Not to mention, he’s looking at me like I hung the fucking stars in the sky.
“You look…” he starts, shaking his head and cursing.
I glance down to make sure a boob didn’t pop out. I’m wearing a cream chiffon gown with a halter bodice and a deep side cut that reveals the rose tattoo on my ribcage. The dress is cinched at the waist, and below is a flowing, multi-layered tulle skirt. I paired it with strappy black heels and even set my hair so it has a little wave. Emory let me borrow the dress from her arsenal of past gala outfits. She was even nice enough not to give me a hard time about the Ashton situation in general. She told me she was happy for me and that I could tell her as much or as little whenever I wanted.
Satisfied that my tits are, in fact, where they’re meant to be, I smooth out the skirt and take a step forward only to slam into him. Ashton hasn’t moved an inch. He’s still standing there, eyes glazed over, chest rising and falling rapidly.
“You are so goddamn beautiful.”
“I—” My phone buzzes before I can respond, startling me, and it falls to the ground. Thankfully, it lands on the silicone case so it doesn’t break. Ashton kneels down to pick it up, and I’m suddenly brought back to the day after my birthday when he got on his knees for me. Let’s just say I will never be able to eat mint chocolate chip ice cream ever again without getting horny.As far as apologies go, that one was a ten out of ten. After he made me come twice on his tongue, he made good on his promise from the night before and fucked me so hard I had trouble walking the rest of the day. I was still wobbling on Monday morning, and Ashton had adjusted himself and smirked when he noticed it.
That was a week ago, and we haven’t done anything since. To say I’m desperate for him would be an understatement. Every time we tried to meet up after work this week, something came up. His sister came to visit unannounced one night. Then Emory thought she was going into early labor. It ended up just being heartburn, but Luke freaked out and is now following her around more than usual.
But tonight, after we get this song and dance over with, that man is all mine. For now. Not forever, of course.
Ashton hands me my phone and reaches out for me to take his hand. I do it, and he guides me to the waiting car. He opens the door for me, and I lift my dress before climbing in. When he gets in on the other side of me, the awe in his eyes is replaced by a playfulness I’ve come to crave. I know exactly what it means. Before I can wonder what he has planned, he reaches down next to him and pulls out a copy ofThe Emberfield Lantern. He turns to page five and hands it to me.
“Care to explain, Chaos?”
I glance over the headline that reads “Willow & Thyme Temporarily Closed Due to Health Code Violations.” My lips tip up into a smile. I was wondering when he would confront me about this.
“Oh, my,” I say, feigning innocence. “That’s unfortunate.”
“Allie,” he warns.
“What?”
“You wrote that article.”
“I did. You signed off on it. Otherwise, how would it have gotten printed in the paper?”
“Skylar signed off on articles this week. I had a lot on my plate.”
“Well, that’s not my problem.”
He narrows his eyes as we back out of my driveway. “How did you get the intel?” he pushes.
I press my lips into a thin line, raising my eyebrows. “Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answer to.”
He sighs. “He deserves worse, but I don’t want him coming after you.”
“I don’t know what you’re referring to.” I take my compact mirror out of my clutch to double-check my makeup. “Like I said, it’s unfortunate.” I snap the mirror shut. “I heard they found several rats in the kitchen. Poor Craig. It will probably be closed for several months before they can get the health department to perform another inspection.”
Ashton grins. “Huh. I wonder how the health department found out about it in the first place.”
“I’m sure some well-meaning citizen let them know.”
“Of course. I just hope the citizen was careful.”
“I don’t think the citizen needs your concern,” I shoot back. “In fact, the citizen has been taking care of herself long before you showed up.”
Ashton nods and lets his head fall back to the seat, closing his eyes. They snap open when I take his hand in mine. “Are we done talking about egotistical assholes with small dicks?”
His lips part as he runs a finger along the edge of his shirt collar. Did it just get five hundred degrees hotter in here?
“You know,” he says, moving closer so the driver can’t hear him. “I’ve had a few days to think about exactly what I want to do to you tonight.”
“Have you?”
