Page 86 of Bar Down

My anger dims when he says it and I feel bad for not making it clearer. “This isn’t like last time, Ash. I’m not abandoning you, I’m not pushing you away, we’re a fucking team now.”

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to disappear on you.”

“I know, it’s okay,hani,” I say and make my way to him.

“No, it’s not. I should have just left early and come with you, I’m such anidiot.”

I put my phone back in my pocket and reach him in a few strides, cupping his face and pressing my body into his. “No, you’re not. I’m sorry I said that earlier.”

“Eli,” he breathes out in relief. The way he says my name, all breathy and sweet pulls me in and I kiss him. His lips are coldfrom the rain and I make it my mission to keep him warm and safe.

“You are the best thing in my life, and the only one I want by my side, always,” I say, chasing his lips again, tilting his head and kissing him deeper.

After what feels like an eternity kissing in the rain, I grab Ash’s hand, scan my building pass and pull him inside the building. We leave a trail of water behind us from the lobby to the elevator and as soon as I press the button for the 8th floor, I turn around and back him into the wall. His gasp is caught by my lips as I devour him, one press of my lips at a time. He tastes minty and fresh as I pull on his bottom lip with my teeth before diving back in with my tongue.

“That article—I’m so mad at them for doing that to you, but I’m also dying to set the record straight. You’remine, Eli.” Ash’s hands grab my ass and squeeze, pulling me flush with his own erection right as the elevator dings.

I don’t even try to pull away and we hear the doors open and close. We make out in the elevator until Ash shivers against me. Only then do I take his hand again and we walk over to my apartment. “Ilo, I’m so sorry and I need you to know that there’s nothing going on between me and Juuse.”

“Of course I know that. You wouldn’t hurt me like that,” he says, squeezing my hand.

I shake my head vehemently and open the door to my apartment. “Never.”

As soon as we’re inside and the door locks behind us, I peel off Ash’s wet coat and his sweater, then do the same to my own. “You were so brave tonight. I don’t expect you to fight my battles for me, but it means so much to me that you spoke up when I couldn’t,” I say.

“I’m not brave. I’m just well-adjusted now, thanks to my good old friend therapy,” Ash says, trying to laugh it off, but I won’t let him.

“Kultsi,you were incredible. And while you’ve worked a lot on yourself the last few months, this bravery was always there. I’m so proud to call you mine.” Ash’s eyes shine but I don’t give him the chance to ruin this with another joke. Instead, my lips find his in a bruising kiss.

The rest of our clothes come off and I lead him backwards into the bathroom, kissing any part of him I can reach, while maneuvering around to turn the water on. Our passionate kissing and lovemaking turns more tender as the water warms us back up.

Ash fallsasleep in my arms and we snuggle on the too small bed, but my mind is running through a million scenarios and I stay up thinking all night long. This article can bring me a lot of backlash, but is that really what I care about most? What other people think of me? What strangers think of me?

Ash stirs in my arms and I look down at him. His eyebrows are scrunched up and his nose twitches and all I want is to keep him close. I run my thumb along the bridge of his nose and smooth out the wrinkle in his brows and he lets out a sigh. When I take my hand back I see his lips pulled up in a small smile and my heart is so full. This—Ash—he’s what I care about most.

When Ash heads out to grab us coffee and bagels, I call the team’s PR liaison and ask her to set up a media availability session for me to address the article. She sets it up quicker than I expect and asks me to head out to the arena immediately.

I turn the TV on and pull up our team’s channel. Then, I write a note for Ash.

THIRTY-EIGHT

ASH

“Eli?”I ask, looking in the small bathroom and around the room. The apartment is empty and I quickly check my phone in case Eli texted me with an emergency. Nothing.

My first instinct is to give him space, assume that he left or that he didn’t want to be around me, but after last night, there’s no chance Eli would do that.

I’m not abandoning you.

We’re a fucking team now.

I open up his contact and hit call, but the call goes straight to voicemail. After I pace around the apartment, my gaze drifts to the TV that’s turned on. The YouTube channel wasn’t playing anything earlier, but now a video loads, saying a media availability session is starting soon.

A yellow post-it note is stuck to the bottom of the TV and it catches my attention.

The coffee might go cold, but I’ll be back as soon as I can.

Please watch this. I love you,

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