“I didn’t see you.”
Bob had relieved her a few minutes early. Maybe, if Spencer hadn’t been waiting, she and Ash wouldn’t have missed each other.
Ash’s brows pulled together, and a mischievous grin curled the corners of his mouth. “We didn’t get to finish that kiss.” He traced a line over her thigh.
She cocked her head and suppressed the shiver running down her spine as his thumb pressed against the outer seam of her jeans. They would have more of a connection if he’d run his finger along her bare arm where there was no clothing to get in the way.
“Um, I’d say we finished just fine.” That was a lie, and if he wanted another go at kissing, she was ready.
“No, we got interrupted by the Asshat. Did he steal you away from me?” He huffed a laugh. “I’m assuming that’s the case because I’m not the kind of guy that girls stand up.”
She took a sip of cocoa. “You’re a bit cocksure, aren’t you?”
Now, why wasn’t that irritating, like it was with Spencer? Maybe because Ash’s confidence was so sexy and stemmed from harmless egotism instead of a need to control others.
His lips curved into another smile. “Ah, but you like me, and you’re dying to know how last night would’ve gone.”
“I think you’re dying to tell me how it might have gone. I hate to break it to you, but I’m not that kind of girl. A kiss is as far as you would have gotten.”
Please don’t be a man-whore.She desperately wanted there to be more to this man than his looks.
He reached out and toyed with a strand of her hair, curling it around his finger. “I find that oddly exciting. Now, tell me what happened last night.”
He found that exciting? That she wouldn’t put out? What happened to the “I want to be buried deep inside you until you can’t think” comment?
Rather than ask, she answered his question, “It got complicated.”
“It sounds a bit more than complicated.”
They sat in silence, watching the fire in the hearth crackle and burn.
She grabbed one of his earbuds and pulled it to her ear. “What are you listening to?”
He tried to yank it back, but she held on and settled it in her ear.
“I want to know. You were really engrossed in whatever it was when I walked up.”
The warbling sound of an Angel Fire song kicked in. The frenetic rhythm filled her head along with the vocals of their lead singer—“a man who could sing his ass off with blissful yet devastating melodies without losing his balls.” At least, that’s what her brother would say. Angel Fire was Forest’s favorite band.
She tilted her head back, rocking in time with the underlying drumbeats.
The song ended, and she looked up. “I’m not familiar with that song.”
He shrugged. “That band has lots of songs.”
“I guess so.”
“Did you like it?” His question held more than a hint of interest.
“Yeah, but they always play good stuff. They’re supposed to be in town for a concert this weekend.” That was as close as she would come to asking him out although getting ahold of tickets to what was probably a sold-out show would be nearly impossible.
He licked his lower lip. “Yeah, I’ve heard their stuff is good.”
She playfully punched him in the shoulder. “What? You’re not a fan?”
According to Forest, it was impossible for any male in the world not to be into Angel Fire’s pounding rhythms. He’d also said every girlwanted into at least one band member’s pants. She could recognize the band’s signature sound, but that was where it ended for her.
Ash laughed. “Not exactly a fan. You?”
