EVENTUALLY OLAF DOES turn the lights off on us because no one takes him seriously. We spill out the front door as he grabs a broom and begins knocking us in the calves and ankles, pretending he’s sweeping behind us.
The movie at the Clyde ends and for a few minutes, groups of people crowd the sidewalks of Langley. With a new peace settling over our little gang, none of us seem in a rush to go home. We loiter around the front of the tavern on the benches or stand along the curb, shooting the shit.
At least outwardly, none of us is ready to leave, but internally, I’m thinking about how soon I can throw Ashley over my shoulder and go someplace where we can be alone. And by alone, I mean naked and buried inside of her.
I speed down the dirt road to my house, not caring if I take out a few ferns as I kick up gravel and moss behind my tires.
“Eager much?” Ashley holds on to the door handle and braces her other hand on the seat next to her leg. “If you haven’t heard, I’m a sure thing.”
I slam on the brakes in front of the house. “Stop.”
“It’s the truth, isn’t it? Or did you drag me out here to your lair in the woods to watch a movie after picking a fight at the Dog?”
“What if I did?”
“Going back to the platonic torture?” She stares at me in the glow from the dash.
“No, but you need to stop putting yourself down.”
“I’m not. I’m owning my sexuality. Do you ever call yourself a slut or a manwhore? Bet if you do, you say those words with a sense of pride.”
She’s right. “It’s different when you use it as a defense.”
“Maybe I’m striking first. Makes most men uncomfortable if there’s no chase.”
I shift to face her. “I think you like making men uncomfortable, especially me.”
“What if I do?” She scoots to the middle of the seat. “It’s fun to see you squirm a little.”
“Or a lot.”
“You’re adorable when you’re uncertain. You wear your cockiness like I wear my reputation.”
“Oh, really?” I kiss the corner of her mouth.
“We’re a lot alike, you and me.”
I kiss the other corner of her mouth. “How’s that?”
“We’re actually nice people underneath all the layers of nonsense we’ve wrapped around ourselves.”
“Shh,” I whisper against her lips right before I kiss her.
She kisses me back, softly sucking on my bottom lip. Before releasing me, she gently bites it. “I won’t tell if you won’t.”
I could argue with her, but I’d rather keep kissing her. From the way she’s swirling her tongue in my mouth, I’m thinking she agrees.
“Trucks weren’t made for fooling around.” Stupid center console design.
“Race you inside.” She unhooks her seatbelt and then opens the door.
Before I can process, because I’m pretty sure she just bungled a Top Gun quote, she’s halfway to my front door.
She spins around and stands with her fists on her hips. “Coming?”
She looks fierce, which is always my favorite Ashley.
“Not yet.” I surprise her when I jog toward her, pausing only to pick her up and throw her over my shoulder before opening the front door. She squeals and pinches my butt, but I don’t drop her until we get to my bedroom.
She bounces on the bed when I flip her down and then pounce on her.
I waste zero time as I peel up her shirt and flick open the button on her jeans. While I’m trying to focus on undressing her, she’s fumbling with my shirt. Our impatience tangles us up in clothes, and we get stuck with our hands in each other’s pants. The wire of her bra is like a crab trap around my hand.
“I’m stuck here.” I squeeze her breast and pinch her nipple.
“There are worse places to be trapped.” She wriggles out of her bra, freeing my hand.
“I’d stay in bed with you forever if it was an option.” I kiss her other breast.
“Sounds good to me. No annoying customers. Or weirdos. Would make your stalking easier. Although I draw the line at following me into the bathroom. We need some secrets.”
“Agree. Although, I want to keep showering together an option. Sexy and green living at its finest. You know I’m all about doing my part in saving the planet.” I stretch up to kiss her mouth.
“Are you sure you’re not a crunchy hippie?” She laughs against my lips. “I think you and Falcon could be best friends. Maybe he’ll loan you his unicycle. I think you’d look great with dreads.”
She stops talking when I slip my tongue in her mouth as my fingers dip into her underwear. Spreading her open, I slide two fingers inside of her. I stroke her while intensifying the kiss, matching the rhythm of my fingers to my tongue. Soon she’s arching and moaning.
I pause when I feel her begin to clench around my fingers. “I’m sorry. Were you saying something?”
Her hand at the back of my head drags my lips back to hers.
“Didn’t think so,” I whisper against her lips.
My fingers find the spot that makes her beg and I don’t let up until she comes undone, whispering my name.
I slow my pace, bringing her down from the peak, laying soft kisses on her face and neck. I stare down at her, beautifully blissed out, and I know I’ll never love anyone else. My heart has always belonged to Ashley.
She hums in contentment as I shift on the bed, removing my hand and resting my head on my bent elbow.
Noticing my silence, she finally opens her eyes and gazes into mine.
“Hi,” she whispers with a breathy voice.
Cupping her face, I press a kiss to the corner of her mouth. “I love you.”
Her inhale catches in her throat.
“Don’t tell me it’s too soon. It’s not. I never stopped loving you. Even when I pretended I didn’t, I loved you.”
She blinks her long dark lashes as I stare into the green-blue of her eyes.
“You don’t have to say it back. If you’re not ready. Shit, I didn’t mean to blurt it out during sex. That’s like the worst time ever. I swear it’s not the sex endorphins. I swear.”
Her finger pressed to my lip stops my rambling.
“You’re the only one, Carter. The only one I’ve ever let into my heart.”
I swallow a ball of emotion in my throat and kiss her finger.
“I love you. Only you.”
Hearing the words I’ve dreamed about for years but never thought she’d say again, I crush my mouth to hers.
When our bodies join together, I know this is different. Sex without emotion is fun. It’s a release. Sex with love is on another level. I love and trust her with my entire being. Knowing she loves me back elevates every touch and sigh to something close to heaven.