Page 31 of One More Song

I reach for the box. “This was silly—”

He doesn’t let go and for a moment we’re in a tug of war with the damn condom box.

“Ember,” he says, his voice gravelly, deep, and it makes my core clench. Then he moves closer. Too close. Close enough that I can feel his warm breath on my lips, almost taste his kiss.

I chew on my bottom lip. This is so wrong, but when he reaches out and cups the back of my neck, those gray eyes trained on me, it feels so right. He doesn’t say anything, just continues to look at me, searching my face like it holds some kind of mystery.

I stutter, “I uh, thought...maybe...we can see where this goes.”

A deep, guttural sound rumbles from his throat. “So you’re saying...”

I let out an uneven breath. “I’m saying you were right, this is more than just a business arrangement. I...I want you.”

Ash groans, leaning in, his mouth against my ear. “The guys will kill me if I fuck you.”

I close my eyes, his touch blazes through me. “Then don’t tell them.”

Again, he’s searching my eyes, but there’s a small smirk tugging at his lips now. “I knew there was a rebel in there.”

“You have no idea.” I glance down, wondering if I’m not falling down the same rabbit hole I did years ago. But then I’d been a rebellious teenager, not understanding that actions have consequences.

So what’s my excuse now?

Him.

Ash’s fingers tangle in my hair at the nape of my neck, tugging softly so I have to look up at him. “This what you meant when you say I don’t know everything about you?”

“Kiss me,” I tell him, not wanting to talk. Especially not about the past.

He hesitates, but I can see his self-control unraveling. His nostrils flare, and his breathing is harsh. “Not here.”

I look around, the room is empty, but I understand. I take his hand and he follows me down the hall, I close my bedroom door, locking it shut. Pulling up a playlist, it blasts from my portable speaker. I close the blinds.

This is happening.

“God, you’re beautiful,” he says, standing behind me, his breath on my ear. “And so fucking sexy.”

His fingers run over my belly, over my breasts. I close my eyes. “I haven’t been with anyone in years,” I admit, spinning to face him.

“Does that mean you want me to go slow?” He smirks, lifting my blouse up over my head. He’s smooth, he knows how to undress a woman, undress himself.

“No, it means I need this really badly.”

His eyebrow lifts, unhooking my bra from behind. “I thought so.” He lowers his head, kissing my nipples. His tongue expertly swirling over the hard bud, pulling a deep moan from my throat.

“Yeah?” I thread my fingersthrough his hair as he drops to his knees, pushing my panties past my hips.

“Outside of the Boneyard you told me to make you come.”

“So you think I’m—”

He cuts me off. “I think there’s a lot to learn when it comes to you, Ember.” He kisses my belly button, holding onto my hips. I inhale, letting myself relax in his arms. Millie gave in to her desires with Keith and Granger…I can give in to mine with Ash.

Chapter Twelve

Ash

“Your skin is so fucking soft,”I growl out, my hands touching her, stroking her, caressing every inch of her beautiful body.