Into The Fire (33 page)

“I just…your boyfriend doesn’t have a problem
with it?”

“No. He’s not an ass.” I didn’t feel bad for
saying that last part.

“I was just upset and blew everything out of
proportion.”

Still. Don’t. Care.

“Can we sit down and have coffee or
something?” he asked.

“Why?” Tony and I weren’t friends before we
went out. Why should we be friends now?

He stilled at my abrupt response. “I just
want to talk.”

“I’m confused. What are we doing now?” I was
being the biggest bitch in the world but I didn’t care. He dumped
me right in the middle of the strip club and he refused to talk to
me afterward. I didn’t owe him a damn thing.

“Then can we get dinner later?”

I laughed even though it was rude. “Ash
wouldn’t like that very much.”

“He doesn’t have to know.”

My eyes narrowed to slits. “Maybe you sneak
around behind your partner’s back but I don’t.”

“I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Look, I don’t want to waste another moment
talking to you. I’ve moved on with my life. I don’t care what you
think about me—because I don’t think about you at all.” I moved
around him and this time he didn’t block me. Then I strutted back
to work, feeling proud for putting that jerk in his place.

***

At 5:38 on the dot, Ash walked into my
apartment without knocking. “Your stud is here.” Before he grabbed
a beer from the fridge, he leaned over the back of the couch and
gave me a kiss. “I missed those lips today. And I can tell they
missed me too.” He wiggled his eyebrows then grabbed a beer.

“My other lips missed you too.”

“Yeah?” He sat on the couch beside me and his
eyes immediately darted to the area between my legs. “I’ll give
them a kiss too.” His hand moved up my dress then yanked my
underwear over viciously. Then he leaned down and pressed a few
kisses to the area.

I immediately tensed and felt a distant
shiver move through my body.

He pulled away, a devilish grin on his face.
“You were right. They missed me too.” He took a drink of his beer
and put his arm over the back of the couch. His fingers rested on
the back of my neck, gripping me possessively.

“How was your day?”

“Good,” he said cheerfully. “I got
fired.”

“What?” I turned off the TV and gave him a
frightened look.

He smiled like he knew something I didn’t.
“It’s cool, baby. I was leaving anyway.”

“What did you get fired for?”

“My boss found out I was stealing all his
clients for my new shop. I’ve been taking appointments and handing
out business cards. He was so pissed.” He laughed to himself.
“Priceless.”

“Isn’t that kind of mean?”

“How so?” he asked. “I do all the inking and
my clients come to me for a reason. He doesn’t do anything like
that. He’s just a manager that runs the register. Why wouldn’t my
clients follow me? It’s no different than a hair stylist.”

“I guess that’s true.”

“It was my last week anyway before the shop
opens. Now I have more time to see you.” He kissed the shell of my
ear then pulled away. “How was your day?”

“It was okay.”

“Nothing interesting happened?”

“I ran into Tony.”

He visibly stiffened. “What did that little
bitch have to say?”

“Not a whole lot,” I said. “He wanted to sit
down and talk and—”

“Did you?”

I shot him a glare. “What do you think,
Ash?”

He relaxed at my response.

“And he apologized for the way things ended
between us. I told him I couldn’t care less and I’ve moved on.”

He smiled at that part. “Oh yes, you
did.”

“He asked if we were serious and stuff
and—”

“What did you say?” he demanded.

“Can you stop interrupting me?” I
snapped.

He pressed his lips tightly together like it
took all his strength to do it.

“I said we were super duper serious. It made
me sound like a five-year-old but whatever.”

“At least he got the picture.” Ash relaxed
now that he knew nothing happened with Tony. “Did he talk about his
fiancée?”

“Nope.”

“Typical.”

“He even asked me to dinner and said not to
tell you.” I rolled my eyes. “What a jerk. I can’t believe he would
have a clandestine meeting with his ex when he’s marrying
someone.”

“You had dinner with him?” Ash snapped.

“I said
would
. He
would
have
dinner with me.” Ash had selective hearing. He only heard what he
wanted to hear. “Chill out.”

He relaxed again. “You want me to take care
of him? I can make sure he’ll never bother you again.”

“No, I’m pretty sure he’ll never contact me
again. I told him off before I walked out.”

“Good girl.” He patted my head like a
dog.

I glared at him. “That’s sexy…”

He returned his hand to my neck and smiled.
“What? Who doesn’t like dogs? I love dogs.”

“I do too but that doesn’t mean I want to be
treated like one.”

“Yeah?” He leaned closer to me. “You don’t
want to snuggle with me all night long and sit in my lap while I
drive around? Because that sounds awesome to me.”

I shook my head and rolled my eyes at the
same time.

Ash snatched me then pulled me across his
thighs. His definition was felt through his jeans right against my
ass. “See? It’s pretty nice, huh?”

“It has a nice view.”

He pressed his lips to my shoulder and kissed
the skin. “So…where are those handcuffs?” He yanked the front of my
dress down and revealed my chest in a strapless bra.

“I have something else that you’ll like
more.”

“Doubt it.” He kissed the valley between my
breasts.

“You wanna bet?”

“Is it anal?”

I stopped myself from smacking him. “No.”

He continued to kiss me. “Then I don’t care
what it is.”

I pulled his face away from my chest. “I
think I’m going to quit my job.”

Instantly, his eyes shined with excitement
and that seductive smile I loved stretched across his lips. “Yeah?
You’re right. I do like that more.”

“Told you.”

“And what made you change your mind? You were
being a pain in the ass about it just last week.”

“Well, I talked to Shelly about it. I realize
it’s not practical…especially if this is going to be a serious
relationship. She told me I shouldn’t go through with it unless I
really saw this going somewhere.”

“And you see this going somewhere?” He stared
at my lips as he asked the question.

“I think so…I hope so.” Ash wasn’t exactly
the boyfriend type but he’d been doing a good job with me. Every
rule he made was broken—for me. He said he didn’t do the girlfriend
thing but he’d been doing it since we met. And he told me he loved
me. The risk seemed to be worth it.

“I have an idea.” He kissed the corner of my
mouth before he looked up at me. “Move in with me.”

“What?” I blurted that out without thinking.
My tone was high-pitched and almost terrified. Of all the things I
expected him to say, that was the last one. “You don’t have to
offer that just to make me feel better.”

“I’m not.” He held my gaze as he said it.
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while now.”

“You have?”

“Come on, I walk through that door every day
like I already live here. We’re together all the time, and I want
to be together all the time. I want your pink and girly shit to
take up the counter in my bathroom. I want your stuff mingled with
mine. I want to open my drawer and see your lacey panties on top. I
think it’s a great idea.”

“But we’ve only been together for a few
months…”

“A few?” he asked in surprise. “No, we’ve
been together for eight months. Shit, people get engaged in that
amount of time.”

“Eight?” I asked.

“We met eight months ago. And I’ve been
committed to you ever since I laid eyes on you. I know you went on
a few dates and stuff but…it doesn’t really count. Come on, that’s
plenty of time.” His face became guarded. “Unless it’s too soon for
you…that’s okay too.”

“No…I just…” I didn’t know what to say. The
offer was on the table but I never expected it to be made.

“Take your time and think about it,” he said.
“It was just an idea. You won’t hurt my feelings if you say no.”
His voice turned melancholy at the end like he’d be devastated if I
turned him down.

“You’re sure about this?”

“Why would I ask if I weren’t?”

“It’s just…you said you don’t do
relationships or commitment and now—”

“It’s different with you.” His voice came out
as a whisper. “I know what it’s like to live without you and it’s
pretty shitty. I know living with you will make me a pussy. But
I’ll be a happy pussy. This is what I want. I didn’t ask you on the
spur of the moment. I saw an opportunity and went for it.” He
shrugged. “I don’t have any doubts, if that’s what you’re worried
about.”

My heart rate slowed down and the feeling
returned to my fingers. I looked down at him, feeling joy radiating
through every inch of my skin. I’d love to see Ash walk through my
front door every day then kiss me. I’d love to share my bed with
him. I’d love to be something more even if it was a little fast.
“Yes.”

His eyes widened in excitement. “Yeah?”

I nodded.

“You’re sure?”

“Yes.” There wasn’t a doubt in my mind. “I
know it’s quick. But sometimes you just know.”

He gripped my hips then abruptly stood up,
carrying me with him. “Now we really need those handcuffs to
celebrate…”

***

We stood in front of his new shop. The
windows were shiny from lack of any grime, and the sign over the
store was bold and noticeable from a few blocks away. All the
equipment was inside and ready to go, and the furniture was brand
new and smelled like leather.

I handed Ash the large scissors. “Cut the
ribbon.” I tied a small piece in front of the door earlier, even
though he said it was lame and unnecessary.

“They do that with schools and hospitals,”
Ash argued. “Not tattoo shops.”

“Shut up and just cut it.” We’d argue all day
if I didn’t tell him off.

He smirked like he was amused then grabbed
the scissors. Then he cut the ribbon and watched it fall to the
ground.

I clapped in excitement. “Yay!”

He chuckled then grabbed the trash from the
ground. “We’re officially open for business.”

I moved into his side and hugged him tightly.
“So proud of you.”

His arm circled my waist and he held me
close. He kissed my forehead. “Thanks, cream queen. I appreciate
it.”

I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him. “Now
let’s get this show on the road.”

We entered the shop then got to work. Ash had
a few employees ready to go. Music played over the speakers, and
the shop had a laid back feel to it. I stood behind the desk with
Ash and watched the people walk by. I didn’t expect the first day
of business to be booming with customers but I knew a few would
come in.

A man and a woman holding hands walked by the
window then entered through the door. They were middle aged and
familiar.

“Wow, it looks so nice now that it’s
finished.” Ash’s mom walked inside and looked around.

Ash stilled when he realized she was there.
“Oh…hey.” He clearly hadn’t expected them to show up.

“Very nice, son.” His dad eyed the red
couches in the lobby. “Very…vibrant.” He wasn’t completely
impressed with the shop but at least he was trying.

“Thanks.” Ash wasn’t his usual self. His
smartass behavior was gone. “Thanks for stopping by.”

His mom and dad hugged and greeted me.
“Thanks so much for supporting Ash while he does this,” his mother
said.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” My place
was by his side and nowhere else.

His mom squeezed his shoulder in an
affectionate way. “You did great, honey. Your father and I are
really impressed.”

I kept my emotions in check even though they
were about to come spilling out. Seeing Ash loved and accepted for
who he was was exactly what I wanted. He was a great guy and
deserved the admiration.

“Thanks.” He smiled at his parents. “It means
a lot that you came down.”

“Maybe I should get some ink,” his dad said
in a teasing way.

“You’d rock it, Dad,” Ash said with a laugh.
“The chicks would dig it.”

“No one is getting a tattoo,” his mother said
in irritation.

Ash pulled me into his side and put his arm
around my waist. “Mom and Dad, we have something we’d like to tell
you.”

We did?

His mom immediately tensed like she was about
to explode in excitement.

“We’re moving in together,” Ash said. “We’re
shacking up.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful.” His mom hugged him
tightly. “You found such a nice girl. It’s been my dream
forever.”

“Yeah, she keeps me in line.” Ash winked at
me.

His mother hugged me next. “Thank you for
making an honest man out of my son.”

“He already was,” I said with a sigh.

After his parents said goodbye, they left the
shop and walked past the windows.

Ash turned to me. “See? It’s like the cream
queen mishap never even happened.”

“Because they’re nice enough to not bring it
up,” I jabbed.

“Whatever,” he said. “They’re excited we’re
moving in together. They love you even if you are a cream
queen.”

I rolled my eyes because I knew I would never
shake this nickname.

“That was nice of them to come by…” Emotion
was in his voice but he cleared his throat and it dissipated. Ash
wasn’t an emotional guy and it was difficult for him to express
what he was thinking and feeling. I knew he didn’t like to get
mushy-mushy.

I hugged him tightly. “It really was. I knew
they were proud of you. You’re an amazing person, Ash.”