Tangled Hearts

Chapter Fourteen: Facing Reality

Ashley woke up first, lying on JT's chest again. She felt his steady breathing beneath her cheek, the realization that last night wasn't a dream hit her, it was real. She let herself savor the memory for a moment, pushing any negative thoughts aside.

She laid on top of him, folding her hands to make a pillow on his chest. JT shifted beneath her, and his eyes opened slightly. When he realized she was laying on him, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.

"Wake up," she said in a sing-song voice, a warm smile playing on her lips.

JT mumbled something, but she kept trying to wake him up. After her efforts he eventually woke up, yawning and stretching his arms out. "I'm up, I'm up."

"Buenos días," she greeted, her smile widening.

"Good morning, Ash," he replied, his voice still raspy. He ran his hands through his hair and stretched once more before she moved off of him to let him sit up. Checking his phone, he placed one hand on her thigh. "How you feeling?"

"Pretty good," she replied.

"So..., you willing to shower with me this time?" he asked, hoping for a yes.

"You're actually lucky I packed clothes," she teased.

"That's what I like to hear," he said, standing up and leading her into the bathroom.

JT turned the water on to a hot setting and walked over to the cabinet, pulling out a towel and washcloth for Ashley. As he got things ready, she unhooked her bra, letting it fall to the floor before stepping into the shower. He followed her, watching as the water dropped onto her skin, admiring her for the moment.

They swapped places and Ashley stood behind him, lathering up her washcloth. As they traded places again, he took her hand, pulling her closer by the waist and placing a kiss on her lips. She smiled against his lips, then pulled back. "Kiss me when you rinse all that soap off," she laughed.

"Soap never hurt anyone," he smirked, rinsing off quickly before leaning in again. One of his hands got lower, sliding up between her legs, rubbing her clit. Her moans escaped into his mouth with her legs closing on his hand.

"You trying to crush my fingers?" he laughed, breaking their kiss.

"Stop, you caught me off guard," she laughed along with him.

Their lips found each other again, and now Ashley's hand found its way down, wrapping around his shaft as she stroked him to build his erection, drawing a groan from his lips. It wasn't long before he was hard, and he leaned in with his voice low, "Turn around."

Ashley followed his instructions, turning herself around and pressing her hands up against the wall. JT pulled her in closer by her waist, thrusting into her slowly but deeper this time, as they both lost themselves in the moment. "Fuck." she screamed out of pleasure, feeling him fill her up. His grip tightened on her waist, bouncing her back onto him, his movements growing faster.

One hand slid up to her neck, pulling her closer as he whispered in her ear, "You can handle it now, right?" She nodded, her breaths coming out in short gasps, too lost in the rhythm to speak. He thrusted into her deeper, cupping her breasts. Ashley's hands rested on top of his, her eyes rolled back as her body began to near her climax.

"Go ahead baby, cum." he whispered once more, dropping his hand from her neck, releasing her head forward. His soft encouraging whispers sent shivers through her. "My god JT." she breathed out. With a final thrust, he held her, his breaths heavy as she melted into him.

He stayed inside of her, only slowly pulling out once her body calmed down. "Stay right there." he placed one hand on her back, stroking himself as he finished on her back.

She turned around, her eyes meeting his as she pulled him into a final kiss. "You're crazy," she smiled, catching her breath.

⸻

After their shower, they got dressed in JT's room.

"I can't believe that happened twice," he spoke, a satisfying smile appearing on his face.

"Don't let it get to your head too much," she teased, packing up her things.

"Trust me, I won't," he replied, but a small smile still lingered. He looked over at her, zipping up her jeans. "You leaving me now?"

"You know we both have classes to get to, silly." She walked over to him, looking up into his eyes.

"Unfortunately," he replied, pulling her into a hug. She leaned up, pressing a soft goodbye kiss to his lips.

"I'll see you soon," she said, heading toward the door.

The moment she stepped outside, Ashley pulled out her phone, dialing Alana's number as she walked to her car.

"Please tell me you're on campus already," she said, opening her trunk to drop off her things.

"Yes, I am! Do you have some tea to spill about your night?" Alana asked, her voice already eager.

"Oh, I definitely do," Ashley replied, her smile widening.

"I'm by the benches near the tech building."

"On my way," Ashley replied, closing the trunk and making her way across campus.

When she spotted Alana, she ran over, pulling her into a tight hug as they screamed together.

"Girl, you're glowing! What happened?" Alana asked, her eyes widening.

Ashley laughed, taking a deep breath before saying, "Alright, alright, let's sit down first."

Once they were settled on the bench, Ashley looked at her friend and confessed, "JT and I, we had sex... twice."

"TWICE?" Alana's jaw dropped, and she burst out laughing. "And?"

"And it was so amazing," Ashley admitted, unable to hold back her grin. She felt like she was on top of the world, the events of last night replaying in her mind.

"Oh, I need details, right now," Alana said, leaning in.

Ashley filled her in on everything, her cheeks blushed as she replayed the night's events.

"The world works in crazy ways, I tell you," Alana said when she finished, shaking her head with a smile.

"Who are you telling?" Ashley replied. "I still don't know what it all means, but I'm hoping it's something good."

"Well, he better not play any games with you, because I'll beat him up myself," Alana said, only half joking.

⸻

Back in his dorm, JT made himself a quick bowl of cereal, sitting down to watch random videos on his phone. His focus was interrupted when a text appeared on his screen. It was the girl from the game night.

Daria: You free tonight?

JT: Possibly.

Daria: Don't play hard to get. I bought new lingerie, and I need a reviewer.

JT: Fine. I'll come by after class.

He hesitated, feeling a sense of guilt as he agreed to meet Daria after spending the night with Ashley. But he brushed it off, reminding himself he wasn't committed to anything yet.

After classes, he sat in his car, texting Daria that he was on his way. Just then, his phone buzzed with a call from Ashley. The wave of guilt increased but he still answered, trying to keep his voice steady not wanting to show his nerves.

"Hey, I was just checking on you. What are you up to?" Ashley asked, eager to speak to him.

"Nothing, just heading to chill with Dean," he replied.

"Alright, I'll leave you to it. Have a good night."

"You too, love."

The call ended, leaving him with a weird feeling. Maybe because he was being dry towards her? Or maybe it was because he felt like he was hiding something from her? He was unsure of what it was but he was tempted to turn the car around. He refocused, continuing down the road toward Daria's house, his mind torn as he went to meet her.