle!" said Ashley.

All the guests were really impressed with Spencer's photography work and she managed to pick up a decent array of cards from potential clients who would love to meet with her in the future. Ashley was really proud of Spencer and her re-discovered talent and how well she was working the crowd. Ashley wasn't too short of admirers either, with some women draping themselves over her, practically inviting Ashley to fuck them there and then. Spencer was none too pleased, but a smile pulled at her lips when Ashley tactfully declined, saying she already had a date. Things felt good, for the both of them.

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"Ashley!"

Ashley turned to towards the female voice that was shouting her name across the room.

"Oh my god!" screamed Ashley running into the woman's arms and planting a big kiss on her cheek. "I didn't know you were going to be here! How did you keep that quiet?"

"Oh you know me, last minute decisions and all"

Spencer looked on in what could be interpreted as jealousy. Who was this woman that Ashley obviously knew so well?

"Spencer! Come over here!" called Ashley. She worked her way through the crowd to where Ashley and her new friend were chatting animatedly. "Hey you! I want you to meet someone." Ashley took hold of Spencer's hand and turning her attention to her new companion introduced Spencer… "I'd like you to meet Spencer… my close friend and business partner. Spence, this is my sister Kyla"

Spencer looked both shocked and relieved, before smiling and offering her hand to Kyla.

"Oh c'mere!" said Kyla, pulling Spencer into a friendly embrace and kissing her cheek. "Anyone who's a 'close friend' of my sister's must be pretty cool, so is a friend of mine too"

"Well thanks Kyla, it really is a pleasure to meet you. Ashley hasn't talked that much about you, but her face always lights up when you get mentioned. So you must be pretty cool and special yourself"

Ashley tried to not to look embarrassed, but failed miserably, which made both Spencer and Kyla laugh.

"So, where's Aiden?" asked Ashley while scanning the room for him

"Oh you know him… probably chatting up some groupie, now that you're not in competition with him" said Kyla in disgust. Spencer and Ashley both turned and looked at her in surprise, not realising that Kyla was aware of his extra curricular activities.

"What?" exclaimed Kyla…. "Oh I'm not stupid, I know he fucks around with other people, I just haven't caught him at it yet. I'm biding my time, waiting to catch him, so I don't have to honour our prenup by giving him any of my money in a divorce. I just don't think the grounds of suspected adultery will hold up in court." Both Spencer and Ashley looked at Kyla in sympathy, before Spencer piped up… "Drinks?!"

They all laughed and made their way to the bar to enjoy their night.

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Kyla perched herself up on a bar stool and ordered another round of drinks, while Ashley went off to the toilet. "So Spencer, how did you and Ashley meet?"

"Umm… well it's a little complicated if I'm honest and being Ashley's sister I feel I ought to be honest with you." Spencer paused, thinking about how she should word her explanation. "We actually only met a few days ago. She picked me up on Hollywood Boulevard, where I 'run my business'. I'm a prostitute." Honesty and bluntness was really the only way to go, thought Spencer.

Kyla looked like she was about ready to spit her drink all over Spencer's face, but just about controlled herself. Spencer continued before Kyla could offer any comments. "I know how that must sound and I can only imagine how you might feel about the situation, so for that I apologise. It was simply meant to be a business arrangement and then Sunday I'll be leaving and will probably never see her again."

Kyla could see that Spencer had become quite enamoured with Ashley over the last few days, anyone with a pair of eyes could see that in the way they looked at each other and touched each other, so Kyla suspected that the prospect of Spencer leaving, and never seeing Ashley again, was not a happy one.

"You love her don't you?" Spencer's eyes shot up to Kyla's, panic written all over her face. Kyla smiled genuinely. "Look… Ashley is a very loveable person once you get to know her, and very few people do. The fact that you've been around her all week and haven't killed her yet, is testament to the fact that you care for her. I was surprised when you told me you were a prostitute. But you're still a person, with thoughts and feelings and I imagine there were many reasons as to why you ended up in your current occupation. I don't think any less of you because of it and I doubt Ashley does either. The only way I'd ever think less of you is if you do actually leave Ashley on Sunday without telling her your feelings and go back to your old life, when quite clearly you could be a successful photographer, with a hot girlfriend and her even hotter sister as a friend!"

Spencer laughed at the obvious similarities between Ashley and Kyla, and how comfortable they both were in their 'hotness'. "Thank you Kyla. I'd love to stick around, I just don't know how Ashley feels about it all, she seems so set against having a girlfriend and letting someone in though, but I do care for her a great deal. We'll see what happens?"

Kyla smiled and picked up her drink, seeming satisfied, before Ashley reappeared and joined them. They all chatted amicably before calling it a night.

Spencer and Ashley left together shortly after 3am, leaving Kyla to go in search of Aiden. The paparazzi had by now given up and left the venue. The streets were mostly empty, bar the occasional taxi making its way to some unknown destination or a couple of other late party goers being kicked out of a closing bar. The moonlight shone down on them as they walked hand in hand back to the hotel, both in quiet contemplation.

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Spencer wandered out of the bathroom after getting ready for bed and noticed Ashley dozing…

"She sleeps…" sighed Spencer, perching on the side of the bed and gently stroking Ashley's beautiful features, lightly moving strands of wavy hair out of her eyes. The temptation to lean forward and break her cardinal rule was just too much and she gently pressed her lips to Ashley's, before moving back an inch when she felt Ashley stirring.

Ashley's eyelids fluttered open and gazed into a pair of darkened blue eyes. She searched them as if to try and glean understanding about what was happening between them, before reaching behind Spencer's head and pulling her forward, crushing their lips back together in a heated kiss with tongues duelling for dominance. They settled into a more languid pace, before peeling each others clothes off. Ashley lifted Spencer's silk nightdress over her head, kissing the newly exposed creamy white skin or her tummy, dipping her tongue into Spencer's navel and painting a wet hot trail with her tongue, up her torso to her breasts, where she began to nip and suck at the skin there, turning it red, before cooling it with her breath, which made Spencer's nipples stand erect. Smiling at her handiwork, Ashley moved further up Spencer's body, back to her lips, nipping her lower lip before sucking it into her mouth and delving back into Spencer's mouth with her tongue. Ashley's soft fingertips traced and path down Spencer's arms and back up her torso, resting on her breasts, before gently squeezing Spencer's firm nipples in between her thumb and index fingers. Spencer let out a groan and arched her back up into the touch, while Ashley lowered her head to Spencer's breasts, drawing a firm nipple into her mouth and sucking it, making Spencer moan even more, before moving over to her other breast "So beautiful," signed Ashley. Spencer's hands wound their way into Ashley's wavy locks, gently urging Ashley back up to her lips. Locking their lips together again in a heated kiss, Spencer decided to take control, flipping Ashley onto her back before attacking her skin, nipping at her neck and sucking on her pulse point, while raking her nails down her torso, settling a thigh in between Ashley's legs, making her arch off the bed and letting out a throaty groan. Spencer licked and kissed her way over Ashley's body, spending some time nuzzling and sucking Ashley's nipples before moving further down her body, settling her face between Ashley's parted legs, inhaling the scent of her arousal. "Oh, Spence, please…" moaned Ashley. "Please what?" asked Spencer, "Please make love to me!" Spencer obliged by promptly running her tongue up the entire length of Ashley's slit and capturing her clit in between her lips and sucking gently, causing Ashley to buck towards Spencer… "Ah… mmm.." moaned Ashley… as Spencer continued to lap at Ashley's arousal, before gently slipping two fingers into her and setting up a steady rhythm, pumping in and out of Ashley. "Spence… come up her," Ash panted. Spencer continued to pump in and out of Ashley while she crawled up her body and straddled her hips, where Ashley's waiting hands cupped Spencer's core, before promptly slipping two fingers inside her, pleasantly surprising Spencer, "Oh god Ash!" They both set up a steady rhythm, grinding against each other, bringing each other closer to the edge, while gazing into each others eyes. They both moved their thumbs up to each other clits in sync and gently stroked and circled them, finally making each other cum together, walls throbbing around each others fingers, calling out each others names at the same time "Oh Ash…", "Oh Spence…" before collapsing into each others arms, spent.

They lay in each others arms that night, Spencer whispering to a 'sleeping' Ashley, "I love you" before promptly falling asleep herself. Ashley's eyelids fluttered open a moment later, taking in the peaceful face before her and whispered "I think I love you too." However, that declaration went unheard.

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The next morning….

"What are you thinkin' about sittin' here all by yourself?" Asked a smiling Spencer as she joined Ashley for breakfast

"Just the fact that this will be our last night together, and you'll finally be rid of me" replied Ashley, watching Spencer for her reaction.

Spencer faltered slightly, before trying to mask her feelings by laughing and rolling her eyes, "Well, I must say it's been pretty hard going… all these parties, endless shopping and photo shoots"

Ashley hadn't missed the brief look of disappointment that crossed Spencer's face, which helped make up her mind about wanting to see Spencer again, "I just need to finalise a few things with the record label today and I'll be heading back to my apartment in New York tomorrow. I… I'd really like to see you again though Spence"

"Really?"

"Yes, really. I've really enjoyed this week with you and can't imagine you not being apart of my life in some way."

"Well I can't say that doesn't sound appealing, but how exactly would that work, with you being in New York an' all? You'll just pop by for the occasional week… maybe leave some money on the bedside table because you don't want to deal with relationship hassle?" Spencer asked, trying to get Ashley to open up about what she felt about 'them'.

"I… I… I don't know Spence. I'm not sure I'm in the position at the moment to offer much more... What do you want from me?"

Spencer sighed, "I don't know, I guess I don't want the prospect of being treated like a weekend break! I think I'm….. "

She was interrupted by Ashley's phone ringing. "I'm sorry I have to get that" said Ashley, her eyes conveying her apologies and frustration. Spencer sat down in a dining chair quietly, waiting for Ashley to finish on the phone.

"That was Aiden, he's downstairs waiting for me and I have to go. I… I just want you to know I've heard what you're asking for. I don't know if I'm able to commit to more right now, but maybe we can talk later?" offered Ashley. Spencer nodded, slightly defeated, but willing to wait. Ashley leant in and brushed her lips against Spencer's temple, before leaving the penthouse for her meeting.

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[Phone ringing] "Hello?"

"Oh hello, Ms. Spencer? It's Arthur here"

"Oh hey Arty, how are you?"

"Very well, thank you. I uh… have a Ms. Madison Duarte down at the desk asking for you."

"Thanks, I'll be right down."

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Hey Chica!

"Maddie!! I've been calling you for the last few days, I've tried the apartment, Grey's! Where the hell have you been?"

"Yeah, I know, I'm sorry. They told me at Grey's you were trying to get hold of me."

"You were supposed to come by and pick up that money I left for you," said Spencer leading Madison out of the hotel and down the street.

"I know Spence, again I'm sorry, I've been busy, you know working to pay rent and buy clothes, I haven't found some rich guy or even chick willing to throw $3000 at me. You look really good though Spence. You sure as hell won't fit in down on the Boulevard looking like that now"

"Well, thanks, but it's easy to clean up when you've got money." Replied Spencer

"Yeah. So when does she leave?"

"Tomorrow"

"You get to keep the clothes?"

"Yeah… She asked me if she could see me again. But I don't know. It'll just be another week here, maybe the odd week there… I think I'll have to say no."

"You seem disappointed by that prospect Spence… almost like… oh no Chica you didn't!" cried Madison, abruptly stopping in the street.

Spencer had to turn around to look at Madison, when she realised she wasn't walking next to her anymore, "Didn't what?"

"You fell in love with the rock star didn't you?"

"Oh my god, am I really that transparent? Even Ashley's sister asked me that!"
"Well? You have haven't you! Have you kissed her? On the mouth?" Spencer's silence spoke volumes. "Oh my god you did!" exclaimed Madison, throwing her arms up in the air in disbelief.

"It's not like I meant for it to happen! I couldn't help it. She's sweet… caring… funny… not to mention sexy as hell and I enjoy her company. I think she likes me too, just the way she looks at me sometimes, it's like I can see into her soul. She's just too pig headed to believe we could work. And lets face it… do these things ever really work? Who wants an actual relationship with someone they paid for their company?" rambled Spencer, letter her frustrations out.

"Well she did say she wanted to see you… maybe if you were willing to see her again, things could work out… you know in the future? It happens!"

"No Maddie, Shit Happens! Name me someone who's been that lucky?"

"I dunno… Cinder-fucking-rella?"

That lightened the mood and they both laughed at that, as they walked into the coffee house to catch up.