Hard Rock Love Box Set, page 5
Ash shrugged, as if it was an easy question, one she should already know the answer to. “A lot of performers do it in this field. If you keep taking photographs of people like me, you’re going to have to get used to it.”
“I just… I don’t know much about it is all.”
“If you want to learn, you’re welcome to come with me. You can even take a hit or two, to understand what it’s like. A lot of people really like the feeling, it’s very calming.”
“I think I’m good.”
“Suit yourself.” And with that, he left, leaving Lillian feeling even more confused than ever. She didn’t exactly have a problem with weed, but she had a problem with other things, and the thought of those brought back memories she didn’t want to think about, certainly not right now when she had a job to do.
So, she occupied herself with taking photos of the other members until Ash came back inside, eyes a little red, smelling like the devil’s grass and smoke. The smell of rockbands, Lillian thought to herself.
They worked through a few other technical aspects, and then the band members changed into what they would be wearing for the show that night. Then there was a lull as they waited for the time of the concert to roll around.
As Lillian packed up her camera, satisfied with the shots she had gotten, Ash came over, leaning against the wall next to her, smelling more like cologne now as he had put some on when he got changed.
He was in a ripped and grease-stained white t-shirt, which he somehow managed to make look artful instead of gross, with a leather jacker, ripped jeans, and a pair of silver cross earrings.
“Hey princess,” he said, his tone clearly showing that he was currently very pleased with himself.
“What is it, Ash?”
“I was thinking about what you’re wearing…” Oh, so it was this again. Lillian didn’t know if she could deal with his jealousy at the moment, or the thought of what the outfit really truly meant.
“I do think I have better taste than your childhood friend though. If I buy you something, will you wear it?”
“Sure,” Lillian replied, unsure how else she might respond.
“Great. I’m looking forward to seeing you in your gift then,” Ash winked, and Lillian wondered for a second if she just might have made a mistake. “Shall we exchange phone numbers?”
“I don’t see the harm in doing so,” Lillian said as she pulled her phone out of her bag, unlocking it and opening up to a new contact page. They traded digits, and as they did so, their hands brushed, and Lillian’s heart skipped a beat.
She inputted her number and put her contact name as Lillian. When she received her phone back from Ash, she found that he had put his name in as Bad Boy Ash.
“Okay, you know I’m definitely changing your contact name, right?”
“Come on Lillian, I thought you were an artist. Where’s your creativity?”
“Oh, like Bad Boy Ash is creative.”
He shrugged. “If you don’t like it, princess, you’re welcome to change it.”
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, come on. I bet I know what you’re going to put as my contact name.”
“And that is?”
“Princess, obviously.”
“Nice guess, but I was thinking something more like diced cabbage.”
“Excuse me?”
“What? I like diced cabbage.” His tone was so playful, a hint of laughter beneath it, and Lillian knew that this was the side of Ash she was falling for.
“As a nickname, or the food?”
“Both, obviously.” Ash replied.
“Maybe I’ll start calling you diced cabbage then, diced cabbage.”
“Oh, come on.” Ash leaned forward, putting on that sexy little smile. He knew he was irresistible, and he used it to his advantage every step of the way. “You can do better than that.”
“Then I will, I’ll find a nickname that works for you.”
Ash leaned back then, threading his thumbs through his belt loops, looking down at her past his nose with a self-satisfied smirk. “Good luck.”
Six
The editor was extremely pleased with this new issue of the magazine as well. She went as far as to drop off a few more of the issues at Lillian’s desk, exclaiming that they were perfect material for a portfolio, Lillian had done such a good job.
“And our readers just ate it up,” she said, “absolutely devoured it. If possible, we’d like to do one more story as a closing piece.”
“Of course.” Lillian scooped the magazine copies into her bag. This was definitely something to send back home to her parents, something to show them that she really could be independent and handle herself in The Big Apple, while making a name for herself, of course.
“Well, I’ll leave you to brainstorm on what that might be then,” the editor said. “I expect a proposal by the end of today, do you think you can manage that?”
“I’m sure I’ll figure something out.”
Another story? Lillian was completely out of ideas. What other side of Ash could she show that hadn’t been seen already? She had showed him in his daily life, off-stage, and then preparing for a show, and the pictures that accompanied the first interview already covered the on-stage aspect. What was left for her to expose?
She began to flip through the photos she had on her computer absentmindedly, hoping that one of them might hold the solution she was looking for. As she did this, her phone buzzed, and she looked down to see a text from Sebastian.
I heard your story did well.
There was no reason to respond to this, so she didn’t bother unlocking her phone, just continued to scroll the photos on her computer, pausing on the ones of him with the taco, him making strange faces in the beauty store, him backstage giving her a wink as he pulled on a pair of boots.
Another buzz, another text.
I was wondering if you wanted to meet me for dinner again tonight.
A pause.
I thought it would be good to talk.
Another pause. She continued ignoring her phone.
I think it’s important that we discuss that night. I know I left you in a weird place, and I hope you’ll forgive me for that.
Then it was silent again, for a long time. She continued scrolling through the photos.
When her phone buzzed again, she was ready to throw it into her bag. She couldn’t deal with this right now, not until she understood her own feelings, and certainly not during work. But then she saw who it was from: Ash.
Hey, saw the issue. It came out really good!
She smiled to herself and unlocked her phone, typing out a quick response.
Yeah!! Though I assume you think that’s thanks to your pretty face.
You know it cabbage~ ;)
Haha, sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night, Rockstar.
Hey hey, I kind of like that nickname. Better than the last fifteen you tried for sure.
Whaaaaat? You don’t like carrot stick?
I don’t think anyone in their right mind would like carrot stick.
She read over the text, continued smiling to herself, and then went on scrolling through the photos. She still had no idea what she was going to do.
Then her phone buzzed again.
So…. what are you up to? It was Ash.
Trying to figure out a topic for another story. Oh, and dreading going home.
Isn’t my ruggedly handsome face enough of a topic? And why’s that?
Well, it has to have some form of concept other than just: Ash Bennett. And on the surface, it’s because I don’t want to see my roommate right now.
Something bad happen between the two of you?
…not really.
Ah, got it. I won’t pry any further, I promise.
A pause.
Would you maybe want to go out then? Since you don’t want to go home, and we might as well celebrate your success.
There was a moment of hesitation, but Lillian knew she couldn’t refuse.
Of course, that sounds lovely.
I’ll pick you up around five then, that okay?
Perfect.
You know I am, princess.
Oh, shut up, Rockstar.
As she put her phone away in her bag, Lillian thought she finally had an idea for the last story. As she opened up a new document to write the proposal, she knew it was going to be her best one yet.
Ash was, needless to say, a little bit late to pick Lillian up. She was sitting on the curb by the time he pulled in, kicking at rocks on the side of the street, contemplating the pros and cons of just calling a cab and going home, or even getting on the subway.
But then she heard the familiar roar of his motorcycle, and she lifted her gaze as he came rearing around the corner and skidded to a stop in front of her.
“Sorry I’m late. Had to pick something up.”
She jumped up immediately, leaning forward with a twinkle in her eyes. “Oh, what is it?”
“Haha, hold your horses.” Ash leaned forward, pressing his finger against Lillian’s lips. “It’s a surprise. Here.” He handed her a helmet, which she slipped on, and then got on the back of the motorcycle, wrapping her arms tight around him. This time, she was definitely not going to close her eyes.
“Where are we going?” she asked, having to speak loudly over the wind whipping past them.
“That, is also a surprise,” he called back, and then they were both silent.
The city passed them by, and Lillian realized they were heading towards Lower Manhattan, and then towards the Brooklyn Bridge. At this time of night, the traffic was heavy, but Ash merely wove between the stalled cars with confidence and finesse.
He continued into the residential districts of Brooklyn, passing by a park or two, and slowing down a bit.
The streets here reminded Lillian of a small European city, the way that the buildings rose, their colors, the trees, the parks, the little bakeries.
They stopped at one of these to pick up croissants and pains au chocolat, then Ash drove them to a secluded little park with one bench, and one great big tree overlooking it. He parked his motorcycle nearby and then gestured to the bench.
“Another one of my favorite little spots,” he said. “I thought it was something you might like.”
Lillian took it all in, spinning around. “It’s lovely,” she said. “Was this your surprise?”
He laughed. “Not quite. I wanted something a little more than ‘Here’s a neighborhood you’ve never been to’ to celebrate your success.”
He grabbed the bag that Lillian had noticed strapped to the back of the motorcycle, and drew out of it first a picnic cloth, and then several tupperwares.
“Not exactly a midnight picnic,” he said, arranging sandwiches, sliced fruit, and the bread they had picked up from the bakery, “but I figured you wouldn’t want to stay out quite that late.”
“Ash, this is…” No one had ever done anything like this for her before. Not even Sebastian during that summer so many years ago. She had no words to speak, her heart was beating loud, in her ears, in her head. She felt like she might cry.
“Now don’t go getting all emotional on me. That isn’t part of the program to seduce you.” Ash winked, nudging her with his shoulder. And though the words were meant to sound superficial, Lillian could hear the care behind them. She wondered, for the first time, if maybe Ash Bennett wouldn’t break her heart after all, if they had a chance.
Perhaps they did. Now was not the night she would discover this, though. Tonight, was a night for picnics and walks and stolen kisses by the river—though that will all come later.
“Come on, sit down,” Ash had seated himself on the blanket and was patting the place next to him. Lillian did as he suggested, leaning on him just a little bit for support.
He handed her a sandwich, and then raised his own in toast. “To a successful series of photographical stories.”
“To the wonderful people I met through them,” she added, nudging his sandwich with hers in mimicry of a champagne toast.
“Indeed.” He mimed sipping something from his sandwich, and then took a great big bite. “Sorry if they’re a little weird,” he said around a mouthful of food, “I made them with what I had on hand.”
Lillian was already discovering the wonderful and strange pairing of mustard, cucumber, soy sauce, and tofu. “Mhmmmm,” she said around her own mouthful, doing her best to keep a straight face.
Ash laughed. “You can be honest with me, you know, I won’t be offended. Besides, the croissants and the fruit are truly the best part.”
Lillian set aside her sandwich. “Yeah, I think I may have to pass on this one in favor of those.”
“Duly noted. These sandwiches were a failure.” He mimed taking notes, then grabbed a strawberry, offering it to Lillian. “Care to tell me what you think of one of these?”
She reached to take it from him, but he wagged his finger at her. “Uh-uh, let me feed it to you, princess.”
She blushed, deep red, as red as the strawberry he was holding. The way he was looking at her, what might have been innocent at one point in time now seemed scandalous, suggestive.
Her lips parted of their own accord, accepting the fruit he was offering her, taking it between her teeth and biting down into the juicy flesh.
“How is it?” he asked, licking the juice that had dripped onto him off his fingers, one by one, maintaining eye contact with her the entire time.
“Good.” She could barely get the words out, her throat felt like it might close, and there was a deep pit of arousal churning in her stomach, warming her and making her feel light, as if alcohol was just hitting her brain.
“Would you like another?” Ash plucked another strawberry from the group, but Lillian knew she couldn’t take any more of this, so she grabbed one of her own.
“Yes, thank you,” she squeaked out, popping the strawberry into her mouth. “They’re very juicy,” she said around a mouthful of strawberry.
“Indeed.” Ash’s voice was low, and his following laugh was a deep rumble, something sexy, a little bit primal even.
“Want to try a croissant?” he asked, offering her the bag.
Lillian snatched one from inside it, refusing to go through any more of whatever this was in any sort of public setting. That was clearly the problem with rock singers, they had no shame whatsoever.
That wasn’t to say she didn’t enjoy it, of course.
They finished off the rest of the good parts of the picnic, and then Ash stood, offering his hand to Lillian. She grabbed it, feeling the roughness of his calloused palm beneath hers, and then he pulled her up and to his chest.
They stood there for a moment, hands interlocked, chests touching, looking into each other’s eyes, and then each other’s lips, and then Ash was leaning down, and Lillian thought he was going to kiss her.
“I know a better place to do the sorts of things you’re thinking of,” he whispered in her ear, and Lillian shivered, but not from the cold. “Will you follow me, Lillian?”
“Do you have to ask?” She meant the words to sound coy, but instead they came out breathy, unsure, aroused.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
Ash quickly cleaned up the picnic and locked his motorcycle to the park bench.
“Come with me, if you will.” He took her hand again, his palm dwarfing hers, and then led her down a street to the water’s edge.
Here the light was blurred, dancing on the water like the lanterns of fairies. The city seemed far away with the apartments behind them, and the lamps lighting the brick walk feeling like something out of a time-frozen European city.
Lillian’s heart was beating hard in her chest from their earlier interaction, she kept on remembering the taste of strawberries in her mouth, as it still lingered, Ash’s fingertips brushing her lips, the way that he had looked at her.
He was looking at her in that same way now, his deep eyes as expansive as the universe around her.
He leaned in then, and Lillian thought for a moment he was going to kiss her, and then his lips were at her ear, his breath warm, and he whispered, “Can I kiss you?”
She hadn’t expected him to ask, had just thought he would take what he wanted: would read her beating heart and fast breath as sign enough that she wanted him too.
She nodded, a wave of goosebumps covering her as his hand cupped her cheek, and then he leaned in, ever so slowly, ever so gently, his lips brushing against hers.
It was intoxicating, even though he had only made the lightest feather-touch of contact. She could taste the residue of strawberries, sugar, and butter on him, the sweetness of the park, and the sweat of the motorcycle ride over.
She leaned into the kiss, taking his bottom lip between her own, letting him know with the smallest scrape of her teeth and a gentle flick of her tongue that she was ready for more.
The kiss became more passionate then, Ash taking instead of giving, pulling her against him with a hand on her hip and a smile in his eyes.
“I have a feeling you’ve thought about this, princess,” he murmured against her, hands roaming down her back, exploring her crevices and curves with the gentleness of an angel but the intent of a devil.
Oh, she had. Many times. But she had never dreamt that they might actually come true, that she would be standing here with his lips on hers and his arms around her and his hands slowly sliding into the inside of her silken pants, running along the seams of her underwear.
God, she was wet.
And she was definitely in trouble.
“Ash,” she murmured against him as he rubbed his fingers along the folds of her labia, the thin lace fabric the only thing separating them from contact.
But it did not stop him from feeling how turned-on she was.
“Fuck, Lillian,” he breathed against her. “Baby doll, you’re so god-damned wet.”
Heat rose to her face in spite of herself. She was a grown woman; she shouldn’t be feeling embarrassed. She had been in situations like this before; it wasn’t like she hadn’t messed around before. But god, nothing had ever felt like this before.
