⚜Guardian⚜

Chapter Eleven

Lacey couldn't bring herself to unpack her suitcase. She was too exhausted to even look at it. She looked around her new room, still aghast at the simple largeness of it. It was huge- she had a queen size bed, draped in golden canopy. Her comforter matched the same metallic gold. The color was bright enough that when it caught the light just right, it sparkled. Oddly, it made her think of Asher, and his seemingly perfect hair. A loud tapping sound jolted her out of her thoughts. She blushed scarlet red, as it someone could've read what she was thinking. Lacey moved to the door and swung it open. Oddly enough, no one was there. She looked around, but the hallway was empty. Lacey felt her eyebrows draw up in confusion. Another tapping noise entered the room- this time it was behind her. Lacey whirled, her eyes falling on the window. Asher was leaning against the windowpane from the outside.

"What are you doing? Are you crazy?" Lacey scoffed. The roof dipped slightly, enough for two people to sit close together.

"Don't you want to come out? You're not afraid of heights, are you?" Asher asked. At this he earned a small smile from Lacey. She took his outstretched hand and he helped her easily onto the roof.

"How did you even get up here?" Lacey gawked. She sat down beside him, their legs touching in the crowded space. Her heart seemed to fill up with helium every time she was with him, stretching until it felt she would explode with happiness.

"I climbed," Asher shrugged. Something about the way he said this bothered Lacey. She looked over at him, opening her mouth to ask how he possibly could have done so. As she leaned forward to ask him, her body shifted forwards slightly, sliding her off the roof. Lacey felt her breath escape her body. Asher caught her body, swinging her back next to him. This time, though, he kept his arm around her waist.

"Thanks," she blushed.

"Anytime," he responded with a dazzling smile. Lacey couldn't help but stare at him as he smiled at her. It was like looking at a statue that moved. She realized it was impolite to stare and she turned away from him, casting her eyes at the ground and trees. There seemed to be nothing but a shed and a barn for miles.

"The view is amazing from up here." Lacey remarked. This made her think if something else.

"You know, when I was a kid, I used to climb onto the roof with my guitar? Completely freaked out my parents. But sometimes, it would be hours before I finally came down." Lacey remembered, smiling wistfully. She could remember her parent's faces as they tried to coax her down from the roof. Lacey had drowned them out with the harsh sound of her music.

"You play guitar?" Asher inquired. Lacey nodded, looking down at her hands.

"I do. I mean, I did. I've been playing since I was 7, but I had to leave my guitar home when I went to Stratfield," Lacey answered. Asher's hands found her leg, and he slid the pant leg up do that her ankle was exposed. There was a charm bracelet she had made, the only charm being her pic for her guitar.

"Is that why you wear this?" He asked. Lacey nodded, unclasping the chain from her ankle. She placed it in Asher's hands, and he turned it over and over, admiring the black piece of plastic.

"Is this a man's necklace?" He asked jokingly. He wasn't making fun, though. She could tell he was genuinely curious.

"When I found out I was leaving for Stratfield, I wanted to bring it with me. It's the one thing I have that reminds me of the good times before the accident. When I found out weren't allowed to wear jewelry at Stratfield, I stole a man's necklace chain from my dad's room and made it into an anklet." Lacey explained. Asher handed it back to her, placing it in her palm gently. Lacey reached over and slid her arms around his neck.

"What are you-" Asher began to ask. Then he heard the soft snick as the clasp on the necklace clicked into place. She drew her arms back to her side.

"I want you to have it," Lacey proffered. She liked the way it looked on him. It also made her feel good to know he had something to keep her on his mind.

"Lacey, I cant take this from you," Asher protested. He raised his hands to unclasp it, but she lifted her hands and covered his hands with hers.

"I want you to have it," Lacey repeated. This time, her face was inches from Asher's, her arms around his neck. She could feel his hands slowly relax and move off of the necklace, but she kept her arms around his neck. She studied the intense violet of his eyes, knowing that that color was the color she craved to see. His arms slid around her waist. They found each other's lips at precisely the same moment, as if they both could read the need in each others eyes.

His kisses were soft caresses, sweet and gentle, before they morphed into something more hungry. His lips became hard and needy, moving against hers in a way that had her gasping for breath. She tightened her arms around his neck, drawing him closer to her. His hands snuck up the back if her shirt, his fingertips drawing shapes on the bare skin of her back. His touch was burning hot, like trails of fire on her skin. Lacey gave in to her instincts, and she bit down on his lower lip. She heard his sharp intake of breath, and he pulled away from her slightly.

"Lacey," Asher groaned. Her name was so seductive on his lips that it drove her insane with passion. She moved to press his lips to hers again. This time, she moved her hands to his forearms, squeezing the hard muscles there. His arms were hard and muscled underneath the warm skin of her hands. She ran her tongue along the insides of his lips, wanting more of him, needing to taste more...

"Lacey, it's time for dinner," a voice called from back inside her room. Lacey and Asher jumped apart as if they had been electrocuted. The movement caused Lacey to slide down the roof again, and she let out a gasp of surprise. This time, Asher caught her and moved her backwards insanely fast before disappearing. He reappeared by the side of the window, hiding from whoever was in the room.

"Lacey?" the voice called again.

"I'm out here," Lacey waved. Leo moved to the windowsill, looking out at her in shock.

"Are you okay?" he asked, having heard her gasp. She wanted to smack herself for being so stupid. Asher covered his mouth, clearly fighting back laughter.

"Yeah, you just scared me." Lacey lied.

"Okay, well it's time for dinner," Leo remarked. Lacey nodded.

"I'll be down in a second," she declared, flashing a confident smile.

"Do you need any help getting down?" Leo offered kindly.

"Oh, no, I can do it. But thanks anyway," Lacey grinned. Leo nodded, disappearing from the windowsill. Lacey heard him grumble something about women before shutting the door behind him. Asher slid away from the windowsill, moving to kneel next to Lacey.

"I have to go; he will probably come to my room next. I'll see you later?" Asher prompted, taking her hand in his. She nodded. He moved his free hand so that it was cupping her cheek, and he tilted her lips until they were touching his. All of the urgency from before was gone. His lips moved softly against hers, before he disappeared off the roof, moving so quickly Lacey couldn't follow his movements.

"Asher!" Lacey gasped, but he was already long gone.