Chapter 14—
Em
H ave I completely lost my damn mind? Why did I agree to him taking me home?
I wipe down another table, replaying my moment of weakness. I’m so fucked. His green eyes and the dimples when he smiled made my knees soft. I couldn’t say no to Ash.
And to Mason?
Yeah. I’m fucked, alright.
My shift is nearing its end. As we’re clearing the final tables, Laura nudges my side with her elbow, one eyebrow arched. “Did you see the hands on that boy?”
Before taking off, Ash grabbed dinner to go. Something I suggested from the menu.
Her voice carries a dreamy lilt. “Mmm-mmm. I would’ve loved to watch him polish that burger off right here in front of me.”
I’m about to say ‘You should see the way he devours tacos’ but then decide to keep that to myself.
“It’s good to be young, girl. Go for it, and enjoy the ride,” she says, stacking two dirty plates and turning toward the kitchen. “Every inch of it,” she adds with a wink over her shoulder.
I jostle my head and laugh as she disappears. If she only knew he comes as a package deal.
Scratch that.
She’d probably encourage that even more. Double the fun and all.
I’m not so sure, though. Can I really commit to both of them? They’re brothers, and the last thing I want to do is drive a wedge between them. I couldn’t live with myself if I broke their bond.
But maybe if we’re all on the same page…
God, this is insane. The old me would’ve been appalled by the idea, but I wanted to break out of that shell, didn’t I? That’s why I left.
I drop my shoulders on a sharp exhale. Laura is right. I should grab the bull by its horns and ride him, or however that saying goes.
—
I’m surprised when I find Ash in the alley on foot and not with his bike. But he said he wanted to talk, and that would be hard with helmets on, I guess. Plus, walking gives him more time to spend with me.
“You know, I can always pick you up out front. We don’t have to make it look like we’re sneaking around.
” He’s wearing a white graphic tee and blue jeans, standing at the bottom of the stairs that lead down to the alley.
Leaning back into the rail, hands in his pockets, he’s looking up through the rogue, dark blonde strands of his hair.
He gives me a crooked smile.
“Nah, it’s alright. I’d be leaving out the back anyway.” I take the two steps down, and he straightens from his lean, immediately towering over me again.
“Hi,” I say hoarsely, staring up at him.
His grin stretches, and I can’t fucking help the heat creeping into my cheeks under his attention.
“Hi,” he echoes, mimicking my tone.
The brief silence that wraps around us is charged with longing. The skin at the back of my neck prickles, and I can almost feel his hand there, threading through my hair as I imagine him kissing me.
Ash shifts first. “Thank you for hearing me out,” he says, kicking off into a leisurely stroll which I match beside him. “I didn’t want you thinking Mason and I do this on the regular. The tricking women, I mean.”
Well, doesn’t that make me feel special.
“But you’ve shared before?”
“Yeah,” he admits, running a hand through his hair. “But usually they are fully aware of the situation.”
“And give their consent, I presume,” I throw in as a side note.
“Yeah, that! ” he huffs embarrassed. “Definitely that!”
I turn my eyes forward pensively while keeping pace. I believe Ash’s sincerity. Even Mason doesn’t strike me as a serial rapist. He’s good at persuasion, though. His method is all hands no talk.
Although there is tongue involved .
“Believe me, I know my brother’s ways are questionable,” Ash goes on. “He gets off on pushing boundaries; including his own. And I’m not saying I don’t like a good challenge, but I prefer things a little more… subtle ,” he adds in a suggestive note.
Ash’s approach of wooing me is a lot less aggressive. He’s sweet in his own way. But Mason is right. I can’t pretend that his manner of pursuit is not affecting me. He knows more than he should about me. More than I admit to myself.
“It’s hard for people to get past his armor,” Ash explains. “He doesn’t date.”
“And you do?” I arch a brow, side eyeing him.
He shrugs. “Off and on. Nothing that lasted more than two months. The excitement fades after the conquest.”
“And that’s what I am? A new conquest?”
I watch him smirk, those infamous dimples forming again. “I haven’t quite figured that out yet. But I meant what I said earlier inside. I’m not ready to give this up.” He motions between us. “It’s uncharted territory for me too.”
Meaning his continued interest in me despite having already gotten in my pants. Twice.
“And you like it?” I prompt, turning onto the walkway leading to my building.
“It intrigues me.” We walk up to the door and stop. “ You intrigue me,” Ash stresses, his hand reaching for mine, making me face him.
Then he takes another step to back me into the door and bring his body flush with mine.
I suck in a quick breath. My nipples are hard as his chest presses into me. It’s just like inside the diner. Heat shoots south through my belly like a lightning bolt. I feel it pooling between my thighs, and they give a little twitch at the need of wanting him there.
His left arm snakes around my waist to hold me closer still. His eyes are heavy. They drop to my mouth, then he dips his head, closing in slowly. “So yeah,” he whispers, lips feathering across mine. “I like it. I like it a lot.”
Ash kisses me, gentle at first, but growing gradually in demand, and I let out a moan, sinking into the warmth of his body.
As my lips part, the tip of his tongue flicks out to tease me. He makes my toes curl, exploring and nipping before nudging past my teeth.
I open for him. Sliding his tongue deeper, Ash reminds me of his skills with the piercing.
I feel my hips undulate in response. More wetness pools between my legs, aching for friction, and I want to wrap myself around him with an unapologetic desperation.
Releasing my hand, Ash runs his palms over my body more eagerly.
I steady myself on his shoulders, and he squeezes my ass as he grinds the hard ridge at his fly into me, mouth still fused to mine.
The electric current spreads from his kiss to every part of my body.
He sets me on fire. I don’t want him to stop.
But I know we have to.
“Ash.” My voice comes out strangled, and I give his shoulders a squeeze.
He surrenders a sigh. “I know. I’m sorry. I got carried away. ”
His words retain a heated rasp as he forces himself to pull away.
“Fuck,” he groans. “What are you doing to me, baby girl?” Ash shakes his head, and I bite my bottom lip to stifle a grin. It feels so good to be desired.
He lowers his forehead to mine, his eyes suddenly serious. “I want you as much as my brother does, but it’s up to you, Em, not him. I’m not backing down. You choose.”
With that, he straightens, and I know he’s about to take off, but he swings back one more time. He takes my right hand, lacing his fingers with mine and sliding them between my thighs.
He gives me a squeeze. “Think of me when you finish.”