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I never believed in that sort of nonsense in the past. It’s the type of sappiness that consumes my brother, not me. I’m the sensible one, but then again, I’ve never met a person quite like Ash.
“Are you sure I can’t twist your arm?” I ask for about the tenth time. Talk about looking desperate.
“I wish Icould,” he answers with a sigh. “I have an early shift at work in the morning, then I’ve got to spend some time onThe Bride.”
It’s his piece he’s been stuck on for a while. “You’re changing the name, right?” I’ve not forgotten about the beauty of his strokes, and the expression on her face, as though she was almost haunted.
“Yeah, I’m giving her a story. It’s making it easier to see what I’ve missed. I don’t typically plan my pieces in this way. I have the start of an idea, and begin sketching it. But from there, my creativity takes over. But, this piece needs a new approach. So, thanks for the idea.”
I want to see where he creates his art. I have to know where he lies his head at night. With Ashton, I want to see it all. But, at least I’m able to drop him off at his apartment complex this time. Baby steps.
“I can’t wait to see the finished product.” I’m quiet as we hit the 99 and I have him with me for the next thirty minutes.
“I thought I’d be all nervous or embarrassed to show you,THE Noah James, my own pieces, but I’m not.”
“Really?” I ask. I understand the intimidation. Kate’s previous featured artist was a pretentious dick. He hated that she was premiering my work. And I never thought my art stood a chance against his. I never needed anyone’s approval, but it’s different with Ashton.
“I hope you know you can be yourself around me,” I say.
“I think it’s when I knew you were something special. I don’t have to pretend. And as you get to know more of me, you’ll see some of the ugly surface. But, I won’t hide it from you.”
“And I won’t hide my ugly from you either, Ash.”
He slides his hand over to my leg, resting it at my knee. Never thought I’d need a person’s touch as I do with Ash.
Nearing his apartment, I start thinking. “Hey, so what do you have planned this weekend?” Meaning tomorrow. I want to have the whole weekend with him, until I have to share him with my brother for dinner Sunday night.
“I think I’m going to stick close to home tomorrow night, but Saturday, I’m all yours, if it’s what you want?”
“How is that even a question?” I retort, a snort leaving my lips without permission.
I pull over and come to a stop in front of his building. He leans across the console, and gives me a kiss.
“I’ll see you Saturday sometime?” I ask.
“Yeah, let’s make plans tomorrow night, is that okay?” he questions and slips out of the passenger’s seat, rounding the front of my Mercedes. I roll down the window, and he drops a kiss onto my forehead.
“If I were to kiss you the way I want to, we’d be here forever.”
“And what the hell is wrong with that?” I deadpan.
“See you on Saturday?” Ash asks, ignoring my pout as I push out my lower lip. “You’re adorable when you pout, you know. Anyway, what do they say? Distance makes the heart grow fonder?”
“Yeah, I never liked that fucking saying.” I’m teasing. Well, mostly teasing.
“Okay, get some good work done, and if you want to have FaceTime sex, call me.”
I perk up, staring at his nose. It’s pointy, similar to mine. His shoulders are strong and broad, but on them, he carries the weight of the world. I can see it in his dark eyes, and I want to ease his burden, taking on some of it, if not all of it, as my own. I want to say something serious, to let him know I care more than I should at this point. But my reply comes out as a silly retort.
“Well, I guess I have something to look forward to then, right?”
His forehead drops to mine, again. “What are you doing to me, Noah? I don’t want to leave you.”
I want to say then don’t. But he has to. We have responsibilities and jobs. I want to rush in with all I have, but then again, it never has worked with Liam and his long list of girls. But Ash—he’s shaping up to be everything.
It’s my turn to drop a kiss on his forehead. “You better go before I pull you back in this car,” I warn. I can only be good for so long.
“Okay.” He pulls himself out of my space, moving his hands to his jacket, as the cold night air is downright chilly. “Drive safely, babe.”
