Page 83 of In Your Wildest Dreams
I’m going over it and over it, solidifying it all in my mind, that I only realize Ash is pulling me away from the party when he steps into a dark room and closes the door behind us.
Ash backs me up against the wall and rests a hand above me. “Hey.”
“Hi,” I say a little too brightly. Did it suddenly get very warm in here? “Everything okay?”
“Yeah. I just couldn’t go another second without doing this.” His hand drops to the nape of my neck and he pulls me toward him.
His mouth covers mine and his fingers splay out over my collarbone. Unlike last time, there’s no hesitation. He kisses me like he’s done it a thousand times before and like he can’t get enough. It’s an intoxicating combination.
He pulls back too soon and rests his forehead against mine. “I’ve been thinking about that for ten days.”
“You and your math-ing.”
The backs of his fingers glide over my skin next to the strap of my pink dress. “I’ve got a whole lot more math I’d like to do, but eventually I think Ev would come looking for you.”
“Probably so.”
“Ready to meet some people?”
I don’t feel nearly as certain as the definitive nod I give him.
Ash leads me back out to the party. The massive house is filled with people, many I recognize but a lot I don’t. Everyone knows Ash. People call out to him—guys and girls. He waves or offers a head tip in acknowledgment, but he doesn’t stop until we reach the kitchen.
Everly is in here talking to Piper and some of the other players’ wives. She gives me a knowing look but doesn’t interrupt as Ash leans down and asks me what I want to drink.
I go with a hard seltzer and Ash gets himself a beer.
The man of the house walks in as we’re taking our first sips. I don’t miss the way he takes me in standing next to his friend before settling his attention on Ash. “We need one more for darts, you in?” He smiles at me. “Good to see you again, Bridget.”
“You too. Your house is beautiful.”
“Thanks.” He opens a cabinet and pulls down a bottle of whiskey.
“Breaking out the good stuff?” Ash asks. “Good or bad night?”
“That remains to be seen.”
Ash gets a weird expression on his face. “Everything all right?”
“Just peachy.”
“Where’s Meredith?”
Jack’s gaze moves past us. “She and Kennedy are coming later.”
When Ash doesn’t reply, Jack asks, “You cool with that? I invited her before...” His gaze flicks to me and back to Ash.
“Yeah, of course.” Ash plays it off, but the two guys are having a stare down, silently communicating something.
I look away to give them privacy, but a second later, Jack is saying he needs to get back to darts, and Ash and I are alone.
“I’m sorry about that,” Ash says.
“About what?”
He grimaces like he isn’t sure what to say. “Jack and his girlfriend Meredith tried to set me up with Meredith’s friend, Kennedy. She’s going to be here later.”
“Oh. Is that weird?”
