Little Miss Nosy

Chapter 48- Bliss

We had finally gotten it right.

Why go to a public restaurant, or anywhere public to be honest when the chance of being interrupted during one of the most private times you've experienced in life so far is so great?

Ashton and I weren't going to make the same mistake a third time in a row. Public dates just weren't our thing.

Which is how we ended up here, in Ashton's most secret spot to run away to.

I'm not talking about the oak tree, although it's close. I'm talking about the large, empty field that used to hold the old playground Ashton went to with Aaron.

It was my idea. And that's how we ended up here, laying on a blanket and silently looking up at the stars.

Ashton and I were both wearing baggy clothing. Sweats and t-shirts, nothing like our outfit choices for that fancy restaurant. My black dress had retired to the back of my closet where it shall stay for I don't know how long. Hopefully I'll wear it again soon. I would hate to waste such an expensive gift.

We packed a small picnic filled with peanut butter jelly sandwiches and soda, neither of us can cook anyway.

The only light came from the candles Ashton had spread out around us and the star filled sky above.

"This is kind of creepy," I admitted suddenly.

Your imagination can play the worst tricks on you if you let it. Often, I would look into the dark forest and see the trees as monsters; the branches as the arms reaching out to grab me.

"Don't worry. If anything comes after us, I'll protect you," he says.

"Aw! Really?"

"Nope! Every man for himself. I would be the first one to the car," he says jokingly.

I hit his chest lightly, feeling as it moves up and down as he chuckles before resting my head on his chest again.

"Tell me some stories," I say, not taking my eyes away from the night sky.

"Stories?"

"Yes. From your time here with Aaron...if you don't mind," I add quickly.

He's quiet for awhile, as if trying to think of something. His soft hands run through my hair, occasionally twirling a piece here and there. I wince as he lightly touches the spot where that man pulled my hair back in the alley on our first date. It wasn't that bad now, but there was still a little scab there that made it difficult to wash or brush my hair.

He apologizes before moving to the other side of my head.

"The only interesting one I can think of is when I was 9. The park had one of those poles attached that you could slide down when on the platform. To sum it up, I tried to grab onto the pole, but my hands were so sweaty that they slipped off. I landed on top of my arm and broke it with a bruised knee. At least it wasn't my face," he shrugs.

"Hmm. So I'm guessing a future career as a stripper is out?"

The silence of the night was interrupted by Ashton's deafening laughter. At first it startled me, but it was too contagious not to join in. I sat up and looked at him. I can't ever recall a time where he looked this happy.

"What?" he asks as I poke his left dimple, smile still on his face.

"Nothing." My hand trails up to play with his soft locks that were sprawled all around his head. His eyes left my face and he once again looked up at the sky.

He was so beautiful. Beautiful yet bruised, like the rest of us, either internally or externally. Our past, our mistakes, our success, our strengths, our weaknesses are what make us who we are.

I always wonder what it would be like if we wouldn't have such problems. If Jacob wasn't my brother. If him and Ashton would've never met. If Aaron was still alive. Would we be the same?

Would he be the same Ashton that I have come to love? Yes, love. I always believed that love was something you couldn't experience at such a young age. That only the few lucky ones met their loves at a young age, and I was never a lucky one.

But I now believe that love can be found at any age, with any person. You don't have to wait, as many would tell me. You just have to be safe and confident. Sure that this is what you want.

"Ashton?"

"Hmm?"

"I want to ask you something. But I'm unsure of how to ask."

"What is it?" His eyes shift to me, now worried as he sits up and locks our hands together.

"Tonight...I want to do something."

He tilts his head to the side, now looking away to try to comprehend what I'm meaning. The oblivious expression on his face almost made me giggle, but I contained it. I wanted him to take me seriously with this one.

"Something very intimate," I press.

His eyes meet mine and widen slightly as he processes what I meant. "You mean like intimate intimate?"

My hard exterior fails and I fall into a fit of giggles at his bewildered expression. Surprised Ashton was definitely one of my favorite Ashtons.

"Are you sure?" he asks while caressing my cheek.

I lean into his soft, warm touch and breathe deeply. Knowing that he would never hurt me. Knowing that I could trust him with something so personal.

"I'm sure."

---

I kissed Ashton with a greed I had never felt before. I practically pulled his t-shirt off of him, ignoring his surprised yet lustful stare as I connected our lips once more. He let out a noise of shock and I smiled against his lips. This would be something new for the both of us.

I propped myself up on my knees on his soft mattress as I noticed him trying to take off his shoes. In his haste, he fumbled and fell, knocking me back with him. My back hit the comforting bed as we both fell into a fit of laughter.

"Wait," Ashton said a moment later.

I watched as he got up and walked over to a nearby dresser. I could see his back muscles flex as he rummaged through the drawer. The only thing that could help us see was the moonlight coming in through the curtains. Other than that, it was dark.

I analyzed his bedroom quickly, now taking everything in. A shiver went though my body as reality hit me.

I was really doing this.

Ashton came back shortly, a box in hand.

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

I looked into his blue eyes, now illuminated by the moonlight. They shined with so much care and adoration. I could feel my eyes brim with tears.

If I told him to stop now, I know he would do it without hesitating. I could see the lust in his eyes. He wanted to do this, that was clear. But to think he would put my needs above himself once again, was all the conformation I needed.

"100 percent," I nodded.

He initiated the kiss this time, gently laying us back onto the bed and into pure bliss.

THE END

jk

Stay tuned for next chapter! No it's not a love scene bc this book is not mature or anything, it'll be skipped...sorry.

Anyway I'm excited to write next chapter bc the story will take a turn, and not a good one. It can't all be love and happiness. *shrugs*

Thanks for reading!

~Mary