Igniting Ash (14 page)

Chapter 14

Emma

The end credits for the film rolled up the wall. Emma didn’t move. She watched them scroll through sleepy eyes, well aware that she’d missed most of it. Asher had too; he’d fallen asleep long before her. They had eaten, sharing the different dishes he’d ordered, before cuddling up together on the blanket across the cushions.

Comfort had engulfed them, and a thrill of excitement had shot through her when he’d spooned her, wrapping his arm around her waist. His slow, gentle breathing tickled her neck, the soft sound stirring something within her. She continued to tell herself to take things slow with Asher. He wasn’t the kind to rush into anything, especially given how wounded he still was. It was growing more difficult to keep that pace, because her feelings were changing toward him.

There wasn’t an exact moment that she could pinpoint; maybe she’d always felt that pull toward him. The reality was, she liked him far more than any man she’d ever been with. But with him it was baby steps all the way.

The film finished; the wall turning black. The noise from the street below grew louder as people wandered the streets. Emma nestled closer to Asher, smoothing her hand across his chest. They’d shifted while they slept, and now instead of spooning, she was moulded against his side with her head on his shoulder. His heart beat loud and clear under her ear. The sound relaxed her further. There wasn’t a single other place she would rather be right now.

It had to be getting late; not that she cared what time it was. She was perfectly comfortable nestled next to Asher. If she tilted her chin up a little, she could just make out his face. While he slept it was free of worry or concentration. Not one single line showed on his forehead, or between his brows like there usually was. She liked looking at him while he was so calm, and wished he felt that when he was awake.

The shrill of a whistle shot through the air, startling them both. Asher grumbled, the whistling from the street continuing for another minute. Emma knew the moment Asher realised where he was, and who was cuddled next to him. She held her breath, waiting for him to shrug her off. Being this close to him when he woke from sleep might be too much for him. She expected his retreat.

She didn’t expect his lips to touch her forehead.

“Hey,” she whispered, her pulse fluttering rapid against her neck.

He kissed her forehead again. “Totally didn’t mean to fall asleep on you. Sorry.”

“No apology needed. We both dozed off.”

He rolled onto his side, facing her. “Bit of a shitty date.”

“Why would you say that?”

“Emma, we fell asleep. That’s not what a date should be, is it?” He placed his hand on her hip, and instinct had her snuggling closer to him.

“I think that shows how comfortable we are around one another. I like that. I’d say all in all it was a pretty successful date.” She smiled, watching the confusion disappear from his expression.

“I don’t see how, but you probably have more experience in this than I do.”

Emma gasped, feigning shock at his words. “Are you saying I’ve been with a lot of men?”

His eyes widened, his hand tightening on her hip. “Shit. That’s not what I…I really didn’t—”

Laughing, she took his face in her hands. “I was joking. I know what you meant. Don’t panic, I’m not offended.” When he opened his mouth, she placed a finger across his lips. “Please don’t apologise. We said we weren’t going to do that anymore.”

“Would a kiss be better?”

A wave of shyness washed over her. She started to analyse why as she glanced at him through her lashes. Their interactions were usually so easy; the flow from little touches to caresses had been a natural evolution. They’d spent much of the evening kissing, so why was she being coy now?

“Emma?”

It was starting to mean more.
He
was starting to mean more.

“Yes,” she whispered. “A kiss would make it better.”

Asher didn’t wait; he lowered his mouth to hers and delivered a searing kiss that had her toes curling. She sighed, lifting her leg so that it hooked over his hip. His kiss continued while he crept his fingers along her thigh. There was no rush; his hand was as slow as his lips, every movement escalating her temperature as well as her heart rate. His careful, deliberate touches shattered her shyness, and with one stroke of his tongue against her, she began rocking her hips against him. Her nipples hardened, her breasts aching for his hands.

Turning her face, she gasped for air. She arched her neck, loving it when Asher trailed his lips along her throat. Emma liked it even more when he rolled her onto her back, covering her body with his. Their breaths mingled as they stared at one another. They still rocked against one another, a timid movement as they gauged each other for their next step.

“I like that apology better than any sorry,” she said, amazed at how breathless her voice was.

His smile caused her stomach to flip. She’d happily repeat it every day to get the same reaction. The genuine happiness that illuminated his brown eyes took her breath away. “You’re gorgeous,” she blurted out, blushing as soon as the words shot out.

He chuckled and kissed the tip of her nose. “Another line you stole before I could say it. You keep doing that.”

“So stop holding back and say it.”

“You’re not gorgeous.” He grew serious. “You’re stunning. And I’m not sure what I wished on to get you back in my life, but I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Really? It’s just that sometimes I think you fight with yourself as to whether you want me here or not.”

Rolling off her, he lay on his back for a second and looked up to the black night sky. Groaning, he stood up, making her curse her big mouth and wishing she’d kept it shut. If she had done they’d still be nestled together, enjoying more kisses. Now all she had was cold and distance.

Determined not to run from her statement, she stood up and smoothed her clothes, ready to repeat what she’d said. She didn’t need to. Asher held out his hand and spoke first. “You’re not that far from the truth. My first instinct is always to run. Especially with you. You’re close, and I struggle to deal with that. I panic.” He tilted his head toward his outstretched hand. “Let’s go inside. It’s getting cold.”

“Are we going to talk? Because I don’t like the thought off you panicking. I don’t like your first instinct for that matter.”

He nodded, entwining his fingers with hers and tugging her toward the stairs. Emma followed, giving his hand a squeeze as he started to speak again. “I get confused. I want to let you in—want you to keep being a part of my life. You were such an unexpected surprise, Emma. I don’t have a plan for you. Sex? That’s easy because it’s nothing more than a function. I don’t need a plan for that, but you? You’re something else entirely.” He led them back into his flat and pulled a blanket off the back of the couch.

She couldn’t take her eyes off him as he engulfed her in its fluffy warmth. Not letting go, he held the blanket closed at her chest.

“From day one—from the start of my real life, I vowed to put myself first. To always make sure I was happy because I’d spent far too long being miserable. But then I looked up from messing with that damn padlock at the party and all I saw was you. My body went fucking crazy, every cell within me started vibrating to whole new beat—
your
beat, Emma.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “That’s when it changed. That’s when I couldn’t focus on just me, because every time I do I also think of you!”

Her stomach flip-flopped, her skin tingling with expectation. She bit back a smile, keeping a lid on the pleasure she felt from his declaration. “You don’t seem happy that you feel this way, Asher.”

“It frustrates me.”

“It shouldn’t. Look, think of it this way—more than once in your life you’ve had to adapt. You’ve done that. Treat this like you did then.”

“But this is unknown to me, babe. It’s alien.”

She rubbed her cheek against his knuckles, encouraged, as always, when he didn’t move away. “Those moments in your past were too, Asher. I meant it when I said there’s no pressure from me about this between us. I truly am happy to take it day by day.”

“And what if I don’t want that?”

Her heart skipped a beat, before crashing wildly against her chest with his next question.

“What if I wanted nights too?”

She stammered, her mouth opening and closing as she tried to get a grip on her thoughts. That wasn’t the easiest thing to do when all she could think of was Asher and her…together in his bed. “W-what are you saying?”

He rested his forehead against hers. His hands shook where they gripped the blanket. “I guess I’m asking for more. But this is all fucking new, so I’m clueless.”

She liked being this close to him, liked the way he was opening up to her. She understood his reticence; he’d only ever trusted Ike before, and because of that, she was the one to take the chance. “Shall I spend the night, Asher?”

Dropping his hands, he turned his back on her and walked across the room. He pushed his fingers through his hair, his loud exhale giving away his anxiety.

Emma went to him.

The blanket hit the floor as she walked forward, and even knowing it was possible he would shrug her off, she wrapped her arms around his waist.

“I don’t want to want you, Em.”

“I know.”

They stood together in silence; the tension tangible. She couldn’t think straight when he was so close, couldn’t work out what to do next.

“Fuck it!” He twisted around to face her. “Just fuck it all.”

She squealed when he grasped her waist and picked her up. His actions came as a shock, his strength too. Her protest hovered on the tip of her tongue, though she never actually said anything. His serious expression and determined strides were enough to keep her mouth closed.

Until he crushed his lips to hers. At that point she knew where it was heading, understood what he meant when he’d shouted. He was sick of holding back. Asher was taking what he wanted and ignoring any possible consequences.

Emma clung to him, their kisses growing deeper and more forceful as he carried her to his bedroom. She kept hold of him as he sat on the edge of his bed, moving her so that she straddled his lap. They’d been here before, only this time the air was electrified, sparks bursting from their touches. He wasn’t going to deny them this time. She could sense from his heated kisses and desperate touches that he was all in.

She blinked, her head spinning when he grabbed her loose T-shirt and pulled it over her head.

He tossed it, not caring to look where it landed. Asher drank her in, his chocolate eyes melting as they perused her chest.

A fire ignited low in her belly, her blood burning through her veins. She’d experienced lust before, however this with Asher was laced with something else. Something deeper.

Slowly, too slowly, he stroked a single finger over the swell of her breast. Her nipples tightened as she silently begged for him to cup them. Her will was enough, because those amazing fingers dipped under the lace of her bra before palming her breast. His eyes never left hers. His touch grew firmer, more demanding. “More,” she whispered. “Asher, more.”

He kissed her long and hard. At the same time she began unbuttoning his shirt, her fingers fumbling so much Asher ended up finishing the job for her. He didn’t stop with his shirt. After rolling her onto his bed, he stood and shucked off his jeans, sliding them down his legs before kicking them across the room. “No more barriers,” he rasped and pulled his underwear off too. His scars were exposed to her, the skin pink and puckered near his navel. There really were no barriers.

Still expecting him to back out, Emma held a bit of herself back. The rejection would sting a little less if she did. However, that became difficult when he hovered over her, pressing his body against hers. His eyes were hooded, and she could feel the heavy thump of his heart when she touched his chest. Hers was as rapid, the thrill of possibility surging in every cell. The connection with Asher was strong, very strong, and much more consuming than anything she’d ever felt before.

Going slowly, even though the rocking of his hips was driving her insane with lust, she stroked her hands up his chest and along his shoulders.

Asher hissed before nipping a path along her jaw. He whispered into her ear, repeating his need for more.

“My clothes,” she gasped. “Take them off.”

He acted quickly, shuffling down the bed to kneel at her feet. The sounds of their heavy breathing and the metallic snap of trousers zipper punctuated the air. Emma elevated her hips, allowing Asher to tug the material down her legs. He discarded them on the floor, and when he shifted back she was about to complain, to ask him to remove her underwear. The objection was never verbalised because he touched her. Touched her in a way where she lost the ability to think clearly.

Each hand began at her ankles, his palms smoothing up her calves and over her thighs. Asher licked his lips as his fingers found the hem of her lace underwear. He stroked along each seam, the tips of his fingers skimming along her sensitive flesh. She writhed, her hips rolling, silently demanding for him the remove the scrap of material.