Part 20 (2/2)
She appeared uncomfortable, her cheeks rosier than normal. ”I get fl.u.s.tered around you.”
”I don't see why. Not like you care about me.”
”Don't say that, of course I care.”
”Yeah, right.” He folded his arms, wis.h.i.+ng she was telling the truth, and that she didn't look so d.a.m.n hot. She even had makeup on, not something she tended to wear much of. Plus, her blouse was showing off her t.i.ts. He could see the s.p.a.ce between her bra, the mounds on either side... His eyes snapped up to her face, realising what he was doing-and what she was doing. She'd hardly ever got dressed up. His eyes narrowed. ”Who're you dolling up for? Have you got a guy coming round?”
Her mouth fell open.
He grimaced. ”Yeah, you do, don't you. Didja bring me here to rub it in my face? Well, you can think again, cos no jumped-up wannabe father is allowed anywhere near my boy.”
”I told you I'm not goin' out with anyone.”
”Then why the h.e.l.l are your t.i.ts hanging out?”
”My b.r.e.a.s.t.s are not hanging out! And why're you being such an a.r.s.e?”
”Can't take that t.i.tle from you, darling.”
”As.h.!.+ You're unbelievable. I'm trying to be nice to you and all you're doin' is insulting me.”
”Then don't lie to me! Who are you goin' out with? Cos it's stopping right now.”
”I'm not lying, and you have a d.a.m.n nerve. I never came over to your place and demanded you leave Beth.”
”Cos you don't care about me.”
”I do so, I love you!”
”People tell me they love me all the time, but it doesn't mean it's true.”
”G.o.d, you frustrate me! There is no other man, for goodness sakes, I'm dressing up for you, you blind fool.”
Ash went to retort, then stopped, her words finally filtering through.
Looking embarra.s.sed, she dropped her gaze. ”You're the only one I've ever dressed up for.”
”But why?” he said, not understanding any of this. She'd left him, usually avoided him, it didn't make sense.
”After Juliet told me what happened with Beth, I've been thinking that maybe, if you want... um... we could possibly start dating.”
”You wanna date me?” Ash said in disbelief. ”But you hate me.”
”I've already told you that I love you,” she said, looking annoyed again. ”So, stop questioning me.”
”But, you left me, and you hardly ever lemme see Angelo.”
She moved closer, making him nervous, even more so when she placed a hand on his leg. ”I never wanted to leave you, I told you that.”
”But, you still did, and if you really loved me you would've stayed.”
”You know I have issues with you dealing. You were putting all of us in danger.”
”Then why're you even speaking to me, cos I can't give it up; you know I've tried. Craven's got me by the b.a.l.l.s.”
”Cos being away from you is driving me crazy. I thought I could cope, but I can't, it hurts too much, which is why I ran every time you came over. It wasn't about you seeing Angelo, it was about me seeing you and knowing I couldn't have you. But, I can't take it any longer and when I heard you'd left Beth I thought... G.o.d, I want you so much, Ash.”
Ash stared at her stunned, then reached out to wipe a runaway tear cutting a path down her cheek, but retracted his hand at the last second. He didn't want to jump head first into a relations.h.i.+p, giving his all when she would probably leave him again. But he wanted her so badly, needed her, because their separation had driven him into a depression. G.o.d, he should never have gotten into another relations.h.i.+p after Tiana had walked out, because in all truth, he had cheated on Beth, not physically, but emotionally, because Tiana had been a shadow in the back of his mind, something that had been more damaging than Beth sleeping with Dante.
”Ash?” Tiana said, her voice cracking. ”Please say sumpthin'.”
”I don't know what to say.”
”That you're willing to gimme another chance.”
G.o.d, why the h.e.l.l wasn't he shouting yes?
She started fidgeting with her skirt. ”You could even stay here while the police search for that creature. I know Angelo would love it, and I ... I would too.”
This was what he wanted, what he'd dreamed of, yet he found it hard to answer her. He knew she would never come to his place, but right now he wasn't sure he cared.
”Ash, please answer me.”
”Okay,” he said, barely getting it out.
”Okay, as in you'll gimme another chance?” she said, looking hopeful.
”Yes.”
A huge smile instantly washed away her worried expression. She moved up close, her face only a kiss away. ”I meant it when I said I love you. And there's been no one else.”
Thinking he was definitely dreaming, his eyes lowered to her mouth. She bit her bottom lip, making him forget why they'd argued.
She placed a hand on his chest, saying ”I love you” in Tongan, then leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips.
All thought went out of his head. His mind was clear for the first time in ages, but his body went into overdrive. He grabbed her head and kissed her back roughly, because it had been far too long.
18.
Juliet Juliet re-entered the house, surprised, yet extremely happy to see Ash and Tiana kissing. She grabbed Angelo before her nephew could ruin the moment, quickly directing him back out the door. Ash deserved happiness, and that was to have his family back and to be done with Beth, because the Connors were nothing but users... Okay, maybe not Naf, especially after he'd defended her against Sledge. Apart from Ash, no guy had ever done something like that. She frowned, still annoyed with Aroha for saying those things about Naf. He wasn't unattractive, just a bit messy at times, and maybe he shouldn't eat so much, but if it made him happy, why not? He still had a nice face and he was usually easy to talk to, and he was never stingy with sharing his stuff...
”Aunty J.” Angelo tugged on her arm, snapping her thoughts away from Naf. ”Why can't we go back in?”
She ruffled his hair. He had the same messy black waves as his father, the type that made you want to mess it up even more. ”Cos your mum and dad are kissing.”
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