Fighting Shadows (On the Ropes #2)(61)

“Okay. Slow the hell down. Ash, I’m not asking you to marry me.”

She froze and looked over at me. Disappointment showed on her face even while her cheeks heated in embarrassment. It made me an *, but that disappointment made me happier than any smile she had ever tossed my way.

“I didn’t mean—”

“Yet,” I amended, and her head snapped back. “I don’t know you anymore. I remember the girl that I fell in love with, and if I’m being honest with you, I still love her.”

Her chin began to quiver, but my smile grew.

“I want to fall in love with the woman now. I want to know who Ash Victoria Mabie really is. I mean, I know she’s gorgeous and great in bed,” I teased, causing her to choke out a laugh. “But I want to know all of her. And while we’re at it, I want her to get to know me too.

“I’m not the same guy you remember. The years have changed me too—in some ways for the better, and some for the worse. Hell, you might hate me in two weeks, but at least give me the chance. I want to make you fall in love with me, not the memories. And if and when that happens, I will make you my wife. And I will make this your home. And we can make each other safe and secure for the rest of our lives.”

I walked over, stopping in front of her. Her eyes bounced around the room, but they weren’t dim anymore. Something I had said had changed her. I just needed to figure out whatever-the-hell part it was she needed to hear so I could reassure her on a daily basis.

“Ash, all of that will come with time. Right now, I just need you to stop running and maybe start by going out on a f*cking date with me.”

She swallowed hard, and her blue eyes sparkled with unshed emotion. “I don’t know.”

I was so f*cking sick and tired of not knowing though. I’d spent entirely too long living with uncertainty.

I knew.

I f*cking knew.

And I was going to make her know too.

“Damn it, Ash. Give me a f*cking chance. I can do this! I swear to God. I can do this.”

“It’s just . . .” She trailed off, flashing her eyes down at the floor. She stared at her feet for several seconds before slowly looking back up with a huge grin. “I’ve never been on a date.”

My lips twitched. “Well, now that I know that, I’m going to have to start you off easy. Can’t pull out the big guns on the first night. I’d just set myself up for failure on the second date.”

Putting her hands on her hips, she tilted her head. “Is that what you did last night in bed? I thought you were holding out on me.”

“What the hell, Ash!”

She burst out laughing.

“That is not what you are supposed to tell a man! Repeat after me: I ruined you for all men, all the while fulfilling your every fantasy.”

She continued to laugh as I tugged her against my chest. “See? I told you I was new at this.”

“You also just like to f*ck with me.”

She folded her arms around my waist and snuggling in impossibly closer. “Yeah, maybe a little bit.”

“So, dinner and a movie tomorrow night?”

“Are you going to bring me flowers?”

I blew out a loud breath. “If you promise to be here in the morning, I’ll bring you whatever you want.”

“Good. Flowers will be another newsie.”

I laughed at the memory of her silly list.

Craning her head back to hold my gaze, she said, “You’re different.”

“So are you,” I replied, punctuating it with a kiss.

“You know, that was a very mature conversation we just had.”

“Right?” I said proudly. “See? We can do this.”

“No. I think it gave me hives.” She made a show of scratching her arms.

“Oh, shut up.” I dropped a hand to her ass and nipped at her bottom lip.

“You know what I bet would cure my hives?”

“Being tied spread-eagle to my bed?”

“No,” she answered. Then she leaned in and whispered, “Well, yes, but maybe later.” Stepping out of my grasp, she grandly waved a hand toward my room. “A childish act of rebellion.”

“Ash,” I warned.

She took off running to my room. “I’m switching all the labels in your bathroom closet.”

“Don’t you dare!”

I started after her, but I was entirely too slow. She was already in the bathroom before I even got to the bedroom.

I jiggled the handle, but she had locked the door. “Ash, I swear to God,” I growled, but I wasn’t angry in the least.

God, I missed her.

“Ash!” I tried the door again, surprisingly finding it unlocked. When I swung it open, I found her wearing nothing more than a teasing smirk.

“Orrrr . . . we could have shower sex.”

“Or we could have shower sex,” I confirmed, slamming the door behind me.

It was a much better plan.





BE NICE TO ELIZA.

Be nice to Eliza.

Be.

Nice.

To.

Eliza.

“Hey, I was waiting for you,” she said, pulling me into a hug as soon as we walked into the crowded gym. I went stiff—until Flint slid his hand down my back and squeezed my ass.