Those eyes and that mouth—Jesus, it would be so easy for me to kiss him again, but I take in a breath instead; casting my attention back out to sea which isn’t as distracting. Now I’m about to say it out loud; I feel stupid. My tongue runs over my lips before I ask, “Jade?”
“What about her?”
“You know what I’m asking, don’t make this difficult.”
“Do I?”
Is he serious? I slap my hand against his chest. “Don’t play with me.”
“Then ask me what you want to know.”
“I’m not sure.”
“Yes, you are. You want to know if I’m sleeping with Jade right now and if I am, will I carry on sleeping with her if I keep seeing you.”
My whole face explodes with heat. “Umm, hold on a minute, it isn’t exactly?—”
“So, you don’t want to know,” he smirks.
“Are you trying to make this super awkward for me?”
He smiles, “Well, I do like seeing you squirm, so…” I slap his arm this time, giggling at the fact he’s making me work for the info. “Honestly Cal, it’s simple enough. We had a thing for a couple of weeks. She wanted to hook up tonight, but I’ve made it clear it won’t be happening again. I hope you don’t think I’m callous when I say that, but she knew the score. Anyway, I’d never play two women off against the other.”
“Oh, come off it, Ash. I bet you get offers all the time. She was falling over herself to be near you.”
“And? I already said I wasn’t interested.”
“Okay, so you’re saying if a pretty girl comes along and practically gives it to you on a plate, you’d say no?”
“I’m not saying that—no. If I were on my own, then I probably would have taken Jade home. The big part you’re so bloody conveniently missing is, I’m with you.” He shifts slightly, ensuring we make eye contact. “Calla Bryson, do you have no idea of the crush I had on you at school? The one I still have to this day. I’m not passing on an opportunity to spend more time with you,” he smiles.
“Is that real? What you just said.”
“It’s real.”
“Then why didn’t you ever make a move at school, you silly sod.” I bump into the side of his leg, which is arched next to me. It’s a light-hearted joke, but internally, my stomach clenches with how sincere he seems.
“I didn’t want to upset Scott. You know how it is, bro’s before hoes.”
“And now?”
“I’ve already said. I’m not passing up an opportunity.” I huff a slight smile, looking down with blushed cheeks while his finger brushes lightly over my arm. “I don’t want you to think I’m being cold with Jade. She’s a nice enough girl but a bit full of herself and too full-on for me. She was acting weird actually. Not sure I was comfortable with it.”
My thoughts about him playing the field are slightly more settled, but I like teasing him about it. “As I said earlier, you know you might have to get used to the attention and touchy-feely stuff. If you become a rock star, it’ll be part of the job,” I laugh externally, but inside the thought turns my stomach. Yet, I carry on, making light of it all. “You’ll probably have your pick of women throwing themselves at you.” I push him back, then roll onto my front, laying my body on his. “Do you think you can handle it?”
“I’m only interested in making music. If I want to make the sweet kind, I’d want to make it with you.”
I push up on my hands against the sand, so there is distance between us. “Who said I’d give it up for you? Not sure I want to be another string to your bow.” Roughly translated, this meansI’m not sleeping with you, stud. Not until I’m sure you’re worth it.
“Are you jealous, Cal?” He asks, gently squeezing my sides. Little does he know how spot-on he is.
“Rate yourself,” I giggle, brushing it off again. This is the moment Ash makes his move and rolls on top of me. His fingers continue to attack my sides, squeezing more with every reaction he gets from me. The longer he tickles me this way, the more intense my giggles get until they morph into more of a squeal. “Get off,” I wriggle against him, trying to pull his hands away, but there is nothing I can do. As his fingers increase in intensity, he renders me useless until I can’t breathe from my shrieks. My laughter progresses to shrill hysterics, which I presume are infectious, judging by the way he’s now in fits of laughter himself. His hands grab, and his fingers tickle every part he can reach, making me squirm, jolt and jump. I slap his back, twisting from side to side while trying to catch his hands to make him stop. Finally, and with both of us panting out of control, I’m flat on my back with him above me. The air around us becomes still; the crash of waves is the only sound around us as he slowly lowers. His eyes, hooded and blazing, almost ask permissionbefore his lips press to mine, afraid in case I say no. But that isn’t going to happen. I’ve been waiting for him to repeat our first kiss and yes, I could have instigated it myself, but where’s the fun in that?
His tender, sweet lips brush mine all over again before they take my mouth fully with all the power he gave before. It’s the most incredible, purposeful kiss I’ve ever had and if it lasted forever, it still wouldn’t be long enough.
CHAPTER EIGHT
ASH
