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“Josh, I had three fucking orgasms, of course I liked it, but it can’t happen again. You were being all bossy and broody, and you know that makes me want to rip off my panties and yell ‘here, have at it’.”

With a huff, she rushed out of my room, and I heard the guestroom door slam. Within seconds, I heard it reopen, and then she stormed back into my room with a face of thunder. “Why didn’t you tell me I only had panties on?”

“Fuck me, I love it when you’re feisty. Do you really think I would tell you that you were standing in my room in panties with your sass flying off on all cylinders? Fuck no.”

“You are impossible.”

Once again, she stormed out. This time she disappeared into the bathroom and I heard the shower turn on. Still chuckling, I climbed out of bed, stepped into the living room, and made my way to the kitchen. I had an hour before I had to be at work, and I was in desperate need of coffee, considering a gorgeous blond with a greedy body kept me up most of the night.

I flicked through my emails and checked text messages while the coffee brewed. I was so distracted that I didn’t hear Ashlyn step into the kitchen until I heard her sigh loudly. My eyes shot up to find her staring at me with a frustrated look. She was dressed in skinny jeans and a shirt that hung off her shoulder, and her hair was piled on the top of her head. She had left her face completely bare, just the way I liked it.

“What’s wrong now? I haven’t said a word.”

“Do you own a shirt?” she asked in a voice that I didn’t like hearing from her. It was quiet, reserved, and nervous.

“Why are you freaking out?” I asked softly.

Finally, she allowed herself to look at me and indecision swam within her bright green eyes.

“Come here, Ash.”

To say I was surprised when she crossed the kitchen would be an understatement. When I opened my arms, she stepped in, and her arms circled my waist. Her head rested over my heart, and my chin rested on the top of her head. She smelled of shampoo and the perfume that sent my body into overdrive.

Ashlyn being in my arms felt incredibly right. I felt like comforting her and taking away her obvious fears and securities was what I was made to do, and what I would continue to do. I wasn’t going to hide the fact that I wanted more of last night . . . a lot more. Now that I had another taste of her and felt her body quiver under my touch, I went spiraling into the unknown. The only thing I knew was I wanted it again, and I would have it again.

“Five fucking years,” I mumbled under my breath in complete disgust at myself.

“What did you say?” she asked, pulling away slightly and looking up at me.

“Nothing.”

Ashlyn stepped out of my arms and busied herself with making breakfast. I watched her like a hawk, and I couldn’t help but notice the sideways glances she would give me. I knew she was overthinking everything. This woman had completely opened up to me while staying at my place, and I was afraid that once she was back in her apartment the walls would go back up. I couldn’t let that happen. Last night something shifted between us. I knew it, and so did she, yet she was here fighting it.

“I’m heading down to Lilac Cove for a couple of days.”

What the fuck? Where had this come from? This was the first I’d heard her mention going down the coast. I poured both of us a cup of coffee and handed one to her. She impassively took the cup and lifted it to her mouth.

“Are you running to hide from me?” I asked and took my own sip.

“Josh, I’m not five. I’ve got a photo shoot down there for the blog.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Yes.”

“Will you be back for the engagement party on Saturday?”

“Of course, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“Now that Ky and Eden are back in town, you need to tell them about Lachlan. No more hiding.”

“I know. I will.”

“Are you still going as my date?” I asked with a cocky undertone. “I didn’t order a new shirt for no reason?”

“I can’t leave a guy desperate, so yes, I will accompany you,” she replied sarcastically. “But no more kissing or touching. I am a guy-free zone.”

I wanted to make a comment and remind her of how she was withering below me just hours ago, how she begged and came around my fingers not once but three times, but I thought I better not test my luck.

“Whatever you say, Ashy. Whatever you say.”

Ashlyn had been gone for three days, but my apartment continued to tease me with her scent. Every room I stepped into, the ghost of her remained.

The past two days had revolved around work and preparations for the engagement party. Every morning I’d wake up to an email from Eden, giving an update and asking for my opinion on things. I wasn’t exactly sure what help I was being. I thought my role would be helping set up on Saturday, not helping her decide between a chocolate or vanilla cake. Seriously, where the fuck was Ky in all these decisions? Eden didn’t take too kindly to me suggesting a marble cake of chocolate and vanilla, so now I wasn’t being asked for my input on what my mom called the crucial details, and it was fine by me.

When I finally made it to Mom and Dad’s after work on Friday, I stepped into an empty house, and the silence was welcomed. I couldn’t stop thinking about Ashlyn. I craved her like never before. One taste ignited the addiction that had been dormant for five years. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and collapsed onto the couch. I scrolled through my messages until I got to the last text from Ashlyn, and began typing.

Just arrived at Mom and Dad’s. I’ve missed your cute little ass in my apartment. Hurry up and get here.

Her response was immediate.

How are the stress levels of Kyden? Is Eden running around in a panic yet? I’ll be there tomorrow. Something came up and I can’t leave yet. Stop thinking about my ass. It’s not happening again Joshua.

Fucking Kyden.

Telling me not to think about your ass is like telling me not to breathe. Are you trying to kill me Ashy? Team Joslyn! xx

The grey bubble danced on the screen, telling me she was tapping in a response. I was eager to see what she would say to the mention of Joslyn.

LOL Team Joslyn. P.S. no kissing means no kissing in text messages as well. No xx on the end of messages Crawford. See you tomorrow.

Fuck my life, this girl was going to put my life in complete disarray. I just hoped to Christ that both her and I could handle it.

I WALKED THROUGH THE side gate of the Crawford’s family home, and the twinkling garden lights grabbed my attention. The warmth of the late spring air caressed my bare shoulders and caused my curled hair to dance on my back as I made my way to Ky and Eden’s engagement party. After spending three days in Lilac Cove, I was ready to let my hair down, relax, and enjoy my best friend’s special night. I also had a confusing but exciting buzz swimming through my body at the thought of seeing Josh again.

“Finally, the maid of honor arrives.”

I stopped mid-step and turned around to find Eden dressed in a beautiful, light pink, knee-length dress, rushing toward me with a beaming smile. The happiness covering her face was intoxicating, and I couldn’t help but return her smile.

“Ahh, the beautiful bride-to-be,” I replied, and graciously accepted her hug. When she pulled away, her eyes traveled over my body, taking in the blue dress that clung to my every curve and the killer silver heels that I had purchased just the night before on a last minute shopping trip.