Loving Ashton

| TWENTY FIVE |

When arrived at the mall and to my surprised, it wasn't as crowded as I thought. Nobody really paid attention to us either. I felt his hand grab mine and he pulled me closer to him, "Where do you want to go?" He asked and I looked up at him. He was concentrated on his surroundings, something I've grown used to. He always studied our surroundings while talking to in an attempt to make everything feel normal, to ease my nerves. "Where ever you want to take me," I smiled and he stopped in front of a jewelry store. Through the clear glass, I could see two couples bickering. They looked like they were about to bite each others heads off. We walked in and I tried not to stare but it was kind of hard.

They were chest to chest screaming at each other. Ashton chuckled humorlessly then sighed. I tilted my head, "Cupid?" I asked. He didn't really answer me, He still resented his father. It was almost like he couldn't escape his father even after death. We never speak about him, which is for the better I guess. I don't really want to know about the man that tried to kill me. Ash loosened his grip around my waist and leaned forward, His gaze locked on the bickering couple. He didn't even try to hide it this time. It was almost like he was annoyed. The bickering stopped abruptly and the girl turned to the sale associate with a seemingly blank look on her face before she sighed.

"I'm so sorry," She said to the woman then turned to her boyfriend. "I'm so sorry," She said again. Her boyfriend blinked at her in what seemed like confusion before nodding slowly. "We're good now?" He asked and she nodded. "Yes, yes we are." With a smile on her face. The sales associate let out a sigh of relief before helping them with their jewelry shopping. I looked over at Ashton to find him staring at me. He wore an expression on his face. It wasn't unfamiliar to me. It was the same look he gave me when he met me. Just deadpan. No emotion. Everything's blank.

"Ashton?" I said, he raised his brows and exhaled, "Sorry babe, even when that dick is dead ... he still manages to piss me off." He mumbled and slowly he returned to the person I was more familiar with. My Ashton. He stroked my hair and pointed at the jewelry on display. "Did you pick one out yet?" He asked me and I shook my head. The couple he was dealing with distracted me. He gave me a small smile, "But you did though, I don't know how you haven't noticed yet," He said with a slight chuckle. A sale associate made her way towards us with a smile on her face. Her eyes locked on Ashton who was either too caught up in playing with hair or wasn't paying her any dust.

Knowing him, it was most likely the latter. She didn't say anything for almost a minute, She just stared. Ashton sighed, "My girlfriend is right here at least acknowledge her before you start drooling over me. It's kind of boring after a while," He said looking right at her. She flinched and cleared her throat, her cheeks blazing red as she spoke. "I'm sorry, I don't know what's gotten into me. This isn't a normal thing, I do apologize." She said.

He nodded, "Yeah, I know it's not." I looked at him before looking at the woman. She gave me a bright smile and tried to avert her eyes from Ashton. It seemed like a difficult task but she stayed professional which was impressive to me. "I think these are pretty cute, I'd like the set if that's okay." I said offering her a small smile. She nodded, her eyes darting from mine to Ashton and back to mine. "Of course, That would be more than okay. Will you guys be paying with cash?" She asked. I looked over at Ashton who shrugged, "I don't mind." He replied then went back to studying the store and the movements of the people in it. She nodded and ducked under the table to get a paper bag for the jewelry.

"Where would you like to eat after this, princess?"  He asked me as he tucked my hair behind my ear. I felt my cheeks began to heat up, I'm used to the affection. Believe me, I am. But he does something to me, I feel nervous around him again. Like its my first time telling him that I like him even though it's been almost a year. "Maybe some Chinese would be good?" I replied and chewed on my bottom lip as he looked at me. Gosh, I always get lost in his eyes. His eyes caught my attention the first time I met him and I should be used to the power they hold yet they still suck me in. I get lost in them every time. He gave me a lazy smile, "We can do chinese." He said.

This his lazy smile turned into a smirk. He leaned forward and his lips brushed against my ear. A shiver went down my spine as I felt his breath fan my ear. I could melt right here, Right now ... and I'd be fine. My knees buckled as I felt his his tongue make contact with the tip of my ear,

"What if I asked you to marry me princess?"

Everything felt hot, I gasped and he pulled away from me wearing that same smirk on his face. "Okay, your total will be ..." I heard the worker say but I zoned out as I tried to control myself. His question echoed in my mind. He wasn't as close to me but I could still feel his breath fanning against my ear. I chewed on my bottom lip as I slowly got a grip on reality. We're in a mall, In a store. I can't jump on him now. Inappropriate. I felt the pad of Ashton's thumb on my chin as he slowly released my bottom lip from my teeth. The smirk was gone and the lazy smile was back.

He didn't say anything though. His eyes darted from my lips to my eyes and he licked his lips. My eyes were fixated on his lips. He chuckled and grabbed the bag from the cashier before leaning in and kissing me softly. He pulled away and mumbled,

"Chinese."
____

We returned home with a lot of bags. Ash insisted on stopping by nearly every store so I could get something I'd like even after I complained about being tired. He wouldn't even let me carry the bags, He would just say my full name and give me a look that make me drop it. I turned off the tv and leaned my head against the arm of our sofa and waited for Ashton to come back downstairs.

"A little bit of sunshine in my life..." I perked up and looked behind me to find Ashton singing to Nilla with a small smile on his face. "A little reggae for my ride." He continued as he lifted Nilla up to his face. Nilla barked and he laughed before giving her a kiss on her cute little nose. I said nothing, I could do nothing but stare. What did I do to deserve this?