His hands steady my waist with a soft chuckle. His lips pause over my neck, and he lifts his head, meeting my stare. “I need to know something, and be honest with me, Nova.”
“Always.” I don’t have any reason to lie to him or hide anything. He knows about my family, who they are, what they do. I know about his father running the Chicago mafia.
We’re not so different, the two of us.
And there aren’t any big secrets between us.
I can live with keeping a secret from my brother.
“Are you a virgin?” Ashton asks.
“Yes, but that doesn’t change that I know what I want,” I say.
His gaze hardens for a brief moment. He’s hesitating, and I hate that my honesty is causing that.
“I should have told you I wasn’t as, clearly, it bothers you.”
Ashton holds my jaw, his stare never wavering. “Don’t ever lie to me.”
“I didn’t, but you’re either thinking I’m untouchable or pathetic. I’m not sure which.”
Ashton guides me onto my back, lying down beside me on the mattress. His hand remains on my hip, keeping me close to him.
“You’re not pathetic,” his voice heavy and thick.
“So, I’m untouchable,” I mutter and pull to roll away and climb out of bed, but he keeps a firm hold on me, bringing me closer against him.
“Your emotions are fragile.” He brushes a strand of hair behind my ear, and I lean into his touch.
“I’m not going to break, Ashton. I know your reputation. You sleep with a girl once and then you move on.”
His eyes flicker, and he frowns. “Is that all you want? One night?”
I’m not stupid to think that he’d give me more than that. “I’ll take what I can get with the hottest player on the Narwhals.” I smirk, and he pulls away.
“What’d I say?” I sit up in bed, confused. “I’ve seen the girls you bed. I’ve heard things from Luca. You don’t do relationships. I’m telling you I’m okay with that.”
“You say that now, but I know you’re not.”
Why is he second-guessing what I’m saying? “Is this because I’ve never had sex with a guy? “I’ve done other stuff…” I say and trail off. “Just because I haven’t had a dick in me, it doesn’t mean I’m going to fall in love with the first guy who fucks me.”
He laughs darkly.
“What’s so funny?” I sit up in bed, scooting to the edge, and Ashton is right there beside me.
“Let’s not fight,” he says.
“You’re the one telling me you know me better than I know myself.” I stand, needing some space. It’s crazy how much the one guy I have feelings for has the ability to turn me on and make me hate him at the same time.
Except, I don’t actually hate him.
I’m just really angry with him for making decisions without me.
“If you’re not going to be my first, I’ll find someone else downstairs who’s willing to have sex with me.” I’m egging him on. If he won’t be reasonable, then I guess that means he’ll be miserable tonight.
Makes two of us.
I glare at him as I head for his bedroom door.
