~ Zoie's POV ~
- - - - - One Week Later - - - - -
Zoie stirred and rolled over to her side. She was mumbling incoherently, dreaming some weird dream about running through a cornfield as she was in a deep sleep. She flapped her arm to the side and heard a loud thud. Zoie jerked her eyes open and realized she was in her bed. She had slammed her hand on something hard and it flinched in response.
"Ouch!" Asher grimaced.
Zoie looked to her side. Asher was lying next to her, only in his boxer briefs. And judging from the look of it, she might've hit him in the chest with her hand.
"Well, good morning to you too," he chuckled as he rubbed his chest. There were still marks and bruises all over his body. It wasn't as bad as it was last week, but it hadn't fully healed yet either.
"Oh my God! I'm so sorry!" Zoie got up quickly and inspected his body, worried that she might've given him another bruise. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," he laughed it off. Shrugging, Asher put his hands behind his head as he laid back.
Zoie narrowed her eyes as she rubbed his chest gently. The cuts and scars had mostly dried, but his body still needed more rest. Zoie sighed as she rested her head gently on his chest, avoiding the areas where he had bruises and cuts. Asher responded by putting a hand on her shoulder, rubbing her skin gently.
Hmmm. This feels so nice.
Zoie closed her eyes and reveled in the moment. Ever since that night, Asher had been sleeping in her bed. It was such a lovely feeling waking up next to him and being able to touch him like this. Zoie can't really describe what that feeling is, but it was something she never knew she needed until she tasted it. Ever since then, she never wanted to go to sleep alone anymore.
"Does it still hurt a lot?" she asked, drawing circles around the marks on his skin.
"Nah, it's totally fine. I was just playin' with you," he replied.
Asher was smiling reassuringly, but Zoie wasn't convinced. Every day, she kept trying to get him to see a doctor or get himself checked out at the hospital, but he always said no. Clearly, he'd broken some bones and he should get an X-ray or something, but Asher kept saying it was nothing and that his body will heal itself in time.
"What? You don't believe me?" he asked as if he could read her mind.
Zoie only shrugged and gave him a half smile. No. She didn't really believe him.
All of a sudden, Asher rolled over their bodies in one swift move. Zoie was now lying on her stomach and Asher was on top of her. He pinned her down with both wrists above her head. Smirking that devilishly handsome smirk, Asher stared her down like she was a prey about to be devoured.
"Ash!" she protested, trying her best to break free, but to no avail.
"See? I'm all good," he said, flexing his muscles so they were popping out even more.
Hubba-hubba!
Zoie could feel her lower stomach turning into knots. How crazy was it that with just one look, he could get her all worked up?
Trying her best to hide it, Zoie pressed her thighs tighter together and said, "Alright, alright, get off me,"
Asher must've noticed something in her demeanor, because he replied challengingly, cocking his head to the side and saying "No,"
"Ash!" she protested.
"Give me a kiss first," he demanded.
Zoie stifled a laugh as Asher leaned closer. He stopped just before their lips met and Zoie leaned forward to close the gap.
Hmmmm.
Zoie couldn't help but sigh. She loved the feeling of his lips devouring hers. His kisses were always magnetic and exciting, causing the blood in her body to boil. Asher put a hand on the side of her face as he deepened the kiss. A soft moan escaped her lips. She let her hair run through his gorgeous dirty blonde hair and he let out an appreciative groan.
Slowly, Asher then pulled away, but only slightly. Their faces were still inches away from one another. Asher took a moment to just look at her. Zoie was staring back at him too. His gorgeous hazel eyes were shining brightly against the morning sun. His skin was glowing this golden hue. It was so mesmerizing to watch, Zoie was entranced.
"What?" he asked.
"What?" she asked back.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Zoie paused for a beat. There were these three words that were edging to fall from her lips, but she held them back.
Should I say it out loud...? Should I tell him I love him...?
Zoie's heart started racing like a drum. Suddenly, she felt all nervous. She didn't take saying those three words lightly, so she couldn't just say it mindlessly.
What if he doesn't say it back? What if it scares him off?
"I..."
Zoie started to speak. She really wanted to say it. Her heart was overflowing with that feeling. But just before she could continue---
* RING! * RING! * RING! *
The loud sound of her phone ringing pierced the air. Zoie and Asher flinched back instinctively. Zoie quickly grabbed her phone from the bedside table and checked the screen. Her heart was beating even faster now.
"It's my mom! Shush!" she whispered and motioned her hand to Asher, telling him to be quiet. At the same time, she picked up the call and pressed the phone to her ear.
"M-mom?" she stammered. "Hey, what's up?"
"Sweetie, is everything OK over there? You haven't been responding to our texts," her mom's honey-like voice was heard through the speakers.
"I'm fine, mom. I've just been busy with finals and stuff," Zoie said as she sat up. She put her feet down on the floor but she wasn't getting up. Meanwhile, Asher took the spot behind her and rested his chin on her shoulder.
"Well, I checked your school calendar, it says you're supposed to be done with your semester already---"
Zoie wanted to focus on her mom's voice, but Asher was being distracting. He started planting small kisses all over her shoulder and neck.
"--Anyway, you haven't forgotten about Christmas, right?" her mom continued. "You said you're good to come around this weekend, so I had your flights pre-booked. This Saturday at 10 AM, you and Ash. Did you check your email?"
"Oh. Right. Yeah..." Zoie tried her best to keep her composure, but Asher was now sucking on her sweet spot. It took everything in her not to moan.
"Aunt Talia and I are very excited. We're planning a big dinner party with everyone back in town. And you know what? I think Zach's bringing a girl home,"
"That's cool. His next flavor of the week?" Zoie tried pushing Ash's face away, but he came back even stronger. He wrapped his arms around her stomach as his mouth landed on her ear.
"No, I think this one might be the real deal. He really likes her,"
"That's what he said about the last... I don't know how many girls," Zoie threw a deadly glare at Ash, but he was relentless. He kept sucking and nibbling on her earlobe. Zoie's entire body began to writhe in need.
"Well, anyway, are you thinking of bringing anyone home?" her mom asked. "You should tell me if you are so I can prep your dad,"
"N-no, I'm not bringing anyone," Zoie's breathing was getting labored.
"You sure? You can if you want to, Zoie. Unlike your dad, I'm not opposed to the idea of you having friends,"
"I'm sure," she breathed, and boy, she almost moaned those words out loud. "Mom, can I call you later? I have to... pee,"
"Alright, well, don't miss your flight! You know how hard it is to get tickets for the holiday season,"
"Yeah, don't worry, we'll be there," she said quickly, eager to end the call.
"Great, see you soon honey. And give Asher my love!"
Ha-ha. I just might do that.
"Will do," she said. "Bye!"
Zoie ended the call and threw her phone on the bed. She leaned over to face Asher and she started attacking him with kisses, shamelessly.
God, I want him.
"What was that about?" Asher said in between the kisses.
"My mom's reminding us about Christmas," she replied.
Suddenly, Asher pulled away, leaving Zoie hanging high and dry.
"Shit!" he cursed.
"What?" she asked.
"I totally forgot about that!"
"Don't worry, my mom's got our flights pre-booked and everything," she said as she grabbed her phone, showing him the email she got from her mom. "See?"
Asher took the phone and studied it.
"Two whole weeks?" he gaped.
Violet already bought tickets for them to stay for Christmas and New Year in New Jersey, and Asher didn't seem too happy about it.
"Okay, you don't have to be so excited spending time with the family," Zoie rolled her eyes and scoffed sarcastically.
"Nah, it's not that. I just... I wanna spend more time with you, that's all," he said as he put the phone away.
Zoie's eyes softened as she smiled.
"Hey, we're still gonna spend time together," she said.
"Yeah, but it's not the same thing," he scoffed. "We can't be together like this,"
"Why not?" she asked challengingly. "Nothing has to change,"
"Zoie," Asher gave her a serious stare.
"I can keep a secret," she shrugged playfully. "Can't you?"
Asher didn't respond right away, but a smirk crept up his lips. Zoie added the last nail in the coffin as her hand reached down to cup his manhood. And boy, he was hard as a rock.
"Woman, I swear, you'll be the death of me," he chuckled.
And with that, he rolled their bodies over again so she was lying down and he was on top of her, continuing the work that she started.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
~ Asher's POV ~
- - - - - One Week Later - - - - -
Asher sat back in his seat and buckled the airplane seatbelt. Zoie was sitting next to him, on the window seat while he got the aisle seat. The plane was slowly boarding the holiday passengers and it was a full flight. Zoie looked excited as she glanced out the window. She was looking forward to this day ever since she got the call from her mom. Christmas was her favorite time of the year and her suitcase was filled to the brim with all the gifts she got for her family.
But Asher, on the other hand, was not that excited to be coming home. In fact, he was feeling stressed out about having to be with the family. He had to be very careful with this. He had no plans on telling Damon about Miles or how Zoie almost got kidnapped. And the biggest secret of all, this new relationship that was blossoming between them. Damon can't know. Not even the slightest or he'll probably put Asher's head on the spike.
"I want her to focus on her studies. Don't let anyone get in the way of that. And that means no boys!"
Asher swallowed hard as he remembered the words Damon said to him before he agreed to be Zoie's bodyguard.
Some bodyguard I am.
"Ash? You okay there?" Zoie's voice suddenly pulled him from his train of thought.
"Hm? Oh. Yeah. Of course," Asher recovered quickly and gave her a smile. "What's up?"
"Nothing. You just looked... nervous," she said as she cocked her head to the side.
Can you blame me?
"Nah, I'm not," he laughed and shrugged it off. "I think it's just that sandwich I ate. It tasted kinda funky,"
Asher was trying to act cool, but it seemed like Zoie could read through him. Slowly, she put her hand on his hand and laced their fingers together.
"Look, I'm scared too," she whispered. "But hey, I believe in us. This feels right to me, no matter what they'll say,"
Zoie's words struck a chord in him. She was right. This does feel right, no matter what the consequences may be.
And luckily, we won't need to find that out, at least not right now.
Asher's lips curved into a smile. His mouth fell open like he wanted to speak, but there were no words coming out.
"What?" she asked.
I love her. Goddamit, should I tell her?
Asher swallowed hard. Those three words felt like the heaviest words in the world. Trying to say it out loud made his palm sweat and his heart race like a rocket. If he wasn't nervous before, he was definitely nervous now.
"Ash?" she asked again. "Are you okay?"
Asher couldn't take it anymore. If the words weren't coming out, his action will speak for itself. Gently, he gripped her chin and brought her face closer to him. He gave her one last look before delving in to claim those lips with his, sending the words through the kiss.
*
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- - - - - - To Be Continued - - - - - -