Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 69198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
He insisted on taking me out to lunch to thank me afterward. Completely unnecessary, but I jumped at any excuse to spend more time with him. And that was kind of a mystery. He should have driven me nuts by now with his neurotic quirks and oddball thought process, but I was hooked on this guy. Every minute with him felt like an adventure and I didn’t want it to end.
I suggested going to the beach since we were literally across the street from the Santa Monica pier, but Ash didn’t like that idea. Something about harmful UV rays and salt air, maybe? We drove back to Pasadena instead.
When we neared our exit, he named a few nice cafés on Colorado.
“Any of those are fine with me, but let’s park at my place and walk into Old Town. It’s going to be too hard to find a spot. And I should probably give you your shirt.” I stole a sideways glance, adding, “Unless you don’t mind wearing mine.”
He gasped. “I forgot I had this on. Yes, I’ll definitely need to change. Will you be able to breathe now?”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine. Keeping it buried with the windows cracked worked.”
Ash sniffed like a suspicious hound, then launched into a monologue about fabrics that hold scent the longest. I listened with half an ear as I parked my SUV, grabbed his shirt, and led the way to my apartment.
He was still talking when I unlocked the door. It sounded like nervous chatter, but I couldn’t be sure ’cause I was nervous too.
He was here. In my space. And damn it, I wanted him so fucking much. My body ached and my skin tingled just being close to him. The sweet lilt and hum of his voice, the sharp lines of his nose and cheekbones, his pretty eyes, his smile, his…everything about him drew me in.
“…polyester holds intense odors longer than cotton. I think the study was aimed at body stench versus perfumes or pleasing scents. And…” Ash fiddled with his glasses and twitched his nose. “You’re staring at me. Did I say something odd?”
My heart hammered in my chest as I cleared my throat. “No. I, um…I was just thinking about food.”
He nodded in his usual precise manner, then moved into the living area, tossing his scented shirt on the sofa before yanking my lacrosse tee over his head. I groaned, raking my fingers through my hair as I tried to focus on something else, anything else. Let me assure you, my dick did not appreciate my amazing show of self-control. It throbbed insistently, begging me to make a move.
“You know, we don’t have to go to lunch. I have a lot of studying to do anyway. I should go home and—”
“Stay,” I blurted.
“All right, but are you sure you’re okay?”
I gave a humorless half laugh and licked my lips. “No, I’m not okay. I’m not okay at all.”
“What is it?”
“You.” I stepped closer but stopped short. I didn’t want to overwhelm him. He was so small, and he didn’t seem to understand what he did to me.
“I…”
“I don’t want to be your friend, Ash. I don’t feel ‘friend’ feelings for you, and I can’t fucking pretend anymore.” Okay, if his blank stare was any indication, I was obviously going to have to spell it out for him. “I want you. I don’t want to mess anything up. I told you I’d respect your—”
He was on me before I could finish that sentence, wrapping his arms around my neck and crashing his mouth over mine. I stumbled backward, pulling him on top of me with our lips fused as we fell onto the sofa. We made out, tongues twisting in a frenzy, hands everywhere. He pulled my hair as he sucked on my lower lip and bit my chin, writhing against me wantonly. I kept up just fine.
Weeks of pent-up passion poured out of me like a dam at its breaking point. I bent my knees and cupped his ass, tilting my hips hoping for friction. Ash didn’t disappoint. He lined his denim-clad cock alongside mine, humping me with short, needy thrusts. He slipped his fingers under my T-shirt, splaying his palm on my abs and tweaking my left nipple. I broke the kiss and growled.
“Too much?” He blinked as if trying to come to the surface.
“No, it’s good. Too good. Take those jeans off. I want to see you.” I smacked his ass to spur him into action.
Ash obeyed. He kicked off his shoes and fumbled with his belt and zipper, then stepped out of his jeans and flattened his palm over the obscene bulge in his boxer shorts.
“You too. Please.”
I stood quickly, yanked my shirt over my head, and threw it toward the coffee table. Shoes, socks, jeans, and boxers went flying. When I was buck naked with my massive flagpole of a dick waving in front of me, I curled my fingers around my base and swallowed hard.