I turned around to face him, staring up at him like I was about to ask him what he was doing so close, but he didn't step back. I didn't want him to. We were chest to chest… nottouching, but close. We did make contact where his hands were touching my arms, and it was so wonderful and comfortable that I just couldn’t make myself pull away. Ash Adams was a lover, and he was good at it. He was barely touching me, and I was on fire already. Ash and I had been close before, and it was easy and natural to go to him, lean into his touch, accept his advances.
He raised his hand and placed it gently on the back of my head. I let my cheek brush against his arm, and just like that, we were back to our old tricks—gazing, moving closer. Ash was brilliant. He was gentle and soft, but raw masculinity and urgency radiated off of him. He was just an irresistible man. I melted under his affections. It was as if he was a regular person with body heat, and I was made of wax and melting slightly as a result of being next to him. My heart fluttered. Being near Ash again was a rush, and excitement coursed through my body as I held onto his arm and let my cheek brush against it again. He smelled so nice, and I closed my eyes and felt the sensations of being near him.
"Audrey," he said my name in a calm tone. His voice was deep and soft. I looked up to meet his gaze, and when I did, he leaned down and kissed me. He touched his mouth to mine, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. There was no way I would stop it. I stretched upward and kissed him back. Our lips tasted like the hint of raspberries and syrup, and the feel of Ash's mouth on mine was so familiar and right that I felt broken beneath him. I was cracked wide open and incapable of closing myself off to him.
Ash held me and kissed me gently in a second-nature way that made it feel like we had been doing this every day since last summer. His lips touched mine again and again, and I felt the urgency begin to build. I gave into it. I went to him, leaning in and giving him permission to kiss me like we had before. And goodness. The warm wave of wonderful that washed overme in that moment caused me to completely lose myself. For a few long heartbeats, we kissed deeply, and my mind could process nothing else. Ash held me and consumed me with his kiss. I wasn't aware of how long it was exactly, but it wasn't long enough. Ash broke the kiss and pulled back, and I did my best to catch my breath. The wave had been intense, and it took me a second to come down. I spun around and turned on the faucet, and he took a step to the side, leaning casually against my counter and dipping his head to stare at me, trying to get my attention.
"You okay?" he asked when I didn’t glance that way. "Should I apologize?"
Shaking my head, I said, "No, no." I wanted to say more, but my voice was cracking, and I paused and cleared my throat. "I'm glad you came over. That was fun. I'll be getting Luna soon and everything. But if you wanted me to send you the link to tickets when they're available, I will. I know we talked about me trying to see you play some music, but with Luna, it's hard for me to get out at that time of night…" I was rambling and making excuses when they weren't necessary. I was trying not to be awkward, and I was failing.
"Yeah, of course," he said. "And please do let me know about the play."
"I will," I said, glancing at him and smiling.
"Audrey, I'm sorry."
"Don't be," I said, wearing a sincere expression and shaking my head. "I mean it. I wanted that. I'm sorry I'm… I just know where my weaknesses lie, and I have to set certain boundaries for myself."
"I'm sorry I crossed them."
I locked eyes with him, and his blue eyes just pierced right through me. I remained stoic, unblinking. "Don't be sorry, Ash. Please. I wanted that, and I'm not sorry it happened," I saidsincerely. "It's just that, since it's not going any further, we should just make this part of it easy. I'm sorry I rambled, but I probably shouldn't go see any of your gigs or anything. I'll have Luna, and the play."
"Can I still come see it?"
"Oh, of course. You could actually see it, and I wouldn't even know. I think the auditorium holds like a thousand people."
"Well, please don't forget to send me a link for tickets."
"I will," I said, nodding. I turned off the water and turned to smile at him with a little wave.
"Bye, Audrey," he said, seeing me.
He went to the door to get his boots and coat, and I followed him that way to see him out.
Chapter 6
A month later
It was getting close to Christmas, and I was thankful to have Josie and Alex in town. They had come for Henry and Amelia's surprise wedding at the ranch. I didn't have Luna with me, so their trip was perfectly timed. Lu had gone with her grandparents for a few days. Last night was the first of three that she would be with them. I had gotten accustomed to being with her all the time. It had only been one night, and I already missed her. She would celebrate an early Christmas with Kai's family because she would be with me on Christmas.
It worked out for me that Josie and Alex were in town and would keep me company while Lu was gone. Josie did make sure to plan their trip so that she and Alex could spend a day with Lu when she got back.
I was currently at work, and I had left Josie and Alex at my house, sleeping. Alex was in my spare bedroom, and Josie was in Luna's room. The two of them were in a committed relationship, but not married yet or even engaged. Alex had plans for when he would do each of those things, but he hadn't yet. Until then, they lived in separate places in L.A., and they slept in separate beds when they traveled.
Kai and I had no such restraint, and I respected my sister's approach and thought it was sweet. Now that I had Luna, I would do the same thing if I ever started seeing someone again.
It was 10am, and I figured Josie and Alex were up by now and would arrive here for breakfast sometime soon. They had said they would come by about this time. I was literally thinking about them when Carly came to the back and told me my sister and Alex were there. She said she had just put in their orders.
I told her to send them back, and within a minute, I turned and saw my sister in my kitchen. Josie was grinning broadly when she came back. She was younger than me, but she was wise beyond her years, and I looked up to her in a lot of ways.
"Do you miss it back here?" I asked her since she had worked for me while I was at rock bottom.
"I do miss it sometimes," she said. "It's good to be back. Do you need any help?"
"No, you don't need to work. You guys just get comfortable. Just make some space on Lu's table. Hey, Alex!" I added when my sister's boyfriend came far enough into my kitchen that I could see him.
"Sup, Audrey," he said. "You're coming with us tomorrow night, right? To the wedding?"
