43. Ashlyn
CHAPTER 43
Ashlyn
We pull up to the hotel, and I’m instantly struck by the sheer size of the building. A modern high-rise towering over the rest of the city, sleek glass reflecting the late afternoon sun. It’s not typically the sort of place I’d stay if I were traveling alone—I’m more of a quaint boutique hotel girl—but I have to admit, there’s something comforting about seeing Todd, Jake, Xayden, and West all stepping out of the car with me, ready to tackle whatever this tour city throws our way.
We head inside, the automatic doors sliding open with a quiet whoosh. The lobby is huge—vaulted ceilings, polished floors, and a minimalist fountain trickling soothingly at the center. A few guests linger in the waiting area, eyes flicking our way with faint recognition. I feel a spark of nerves, but Todd’s hand brushes mine, his silent assurance reminding me I’m not alone.
Jake checks us in at the front desk, smoothing over any minor complications with a courteous smile and a steady calm that always impresses me. Meanwhile, Xayden meanders around the lobby, poking at a tall ornamental plant and making faces at West, who stands by me, quietly observing the world with that thoughtful gaze of his.
When Jake returns with the keycards, he lifts them in a small, triumphant gesture. “We’re good. Let’s go see if this suite lives up to its promises.”
A short elevator ride later, the doors slide open onto a wide hallway, carpeting so plush I practically sink into it with each step. I spot the number matching our suite and exchange a glance with Xayden—he’s grinning like we’ve just found a hidden treasure.
Jake unlocks the door, and we step inside, one by one. My first thought? It’s massive. Not just large, but big enough that if we had twenty people, no one would be bumping elbows. The main living area has floor-to-ceiling windows, letting in streams of golden sunlight. There’s a fully-stocked kitchen to the right—granite countertops, stainless-steel appliances—and a cozy seating area with enough couches for each of us to sprawl out without touching.
“Wow,” I breathe, taking a few more steps inside. “This is… definitely bigger than I imagined.”
Xayden snorts playfully. “Bigger’s better, Ash, especially when you’re with us.” He waggles his eyebrows, and I roll my eyes, but I can’t help smiling.
Jake sets his bags by one of the couches, surveying the space. “Looks like the bedroom areas are back that way,” he says, nodding toward a short hallway leading off the main room. “And if I read right, the nest is…”
Xayden nudges one of the plush sofas with his knee, then gives a mock-serious look in Todd’s direction. “Hear that? A nest, those are sound proof. Which means we can safely assume I’ll be drumming at all hours in here, right?” He gives a dramatic sweep of his arm around the living room. “Plenty of space for a full kit.”
“Over my dead body,” West mutters, though there’s a hint of amusement in his tone as he sets his guitar case down.
Xayden just grins, flipping an imaginary stick in the air. “Aw, come on. Think of the ambiance. Midnight jam sessions, morning practice, midday solos?—”
“Midday solos that get us kicked out,” Todd interjects, arching an eyebrow.
Xayden shrugs, unrepentant. “Worth a shot.”
I snort a laugh, hugging my arms around myself. “Good luck explaining that to hotel management.”
He smirks, winking my way. “I’ve got charm they can’t resist, Ash. Didn’t you know?”
I roll my eyes again, turning my attention back to the hallway. Despite Xayden’s teasing, the thought of an actual nest—a real, private space if my heat hits—sends a flutter of nerves through me.
I nudge Todd gently with my elbow, inclining my head toward the short hallway. “Alright, let’s see these bedrooms. Big place like this, they’d better be pretty spectacular.”
He chuckles, glancing at the doors lining the single corridor. “Guess we’ll find out soon enough if it lives up to the listing.”
Xayden sidles up behind us, tossing a conspiratorial grin over his shoulder at West and Jake. “Race you for the biggest room, Ash.”
“Oh, bring it,” I shoot back, unable to hide the laugh that spills out. The very idea of racing him through a massive suite feels a bit ridiculous—but also so perfectly us, even after everything.
Todd smirks as he pulls one of the door handles. “Hope you’re ready, because once Xayden sets his mind on something?—”
“—I never lose,” Xayden finishes smugly, puffing out his chest like a victorious peacock.
I roll my eyes, my laughter fading into a warm, content feeling in my chest. It’s silly, it’s playful, and it reminds me so much of who we were before everything got complicated. A smirk curves my lips as Xayden suddenly takes off down the hall, a mock challenge lighting up his face.
“Oh, so that’s how it’s gonna be?” I call after him, a burst of adrenaline sparking through my veins. Without thinking, I sprint after him, my footsteps echoing on the polished floor.
He disappears around a corner, and I push myself faster, half-laughing, half-gasping to catch up. When I round the corner, I don’t have time to register the sudden drop in the floor. There’s a tiny step down leading into a plush, sunken area—the nest—and Xayden’s already misjudged it. He stumbles, and before I can stop, I’m crashing right into him.
We tumble together into the soft expanse of pillows and cushions. I let out a yelp that dissolves into laughter as we land in a heap, limbs entangled amid the cozy, fresh blankets. My pulse thrums with excitement, and Xayden’s chest rumbles with his own laughter beneath me.
“Warn me next time,” I manage, choking on my giggles as I prop myself up on my elbows.
He grins, eyes sparkling with mirth. “I’ll try, but you’re faster than I gave you credit for.”
For a moment, we just lie there, our laughter tapering off into breathless smiles. Then Xayden’s gaze shifts, traveling from my eyes to my lips, the humor in his expression giving way to something slower, warmer. My stomach does a little flip, and the awareness of his body pressed against mine sends a flush to my cheeks.
I swallow, the space between us suddenly feeling too charged, too intimate. But neither of us moves away, and for the briefest second, it’s like the rest of the world ceases to exist —just the two of us, tangled in this unexpectedly soft landing, reacquainting ourselves with what it’s like to be close again.
A flicker of uncertainty rushes through me, but it lasts only a second before instinct takes over. My heart pounds, my chest tightens—and then I lean in, pressing my lips to his.
For a moment, he’s still, as if caught off guard. Then his hand slides up to cup the back of my neck, and he’s kissing me back with a quiet hunger that sends warmth coursing through my veins. My fingers curl into his shirt, clinging to him, and the world slips away—the plush cushions, the fancy hotel, even the distant laughter of the others somewhere in the suite.
All that exists is Xayden’s mouth on mine and the electric hum sparking between us.
When we finally pull apart, he’s breathing a little unsteadily, and I’m sure my cheeks are pink with heat. His eyes search mine, almost like he’s waiting for me to take it back, to say it was a mistake. But I don’t.
I let out a shaky exhale. “You okay?” I ask.
A grin tugs at the corners of his mouth, and he brushes his thumb over my cheek. “Yeah,” he murmurs. “Better than okay.”
I smile, allowing myself a moment to bask in the rush of emotion. Then, a soft laugh escapes me as I push back just enough to stand—or try to. The cushions shift beneath me, and I slip a little, Xayden’s arm instantly steadying me.
“Easy there,” he says, half chuckling.
“Blame yourself,” I tease breathlessly. “You’re the one who started running.”
“Worth it,” he tosses back, sliding his hand from my neck down to my waist, making no effort to hide how much he enjoys my closeness—or how okay he is if I just stay there, sprawled out on top of him.
My stomach does a few somersaults at the look on his face. Part of me wants to call it love, while another part isn’t ready to put a label on anything. Either way, it’s enough to make me melt against him, warmth flooding through me in a way that feels both comforting and electrifying at the same time.
A breath of laughter slips past my lips before I lean in again, pressing my mouth to his in a slow, deliberate kiss—an unspoken admission that, for now, I’m exactly where I want to be. Xayden’s grip on my waist tightens, and a low hum escapes him, vibrating against my lips in a way that sends heat racing through my veins.
“You two done rolling around on the floor?” comes Todd’s dry voice from the doorway, making me jerk back, startled.
Xayden groans, dropping his head against one of the plush cushions as he throws Todd a withering look over my shoulder. “Dude, can’t you knock or something? You see the door?”
“Door was wide open.” Todd smirks, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Get lost for a while,” Xayden says, his gaze focused on my lips again.
“Uh-huh. I’ll just step outside while you two finish…whatever this is.”
“Please do,” Xayden grumbles, sliding his hand from my waist to my arm and tugging me closer, like he’s making a point.
I feel a flush climbing my cheeks, but I can’t help smiling at the exasperation on both of their faces. Todd shakes his head, backing out of the room with exaggerated slowness before rolling his eyes and disappearing into the hall.
Xayden lets out a dramatic sigh as soon as Todd’s gone, leaning in to brush his nose against mine in a teasing, affectionate gesture. “Where were we?” he murmurs, eyes shining with a warmth that makes my heart flutter.
I laugh, threading my fingers through his hair. “I think,” I say, “we were just getting started.”