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Chapter Nineteen --> Firewall

Alexis woke up and started to panic when she realized that she was not in her room, let alone her house. Then it dawned on her where she happened to be. Relaxing just a little, she tried to change her position on couch. It was difficult since her legs were tangled together with Ashton’s. His head was resting on tops of hers and his arms were wrapped tightly around her waist as if he was scared that if he did not hold her this close she would just slip away again. In some way Alexis knew that was true. First chance she got to run she would. At least she thought that she would, but considering the fact that she had come over in the first place meant that she was not thinking clearly.

Glancing down she saw that every single article of clothing that she had worn when she arrived at the apartment was still on her body. That meant that nothing had happened, other than them kissing half the night of course.

Sighing, Alexis tried to wiggle her way out of his embrace. All it did was wake Ashton up and cause him to mumble inaudible things.

“What?” Alexis asked as her voice was perked with interest in what he had to say.

“I said we should just stay here and not move,” Ashton answered, dipping his head down and nuzzling the top of Alexis’s head.

This time when Alexis sighed it was out of annoyance. There was no way she was going to spend who knows how long cuddling with Ashton. Alexis was not even sure she wanted to consider it cuddling. That word – along with many others – made her cringe. It seemed that anything in the relationship realm made her want to recoil in disgust.

“No, we should not do that because I want food,” Alexis responded, finally working her way out of his arms.

Standing up off of the couch, she straightened out her clothes and headed to the kitchen. In some way she was making a run for it, but not to the world outside of the apartment.

Once in the kitchen she proceeded to grab some bread, eggs, cinnamon, milk, nutmeg and butter. Setting that all down on the counter next to the stove, Alexis then gathered any type of cooking utensil that she would need. The entire that she was running around the tiny kitchen gathering everything, Ashton had stood right by the entrance to the kitchen just watching her.

When Alexis went ahead and started to mix the some of the ingredients together Ashton ambled over to her. He wrapped his arms around her again, but this time placed his head on her shoulder.

“Are you just making that for yourself or can I have some,” Ashton asked, his lips pressed against Alexis’s ear.

“Would you like some French toast? I don’t mind making more.” Alexis then looked down at the two slices that were already were sizzling in the pan. At some point she would have to flip them over so one side would not be overcooked and the other side would be undercooked. That was a nightmare to any type of cook who wanted to actually have their food edible. Well, maybe not every cook.

“Could you?” Ashton asked while implying the puppy-dog tone from last night.

Alexis seemed to catch on to that and turned her face so she could see him better. “Are you still drunk?” Her tone was a bit harsh and full of question. There was no way that she wanted to deal with drunken Ashton again.

Picking up the fact that Alexis did not like his tone – not that he liked hers either – he stayed quiet and did not snap at her for it. After all, he was happy that she was just here and letting him be in the same room as her.

That was pitiful in so many ways and screamed desperation. Ashton was a love sick puppy dog though; he was the definition of desperation.

While the French toast cooked on the stovetop silence filled the kitchen. Neither one of them were talking and neither one of them were going to. Ashton did not want to anger Alexis, and Alexis did not want to really speak to Ashton.