Chapter Five
I’m no closer to uncovering Ash’s secrets and no closer to closing this case. I want to press her, but I don’t want to spook her. Our time is so precious and I’m trying to draw out every waking second. But the hourglass is depleting. I’ve decided what to do. Decided how to play this so everyone gets what they want. Especially me. I’m a selfish bastard, but that’s what Ash has turned me into. My obsession is growing with each passing day; I want her in my life, in bed, and in my heart indefinitely. I also want to keep her safe and keep my job while I figure out how to do that.
I’m wildly overprotective of her. I’ve never been that way with a woman before. Not that I haven’t cared, but I’ve never wanted to rip a man’s eyes out for checking out my girl. Rage burned my esophagus last night as we walked through a restaurant. Ash was wearing a tight pair of jeans, an even tighter sweater, and high heel boots. She was a dark beauty floating through the crowd of white-linen covered tables, and as we approached ours, a middle-aged man mentally stripped Ash naked as we walked by. I saw all the perverse images playing out on his face, in his stare, and his smug smile. It took everything I had not to pick up his steak knife and stab out his beady eyes.
She’s mine. Fucking mine, and I will challenge anyone who tries to take her away. Anyone who tries to harm her or disrespect her in any way.
That’s ironic, jackass, ’cause you are going to do all those things and then some.
I swallow the shards of glass my saliva has become as I watch Ash dress. We’ve spent every night together this week. She’s becoming a fixture. One I find it hard to live without.
“When will you be back from your competition, again?” I ask as I lay in bed, a depression coming on because she’s leaving.
“Tomorrow night. The team leaves tonight. It’s a four-hour drive. We need to get there, check into the hotel, practice and then get to bed early.” She dances around the room, gathering her shoes and purse.
“Twenty-four hours seems like too long for you to be away from me.” I scoot to the edge of the mattress and grab her wrist.
Ash smiles radiantly. “You’re a big boy, I think you’ll be able to handle it.” She leans down and delivers a heart-stopping kiss on my lips.
“Mmm. Don’t stop.” I try to drag her back to bed.
“I wish I didn’t have to, but I have to go, I’m going to be late, and I don’t feel like having my coach rip me a new one.”
“I’d kill him if he did that.” And I’m dead serious.
“Everything will be fine, if I leave now.” She hums sweetly. She’s so sweet, and feminine, and flowery, and kittenish. She’s perfection wrapped up in a wondrous package.
“I’m not a fan of that option either.” Ash thinks I’m playing, but I’m not. I really, really don’t want her to go.
I reflect on the way I’m acting, the way I’m feeling. Maybe a little separation will be good for us. I’m way too attached and my feelings are manifesting in the form of a jealous, insecure teenager.
“I’ll call you tonight, and I promise I’ll come right over as soon as I get back.”
“You’llcomein more than one sense of the word.” I leer.
“You promise,” she toys.
“Always.”
Once Ash is gone, I drag my ass out of bed and convince myself a protein shake and a good long run is in order. I’ve been slacking on my workouts. Although, I consider, my heart pumps so hard when I’m fooling around with Ash I could count it as cardio. So maybe I haven’t been all that lazy, just getting my pulse rate up in other ways.
I splash some cold water on my face and stare at myself in the mirror as the drops fall off my cheeks and nose. I look the same, thick dark hair buzzed on the sides, blue eyes fanned with black eyelashes, and sooty stubble on my prominent chin. But inside, I’m completely different. Full of something completely foreign, completely addictive, and nearly impossible to give up. I’m full of the affection I have for Ash. That woman has gotten under my skin, imbedded herself within me. A whole twenty-four hours without her? Excruciating. I’m turning into a fucking head case.
I grab my phone and google the college she mentioned she was competing at tomorrow. How stalkerish would I look if I actually entertained the idea of heading down there and surprising her? A four-hour drive? I could make it in time to see her compete.You mean to spy on her?My subconscious hisses.No.To be with her. To make a gesture. To show her she’s more.
Because Ash is so much more. She’s proved that in a minimal amount of time, and I’m hooked. I could have never prepared myself for the impact she would have. But here we are. HereIam, calling all in. Damning the consequences, ’cause any time with Ash, no matter how fleeting or little, is worth the aftermath.
I’m a fucking a head case, but a deliriously happy head case at that.
* * *
I sit way up in the stands of the gymnasium, away from the clusters of people and eyeline of the gymnasts. I don’t want Ash to know I’m here. Not right now. I want her to compete without any stress on her shoulders. Without her feeling added pressure knowing I’m here. I just watch in my own little bubble as she stretches and bounces, warming up for her first event. She’s dressed in a shiny blue one piece with white sleeves, her hair is pulled back into a tight bun on the top of her head, and her face is sparkly. She looks like a pretty little pixie.
I hold my breath as she steps up to a pair of uneven bars. I’m not very versed in the world of gymnastics, but I’ve watched the Olympics; I have an idea of what goes on. She inhales deeply, raises her hands over her head to the judges and then is assisted onto the higher bar. She swings her legs, gaining momentum, beginning her intricate routine. She does revolutions around the high bar then swings down to the lower one in a fluid motion, where she does handstands and straddles. Ash is absolutely thrilling to watch. I find myself yelling as she nails her flips and sticks her dismount. A sudden twinge of pride pinches my chest. That’s my girl. That talented, beautiful, specimen of a woman belongs to me, and I realize then, there’s so much I don’t know about her. But I want to. I want to know everything. Be a part of all aspects of her life, and in return, she’ll be a part of all of mine.
The day moves by quickly as I watch the busy mat, but Ash captivates all my attention when she competes. Twirling through the air on the vault, bouncing and flipping across the floor, and springing on the beam. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching her.
Her team doesn’t win, but their performance was pretty impressive. I find myself looking forward to her next competition.