Page 54 of Ash
Janie: OH! Go over and say that the ball fell off! Tell him you need help putting it back on!!
Me: Good night, ladies…
I turn our group chat ondo not disturbbefore laughing to myself while thinking about what would happen if I walked over to Ash’s saying my piercing needed assistance. I bite down on my lip knowing precisely where that would lead, but I can’t, that isn’t what I want from him, well… notentirely.
But what if he says no? What if, again, I’m reminded that he doesn’t want to date me. That this is just the occasional hook up with the hot neighbor that my son is crazy about. That we both are crazy about, if I’m being completely honest.
“Screw it,” I mutter and climb to the head of my bed and knock on the wall. It only takes a second before I get theknock knockin return. I get out of bed and walk through the apartment, making sure to stay quiet so as to not wake Alice or Wade up. I walk to Ash’s door and go to knock, but then shrug and just open the door. I remember him scolding me once about keeping my door unlocked, yet his is always unlocked if he’s home. Though, he is over six feet and covered in tattoos and muscles, so I guess he may be a little less concerned. I walk through his apartment, down the hall, and open his door.
“FFFUCK!” he shrieks and covers his bare chest with a pillow. I snort while placing a hand on my hip.
“Is that pillow supposed to protect you?”
“We’ll see if you have that attitude when I hurl it at your big head,” He grumbles while rubbing his chest.
“Well, start locking your door. What if a crazy person just waltzes in here?”
“One just did!” he huffs while standing up. “Now, may I ask why you felt the need to shave ten years off my life?”
I take a deep breath while trying to summon all my courage. “Right, ummm… You want to date me.” He raises a brow and looks around.
“Is that so?” he chuckles and I smack my head.
“No! I mean, do you want to go on a date with me?” I watch his smile fall slightly and my confidence falls along with it. Not that I had much to begin with. Fuck, he’s going to reject me. He’s really going to look me in the eyeagainand—
“Okay.” I stare at him in stunned silence. Am I hearing things?
“What?” I ask tentatively.
He gives me a breathy laugh. “I said, okay. But I’m not a cheap date, Sunshine. I expect to be wined and dined. I’m all about being doted on.” He gives me a wink that causes butterflies in my tummy to erupt.
“So, what were you thinking?” he asks, and I shift uncomfortably.
“Honestly? That you would say no, and I would have to figure out how to disappear and somehow still allow Wade to come around.”
His brows furrow together. “I meant, where would you like to go on the date… but good to know.”
“Oh my God,” I groan and hide my face in my hands. “Is this how men feel when they ask girls out?” He chuckles and I feel him move closer.
“Probably something similar.” His warm arms wrap around me, and I let out a sigh. “So, is that the only reason you came over?” I stare up at him as he gives me a suggestive smirk.
“You’re a pig.”
“Yet here you are, begging to court me. Trying to make me a proper lady and such.” I reach up and smack his forehead.
“Ain’t nothing proper about you, Charming.” His chuckle is a low rumble as he nuzzles into my neck. I don’t want to leave, but I also know that staying will only lead to sex, and I need to know if there is more to us than that.
“I should go before Wade wakes up.” I can see the disappointment flash across his face, but he smiles and kisses the top of my head.
“Good night, Sunshine.”
“Night, Charming.”
Chapter23
Ash
“So where are you going?” Fox asks between pants as he, Atlas, Derek, and I continue to demo the room of the dance studio that Sunday is turning into the ballet room.
