Chapter Twenty-Two
Ashton
Monday came, leaving the weekend behind in a blur of sheets, showers, and a few intense meals that I would never forget. Eating cheeses and meats off Nina’s tummy was better than any cheeseboard I’d ever been served.
But the work week interrupted our little party for two, separating us for the duration of the long day. Separating us for small amounts of time, anyway.
Popping into her office, I found her finishing up with the social media work she did for Lila. “Hey.”
Her green eyes fluttered away from the computer screen to look at me. “Hey, you.”
Closing the door behind me, I went straight to her, picking her up, then setting her on the small desk. I couldn’t hold back; I had to kiss her.
After a good long kiss, I pulled my mouth away then rested my forehead against hers. “I’ve never been happier that we work together. At least I get a little taste of you now and then, since we’re in the same building.”
Her fingers traced circles on my back. “Me too.” She moved in for another kiss and I obliged her.
When our lips parted, I sighed. “Baby, I’ve got it bad for you.”
She laughed, a light sound that echoed in my heart. “Me too, babe. It’s coffee time in Lila’s office. I’ll bring you back a big mug of it. I’m so excited to tell them our big news.”
I couldn’t have wiped the smile off my face if I’d tried. Slapping her ass as she walked away from me, I said, “Don’t tell them all the details. We have to keep a few secrets.”
She turned to me, her finger to her lips in a shushing gesture. “Not to worry. No one will ever know how much I like it when you …”
I stopped her. “Hush, now. The walls have ears, you know.”
Opening the door, she laughed as she walked out of her office. I followed her out, going up to see Artimus. We shared the elevator ride up. Her hand took mine as we moved back to let more people in. I loved the way her hand felt in mine.
It was insane how my heart swelled with love for her at her every touch. I knew it was a short amount of time, in some people’s eyes. But our love had been quietly growing for the past two years, whether we’d realized it or not. It made perfect sense to me.
We were alone as we rode up the last few floors, and I took the chance to get in one last kiss before we had to part ways. “Miss me,” I told her before the elevator doors opened and we were in the penthouse lobby.
Blowing me a kiss, she headed down the hallway as I went to Artimus’ office. All the while, Brady and Veronica gave us blank stares.
I looked at them over my shoulder, “Yeah, we’re a thing now.”
Brady cleared his throat. “Us too.”
I stopped and turned to look at them. “Really?” I was just kidding. Everyone knew about their custodial closet escapades.
Veronica nodded. “We moved in together last week.”
“Well, you guys are more serious than anyone realized.” I jerked my head toward what was known as their closet. “We all thought it was just a casual work affair you guys were having. Congratulations, then. I wish you both all the best.”
Veronica was staring at the closet and didn’t say a word. But Brady was quick to accept my congratulations, “Thanks, Ashton. Congrats to you and Nina too.”
“Thanks.” I knocked on Artimus’ door. “It’s me. Ashton.”
When the door opened, I saw Duke was also visiting our boss. “There he is.”
I went to take a seat on the sofa opposite them. “Here I am. And have I got some news for you guys.”
Artimus smiled at me. “The date went well, then?”
“Better than well.” I crossed my legs, holding one ankle as I thought back on the flurry of passion that had been my weekend.
Duke broke into deep laughter. “Sounds like someone got laid.”
I shook my head. “It was way more than just that, Duke. So much more than that.”
Artimus seemed surprised. “More than that? So just what did you two get up to on Friday night?”
“We went out and had a great dinner. Had some awesome conversations. And in the end, I walked her up to her apartment. I kissed her goodnight.” I sighed without meaning to.
Duke laughed again. “Your first kiss, right?”
“It was.” I could feel the tingle on my tongue the same way I had when I first kissed her.
Artimus pushed for more information. “And then you left?”
Shaking my head, I went on, “No. I did not leave just then.”
Duke howled like a wolf. “The dry spell is over. He’s finally gotten some rain.”
Artimus punched Duke in the arm. “Rogue!” He looked at me. “Never mind him. You know how athletes are. Did you stay the night with her?”
“I did.” My chest swelled with pride. “And the next morning, I took her home with me. Where I kept her until this very morning. We rode to work together.”
“Are you moving her in already?” Duke asked me with a surprised expression.
“Not yet.” My fingers tapped on top of my thigh as I thought about that. “But I want to move her in as soon as possible.”
“I don’t know,” Artimus mused, his hand moving over his chin. “I wouldn’t go rushing anything, Ashton. At the very least, confer with Dr. Patel on how you should take things. You don’t want to rush into things, then suffer a relapse.”
I didn’t like the way he talked about my grieving issues. “Artimus, I don’t have cancer. I’ve got some issues, but nothing more than that.”
“Still, don’t rush,” he cautioned me. “I know you two have waited a long time for this, but don’t make the mistake of moving too fast.”
I felt like it was far too late to stop the rollercoaster we had gotten on. “Easier said than done.”
Duke nodded. “Yeah, I know.” He punched Artimus in the arm. “You and I didn’t exactly follow that advice, Artimus. And we turned out just fine.”
With a stoic stare, Artimus informed him, “We also didn’t have the past that he has.” He looked at me. “Go slow, Ashton. Be cautious. I would hate for either you or Nina to get hurt because you rushed things.”
“I’ll try, Artimus. I will. But where she’s concerned, it doesn’t seem possible.” I thought back to how I’d imagined our first time would be. “I had this plan to make our first time special. I was going to go very slowly, take my time, you know.”
Duke laughed. “Bet you didn’t take your time at all!”
Shaking my head, I confessed, “No, I did not take my time at all.” Going further into the weekend, I added, “And I never thought I would be asking her to stay the weekend with me so soon either. But when her roommate decided to have a little sexy weekend of her own—with more than a few guests in attendance—I didn’t ask Nina to come home with me; I demanded she do so.”
“Her roommate did what?” Artimus asked.
My eyes trained on his to gauge his reaction. “She had an orgy.”
Duke guffawed. “No way!”
“I swear.” My hands went into the air. “We heard her in her room with two guys. Then I went to the bathroom, and there was one of them, standing in the hallway wearing nothing more than what looked like her panties to cover himself. He invited us to their orgy. So, I told Nina we were out of there.”
Duke and Artimus looked at me with stunned expressions. Then Artimus said, “Don’t let that be the reason you ask her to move in with you, Ashton.”
“Oh, that will be part of the reason I ask her to move in with me—I don’t want her living in a place that makes her uncomfortable. But the biggest part will be because I doubt I’ll be able to sleep well without her.” I scratched my head as I thought about how I would get by tonight. “I know it’s only been three nights, but I’m pretty sure I’m already addicted to holding her all night long.”
Duke got up and went to get something out of the fridge. “Okay, Artimus. It’s time to make some bets here. I give Romeo here one month before he asks her to marry him.”
“I’m not that impulsive, Duke. Give me some credit,” but even as I said the words, flashes of engagement rings went through my mind.
Artimus’ expression was stern. “I’m serious, Ashton. Don’t jump into anything permanent.”
I had been alone for so long. More alone than most, I would wager, having lived with the memory of Natalia for so long. And now I had Nina. I didn’t want to be alone anymore. But I knew Artimus was right. I had to slow down. “I’ll try my hardest to slow things down. She’ll be staying at her place this week. And maybe I’ll see if I can get through next weekend without her by my side.” I shook my head. “No. Why would I do that to myself? Artimus, I’ve been alone for so long. Why deny myself now?”
“I’m not saying to deny yourself. I’m just saying to keep the words ‘move in with me’ and ‘marry me’ out of your mouth for a while. That’s all I’m saying.” He looked at Duke, who was staring into the fridge. “Can you grab me an apple juice, Duke?”
“Sure.” Duke looked at me. “You want anything?”
“Nah. Nina’s making coffee in Lila’s office. She’ll be bringing me one soon.” With a deep breath, I tried to slow my train of thought. It was barreling in Nina’s direction and seemed unable to stop.
Artimus asked Duke, “Why don’t you drink that coffee, Duke? It’s amazing.”
“I don’t do caffeine.” He tossed a bottle of apple juice to Artimus, then opened a bottle of water for himself. “You’ve never noticed that?”
I shook my head. “I haven’t noticed that.”
“Me neither.” Artimus took a long drink of the juice. “Is there any reason that you don’t do caffeine?”
“It makes me nervous. I hate to be nervous.” He downed the water. “I’m going to go to the gym. Anyone want to join me?”
“I could use a workout.” I got up to follow him.
Artimus nodded and got up too. “That sounds like a great idea. The gym, a little coffee, and in a little while, we’ll do lunch. Sounds like our typical day.”
And he was right. That was our typical day. We pushed each other in the best of ways.
I knew those guys had my back. I knew they weren’t telling me to slow my roll with Nina out of anything but concern for my best interests.
As we got on the elevator, I bumped shoulders with Artimus. “Thanks again for not listening to me and setting me up with Dr. Patel.”
“That’s what friends are for, Ashton. We do shit even when our friends complain and tell us not to.” He bumped my shoulder back. “And I want you to know that I’m here for you. Don’t let anything get stuck in your craw again. Do you hear me?”
I had kept so much to myself for so long, but he was right; I did need to be open with him and Duke. “I promise.” And then my mind was back on Nina. “We’ve already said the L word to each other. And I should confess this to you guys: I love her more than I’ve ever loved anyone.”
“You know that already?” Duke asked with wide eyes.
“I do.” I was sure I loved her more than anything.
Artimus made a tsk sound. “Well, taking things slow certainly looks like it will be next to impossible for these two.”
I thought so too.