Even Our Angels Looked Surprised

Chapter 6

After their talk, Ali's stay got more... interesting. Ashlyn felt like she was a teenager again. It seemed as if everything was an excuse to make out.

When Ashlyn talked about being drafted to the Athletica and knowing she had to play behind Hope Solo, when Ali told her she'd just extended her contract in Frankfurt for another year, when they tried to decide what movie to watch or whether to order in pizza or Chinese - it didn't matter what it was. Kisses became like paragraph breaks in every conversation.

Ali was a maddening combination of bold and shy. Like when she woke up on Thursday and realized she'd only have two more mornings before her Saturday flight back to Virginia, Ashlyn had to struggle to catch up with her as she wrapped her arms around her neck. But then, as soon as their kisses got heated and Ashlyn thought things might go further, Ali broke it off without warning. It had been like that for two days, and Ashlyn's head was spinning.

Knowing a walk on the beach would help her relax, Ashlyn suggested they go out after lunch. They strolled along for an hour before finding a spot not too far down the beach from Ashlyn's house to sit and watch the waves.
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Ashlyn watched the water with a bit of irritation on her face. "I wish it was a little warmer. I would take you surfing."

Without thinking, Ali made a face, and she was glad Ashlyn wasn't facing her. "Yeah, that would've been fun." What could possibly be fun about inhaling salt water and being laughed at?

Ashlyn's laugh punctuated the air, and she turned towards Ali with dancing eyes. "I know you didn't want to go, Ali."

Ali felt warmth fill her face. She really didn't want to admit she'd been scared. "That's not true! It sounded like fun." She tried to sound indignant, but she really was a horrible liar.

"Yeah, whatever. I was totally going to make you go anyways though."

Ashlyn turned back toward the water, which had grown choppier in the past ten minutes as darker clouds shifted above them.

Now Ali really was indignant. "You were going to make me?"

Ashlyn just nodded, not bothering to turn back toward her. Ali's eyes narrowed. She did not approve of being ignored. "Ashlyn?"

"Hmm?" Ashlyn finally turned back to her after a few seconds of silence.

"What?"

"Just how exactly did you plan on making me?"

Ashlyn grinned. "So you admit you didn't want to go?"

Ali playfully shoved at her shoulder, but Ashlyn didn't even sway. "Just answer the question, Ash!"

At this, the blond smirked. She ran her eyes slowly down and back up Ali's face, and by the time her eyes had made their return journey from Ali's lips, the brunette was ready to drop the conversation.

"Anyways..." But Ashlyn's mood had already been shifted by her own insinuation, and she wasn't moving on just yet.

"Ali." The brunette met her gaze. A moment later and Ashlyn would have leaned in, but it did something funny to her chest when Ali made the first move toward her. The kiss was soft and innocent, but almost as soon as she leaned back, Ali rocked forward again. As it had been the past couple days, the second kiss led to yet another. Ashlyn slid her tongue along Ali's lower lip, and the kiss was all salty and sunshine, just like most of their day on the beach had been.
Ali leaned further in, and Ashlyn reached over to place a hand on her knee. Just as Ali slid a hand onto Ashlyn's neck, the clouds broke. It took all of five seconds for the first raindrop to become a downpour.