"Abigail," Ash said. "Before we go back out there, can we talk for a second?"
"Sure," I said. I stared at the tile floor at first, but I saw him turn to look at me, so I looked at him too.
What's that you say?
You love girls who can fillet fish?
You wrote a song about me?
You're madly in love?
You want to marry me?
"I, um, this is hard for me to, uh…" Ash paused. "I'm not in this position a whole lot, well, ever. I'm afraid I’m not too good at it."
"Just say what you're thinking," I said.
He gave me a self-deprecating grin. "I don't know if that's a good idea."
"Is it bad?" I asked, feeling a little nervous.
"No. At least, not to me. I just… I don't know."
"Say it, Ash," I said.
"See?" he said. "Just the sound of my name coming off your lips... being said by your voice."
"Ash," I said again.
He closed his eyes, and sighed as if the sound almost hurt.
I reached out and touched his arm. "What is it?" I asked. He placed his hand over mine, gently trapping it in place. The thrill of his touch was almost unbearable. My knees grew weak.
"Abigail, this might be coming out of left field." He paused.
"It's not," I assured him even though I had no idea what he was going to say.
"I'm jealous over you," he said. "It's scary to me how jealous I am."
My heart pounded, but I just stood there, listening.
"Jake was there, at the country club, and I just kept thinking he was looking at you. And then that chef made you some special sauce, and I hated him for it. I wanted to storm back to that kitchen and ask who do you think you are, making sauce for Abigail? And now, your roommate comes in here saying your ex-boyfriend is right outside, and my heart is beating a thousand miles an hour—like I'm about to get in a fight. I seriously feel adrenaline, like I'm about to have to… I don't know." He regarded me sincerely—his golden-brown eyes peering at me like some kind of wild cat. He took a deep, calming breath. "I'm not used to feeling like this."
I still had my hand on his arm, and I left it there, but I repositioned a little bit because I moved to stand in front of him. I stood close enough that our bodies were almost touching. I could see the rise and fall of his chest, and the sight of it made me feel even more breathless than I already was.
"Abigail, I know we still have a lot to learn about each other," he said. "But in the meantime, I would love it if you could just tell me that there's a chance you will not entertain the idea of other guys."
I didn't completely understand what he was saying. "Are you asking me if I'm interested in you, Ash?" I was frightfully nervous, but I hoped my voice didn't betray me.
"Yes," he said. "I am."
"For more than a friend?" I asked.
"Yes, Abigail, for more than a friend."
"What about your policy?"
He scanned my face. "I'm mad at myself for even telling you that. There's no policy. That's ridiculous."
"There never was a policy?"
"Yeah, but it's not called a policy. I just don't date. I didn't date. I date now. I date you."
I couldn't hold back a smile at those words. "I guess I date you, too," I said.
He let out another sigh. "Good," he said. "Thank goodness."
"Where are you gonna take me?" I asked with a smile. "On our date."
"Wherever you want to go."
I shrugged. "I don't need to go anywhere. I just figured if we were calling it dating, then maybe that meant we had to go somewhere."
"I'm not really as concerned with going on a date as I am with you telling me I have nothing to worry about with that guy out there, or the ones who make you special sauce, or any other guys, for that matter."
I let out a little laugh, but then I did something bold… something that surprised me. I couldn't stop myself, though—it was like his face was begging to be touched. I slipped my hand off of his arm and placed it gently on his face, letting my fingertips touch is cheek. I was so weak in the knees that I had to concentrate on standing up. Electricity shot into my hand and through my body, causing all sorts of sensations in my mid-section.
"Ash," I whispered.
"What?"
"I was smitten with you when I thought you were a mover. I was drawn to you instantly. You came outside that day, and I was mad at myself for having on pond clothes. Then, I thought you belonged to the cellist, and I hated her for it. I was jealous of someone who didn’t even exist. Then, you came to The Bombay, and I almost fell off of my stool. Then, you were so sweet with Sidney's class, and…" I paused and sighed. "Ash, I haven't even seen you play the cello, and I'm already feeling like I can barely stand up right now. It's honestly funny to me that you would even think that you have anything to worry about with Corey, or Jake, or Victor."
"So, I can stop being jealous?" he asked, looking sweetly relieved.
I nodded, staring straight at him. I felt slightly embarrassed about admitting how crazy I was about him. I felt like I should say something noncommittal.
"I know we still have a lot to learn about each other," I said. "And I know you have a lot going on with the orchestra. But I just want you to know there's nothing for you to worry about on my end. I'm interested, Ash."
My hand was still resting on the side of his face, and I flexed a little, feeling amazed that the sheer act of touching his face caused my insides to turn warm. His piercing gaze drifted to my mouth, and I let out a tiny, unintentional whimper at the sensation I felt because of it. His eyes met mine when he heard that sound. He must have taken it as permission because, just like that, he wrapped his hand around the back of my waist, pulling me to him. I took an unsteady breath at the shock of that kind of contact—being pulled up against his firm body.
"You okay?" he asked.
I nodded.
"Is this okay?"
I nodded again.
"You know what I'm gonna do, right?"
Another nod.
"Is that okay?" he asked.
"Yes, Ash."
He blinked—a slow blink where he left his eyes closed. "Say it again."
"Your name?" I asked.
He nodded.
"Ashley Jay Winters," I said slowly.
He smiled and took a deep breath before opening his eyes. I thought he might say something else, but he didn’t. He squeezed me by the waist, and leaned down, placing his mouth right next to mine.
"Say it again, Abigail," he whispered. His mouth was so close to mine that I felt his breath on my lips. I could see why he wanted me to repeat his name. Just the sound of Abigail coming out of his mouth caused me to experience a warm, zapping sensation. It was as if I was freefalling. I felt like I needed to grab something and hold onto it. I put my hands on his sides, taking a hold of his shirt and clinching the thin fabric tightly.
"You say it again," I whispered.
He pulled back ever so slightly. "It doesn't work when I say it," he said with a mischievous half-grin.
"I mean, say mine," I whispered breathlessly. "I wanted you to say mine."
He moved to put his mouth next to my ear. "My darling Abigail," he whispered.
The words sent a jolt of humiliation and regret through me, and I closed my eyes shut tight. "Oh, I'm so sorry I did that," I whispered. "I regretted that as soon as you drove off. I wanted to—"
I couldn't finish what I was trying to say because he kissed me. One second, I was talking, and the next, his mouth was on mine. His mouth lingered on mine for several earth-shattering seconds. I didn't breathe. I didn't think. All I did was enjoy his warm, soft lips on mine.
"Don't ever say you regret that." He whispered the words softly without taking his lips from mine. He breathed them into my mouth before kissing me gently again. "You are my darling Abigail."
He let his lips fall on mine yet again, but it was too soft. Too gentle. Too feather-light. I needed more. I felt like I would die if my mouth didn't firmly connect with his. My toes curled and I gripped his shirt for dear life. I breathed in, loving the clean, masculine smell of him. I was dizzy with desire, aching with it.
"Ash," I whispered.
"What?"
I didn't answer. Instead I stretched up, kissing him deeper, opening my mouth to him. He pulled me closer, holding me with one arm behind my waist. His other hand wrapped around the back of my head. I could feel his fingers lace through my hair as he held onto me, pulling me firmly to him. His mouth had the faint taste of peppermint, and it felt as if my blood turned to warm honey as he opened to me.
We connected deeply for a long moment before he pulled back. He kept a hold of my bottom lip, sucking on it, teasing me gently before he broke contact completely. We stared at each other for a few heartbeats before he kissed me again—one, two—five, six, seven—ten times. The soft, warm flesh of his lips felt like heaven's velvet, and I struggled to breathe or even remain on my feet.
He shifted, kissing my cheek a few times before placing another kiss on my ear. I shivered. I breathed in, relishing the smell of his neck.
"Abigail," he said, close to my ear.
"What?"
"Someone's coming."
A little disappointed groaning sound came from my throat, and he smiled, which pleased me greatly. I turned to glance out the window, wondering who was approaching.
I turned just in time to see Jana and Bill knock on the door. I felt Ash straighten, propping himself against the counter, and I almost stepped away from him, but I just couldn't. I wanted so badly to be close to him, that I couldn’t make myself create distance. I turned around, but I didn't step away. I stood close enough to him that my back was leaning against his chest.
"Come in!" I yelled, running a hand through my hair casually.
I felt Ash take hold of my clothes. I couldn’t say for sure, but it felt like he looped a finger through one of my belt loops. I knew Bill and Jana couldn't see what he was doing, but it made me smile, anyway.
"Are y'all gonna stick around for dinner?" Jana asked. "We'll have plenty."
"No ma'am," I said. "Thank you, but Ash and I already had plans to go to out for dinner. He just came to pick me up."
"I was wondering about that," Jana said with a nod. "That's why I brought Bill over. I wanted him to meet Ashley before you left."
They crossed the living room, headed in our direction. I reluctantly broke contact with Ash so that we could walk toward them, meeting them at the edge of the kitchen. He approached Bill with an outstretched hand, and Bill smiled as he shook it.
"I met you out there with Abigail, but I didn't realize who you were," Bill said. "Jana and I have heard you play before, and I still didn't recognize you. It's an honor to have you at our home, Mr. Winters."
"Ash, please," he said. "And the pleasure's all mine."
"Do you enjoy fishing?" Bill asked. "You're welcome to come out with us sometime. We'd love to have you."
Jana bumped her husband. "Honey, he's probably really busy." She smiled at Ash. "We're really excited about you playing at the St. Jude event next month. We'll see you play at the Knight as well, but the St. Jude event is more intimate. I think you'll enjoy playing there. I know we're looking forward to it."
"I am too," Ash said. "That'll be fun."
"Will you be alone, or will the orchestra be with you?" Jana asked.
Ash hesitated. "I don't believe it's the full orchestra," he said. "I'm not positive, though. It might be a quartet."
There was a short pause where Jana smiled at him nervously, looking like she couldn’t believe he was standing in her guesthouse.
"Well, I guess we better get back," Bill said. "That Grouper isn't gonna marinate itself."
"Are you sure you can't stay?" Jana asked.
"We were just about to leave," I said, thinking of Corey. "Thank you, though. I know he would have enjoyed that Grouper. We'll have to do it again."
"I'd love that," Ash said. "And maybe I can go with you to catch it."
Bill beamed as he reached out to shake Ash's hand again, and Ash shook it without hesitation.
"Well, you know where to find me if you decide you want to come," Bill said. "I'd love to take you."
Ash smiled. "I appreciate it. I just might do that."
Jana was nervous and giddy. I had never seen her like that. She smiled and stutter-stepped as she approached Ash, wanting a hug. He graciously hugged her back, and just like that, she and Bill headed out.
I looked at Ash with wide eyes. Jana and Bill's starstruck reaction to him only made me want him more. Suddenly, I remembered what we had been doing before they walked in, and the thought of it sent a gut-clenching wave of desire through me. I bit my lip, which made Ash smile and reach out for me. He tugged me gently by the shirt.
"What?" he asked, wondering what was behind my coy smile.
"I can't believe they were so excited about meeting you," I said. "It's crazy that she knew about that event you're playing. Did you see how excited she was?"
"I didn't even know for sure what event she was talking about," he said. "I know I have a couple of benefits on the books."
"Are they fancy?" I asked.
He nodded. "Usually. You'll see."
"Oh, I'm not going," I said. "Jana and Bill go to all kinds of things we don't go to. Kristen and I don't do all that fancy stuff. We just rent their guesthouse."
Ash tilted his head, leveling me with a serious stare. "I meant you'll be coming with me," he said.