49. Ashlie
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
ASHLIE
T he excitement buzzing through my body as I wait for Hunter to get back to The Bluffs is only partially soothed by my rapidly bouncing foot. I’ve had time to change out of my dress, shower, and get a snack, but he still hasn’t made it back. For the last thirty minutes, I’ve been sitting cross-legged on the bed, balancing my giddy smile with the nerves I’ve had all day. The longer he takes to get here, the more my thoughts stray to how momentous this is. Tonight’s the night I lay my heart on the line next to his.
The warm lamplight casts soft shadows over all the memories we’ve had in here—the bedroom where everything started. I smooth my hands over the tufted bedspread with a sigh, remembering that first night of connection we shared. The stark awkwardness in the room yesterday. How calm I feel now. We’ve come a long way. Reconnecting in this house—this room—is the perfect way to bring us full circle.
The door closes downstairs and my knees are loaded with springs, shooting me out of my seat. I can barely hear my sharp inhale over the pounding of my heart as I peek out the door, watching Hunter take the stairs by twos. And when our eyes meet, I’m simultaneously flung across the ocean and welcomed home. Embarking on my greatest adventure while settling into my safest haven.
He’s lost his suit jacket and tie, the top buttons on his shirt popped open, partially exposing the tattoo on his chest. As he saunters toward me, I let my gaze wander to that mischievous smile quirking his lips. God, I love him .
“Hey, honey bear.” The sensual hum in his voice threatens to melt me into goo right here. He pulls me to him with one arm, keeping the other behind his back as he kisses me.
“Hi,” I whisper a smile against his mouth. “What are you hiding behind your back?”
“Kiss me again, and I’ll give you a hint.”
“And if I don’t?”
He shrugs, raising his eyebrow expectantly.
“Boy, if you don’t hand over those flowers…” I tease, nuzzling the tip of his nose with mine.
Hunter shakes his head, staring right into my eyes. “Naw, see, I’m not your boy anymore, Ashlie. I’m your man now…”
“Uh-huh… And what does that mean, exactly?” I tilt my head, baiting him playfully like I usually do. Only this time, his eyes spark with reckless abandon.
“For starters…” He tosses the sunflowers onto the desk and crushes his lips against mine. When my arms circle his neck, his hands tighten on my waist, lifting me. Our bodies melt together as I wrap my legs around him and peck kisses along his jawline. My man .
Carrying me to the bed, his safety curls around me like a weighted blanket. How did I ever question his motives ? I bury my head in the crook of his neck, giggling as I breathe in the musky spiced ginger on his skin.
He sits, pinning my knees around his waist so I’m straddling him, his eyes fixed on mine. The gentle drag of his thumb against my hand paints desire across my skin while he waits for my next move. I want to dive straight into the intimacy we’re both clearly craving, but I’m suddenly hyperaware of how significant this milestone is. Biting my free thumbnail, my gaze shifts to our laps.
Hunter chuckles quietly, maintaining eye contact while he places a kiss on my thumb. Then moves to the other thumb with another kiss. “So, are you gonna tell me what’s on your mind, or do I need to keep tryna kiss it out of you? Don’t think I won’t?—”
Cutting him off with my lips, my tongue slides past his to plunder, pillage, and claim, until my head spins at his matched intensity. His roughened fingers edge their way under my shirt, lancing me with a searing possession that I can’t ignore.
A groan rumbles from his chest when he grazes my waist beads, and my nipples harden from the vibration. The sensual pull of his lips as he builds beneath me causes my hips to rock against him. He bites my lower lip, teeth grazing the edges of my sanity until his name cascades from my desperate sigh. “Hunt…” I whimper as he lances hot, open mouth kisses down my neck.
“Hmm?” He doesn’t even pretend to pause, steadily brushing his lips against my collarbone.
“I…uh…” I pant, unable to stop grinding on him.
“I’m listening, honey bear,” he murmurs.
“Uhmm,” I whine, the internal battle between what I need to say and what I want to do waging on. I need to tell him he’s my peace, my comfort, and everything I’ve been looking for. I need him to know I’m ready to be with him entirely, completely, wholeheartedly. But what I want is every part of him touching every part of me.
Each caress is the most welcome distraction, his kisses alone sending me through portals of delirium. He presses me into his stiff bulge as his hips buck, and a delectable jolt scrolls through me with a gasp. “Hunter, my love…” I say weakly, still fighting that pleasure battle. He stills, and when I register my own words, I freeze too. Even though I told him I love him in the storage room, this subconscious reflex feels like a big moment.
He pulls back, wearing the widest grin. “Say it again.”
“ Hunter …” I tease.
“Not that . The other thing. Say it again.”
“Mm-mm”—I bite my lip—“it just slipped out…”
“So let it slip out again, then.” His grin falls into that smart-ass smirk.
I squeal when he tickles my side, his laughter warming me from the inside out. How quickly we’ve fallen back into playfulness sets my heart at ease. He’s changed, but he’s still Hunter. My Hunter .
“Nope.” I shake my head like the brat I am. “It’s been, like, a day. It’s too soon for all of that.”
“Naw, it’s been longer…” He sweeps the curls out of my face and trails a knuckle across my cheekbone, tenderly igniting my skin like a striking match. I feel every bit, wholly accepting the caress for what it is: his love. “Ash, it’s been so much longer than a day.” He kisses the tip of my nose, a devilish grin sliding across his lips as his eyebrows dance seductively. “Now will you please say it again? It made my insides feel all tingly.”
I can’t help but giggle. “ Ugh , you’re so annoying!”
“Who, me?”
I roll my eyes playfully. “Yes, you.”
“And who am I?”
“My love…” I mumble.
“Your what, now?”
“You’re my love, okay? And you, my love, are so very annoying.”
“I know.” Flipping me onto the bed, he peppers kisses all over my face. “Don’t you forget it either,” he says, hovering over me.
“Which part?” I bite my cheek to temper my smile. Why was I ever worried this wouldn’t work between us ? This playful intimacy has always been our brand of affection.
Dipping low, he snuggles his nose to mine. “Any of it.” His eyes bounce around my face, taking in every line and curve. Stripping me bare, claiming my heart, and filling my soul, all before removing any clothes. When he presses his lips to mine, he molds his body around me, surrounding me with the safety he’s provided all along. I shiver as he lifts my shirt over my head, goosebumps erupting across my skin in anticipation of finally being his.