Page 63 of College-Virgin & Dark Bully Next-Door

“Anything, something. Just … let me in a little bit.”

“I hate being alone so often,” I say against his neck. “Chase is always working. I haven’t spoken to my dad since the dinner we had together, and he’s just … like a ghost. Mom didn’t just leave him, she left all of us. Instead of losing just her, I feel like I’ve lost them both.”

“Sky.” He rubs my back.

“And I was so afraid I was going to lose Bonnie. She’s been through everything with me, and I couldn’t handle that, no matter how much I like you. That’s why I had to talk to her and couldn’t explain right then. She was too mad.”

Ash lets me talk in circles, ramble, complain, curse, and everything else for a long while. After I talk myself out, he gently lays me down in bed. “I’m going to get ice for your finger, and I’ll be right back.”

“I think you have to wear the nurse’s costume to be ice certified,” I mumble.

Ash kisses my forehead and brushes my hair back from my face. “You couldn’t handle me in that costume.”

I laugh hoarsely and stay in bed until he comes back with ice. The second he puts it on my finger, I kiss him. It’s a quick peck, then I draw back. “I didn’t ask.”

“You have blanket permission.” He holds my injured hand down, pressing the ice around my finger as he climbs on top of me. “So come here and try that again. It wasn’t make-up worthy.”

I lick across my bottom lip, and Ash groans, resting his forehead on mine. “Please, Sky.”

I press my lips to his slowly. Changing the angle, I do it again, swiping my tongue across his bottom lip until he opens for me. Ash lets me control the kiss in every way – the pace, the intensity, all of it, but the fact he’s so willing to give up control goes right to my heart. It thuds uncomfortably in my chest.

Lacing my good hand in his hair, I pull him closer, and Ash takes over, feasting on me like we haven’t kissed in years. I cling to him, devour him, take everything he gives and demand more.

When I feel him harden against me, I draw back. “Are we really going to do this?”

“Prepare for more of this talking shit, Sky. I’m going to be greedy for it.”

“Just talking?”

He grins wickedly. “Maybe notjusttalking. I like the other things you do with your mouth, too.”

“What am I going to do with you?” I run my fingers through his hair.

He groans and presses his head to my chest. “Make out with me, sass me, keep petting my hair, whatever else you want short of yelling.”

I swallow hard. “I hate you, Ashton.”

“Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.” He kisses my chest.

Chapter 19

Ashton

I stay with Sky, wrapped around her, only moving to put the ice on the table after what feels like twenty minutes. She adjusts in my arms once, then again, until I roll to the side and arch an eyebrow. She sits up and puts her ear to the door, waits a minute, then comes back to me, pulling my arm around her like it’s a seat belt she has to have.

I nuzzle her neck and press a soft kiss there. “No pictures after that last fight?”

“I’ve had a lot on my mind,” she mumbles, her fingers stroking my hair. “I’ll send the decent ones tonight.”

I kiss her neck again and tighten my hold on her. Seeing her cursing up a storm in the rain, slamming the door, all of it was so unlike her, I had to do something, and I’m glad I did. Apparently, getting her all ruffled keeps her from lying to me and gets her talking.

“I like you,” I tell her softly. “Even when you’re cursing at your car.”

“Because you’re a dummy,” she grumbles.

I start to let her go, but she rolls and takes my hand in her bad one, making her hiss. I roll my eyes and kiss her forehead. She rubs her good hand over my stubble. “Don’t pull away.”

“You insulted me!”

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