He smiles and leans in to try to kiss me again, but I urge him out the door. Ash plants himself in the threshold and grins down at me.
“I’ll see you again soon,” he says. “Until then, try not to think about the way I just fucked you on your desk while you’re standing in front of all your students without your panties on.”
He flips his hood up and saunters down the hall as I stare after him, my mouth hanging open.
It’s going to be a long fucking class.
Chapter 34
Gray
Ash looks incredible in his crisp black tux as we enter the ballroom for the fundraiser gala on Saturday night. The tux is tailored perfectly so it accommodates his broad shoulders while also showing off his trim waist, and I’m already having impure thoughts about him.
I’m wearing a strapless black gown with Swarovski crystal accents that Ash insisted on buying me for the occasion. I doubt I’ll ever have another place to wear it, so it seems like a waste of money, but I have to admit I feel red carpet-worthy in it.
The gown is accented with some faux diamond costume jewelry. I refused to let Ash buy me a real diamond necklace, although I have a feeling I’ll lose that argument eventually if whatever this is between us continues.
Celena isn’t here yet, but she texted to say she was only a few minutes away. The one-shoulder red and gold gown she found isn’t nearly as pricey as the gown Ash bought for me, but she looks stunning in it, and only the biggest fashion snob would be able to tell the difference.
I scan the room and see several of the players mingling with the guests. Some look more comfortable in their penguin suits than others. Mack and Fig, for example, look like they’d pay any amount of money to take theirs off, while Kingston looks surprisingly at-ease in his. Who knew a man who wears a mask half the day could wear a tux that well?
I continue scanning the room but do a double-take when I see…actual penguins. Some of the aquarium staff are here with two penguins, and there’s a small crowd gathered around them.
I can’t help the squeal of delight that jumps out of me at the sight of the birds, and Ash looks at me in alarm.
“Penguins!” I say, pointing.
His face eases, and he smiles. “I suppose you want to go see them?”
“Let’s put it this way,” I say. “You can either lead me over there in a very calm and dignified manner, or I can leave you here and run across the room in heels squealing like a three-year-old.”
Ash contemplates this. “I’d like to see you run in heels.”
I give him a look that says, ‘Try again.’
He chuckles and holds his arm out for me. When we get over to the penguins, we learn that, for a fee, you can get your picture taken with them. I only half-heartedly protest as Ash whips out his credit card to pay the fee, and we get a picture of ourselves with the penguins.
I see Celena enter the ballroom just as we’re finishing up, so Ash and I head over to her. I let go of Ash as we approach, and Celena and I throw ourselves into a hug.
“I’m so glad you could come,” I tell her as we part. Then I turn to Ash, who’s standing behind me. “Celena Bernacki, this is Ash Gunnarsson. Ash, this is my best friend Celena.”
Celena steps forward and shakes Ash’s hand. “It’s great to finally meet you,” she says. “Thank you for the invite and for covering my ticket.”
“No problem. You’re welcome,” Ash says. “I just figured it was long overdue to meet my girlfriend’s best friend.”
Ash stops short and looks at me questioningly. I give him a small nod to indicate Celena knows we’re actually dating. He nods back as he slips an arm around my waist.
Celena gives Ash a too-wide smile. “And what better place to meet for the first time than a very public, very lavish gala where I can’t threaten you with bodily harm if you do anything to hurt my girl.”
He chuckles. “From what Gray has told me about you, I didn’t really expect that to stop you from threatening to cut off my balls if I do anything to hurt her.” He winks at Celena.
She smiles back genuinely and looks at me. “I like him.” Then she gives Ash a wicked grin. “But make no mistake, you make Gray cry and forget your balls. They’ll never find your body.”
Ash nods. “Duly noted. Rest assured, making her cry is not on my ‘to do’ list.”
“Alright,” I interrupt, putting a hand on his chest. “Now that you’re both done posturing for each other, can we get a drink and some food?”
“Sounds great,” Celena says as we all grab glasses of champagne off a passing tray. “What’s this a fundraiser for again?”
