Page 8 of Ashton’s Mountain Man (Men of Fire Mountain #5)
CHAPTER 7
Ashton
I knew that the lifestyle I had currently wasn’t the typical family dynamic, but it was one I wouldn’t change for the world.
I loved how in the period of a few months my life had flipped on its head and I had ended up with everything I thought I would never have. It wasn’t something I had dreamed or thought for myself, but now it had happened, my life was perfect. I’d been the guy who was confused and scared of commitment and ran from my whole life, uncertain of what could be if I just let go for once, and went with what my heart desired rather than the misconceptions of what I thought of others.
Now I was living for myself. The future I thought I deserved.
“Hey, I wasn’t expecting to see you today,” I whispered gently, concentrating intensely as I guided myself back onto the edge of my bed. Ensuring I held my core, I slowly leaned my weight exactly how I had been shown and been practicing. I had the largest smile across my face, even though I held my breath and counted the seconds I inched myself backwards, hoping I didn’t crash like last time. I’d promised myself that I would manage to do this today. I’d been getting myself more and more frustrated each and every time someone had to step in and help me. I just wanted to show I was strong enough and had the strength to do this on my own. I felt so safe, though, as Alexandria and Kelsie, my rehabilitation physiotherapist and nurse, stayed by my side, watching my every motion as I managed the move unaided for the first time. “I can’t believe I just did it,” I gleefully replied, glancing to Alexandria and Kelsie before they patted me on the shoulder, and my gaze turned to fix solely on his. “You could have waited until tomorrow.”
“And miss that moment,” West growled, prowling toward me as the two women chuckled and walked past me to the door. I quickly turned on my heel and called them back, tilting my head to the side. “Will you still be around twenty? I have that paperwork completed, but I just need to run the final details past this one.” He nodded toward me and the two women nodded at one another.
“We’re just going to take our break, but if we’re not at the desk out front, just ask one of the nurses to give us a call,” Alexandria responded before smiling widely and checking her watch attached to the pocket of her uniform. “It’ll be good to get a start on the arrangements, as Ashton’s definitely ready now to transfer to the next stage and get out of here.”
“I am.” I gasped with a sense of hope. I couldn’t wait to finally be away from these stark white walls and the constant wake-up calls having to do my observation checks. I also knew that I needed to have a deep conversation about what Maxwell and Cole discussed with me earlier and the opportunities that could mean for us. If I was honest, it felt they were now sticking around on tenterhooks, waiting for me to let them know what my thoughts were, especially as I was in the clear and healing. “I thought it would be a lot longer yet. I mean, what if today was a fluke—a one-off occasion, and I can’t do it again.”
“That's just the doubt creeping in,” West uttered as he came to sit by my side.
“He’s right,” Kelsie replied as she paused in the doorway. “This battle is as much about your mental state and battle as your physical one. Trust me, you can do this,” she confirmed before waving goodbye. “Just bring those forms to us in a little while. You have about thirty minutes until visiting finishes for the night.”
“Thanks,” West replied as they left the two of us alone in private and the instant urge of needing to touch and hold him overwhelmed me as he dropped his head low and took in a deep breath. “I couldn’t wait to talk to you,” he whispered in a low tone that it was nearly impossible to hear him. The ache in his voice emotionally teared at my skin. “I know I should’ve waited until the morning, but I would never have settled this evening if I didn’t at least get a few precious moments with you.”
I curled my finger under his chin and lifted his head so his beautiful blue speckled eyes met my honey brown ones.
“I had a plan and I needed to execute it before I suggested it to you. I mean, if you hate it, then I understand, and you can say what you’d prefer. As long as I’m with you, it doesn’t matter.”
“West, breathe…” I replied as I took slow breaths and made him copy the motion. It was ironic, especially as I’m the one who normally gets overwhelmed and ends up in a panic attack. “You’re rambling, and even though you look so cute, you need to pause and explain what’s going on in that pretty little mind of yours. I may have damaged my leg, but I haven’t my mind, and I tell you this… I haven’t gained the ability since being here to read minds.”
West chuckled as tears flowed down his cheeks. I watched as he wiped his eyes and then composed himself before shaking his head. Could you imagine if we could read minds? We wouldn’t have ended up getting into this fucking mess, and the last few years would have resulted in us building our relationship. You would have already known about your son…
I shook my head at West’s deflection, and just smirked, thinking about how much I loved him. It may have been solely platonic until now and just shared kisses, but I couldn’t wait until we were able to explore the bedroom together.
Until I could wrap my mouth around his hard dick and blow him off…
Until he could screw me so hard that he had to hold me down on the mattress and cover my mouth to silence my screams from being heard…
Fuck… I groaned. Why here, of all places?
I tried to move the sheets discreetly away from my hardened length without drawing any focus to my current actions, but it seemed it was pointless as West’s hungered gaze had noticed it all. He licked his lips and kissed me harshly before pulling back from my swollen lips, as I ran my fingers across them and sighing.
“Now, we both can suffer here together with the same issue,” West growled at me as I laughed. “Conversation time.” He moaned as he darted his gaze to the ceiling, before moving his length in his trousers. “I spoke to Maisie earlier, and we came up with an idea—well, I came up with the idea and I suggested the following. That the two of us move in full time with her while you work on your rehabilitation.” He paused. “I mean, it’s easy to get around. We’d have our room and you can also see Wyatt and build on your relationship. If you think it’s a stupid idea or have a better idea, I’m all for listening?—”
I placed my finger over his lips to silence him. The warmth of his lips instantly made me have to close my eyes as my dick twitched under the sheets in my loose pajamas.
“No, I think that’s perfect,” I uttered, removing my finger as I took a deep breath and opened my eyes, to be met by his darkened gaze. I instantly felt the heat race through my body and knew that my cheeks were flushed without even touching them. I felt hot and needed to cool down—the intimate nature in this moment was intense between us and was just constantly building each day we were together. I couldn’t fucking wait to get him on his own and make him mine in every damn way. “It’s everything I never thought I could ever have. Is Maisie sure about having us both with her? She already has a lot to contend with Wyatt in the toddler stages,” I admitted shyly, trying to control my slightly flustered disposition.
“Yes, baby. She’s happy to have us both. Now should I give Alexandria and Kelsie this paperwork in my hand so they can get the wheels in motion and leave you to rest for the night before I’m escorted out of the place?” He noticed a nurse hovering by the door, peeping in as she bypassed again, tapping her watch as she passed. I chuckled as I kissed him slowly and lavishly, swallowing his moan as the cough from the doorway made us pull apart. West held his hands up. “I’m going. I’m going!”
“West?” I called, grabbing his hand as he stood up to leave. He paused, and I dared to look toward the nurse standing at the doorway. “Give them the paperwork. I can’t wait to get out of here.”
“Your wish is my command,” West replied. “I’ll see you early tomorrow.”
“You definitely will, baby. Night.” I sighed as I watched him swaggering out the door, his ass swaying as he walked.
He’s determined to kill me… I groaned.
I threw myself back into the bed and pulled the pillow from underneath my head. With my face covered, I screamed, hoping I didn’t alert anyone to come running into my room, thinking there was something wrong. I needed a second to expel all that anger and frustration building within me.
The countdown was on until I could leave here and be with the people who I cared about.