CHAPTER TEN #2
Ledger nods, and I immediately reject his response. I lived it. I was there, I want to shout at him. “There are two sides to every story, Asher.”
His gaze pins me in place. The teenager I used to know wasn’t as in control of his emotions as the man is before me.
But his jaw tics and his eyes swim with challenge.
“Okay, everyone,” the activity director says to the room. There’s shuffling and murmuring as heads turn to look her way. “We’re going to move into the sunroom for a bit now and watch a movie.”
Gran rolls her eyes before looking at Ledger. “Thank you for spending time with me.” She pats his arm. “Maybe one day Asher here will find a nice man like you. We used to say to keep her honest, but I’d rather he kept her on her toes.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” Ledger says, reaching out and patting the top of her hand.
Gran blinks several times as she looks at him before turning to me.
“I’m really tired.” Her face falls a little and I can sense her starting to fade, as she often does.
This is when the cognitive decline becomes apparent and for her own dignity’s sake, I rise immediately so she’s not embarrassed by it.
“Perfect time to rest then while everyone else watches the movie.”
She nods slightly, her lack of words telling me her downward spiral is coming fast. Within moments, I have her favorite nurse helping her to her room for some privacy with a promise to put the game away and come kiss her goodbye after she’s settled.
The minute she is out of earshot, I turn to find Ledger studying me. I’m annoyed with him, and I’m honestly not sure why.
Is it because he stole some of my time with Gran? No. That can’t be it, because look how lively he made her.
Is it because I’m jealous that he was able to do for her what I wasn’t able to?
Yes. No. Maybe.
All I know is, he has been nowhere for fifteen years and now, all of a sudden, he’s freaking everywhere—in my town, in my thoughts, in an assisted living facility for God’s sake.
I square my shoulders and head back to the table where he still sits.
“Thanks for amusing Gran. That was nice of you, but you can go now. She won’t be coming back out for some time.” The smile I offer him is strained. I then pick up the checker pieces and board.
“That’s all you’ve got for me, Ash? Shame, I don’t think Gran would be very receptive to such hostility.” Why does he say things like that with a smile? One that says I’m being ridiculous, and he’s not annoyed or fazed or anything in the least?
“And I don’t think she’d be receptive if she knew who you really were,” I grit out as I close the box on the checkers and head to the game closet down the hallway without looking back at him.
I don’t realize my mistake until I’m at the far end of the long, narrow walk-in type closet, and his footsteps sound behind me. I put the game on the shelf in its place and turn to find Ledger standing there, his broad shoulders eating up the small space.
“What are you doing here, Ledge?”
“Talking to you.” There’s that disarming, I’m not doing anything wrong but annoying you grin again.
I blow out an exasperated sigh. “No. I mean here. At the facility. In this closet. Here.”
“Talking to you,” he repeats.
“Well, I only talked to you because of Gran. Now she’s gone, so I don’t have to be polite anymore.”
“So that means you don’t want to talk about what happened?” He takes a step closer to me.
“No. I told you I didn’t. Let it go.”
“Only if you will.”
He’s trapped me in my own words. If I let the past go, then I have no reason to be angry with him and every right to want that kiss he almost gave me—and that I’ve thought about way too much.
“Go away,” I mutter. He steps closer to me and reaches out to play with a strand of hair that’s fallen over my shoulder.
“Pin the girl down and kiss her. Weren’t those Gran’s words?” he murmurs.
The space closes in all around us. I shift to get out of the confined space and his undeniable presence that eats it up.
He’s close.
Too close.
I can see the flecks of gold in his eyes. Feel the warmth of his breath whispering over my lips. Feel his fingertips as they release my lock of hair and trail ever so softly down my bare arm.
My nipples harden.
He’s the one who walked away and didn’t look back.
My fingers itch to touch.
He’s the one who broke your heart.
My mind wants to forget.
Walk away, Ash.
He leans forward. The hitch of my breath fills the room. “This isn’t over, Asher. Not by a long shot. I’m not a patient man, but I’ve waited fifteen years to kiss you again . . . what’s a few more days?”
A lifetime.
He cups the side of my face and runs his thumb over my bottom lip. It’s a simple act and yet his touch alone ignites every nerve ending in my body. His eyes are on mine, asking, wanting, pleading.
“Ash,” he whispers, and my heart leaps. My name on his lips. Is it possible to miss a sound? If so, I didn’t realize how much I did until right now.
He leans in as time suspends and—
“In the game closet.” We jump apart seconds before the orderly, who I presume made that statement, clears the doorway and walks into said closet. Ledger coughs into his hand to hide his smile.
“Mr. Sharpe?”
“Yes,” he says, turning to face her as I continue fussing with the box of checkers as if the lid of the box isn’t on properly. My heart’s hammering rapidly, and I’m not sure if it’s because of him or my fear that one of Gran’s caretakers might think I’m fooling around in here.
“Helen wanted to ask you a few more questions since she saw you were still here,” the orderly says, referring to the facility director.
“Great.” He smiles. “I’ll be happy to answer them.” He takes a few steps toward the door before looking back at me. Mischief sparks in his eyes. “Community outreach.”
“What?”
“What I’m doing here. Community outreach.” His eyes run up and down the entire length of my body, and I swear I can almost feel his gaze as he does.
And without another word, he walks out of the closet leaving me staring after him.
My fingers automatically go to my lips wishing he’d kissed me. Wishing I knew what he tasted like. Wanting to be reminded what it felt like again.
Ledger Sharpe was a caring lover the first and only time we were together.
Was that just because it was the first time? Is he still like that with the added finesse of years of practice?
I lean against the wall and bury my head in my hands.
When have I ever thought shit like this?
Go away, Ledger.
Go away and leave me to my boring life and unpredictable, sometimes fulfilling sex life.
I’m supposed to be angry at you.
I’m supposed to stick to my guns.
But, Jesus.
You’re better than the memory of you ever was.