“Yes, you like me so much that you won’t tell anyone about us. Seems like I’m just some girl you like to fuck.”
“That isn’t true—I mean, I do love fucking you.” Ashton quirks a smile.
If I wasn’t angry, those dimples and that grin would be turning me on right now. Okay, maybe it is turning me on a little, but I’m still mad at him. I’m just getting flutters in my pussy, and I want it to stop.
“I’m more than just a piece of ass, Ashton. I’m not one of your puck bunnies that you fuck and treat like trash.”
His eyes flicker, and there’s definitely hurt behind those dark eyes. “I never insinuated that you were. You’ve always meant more to me than any other girl, Nova.”
The way he says my name brings tingles throughout my body.
No, I will not fall weak to his charms. “If this is some grand apology, Ashton, you suck.”
He sighs, bends his head forward and closes his eyes. “I am truly sorry. I like you, Nova, a lot.” His eyes open, and he stares at me with pure honesty and vulnerability.
My breath catches in my throat, but I don’t say anything.
“I shouldn’t have let Liam say that about you, about us. You’re more than some situationship. I’ve always wanted it to be more than that with you, with us. You’re my girlfriend, and yes, I’m terrified for your brother to find out because he’s made it clear he’ll kill anyone who touches you.”
“You’ve never had a problem fighting with Luca in the past.” I’ve seen the bloody lip and bruised cheek.
They may be on the same hockey team and best friends, but I’ve seen evidence of the punches thrown between them.
Two sons, born from different mafia families, they both tend to let their anger lead their hearts. I’m not oblivious to it. My own father is mafia.
But I can’t help but hope that Ashton will be different. That, eventually, he’ll cut ties to the mafia, and not necessarily his father, but that he’ll step out of his footsteps, become his own man.
“I don’t want to fight him about this, about us,” Ashton says. “I want there still to be an us. I don’t want you to walk away from me because of something stupid I said or did. I need you.”
I glare at him. “You need me for Psych 101 help.”
He doesn’t deny it. “I need you for more than just homework and studying, Nova. I want you in my life, as my girlfriend. I enjoy spending time with you, kissing you, and yes, having sex with you. But I love just being around you.”
Neither of us has said the L word.
But just him bringing it up, using it to say he enjoys being around me, it makes my heart flutter.
“I’m still mad at you.”
Ashton nods slowly. “You can be mad at me, but will you please give me another chance?”
I purse my lips, contemplating what I should do. “Will you tell Luca?” I know it’s the one thing he’s been avoiding most of all. I’m not too keen on Luca finding out, either, but it seems everyone else already knows. Eventually, word will get out.
“Can you just give it a little more time?” Ashton asks. “I will tell him, I promise. But if he finds out now, during the hockey season, he’s going to lose it, and I don’t want him screwing up his game.”
“You don’t want your team to lose.” This isn’t about Luca, it’s about the Narwhals.
Ashton nods. “Yes.” He slowly sits at the edge of the mattress, facing me.
“The entire team knows. How long do you think they’ll keep our little secret? Even Harper knows. It’s not fair to make everyone keep quiet. It’s going to come out, eventually.”
“Eventually.” Ashton stares at me, his hand reaching out, brushing the hair out of my eyes, his thumb grazing my cheek. “Why are you in such a rush to tell him?”
“Are you ashamed of dating me? Is that it?” I can’t fathom why he won’t tell him, and worrying about Luca getting mad or fighting with him seems like an excuse.
“Of course not. If I were, I’d have broken it off long ago.”
“Okay.” I’m not sure how to take that comment. I pull back from his touch, pushing his hand away. “I’m not happy with you right now.”
