Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Ashlyn
Igiggle and take another sip of my wine as I watch Ben make his way across the restaurant toward the bathroom. My eyes can't help but linger on his ass, which looks amazing in his tight black jeans. I still can’t believe he might actually be mine.
I don’t mind that some of the school parents are here, but living and working in the same town has its downsides, especially as a teacher. I’m always bumping into parents at the grocery store or the gym. What I didn’t consider was the chance of being spotted on a date with Ben.
Just as I take another sip, the server arrives with our food, and Ben comes back from the bathroom.
“This looks great,” he says as he sits down and grabs his beer, taking a long swig.
“Wait until you taste it,” I reply, fork in hand. I take a bite of my steak, moaning a little as it practically melts on my tongue.
“Damn, Ashlyn,” Ben murmurs with a teasing grin. “You’re really gonna make me jealous. Only I’m supposed to get those kinds of sounds out of you.”
I smirk. “You think you can compete with this steak?” I ask, my voice playful.
“Baby,” he whispers, his eyes locking onto mine. “I know I can.”
My eyes widen slightly. “That sounds like a challenge.”
He flashes a grin. “Challenge accepted.”
I bite my bottom lip, my gaze lingering on him. “I’m going to hold you to that later.”
“Shit, Ash,” he groans. “We should just go back to your place now.”
I can’t help but giggle. “You should probably eat your steak,” I tease, pointing to his plate with my fork.
“Spoilsport.” He chuckles, cutting a piece and bringing it to his mouth.
“Good?” I ask.
“The best,” he replies with a satisfied grin.
“So,” I say, taking a sip of my drink. “I know you have a sister, the one cheering you on to fundraise.”
He laughs. “Yeah, Kirsten. She’s a pediatrician at Phoenix General.”
“Any other siblings?”
“A brother, Milo.”
“Are they older or younger?”
“Kirsten’s five years younger than me, and Milo’s ten years younger. He’s an architect in Seattle. I haven’t seen much of either of them since we moved to River Falls. Maybe once for Milo, twice for Kirsten.”
“That’s a shame.”
He nods. “I know, especially for Laney. She misses Kirsten a lot. My parents miss both of them. Kirsten visits as often as she can, but her hours are crazy.”
“Yeah, I get that. Cade used to work crazy hours before he changed to family medicine.”
I place my knife and fork on my empty plate and take a sip of my drink, glancing over my shoulder.
I don’t need to look to know that we’re still the subject of conversation.
I can feel the eyes on me, but I look anyway.
You’d think they’d find something more interesting to focus on, but I guess the kindergarten teacher and the older principal are the hot topic of the day.
“I was going to ask if you wanted dessert, but if you’d rather go somewhere else, somewhere we’re not on show…” he trails off, and I turn back around, my eyes finding his.
“No. I’m not being run out of my favorite restaurant. Let them talk. Dessert sounds good. Maybe we can share the brownie sundae. It’s to die for but huge!”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.”
When we’ve eaten the biggest dessert I’ve ever seen, Ben asks for the check. He pays before I’m even able to offer to split it and stands. Taking my hand, he pulls me up, laces his fingers with mine, and we walk hand in hand out of the restaurant, and I don’t care who sees us.
“Shall we go for a drink?” Ben asks as we stop on the sidewalk. He turns to face me and wraps me in his arms.
I tilt my head back and smile. “Sure.”
“I’ve heard Eden is the best bar in town.” He raises his eyebrows, and I smile.
“Is that so?” He nods. “I get free drinks there.”
He laughs. “Bonus.”
“I guess we’re going to Eden then.”
He leans down and brushes his lips against mine. “Only if you’re sure.”
“I’m sure. Plus, Seb won’t be there.”
He chuckles. “You know we can’t avoid your brothers forever.”
“I can try.”
He slips his hand in mine again, and we walk the short distance along Main Street to Eden.
Ben holds the door open and we walk inside.
It’s Wednesday and still fairly early, so although there’s a good crowd in tonight, it’s not as busy as it gets on the weekend.
I let Ben lead me to the bar, and I smile when I see Ryder is serving.
I wait until Ryder looks up, and when he spots us, I wave. He smiles, wipes his hands on a cloth, and makes his way over to us.
“Hey, Ash.”
“Hey, Ryder. You working the bar by yourself?”
He shakes his head. “Alex is out back.” His eyes shift from me to Ben.
“This is Ben,” I introduce him. “Ben, this is Ryder, Seb’s bar manager.”
“Good to meet you,” Ryder says, offering his hand to Ben.
“Good to meet you too,” Ben replies, shaking it.
“What can I get you both to drink?”
“I’ll have a red wine,” I tell him.
“And I’ll have a Coke. I’m driving. Thanks, man.”
“Coming right up.”
Ryder slides a Coke over to Ben and pours a generous glass of red wine for me.
“I’m so glad Taylor’s going to be okay,” he says as he hands me my drink.
“God, me too,” I reply. “I just hope it’s not much longer before she can come home. Seb’s dying to get her out of there.”
“We’ve all missed her. This place hasn’t been the same without her the last few weeks.”
Ben tries to pay for the drinks, but Ryder shakes his head.
“On the house. Have a good night, you two.”
“Thanks, Ryder. And seriously, thank you for everything you’ve done while Seb’s been at the hospital.”
He waves it off. “Just doing my job.”
It’s definitely more than that and he knows it. Eden would have struggled without Ryder holding it together. He moves down the bar to serve someone else, but before he’s out of sight, he looks back and winks. He definitely deserves a big raise when Seb gets back.
“Let’s grab a table,” Ben whispers in my ear, his warm breath sending a shiver down my spine.
“Okay.”
I take his hand and lead him to a booth a little farther from the bar. Sliding in, Ben sits next to me and places his hand on my leg.
“What are you doing tomorrow night?” I ask, taking a sip of my wine.
“No plans. Why?”
I bite my bottom lip, hesitating. Tomorrow is Thursday, which means it’s dinner at my parents’ place.
We haven’t had our usual Thursday roast since Taylor’s accident, and while Cade and Sophie probably won’t be there, what with Sophie just getting home with baby Hunter, I want to invite Ben.
My parents met him once at the hospital, but I’d like them to meet him properly.
I’m not sure if Nash and Seb will be coming, but Ben’s right; I can’t avoid my brothers forever.
“We have a family meal every Thursday at my parents’ house. It’s a bit hit and miss who comes, especially with Nash and Paisley working shifts and Wyatt being away, but I’d like you to meet my parents if you’re free and you want to come.”
He’s silent for a few seconds.
“If it’s too soon, you don’t–”
“No. It’s not too soon. I just wasn’t expecting to meet everyone yet.”
“Well, it probably won’t be everyone. It might only be my parents if Nash and Paisley are working. You know you already met everyone on Christmas Eve, right?”
He squeezes my leg. “Yeah, but I wasn’t your boyfriend then.”
My eyes widen and my heart races. “Boyfriend?”
He chuckles. “Yes, girlfriend.” He leans over and kisses me softly. “Is that okay?” he whispers against my lips.
I nod. “It’s more than okay.”
“Good.”
He leans in and kisses me again, only this time, it’s not soft, and I moan into his mouth as his tongue collides with mine.
I’m beginning to wish I hadn’t agreed to a drink and we’d just gone straight back to my place.
After the teasing over dinner, I was more than ready to drag him back to my apartment.
“Ashlyn?” a voice says, and I reluctantly pull out of the kiss. Opening my eyes, my stomach drops when I see Seb.
“Seb. I didn’t expect to see you here tonight. Is Taylor okay?”
His eyes go from me to Ben and then back to me. “She’s good. I wasn’t allowed to stay now she’s awake. They sent me home.”
I stand from the booth and go to him, taking his hand in mine. “So, why haven’t you gone home? You must be exhausted, Seb.”
He sighs. “I need to check on this place. I haven’t been here in weeks.”
“Ryder has it under control.”
“Yeah, I guess.” He looks past me to Ben. “You’re still seeing this guy then?”
“It’s Ben, and yes, I am.”
I gesture for Ben to come over, and when he slides out of the booth, he slips his hand in mine.
“So, you’re still married? I overheard you mention your wife when you and Ash were arguing.”
“Seb,” I warn.
“It’s okay, Ash,” Ben says, squeezing my hand. “Yes, I’m married, but it’s not like you think.”
“It’s complicated, Seb,” I interject. “Ben doesn’t want everyone knowing his business.”
“Your brother isn’t everyone. It’s okay.” He looks from me to Seb and sighs. “My wife and I decided to separate right before she got into a skiing accident. She hit her head, and six years later, we’re still waiting for her to wake up.”
“Fuck,” Seb says, shaking his head. “That’s messed up. I’m sorry, man.”
“It’s been tough, I’m not going to lie.” Ben releases my hand and slips his arm around my waist, pulling me into his side. “Meeting Ash made me remember that life is for living, you know?”
Seb nods. “After the last six weeks, I know that better than anyone.”
“It’s great that Taylor’s okay,” Ben says, and Seb gives him a small smile.
“Thanks.” He sighs and drags his hand through his hair. “Look, maybe I misjudged you…” he trails off. “Thanks for being there for Ash. I know how hard things have been on her over the past few weeks, and I’m glad someone had her back.”
Ben looks at me and smiles. “No thanks needed. I really care about your sister, Seb. I know you do too.”
He nods. “I do, and just know that if you hurt her, you’ll be in a world of pain.”
Ben chuckles, but I know Seb means it.
“I won’t hurt her. You have my word.”
He nods. “I’ll leave you to it. Have a good night.”
I watch in amazement as Seb disappears into the crowd before I turn to Ben. “I’m speechless.”
“Well, that’s a first,” Ben says with a wink.
“Hey!” I exclaim, a wide smile on my face.
“I’m joking, baby.”
“I can’t believe he didn’t lose his shit when he saw us kissing.”
“He’s been through a lot with Taylor and the accident. Maybe it’s made him realize what’s really important.”
“Yeah, maybe. Do you mind if I go and check on him? I’ll be quick.”
“Sure.”
“I’ll be right back.”
I go to leave, and he takes my hand. I turn back to look at him. “Can I get a kiss first?”
I smile and wrap my arms around his neck.
He dips his head, and our lips meet in a soft brush.
It quickly deepens, and with his body pressed against mine, I can feel his erection growing against my stomach.
I moan softly as his tongue finds mine, his fingers tangling in my hair.
After a minute or so, I pull away reluctantly, resting my forehead against his.
“God, Ash. You have no idea what you do to me.”
I smile, my voice teasing. “I have a pretty good idea,” I reply, feeling his rock-hard arousal pressing into me.
“Go check on Seb and then get your cute ass back here.”
I untangle myself from his embrace, and he swats my ass as I walk away feeling like I’m floating after that mind-blowing kiss.