I looked over my shoulder to check if Ashley was catching up. Well, to my surprise she was busy having a conversation with the new Manager of the orphanage. That tall muscular handsome jerk who has been flirting with her since last three days of us working here. I accompanied her, especially after realising that the orphanage had way too much chaotic environment than it used to.
I usually sat through the lectures she'd give just watching her teach the students and I wasn't complaining. That was the best thing to do. I'd rather watch her than sit amongst old ladies and be inquired about my private matters. Moreover, I loved watching her being herself and I loved reminding myself how sensible of a woman I had an eye on.
Later when we got back to the penthouse, I was busy with all the meetings and office work and Ashley was busy writing her book. Everything changed since that one night, when she called me beautiful. I smiled at the thought of it. I looked over my shoulder and I saw Ashley talking with Richard. She smiled like she normally would to any of her friends. I sighed when I noticed the gleam in Richard's eyes. He was totally into her.
Something stirred inside me. I felt a burn when I noticed her point something out on her hair. I saw it too, a small fallen leaf stuck in the strands. I paused as I turned around walking towards them. My eyes fixed on Richard's hand in Ashley's hair as he passed her a bright smile. He was fucking handsome and had two freaking dimples. I felt mad at her for some reason. I didn't want to but I did. Was this what jealousy felt like? I was jealous. Very Jealous.
"Let's go babe." I said as I grabbed her hand and pulled her towards myself. She stumbles as she came forward in my arms with a surprise. I didn't even spare him another glance and I did notice how awkwardly Ashley passed him the smile.
"Easy Alex, I am so not into stealing someone else's girlfriend." He said with a small chuckle.
"Is that why you look at her this way? I am a dude Richard, I know." I muttered as I started walking and Ashley was smiling ear to ear.
"I already told Richard that you're my boyfriend. You didn't have to be that rude just now." She said slyly.
"Was I? And why do you even seem happy if I was rude?" I turned my head towards her, tilting it sideways.
Ashley scoffed. "You're just jealous. I know." She tucked her tongue on the inside of her cheek. We started walking towards the car and that's when she asked me the weirdest question. "Why did you sign the contract with this orphanage about these classes I am volunteering for?" She said with a hint of realisation reflecting in her voice.
"Because they offered me the opportunity. Also I had been funding this orphanage since I was 19, so I have a special bond with those children." I lied. A half-truth kinda lie. She nodded her head silently.
I licked my lips which were going dry. "Do you have a chapstick Ashley? My lips are dry weirdly, maybe due to fall but I... " I didn't even complete the sentence when I felt her peck my lips with hers.
"Why need a chapstick when you have me." She giggled. And I was awestruck. My heart jumped in my chest. I was not used to this sweet kind of romance anymore but it made my heart flutter a bit too much lately. I rubbed my lips together.
"You're not completely useless." I muttered as I opened the car door for her. I was effortlessly a gentleman around her from last few days. I circled around, hopping inside myself.
"Well I am pretty useful, you just have to Explore." She said as she fastened her seat belt.
"You wouldn't let me explore, I tried so many times in last few days." I said as a matter of fact mimicking her amused expression. But something changed, something stirred between us. That stare of her changed from amused to something intense.
"Come on Alex, when did I? I am waiting like an abandoned island, to be explored, to be used, to be enjoyed, to have an ecstatic experience."
"Don't make me do things peach, that we'd regret." I couldn't help but stare at her. Heat rushed to my groin with every word that escaped her lips. I wished if I wasn't supposed to be in this damned car, which didn't even have tinted mirrors, I'd pull her to me right here and explore every inch of her body. I flexed my Jaw, gritting my teeth, holding my horses.
"Do them Alex." She bit her lip and I swear on lord, she had to be the death of me. I tucked my tongue on the edge of my cheek silently staring at her. My head was filled with images of me doing things to her and her reacting to each and every one of them. I gulped as I thought of the warmth that filled me instead of the lust that was taking over my head. She didn't deserve it here, in the backseat. She deserved a safe space where I wouldn't be afraid to hurt her even if I made her black out.
I took a breath in, not taking my eyes off of her. "You're going to regret playing with me Peach. You're going to regret it so so so much." I turned my head as I pressed the accelerator. "You're being a real bitch to me Peach, and you know how this is going to end up."
"I do know Alex, you on your knees, begging for it." I heard her words and my eyes were still fixed on the road. I swear, If I saw that predictable desire and challenged look, I'd do things I would regret and I didn't want to go on a guilt trip later. I was hard, I was turned on. I was ready to make sure I'd have her feel the same, but I had even better plans.
I pressed tight on accelerator and my car sped. I heard a loud yelp from Ashley's side. "One more word Nicotine, and we'd be flying." I smirked and that was exactly when I looked at her. Her eyes were shut and she pressed her head back into the seat.
"ALEX SLOW DOWN!" She said but I didn't. I had more control over my driving than she had on her words earlier.
"I need to get home fast Ashley, so that I can be practical about all your words. About each and every one of them." My lust burned into me in the form of aggression because that's what it took to hold it back.
She yelped again and I slowed down the speed and as soon as she eased, I sped it again. Ashley was on her fully lethal-vulgar-verbally abusing mode and I was enjoying every second of it. Her eyes were shut and she was constantly spatting every single inappropriate word I had ever heard.
I finally slowed down as we reached the area near the penthouse. She finally shut her mouth as she leaned back against her seat trying to get her breath stable. I pulled the breaks as we reached our destination. I unbuckled myself as I shifted towards her. My hand reached for the back of her neck as I brought her face near mine. "Next time I make you use all these words you just did, would be you begging me to do all these things to you. And I wouldn't just fucking explore Ashley, that's not my style, I would make sure you remember every second of exploring I do."
She just stared at me as her chest rose and fell heavily. I noticed the gentle nervousness dancing in her eyes as she looked at me. "Do you want me carry you inside Peach? I think you're too weak to walk."
She just nodded her head.
I stepped outside as I circled to hers and lifted her up. Her head instantly rested against my chest. "You're an asshole Alex." She whispered and a laugh left my lips.
"Did I scare you, nicotine?" I chuckled and I felt her fist slamming against my chest. I kissed her head as I settled her down on the couch, she said nothing for a few seconds until she finally got a hold of my Jaw.
"I can be scary as well Alex, but in better ways." She brushed her lips against mine gently. Our nose touched, but she didn't do anything else.
She looked in my eyes as she pulled away a little. "I would make you count every second until you've kissed me." She got up as she walked towards the kitchen. I was standing there awestruck. This wasn't getting any worse, and not any better. We were burning in flames that needed to be extinguished but we were too stubborn.
It wasn't competition I felt, I felt desire, immense and only desire for her. I took a deep breath as I eyed her every movement when she poured herself a glass of water. I bet she needed some hydration. I smirked.
.
.
.
.
"Peach." I called her from the kitchen and she voluntarily looked up from her book raising her hand. "Yessir?"
"I need your help with something. Come here." I noticed how her specs rested on the bridge of her nose as she looked down with her long curtain bang falling over her face frame. She shut her book instantly as she walked towards me.
"I need you to roll the dough while I chop the toppings for our pizza." I pointed at the dough and she smiled wide.
"Oh god, the dough looks good and soft. I told you already that it was best to have it rest overnight." She muttered as she washed her hands before she stood next to me. She put the dough on the wooden rolling tray.
I noticed how she very smoothly divided the dough in two equal parts and start rolling one. She turned it into a cute and huge ball. I smiled when I noticed she was enjoying herself. I started slicing the peppers and cherry tomatoes thin.
Ashley started humming the song and that's when I noticed how messed she was while expanding the dough. I tucked her hair behind her ears as I leaned towards her. She looked up at me, disappointed in herself. "I can't get it right." She shrugged.
"Let me help you." I stepped behind her as I leaned forward with my cheek brushing hers.
My eyes focused on her hands as I slowly took them in mine. I circled the dough with my own, guiding her. "Open your hands and extend your fingers forward." I said and she did.
I flipped the small bun, adding more flour. "Now press it from the middle gently, extending it to the sides. I will turn it around for you, okay?" I said as I could smell the peach scent from her hair.
She was simply doing what I was telling her. I couldn't stop thinking of doing things other than just helping her make pizza on the kitchen counter.
"Like that?" She asked as she pressed the dough a bit harder. "No, gentler the better." I almost whispered as I once again put my hands on her and helped her shape the pizza base into a proper circle. She tilted her head and I could feel the stiffness in her body and the heat radiating from her.
"I think I got it now." She slapped my hands as she did it herself. I just stood their with my chest pressed against her back. My hands pressed against the counter. "It's done." She exclaimed. Somehow, I didn't feel like moving at all.
"Okay." I said as I pulled away reluctantly. She looked up at me as she placed the pizza on the baking tray and started shaping the other one into a heart and I just smiled.
"Whose is this?" I asked crossing my arms over my chest.
"It's from you, for me." She giggled and I just wished I could kiss her right in that exact moment. She was cute. Her cheeks burning pink like a peach.
"Make it an arrow then, I pierced your heart so good." I winked and she chuckled.
"Kiss me already." She whispered under her breath as she bit her lip looking up at me.
"Make me say those three words, I would." I replied, my smile dropping as I thought about how bad I wanted to say it and kiss her.
"Oh I fucking will." She sighed before she snapped at me. "Bake the fucking pizza Alex, I am going to get some wine from the bar." She winked and I rolled my eyes. "It's party time!" She yelled as she walked away swaying her hips from side to side.
"And You will dance Alex, with me, right here!" She put both her hands in the air. Her walk turned into a jog as she danced on her way to the bar.
I couldn't help but smile. "Thankyou." I whispered under my breath. Thanking god, the universe for giving me back the Ashley I wanted. I hadn't known her deep before, but hating her for three years taught me every fucking thing about her. I was obsessed to know so that I could spoil it but atleast I knew her better than I ever did.
"Play some Weeknd." I said. She looked over her shoulder as she sorted through youtube on the screen.
"No one wants to fuck, it's a freaking party. Let's jam to some classics yea?" She put her hands on her hips, rocking them back and fourth.
"Oh baby baby, how was I supposed to know...
That something wasn't right yea
Oh baby baby, I shouldn't have let you go.." Ashley started singing as she sorted her playlist and I just felt warmth filling inside me.
She made me feel at home; safe and all cozy. If this wasn't love, what was it?