Ashton smiled, relieved to finally get it out of his system. He didn’t get a moment of respite since he found out about her dinner plans with her damn fiance. He wanted to go over to her place and check things out for himself. What if he stole her first kiss? He wanted to be the only one to kiss her.
He paced the entire time, restless and furious at his own helplessness. Memories of the previous evening drove him crazy, and he missed her immensely. Being wrapped up in his thoughts, he forgot to even have his dinner. Finally, he built up the courage to message her.
His phone buzzed with an incoming message from her, and Ashton sat up with excitement. What reply did she send to his earlier admission? Did she miss him, too?
Missing me or my food?- Hayley
Both- Ashton.
Why can’t I believe you?-Hayley.
You will believe me eventually. I never lieAshton.
That was deepHayley
I am quite deep. Come over tomorrow to know me better- Ashton.
I might take you up on that- Hayley.
I’ll be waitingAshton.
His smile widened as he read their messages repeatedly. He wanted to open up to her. He wanted to give in to the urge and explore the attraction he felt for her.
His phone buzzed with an incoming call from Madison, but he didn’t bother accepting it. He knew what she had to say to him. She might have shifted nearby! He had almost forgotten about her in the last two days. It irked him that she always pursued him relentlessly. Why couldn’t she live all by herself like she used to before meeting him? If he didn’t take her call, maybe she would lose heart and stop pursuing him. However, after five calls, Madison messaged him. He had no wish to interact with her so late in the night. It would unnecessarily sour his mood. So, switching off his phone, he dozed off to sleep, dreaming about Hayley all night.
The next day Hayley was in the brightest of spirits, determined to check up on Ashton after work. His message from last night still played in her head like a broken record, urging her to visit him. She wanted to know more about him. Did he really miss her so much that he went off to sleep on an empty stomach because of her? Her mind went into overdrive at the thought. No one had ever missed her that much! Why did he want her to know him better? Thousands of questions played in her mind as she quickly wrapped up her work for the day.
In the evening, she patiently waited for her dad to leave before stealthily escaping out of the gates. Walking up to Ashton’s cottage, she was surprised to find the door already open. Was he waiting for her? She walked up to the porch and pushed the door open, and peered inside. Ashton was nowhere in sight and she went inside to check up on him.
“I’m right here.” Hayley clutched at her heart, startled to hear him in his bedroom. Should she go inside?
“Oh, okay! Umm, I’ll wait outside,” she said, hesitating a little. Ashton chuckled and emerged from his bedroom, looking freshly showered and sinfully seductive, wearing a pair of rugged, worn-out jeans and a black tee shirt.
“Why did you leave the door open? Anyone could have come inside and robbed you!” she scolded him.
“I have nothing except my heart to rob.” Hayley rolled her eyes at him while he grinned at her like a truant schoolboy being reprimanded by his parent. She couldn’t help the infectious smile from catching on.
“So, what do you want me to make for dinner?”
“Dinner’s done. I want you to just chill with me.” He grabbed her hand and led her towards the dining table while Hayley’s eyes widened at the sumptuous meal laid out for them.
“Did you make it all?” she gasped, wondering when he got the time!
“No, it’s complementary, on behalf of the resort. I usually prefer home-cooked food so I don’t avail the privilege. Today, I thought you would be tired after college and work, so I just wanted you to relax with me.” Hayley smiled at his thoughtfulness. He might look uncaring, insensitive, and roughened up on the outside, but he was just the opposite deep inside.
“Thanks! My legs are killing me today. I should have opted for my pumps instead.” Ashton looked down at her feet and felt an intense urge to give her some relief.
“I can give you a leg massage after dinner.” Hayley’s eyes widened as she started imagining the scene. Would it lead to other things? She knew Ashton wasn’t a saint where women were concerned. He was a man-whore who knew how to charm his way into a woman’s pants. She might love him, but wasn’t ready for that type of relationship with him.
“No, thanks. I’ll be fine after a warm dip.” His glance took in the long expanse of her creamy legs, exposed from the pencil skirt she wore. An uncontrollable urge to touch them, to feel their creamy softness, rose within him. He tried to control himself by concentrating on pulling out a chair for her. It was something he had never done for anyone before.
“Thanks,” said Hayley, surprised at the chivalry.
“My pleasure!” he said, settling down opposite her. “I hope the food is as per your liking.”
“It looks delicious, but I prefer cooking for you.” Ashton’s eyes sparkled with interest as if it was news for him.
“Why?” The question prompted Hayley to confess her undying love for him, but maybe it wasn’t the right time. She really should get to know him better. She knew nothing would change between them even if she confessed her feelings since he didn’t believe in love. He wouldn’t commit to a relationship with her!
“I love cooking. At home, I hardly get a chance to experiment. So why not here?” she said, serving herself adequately. Ashton looked a little crestfallen but recovered fast.
“Are you gonna experiment with my health?” he said with an eye roll.
“No, never! I don’t make toxic food, okay?”
“Never mind! I have an amazing metabolism. So you can go ahead and experiment with me. I’m totally yours,” he added with a chuckle. Hayley grinned at him, although she had the inkling that he was implying something else. All throughout dinner, his words echoed in her head.
I’m totally yours!
What exactly did he mean?
“So, how was dinner last night? Did you have fun with your fiance?” asked Ashton, watching her closely. This was what he had been dying to know since last night. There was no evading the issue now. He needed to know her equation with the fu*king man!
“Don’t even mention him! I don’t want to spoil my mood,” she said, strongly reacting to the mention of the man. Ashton was taken aback by her sudden ferocity, unable to think of a reason for it.
“That bad, huh?” he said, feeling some satisfaction at last. Maybe she didn’t like Jason Lowells!
“Yes, he’s a horrible, manipulative, old jerk!” exclaimed Hayley with a fierce hatred for him.
“Old? How old? As old as I am?” asked Ashton, looking solemn and uncomfortable. He had never considered his age a barrier until now. Maybe she considered him too old for her! After all, six years was a lot!
“No, you’re just six years older. That hardly matters, Ashton. Jason is at least ten years older than me, if not more.”
“Don’t you think I’m also a little old for you?” he asked, watching her closely.
“No, I can connect with you.”
Ashton smiled, satisfied with her answer. Of course, he felt the same way about her. Despite the age gap, she was the only girl he could connect to. Although Madison claimed to be his best friend, he couldn’t connect with her. It was always Madison, taking advantage of his goodness. Ashton relaxed a little after that admission. They talked about their day, carefully avoiding any mention of Jason although he was dying to know about him.
What was it that had pissed her off? Did he make a pass at her? Did he try to take advantage of her? Although he cleared up their dinner, his mind was in overdrive thinking about it.
Since Ashton refused her help, Hayley sat down on the sofa to wait for him. The pain was killing her, and she opened her shoes and rested her legs on the ottoman till he returned. If she didn’t have the meeting her dad wanted her to attend, she wouldn’t have worn a skirt and heels in the first place. She didn’t get any time to change and had to pull it off the entire day, even at college! Closing her eyes, she relaxed momentarily.
Suddenly, a pair of warm hands on her right foot made her open her eyes with a start. To her immense discomfort, she found Ashton sitting on another ottoman and massaging her foot. Her face flushed with colour and she pulled her skirt down to cover her exposed legs.
“What are you doing? It’s okay, Ashton,” she breathed. His rough hands on her skin caused goosebumps to erupt all over her. Totally ignoring her protests, he slowly massaged her foot while his dark, desire-filled eyes watched her like a hawk. She could get an orgasm just watching him work his magic on her foot!