She got to her feet, too, her face so hot and tightly drawn that it was as though she’d been slapped instead of told, I can’t. She’d never been so embarrassed. And had never felt so rejected.
She could feel tears start to come, knew they’d be falling soon, and she didn’t want him to see that. Couldn’t let him see that. But even though she all but ran down the beach, Drew was fast. Faster than she was. And when she didn’t stop after he called her name, he passed her and made her stop with his own body.
“Ash, don’t run. Please don’t run from me.”
She kept her head down, but she knew what was coming. That he’d put his hand beneath her chin and make her look into his eyes. And when he did, the raw desire she still saw on his face shook her. And confused her like nothing else ever had.
“Do you actually think I don’t want you? Can’t you see that I haven’t been able to think about anything but you since you came into my life?” His words stunned her just as much as the look in his eyes did. “Damn it, I want you so badly I can’t see straight. Hell, I can barely remember the words to my songs when I’m on stage and I see you dancing, because just watching you move to the music gets me so turned on.”
“Then why?” The pain of his rejection made her question fierce. “Is it because I’m not like the other girls? The ones who whip off their shirts so that you can sign their big breasts?”
“I would never want you to be like them. Never.” He was just as fierce as she. “It’s your father. You know that I promised him I wouldn’t touch you.”
She felt her eyes go big. “I know you said you would make sure nothing bad happened to me. But you actually promised him that you wouldn’t touch me?”
“He said he trusted me. He said that’s why I’m the only musician he would have let you tour with.”
Drew had already made it clear that her safety on his tour was his top priority and that he’d promised her father he’d take care of her. But she hadn’t known that taking care of her extended to who she kissed. Her body was her own, damn it. And just because she hadn’t yet exercised much of her sensuality didn’t mean anyone else got a say as to when she finally did.
Her body. Her decision. Funny, it had never seemed so clear before. Then again, she’d never wanted anyone the way she wanted Drew. Had never even come close to making love with anyone else.
“He’s not my keeper. He’s my father, and I love him, but I’m not a little girl.”
“I know you’re not, Ash.” Drew’s eyes were hot, so hot she could feel the heat all along her skin. “Trust me...I know.” He closed his eyes as if to try to get a grip. “But that doesn’t mean he wants you to be hurt. Or taken advantage of.”
“Here. Tonight. What we were doing before you said you couldn’t—were you taking advantage of me?”
“No.” He almost looked offended that she would even ask. “Of course not.”
“Then I don’t understand why you feel we have to stop.”
He ran a hand over his hair, which only made him look sexier. “I’m trying to respect your father’s wishes.”
“What about my wishes?” Her words were loud over the sound of the surf. “What about what I want?”
But she already knew the answer. Drew had made a promise to her father, and he was the kind of person who stood by his promises. She didn’t want to hurt her father either, but she’d already chosen him over her mother, had already chosen a steady, measured life over the much more exciting one her mother wanted to give her. And she’d never been tempted by anyone to step outside that comfort zone before.
Only, now that she’d finally met a gorgeous guy who tempted her like crazy—and who, miraculously, was just as tempted—nothing could come of it.
Because her father had made Drew promise to never, ever touch her.
“Ash—”
She put her hand up before he could say anything else. She was too upset now to listen anyway, miles away from the rational person she’d always been before. “I know you’re in a bad position. Let’s just forget it.”
He looked as frustrated as she felt. “I don’t know if I can.”
She knew she wouldn’t. But unless she wanted her heart to be even more flattened than it already was tonight, she’d have to take her best shot at forgetting her feelings for Drew. Starting right this second.
She pulled out her cell phone to text Max to ask him to come pick them up.
Chapter Twelve
Phoenix, Arizona
The moment Ashley’s lips met Drew’s had been the best of his life. There wasn’t anything else that had ever come close.
Her mouth had been so soft. So sweet.
Perfect.
By last night, his need for her had already grown to such a fever pitch that before he could stop it from happening, their kiss had gone from gentle to desperate. He couldn’t stop tasting, couldn’t stop touching, couldn’t stop taking.