Ashes to Ashes

Complications are Inevitable

Ashley entered the loft and realized that Ashton was already home. She could hear music blasting from the balcony. He was probably working out.

She was thinking if she should tell him about Stefan. She opened the fridge and got ingredients for making her pesto sauce. She needed to keep her hands busy so that she could stop overthinking and mulling over Stefan Henderson.

She put water to boil and grabbed the box of pasta. She was busy getting basil and pine nuts in the blender when she heard the music stop and Ashton came in just wearing his shorts. His body glistened with sweat while his muscles rippled with his movement.

Ashley immediately reverted her gaze to her sauce. She pulsed and closed her eyes, listening to the whir. She heard Ashton open the fridge and grab water. 

God! How could someone who's so sweaty after working out still smell so good? She thought.

"Are we having pasta?" Ashton's voice cut through the sound of the blender. She nodded still not looking at him. 

"Could you not get your sweaty body near our dinner?" She growled out as soon as she turned the blender off.

Ashton raised his hands while stepping away. He drank his water while looking at her. 

"Okay, what's up? Something is amiss!"

Ashley frowned and ignored him. She really did not want to mention Stefan at the moment. 

"Ash." he prodded.

Ashley scooped a bit of pesto and held it out for him to taste. He did and gave her the thumbs up. 

"Something happened at work today," she began while putting the pasta in the boiling water. 

"Uh... oh-kay?" Ashton replied, crossing his arms in front of him.

Ashley covered the pot and then looked at him warily. She sighed and told him about Stefan. She watched his expression after she told the whole story.

"I see." He murmured. She could not fully read his expression since he looked away from her. 

"Do you want to go out with him?"

Ashley checked the pasta and turned off the stove. She opened the cabinet but could not reach the strainer. Ashton moved to help her and then looked down closely at her face. He seemed to be thinking about something but was trying to decide if he should say it or not.

"Ash, do you want to go out with the guy?" He murmured staring at her icy blue eyes. 

Ashley tried to remind herself to breathe. Ashton was so close it was distracting. She swallowed and then looked away while taking a step back.

"Uh... I dunno. I haven't been out on a date for ages!" She muttered suddenly feeling flustered. "Plus, there's our secret situation. Wouldn't it be weird if I go out with him while we're supposed to be together? I don't know if it's worth the risk-"

She felt Ashton's hand on her shoulder. She stopped talking and looked at him.

"You have to do what makes you happy, Ash." He said with a small smile. "I know that I've been fooling around and all. It's not fair for you to stay stuck watching over the fort!"

Ashley looked at him. It was the last thing she expected from Ashton Rivers! How come he's suddenly all selfless?

She didn't say anything as he left the kitchen to go to his room. Ashley went back to preparing dinner, still thinking about her Stefan situation. 

She finally stopped stressing since the guy actually hasn't asked her out again after the rejection. Who knows? Maybe he got discouraged and she was okay with that.

But she remembered what Ashton said and she felt a little sad. How come she didn't date that much? She's had a lot of invites from guys but she usually turned them down or just didn't feel like she could continue seeing them. 

Ashley sighed and checked her Ashton vault and she knew that it's partially the reason. Maybe she's a little bit stuck with a childhood crush. Tragic, really!

"Still thinking about it, huh?" Ashton's voice snapped her out of her musing.

She shrugged, avoiding his gaze. She placed the pasta on his plate and handed it to him. She served herself as he grabbed some garlic bread from the oven.

Ashley settled on the stool beside him. He also grabbed her a can of soda. They ate in silence until Ashton asked her again.

"I don't know! I guess I could tell him about our situation. But, let's forget about that. I already rejected him so he might be too proud to ask again." She mumbled taking a sip from her soda.

Ashton looked at her thoughtfully. "Do you want to break up in public, Ash? Just tell me if you want out in this charade because we can put a stop to this."

Ashley bit her lip and sighed. "I don't know what I want, Ashton."

She felt her Ashton vault give a little rattle. She pushed the feeling way down, away from her heart and her head. But, Ashton placed his hand on top of hers and nudged her to look at him. 

"I know I act like an ass all the time but I do care about you, Ashley. I want you to be happy and if all this is making it complicated then we can definitely come clean to our parents regardless of the consequences."

"You would do that for me?" She asked, her heart skipping. "Lose the company?"

Ashton touched her face and smiled. "I would do anything for you, Grayson. You know that!" 

Ashley wasn't clear how it happened or what she was thinking. She was just surprised as he was when she moved forward and grabbed him in for a kiss.

It wasn't a patient or lingering kiss but an urgent and desperate one. For a second she thought Ashton froze but he instantly opened her mouth with his tongue, pressing himself closer.

Ashley closed her eyes and ran her fingers through his hair. She heard Ashton moan with frustration as he stood up from the stool, not breaking their kiss. Ashley sighed against his mouth which was expertly kissing every single thought away.

Ashton held her face between his hands as he angled her head to deepen the kiss. He pressed himself closer to her, nudging her thighs apart so he could get closer. There was instant heat and electricity swirling between them.

Ashley moaned as he sucked on her lips before trailing kisses down her neck. She gasped as Ashton licked and sucked on her sensitive spot. She pulled on his hair to make him stop but he just chuckled before grabbing her waist and pulling her off the stool.

Ashley wrapped her legs around Ashton's waist as he returned to kissing her on the lips. His hand was on her butt, caressing as they continued to drive each other crazy with their mouths. She gripped his hair, pressing herself closer to his body. 

Ashton carried her over to the couch and settled her on top of him, his hands trailing under her silky blouse as he attacked her neck again. He tugged at her top and Ashley heard the soft material rip.

Ashton didn't care. He could buy her 10 more blouses if it really bothered her. He just wanted her naked at this moment. 

He wanted Ashley. 

He ripped the material off her body.

The cool air against her skin seemed to revive her senses and she pushed against his chest, trying to make them stop.

"No." Ashton hissed agaist her mouth while grabbing her covered breast with one hand. He captured her lips again as she leaned into his groping hand, shuddering at the delicious sensation it was giving her.

"Ash..." She whispered trying to get free but he just kissed her again. "Ash we need to-"

"Take off my shirt?" He teased against her lips. 

In a quick motion he pulled off his shirt, throwing it on the floor. Ashley could not help but run her hands on his body loving how his hot skin felt under her touch. She had almost forgotten how nice it felt against her bare skin.

Ashton groaned in response pulling her head down for another kiss. He continued kissing her senseless while he expertly unhooked her bra and throw it on the floor with his shirt.

Ashley felt her skin on fire as Ashton pulled her against his chest, connecting her skin to his. He heard her moan and he grinned. Yes, she is as good as he could remember.

"I want you, Ash!" He whispered against her skin as he rained kisses on her neck, her shoulder and finally on her chest. 

Ashley breathed a delicious sigh as Ashton expertly caressed and sucked at her exposed flesh. She gripped his hair, uncertain if she wanted to push him away or pull him closer. She arched her back as he tugged at her n****e and she felt his hot center against her.

"Ash.." She moaned unable to stop herself from bucking on top of him. 

"Yes, baby, just like that." He groaned as he pressed her against his groin. Ashton felt sheer bliss and he did not want to stop ever.

Ashley was almost sure her Ashton Vault was going to burst as Ashton kissed her again while grinding her on him, dry humping her. The familiar sensation brought memories to Ashley and she stopped, she used her hands on his shoulder to push herself away.

"Ashton, stop!" She groaned out, they were both panting heavily. 

"Dammit!" Ashton growled letting go of her waist and running his hands across his face and through his hair. "We can't keep doing this, Ashley!"

"I know." She said, her heart aching. She quickly got off him and stumbled to a standing position. "I'm sorry."

She turned away and walked briskly towards her room as a tear rolled down her face. How could she keep fooling herself that she wasn't in love with Ashton? She thought she had that vault tight and secured but by wanting just one kiss she crumbled, unable to resist him.

She closed the door and jumped as he heard Ashton curse out loud before she heard footsteps stomping and then his bedroom door banging loudly.

Ashley leaned against the door. She needed to face the fact that Ashton would never be the one for her. He could have s*x with her as easily as he would any woman. 

She knew it. He knew it. 

They have always been honest about that. 

It was silly to think that after all these years he would eventually change and choose to be just with her. 

But he's not going to choose that, Ashley. She thought miserably. With a heavy sigh, she discarded her clothes and took a long, hot shower thinking about what he had said.

Yes, it was time for her to move on.

Ashton got out of the shower. The cold helped but he still craved her. He cursed again knowing that he would never stop wanting Ashley Grayson! Ever!

He was so surprised when she kissed him passionately. He didn't know what triggered it but he wasn't going to complain. She was hot for him and he was ready to reciprocate.

Ashton was so used to Ashley being unresponsive to his teasing kisses and small ploys for seduction that he went crazy when she initiated that steamy scene a while ago. He groaned in frustration as he felt desire surge through his veins just thinking about that kiss. 

I am not taking a third shower! s**t! He thought, scowling.

Ashton was confused. He had always been confused when it came to wanting Ashley. She has haunted his dreams since he could remember. He was always so close to having her, tasting all of her but it always ended abruptly. They could never seem to go all the way despite desperately wanting to.

He sighed. He knew it was because of that one incident where he could not help become a jerk. All because he was afraid that if he allowed himself to believe he only wanted Ashley Grayson for all of his lifetimes, he would eventually fail at it and hurt her miserably.

He closed his eyes and tried to settle his heart and his mind. He needed to make a decision! He should figure out if he should let her go completely or finally admit to something he didn't think he would ever want to.