Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
A long, contented sigh escaped Lyric. Being it was Sunday and she didn’t need to head to the shop, she had taken the opportunity to wake up her man not a half an hour ago by giving him head.
He’d stated in the past that it was his favorite wakeup call.
She found that she loved giving him head because giving him pleasure gave her the same.
Over the past few weeks, living with Ash had not gone as smoothly as expected. He was a damn stubborn biker after all. But they were quickly falling into a routine, even though their work hours were so different.
She got up early.
He rolled out of bed late.
She went to bed at a normal hour. He joined her sometime in the middle of the night.
Despite that, they always found time to play and explore.
She brushed her fingers over the now-healed hawk she’d inked into the side of his skull.
It was perfect. Not because she did the tattoo, but because of what it represented: a permanent tribute to his father. One that would stay with Ash for the rest of his life.
Despite doing his damnedest to hide it, she’d picked up on his emotions after she finished and he had looked at her work in the mirror.
Hawk had no idea he was going to get it, so the first time Ash’s father saw it, his step stuttered and he had to do a one-eighty and walk away to keep himself together.
Large hands hooked her under her arms, pulling her from her memories as Ash dragged her up and over his warm, hard, unforgiving body.
He sure loved to use her as his personal blanket. And she loved being that for him.
She was relaxed. He was relaxed.
The sex had been superb. Perfect even.
And every time they had sex, she kept waiting for him to push her boundaries.
He hadn’t.
He’d been careful.
He’d been gentle.
He’d been more than patient.
But she worried whether he was missing out on something he might need. Worried he’d get bored and move on.
With her cheek pressed to his bare, tattooed chest, she drew circles over his warm skin with the tip of her finger. It was time to address that worry. “You’ve never been rough with me. Not once. Is that something you need? If so, we can—”
“No.”
“But—”
He sat up abruptly, dislodging her. He snagged her chin between his fingers and tipped her face up enough for their eyes to meet. “Didn’t give a shit ‘bout any of those other women. Guess I needed to take out my frustration on them for not bein’ you.”
Holy crap.
While nothing he said was romantic, it was the most romantic thing he’d ever said to her.
“Ash,” she breathed, and didn’t hide the softening of her expression.
He shrugged. “Could be true. Got no desire to push your boundaries. I’d rather spoil the fuck outta you. It’s one thing to play—and we can do plenty of that shit—it’s another to dominate.”
“And you don’t want to dominate me.”
“No. You got a spirit I don’t ever wanna crush. I do that, the fuck if I’d ever be able to live with myself.”
“Some things I might like.”
“Then tell me what they are. Whatever you like, I’ll do. You don’t, I won’t. Simple.”
“But how will I know what I like?”
“You wanna experiment, we can do that. But we’re gonna do it slow.”
“And you’ll be all right with that?”
“Baby, don’t worry. Long as I got you, gonna be all right.”
Well, if that didn’t just make her heart melt… “But I don’t want you feeling like you’re missing out.”
“You fuckin’ serious? Missin’ out? Got everythin’ I need right here. Don’t need anythin’ else. Just you.”
“That’s not true. You need food. Water. Sleep. Your sled.”
“Yeah.” The corners of his lips curled up slightly. “But if I don’t got you, all that shit ain’t necessary.”
“Ash,” she breathed again.
“Yeah, baby?”
“My dad told you to wait six months.”
“Yeah.”
“I don’t want to wait six months to wear your cut.”
“We’re in no rush. Neither of us are goin’ anywhere.”
“True.”
“Your father’s the wisest fuckin’ man I know. He wants us to wait six fuckin’ months, gonna honor that. Six months ain’t gonna be dick when it comes down to it. I’d wait my fuckin’ lifetime for you.”
“You have me now.”
“Yeah. Thank fuck for that. Now, you don’t gotta be anywhere today. Rooster’s gonna open Heaven’s Angels for me. Let’s get some more sleep.”
“Can we go for a ride later?”
“Hell yeah.”
She was not surprised by his answer. He loved when she rode with him. “Can I ride my own sled?”
“No.”
She expected that answer, too, but still needed to harass him about it. “Why not?”
“‘Cause you know how I feel ‘bout that. You wanna ride with your girls, that’s one thing. You ride with me, you’re on the back of my sled. Want your arms wrapped around me, holdin’ me tight.”
“I can hold you tight right now. Like I did with my lips around your cock.”
He grinned. “Yeah. My kinda hug. But you’re still gonna be my backpack later.”
“I think my mom wants us over for dinner.”
“Tonight?”
“Yes.”
“Will let Rooster know I ain’t gonna be around for closin’, too. Gonna spend the whole day with my woman.”
“Your parents plan on being there, too,” she added.
This would be the first time all of them were sitting down together since she’d moved in with Ash.
He didn’t say anything for the longest time. Finally, he curled an arm around her and released a relaxed sigh. “Baby.”
“Hmm?”
“Been thinkin’ ‘bout a question your pop asked me a few weeks ago.”
“What’s that?”
“Whether I loved you.”
“Oh.”
“Never gave him an answer.”
She clamped her teeth down on her bottom lip to keep from demanding that answer.
“‘Cause I didn’t want him to hear it before you did.”
Butterflies began to flutter around in her chest like they were drunk.
He grabbed her hand, spread open her fingers, and brushed his lips across her palm. “Figured you already knew the answer.”
She did?
“But wanted to make sure it was clear.”
Holy shit. “Ashton.”
“Yeah, baby?”
“You’re killing me here.”
“Why?”
She lightly pounded on his chest. “Because I want to know.”
His eyebrows stitched together. “Know what?”
Was he being serious right now? She bugged her eyes out at him.
“Ain’t gonna be somethin’ I say a lot, but it needs to be said.”
“Forget me dying, I’m going to choke the shit out of you instead.”
His whole body shook underneath her when he chuckled. “You can try. I don’t think you can wrap those tiny hands of yours ‘round my throat.”
“Who said I’m going to use my hands?”
He bucked underneath her. Then before she knew it, she was on her back and he was hovering over her.
“Baby…”
She growled.
“Just wanted you to know…”
She bared her teeth at him. “That you’re a pain in my ass?”
“I thought you loved me.”
“I do! I—” She slapped a hand over her mouth and her eyes went wide.
A smile crept across his bearded face. “Yeah, baby, I know. And so do you.”
“Tell me anyway,” she whispered.
His chest expanded.
Was it really that difficult?
When it contracted, “I love you,” came out along with his breath.
Her eyes narrowed on him. “Did it hurt you to say that?”
“Fuck no.”
“Then, can you say it like you mean it?”
Smiling, he drove his fingers into her loose hair, then brushed his lips over hers. “Love you, Lyric. Before. Now. Always.”
“I love you, too, Ash. Before. Now. Always.”
Turn the page to read the unedited first chapter of
Down & Dirty: Reaper (DAMC: Next Gen, bk 3)