12. Kayla

CHAPTER 12

KAYLA

I don't even know who won the arm-wrestling, because it ended with everyone taking a shot.

I walk over to the photo wall and touch the photo of my mom that's there. I like to think she'd gossip with me about Ash and how hot he is. I miss her.

Ash walks over with my coat on his arm. "You ready to go?"

I look up at him and smile. "Yeah."

Placing his hand on my lower back, he leads me to the door. It takes everything in me not to lean back into his body and purr. Such an odd thing to want to do, but the alcohol seems to be taking effect. He's like a delicious piece of chocolate being dangled in front of me, and it's taking everything in me not to take a bite.

He helps put my coat on, and for a second I wonder if this is what it'd be like to date him. I know he's a player, but maybe he's a gentleman too. His natural charm and charisma are definitely what draw you in, but I wonder if there's secretly a romantic side to him.

He puts his arm around my waist as we walk, and I look up at the stars.

"You're going to walk into a tree in a minute if you don't keep your eyes on the road."

"I'm not worried," I laugh. "You won't let me hurt myself." I drop my gaze from the sky to his face. There's an intensity in his eyes that makes my heart thump loudly in my chest.

I look at the woods that stands between us and the ranch. A part of me doesn't want us to make it back. I want to stay in this moment with him.

I've definitely had one too many drinks if I'm thinking about him like this.

As we make our way through the trees, he walks behind me with his hands on my waist, guiding me away from any obstacles.

I remember when my ex, Daniel, walked me home from the bar and laughed as he watched me trip over a tree root. He didn't even help me up, just kept walking.

I can't help but think about how different Ash is than what I expected.

I feel bad for stereotyping him. I still think he's exactly who he is portrayed as in the tabloids, but I think sometimes we forget that there's an actual person beneath it all.

I don't know if my thoughts are even coherent anymore.

We make it through the woods, and I look back up at the stars. It's my favorite part of living here.

Ash walks beside me, and I can feel his eyes on me. "You really like the sky, don't you?"

"It reminds me just how insignificant we are."

"That's a bit bleak," he chuckles.

I stop walking and stare up. "Maybe insignificant isn't the right word."

He steps closer to me, and I can feel the warmth of his body.

"When my mom died, it felt like my life was over. I came outside to look at the stars one night and I just felt… small. I realized there are so many people on this earth. Some of them are feeling the same way I am. There are so many stars, there's so much space. It's just…" I shake my head. "I've had too much alcohol to form a proper explanation."

Ash clears his throat. "I think that we all lose people or are going through some sort of struggle. The stars remind us that we aren't alone. We are a small piece of a larger puzzle."

I smile. That's exactly what I meant. I look up at him and nod.

He smiles down at me. It feels like there's an invisible string pulling us closer.

I sway to the side, the effects of the alcohol hitting me. Ash grabs my waist and stabilizes me, and I giggle. I really shouldn't let Izzy pour me drinks anymore.

He guides me to the porch. I turn toward him, and his hands end up on either side of my body. As I look up at him, my stomach flips. Somehow he looks even more attractive than usual.

My eyes flicker to his lips and back to his gorgeous eyes. I know it's probably the alcohol, but my entire body feels like it's vibrating.

In my muddled mind, I need to take this opportunity — because it's not like a hot hockey player is here every day.

The only other person that's usually here is Jack. It's hard to have this kind of fun with him around. It's been a while since I've let myself have fun. I deserve to have fun. At least that's what I'm going to tell myself in the morning if I regret this.

Like two magnets being pulled together, we slowly move closer. Ash looks deep into my eyes, and my breath catches. Something about him ignites my entire body.

I know this is a bad idea. I know that I'll probably get hurt. But right now, I don't care.

His eyes linger on my lips, and I can't take it anymore. I pull his face to mine, and my entire body is hit with a jolt of electricity as our lips finally clash.

Tingles spread through my body as he expertly works his tongue in my mouth. I lightly bite his lip as he runs his hands through my hair.

He pushes me up against one of the pillars and presses his body against mine. I moan as he kisses me deeply.

His hands find their way to my ass, and he lifts me up, pressing me back against the pillar, his lips never leaving mine. I wrap my legs around him and deepen the kiss. It's like I can't get enough of him.

Jolts of pleasure flow through my body as we cling to each other.

Ash kisses my neck and I moan.

"I don't want to be presumptuous." His voice is gruff. "But should we take this inside?"

I nod and bring his face back to mine. I want more. I need more.

My legs are still wrapped around him as he carries me into the house. In the hallway, he presses my body up against the wall. I lightly pull at his hair and press my hips against his body. Ash lets out a low growl, which ignites something primal in me. I drop my legs from his waist and he claims my lips again. Pleasure floods every part of me as we drink each other in.

We break away from the kiss, both of us panting, and I quickly lead him up the stairs to my room.

His eyes dance with desire as we rip each other's clothes off. I drink in his gorgeous body as he looks at me.

Heat fills me as he kisses me hard. I match his intensity and he moans before pushing me down onto the bed.

I look up at him and the intensity in his eyes makes me blush. Chemistry swirls between us as he kisses me gently, lightly caressing my face as if I might break. My heart flutters, and I try to restrain myself. I can't catch feelings.

Slowly, his kiss becomes more intense. His hands trace my hips and I gasp as he sinks his fingers between my folds, gently teasing my clit.

I moan into his mouth, reaching for his cock.

Ash grins infuriatingly. "Patience."

I groan again as his fingers push inside me, already feeling the stirrings of an orgasm. I rock my hips in time with his thrusts, coating him with my juices.

Pleasure shoots through me and suddenly, it's as if everything I've been trying to hold back comes flooding through. I allow myself to enjoy his touch, his body, and the way he takes charge. And all of a sudden, I stop thinking, and?—

"Oh, fuck!" My inner walls clamp down on his hand and Ash keeps moving until I'm a shuddering mess.

When I can think again, I open my eyes and look up at him. "That was…"

"Unexpected?" He smiles.

"Oh, I never doubted you."

His lips quirk up. "We can go to sleep, if you're tired…"

"Did I say I was done?" I reach out and, finally, grasp his cock. Ash lets out a moan, biting his lip as I begin to stroke him.

Taking control, I sit astride him and roll my hips, grinding against him before taking his cock inside me. I sigh long and low as my body adjusts to him, then I start to move.

Heat starts to build between us as I ride him, and I gasp as Ash reaches up and begins to stroke my clit once more. It's more than I can take. Another orgasm comes hard and fast as Ash thrusts into me from below. He lets out a roar, and I feel his cock stiffen and throb as he comes in quick succession.

Chest heaving, I roll off of him and tuck myself in to his side. Ash reaches over, brushing my hair out of my face before he plants a soft, slow kiss on my lips.

We've crossed a huge line tonight. And right now, I can't bring myself to regret it.