Fuck.
I freeze, unable to move or speak. Ashton squeezes past me, giving my ass a smack before he also screeches to a halt.
“What the hell did you do?” Curtis growls at his son.
It guts me that it’s automatically Ashton’s fault. It’s not. This was us, not him. A group effort, not Ashton being the villain and dragging us all to the dark side with him.
“Curtis, let me explain—” I start, choking out my words.
“I came on to him,” Ashton snaps, cutting me off. “That’s what I do, Pops. I swing my dick around, hoping it lures in all your friends and colleagues just to fuck with your mind.”
Curtis’s face turns crimson and his hazel eyes harden. “I told you not to mess with him. He’s a coach and you’re the fucking dean’s son, for crying out loud! You know how bad this looks on me?”
Ashton, God love him, doesn’t even flinch, though I know it hurts that his father sees him as anything but the perfect, hilarious, kind man he is.
“Don’t worry, Dad, I didn’t fuck him and he didn’t fuck me. Looks like you stepped in just in time to intervene.”
I scrub my palm over my face. “We—”
“I don’t want to hear about what sort of shit my son has roped you into. I get it. He can be persistent when he wants something, but don’t worry about your reputation here. My son is probably already thinking about his next conquest, one that I’m sure will embarrass me even more than this.” Curtis turns on his heel, storming out of the room.
Snagging up my discarded jeans, I throw them on and chase him to the door. “Curtis, wait.”
He flings open the door but turns his angry gaze on me.
“I’m sorry,” I choke out. “I didn’t mean for you to find out that way.” Or at all.
“Keep your dick in your pants, Thompson, or we’re going to have big problems. Consider it a warning. I may not want to report this shit because it’ll bring severe shame down on me and this university, but it doesn’t mean someone else won’t notice and do it anyway.” Curtis scowls. “For your sake, I hope it was a one-time thing and my son has already moved on to the next shiny toy.”
I open my mouth to defend Ashton, but Curtis storms away. I shut the door and stalk back to the bedroom to find Ashton pacing, his face twisted in fury.
“Ashton,” I growl, gripping his jaw, forcing him to look at me. “I’m sorry.”
He frowns, looking just like his father. “Why? It’s my fault.”
“None of this is your fault,” I rumble. “It’s unfortunate he saw what he did, but it doesn’t change anything about us. Only that we need to change the fucking locks.”
Ashton laughs. “I do feel a little bit happy that I ruined his day. Sorry you were a casualty.”
“He doesn’t know you like I do—like we do. You’re fucking amazing, Ash. Hilarious and hot and affectionate.” I give him a kiss. “And loyal. Fuck your dad for not seeing it.”
And in a very vulnerable, un-Ashton like move, he hugs me tight, like he’s afraid if he lets me go, I’ll disappear forever.
It does something to me.
Wraps tentacles of protection around the place he’s carved inside my heart.
I may be royally screwed as far as the dean’s concerned, but I won’t let it take the driver’s seat in my mind. No, my concern lies with Ashton. He doesn’t need to be made to feel like he’s a cyclone that wrecks through everyone’s worlds with no regard to the consequences.
“Ready for me to feed you, boyfriend?”
He laughs. “If it includes ice cream, I’m so in.”
“Whatever you want,” I say, nipping at his ear.
And I mean it.
It feels really good to make someone like Ashton Carter happy.
Really good.I shake my head as I walk out of class reading Ashton’s text.
Ashton: Is your dick ready?
Me: Depends. For what?
Ashton: My mouth.
Fucking Ashton. It’s thrilling to know that he’s serious and I’m allowed to do this with him because we’re doing this. We’re really doing this. My parents will probably shit bricks when they discover I’m dating three people all at once, but I can’t find it in me to worry too much over that now.
Because I have them all.
Mia, Drew, and Ashton.
Me: What sane man ever said no to a blowjob? Of course I’m fucking ready.
Ashton: My blowjobs are the best. Mia just got home and we’re discussing with Drew who gives the best head. You’re the only one who can answer this question. After I blow your mind.
Me: Awfully confident. Have you seen Mia’s lips? Fucking swollen and perfect. And Drew’s tongue? The bar is high, man.
Ashton: Tongue, lips… yeah, yeah, yeah. I can guarantee neither of them will suck you down their throat the way I can. Oh, Mia says hi and that this is awfully graphic for text.