6. Ash

Chapter six

Ash

A sleek midnight blue Tesla pulls up in front of me and I slide into the front seat. "Oh honey, you look awful," Joshua says from the driver's seat.

Yanking the passenger mirror down, I can see my eyes are bloodshot and puffy. How embarrassing. "Thanks for picking me up," I mumble. "I couldn't drive like this."

"Of course. But why didn't you call Drake? He works down the street."

I sigh. "Yeah, but I didn't want to interrupt his workday. He'll be off later tonight."

"So what happened?"

Tears brim my eyes and I angrily swipe them away. "I was fired."

"What?" Joshua screeches. "What for?"

"I don't really want to talk about it," I mumble, shrugging.

We drive in silence for a while as I replay the memories of the morning in my mind. The look of fury on Lucy's face when I spilled coffee on her shirt. The way I freaked out and slipped my thumb in my mouth before trying to pretend I was chewing on my nail. I was so mortified, the rest of it was a daze. She pulled me into the office and pulled out emails of offenses. A record she has been gathering against me.

My mouth fell open. I remember most of the issues being very minor, and nothing should be a fireable offense, but there was no way I was arguing to keep my job, not when she clearly didn't want me there. What I don't understand is that she's the boss, so why go through the trouble of recording all these issues?

I shift my body so I'm partially facing Joshua. He looks good. Really good. His dark brown skin looks flawless and his thick, wavy black hair is even longer than when I last saw him. Damn. He looks like a celebrity… I guess he technically is now, what with being married to a Hollywood heartthrob and all. But damn, do I miss him.

"Did you know that Drake and I kissed at your wedding last year?"

Joshua briefly takes his eyes off the road and glances at me. What the hell? He doesn't look surprised. "Is this something you just remembered?"

"Oh my god, you knew!" I chew on my thumbnail. "When did he tell you?"

Joshua purses his lips, looking uncomfortable. "Last year."

I gasp.

"I'm guessing you remembered the whole time," Joshua states, not really looking for an answer. He flicks on his blinker, turning right at the light.

"Yeah."

"You have feelings for him, don't you?"

My heart pounds wildly in my chest. "Uh, yes," I admit. "I've always had feelings for him."

"Wait. Always ?" Joshua's brown eyes are wide, but still focused on the road ahead of us.

"Yes," I whisper, body trembling. I'm not entirely sure if it's the confession that has me nervous or the fact I finally said it out loud. "I have feelings for Drake."

"Oh, honey." Joshua leans over and pats my knee. "I'm gonna be real fucking honest for a moment. You need to listen to me. I'm not one to betray anyone's trust, and I'm really fucking good at keeping a secret. Trust me. But both of you are my best friends."

I nod, not saying a word as I just wait for him to continue.

"I love you both, but you two really are fucking morons."

"Joshua!"

"It's true. Tell me you realize he has feelings for you."

My face heats in embarrassment. "That's not true."

"Yup. Morons. I can't stand it. You two have been dancing around each other for years. When the two of you finally make out and fall asleep together, you both wake up and act like nothing happened. If you like him, I say go for it. I feel like, at this point, neither of you has anything to lose," he says, tone sad. "Imagine having feelings for someone you shouldn't have feelings for. Now pretend no matter how hard you wish it, the two of you can't be together."

I study my friend, my forehead scrunched in confusion. "Joshua, do you have feelings for someone besides your husband?"

He waves an elegant hand in the air. "Doesn't matter. Even if I did, it's impossible."

His hand rests on my knee, and I place my hand on his and squeeze.

Joshua smiles. "You and Drake are possible. Do something about it before you lose him." His words remind me of Daddy John. I think about the way Drake looked at me while we colored, the way he took care of me, the way he always has.

"I think you're right."

We drive the rest of the way to our apartment, both lost in thought.

"Looks like someone's home early," Joshua says, pointing at Drake's car in his parking spot.

"Huh. That's weird. He's never home this early." I pull out my phone and see I have a few missed text messages.

Drake: Hey you! Guess who has some amazing news?

Drake: Can't wait to see you. I'm home early.

Drake: Have a few surprises for you, little one.

I can't fight the grin spreading across my face. "Look." I shove my phone in front of Joshua as soon as he parks.

He leans across the middle console and hugs me. "Looks like he's making the first move."

Butterflies take flight in my stomach. Is this really happening? I flip down the mirror again and look at my face. Some eye crusties from my tears are in the corners. My tummy drops when I remember I just lost my job. I groan when my eyes flood with more stupid tears.

"Here," Joshua pulls out a package of makeup wipes and hands me one.

Swiping my tears away, I straighten my shoulders. "Okay. I'm mostly ready. Wanna come up and say hi?"

"Not today, love." Joshua brushes a hand through my hair, probably fixing it. "Tell Drakey-pooh I said hi. And good luck. Little one ," he teases.

As soon as I unlock the apartment door, the scent of cookies surrounds me. What the hell? Drake is a brilliant cook, but can't bake cookies to save his life. Did he light a cookie-scented candle or something? "Drake?" I call out, kicking off my shoes by the door. My gaze lands on the softest-looking rainbow rug placed under the coffee table.

Did he do this for me? This time my eyes fill with happy tears. Damn emotions. Get it under control, Ash.

"Ash? You're home early too?"

I follow his voice and the scent into the kitchen. On the stove, I see a sheet of burnt cookies. Drake is standing in the middle of the kitchen, bent over, as he places a new sheet of cookie dough into the oven. He's shirtless, barefoot, and looking like a freaking wet dream in nothing but a gray pair of sweats.

"What are you doing?" I ask. "And why are you burning cookies?"

He closes the oven, pushes the timer button, and spins around, a huge smile on his face. "I wanted to surprise you. The first batch was just a trial, but—"

I bite my lip. Holy sweatpants, Drake is sexy.

When I look up at him, he gasps and rushes to my side. He's peering into my eyes, hands on my face. "Why have you been crying?" The pad of his thumb caresses under my left eye before he traces my jaw.

My gaze drops to his full lips, and he licks them. When my eyes bounce back up to his, he's studying my lips, his gaze hungry and intense.

"Drake?" I whisper, stepping closer.

He swallows hard, his Adam's apple bobbing. "Yes, little one?" His low, grumbly voice vibrates over my skin.

I shiver, but don't pull away. Drake's eyes darken. A sexy smirk tips his lips.

"Kiss me," I reply, breathless. "Kiss me like you did last year."

The shock on Drake's face only lasts for a moment before his lips press against mine. His touch is light and teasing, spurring my heart to thrum faster.

He closes the distance between us, pushing his body against mine. I gasp. His shirtless chest and arms are pressing against me. My hands trail along his abs, just as his settle on my hips, tugging me closer. His head tilts, giving me better access to his mouth. Drake licks at the seam of my lips and a moan slips from my throat.

This isn't how we kissed last year. This is something else entirely. His tongue is all slow strokes and exploration. His hands aren't desperate like before. I feel like I'm the only one desperate here. Desperate to feel every inch of him. Meanwhile, he's in complete control, staking a claim.

Commanding the both of us.

Dominating me.

And I fucking love it.

His lips travel down to my jaw, and he places sensual kisses along my neck. His claiming touch makes my knees go weak, but despite that, my cock is harder than it's ever been. I squirm against him, trying to search out any friction.

Under my shirt, Drake trails his hand from the small of my back to my ribcage, leaving goosebumps in its wake. He leans against me, pushing me against the kitchen counter, tipping my face up so our eyes are connected when he slides his thick thigh against my erection.

A cry tumbles from my lips at the friction before he swallows it with a kiss. Yeah, I'm desperate. I'm a trembling mess and need more .

He pulls away slightly, mouth hovering just an inch away. "What do you want, little one?"

Anything. Everything. More. I want him, anyway he'll let me.

"I want you, Drake," I gasp, my voice sounding husky and seductive. I didn't even know I could sound like that. And yet, it's definitely me. Drake does this to me. He makes me horny, and needy, and oh-so brave. I drop to my knees, mouthing the thick erection hiding just behind his sweats.

There's a rumbling groan low in his throat. Feral. His pupils are blown wide. "What are you doing?" Despite his words, he spreads his thighs, propping his ass against the kitchen island behind him.

I yank his sweats down to mid-thigh, showing him just how desperate I am. "Taking what I want."