She nods again. “Yeah.”

“And?”

“And she’s happy to let you out of the fake relationship whenever you want.” She bites the pad of her thumb, her baby blue gaze glued to a knot in the stained table separating us. Finally, she peeks up at me again, her lips parting slightly. “She also said you’re allowed to hook up with whoever you want despite your fake relationship, so…I guess we’re both off the hook for the kiss.”

“Good to know.”

“I’m sorry I freaked out,” she adds. “And…I guess I wanted you to know I liked it. The kiss. And since we’re off the hook now…” Her voice trails off, and she licks her lips, looking so damn innocent but curious too.

And it’s the way she says it. With an undertone of some kind. Maybe it’s the spark in her eyes. Maybe it's hunger in my own. But I feel like a switch flipped. Like she’s given me a green light. Like all she needed was for Mia to give her the green light. And now that we have it, I’m going to take full advantage.

“Is that right?” I muse, pushing to my feet.

My footsteps are slow and controlled as I round the table.

Ash’s gaze is on me. Curious. Hesitant. Nervous. Her breathing is shallow as I grip the back of her chair and turn it so her knees aren’t tucked under the table anymore. Now, she’s fully facing me. Her lips slightly parted. Waiting to see what I’m going to do next.

Good question, Ash.

I know what I want to do. The question is, will she let me?

“Seems like you and Mia talked about a lot of things,” I mention.

She swallows. “We did.”

I slide onto my knees in front of her and skim my hands from her knees to her outer thighs. “Tell me, Ash. Since we’re off the hook for the kiss, do you think Mia would mind if I took it a step further with her friend?”

“I…” Her voice catches in her lungs, and she licks her lips. “I think she’d be okay with whatever.”

“Whatever?”

She gulps. “Yeah. Whatever.”

“Like this?” I rise onto my knees, sliding my hands along her bare arms, over her collarbone, and up her neck to grasp the back of her head. My hold is firm as I pull her closer to me. Without hesitation, she gives in, allowing me to position her any way I please. And shit, does she please me.

She feels like silk against my palms. Soft. Supple. I want to wrap her around me. I want to be buried inside her. I want her skin to rub against mine. To feel her fingers scrape against my back.

I want it all.

“Yeah,” she breathes out, her eyelids heavy with lust. “I think this is fine.”

I smile and close the last inch of distance between our mouths, swallowing her gasp as our lips connect.

She tastes as good as I remember. Like honey and vanilla. Like heaven. My heart beats faster, and my blood rushes south. I slip my tongue into her mouth, and she sucks on the tip, pulling a groan out of me. It’s funny. This is only a kiss. A fucking kiss and I’m on my knees, begging for more. For anything she’ll give me.

I could kiss her all day. No food. No sleep. I don’t need anything else except her mouth on mine.

My aching cock screams in protest as I smile against her lips.

I stand corrected.

If I’m being greedy, I guess I need one more thing. I need Ash naked so I can worship every inch of her the way she deserves.

My fingers slip down her arms, and I cup her breast in my hand, squeezing over her soft cotton T-shirt. Her whimper is quiet and addictive as she arches her back and wraps her arms around my neck. Desperate. Needy.

Freaking perfect.

Even though it kills me, I let her go and trail my hand down her lithe body, grasping her hip and tugging her to the edge of the chair.