Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Ben
When Seb and I return to the booth with drinks for everyone, I feel a wave of relief seeing Ash smiling.
I’ve been worried about her all week. She’s usually so full of life, always smiling and upbeat.
I can tell the past couple of weeks have worn her down.
Her brothers’ approval means the world to her, and tonight seems like a step toward finally earning it.
I hand out the drinks and settle into the booth next to Ash. She flashes a wide smile at me as my hand rests on her leg, and I can’t tear my eyes away from hers. She leans in, pressing a soft kiss to my lips.
“Thank you,” she whispers, her lips still lingering on mine.
A smile tugs at the corners of my mouth, and I lean back just enough to look at her. “What for?” I ask softly.
“You fought for us,” she says simply, tangling her fingers with mine. “You came here and told Nash exactly why we’re good together. You changed his mind about us.”
Exhaling, I rest my forehead against hers. “I could see how much this was weighing on you, baby. I had to do something. I just wanted to see you smile again. Really smile.”
Her fingers tighten around mine. “I can’t believe you did that for me,” she murmurs.
My chest fills with warmth. “Like I told you before, Ash... anything for you.”
The evening is filled with effortless conversation, laughter, and a warmth I haven’t experienced in years.
I love how close they all are and I’m excited to become a part of it.
Ever since Molly’s accident, my world has revolved around work and raising Laney, leaving little room for anything else.
Socializing became an afterthought, and it’s been so long since I’ve felt this genuinely happy.
Now, the only missing piece is Laney. I can only hope that the more time she spends with Ash, the more she’ll realize just how incredible she is.
When Ash stifles a yawn, I lean in and whisper, “Ready to head home, baby?”
She nods, resting her head on my shoulder. “I’m exhausted. I haven’t been sleeping well this week.”
I press a kiss to her hair, silently hoping she’ll sleep better now that the tension with her brothers has eased.
“I think we’re going to call it a night,” I say to the group, wrapping an arm around Ash.
“Yeah, us too,” Nash agrees. “We’ll walk with you.”
As I stand, I slip my hand into Ash’s and glance down at her. “Want to stay at my place tonight? We can stop by your apartment to grab your stuff and call an Uber.”
Her face lights up with a grin. “I’d love to.”
I grin right back. “Good. I can’t wait to fall asleep with you in my arms.”
The four of us say goodnight to everyone before stepping outside. Despite the late hour, the air is still warm, and I slip my hand into Ash’s as we stroll along the sidewalk with Nash and Paisley.
“You two should come over for dinner one night,” Paisley suggests with a smile.
Ash looks up at me and I nod without hesitation. “We’d love to.”
“Great! I’ll message you, Ash, and we’ll set a date,” Paisley replies.
“Speaking of plans, we never talked about your bachelorette party!” Ash exclaims.
“Another bachelorette?” Nash chuckles. “Didn’t you already have one?”
“That’s what I said,” Paisley agrees with a laugh.
“Taylor feels bad about what happened last time,” Ash explains. “She’s insisting Paisley has a redo in a few weeks’ time. The guys should do something too,” she suggests.
“As long as it’s not fishing again,” Nash groans. “We didn’t catch a single thing.” He turns to me. “Do you fish?”
I shake my head. “Never have.”
“Trust me, you’re not missing much,” Nash says, making us all laugh.
“What about indoor karting?” I suggest. “I think there’s a track in Prescott.”
“That’s a great idea,” Nash agrees.
“Karting?” Paisley exclaims, her eyes lighting up. “That sounds fun! Maybe we should all go, girls versus boys!” She bounces on her toes, clearly excited.
“Yes!” Ash cheers. “Count me in!”
Nash chuckles. “Looks like we’re going karting. You in, Ben?”
“Definitely,” I say, masking my surprise. We may have cleared the air and even be inching toward friendship, but I didn’t expect an invitation to his bachelor party.
Ash squeezes my hand, and when I glance down at her, she’s beaming. I return her smile and press a quick kiss to her lips.
We chat casually on the walk home. It’s clear how much this small gesture means to Ash, and how much repairing her relationship with Nash matters to her. My dad was right about reaching out to him. I’m glad I listened.
After saying goodnight to Nash and Paisley, Ash quickly packs an overnight bag, and within twenty minutes, we’re in an Uber, headed to my place. I can’t wait to have her in my space and in my bed.
“I still can’t believe everything that happened tonight,” Ash says, reaching across the backseat to lace her fingers with mine. “Nash invited you to his bachelor party. His bachelor party.”
“We’re best buds now,” I tease.
She laughs. “You must have bribed him or something.”
I chuckle. “He’s a cop. I’m not in the habit of paying off law enforcement.”
She giggles. “Then how did you do it? How did you turn him from an overprotective jerk into your new best friend?”
“I just talked to him. Told him how much you were hurting and how much he means to you.”
Her voice softens. “What did he say?”
For a moment, I consider telling her the full truth, that Nash asked me to walk away, to let her find someone younger; someone without baggage. But she doesn’t need to hear that. As hard as it was to listen to, I know he was just looking out for her.
“He just wants what’s best for you, Ash. That’s all he’s ever wanted.”
She squeezes my hand. “Well, I hope he knows now that’s you.”
I smile. “I think I’ve convinced him.”
She rests her head on my shoulder, and the rest of the ride passes in a comfortable silence.
When the car pulls up outside my house, I climb out, holding the door open for Ash before grabbing her overnight bag. Hand in hand, we walk up the porch steps.
“Do you want to go straight to bed, or would you like a drink first?” I ask as I push open the front door, gesturing for her to step inside.
She turns to me, her gaze burning with heat. Her teeth graze her bottom lip, and my eyes instinctively drop to her mouth.
“Straight to bed, I think,” she murmurs.
I drop her bag to the floor and pull her against me, my arms wrapping securely around her waist. “That sounds perfect,” I whisper, my lips grazing the soft skin of her neck.
She exhales a quiet moan, and the sound sends heat straight through me. I pull back before I lose control and end up taking her right here in the entryway.
“Let’s go upstairs.”
After locking up, I grab her bag, slip my hand into hers, and lead her up the stairs. When we reach my bedroom, I push open the door and gesture for her to step inside first.
“This is me,” I say, placing her bag on the easy chair in the corner.
Her eyes sweep over the space, taking in the king-sized bed, the high ceilings, and the modern yet cozy décor. “Wow. This room is… wow.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, I had to fight Laney for it when we moved in.”
She grins and walks toward the double doors. “Is this a balcony?”
“Yep.”
She shakes her head, laughing. “This room is completely wasted on a man.”
I laugh too. “That’s exactly what Laney said.”
Ash turns back to me, hesitating slightly. “Would you mind if I took a quick shower before bed?”
“You never have to ask, baby,” I assure her. “There are fresh towels in the bathroom.”
Her face softens. “Thank you.”
She picks up her bag and slips into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
I let out a breath and flop onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling.
As great as tonight has been, Nash’s words linger in my mind now that I’m alone.
I know we need to talk about the future, and about what this really looks like long-term.
But not now. Not when she’s just a few feet away, naked under the spray of my shower, making it damn near impossible to think about anything else.
I push off the bed and step into the bathroom, heat pooling low in my stomach at the sight of Ash, wet and soapy behind the shower screen.
Her back is to me, completely unaware of my presence, giving me a moment to take in just how breathtaking she is.
The urge to touch her becomes too much, so I silently strip off my clothes and step into the shower, wrapping my arms around her waist.
“Need some help washing your back?” I murmur against her shoulder, pressing soft kisses along her damp skin.
She startles slightly then giggles, turning in my arms. “You scared me.”
“Sorry, baby. Let me make it up to you.”
I lower my head, capturing her lips in a slow, deep kiss.
She winds her arms around my neck, gasping softly as I press her back against the cool tile.
The hot water cascades over us, steaming up the space, but all I can focus on is her, her taste, her warmth, and the way she moans into my mouth when I slide my tongue against hers.
I trail my lips down her neck, pressing open-mouthed kisses along her slick skin until I reach her breast. My tongue flicks over her hardened nipple, eliciting a shuddering moan from her, her fingers tightening in my hair.
Her breaths come faster, her body arching toward me as I continue my path downward.
Kneeling on the shower floor, I lift one of her legs over my shoulder, opening her up to me.
I look up, meeting her heated gaze as she threads her fingers through my wet hair.
Holding her eyes, I drag my tongue slowly through her folds, and when I find her clit, her head falls back against the tiles, a breathless moan slipping past her lips.
My tongue continues its slow, relentless torment, drawing soft whimpers from her lips.
When her legs begin to tremble, hinting at how close she is, I slide two fingers deep into her slick heat, curling them against her walls.
With my free hand, I reach up, rolling her nipple between my fingers, coaxing another breathless moan from her.
In seconds, she cries out, her whole body trembling with her release.
I tease every last drop of pleasure from her before gently setting her foot on the floor and standing.
“Jesus, Ben,” she murmurs, swaying slightly.
I chuckle, slipping an arm around her waist to anchor her. “I’ve got you,” I whisper.
She tilts her head back, still breathless, and winds her arms around my neck. “You make me see stars.”
“I love watching you let go,” I murmur, brushing my lips against hers.
She gasps as I lift her effortlessly, her legs wrapping around my waist. My mouth finds hers in a deep, urgent kiss, pressing her gently against the cool tile again. With the hot water cascading over us, the need to be even closer, to lose myself completely in her, becomes undeniable.
As my tongue tangles with hers, I position myself and slowly sink into her, a quiet moan escaping her lips that ignites something primal inside me.
“Oh, God,” she breathes against my mouth as I thrust into her, her back scraping against the cool tile.
I freeze suddenly. “Shit. The condom,” I mutter. “I’m so sorry, baby. I completely forgot.”
She bites her bottom lip. “I'm on birth control,” she says, sounding unsure. “So, I'm fine without a condom if you are.”
I smile slowly. “I'm good with that.”
She returns my smile, and I start to move against her, savoring the feeling of nothing between us.
“You feel incredible, Ash,” I murmur, my voice rough with need.
Heat coils low in my stomach as I move with deep, deliberate strokes, wanting to make this moment last forever.
There’s something mesmerising about the way we fit together and the way she clings to me.
I never want it to end. But as my rhythm grows more urgent, my body tensing with the inevitable, I know I’m close, and I need her right there with me.
“Touch yourself for me, baby. I want to watch you come again,” I murmur against her ear.
She stills, her breath hitching. “What?” she whispers.
“I want to see you touch yourself,” I say again, my voice thick with desire.
Her gaze drops, her cheeks flushing. “I’ve never done that in front of anyone before,” she admits shyly.
I pause, lifting her chin with gentle fingers until her eyes meet mine. “There’s no pressure, baby. Only if you want to.”
She hesitates for only a moment before nodding. “I want to…”
I smile, brushing my lips over hers. “Just do what feels good, Ash.”
Taking her hand, I guide it between us, pressing her fingers to her clit and circling with her until she catches the rhythm.
A soft moan slips from her lips, her head falling back as her body reacts to her touch.
Slowly, I pull my hand away, watching as she takes over, lost in the pleasure building between us.
“God, that’s sexy,” I murmur against her neck, pressing a soft kiss to her damp skin before grazing my teeth over it. She shivers beneath my touch, her breath hitching.
“Ben, please,” she whispers, her voice laced with urgency.
I smile against her skin, savoring the way she melts into me. Slowly, I move, each thrust deep and deliberate, her fingers brushing against me as she circles her clit. The sensation is overwhelming, sending a rush of heat through me.
Her breathing turns uneven, tiny whimpers escaping her lips, and I know she’s right on the edge. So am I. I grip her tighter, feeling the tension coil between us.
“I can feel you, Ash,” I rasp, my lips grazing her ear. “Let go for me.”
With a sharp gasp, she unravels, trembling in my arms as waves of pleasure roll through her. The way she comes apart beneath me pulls me under too, my release crashing over me as I bury my face in her neck.
For a moment, we just hold each other, our breathing heavy and our bodies still entwined. The water continues to pour over us, but all I can feel is her, and I never want to let go.