Page 121 of Dangerous Men
“They had three different types of chocolate,” Ashton says, his voice light and carefree as he approaches, cradling three bowls of ice cream in his arms. “Chocolate fudge, rocky road, and something called death by chocolate. I wasn’t sure which one you’d like best, so I got all three for us to share, and?—”
Ashton stops, looking up from his armful of dessert to notice Chase sitting across from me, and his smile falters.
“Oh! Hey, who’s this?” He sets the bowls down on the table with effortless grace, not missing a beat.
Who is this?I look from Chase to Ashton, and I’m struck by the differences between the two of them. Not just their size—Chase works out, but he’s never come close to looking like Ash—but everything about them.
Ash is kind. Ash supports me. Cherishes me. Maybe even loves me.
And it’s so obvious to me now that Chase was never capable of any of that.
“He’s nobody,” I say, my voice firm and unwavering. I stare Chase straight in the eye as I say it, meaning every word. “Nobody at all.”
A flash of anger crosses Chase’s face before he smothers it. He stands abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the concrete.
“We’ll see about that,” he tells me, staring me down.
Something shifts in Ashton at those words, and his body goes taut. Until now, he and Sebastian were nothing alike in my mind. Smiling, warm-hearted Ash, who wears his heart on his sleeve and every emotion clear on his face. The mirror opposite of cold, unreadable Sebastian.
But the anger that creeps into Ash’s bright blue eyes is so familiar to me, it’s suddenly impossible not to see the resemblance between the two of them. That icy rage that’s ever present in Sebastian’s gaze fills Ashton’s as he stares down at Chase.
“Is this guy bothering you, Babygirl?” Ashton asks, his voice low and deadly.
Chase doesn’t even glance at him. He’s too focused on me, disgust etched into his face.
“Babygirl?” Chase mocks, his lip curling.
“Go,” Ashton says, taking a step forward. His voice drops, and there’s a menace in his stance I’ve never seen before. “Walk away.”
“Fine. I’m gone.” Giving Ash one dismissive glare, Chase shrugs his shoulders and walks away, his hands shoved deep into his pockets.
“Huh,” Ashton mutters, his gaze following Chase, brow knit in confusion. “Kind of a weird guy, right?”
He settles into the seat Chase just vacated, shifting his concern and focus to me.
“Did he do something to upset you?” Ash asks, frowning. “Is everything okay?”
I pull the bowl of rocky road toward me, picking up the little plastic spoon sticking out of the heaping scoop and taking a big bite.
“Everything is perfect,” I tell him. And in that moment,with a bright smile blooming over Ashton’s face and the taste of chocolate on my tongue, it is.
“Here.” I scoop some ice cream onto the spoon and hold it out for him. “Youhaveto try this one.”
42
SYDNEY
Perfect.The next day, the feeling continues, making everything look and feel brighter. Everything isperfect.
Thirty minutes after the best ice cream of my life, Ashton walked me home. I’d been nervous as we approached my door, not sure how to go about inviting him in, or asking him to stay the night…
Not even sure if Iwantedhim to stay the night. My run-in with Chase had left a sour taste in my mouth and a panicked flutter in my belly. I didn’t feel as adventurous, suddenly. Didn’t feel as comfortable coming on to him or having a man in my bed.
But at my door, Ashton had done nothing but give me a sweet, toe-curling kiss that tasted like chocolate before wishing me a good night and walking away. He didn’t push. He didn’t pressure me. He just… left. Like he sensed my hesitation without me saying anything, and understood.
It feels too good to be true.Theyfeel too good to be true.
I woke up to a text from Alec the next morning. Notjealous or demanding answers about what happened on my date with Ashton—no, Alec simply asked when I was free next, so he could take me out again.
