Embers [Lashton]

Chapter 13

*Ashton POV*

"Don't call me Princess," Luke snaps, slamming the car door.

"Why, does it bother you?" I tease, putting my hand on his upper leg. He tenses under my touch, and yanks away from me.

"You're such a jerk. You just pretend like you care to mess with me."

I freeze a bit in place. He's so wrong about that.  Silently, I put the key in the ignition and turn it. The engine roars to life, the car rattling under the new pressure.

Luke is pouting, or genuinely hurt. I can't tell. His blue eyes are fixated on the neighborhood around us and he refuses to break his gaze. I scoff and start driving toward his home.

We pull through woods and into the temporary Hemmings hideout. The trees mask it well from the road and I know the security cameras are recording my every move as the car pulls up the drive. We pull into the garage and the door closes quickly behind us. Luke leaps out quickly and stomps away from me and straight up to his room. I sigh, and follow a ways behind. I reach his bedroom at the top of the stairs and knock.

No answer.

I knock again, knuckles thudding against the wooden door.

"Leave me alone," luke snaps from the other side.

"Let me in. You both know I'll just break the door down."

I hear the squeaking of the bed and footsteps. The lock on the door clicks as Luke opens the door.

Stepping inside, I take a seat on the bed and usher Luke to sit next to me. He eyes me suspiciously before doing so. Our bodies are close, so close I can feel the beating of his heart against my chest.

"I don't open up to people," I say, scrubbing a hand over my face. "I don't do this."

"You can just be so mean."

"That's what I'm good at."

My voice is a soft whisper, as my eyes rake up to Luke's. His are like oceans, and I'm drowning in the waves. The long lashes flutter rapidly before settling to a close. My hand finds its way to his cheek and I cup the smooth skin. Our foreheads meet and I feel my heart slam into my chest.
My eyes slip shut and with a burst of courage, I press my lips harshly against his. He immediately backs away out of shock, so I soften the embrace while still holding him close.
Luke leans back into the kiss, his lips soft and warm and everything I've ever wanted and nothing I ever deserve.

I want to intensify it, shove him against the mattress, but I don't. It's soft and slow like it should be. He retreats back, his cheeks flushed red as he stares at me. Luke looks like he's seen a ghost.

"I'm sorry," he frantically spits out.

I suppress a chuckle, "what are you sorry for?"

He glances at his hands as a smile creeps onto his face, "I don't know."

I stare at him for a moment. "I feel really protective over you."

"I'm glad someone is."

I nod, unsure of what to say or do. All I want is to kiss him more or hold him or beat the hell out of someone. One of the three.

Luckily, Luke breaks the silence and rises to his feet.
"I feel dirty after all that alcohol. I'm going to shower. Sorry for kissing you."

"Again," I snort, "I kissed you."

He smiles and sways a bit on his heels before heading to the bathroom door. "Right. I'll see you in a bit Ashton."

The sudden image of a showering Luke flashes in my mind and I redden. "Yeah, blondie. See you soon."

***

Sorry y'all for taking so long to update. I'll try and do it more often! Check out my last chapter and my other book.