They had just ordered the food when Ashton’s phone buzzed with an incoming call. He glanced at the screen and grimaced at seeing Madison’s number flashing. Slipping it back into his jacket pocket, he looked up at Hayley.
“Won’t you accept it?” She couldn’t help but think of what Jason had told her about his mafia connections. Maybe his boss was calling him!
“No, it’s Madison. She too has shifted nearby and I’m avoiding her.” It was news to Hayley and gave her immense satisfaction to know that he was avoiding the woman. In her excitement to be with him, she had completely forgotten about her.
“Why?” she asked, wanting to get an accurate picture of their relationship. “Aren’t you best friends? Or maybe friends with benefits?”
“Heck, no! She isn’t any of those. She’s more a friend who takes advantage of my goodness!” he said with an eye roll.
“Oh! How? Does she force you to sleep with her?” Ashton groaned and looked her straight in the eye.
“What do you take me as?”
“A man-whore maybe!” Ashton chuckled and looked at her with interest.
“Yet you find me hot!” Hayley groaned at being reminded of her slip of the tongue.
“Will you remind me of it all your life?” she asked with an eye roll.
“Yes, I plan to. So will you be with me forever?” he asked in a whisper, making her mouth hang open. Was he proposing? What did that mean?
“What do you mean?”
“You need to be with me forever so that I can remind you of the rest of your life!” He chuckled at his own joke while Hayley glared at him.
“I’m sorry to dash all your hopes, Ashton. I have only a year before Jason marries me forcefully. So I might end my life to escape him.” Ashton sobered up and gaped at her with a blank look in his eyes.
“How can someone marry you forcefully? Can’t you put your foot down?” A deep sigh escaped her and she shook her head slowly.
“Jason is an evil man, Ashton. He has men stalking the two of us and knows everything about you and me. He has threatened to finish you if I don’t agree to marry him.”
“No one can harm me, Hayley. He’s just taking advantage of your naivety. All he can do is complain to your dad, but I told you before. I can face your dad. Just relax and stand your ground!” Hayley smiled with relief, glad to have shared her worries with him. He made them look so simple!
“Thanks! I’ll not bend to his wishes now,” she said with a smile of relief.
“Good, that’s the spirit. Be focused on your goals, Hayley. Study hard, and take over your family business. Don’t let the likes of Lowells divert you from your dreams, and your aspirations. I’m sure your dad will appreciate your efforts, if not today, maybe a few years later when he can’t pull the show all by himself.” Hayley listened intently. His words, his deep voice, his beautiful eyes brimming with emotions, his company, and the romantic atmosphere around them all felt etched in her mind forever. The way he solved her dilemma, and instilled confidence in herself, was really unbelievable! He might be in the mafia, but for her, he was her everything.
“Thank you, Ashton. I’m glad I spoke to you.” Ashton’s eyes sparkled at her appreciation.
“I’ll always be there for you, Hayley.” Their food arrived, and they tucked in, but his words echoed in her head all throughout the meal. Ashton told her about Buzz’s antics and it made her roll with laughter. Amidst the light banter, not once did he mention the reason for chasing her all the way here. Maybe he really wanted her to taste the treats he made. He paid for the food and led her towards the parking area. Hayley felt sad that the time flew by so quickly and she had to return home now. As usual it would take her over an hour to reach home, leaving her no time to study. Maybe she would start studying from tomorrow!
She stood by her car with a sad smile on her face, wondering what unfinished business he had mentioned earlier. “Thanks for the wonderful dinner. Bye, Ashton!” Although she fished out her car keys, she hesitated, waiting for him to say something. He stood beside her with a brooding expression on his face while his eyes watched her like a hawk. It was difficult for her to understand what was going on in his complex mind. She could never understand the guy, even if she tried.
Sighing, she unlocked her car, a sense of disappointment washing all over her body. Ashton didn’t want to kiss her while she hopelessly waited all day for it. Was she the only one who needed a kiss? Maybe he had kissed better! She gave him a last glance and a fake little smile before climbing into the driver’s seat. It was no point waiting here in the parking area forever for something that would never happen. She was sure now that he chased her for the food.
However, Hayley’s eyes popped out when he abruptly opened the door and climbed into the passenger side of her car. “Won’t you come over tomorrow?” he asked in a hoarse whisper, leaning towards her. Hayley sat with wide eyes, trying to understand what he was up to? Did he get into her car just to ask her that?
“I’ll see! Now go. Bye!” she breathed to get him out of her car before she made a fool of herself again but he shook his head.
“I have some unfinished business to take care of!”
“What unfinished business?” she mumbled, her eyes wide and wary. He smiled and leaned in towards her, his fingers tucking away the stubborn stray curl that always escaped from her bun.
“You know what I want, Hayley. It’s the same thing you want! I don’t think I can survive a minute without kissing you.”
A gasp escaped her mouth and Ashton took the opportunity to crash his lips to hers in a fiercely hungry kiss. His fingers held her head to dominate the kiss while a soft moan of pleasure escaped her mouth, igniting a deep hunger inside him. She inhaled deeply when his tongue plunged right inside her mouth, plundering her sweetness. It became more demanding than the last time, heightening the kiss to a new level altogether. His hand clamped around her waist and he hoisted her onto his lap so effortlessly, as if she weighed nothing. With his mouth still fused to hers, he pulled her flush into him, molding her body into his. She could feel his wild heartbeats, even through the layers of clothing that separated them. The searing kiss branded onto her throbbing lips, forcing her to respond to him with a passion that surmounted his. The fierceness of her response stunned him, and he moaned right into her mouth, grinding his hips into her with excruciating slowness. It made her aware of his burning need for her, and she grabbed his shoulders to deepen the kiss further.
The se*ual tension that had been escalating between them for the last few weeks finally found a vent. Although inexperienced, Hayley instinctively met his heated thrusts, crushing herself more into him. She couldn’t get enough of him! She had never seen this fiercely passionate side of Ashton before. It pleased her to know that he was right there with her, with a need matching her own.
She released his mouth, gasping for breath while his eyes locked up with hers. The tenderness she saw in them blew her mind off. He closed his eyes and leaned over, embedding his face into the crook of her neck. Hayley held him close, her fingers caressing his silky, soft hair. She knew at that moment that this wasn’t any ordinary desire they felt for one another. There was more to this.
“Hayley, what are you doing to me?” he whispered against her neck. It made her smile with satisfaction, feeling his heavy breath hitting her neck. He sucked in a staggering breath and at last straightened up. Staring at her with longing, he fixed her hair and dress and placed her gently down on the seat.
“It’s getting late. You should go home to study and munch on the pizzas I made for you.” The radiant grin on his face made her want to reach over and kiss him again but she knew better. This time they wouldn’t be able to stop themselves!
“Yes. Bye, Ashton. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Ashton tilted his head and flashed her a skew little smile that made her heart skip a beat.
“See ya, babe!” He climbed out of her car and strode towards his machine, with a spring to his step. Hayley smiled and drove off, the memories of the kiss driving her crazy. She couldn’t wait for the next day to see him again.
She reached home in record time but as she drove in through the gates; she thought she saw Ashton over his Fang watching her from farther down the street. Was she hallucinating? How could Ashton be here? Why would he follow her? She looked around, but there was no one!