Chapter 14

Elle

Asher opens the door to his house with a wide smile. I smile back, the nervous butterflies in my stomach settling down as he greets me with a playful grin.

"Ready for some Netflix and chill?" he asks, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. I roll my eyes, but the laughter bubbles up inside me, spilling out into the quiet evening air.

"Sure, as long as you promise not to bail on me like last time," I tease, remembering his frantic escape when he realized he was running late for practice. "I don't want to be responsible for you being late to another practice."

"Hey, that was a one-time thing!" he protests, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Besides, it's much safer here – no risk of getting lost in your bohemian paradise."

We share another round of laughter, the sound filling the cozy living room of his beach house, proving how comfortable we've become around each other.

"Come on, let me show you where the magic happens." Asher smirks, extending his hand for me to take. I raise an eyebrow but can't suppress a mischievous smile as I follow him through the hallway.

As we enter his bedroom, I'm instantly struck by the sheer amount of hockey memorabilia adorning the walls. Framed jerseys, signed pucks, and photos of Asher with his teammates create a shrine to his dedication and love for the sport. I admire this passion of his, even if it sometimes means playing second fiddle to his career.

"Wow," I murmur, taking in the impressive collection. "You weren't kidding about being obsessed with hockey, huh?"

"Guilty as charged," he chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck. "But hey, at least you know I'm committed."

"Definitely can't argue with that," I concede, feeling a warm sense of connection to him as I see this intimate glimpse into his world.

"Alright," Asher says, giving me a playful wink. "Let's set the mood for our little movie night."

He steps over to flip the lights off, and flicks the bedside lamp on so that the room is bathed in a soft, warm light. The intimate ambiance makes the butterflies dance in my belly just a bit faster, and I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks.

"Perfect," he murmurs, gesturing for me to join him on the bed. As I settle in beside him, Asher drapes an arm around my shoulders, pulling me in close. It feels so natural, so right, to be snuggled up against him like this.

"Any movie preferences?" he asks, scrolling through Netflix on his television.

"Surprise me," I reply, enjoying the feeling of his chest rising and falling beneath my cheek.

"Alright, you asked for it." He clicks on a random title, and we're soon engrossed in some adventure comedy. As we laugh at the on-screen antics, I think about how easy it is to be with Asher. Despite our differences there's something that goes beyond mere attraction.

As the movie comes to an end, I decide it's time to kick things up a notch. With a mischievous grin, I straddle Asher, my hands resting on his broad shoulders. His green eyes flicker with surprise, then red-hot need.

"Elle," he breathes as I lean in for a kiss. But just as our lips meet, Asher's strong arms wrap around me, and in one swift move, he flips me onto my back. Now he's on top, gazing down at me with that same wicked glint in his eyes.

"Two can play at this game," he murmurs, reaching for a silk tie draped over his dresser.

"Trust me?" he asks softly, holding the tie up for me to see. My heart races, but I nod, feeling an incredible sense of something more. He smiles reassuringly before gently blindfolding me with the silk tie, leaving me at the mercy of my other senses.

The darkness heightens everything. I can hear the sound of my own breathing and feel the heat radiating off Asher's body above mine. When his fingertips brush against my skin, it makes my body come alive.

I swallow hard, pushing aside any lingering fears or doubts. All I want is to be close to him, to experience this intimacy we've both been craving.

"Are you good?" Asher whispers, his breath warm against my ear. I nod, my heart pounding. His fingers trace a slow path along my collarbone, then down to my breasts, causing goosebumps to rise on my skin.

"Use your words, Elle. Tell me what you like," he murmurs, the words accompanied by a tender caress that makes me gasp.

"Your touch... it feels amazing," I admit, my voice barely a whisper. He chuckles softly, and I can imagine the satisfied smile on his lips.

"Good," he says, his hands now exploring further, the rough texture of his fingertips contrasting with the delicate skin of my inner thighs. The sensation is intoxicating, drawing me further into the moment. I let out a low moan.

"Ash, please..." I beg, wanting him to take me over the edge. He doesn't hesitate, his actions becoming more focused and deliberate as he attends to my needs, all while maintaining an air of gentleness.

As we lose ourselves in each other, the room fills with the sounds of our shared pleasure – gasps, moans, and whispered endearments. Our connection grows stronger by the second, the outside world fading away until there's only us entwined together.

"Elle," Asher breathes, his forehead resting against mine, "I love you."

"I love you too," I confess, my heart swelling with emotion.