Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
Darryl
I woke up on Ashley’s couch, her body pressed close against mine, the quilt twisted around us, her head resting on my chest, her breath warm through my shirt.
The morning light slipped through the curtains, soft and gray, and I grinned, feeling her nearness, the quiet of the old house holding us after a rough week.
It was my day off, a rare break from the grind, and I’d told her last night I wanted to spend it with her at the park, just us, no rush.
She’d smiled, said she was in, and now here we were, her stirring a little as I shifted, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead to wake her gently.
“Hey,” I said, my voice low, brushing her hair back with my fingers, her bracelet glinting faintly on her wrist from our Vegas trip. “Morning.”
“Hey,” she said, blinking up at me, her smile small but warm, stretching slightly but staying nestled against me, her hand resting lightly on my stomach. “Morning.”
“Park day,” I said, grinning down at her, my arm tightening around her shoulders just a touch. “Still up for it?”
“Yeah,” she said, sitting up slowly, rubbing her eyes, the quilt slipping to her lap. “Sounds good. Give me a minute to get ready.”
“No rush,” I said, standing up, stretching my arms, my back popping from the couch sleep. “I’ll grab us some coffee.”
“Nice,” she said, heading to the bathroom, her steps soft on the wood floor, and I moved to the kitchen, finding the pot, brewing a couple of mugs, the rich smell filling the space.
She came back quickly, hair brushed, wearing jeans and a cozy sweater, looking worn but steady, and I handed her a mug, sipping mine as we sat at the table, the steam curling up between us.
“Thanks,” she said, taking a sip, smiling over the rim. “You’re good at this.”
“Trying to be,” I said, nudging her foot with mine under the table, grinning back. “Ready to head out?”
“Yep,” she said, finishing her coffee, standing with me, grabbing a light jacket as we headed out, her hand slipping into mine like it was the easiest thing.
The park wasn’t far, a short drive through quiet streets, and I parked near a big oak, the leaves turning gold, the air cool but sunny, perfect for a walk.
We stepped out, her jacket zipped up, my hand finding hers again, fingers lacing tight as we started down a gravel path, the crunch under our shoes mixing with the rustle of leaves and the distant ripple of the lake.
“Pretty day,” I said, squeezing her hand, pulling her a bit closer, her shoulder brushing mine, the breeze tugging at her hair.
“Pretty,” she said, leaning into me, her voice soft, glancing up at the trees, then at me with a gentle smile. “Thanks for bringing me here.”
“Anytime,” I said, my chest warming, the feelings I’d been carrying around bubbling up steadily, ready to spill out.
We reached a bench by the water, old wood worn smooth, and I stopped, tugging her to sit with me, my heart beating firm but calm.
“Hey,” I said, turning to her, keeping her hand in mine, resting it on my knee, my thumb brushing her knuckles slowly. “Got something to say.”
“Yeah?” she said, sitting close, her eyes locking with mine, curious and bright, her fingers curling a bit tighter around mine.
“Yeah,” I said, swallowing easily, my free hand reaching up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, lingering there, my voice low and sure. “You mean everything to me, Ashley. Been falling for you hard, couldn’t shake it if I tried. You’re my favorite person, always will be.”
“What?” she said, her eyes widening, a blush creeping up her cheeks, her hand squeezing mine tight. “You mean that?”
“Every bit,” I said, grinning softly, leaning closer, my hand sliding to her cheek, cupping it gently. “You’re it for me, been that way a while. Couldn’t keep it quiet anymore.”
“Darryl,” she said, her voice catching, her smile growing, eyes shining a little. “I feel the same. Been scared to say it, but you’re my everything too.”
“Really?” I said, my grin stretching wide, my hands pulling her closer, resting on her shoulders, my thumbs brushing her collar. “You’re not just messing with me?”
“No way,” she said, nodding quickly, laughing softly, her hands sliding to my face, warm against my cheeks. “You’re my guy, Darryl. Been falling for you too.”
“Good,” I said, closing the gap, kissing her slowly and tenderly, my lips soft against hers, her hands steady on my face, her breath warm and close.
She kissed me back, gentle at first, then pressing in, her fingers threading into my hair, tugging me nearer, the taste of coffee and her sweetness filling me up.
I pulled her closer, one hand on her back, the other cradling her neck, the kiss deep but soft, full of all the quiet things we’d held back, warm and real.
“You’re amazing,” I said, pulling back a bit, my forehead resting on hers, grinning big.
“So are you,” she said, giggling quietly, kissing me quickly once more, her hands dropping to my chest, staying close. “This is perfect.”
“Yeah,” I said, wrapping my arms around her, pulling her into a hug, her head tucked under my chin, the park still around us, just the rustle of leaves and water lapping nearby. “Best thing yet.”
We sat there a while, her nestled against me, my hand rubbing her back, stealing little kisses on her temple, her cheek, her laughing softly every time I did.
The sun climbed higher, warming us through the cool air, and we walked more, her hand in mine, stopping by the lake to skip stones, her giggling when I got one to bounce, me pulling her close when hers sank straight down.
Time slipped by, the day stretching out easy and sweet, but my stomach growled loudly, and she grinned, nudging me.
“Hungry?” she said, her voice teasing, her hand squeezing mine.
“Starving,” I said, pulling her toward the car, kissing her quick on the lips, soft and fast. “Back to your place?”
“Yeah,” she said, grinning widely, climbing in as I started the engine, her hand resting on my leg the whole drive, my chest full and warm, her words still humming in my ears.
We got back to her house, stepping inside, the quiet hitting softer now with her beside me, her jacket slipping off as she kicked off her shoes.
“Food?” she said, heading to the kitchen, her voice light.
“Later,” I said, catching her hand, pulling her close, kissing her slowly, my hands sliding to her waist, lifting her sweater a bit, feeling the warmth of her skin under my fingers. “Need you first.”
“Darryl,” she said, giggling into the kiss, her hands on my chest, tugging my jacket off, letting it drop to the floor. “Alright.”
“Perfect,” I said, kissing her deeper, my tongue brushing hers gentle, walking her back to the couch, her legs bumping it as we sank, her straddling my lap, my hands sliding under her sweater, easing it up slow, her arms lifting to let it slip off, leaving her in a soft bra, her skin glowing against me.
“So pretty,” I said, kissing her neck tender, my lips trailing down, sucking lightly, leaving a faint pink mark, her breath catching soft and sweet.
“You’re sweet,” she said, her voice low, her hands pulling my shirt up, tossing it aside, her fingers tracing my chest, warm and steady, her lips finding mine again, kissing me firm, full of want and care.
I unhooked her bra, sliding it off slow, kissing down her chest, my mouth gentle on her skin, sucking soft, leaving little marks, her gasping quiet, her hands in my hair, guiding me closer.
“Couldn’t ask for better,” I said, my voice rough with feeling, kissing her deep, my hands sliding to her jeans, popping the button, tugging them down slow, her lifting her hips to help, kicking them off, leaving her in panties, my hands roaming her thighs, squeezing gentle, feeling her shiver under me.
She pulled at my jeans, undoing them quickly, pushing them down, her hands warm on me, easing my boxers off, stroking slow and firm, making me groan low against her mouth.
“Bed?” she said, her voice breathy, kissing my jaw, her hands on my shoulders, nails grazing lightly, her body pressing close, warm and soft against me.
“Yeah,” I said, lifting her easily, her legs wrapping around my waist, carrying her to her room, the old bed creaking as I laid her down, kissing her hard, my hands sliding her panties off, tossing them aside, her bare beneath me, stunning and open.
“You’re everything,” I said, kissing her neck again, sucking a bit harder, leaving a soft red mark, her moaning low, her hands pulling me down, guiding me close.
“You too,” she said, her voice trembling with warmth, her thighs parting, her hands on my back, nails trailing soft as I pressed into her, slow and deep, filling her gently, her breath catching sharply, her body arching up to meet me.
“Darryl,” she said, her voice a sweet hum, her hands gripping me steady, moving with me, tender and full, her warmth pulling me in deep.
“Yeah,” I said, kissing her softly, my tongue tasting her slowly, my hands sliding under her, lifting her hips, pushing deeper, her gasps filling the room, quiet and needy, her nails digging lightly, leaving faint trails on my back.
“So good, Ashley,” I said, kissing down her chest, sucking gentle on her skin, leaving more soft marks, her trembling beneath me, her breath quickening, her closeness wrapping around me tight.
She sighed, her voice breaking soft, her body shaking as she tightened around me, a quiet moan spilling out, her hands clutching me close, pulling me with her, the heat crashing through me gentle and full, a low groan against her neck as I let go, spilling into her, wrapped in her warmth, her arms holding me steady.
We stayed there, breathing hard, tangled up close, her legs still around me, my hands tender on her hips, kissing her slowly, her lips soft and warm against mine, full of love.
“You’re my favorite,” I said, pulling back a bit, grinning down at her, brushing her hair back, my thumb tracing her cheek, her eyes glowing up at me.
“Same,” she said, smiling wide, kissing me gentle, her hands resting on my chest, steady and warm, the room quiet around us, just us, sweet and real as we caught our breath. “I love you,” she said, her voice soft, her eyes locked on mine, a quiet certainty there.
“I love you too,” I said, kissing her once more, slow and deep, my hand cradling her face, the words settling warm between us, sealing the day, together now, no pretending left.