Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
Ashlyn
It’s Wednesday night, and Ben’s coming over for dinner.
Well, takeout. I’ve only managed one cooking class so far, so I’m definitely not ready to impress him in the kitchen just yet.
It’s the first time we’re seeing each other outside of work since deciding to give this thing between us a shot.
We’ve been stealing every spare moment together at school, but somehow, it still doesn’t feel like enough.
I’m a little nervous, but mostly, I’m just looking forward to spending some proper time with him.
I left school over an hour ago, and Ben headed home to get changed before picking up the food and coming over. I’ve just stepped out of the shower when my phone starts ringing on the nightstand. Wrapping a towel around myself, I walk into the bedroom and smile when I see Ivy’s name on the screen.
Answering the call, I bring the phone to my ear and sit on the edge of the bed.
“Hi, Ivy.”
“Hey, Ash,” she says. “I’m meeting Paisley in Eden for a drink later. Want to come?”
I wince slightly. After I filled Ivy in on what Ben told me earlier this week, and why he bailed on me that night, she’s definitely not on his side.
She thinks I let him off the hook too easily.
And maybe she’s right. I know she’s only trying to protect me, and I love her for it, but I need to give him a chance…
even if it ends up blowing up in my face.
“Ben’s coming over for dinner,” I say quietly.
She’s silent for a beat. “Okay,” she says, her tone cautious.
“I know you’re not his biggest fan–”
“I don’t know him well enough to like or dislike him,” Ivy cuts in gently. Her voice softens. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt, Ash.”
I let out a slow breath. “I don’t want to get hurt either. But if I don’t give this a chance, I’ll always wonder what could have been.”
“I get it,” she says softly, pausing for a moment. “Just know I’m here, no matter what.”
A smile tugs at my lips. “I know. Thanks, Ivy.”
“Enjoy your night.”
“You too. Give Paisley a hug from me.”
I end the call and quickly dry my hair, straightening it, and pinning the front sections up and out of my face.
Standing in front of my closet, I hesitate for a moment, debating what to wear.
It’s only takeout, but I still want to feel good.
I settle on a pair of black skinny jeans and a lace button-up top that hints at the white bra beneath.
A quick swipe of lip gloss and a spritz of perfume, and I’m good to go.
As I walk into the kitchen and catch sight of the clock, a flutter of nerves and anticipation twists in my stomach.
He should be here any minute. I reach for a glass and pour myself some wine, hoping it’ll take the edge off.
Just as I lift the glass to my lips, the sudden chime of the intercom startles me, making me jump and spill wine onto the tiled floor.
“Shit,” I mutter, grabbing a cloth to wipe up the small puddle. Tossing the cloth into the sink, I hurry to the intercom and pick up the receiver.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Ash. It’s me.” Ben’s voice comes through the speaker.
“Hi. Come on up.”
I press the button to buzz him in and replace the receiver. Taking one last look in the mirror on the wall in the entryway, I smooth my hands down my lace top and take in a deep breath.
A second later, a knock sounds at the door, and my heart leaps.
I pull it open, and suddenly, I can’t breathe.
Ben stands in the hallway, dressed in dark jeans and a Henley that hugs his frame just right.
His hair is slightly messy, and when our eyes meet, he flashes that easy, heart-stopping smile.
“Hey, Ash. You look beautiful,” he says, stepping forward to brush a soft kiss against my cheek.
“Thank you,” I manage, stepping aside. “Come on in.”
“Should I put this in the kitchen?” Ben asks, holding up a brown paper bag as he steps past me.
The rich scent of Chinese food fills the air, and right on cue, my stomach growls loudly.
Ben chuckles. “Hungry?”
“Starving.”
I take the bag from his outstretched hand and close the apartment door behind him.
“I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I got a little bit of everything,” he says, following me into the kitchen.
I laugh. “Good call. I pretty much like everything.” Placing the bag on the counter, I turn to face him. “Do you want a drink?”
“Sure. Got any soda?”
I nod, but before I can move toward the fridge, Ben gently takes my arm and pulls me against his chest.
“Can I kiss you first?” he murmurs, wrapping his arms around my waist.
I tilt my head back, meeting his hazel eyes, which are locked intently on mine.
My breath catches, and I nod with a smile.
He leans down, brushing his lips softly against mine.
Like before, heat flares low in my stomach, and as the kiss deepens, I press closer, my arms looping around his neck.
My fingers tangle in his hair, tugging lightly as a quiet moan escapes me.
His kiss is intoxicating and all-consuming, and for a moment, the rest of the world disappears. I never want this to end.
“Fuck, Ash,” Ben murmurs against my lips, pulling back just enough to rest his forehead against mine. “Kissing you just keeps getting better.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks, relief washing over me that he feels the same intensity I do. He chuckles, his breath warm against my skin.
"We should eat," he murmurs, though desire lingers in his tone.
I nod and step out of his embrace, turning back toward the counter to compose myself. My heart pounds so hard I can feel it in my fingertips.
We settle in the living room, chatting easily as we dig into the food. When I’ve eaten way more than I should, I set my plate down on the coffee table and lean back with a groan, my hands resting on my full stomach.
“That was amazing. I’m absolutely stuffed.”
Ben chuckles. “I definitely ordered too much… and somehow, we still demolished it.”
I glance over at him. “If this is how we eat every time we’re together, I might actually have to take you up on those morning runs.”
He smirks. “Maybe that was my plan all along.”
I nudge his arm with a playful eye roll. “Sneaky. You really are trying to rope me into this, aren’t you?”
He catches my hand, threading his fingers through mine. “Is it working?”
I gaze at him, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “Maybe,” I admit.
He grins. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
I laugh softly. “Yeah, I figured you might.”
“Come here,” he says, his voice low as he reaches for me. “You’re too far away.”
I raise an eyebrow. “I’m right next to you.”
“Still too far,” he says with a smile.
I slide closer until there’s no space between us, and he slips an arm around my shoulders. I tuck my legs beneath me and lean into him, melting against his side.
“You smell so good,” I murmur, the scent of his aftershave enveloping me.
His arm tightens just slightly, and he presses a gentle kiss to the top of my head.
We sit in easy silence for a few minutes, and somehow, being with him feels more right than anything ever has.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you,” I say, tilting my head to look up at him. “I got an email from Stonewood Kitchen. Someone dropped out of next week’s class.”
He smiles, his eyes lighting up. “Yeah?”
I nod. “You’re signed up for Thursday, right?”
“Yep.”
I grin. “Looks like you’ve just gained a cooking partner.” I pause. “And you’ll never guess what’s on the menu.”
“What?”
“Burritos,” I say with a wince.
His eyes widen. “You’re joking.”
I laugh. “Afraid not.”
“Well then,” he says, trying to keep a straight face. “I’ll make sure the fire extinguisher’s packed and ready.”
“Rude!”
He chuckles. “You know I’m teasing you. Seriously, though, I can’t wait. I loved cooking with you last time.”
“I loved it too.”
“I’ll pick you up. We can go together.”
“Okay, I’d like that.”
He smiles before lowering his head and brushing his lips over mine, teasing me before biting down gently on my bottom lip.
I part my lips, welcoming him in, and our tongues tangle in a kiss that leaves me breathless.
Every touch, every kiss, is more intoxicating than the last, and I can’t get enough.
He guides me to lie back on the sofa, our lips still tangled together, his body settling over mine.
My fingers find their way beneath his shirt, gliding over the hard planes of his stomach, his skin hot beneath my touch.
His mouth drifts from mine, trailing slow, heated kisses along my jaw and down the curve of my neck.
His hands slip under my shirt, his fingertips brushing lightly against my skin.
Then he pauses, lifting his gaze to meet mine, his eyes searching as if making sure I’m okay.
“Is it okay if I take this off?” he asks softly, sitting up a little and motioning to my shirt.
I nod, and his lips lift in a slow smile as he begins to unfasten each button, slipping the fabric from my shoulders and easing it down my arms until it falls away completely.
My heart pounds as his gaze sweeps over me, lingering on my chest. My nipples tighten under his stare, and when he notices, his smile deepens.
My hands glide upward, tracing the lines of his chest over the soft fabric of his shirt before guiding his mouth back to mine.
His lips find their way to my collarbone, leaving a trail of slow kisses as he works his way lower.
My back arches as he tugs the fabric of my bra aside, pulling one hardened peak into his mouth.
His tongue circles my sensitive bud, sending a wave of pleasure through me.
I moan, gripping the edge of the sofa beneath me, already lost in him.
“God, Ash,” he mutters as he releases my nipple and reaches his hand behind my back, undoing my bra and pulling the lacy material from my body.
His fingers go to the button on my jeans, and I lift my hips in silent permission for him to remove them.
He tugs them down my legs, leaving me in just a pair of white lace panties.
I should feel self-conscious lying here in only my panties, but the heat in Ben’s eyes and the impressive bulge in his jeans tell me he likes what he sees.
“You’re so beautiful, Ashlyn,” he says, his eyes moving all over me.
Within seconds, he’s back between my legs, his mouth on mine.
I whimper as his kisses make their way down my body, stopping only when they reach the edge of my panties.
He quickly drags them down my legs, and I can’t help but squirm.
My body is on fire for him, and I’m desperate for him to touch me.
When he picks up one of my legs and slowly starts to kiss and nibble the inside of my calf, I moan.
“Please, Ben.”
A smile tugs on his lips, but he ignores me and continues his sweet torture. By the time his lips reach the inside of my thigh, I’m practically coming off the sofa.
“What do you need, Ashlyn?” Ben asks, his hand sliding up my body and pinching my nipple.
“Touch me, please.”
His eyes meet mine. “My pleasure.”
His head is suddenly between my legs, and I gasp as his tongue circles my clit.
My head drops back, and I tangle my hands in his hair as his mouth works me over.
Heat pools in my stomach, and I can feel my orgasm building.
I was on the edge five minutes ago, so I know it won’t be long before I fall.
Ben’s mouth is relentless, and when he pushes two fingers inside me, I can’t hold on any longer and I cry out as my orgasm crashes over me.
His fingers and mouth continue to draw every last second of pleasure from me, and when I come back down to earth, I gently push Ben’s head away, too sensitive to let him carry on.
He softly kisses up my body until his mouth meets mine, kissing me like I’m the air he needs to breathe.
When he pulls out of the kiss, we’re both breathless.
“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to watch you fall apart, Ash.”
I smile. “What took you so long?”
“What can I say? I’m an idiot.”
I catch my bottom lip between my teeth, nerves fluttering in my stomach.
“Now, it’s my turn to watch you fall apart,” I murmur, my fingers moving to the button on his jeans.
I slip my hand beneath the waistband of his boxers, wrapping my fingers around him.
My voice comes out steadier than I feel.
I’ve been with a couple of guys before, but it’s been a while, and I’m a little nervous.
He inhales sharply. “Ash, you don’t have to. I didn’t come here expecting anything. I just needed to touch you.”
“I want to,” I assure him.
“You’re sure?”
I nod, and he exhales sharply, his fingers threading through my hair as he pulls me into a kiss.
His mouth moves urgently against mine until he breaks away with a low moan, his head falling back against the cushions.
I continue the slow, steady motion of my hand, and soon, his breathing turns rough and uneven.
“God, Ash… you have no idea how good that feels,” he rasps, his voice tight with pleasure. His body tenses beneath my touch, his movements growing restless, and with a few more strokes, he groans and comes, his head dropping to rest against my shoulder.
I give him a moment to catch his breath before we both head to the bathroom to clean up. A smile tugs at my lips that I can’t quite hide. I’ve felt this way about him for so long; it almost doesn’t feel possible that he’s feeling the same way about me.
I want this to work more than anything. I just hope the doubt that crept in earlier doesn’t turn out to be right.