“As my wife?” he asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement. Hayley’s jaws dropped with shock and she just gaped at him, unable to think of an answer. He couldn’t be serious! He was surely playing games with her mind!
“As if you’re the marrying type! I know you don’t believe in love, in relationships. Please don’t joke about such things.” She concentrated on her food instead of the man in front of her, who just watched her in silence.
“Okay, I’m sorry if I hurt your sentiments. You’re right, I don’t care about such things!” Ashton noted the slight quiver to her lips as if she was trying hard to choke her tears, her pain. Did he hurt her so badly? Did she still dream of marrying him like she used to when younger? He had overheard her conversation with Alyssa when they were young. For years, it kept on echoing in his head till extra complications started taking shape in his life. They roughened him and made him lose all his dreamy notions of finding true love in this shitty life. No woman in her right senses would want him after knowing about his reality.
“I’ll leave Ashton. Do you need help with the dishes?” she asked, quickly clearing up. Ashton wanted to stop her, he wanted to pull her into his arms and apologize for his insensitivity. If only he could really marry her!
“No, I’ll drop you home.” Hayley shook her head and picked up her phone.
“I have my car.” Ashton stood like a statue with a brooding look on his face. His heart wanted to stop her, but he couldn’t make a move.
“Stay for some ice cream. I bought it for you.” Hayley stopped and turned to look at him, touched by the imploring look in his eyes. He stood like a statue with a grim expression on his face, as if in some deep thought while his eyes watched her like a hawk. Many times, she had seen him this way. His mind was like a mystery to her. She couldn’t figure out what he thought so much all the time!
“Why didn’t you tell me before?” She said, rushing towards the kitchen, and he smiled, at last, coming out of his reverie. Following her to the kitchen, he stood at the doorway, watching her. She handed him a tub and helped herself to another.
“Mmm, this is heavenly. Just the thing I wanted.” His eyes blazed fire as he watched her lick the ice cream off her lips. What he could do to get a taste of those? He wouldn’t have restrained himself if his situation was normal, if he was from a normal family like Alexander was.
“I know! Are you sure you don’t want to ride, Fang? I could drop you home. It’s eight and I don’t want you driving alone,” he said, finishing his ice cream in one gulp.
“I would love to ride Fang, but not tonight. Don’t worry, I’m used to driving home from work.” Hayley glanced in his direction and a giggle escaped her mouth, making him frown at her.
“What’s so funny?” She didn’t reply, but reached out to wipe the dark stubble on his chin. The soft feel of her fingers on his face made his organ twitch to life, and he watched her with hooded eyes. Hayley immediately felt conscious of their proximity, and she blushed furiously.
“There was, umm, ice cream on your beard. No wonder I hate beards.” She concentrated on her food, unaware of the storm raging deep inside him. He had no idea she hated beards. He had completely forgotten about the stubble that had grown over the last three days.
“So do you prefer clean-shaven men? I wonder why?” he said with a smirk, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he watched her blush even more.
“It’s not what you think.” She couldn’t look up into his mirth-filled eyes knowing what he was thinking about.
“What am I thinking? That the beard comes in the way while kissing? Believe me, it doesn’t.” Hayley gulped her ice cream in order to escape the embarrassment. Yes, she was thinking exactly that, but how did he know?
“Umm, I wasn’t exactly thinking about that. Anyway, it pokes even if it doesn’t come in the way.”
“It seems you have quite a lot of experience with them?” She rolled her eyes at him, although her heart started beating at an alarming rate.
“I don’t.” Ashton wanted to ask more. What exactly did she mean by that? Didn’t she kiss anyone yet? A shot of excitement went down his body at the thought. He could do anything to be her first kiss.
“It’s really unbelievable that you don’t. Who can stay away from someone as beautiful as you? I’m sure all the guys at your college kiss the ground you walk on.” Hayley chuckled at the joke, but somehow, deep inside her heart, she felt exhilarated at being called beautiful. So did he find her beautiful?
“No way! They’re just friends. Are you flirting with me, Ashton Pierce?”
“Yes, what if I am?” he challenged her, taking a step towards her.
“Why?” she asked breathlessly, but he just watched her like a hawk. At last, she completed her treat and threw the disposable cup in the bin. As she turned to go, she collided with Ashton, who was right behind her. Her hands went up to his chest to steady herself, but it had a strange effect on him. He was totally aroused now!
“Thanks for the treat, Ashton. I’ll leave.” Ashton didn’t budge at all to let her pass through. Her touch on his chest made his heart skip a beat. It was such a strange feeling that left him thunderstruck.
“Maybe because I want to be the first one to kiss you,” he whispered, watching her with hooded eyes that kept glancing at her lips. It was a desperate plea, and it took her breath away.
“I think I’ll go home.” She couldn’t think straight as the wish to give in to his wish drove her crazy. She blushed and removed her hands from his body as if scorched.
“Bye, Ashton.” She rushed towards the main door, but Ashton stood where she left him, unable to see her go. Her rejection hurt him a lot. For the first time in his life, he had begged someone for a kiss. Had she not heard him? Didn’t she want him the way he wanted her? He had wanted to hold her in his arms once, taste her lips once and feel her against his heart at least once in his lifetime. What if he never got another chance with her? What if Gambino killed him like he killed his dad?
Hayley glanced back over her shoulder but found him still standing there in the kitchen with a solemn, lonely look on his face. What was wrong with him? Was he that heartbroken that she was leaving without giving him what he asked for? Should she have kissed him? Maybe she should, but she developed cold feet and escaped out of nervousness.
She drove home but couldn’t drive the thoughts of Ashton’s solemn and lonely expression out of her mind. All the way, she repented, having left him so hurriedly. Maybe she should have kissed him! But why did he beg her for a kiss? He was twenty-four and had been kissed by many experienced women. Why would he need an inexperienced kiss from someone who hadn’t even received her first kiss?
The moment she walked into her house, her dad summoned her to his study room. “Yes, dad! Did you call me?”
“Yes, Hayley. Jason will come over for dinner tomorrow. I want you to return home straight from college and help your mom with the preparations. Am I clear?” Hayley’s heart sank at the news. She didn’t have any wish to meet Jason.
“Yes, dad but can’t I go to work even for an hour?” she pleaded. At least she could see Ashton once and explain her situation to him. He would wait for her!
“No, there’s no point in tiring yourself.”
“Okay.” Knowing she couldn’t make him change his mind, she left his study and went up to her room, feeling restless and heartbroken. Ashton’s haggard expression crept up in her mind, making her even more restless and guilty. She wanted to make dinner for him tomorrow and give him what he asked for, but now she was stuck at home. Why did Jason have to come over tomorrow to disrupt her life? She would have to explain to Jason soon that she had no plans to marry him.
The next evening, Hayley called Ashton, but he didn’t attend to her call. Maybe he was busy at work. However, after twenty minutes, her phone buzzed with an incoming call from him while she was helping her mom with the table decor.
“Hi! I called you earlier. Were you busy?” she asked, glancing at her mom, who was busy listening to her conversation. She walked away towards the adjoined terrace.
“Yes, I was in a meeting. So, when are you coming over?” Hayley didn’t miss the huskiness and excitement in his voice.
“I’m at home. Jason will be here for dinner.” There was silence at the other end.
“The would-be fiance, right? Great. Enjoy yourself!” he disconnected the call before she could say another word. Hayley frowned at her phone. Why was he behaving like a jealous boyfriend?