"You're really smart," he says simply.
I roll my eyes. "You're getting me to tutor you for a reason, Ash."
He blinks at the nickname, then a slow grin spreads across his face. "Ash?"
I nod. "You don't like it? I can stop-"
"No, I do. You can call me Ash." His smile is warm and genuine, and for a moment, the library fades away, leaving just the two of us in our own little world.
I blink and the noise comes back, the other people glossing back into my sights and I glance down. "Let's get this done and then you can get back to your life."
• • •
After hours of studying, my eyes sting from staring at the screen for so long. Ash slumps in his seat beside me, his knee touching mine, but this time from exhaustion. His body is lazily draped over the chair.
I rub my eyes and yawn, finally calling it a night.
"Finally," Asher says playfully. "I was beginning to think you were waiting for the library to empty to have your way with me."
I glance around at the dwindling number of people and then back at Asher as he laughs lowly. "Asher," I scold. "Do you want people to know that you're-" I pause, struggling to find the right words.
He only grins. "Do I want people to know that I'm being tutored by the smartest girl on campus, and in exchange all I have to do is teach her how to give a blow-"
"Stop," I cut him off, my cheeks flaming. He grins again but then straightens up, his expression turning serious. "I don't care who knows, Ivy. I'm not ashamed to be seen with you."
I blush again, but he doesn't expect an answer. "Do you want me to drop you home?" he asks softly.
I nod gratefully and help him pack up, our movements silent before we're walking out of the library and then he's opening his car door for me and letting me slide in before shutting it and walking around to the driver’s side. He slips in and starts the car, the engine rumbling to life with a purr then he's backing out of the park with one hand on the wheel and the other on the back of my seat, his head turned over his shoulder to check his surroundings.
It's the hottest thing I think I've ever experienced and by the small grin on his face, I'd say he knows it too.
I bite my lips to stop myself from saying anything and we start the ten minute drive to mine in comfortable silence,
As we pull up to a red light, he glances over at me with a playful glint in his eyes. "So, Ivy, have you thought more about what you want to learn?"
I glance out the window, avoiding his probing gaze and swallow before shrugging. "You mean how to please a guy and all that?"
"Or how you want to be pleased?," he replies, the corners of his mouth lifting into a grin. "How to ask for what you want. Experimenting, figuring out what works for you."
I think for a moment, then decide to be honest. "Well, I've been curious about...you know, being-" I flap my wrist around likethat will somehow have me saying the magic words and Asher laughs.
"Being what, Ivy?" His voice is full of smooth amusement, and I huff before turning to face him and just saying it.
"Eaten out. Being eaten out."
He nods thoughtfully, his grin widening. "Noted." Then he turns back to the front as the light turns green and drives off again.
Noted? What does that even mean? He can't-
I cut off the spiralling thoughts, relaxing back into the seat.
I slump back into my seat, feeling my cheeks heat once more in the presence of Asher fucking Hudson.
It's getting really annoying.
We pull up to my house, and he stops the car, turning to face me. "Thanks for the help tonight, Ivy. I really do appreciate it."
"No problem, I'd hate to see you get kicked off the team. Hockey is your dream," I say, feeling a warmth spread through me that has nothing to do with the car's heater. "I'll see you soon?"
