9. Ashley
CHAPTER 9
ASHLEY
T rying to explain to my friends why my stepbrother got all caveman during the game is impossible. I can’t believe Sean yelled at the douche next to me. After that display of aggression, the guy left his seat and didn’t come back. I was glad he disappeared, because he was annoying me, but I’m not happy Sean reacted like that. He didn’t act like a protective brother—he acted like a jealous boyfriend, and I’m fucking pissed. He’s the one who backed down from whatever is going on with us.
When Kadence suggests we head to The Heritage, a popular bar on campus frequented by hockey players, I’m game. Blair is the only one who says she needs to go home. The Warriors won tonight, so I know Sean and his teammates will be there.
It’s much colder this late at night, so we return the bikes and get an Uber. The ride takes five minutes by car, and when we arrive, the boys aren’t there yet. Scarlett says she’s famished, so we grab a booth and order food. The place is modeled after a typical English pub, with dark wood furniture and maroon seats. Pictures of past Warrior hockey players hang from the walls. One day, Sean’s picture will probably be displayed here. The thought makes me happy for him, despite my current annoyance.
I’m not really hungry, and when my cheeseburger and fries arrive, I just nibble on the fries. Scarlett inhales her meal like she hasn’t eaten in days.
“Damn, girl. Slow down,” Kadence says.
“I can’t. I’m so hungry. I was fasting all day.”
Kadence shakes her head. “You’re nuts.”
“Why do think Blair didn’t want to come?” Scarlett asks between bites.
“Maybe she doesn’t want to hang out with her brother’s friends.” I shrug.
Kadence gives me a meaningful look. “Well, you’re here. That means you don’t have a problem hanging out with Sean’s friends.”
“Well... he’s not my brother, and truly, I barely know the guy. He used to live with his mother in Europe. I only saw him once a year.”
“That’s too bad. He’s so hot.” Scarlett sighs.
“He’s a dick. I hate him.” I pick a fry and break it in the middle.
“Really? That’s too bad. I’d better stay away from him then. I have a bad habit of falling for the biggest assholes,” Kadence chimes in.
I should say me too , but I see red for a moment. You’d better stay away from Sean.
Shit. Now who’s acting like a jealous girlfriend? Eventually, Sean will hook up with someone. Hell, he might even start dating seriously. My chest feels heavy, and I realize I might have a new kind of Sean problem. In the past, I hated him because he was mean to me. Now I’m eager to see him and getting butterflies in my stomach. I have to get over this weird attraction. I have a history of dating bad apples, but Sean would be the ultimate wrong guy to fall for.
An hour later, the hockey guys begin to trickle into the bar. The place is already packed, and all the booths are taken. Our food is long gone, and I’m already on my third club soda, which means I have to pee soon.
Before there’s a huge line, I slide out of my seat. “I’ll be right back.”
“Are you going to the restroom?” Kadence asks, getting ready to follow me.
The vultures nearby are eyeing our booth. “We can’t all go together, or we’ll lose our table.”
She glances at a group of girls who are inching closer. “Oh, right. We’ll take turns.”
I have to carve my way to the back of the bar, where the sign for the restroom is. I’m afraid I’m too late and I’ll find a huge line, but there are only a couple of girls ahead of me.
When I’m done, my intention is to return to the booth, but I see Sean talking to some guys, and I remember why I wanted to go alone. My stomach flutters and my pulse accelerates. Damn this attraction. I focus on my annoyance, trying to ignore how my body reacts to Sean, and head straight to him. He sees me and starts to smile, but once he notices my expression, his amusement wilts.
“Ash, I?—”
“What’s wrong with you?”
His friends widen their eyes. Maybe I shouldn’t have barked like that in front of them, but too late. Sean glances at them, and they look away and carry on their conversation as if they don’t care about us. I know better though. Guys are the worst gossipers.
Finally, Sean looks at me. “I didn’t like the way that creep was crowding your space.”
“How do you know I wasn’t enjoying his company?” I cross my arms.
He quirks a brow. “Were you?”
“No, but that’s beside the point.” I lean closer and hiss, “You acted like a jealous boyfriend, not my jerkface stepbrother who can’t make up his mind.”
Sean drops his eyes to my mouth for a couple beats, making my heart beat faster. I shouldn’t have gotten this close to him. The muscles in his square jaw tighten, and his nostrils flare. Shit, maybe I pushed him too far. Suddenly, he grabs my arm. “Come with me.”
He heads to the back of the bar, not giving me much choice in the matter. I wouldn’t be able to stop him from moving even if I dug my heels into the floor. “Where are we going?”
Like a caveman, he doesn’t answer. We pass the restrooms and continue down a dark hallway until I see the exit sign. He opens the door and, just like that, we’re in the alley behind the bar.
“Sean, what the hell!”
He turns me around and pushes against my body until my back meets the wall. Then he claims my mouth, prying my lips open like he’s starved and I’m all the sustenance he needs. I should stop him, but my body has other ideas. I wrap my arms around his waist, pulling him closer. His kiss sets me aflame, making me forget the chilly night air.
He abandons my lips to pepper my neck with open kisses. Sighing, I tilt my head, granting him easier access. “Sean...”
“Why are you so irresistible to me now?” he whispers.
“I don’t know.”
He leans back and stares into my eyes. “I can’t stop thinking about you.”
I could confess the same, but part of me believes this is another diabolical plan to hurt me.
“Maybe you just need to sleep with someone else,” I force the words out, but my heart rebels at the idea.
His brows furrow. “I don’t want to hook up with anyone else. Do you?”
My pulse is pounding in my ears. I could lie and say yes, but the truth rolls off my tongue. “No. I just want you, and that’s infuriating.”
“So infuriating.” He captures my mouth again and uses his thigh to part my legs.
I wish I could say I have self-control, but I rotate my hips, rubbing my pussy against him. A moan escapes my lips, and Sean groans. “I need you, Ash.”
The door to the alleyway opens with a bang, scaring the shit out of me. Sean doesn’t jump away from me this time though. He uses his tall frame to hide me.
“You shouldn’t be out here,” a male voice says.
“Right. We’re leaving,” Sean replies, but he doesn’t move until the guy goes back inside.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
Sean tucks a loose strand of my hair behind my ear, sending chills down my back. “I can’t guarantee we won’t be interrupted if I bring you to my dorm room.”
“So my dorm room then.”
He smiles, making me melt. “If you think your roommate won’t show up again.”
“I don’t think she will. Let me text my friends first, or they’ll think I was kidnapped.” I take my phone out and start a message to Scarlett and Kadence. I’m not sure what to tell them though.
Sean chuckles. “In a way, you are being kidnapped.”
I look at him. “Is that so? Where’s the hood over my head and the rope tying my wrists?”
His brows arch, and a wicked smile blossoms on his handsome face. “Do you want me to procure those items... because I will.”
A ripple of desire runs down my spine, making me forget for a moment what I’m supposed to do. “Uh...”
He leans closer and kisses the corner of my mouth. “Go on, text your friends, and let’s get out of here.”