He shook his head. “No, we are not together. And we only kissed, okay? Besides, you wanted this, not me.”
I laughed and almost sputtered in indignation. “I wanted this? I didn’t want this, but we don’t have much choice now, do we? Our parents are officially married. It’s final,” I said, tears streaming down my face.
Ash looked at me. “Ah, fuck, I always had a weak spot when girls cried. Here, I know what to do.”
We got on the closest highway and drove. It wasn’t long before he pulled off at an exit in front of a gas station. “Your mom told me you were comforted by coffee…So let’s get some,” he said with a warm smile.
I smiled a small, watery smile. “Okay.”
We got out, and he wrapped his coat around me. I felt so safe. The gas station was still busy at this time of night. The city was crazy. Everyone was always awake. I got my coffee and put some cream in it. Ash got himself some coffee, too. We sat in his car for a bit, sipping our drinks in the quiet.
“I’m sorry for everything that’s happened between us, but I am really so glad you’re okay,” he said, his voice low and concerned.
I looked at him shyly. “I’m sorry, too. I was trying to make you jealous, I guess,” I admitted.
“I was trying to forget about you, you know.”
“Really?” My heart soared with hope.
“Really. Now, let’s get home. It’s late, and I have to be at your mom’s bed and breakfast early tomorrow to fix something for the wedding ceremony,” he said.
The lights of the city faded as we rode home in his red Honda Civic. I felt so safe. I was so grateful he had found me before something terrible happened. I nodded in and out of sleep a few times. By the time we got back home, my buzz was gone. He looked awake and alert, too.
We got out of the car. The kitchen lights in the house were on, but the lights in our parents’ room were off, which probably meant they were asleep. He fumbled with the lock to the house, and I followed him in. We tried not to make any noise as we walked upstairs to his room. I followed him in, and he closed the door. I took a deep breath and moved to sit on his bed.
“Thank God tonight is over,” I said.
“Seriously. I’m glad you’re okay,” he said gently.
His body next to mine felt so right. My inhibitions relaxed, and I gently reached for his crotch, smashing my mouth into his. He stiffened, pulled back, and gently took my hands in his.
“You’re still a bit tipsy, I’d say. And you’re feeling vulnerable. We can’t do anything tonight.”
I wanted to cry in frustration because I wanted him so badly.
“I’ll tell you what, though,” he said. He scooped me up in his arms, and I let out a slight gasp of surprise. “I’m going to put you to bed.”
After gently removing my clothes, he placed me in the tub and ran the water in the bath. It poured out in gushes, filling the room with steam. He took my wash cloth and washed me gently with lavender soap. I closed my eyes, relishing in the safe, warm feeling, never wanting this moment to end. He wrapped a towel around me and helped me out of the tub. I felt so warm in his embrace. He dried me off, fumbled around in my drawer, and pulled out one of my tshirts.
“Put this on,” he said.
I nodded and did as I was told. He left the room for a moment and came back from the bathroom with a cup of water.
“Drink this. Not sure how much you drank, but I imagine even one drink could get you drunk.”
“You guessed right,” I joked. I took a sip of the water. I felt better almost instantly.
He pulled back my covers, and I crawled under them. “Goodnight,” he said, smoothing my hair.
Before he could leave, I pulled on his arm. “Stay,” I said.
He climbed slowly into bed beside me, and I fell asleep in his arms. All was right with the world, if only for tonight.
ASHTON
My phone alarm went off. I groaned, fumbling to find it. I turned off the alarm and squinted in the morning light. I placed one of Amy’s pillows over my face to shield my eyes from the morning. Then it hit me: I was using one of Amy’s pillows. I was in bed with Amy, and I wasn’t even sure if her door was locked.
“Fuck,” I muttered.
Amy was snuggled peacefully against me. She looked so beautiful. I wished I could cuddle with her longer, but I had to get up to help her mom with the bed and breakfast.
I got slowly out of bed so as not to wake her. I looked at my phone and saw that I had several texts from Jen, who was still mad about last night. She really liked me, and I felt slightly bad that I had led her on. I looked back at Amy, who looked so safe and sound and perfect. I was so glad I got to her last night before anything bad happened. Jen would have to understand.