The Last Plus One

by Ophelia London

  “No clue. Not long, I don’t think. Music’s still playing.” Before letting go, he gave her a squeeze. Strangely enough, it felt…reassuring. Ashton hadn’t felt that with a man since…

  Well, since never.

  “I have to go,” he said, stepping away then glancing in all directions, as if making sure the coast was clear. All this cloak and dagger was fun. And with Hawk, sexy as all get out.

  “Ty wants to hang tonight,” Hawk added, straightening his tie then flattening out his collar. “Or else I’d…”

  His “or else” made her heart skip. “That’s cool,” she said, all breezy-like. “You should spend some guy time together. Play pool.” She looked down to make sure all of her clothing was in its proper places after their little make-out session.

  Make-out session.

  With Hawk.

  Damn.

  The silly romantic in her who rarely saw the light of day exhaled a swoony sigh.

  “Besides,” she added, “I have some essays to read for a colleague of mine, and a butt-load of emails to return. We both have other places to be, and tomorrow’s schedule is crazy busy. Practically every minute is jam-packed.”

  “Will I see you?” He took a hold of her hand and squeezed it between both of his. “We’re not finished here. I’m not finished.”

  The determined, hungry look in his eyes made her heart thump even harder. “Neither am I.”

  “Good.” His grin turned cocky. “Also, I have, um, well, I have something to tell you. A lot of things, actually.”

  Ashton had things to tell him, too. It was futile to deny her feelings now. She was full-fledged falling for Hawk, and couldn’t stop, didn’t want to stop. They’d spent plenty of weekends together, but this week was different. She was different. For some reason, she was more open, though she didn’t know why. Didn’t know if it would last. Since her breakup and preparation for teaching in Switzerland, she hadn’t been interested in relationships at all.

  But with Hawk?

  Ohhh, just looking at him made her academic brain go to sleep.

  “There’s something I have to tell you, too,” she said. “But I probably won’t have a free minute until the rehearsal dinner. Tomorrow’s the spa day. Though I can’t imagine Bits showing her toes in public.”

  Hawk laughed at her lame joke, then sent her a lingering head-to-toe sweep that Ashton felt in the backs of her thighs. “Until the dinner, then,” he said. “I’ll be thinking about you. How to get you alone.”

  A wave of heat flooded her chest, spread across her neck, out her arms. They were such good friends; she’d never guess the romancy talk could flow so naturally between two people.

  Apparently one of her theories had been off.

  “You go first,” he said.

  Without a goodbye kiss, a quickie touch, or even another word, she went one way and he went the other, her mind absolutely reeling.

  For the rest of the evening while she worked in her room, cautionary thoughts and red-flag reminders (bearing a strange resemblance to the Swiss flag) kept trying to wiggle their way into her head. One by one, she kicked them out. Reality had no place in her brain when it came to Hawk.

  After all this time, she was getting what she wanted, satisfying the question that had been lingering in some far corner of her brain all these years.

  Hawk was into her, and she was most definitely into him. For tonight, that was all that mattered.

  “Dude, is your mind even on the game?”

  Hawk blinked and tried to remember if it was his turn. Ty had kicked his ass three times in rapid succession, which was a tragedy, since Hawk was way better at pool.

  No, his mind was as far away from the game as could be. In fact, his brain was focused on the one location in the universe he knew Ashton occupied.

  Beautiful, sexy, intelligent, fun, amazing kisser, woman of his damn dreams, Ashton.

  The girl was all he could think about, and it was about to drive him completely crazy, because if he couldn’t be with her right now, he at least wanted to talk about her, tell someone what had happened aboard the yacht.

  Which was impossible, since the only person he was with was Tyler.

  And yeah—no.

  Luckily, Ty called it a night, and they left the upstairs billiard room an hour later. Apparently he wasn’t very good company. Ha! What could he say?

  For the second time today, he paused outside Ashton’s door. Was she awake? There were no sounds and he couldn’t tell if the light was on. Should he knock? Softly. Just once. What might happen if she opened the door and let him in?

  He closed his eyes and held his breath, imagining what would unravel if he got his way.

  He liked it. He liked it all.

  He liked her. No, like was a word he used for football and sushi and when his students did well on an exam. He didn’t just like Ashton. How he felt about her was…

  Before his thoughts sent him straight to a cold shower, he practically dove into his room.

  After a second night of restless sleep, Hawk went down to the dining room. Along with a dozen other wedding guests, Ashton was already seated, elbows on the table, cradling a cup of steaming coffee, hair in a high ponytail. She looked good enough to eat.

  “Good morning,” he said to the room, but sent a special, lingering glance at Ashton. The cup covered half her face, but he could tell from her eyes that she was smiling. Despite a room full of witnesses and the off chance that Tyler could appear, it took everything in him to not walk over, pull her to her feet, and give her the biggest kiss in the world.

  “Great speech at the party,” someone said.

  “It was hilarious,” another added.

  “Thanks,” Hawk said, filling his mug at the row of carafes. “Some say I did my best work last night.” He shot another private glance at Ashton, and was rewarded with the sweetest blush coloring her cheeks.

  He couldn’t help chuckling under his breath as he added a splash of cream. That he could cause her to react like that made him so happy, and incredibly optimistic.

  She must feel the same way. Why else was she smiling while trying hard not to look at him?

  And failing.

  “Will there be a repeat performance at tonight’s rehearsal dinner?” Ashton stood, empty cup in hand. She wore a little white T-shirt and hip-hugging jeans that were created exclusively for her amazing curves.

  Hawk couldn’t move.

  “R-repeat performance?” he managed to ask after nearly choking on a sip.

  “Since you were such a hit.” She breezed by him, depositing her cup on the caterer’s tray. Tugging her ponytail, she gave him a subtle wink. “Your fans await.”

  “Even if it demands working overtime to get it just right, I’d never disappoint a fan.”

  Another blush swept across Ashton’s cheeks and throat. Then he could’ve sworn she floated out of the room like an angel.

  Oh, boy. Oh, man. He was seriously dead. He’d never felt such a strong pull toward someone. Such a connection. Not only was his body aching for her, but even if he couldn’t kiss her or touch her or whisper in her ear and make her giggle, he wanted to be with her. He craved the sound of her voice, the way she told stories—even her loud and improper jabs at him.

  The woman drove him absolutely crazy. And he had zero idea what to do about it.

  Except kiss her. Kiss the hell out of her.

  With all the different activities and last-minute preparation, only once did Ashton cross his path that afternoon. Hawk was unloading crates of flowers that the landscapers were setting up along the driveway.

  “Ashton, dear,” her mother said. “Do you need help with that?”

  Hawk looked across to the side of the house, where a group of women looked to be tearing down a set of lead planters.

  “No, I’m…” Ashton said, clearly struggling.

  Before his brain could send the command, Hawk jetted toward her. “Let me,” he said, taking one edge of her planter. “Whoa, t
his is heavy.” He paused and looked down at her. “You’re one strong lady.”

  “You’d know,” she said in a low voice, leading him toward the shed. “In there, along the back of the wall.” She held open the door and Hawk entered the dark, cool storage area, depositing the planter where she’d instructed.

  Then he waited.

  “Hawk? Did you get lost?”

  He watched as she poked her head in the door.

  “Hello?”

  “Back here. Behind the shelf of clay pots.”

  When she came into view, he took her hand and pulled.

  “Hawk!” she gasped in surprise, but that was all she got out before he wrapped his arms around her and did the thing he’d been thinking about since they’d said goodnight on the yacht.

  He kissed her squarely on the mouth, not stopping until she gave in and melted against him. Her body was soft, her skin so warm as he tunneled his fingers under her hair to the back of her neck. She smelled like freshly cut lawn, someone else’s perfume, and girl. Lots of girl.

  “People saw us both come in here,” she whispered over his mouth.

  “I don’t care.”

  “If Ty finds out, he’ll be so pissed. We have to tell him.”

  Hawk eyed her. “Tell him what?”

  He hadn’t really thought about the “what.” What they were to each other. What they would tell anybody, least of all Tyler. Also, Hawk hadn’t considered that Ashton would be worried about telling her brother, too.

  “You know.” She touched her nose to his cheek. “About this.”

  Hawk had a million follow-up questions, but driven by blinding desire, instead he took her by the waist and hoisted her onto a table that was probably used to plant herbs. He moved to stand between her legs, pulling her to the edge of the table, relishing when she sucked in a sharp breath of surprise.

  “You taste like candy,” she said, wrapping her legs around him.

  Her tight grasp made his head spin. “More like Crest.”

  “Even better.”

  He kissed her hard and deep, but knew if they remained there for more than another ten seconds, there’d be no going back. Fortunately, Ashton took charge and broke their kiss.

  “Despite how I’m enjoying this awesome grope-fest, we better get out there.”

  “Okay,” he said, noticing with pleasure how their heavy breathing matched perfectly. Still holding her waist, he stepped back then helped her to stand. Relishing again when she wobbled.

  “How do I look?” she asked, wiping a corner of her mouth.

  “Edible.”

  “I mean, does it look like we were…?”

  He stepped back to give her a thorough up-down exam. “Other than that embarrassing longing in your eyes whenever you look at me, you look fine.”

  “So do you.” Slowly, she gave a bright smile. “Okay, you go first this time.”

  Leaving her wasn’t what he wanted, but she was right. Getting caught today of all days would suck. They’d tell Tyler later. Much later. If he could manage to keep his hands off her at the rehearsal dinner.

  Which he highly doubted.

  The rest of the day flew by. Ty and his parents had Hawk running eleventh hour errands all afternoon. Bits Ramsey had even entrusted him to pick up one of her dogs from the local groomer. Apparently, that was quite an honor.

  In the shower, he let the water pound over his tense muscles. The combination of constantly fighting back his feelings and then releasing a fraction of what he wanted to do with Ashton was taking a toll on his body. But she was worth it.

  Once he told her everything, it would all be worth it.

  Knowing he’d see her at the chapel for the rehearsal, then again at the dinner afterward, Hawk took extra time getting dressed. It made him chuckle the third time he had to retie his tie. Something inside knew tonight would be special. He didn’t know what would happen, but it was going to change everything.

  And he couldn’t wait.

  Chapter 9

  Ashton had no appetite at dinner. True, the magnificent country club was decked out in the wedding colors, and everyone looked extra happy and shiny. But she truly couldn’t get over was how hard her heart beat and strained whenever her eyes met Hawk’s.

  Woo, boy. She was in so much trouble. The good kind—hopefully. All of her scholarly research and ideals were in direct conflict with how she felt about Hawk. Weren’t they too different to work on paper?

  For some reason, paper meant jack crap. As did her past hurts and fears of loving again. Before she could think more about getting into the good kind of trouble, she needed to come clean.

  Taking the first chance possible, as soon as the last toast was over, she grabbed Hawk by the arm and tugged him away from the group praising his best man’s speech.

  “Hey,” he said, before they’d even made it outside the country club doors. “Anyone tell you you’ve got a strong grip?”

  “Sorry.”

  “Care to grip me again?” His big grin made her chest do an actual Jane Austen heave. “I know just the place.”

  “In a minute.” She tucked her hair behind one ear and took a deep, steadying breath. “There’s something I have to say.”

  “Right now?”

  She nodded firmly.

  “Okay. Well then, there’s something I have to say, too, Ash.”

  As she gazed up at him, all the words she should’ve said disappeared, and the only thing she could possibly do was throw her arms around him and kiss him before her heart exploded.

  Whatever it was that he was going to tell her evidently had disappeared from his mind, too. And they just kissed. With eyes closed, with head twirling in circles, frantic yet peaceful, hungry yet satisfying a craving she’d felt—she suddenly realized—for far too long.

  “You’re the most fun,” she whispered as he pressed her back against the wall, their bodies a solid line.

  He laughed against her neck. “Only because I’m with you. For so long, Ash, you’ve been everything.” Expression serious, he pulled back and held her face between his hands. “I hope this doesn’t scare you, but this isn’t just fun for me. I have feelings. That might sound stupid—”

  “So do I,” she blurted. “And it does scare me.”

  Slowly, methodically, he linked their fingers together and squeezed. “It doesn’t have to. I’m here. I care. Please don’t be afraid of that.”

  Full of too many thoughts and questions, her head swam, chest doing that heaving Elizabeth Bennet thing again. Which left only feelings. Feelings so strong and surprising it made her want to cry.

  “I can’t lose you,” she said, grabbing the first coherent thought. “We’re different. We shouldn’t work. And when I leave for Switz—”

  “You’re scared.”

  The words were an accusation, though his voice was nothing but kindness and warmth. “That’s beside the point. We shouldn’t be together; it won’t last. All my intellect says so.”

  He stepped back, peering down at her with such intensity, she couldn’t go on.

  “Why are you telling me this now?”

  She swallowed before answering, hoping to steady both her stance and her voice. “You’re my best friend, Hawk. My very best friend. It scares me to take the chance of wrecking that.”

  “I ask again, Ashton. Why tell me now?”

  “I don’t…”

  “You do,” he countered. “It’s the same reason I couldn’t sleep last night. Or the night before. Or pretty much any damn night since I let you into my heart. You want to be with me—despite our differences. You can’t admit it because you’re always spouting off the exact opposite views. You’re using your job as an excuse now, hiding behind it. But it’s not how you feel. I know that. I know you, and Ash, I…”

  Ashton closed her eyes, already hearing what he was going to say next. She wanted to hear it. It terrified her to hear it.

  Again, he took her face in his hands. “Look at me,” he said in the softest,
gentlest whisper. “On some level and for as long as I can remember, I’ve been in love with you.” Momentarily derailed when she sucked in a sharp breath, he took a beat then went on. “I’ve tried to fight it because I thought we couldn’t work as a couple either. It’s true we’re different, have some conflicting goals and ideas.” He touched his forehead to hers. “But nothing’s changed my feelings. After what happened last night, today, right now…I refuse to live a lie.”

  “Hawk,” she said, tears building behind her eyes.

  Was she in love with him, too? Could she be?

  All she knew was she needed to be with this man more than she’d needed anything.

  That was her truth.

  “I don’t want to live a lie, either,” she said in a whisper so tiny that Hawk had to turn an ear toward her.

  “Ash.” He took her hand and pressed it to his chest, over his beating heart. “You don’t know how long I’ve wanted you to say that.”

  She grinned, fisting the front of his shirt with both hands. “That exact thing?”

  Leaning down, he kissed the tip of her nose, the simple touch sending lightning through her veins.

  “Well, maybe not those exact words.”

  Without letting another second pass, she kissed him, she held him, she let herself go. For the briefest moment, she let go enough to love.

  “Let’s get out of here,” she whispered between hot and sweet kisses.

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’ve been sure.” She paused to take both of his hands in hers. “Maybe longer than you have.”

  He pulled back a cocky grin. “How do you feel about me throwing you over my shoulder and running all the way back to the house?”

  She giggled, overwhelmed by the idea of being relished, ravished by this big, dreamy hunk whom she trusted with everything. “Since we rode in a shuttle here, maybe we should refrain from caveman behavior.” She squeezed his hand, hard. “At least until we’re back at Virtue Cove.”

  Hawk let her go and spun around, running both hands through his hair. “Where’s that damn driver?” he growled. “Anyone seen the shuttle driver? This is an emergency!”

  Not even a quarter of the shuttle was full before Hawk demanded…demanded that they be driven straight to the compound at once! Ashton had never been so turned on.