Page 20 of Ashley
Chapter 6
It was just after 5:30 when Ashley stepped out of the subway and looked up. It was a beautiful night, all light breezes and just brisk enough to be refreshing. The sort of Indian summer night that made her feel younger and more carefree than she supposed she was. She sucked in a deep breath and smiled, turning her face up and reveling in the lightness of the evening before she scanned the sidewalk.
She'd only made it a few steps when her gaze landed on James' familiar profile, and again, she was struck by how handsome he was. If she didn't know better, she would mistake herself for a lovesick teen, which, given her recent struggle with insecurity, could be considered par for the course. That didn't mean it wasn't true, though. He was gorgeous and turning the necks of passersby, both male and female, as he waited for her.
James' eyes were focused skyward, on the setting sun that was painting the cityscape brilliant shades of oranges and blues. His posture was easy, broad shoulders straining the long sleeved shirt he wore just so, dark-wash jeans hanging from his hips. She fought to keep her mind from thinking too hard about what was under said jeans. It was nice to see him like this, so relaxed, but even so, his back was still ramrod straight, lending him a touch of the danger Ashley supposed came along with his occupation as a fighter. She knew that he fought in the same underground circuit as Silas, but save for Natasha telling her, the man hadn't so much as said one word about it. Maybe she could ask him tonight? She bit her lip as she approached him, not wanting to pull him out of the moment of peace he seemed to be enjoying, but others did not share her apprehension at ruining James' quiet moment—a group of college coeds, all pretty and fresh faced women who looked like they would be at home in the ranks of dancers Ashley had been busy fitting that afternoon. She stopped with a jerk, watching the women approach him. There was no mistaking the hungry looks in their eyes, and Ashley felt her stomach tighten as the one closest to him came closer. She tossed her long black hair over her shoulder and fixed a brilliant smile on her face before she reached out and lightly tapped him on the shoulder.
"Um, excuse me…" the woman's voice was sweet and cut through the night like a bell.
James turned to look at her with a raised eyebrow. "Can I help you?" he asked, and Ashley didn't miss how he rocked back on his heels, his muscular body seeming to become smaller, folding into itself even as he crossed his arms over his chest.
The woman stepped closer to him. "A knight in shining armor! I love that."
James tilted his head to the side and then his eyes slid past the girl to where Ashley stood watching the interaction. "Sorry, sweetheart. My girl just showed, and I have a date to keep."
"Wait, what?" The woman blinked in surprise, but James only gave her an easy smile and stepped past her toward Ashley.
"Why are you just standing here like a statue, honey?" James asked when he was in front of her.
"I didn't want to interrupt," Ashley said, glancing back over at the women who were looking their way with confused looks on their faces. Their gazes raked over her from head to toe, and she suddenly felt self-conscious of the simple shorts and tank top she was wearing, her messenger bag slung over one shoulder.
James tilted his head to the side and shot her a curious look. "Interrupt what? I was waiting on you."
"Well, I mean," Ashley shrugged and tugged at her shorts before turning her back on the sharp-eyed coeds who were no doubt confused at how she and James had ended up together, "nothing. I mean, it's nothing."
He leaned close to her, one hand moving forward to cup her side. "You are beautiful, sweet girl. Don't pay attention to people with mean hearts."
Ashley blinked in surprise and leaned back to look up at him. The weight of his hand on her steadied her and the warmth she could feel from his touch was enough to ground her in the now. She nodded slowly and then whispered, "Yeah, okay."
His mouth quirked up in a smile. "Yeah, okay? Simple as that?"
"It is when you tell me," she admitted. James' smirk grew into a full-blown smile and he threw his head back and laughed. The sound warmed her through, and Ashley grinned. The infectious laughter felt just like the perfect weather all around her, refreshing and freeing. It made her heart lighter and she stepped closer to him, not caring about the group of women anymore. What did their opinions matter when James was looking at her the way he was, gray eyes all soft and lingering on her face? The world didn't exist to him outside of her, and Ashley found herself going along with it as well.
"You don't know how happy that makes me." He held his hand out to her. "Hold my hand while we walk?"
She slipped hers into his and felt her heart skip a beat when he threaded their fingers together. "I know a great place around the corner. Gotta say, though, I didn't think you lived in Queens."
Ashley shrugged as they walked. "It's affordable."
"It is. Place has changed since I was a kid, too."
"You're from New York?" she asked, surprised that she didn't know that, but then again, little about their lives outside of their brief time together had been discussed.
He nodded, moving close to her when a group of people came near. The closeness of his body had her leaning into him before she was aware she had done it, and James flashed her another bright smile. "Yeah, Brooklyn. Grew up there with Silas, once upon a time. How about you?"
"Portland," she told him, enjoying the look of surprise that flashed across his face.
"How did you end up here?" he asked.
"Dance brought me here. I was in a company with Natasha that was based out of here when we were teens, but then I kind of left and did my own thing in Paris and Australia for a while. I guess I just started thinking of New York as home. It made sense to come back when I was done with Australia."
"Do you like traveling?" he asked.
"Yes and no. I had a great time, but I missed New York so much that it wasn't that much fun anymore. I'd say I'm a quick trip traveler and not in it for the long haul."
"I can understand that. I've never really been much for travel."
"Oh, why not?"
