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Tingles swept through my core as I imagined hearing his whispers against my ear in the early morning light, the heat of his body pressed against my back.
I had to clear my throat. “Earlier this week,” I answered. “You’re my twelfth match, the eighth to poke me.”
“Oh.” Ashton’s tone hinted at disappointment. “And have you connected with any of the others?”
“None of the matches looked like what I’m hoping to find. Yes, I want to be a stay-at-home mom and loved on by two men, but I will not be a maid or servant like some seem to be searching for.” My eyelids popped open, and I found my chin lifted again, readying myself for the type of negative response that would ruin my good feels about Ashton and his partner.
“Rhett and I have a cleaning service, and we enjoy cooking together, so points for us!” Ashton sounded…giddy.
We shared another laugh that settled my defensiveness back to rest. “What was that you said about too good to be true?” I asked but continued since I didn’t expect an answer. “I’m seriously glad I decided to poke you back, Ashton.”
He let out a heavy exhale I clearly heard over the line, and again, I imagined his breath on my ear. Tickling. Tingling.
“So Rhett is in Florida dealing with some family things, but I would like to meet you to see if there’s enough of a connection and chemistry between us to pursue something.” Ashton’s voice brought back my focus. “We have no desire to play games or waste anyone’s time.”
“This is my first go-round with a dating app, but skipping out on all that sounds awesome to me,” I rushed my words. “Better than good, really. I’m sure I’ll be nervous, but I want to try. Definitely. It’s a yes for me.”
“So. Dinner?” Ashton suggested when I paused for breath.
“Can I cook for you tomorrow night?” I blurted out and bit my lip, thinking I’d sounded too eager to please, even if I was. “I-I mean, it’s Monday—a work day—but my sister will be late coming home, so we’ll have the house to ourselves at least. And it’s cheaper than going out somewhere.” I bit my lip to keep from attempting to manipulate him further.
“I would love that.” His semi-groaned reply pulsed arousal between my thighs.
Heart fluttering, I swallowed a rush of saliva. At least I hadn’t squealed and made him think I was some giggling schoolgirl who didn’t have a brain to speak of.
“It’s a date, Ashton,” I stated, my tone as breathless as my lungs.
Hopefully the first of many. Good ones. Full of easy conversation.
And lots of earthquaking orgasms and fantasies fulfilled.
I knew I needed to be cautious, but my imagination scampered forward, heedless as always.
7
Rhett
I hadn’t seen my lover light up in months like he’d done while studying his phone. Our continued failures in finding the type of woman he wanted had dragged him down until I worried over depression escalating to the point he might need medication.
His soft smile while he’d studied the woman he’d deemed “perfect” had lanced a sweet ache through my chest, similar and yet different from the hurt I often rubbed at while watching my dad stare at Mom.
Her lungs continued to expand, her heart beat, but only due to man’s intervention. Zero indication of brain activity suggested she might open her eyes and speak ever again.
The small chapel I’d hidden in to talk to my love pressed in on me long after we’d ended our video call, the dimmed light stifling.
Like a plastic bag settled over my head and cinched, I struggled to breathe from the tightening space, same as I’d done that first night all those years ago in the new home my parents had bought.
I strode from the room, intent on the cafeteria where I had been spending meal times. At least they had a decent barista and good coffee—and having a destination gave me steps to allow and focus on.
When I’d gotten to the hospital a couple days earlier, I’d been exhausted, but numbness encased my heart and mind when I opened Mom’s door. She lay exactly as I’d imagined: unmoving except for her chest, pale as a corpse, tubes and monitors stuck to her body.
Even though a machine kept her lungs inflating, I had the sense of something missing, as though her soul had already fled for the unknown.
An image had flashed in my mind like lightning in that moment of breathless silence.
Ash still as death on the bed.
Me sitting rigid by his side.