The urge to write notes, capturing those plot bunnies, was warring with the need to pee.Tugging at the quilt, I wiggled to the side, falling sideways onto the floor.
We were too distracted last night, so I couldn’t get a tour.I had to find the bathroom the hard way.
Going door to door.
The first door I tried was not the bathroom.
But I recognised it.
The sofa, the bed, the arrangement of the lighting...yeah, I recognised this room.
Even though I knew what Ashton did for a living, it didn’t dawn on me he worked from home.Although, when I think about it, where else would he do his livestreams?
Not that it mattered.
Ashton was so much more than just a pretty face and phenomenal abs.Anyone who’d taken the time to talk with him would recognise that.
In a way, I was in awe of him putting himself out there; if he hadn’t, then he wouldn’t have connected with my dad, and we would have never met.
Closing the door, I moved onto the next, grateful to be right.After relieving myself, I headed back to a now-standing Ashton, who was tugging his t-shirt over his head.
I stopped in my tracks admiring the view of his abs until they were gone
Great, now I need to adjust myself.
Ashton’s smirk at my discomfort was playfully annoying.Bending, he plucked my shirt up from the floor and tossed it to me.Tugging it on, I followed him into the kitchen and watched as he pulled two mugs out of a cupboard.
“I’m guessing you’re more of a breakfast tea man rather than a coffee?”
I guess snuggle time was over and we were doing the slightly awkward morning-after thing instead.
To be honest, it wasn’t as awkward standing here in last night’s clothes talking about tea rather than addressing the other elephant in the room.
He poured hot water into the mugs, the steam momentarily obscuring his features, and added a tea bag to each.The clink of the spoon as he stirred was a gentle contrast to the quiet hum of the fridge.I leaned against the counter, the lingering warmth of his body soothing me while I considered my next move.“Definitely tea,” I confirmed, a small smile playing on my lips.“Strong, if possible.”
“Just the way I like it, so...are you okay?Just checking that you’re not freaked out about last night.”
Ashton added a dash of milk and pushed the mug towards me.Taking a sip, I leant up against the countertop and pondered the question.
I took another sip of tea, letting it do its magic.Ashton watched me over the rim of his mug, trying to look casual but failing miserably.His shoulders were too tense; his eyes were too bright with worry.
“I’m okay,” I said finally.“More than okay, actually.Last night was...good.Really good.”
Ashton’s exhale was almost a laugh, almost a sigh.“Good.I just—” He rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly shy.“I didn’t want you waking up and regretting it.”
“Regretting you?”I shook my head.“Not a chance.”
His eyes flicked up, searching my face as if he didn’t quite trust what he’d heard.“You’d be surprised how many people do.”
That hit me harder than I expected.“Ashton...”
He shrugged, trying for nonchalance but not quite pulling it off.“It’s fine.Comes with the job, I guess.People see what they want to see.Or they see the...performance.Not me.”
I set my mug down and stepped closer, close enough that our arms brushed.“I saw you last night.”
He swallowed.“Yeah?”
“Yeah.And I liked what I saw.”
