Chapter 29: Chapter 29

Chapter 29

ALICIA

It's been almost a week since I heard from Ash, and even though I've been busy with back-to-back lectures, it still stings.

Not one word.

Not one text.

Just. . . nothing.

It's like he ghosted me.

No! It's not like - he totally ghosted me.

I blink back the tears threatening to pool in my eyes as I settle down for the night. It's a Friday, and while some of my mates are getting drunk, I'm here feeling sorry for myself. I focus on some of the words from the notes I had been reading and it works. I begin drifting off when I feel my phone vibrating so I pat the bed, only to find out that I'm lying on it. I don't bother checking to see who the caller is, I just pick it up.

There's a long pause, and just when I'm about wondering if it's a prank call, someone speaks. "Hello, hazel eyes."

The vestiges of sleep clouding my brain immediately fly away as I sit up straight. "Hi." I squeak.

"You looked sexy today."

I let out a surprised gasp. "Hold on, did you see me?"

"Only in my dreams."

His words set my heart beating hard and my body aflame, but even though his voice has a deep husky rasp, I can still hear the tinge of tiredness laced into it. It makes my heart melt more for him. I'm quiet for a while, shy, even. Truth is, we've never really talked, all we've ever done is slapped skins, so I don't know what to say.

Ash lets out a sexy laugh. "I'd have called earlier if I knew I would be this welcome."

I let out a shaky laugh and decide to come clean with my thoughts. "I'm sorry, it's just. . . it's kinda odd you calling me, I felt you'd abandoned me."

"Never, baby. I've been crazy busy, and I know you have as well."

"Yes, I have been," I say reluctantly. "I'm stumped with lectures back to back. I'm just so glad I've got a breather, thanks to the weekend."

It's his turn to remain quiet until he finally asks. "How was school?"

I tell him how my classes are going, expecting him to cut me off but he doesn't. Instead, he listens patiently and laughs when I tell him how flustered I was on the first day excluding the episode with Donald. I know we're not dating yet but I wouldn't want him getting worried about another man trying to catch my attention.

There's silence on his end when I finish and I think he's slept on me, but then he asks. "Are you up for something this weekend?"

It's my turn to pause because his question warms me. He's never asked me before, he just orders me instead.

"Yes," I say breathlessly.

"You've got to answer a quiz first."

I don't know what he means but I'm still up for it.

"Which would you prefer - the beach, movies, or fishing?"

His question makes me pause. I didn't expect this. Actually, I don't know what I expected. "The beach, well, because it's relaxing."

"Alright, here's another one. Italian, Mexican, or Asian food?"

"Italian." I say immediately, "but I hear Mexican food is to die for as well."

"I hear you loud and clear, hazel eyes. When would you want me to come to pick you up tomorrow?"

I would like to say noon so I can sleep for longer, but this is Ash, and I need to spend as much time as I can with him. "How does ten in the morning sound?"

"Sounds like a plan," He replies immediately. "Now, rest up, I don't like lateness."

And. . . bossy Ash is back.

I lay back on the bed, a smile on my face. I no longer feel tired, my body is buzzing with nerves. I'm wondering what to wear. I smile wider when I remember the yellow halter neck dress I just bought but never got the chance to wear. I'm definitely going to put it to good use tomorrow. I look for a more comfortable position on the bed as thoughts of Ash flood my mind. . . and body as well.

I try, I really do try to take my mind out of the gutter, but it's pointless. His voice has got me turned on. So turned on, I feel the wetness between my legs.

That's it.. . . shower time.

After I'm done taking a shower, I feel wayy more relaxed, and after only a few minutes, sleep takes me away.

*

The following morning, I wake up feeling refreshed. So refreshed, I almost overslept. I jet off from the bed and take a quick shower. I don't have time to do anything to wash my hair so I comb it and let it trail down my waist. The halter neck dress is backless, so I don't wear a bra, but I make sure to use the hack Clarissa taught me to cover my nipples. Satisfied, I take one last look in the mirror before picking up my bag and slinging it across my chest.

As I step into the sitting room, the doorbell rings. I compose my face into a semblance of neutrality and walk casually to the door. There's no one there when I open it, except a trail of red rose petals on the ground leading to. . .

"You've got to be fucking kidding me."

The trail of roses leads right up to a huge bike idling a short distance from the door. Ash is nowhere to be seen, but I know he's the one who rode on it. I grimace as I lock up and walk toward it. I stop a few meters away and gape. I've never ridden a bike before, so if Ash expects me to sit on this hulk of metal. . .

That would be a big fat no.

I shake my head but stop when I catch a note propped up in between the handlebars. I look around, wondering where he could have disappeared to. Not seeing him, I shrug and lift the note to read it.

Went for a piss in the woods. There are some chocolates on the bike. Have a go at them and make yourself comfy.

That's when I see a nylon bag hanging from around one of the handlebars. I open it, and sure enough, a pack of chocolates is inside. My stomach growls in anticipation. Needing no further nudge, I tear one open and begin to munch on it, looking towards the woods that surround the apartments. There's no perimeter walling it off, little wonder the apartments around here are cheap.

It's a prime area for a murder site. I shudder as I tear my eyes away from it.

An ill-at-ease feeling settles inside my gut as once more, I brave a glance at the thick woods. Ash is taking too long in coming out and there's no sign of him, but then I hear rustling and I perk up. I hear more rustling and I see some trees shake so I walk towards there, ready to surprise him, when I stop dead in my tracks.

Twin brown eyes stare at me. Eyes that belong to the face and body of a huge black coyote. I don't know who is more surprised - the coyote or me. We stare at each other transfixed until I back away and run back to the bike. I careen away from it, and towards the apartment, choosing instead, to stay inside.

When Ash is done, he can come find me inside my apartment. As I fit the key in the lock, my hands shake so badly, it slips from my fingers and falls to the grass. I groan and sink to my knees in the now ankle-length grass. I knew I should have gotten someone to clear it.

How the hell am I going to find the key now?

"Here!"

Something is put into my hand and I look down at it. It's the key. I look up to see Ash staring at me keenly. His hair is in a state of total disarray, black strands flying this way and that. This isn't a case of hand raking. It's more a result of an external force. The wind. My forehead crinkles, and I turn to look at the bike, only to see a helmet on one of the handlebars.

I don't give it another thought when a kiss lands on my forehead and Ash's hands are helping me up. He looks into my eyes but it feels like he's searching my soul. His eyes. . . I've never seen them look so alert, so alive, and so penetrating before. He looks carefree and happy, the happiest I've seen him yet.

"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting."

I can't believe my ears. Ash Thunder apologizing to me is an absolute rarity. My mouth falls open and all I can do is manage a nod. He tips my chin and draws me close, and I catch the scent of sandalwood, mint, and moist earth, right before he places a soft kiss on my lips.

"Ready to go?"

I'm about to nod again when my eyes fall on the hulk of metal, then I back away from him, shaking my head in the process. "I just. . . I don't." I wave my hands to punctuate my words. "I've never ridden on a bike before talk more of this monstrosity."

Amusement dances in Ash's eyes. "That monstrosity. . . " he points behind him. "Is solid, plus I've never had an accident while driving it. You know what else?" He leans forward until his face is close to mine and I'm breathing in his scent once more. "I'll never let anything bad happen to you, so please trust me."

Emotions clog me up, not allowing me to speak so I settle for a nod instead. He opens his palm and I place my hand inside it allowing him lead me toward his bike. As we walk the short distance, I notice something odd. His feet are bare. I say nothing about it as we get to his bike and he lets go of my hand to wear his boots.

"Ready?"

No, m not ready, but holding him close will definitely help steady my heart. He climbs on and I do the same, with him helping me on. My hands immediately clamp around his waist. He puts his helmet on my head and clips it tightly, shutting out any extraneous noise. I'm glad no one is around to witness all of this.

When he's done, he asks if I'm ready once more, and I give him a thumbs up. He revs the engine and I can feel the powerful vibration of it underneath my lap. I wish I wasn't wearing a dress because the moment he begins to move, it flaps open, revealing my lap.