Southern Kind Of Love

Chapter 4

TRIGGERS: kissing, dizziness? btw none of the art that I've put up is mine lol.

When Lucas woke up again, Ashe wasn't in the room, but he could smell bacon cooking, and he stretched as he sat up, the pain in his side a dull throb. He stood shakily, and tottered over to the doorway of his room that looked out over the kitchen, the white door with paint peeling creaking slightly.

"Fuck!" Ashe cursed when some of the bacon grease splashed onto her hand. Lucas giggled a little, and she glanced toward him, then glanced back as if taking a double take.

He looked down at the t-shirt he was dressed in, a white button-up that no doubt was not his, so.... It was hers. Lucas blushed fiercely, and though she smirked at him, there was something else in her eyes, something... something that was looking at him like a predator would do their prey. Hunger. He found himself starting to ease more around her, liking the soft look in Ashe's eyes. But his thoughts were broken by the nearly burnt bacon sizzling.

"Let me," Lucas told her with an amused smile, beginning to walk toward her, but his steps were unsteady and his aim was off. He veered to the side, heading for the pantry instead of the stove accidentally.

"Oh no you don't, kitten." Ashe caught him in her arms, moving so fast it caught Lucas by surprise, and she lifted him up bridal style to put him down in a chair. He protested, saying this wasn't necessary, but she just shot him a look, and he shut up, content to just watch her juggle the hot pan.

She gave Lucas a plate laden with bacon and eggs, and after she slid into the seat across from him, a plate of her own in front of her, he began to eat. It had been a very long time since he'd had a good homemade meal, despite having all the ingredients needed. Lucas just hadn't had the time, even though he could cook pretty well. Too busy with the horses, probably.

Ashe watched him eat with a tiny smile on her face. Her shirt from the night before was changed, (the one from last night most likely on Lucas' chest), leaving her in a cleaner baby blue button up, but her tie and jacket were off, and she was padding around barefoot.

When both of them were done, and wobbling to the sink to put the dishes away, she helped Lucas wash them, and he was painfully aware of her so close to him. Her soapy hands brushed his dry ones, and when he had to reach a high shelf, she didn't put it there for him; she lifted Lucas up, strong fingers around his waist and powerful arms flexing. He let out a little squeak at that.

When she set him down, and Lucas turned around, she hadn't moved back. Ashe stood there, in his personal space, just studying him. Lucas exhaled shakily, eyes moving down to her ruby red lips. She was very attractive.

She slowly brought her hands up to brace them on the cabinet behind him, effectively pinning him. Lucas stared into her red eyes, trapped. It all felt like too much; he barely knew her, and he'd just gotten shot, but at the same time, something about her made him feel so small, and able to be taken care of. He wasn't that short, so the height she had on him, although not much, was impressive.

"Lucas," Ashe rumbled. He sucked in a breath as she lowered her head at a snail's pace, giving him time to break away or stop her if he needed.

But Lucas never did, because out of all the girls he'd dated, she was the only one who ignited some kind of spark in him. And maybe it was a little soon, but he hadn't gotten kissed in a long time, turning the rare offer down to focus on the ranch and his uncle. And so when Lucas didn't pull away, her red lips captured his. 

The kiss was searing hot, and he let out a tiny, soft whimper when she sucked on his bottom lip, her mouth smoothing over the places where her teeth had roughened his skin. The little noise surprised him, but the answering sound from Ashe, almost a deep growl, had Lucas gasping.

She dipped her tongue into his mouth, tracing his gums, his teeth, and making him grab onto her suddenly when her warm muscle fluttered over the extremely sensitive part of the roof of his mouth. Her shirt was what he fisted in his hands, holding it like it was his lifeline.

Ashe finally retreated for air, and the both of them were left panting, but Lucas more than her. That hadn't been his first kiss, but it had certainly been the most heated. He gazed at her with wide eyes, and her face was soft, eyes ever so warm.

"I..." Lucas stuttered. She shushed him with another kiss, this time not going into his mouth.

"Come on, sugar," Ashe murmured, sliding a hand around his waist, supporting him and bringing him even closer to her, if that was even possible. "You shouldn't be up right now."

She helped Lucas back to bed, stealing small, chaste kisses whenever she could. After Ashe lowered him into bed, she told him that she'd made lunch and dinner for him, but because it was just a flesh wound, it should heal by the end of the month.

She also said she'd asked one of Lucas' neighbors to look after the horses, telling her it was just the flu.

Then she began to gather her things, and he panicked. "You're leaving?" Lucas asked her when Ashe paused by his bed where he sat. He looked down at his hands, unable to believe that all she'd wanted was a few kisses before she vanished out of his life forever. He was so stupid to believe -

Her hand found Lucas' chin and she gripped it, hard. Oddly enough, the pressure grounded him, and cleared his confused, foggy head. "Only for a little while, sugar." Ashe assured him. She gave him one last kiss, pulling away far too soon, before heading to the door.

As Ashe placed her cowboy hat on her head, boots back on, and jacket and tie over one shoulder, she looked at Lucas and flashed him a reassuring smile. "I'll be in touch, kitten."

Then she was gone, and he was left with only the imprint of her lipstick on his skin and the memory of her to occupy his thoughts.

(yay, a little longer. -gray)