Chapter 34 #2
“Celena is just Kingston’s type,” Ash says. “We usually see him with really short, pretty women.” He looks at Celena. “What are you? Like 5’0” maybe?”
“I’m 5’1”, and I repeat, I’m not interested in that arrogant prick.”
“So none of the guys can have a woman if Kingston wants her?” I ask incredulously.
Ash shakes his head. “Nope. Not until Kingston gives up on her, which has never happened from what I hear.”
“Gunny was afraid Kingston might be interested in you when he first brought you around,” Kelsier tells me, “but luckily he wasn’t. We think you might be a little too tall for his tastes.”
I look at Ash in surprise and catch him throwing a ‘Why did you tell her that?’ glare at Kelsier.
“So you would have backed off if Kingston had staked a claim on me?” I ask Ash, a little hurt.
His face goes serious. “No. Absolutely not,” he says. “I didn’t want to have to fight Kingston for you, but I was prepared to do it if I had to. You’ve been mine for longer than you know.”
I blink at the earnestness in his expression, and it feels like Cirque du Soleil is doing a tumbling routine in my stomach.
“Awww,” Celena says, looking at us with a sappy expression on her face. “You two are adorable.” She looks at Ash. “I guess I don’t have to kill you and bury your body in a remote location after all.”
He smiles at her. “Thanks?”
“If you’ll excuse me,” Celena says, “I’m going to go work the room a little. One of these players has got to be willing to defy that asshole to take me on a date.”
Ash and Kelsier exchange a glance but then shrug.
“Best of luck,” Ash says. “Cote and Samsonov are married, FYI.” He points them out to her. “And Nilsen doesn’t play for your team.”
Ash points to one of the Norwegians across the room that I thought was Anders Aasgaard. They really do look alike.
“Did Novich and his girlfriend break up?” Ash asks Kelsier.
“Not that I know of,” he answers.
“Then avoid him too,” Ash says, pointing out the defenseman.
“You may also want to avoid the rookies,” Kelsier suggests. “They’re still a bit immature.”
Celena waves a dismissive hand. “No, they’re perfect. I don’t mind having to teach a man a few things, and maybe they’re dumb enough to defy this Kingston guy.”
She squares her shoulders and heads off with her champagne.
Ash looks at Kelsier. “I’m not sure you could’ve handled her anyway,” he says. “She would’ve eaten you alive.”
“I would’ve enjoyed it, but yeah,” Kelsier says.
They both look at me, and I raise a brow at them.
“And I say that with the utmost respect for Celena,” Kelsier tells me.
I roll my eyes at him, but shrug. “You’re not wrong,” I concede. “Celena is small, but she packs a punch.”
“I’m going to go mingle some more before I get myself in trouble,” Kelsier says. “You two behave yourselves.”
Ash gives him a look of feigned innocence. “What trouble could we possibly get into at a fundraiser gala?”
Kelsier shoots Ash a look that says he knows exactly what he means before he heads off.
As soon as he’s gone, Ash slips his arm around my waist and pulls me against him.
“How’s the plug feel?” he asks against my temple before kissing it.
I feel myself blush, and I turn my head away from the ballroom to hide it. “It feels fine,” I say. “You’re sure this thing won’t get lost up there? I can’t be one of those people who goes to the ER and has to explain that something I shoved up my ass got stuck.”
Ash chuckles. “It’ll be fine,” he says. “They’re designed to catch, but I plan to check it later anyway.”
I look up at him. “What?”
“You didn’t think I planned to go the whole evening without fucking you, did you?” he asks. “A little later when people are drunker and not as watchful, we’ll find an empty bathroom or closet, and I’m going to pull that gown up over your hips and fuck you silly.”
My mouth drops open, but I catch the objection before it tumbles out. None of the other men I dated were ever this adventurous – or this insatiable, for that matter – and I’ve decided to just enjoy it while it lasts.
There’s something about Ash that makes me feel safe, and maybe a little reckless, and I don’t intend to fight the latter. It’s time for me to let go of the ‘fear of life’ Celena always accuses me of having. So bathroom sex with a butt plug at a five thousand dollar-a-plate fundraiser gala it is.
“Enjoying the evening so far?” a voice says from behind us, making Ash and I step apart.
We turn to find Mr. Kaladin standing there with his hands in his pockets. He looks immaculate in what I’m sure is a custom-made tux.
This is the first time I’ve seen him in person. He’s in his mid-thirties, fit and handsome, but the images I’ve seen of him online fail to capture the ‘presence’ he has in person. He’s stupidly rich and powerful, and everything about his bearing says he knows it.
Ash’s hand hasn’t moved from around my waist despite us stepping apart, and I feel his fingers close tighter around me.
I recognize it for the possessive gesture it is.
He feels Kaladin’s magnetism as I do, and he’s enforcing his claim on me in the face of a potential rival.
As if I could somehow attract both a hockey star and a billionaire mogul in one lifetime, let alone have them compete for me.
“Dr. Mackey,” Kaladin says, reaching out a hand by way of greeting. “It’s good to finally meet you.”
I step forward a little to take Kaladin’s hand. Ash’s grip loosens just enough to let me, but his hand remains lightly on my waist.
“Mr. Kaladin,” I say, shaking his hand. “It’s great to meet you as well. I haven’t had a chance to thank you for this opportunity.”
Kaladin smiles as we let go. “I take it things are going well?”
He looks between me and Ash before his eyes dip to the hand Ash still has on my waist, and I have the distinct feeling he’s not asking about our work on trash talk.
“Great,” Ash responds before I can say anything. “The doc and I made some progress on pinpointing my triggers, and now we’re working on…” He trails off, searching for the word.
“Interventions,” I supply.
“Interventions,” Ash confirms. “Which I was happy to learn are different from the kind of interventions that require hugging.”
Kaladin nods as he takes us in. “And the fake dating? Are people buying that you’re together?” He looks again at Ash’s hand, which has drifted to my hip. “You do make a convincing couple.”
There’s definitely a tone to his words.
Ash drags me closer and envelopes me exaggeratedly in his arms. “Gotta sell the story,” he says to Kaladin.
“You’ve been playing better recently,” Kaladin says. “I’m glad to see the good doctor is having a positive influence on you.”
Both Ash and I stiffen. On the surface, the words are complimentary, but I’m sure we both sense something more in them. A threat?
“You should find your seats,” Kaladin says. “Dinner will start in a little bit. It was good to see you both.”
He turns and saunters off toward a group of people I’m certain are politicians.
Ash’s hand finds mine, and he threads our fingers together. “Come with me,” he says as he pulls me after him.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“We’re going to drop our drinks at our table,” he says, “and then we’re going to find somewhere private for me to fuck you.”