“He’s taking quite a long time to reach here!” said Eva impatiently. It had been forty minutes since she had called Ashton and yet the guy hadn’t put in an appearance. All her friends had left, except Hayley, of course. With Eva’s roommates away at a nightclub, she could relax with her friends in the tiny apartment.
“He has joined work on Long Island. Today was his first day. Maybe the traffic is more,” said Hayley, although her patience was running out too. She couldn’t wait for long. Her parents would return from the club and immediately seek her out. She wanted to enjoy their get-together at Alyssa’s apartment after college. Skylar and Sienna dropped her off at Eva’s apartment and left without her, since she didn’t wish to go home without meeting Ashton.
“Oh, no wonder his apartment was locked. I met the bi*ch who lives next door.” Hayley sat upright, all ears about the woman. Was it Madison? Ashton never took her to his house, and she had the inkling that it had something to do with the neighbor. Maybe he had some understanding with her!
“Who? Madison?”
Eva nodded, but before she could say more, the doorbell rang and Hayley quickly fixed her appearance. With her heart thumping wildly in her chest, she picked up the phone and attempted to be busy with it. He shouldn’t have any inkling that she was here only for him. After the way they parted last night, she should be angry with him. He spoiled her first date with his sick jealousy. She couldn’t even get a kiss! It had made her very upset, and she didn’t want to go to work after college. The get-together with her friends helped cheer her up.
Eva opened the door and smiled at Ashton, who grinned at both girls. “Hey, you two! Hope I’m not too late. I brought dinner.” He handed the food packets to Eva and came into the small living room, his eyes glued to Hayley.
“Thanks, bro. We were just about to make sandwiches for dinner. Alyssa didn’t have any food at home.”
“She did! Only popcorn and nachos!” said Hayley and they burst out giggling. Ashton sat down beside Hayley, unable to remove his eyes from her radiant face. “Thanks, Ashton!” she said shyly, dropping the phone beside her on the sofa and glancing up at him.
“Umm, I’ll get some plates,” said Eva, rushing towards the kitchen.
“So, here you are while I was waiting for you the whole day at the resort,” he said, searching her face. Hayley didn’t miss the intensity in his eyes as he held her gaze.
“Why were you? I thought you would be busy on your first day!”
“I was busy, but not too busy for you.” Hayley blushed and looked away. At least he admitted that much! So there was some hope after all! He wasn’t completely immune to her, as he portrayed. “I meant you could have come down to see my new place.”
“Oh, I could? I thought you didn’t want me.” Ashton looked away, shuttering his emotions from her probing gaze. It was impossible to keep sane when she looked so seductive, biting her full pink lips out of nervousness. Resting his hand on the backrest of the sofa, he was acutely aware of her soft hair brushing against his skin. Who was he kidding? He wanted her right in his arms, against his heart. He could kiss those sinful lips all night, and still not get enough of her.
“I do!” he said, sucking in a deep breath and turning to look into her eyes. Hayley’s jaws dropped with confusion, wondering what those two words implied. Did he want her or did he want her to visit his cottage? She searched his eyes and noted the darkened look in them as he watched her silently.
“Pizza, heavenly pizza,” sang Eva as she came towards them. Ashton removed his arm, although he was dying to feel her hair brush against it. He picked up a slice and held it to Eva’s mouth.
“I know you’ve been skipping your meals again, Eva. Please look after yourself for our sake,” he said, knowing her habit of forgetting to eat when upset. Alexander had specifically asked him to ensure that she took care of herself in his absence.
“No, I swear, I haven’t,” said Eva, taking the slice from him.
“That’s good to hear. I’ll take an update again next week.” He picked up another slice and held it to Hayley’s mouth while his eyes gazed at her lips. Blushing furiously, she took a bite, refusing to meet his gaze. Before she could take the slice from his hand, he took a bite from the same spot as she had. His eyes still held her gaze, as if trying to convey all his feelings in that simple gesture. Hayley’s cheeks flushed with color and she concentrated on the food instead.
“So, I heard you joined a new place today? How was your first day at work?” asked Eva, enjoying the meal, oblivious to the undercurrents around her.
“Yes, I’ve joined Silver Spring Resorts. The atmosphere is friendly, and I impressed even the GM with my work, but my reporting head is a mean guy. He kept me on my toes the entire day. Nothing I did could satisfy him, but thankfully, he’s serving a notice period. You guys should come over to my cottage. It’s too good!” said Ashton excitedly while they sat listening to his tales.
“Are you going to work tomorrow?” he suddenly asked Hayley, and she nodded. After listening to his tales, she was eager to see his cottage. A shot of excitement ran up her body at the thought of being alone with him in his cottage. She never got an opportunity to spend much time with him before, that too all alone.
“Good. Will I see you tomorrow, then?” Hayley nodded, noticing the way his eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Thanks for the treat, Ashton. I’ll get the documents for your signature,” said Eva, getting up to clear their dinner. Helped her, but she was acutely aware of his gaze following her around. It was getting late, but with Ashton here she didn’t want to go home. Eva went into her room to get the documents while Hayley’s eyes went wide when her phone buzzed with an incoming call from her mom. They had returned home! It meant she had to get home or else they would go crazy!
“Hayley!” Ashton’s deep voice brought her out of her panicked state, and she looked up at him quizzically.
“Come here,” he said, making her gulp with nervousness. Now, what did he want? She went near him and sat down beside him. “Why didn’t you take the call?”
“It’s mom. She wants me home.” Ashton took her phone out of her hands and she gaped at him. What the hell was he up to? She quickly pounced upon her phone, grabbing his hand in the process.
“What are you up to? Don’t call her please,” she cried out in panic while Ashton froze. The feel of her soft hands over his and her perky brea*ts brushing against his biceps made him lose his mind. “Ashton, please give it back.”
“I’m just saving my number. That’s all!” he drawled, looking at the jaw-dropped look on her face with a smirk.
“Umm, there’s no need for that,” she said, her cheeks flushing with color as she instantly released his hand and straightened up.
“Why? Don’t you want my number?” he asked disappointedly.
“No, it’s not that.”
Ashton typed his number but his mouth hung open to find it already saved under the name APE. “Seriously? You’ve saved my number as APE?” he asked, totally flabbergasted. Hayley covered her face and nodded, unable to look at him.
“Yes, Ashton Pierce, Ape for short.” Ashton rolled his eyes at her. Eva emerged from her room with the documents, and he quickly gave himself a missed call from her phone. Returning it he signed the documents and got up to leave.
“Hayley, let’s go. I’ll drop you home,” he offered. Hayley’s face flushed when Eva winked at her.
“I’ll see you later, Eva. Mom’s calling me. Got to go,” she said breathlessly.
“Sure. Bye.”
Hayley followed Ashton out and looked around for his car. “Didn’t you bring your car?” she asked.
“No, we’ll ride Fang.”
“Who?” she asked with wide eyes. Ashton grinned and gestured towards his motorcycle. “Do you call your motorcycle, Fang?” He nodded and climbed onto it. He handed her a spare helmet that was too big for her head.
“Who’s helmet is this? Madison’s?” she asked with jealousy, inspecting the thing gingerly.
“No, she has her car. She hates Fang. That is Alexander’s.” Hayley smiled with relief and placed it on her head, struggling with the straps.
“Come here. I’ll fix it for you.” Hayley went closer to him with her breath hitched. Thankfully, he didn’t notice it because of the helmet. His fingers brushed against her neck as he tightened the strap. It sent electric tingles down her body. “There, done.” She mounted the motorcycle and sat straddled behind him, holding onto the seat with both hands.
He started Fang, and she caught at his shirt to stop herself from falling. “Hold me, Hayley,” he ordered, making her wrap both her arms around his waist.