Chris knocked on Ash's door, his mind racing with the possibilities of what was going on with her. Her abrupt request and the fact that she wouldn't look at him as she got into the car worried him. He'd tried to keep himself occupied by going over some new music with JC, but he couldn't concentrate and ended up just going home. Now he was so worked up that he wanted to just turn tail and run, but he knew he had to find out what was wrong.
As he raised his hand to knock again, the door was flung open by Chaz. He ran by Chris, calling out a greeting before racing down the hall. Ash yelled after him to be careful and Chaz raised his hand letting her know he'd heard her.
"Where's he going?" Chris asked.
"To Ian's again." Ash rolled her eyes. She stood back to let Chris enter the loft and shut the door before following him. "I swear I think those two are attached at the hip."
"Well, he's a good kid," Chris said. "I can't see why anyone wouldn't like having him around."
He watched as Ash walked into the kitchen and lifted the lid off of a pot on the stove. The smell was unbelievable and Chris's mouth immediately started watering. He came up behind Ash, laying his head on her shoulder and settling a hand lightly on her hip, making her jump. "What's that?"
Ash slapped the lid back down on the pot before Chris could figure out what was giving off the wonderful aroma. "It's a surprise."
"Aww...c'mon." Chris pouted his lips and lowered his head, looking up at Ash pleadingly. She chuckled and shook her head. She pushed him away from the stove and told him to sit. Chris went over to the island in the middle and slid up on a stool, watching her as she got two bottles of beer from the fridge. She set one down in front of him and smiled.
"So," Chris said after taking a long drink from his beer, "You dance amazingly, you're beautiful, and if that smell is anything to go by, you cook like a goddess. Please, tell me you like playing video games."
"Who do you think Chaz plays them with when his friends aren't around?" Ash grinned as Chris moaned and reached out, grabbing her hand.
"Marry me?"
Ash laughed and shook her head at him. "You couldn't handle me."
Chris looked her up and down, his eyes suddenly serious. His pulled up into a shadow of a smirk. "I'll bet I could."
Ash felt herself blush and turned her head, pulling her hand away from him. She got up and went to the stove to check the food. Chris watched the way she moved and felt his body tighten. God, he wanted her. His eyes never left her as she turned off the burners and started dishing out whatever she'd made.
He could watch her all day, but when she set the steaming plate in front of him, the smell overpowered him and he closed his eyes, savoring the wonderful mixtures of spices. Ash sat down across from him again, her own plate in front of her.
"You gonna eat it," she chuckled, "Or sniff it all night?"
Chris's smile was blinding and he moaned at the first bite. "What is it?"
"It's a cajun dish," she told him, "Chicken aux gros oignons."
"Chicken ooo...what?" Ash laughed again and Chris ate another forkfull, chewing it thoughtfully. "Well, whatever it is, it's good."
"I'm glad you like it." Ash smiled, watching Chris devour the food. Pleased moans and smacking lips were the only sounds she heard and she wondered why it made her feel so.... comfortable and at home. Ash shook her head, hiding her grin before starting on her own plate.
Chris slowed down after eating almost half of the chicken. He glanced up at Ash and his mouth quirked up in a grin when he saw a piece of mushroom sticking to the corner of her mouth. She took a couple more bites before she realized he was staring.
"What?"
Ash's confused look was endearing. Chris's grin faded and he reached a hand out, touching her chin lightly. She held completely still, the mushroom still attached to her lip, and waited. Chris leaned forward a few inches and stopped, his eyes scanning her face. Ash's lips were slightly parted and her eyes had developed a smoky hue. Chris leaned forward again and was lost.
The kiss started out slow...tentative. They explored each other, tasting.... savoring. Chris broke off the kiss and pulled back a little. He stroked his thumb over her bottom lip, tracing its shape. Ash closed her eyes and gently kissed the pad of his thumb, making him go instantly still.
Chris took Ash's hand and slid off the stool. She stepped down from hers and stood facing him. His eyes lowered and he watched his fingers as they intertwined with hers. Her hands were small and soft, fitting inside his so perfectly. He ran his thumb over the back of her hand and looked up when she sighed.
"Chris..." Her voice was nearly a whisper and he quickly silenced her with another kiss. Chris laid his forehead against hers and closed his eyes.
"Ash," he said hoarsely, "I don't know if I can be everything you want me to be. I don't know if I'll be good enough. All I do know is that your face is what I dream about every night when I'm sleeping and what I long to see each morning, when I'm awake." He pulled back and looked at her, his gaze intense. "I don't know what'll happen tomorrow, or the next day, but I know that right now, right here...I want to do everything I can to show you what you mean to me. I'm not perfect, but you make me feel.... complete. Like there's a part of me that's there now, that I never knew was missing."
Ash closed her eyes, willing away the tears that threatened to appear. She had been so worried about everything and here was this man, this wonderful man laying himself bare in a way that most people never got to see.... for her. The trembling in his voice made her want to reach out to him. His hand caressed her cheek and she opened her eyes. She was stunned by the fear and undeniable longing in his.
"Ash, I wish there was a way I could tell you how I feel." He laughed dryly. "Everything that comes to mind sounds corny. I can't put into words...." Chris faltered and looked away, his hand still covering hers. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, his mind racing, trying to find the words that wouldn't come.
"Show me."
It was so soft that at first, he wasn't sure he heard it. Chris looked at her questioningly and Ash smiled, her lips curving ever so slightly. He realized what she meant and was stunned. He overcame it quickly though and pulled her to him, his lips folding over hers. One hand pressed against her back, fitting her against him, while the other crept up to tangle in her hair.
Ash was the first to break off the kiss this time. Silently, she took his hand and led him to her room. Chris followed, transfixed. They stopped in front of the bed and she sat, inviting him with just a look. Chris propped one knee on the bed and leaned forward. She slid further back, her eyes never leaving his as he crawled toward her. When he had aligned his body with hers, he gazed down at her.
Dipping his head, he captured her lips again. Their kisses were urgent and dripping with molten heat. Hesitantly, he began to run his hand over her side, rising upwards. He could feel her feverish skin beneath the thin material and he tugged at it, needing to touch her. Ash lifted up, letting him pull the shirt up and over her head. Boldly, she tucked her arms behind her and unhooked her bra, letting it slide down to expose her small but full breasts.
Chris thought he'd be nervous, but he wasn't. This moment was so.... right. He quickly shed his own shirt and thought he would never feel anything as good as when their bare skin met. He was wrong. His lips traced over her jawline and he shivered when her hands lightly caressed his shoulders. He wanted to learn every inch of her, memorize her.
Ash's breath was coming in short puffs and electric pulses were scorching their way through her. She let her hands wander boldly over his chest and arms, her fingers tightening when he took her nipple into his mouth, sucking gently. She arched her back, pressing toward him and his hand slid around to her lower back, supporting her.
Chris savored the taste of her skin, taking what he could. He'd dreamed of doing just this, but her skin, her taste...it rivaled anything his imagination could come up with.His hand curved up over her hip and smoothed out across her flat stomach. He let it rest there for a minute, then slid it down and ran his fingers lightly over the skin just inside her waistband.
Ash was nearly insane. The way he was touching her, kissing her, she'd never experienced anything quite like it. Eric had been a good lover, but this....this was on a completely different level. Now, she wanted more than anything to have him inside her. She had to have him. With a barely disclosed whimper, she reached down and tried to unfasten his pants. They fought her efforts before giving in and popping open. When her hand snaked in and her fingers curled firmly around his already erect cock, Chris hissed shakily.
The need for each other was overpowering and Chris quickly shed the rest of his clothing before turning his attention back to Ash. He deftly unfastened her shorts and she lifted her hips as he slowly drug them down, catching her barely-there panties on the way down. When she was completely naked, he stopped and just stared, taking in every inch of her. Ash blushed hot at his gaze, but was more turned on by it than shy. As he kissed her again, his skillful tongue parting her lips and leading hers in a timeless dance, his hand cupped her perfect bottom, pressing her flush against him.
Ash could feel his hardness, pressing against her and moaned into his lips, murmuring his name. Chris groaned and held her even tighter. "I love how my name sounds when you say it," he growled, "Say it again."
"Ah, God.... Chris.... please..."
Chris groaned again and pulled away. He reached down and grabbed his pants, chuckling at the frustrated noises Ash was making. He pulled a small foil packet from the back pocket and tore it open with his teeth, quickly sheathing himself. Then his body covered Ash's again and he positioned himself above her. When he entered, she was hot and unbelievably wet. Chris sucked in a sharp breath and locked his eyes with hers.
At first, he moved slowly, letting her adjust to him and wanting to enjoy the feel of being inside her. When her hands clutched at his shoulders, he began moving his hips, thrusting faster. Ash writhed under him, gasping and he smiled down at her. She was by far the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.
Ash could feel the heat consuming her, taking over every part of her and driving her onto a higher plane. She couldn't think, she couldn't speak. All she could do was let the fiery sensation overwhelm her. She could feel it boiling and spreading and knew she was close. When Chris's thrusts became even more powerful, she cried out, wanting release.
Chris lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers, his hips still keeping their quickened tempo. Under him, Ash moaned and suddenly tightened. He watched her as she contracted and bucked, the orgasm taking her over. It was enough. A few more thrusts and he was right there with her, blinded by it, calling out to her. He knew then, at that moment, that no other would ever be able to give him what she had. There would never be anyone else who could satisfy him.... fill him the way she did.
They lay wrapped in each other�s arms quietly murmuring to one another. Neither one of them had the energy or motivation to do anything but lay there, sated. As the minutes turned into an hour and then two, Chris held her, stroking her hair, his breath fanning her cheek. Eventually, her breathing deepened and evened out and Chris smiled to himself. He pressed a light kiss to her cheek and closed his eyes, drifting off with the smile still curving his lips.