Chapter 8

Ash

F or our second date, Soren took me for a sail on his yacht, and on our third, we drove race cars. Apparently, when rich enough, you can rent an entire racetrack just for yourself. It was an experience, to say the least, especially after seeing Soren dressed like a race driver. That day, I discovered that he was quite fond of cars and that his family had an impressive collection.

So far, each time we met was extraordinary, providing me with an escape from my everyday life. Soren was sweet and considerate, always prioritizing me. It was a complete one-eighty from how Kai had treated me the past few weeks. Speaking of Kai, we hadn't met all that much because he'd been skipping school lately, and when he did show up, he acted like I didn't exist. Being ignored stung, but it was much better than being told how much he loved sleeping with Zoe or how unlikely it was for anyone to ever want me.

And while I did notice an alarming change in him, he didn't allow me to get close enough to find out what it was. The other day, I called Nico, his cousin, who told me Kai was going out nearly every night. I asked Nico if he joined him, but he said no since he had school, and partying all week the way Kai was doing was impossible to keep up with. It worried me, but when I saw that Zoe and Kai were back together, I assumed it was her job to take care of him as he made it more than clear I was no longer wanted in his life.

Accepting this new reality was difficult because regardless of my feelings for him, Kai was like another part of me. He'd been there since I was a kid—my partner in crime in whatever shit we did together. He was my summer and spring, but lately, I was learning to like winter, too.

"Are you ready?" Soren asked as he walked toward me.

"I'm not sure. Is it supposed to be this tight?" I frowned while checking myself in the mirror.

Today, Soren had taken me to his family stables just outside the city, where I was about to ride a horse for the first time. He decided to take me riding after I confessed I'd never been on a horse before, which sounded entirely absurd to him. What could I say? The only riding I knew was tube riding.

The breeches he bought me clung to my thighs and ass like a second skin. The fact they were white didn't help my insecurity about wearing them. The shirt he gave me was just as bad. It was so tight it emphasized every part of my chest and abs. I wasn't ashamed of my body as I'd been working hard on it for the past year by going to the gym almost every day. But at the moment, I felt naked with how embarrassed I was.

"Let me see," he said, standing behind me so we both faced the mirror. His hands moved to my hips while his eyes continued to study our reflection. He was also dressed for a ride, only his clothes were all black.

"It sits perfectly." He smiled, his hands still holding my hips.

Swallowing hard, I tried to resist the blush sneaking to my hot cheeks. It wasn't that I didn't like it when he flattered me, but the other way around. I liked it way too much.

"You think so?" I turned to face him.

"Yeah," he said, his voice low as he pulled me a little bit closer until I was nearly pressed to his chest.

Now, I was definitely blushing. Looking down between us, I tried to hide my reaction, only Soren didn't seem to agree with that. Hooking his thumb underneath my chin, he forced me to look up and meet his eyes.

"You look absolutely gorgeous, Ashton. I can't wait to teach you how to ride ."

His words were enough to set my body on fire because it wasn't his horse I was suddenly interested in riding but his— holy shit .

His dick.

I most definitely wanted to ride his dick, and from the lust in his piercing stare, Soren had the same thought. At least, I hoped he did. It would be a shame if not. But who was I kidding? My virgin ass didn't know how to ride a horse or a cock.

All those thoughts were extremely dangerous with how close I was to Soren and how tight those pants were, but by some miracle, my dick didn't betray me.

Finally stepping back, Soren turned around and began walking away. "Let's go," he said while my eyes were busy checking out his ass.

"I told you I'd suck," I huffed after we put the horses back in their stables.

"I think you did great for your first time," Soren said, winking at me over his shoulder before returning to take off his horse's harness. "All it takes is some practice, and you'll be a pro in no time."

"A pro, huh?" I kicked some straw on the ground. I would have fallen off the horse twice if it hadn't been for Soren keeping a hold of it. "Have you been riding horses for long?" I asked.

"Equestrianism was always a passion of mine, but sadly, I no longer have the time for it, so it's become more of a hobby."

"You have many hobbies," I chuckled. "Expensive hobbies. Sailing, driving race cars, equestrianism ."

He patted his horse before closing the stall door and coming toward me. "I'm not ashamed of having money or admitting to having an expensive taste for unique things." He smiled softly while his eyes drank me up slowly.

I let out an awkward laugh. "You always say things like that." I placed my hand on his wide chest.

" Things ?" He covered my hand with his.

"Yeah," I murmured awkwardly, my eyes locked on our laced fingers. " Things that can be interpreted in more ways than one."

In a quick move, Soren yanked me close and then walked us back into an empty stall, stopping once my back hit the wall. His lips pulled into a half smile as he looked at me through lowered eyelashes.

"So are you saying I'm being too obvious?" His hands moved down to my hips, his grip firm and possessive .

Shaking my head, I took a deep breath. "I-I'm saying you aren't being obvious enough."

Something gleamed in his eyes before he pulled me hard against him.

"Kiss me," he said, his words an order I obeyed.

The next moment, I closed my eyes, placed my fingers against his chiseled jaw, and leaned close until meeting his lips. But I didn't kiss him. Unsure of what to do, I stayed put with our lips pressed together, holding my breath while waiting for him to lead the way. And he did.

Moving his hand to my neck, Soren held me close while kissing me back. He wasn't hesitant like me. Of course, he wasn't, as he ravished my mouth with his. Heat flooded my body, and I moaned into his mouth. Taking advantage, Soren pushed his tongue in and swirled it around mine. My eyes rolled to the back of my head with how good it felt. How consuming . Unlike when Kai kissed me, this kiss was hot and warm. It was adoring and passionate, and I never wanted it to end. Soren's body melted into mine, and it was the best I'd ever felt.

Untucking my shirt from my pants, he slipped his fingers underneath and caressed them over my skin. His hands warmed my body with ease, turning the places he touched hot . My hard cock throbbed in my breeches, begging for relief as he licked into my mouth, his tongue playing with mine.

"Aren't you the sweetest thing," he drawled in my ear while pushing his thigh between my legs, pressing hard against my stiff length.

I moaned, then thrust my hips forward, loving the pressure and desperate for more.

Enjoying my reaction, Soren smirked before returning to my mouth and kissing me with such passion that it consumed every bit of my horny soul. It was sloppy at times, my lips feeling swollen and wet from the spit while our tongues danced around each other. Moving his hands down my body, his fingers played with the waistband of my pants while I wrapped my arms around his neck. Being at his mercy felt so good that I was more than willing for Soren to do whatever he wanted with me. My body screamed to be held by him as he continued to worship me through his touch. With his mouth not leaving mine, he thrust against me, my dick throbbing with the friction until I was ready to burst.

But then, in a split second, it all came to an end when Soren pulled back.

"Ah, shit," he hissed, adjusting himself. "I planned to take it slow."

"W-Why?" I blurted out, then quickly covered my mouth. What the fuck was wrong with me?

Biting his lip, which was slightly swollen, Soren ran his fingers through his hair, fixing it after I messed it up. Am I looking as kissable as he does right now?

"Because there's no rush," he explained, taking my hand in his. "And because I want you to feel comfortable around me without worrying about sex."

My face was already flushed red, but it didn't stop me from blushing harder. "But what if I want to have sex?"

Soren chuckled, but before I could worry if I had embarrassed myself again, he spoke.

"You've got to stop saying such cute things, or I'll really lose control."

Would it be such a bad thing?

"Now, come. We need to change before I take you out for dinner."

My stomach churned at his words. I was beginning to realize how much I enjoyed being told what to do by him. But it wasn't just that. The way he took care of me gave my body a sense of relief I was a stranger to, and I savored those moments. The way he held my hand, bought me new clothes to wear, opened the car door for me, and later, picked out what we'd eat—I loved all of it.

With Soren, I didn't need to think. I didn't need to be anything but his .