Let's Be Crazy (Oh Captain, My Captain 4)

I watch as she scoops a little bit of everything onto her spoon, then wraps her lips around it. The spoon slowly slides back out of her mouth. Her low moan that follows is nearly my undoing.

“This really hits the spot, Ashton. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” I automatically reply. It’s not until she glances over at me that I snap out of it. Clearing my throat, I repeat my earlier question. “How old are you, Lexie?”

“Old enough,” she mumbles. When I nudge my knee against hers, she blurts out, “I’m thirty, okay?”

“You do know that I’m only three years younger than you, right? And thirty is not old. Eighty is old.”

“You’re still younger.”

“You’re still beautiful and young.”

Lexie rolls her eyes. I decide to leave whatever issues she has with her age alone.

“Do you want there to be a second date?” I know what I said earlier, but I also said that if she was still opposed to me that I would leave her alone.

She glances over at me with surprise. “You’re going to keep asking until I say yes anyway.”

I shake my head. “Not if you don’t want it. I only asked for one date. A second one is entirely up to you. I’ll ask again. Do you want there to be a second date?”

To buy herself some time, Lexie scoops up the last of her ice cream and brownie. “Yes, I guess so,” she finally answers. When she glances over at me, my grin is from ear to ear. She laughs, “Don’t even look at me like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like you just won the Cup. It’s a second date, nothing major.”

“Both are a major accomplishment and worth a little celebration at least.” She seems lost until I lean towards her. Her eyes widen a little, and I swear her breathing slows. I gently press my lips to hers for only a few moments, long enough to want more. Lexie looks slightly stunned when I pull away and resume eating my dessert.

Chapter Nine

Lexie

I’m standing at the counter in a daze from the night before. I had a date. Ashton kissed me. We’re going on another one.

What?

I feel like I’ve been buried in an avalanche and can finally see the sun again. Could I have feelings for Ashton?

I shake my head.

Nope. No way. No freaking way.

He’s Ashton Campbell. He’s a Utah Bear. He’s a pain in the ass. But he’s sort of funny, kind of caring, and a great dad.

“Mommy?”

I turn see my daughter in her school uniform, large parka coat, and her pink Hello Kitty backpack. “Yes?”

“It’s time to go to school.”

I look at the clock. Crap. My Ashton-daze has made me forget it’s a school day. “Right. Let’s go.”

“Don’t you need shoes?”

I look down at my bare feet. Crap. “Yep, I’m getting them now. Thank you.” I pat her head I as run down the hall to my room, grabbing my boots.

I hustle Sadie out to the car and drive her over to the school. As we’re walking up the sidewalk, Reed yells out for her. We turn and see him and Brooke coming towards us. Brooke’s smile tells me that she’s already aware of the outcome of my date.