Ashley’s POV:
I felt my cheeks burn and knew I was blushing hard. “Oh, shuddup… I’m not the hot one, Luca. That’s you,” I argued, trying to get my blush to die down as I dialed Eden’s number.
Sterling’s POV:
The weight on my shoulder lifted suddenly, and I glanced over to see Eden sitting straight up with pink cheeks. She was embarrassed… It was cute seeing her blushing, nearly as cute as she was asleep.
“Morning, sleepyhead. You gonna get that call?” I asked, hoping she would hear the teasing in my voice and notice the playful smirk on my lips.
Lucas’s POV:
I scoffed.
“Yeah, but we’re talking about you,” I grinned, reaching out to ruffle her hair. “We’re almost there. Is she picking up?”
Eden’s POV:
I reached to punch Sterling lightly on the shoulder, embarrassed.
“Shut up…” I mumbled as I grabbed my phone and answered the call. “What? Oh, I think we’re nearly there, about five minutes.”
I paused before scowling.
“No. See you there, Lee.”
Ashley’s POV:
“She said they’ll be there in five,” I explained as I hung up and put my phone away. Turning to face Lucas better, I smiled at him gently. “What about us? Five minutes? Or more or less?”
Sterling’s POV:
I chuckled as she swatted at me, shaking my head in amusement at her attitude. Hearing the end of her conversation, I glanced over at her quickly. “What was that?”
Lucas’s POV:
“We’re almost there, too,” I answered, taking a turn. “Was she sleeping?”
Eden’s POV:
I sighed.
“They wanted to know where we were,” I answered, still a bit embarrassed. Especially because it was really comfortable. “Why didn’t you wake me?”
Ashley’s POV:
“I think so,” I chuckled, amused. “She sounded tired and embarrassed. I’m sure Sterling enjoyed it, though.”
Sterling’s POV:
I shrugged, glancing over at her again. “You looked peaceful. I didn’t want to disturb your sleep. Plus, it was cute.”
Lucas’s POV:
I laughed.
“He really would,” I agreed. “Well, here we are!”
Eden’s POV:
“It wasn’t cute,” I argued, shaking my head. “You’re making it cute.”
Ashley’s POV:
“Great! Now, as soon as you park, you can kiss me all you want,” I teased him with a grin, referring to our earlier conversation.
Sterling’s POV:
I chuckled, shaking my head. “No, it really was cute. How am I making it cute? How does that work?”
Lucas’s POV:
I turned red before I cleared my throat.
“Yes, right, of course,” I stammered right before I parked the car.
Eden’s POV:
I glowered at Sterling before I huffed loudly.
“I’m not cute,” I said, shifting in my seat as Sterling took a right turn. We were nearly there, just a turn away. “You’re ruining my image, Sterling. I look anything but cute.”
Ashley’s POV:
I’m sure my eyes sparkled with the laughter bubbling up in me. Gosh, he was so fun to tease. It was really cute.
“Should we wait here for Eden and Sterling, then?” I asked, smiling at him innocently.
Sterling’s POV:
“Well, then, I promise not to tell anyone about how you’re really adorable when you’re sleeping,” I teased with a light laugh. “We wouldn’t want to ruin your image, now would we?”
(I THOUGHT I RESPONDED.)
Lucas’s POV:
“Of course,” I replied, killing the car’s engine and looking at her with a grin. “So, where were we?”
Eden’s POV:
Sterling parked the car, giving me a teasing smile as he finished his comment. I frowned, taking off my seatbelt and adjusting my position so I was facing him.
“I’m not adorable, Sterling,” I disagreed, furrowing my eyebrows. I’d been called tough-looking and scary, but never was I called cute by another boy. I wasn’t cute, but for some strange reason, I felt happy. “You’re mistaken.” I poked his chest for emphasis, glaring deeply.
(Oh, oof. Lol.)
Ashley’s POV:
I couldn’t help the small giggle that came out as I dropped my eyes, biting my lip. “Well, Luca, that’s up to you. Where were we?” I asked, glancing up at him, still feigning innocence.
(The other two come up and see them… Lol. That’d be great.)
Sterling’s POV:
Then stop being so cute so I can’t be “mistaken.”
“Sorry, Eden, but I have to disagree. I find you incredibly adorable, and attractive, no less,” I said softly as I unbuckled as well and turned to see her better. “But don’t assume those are my only reasons for pursuing you. Because, sweetheart, they’re not.”
Lucas’s POV:
“Well…” I cursed my shyness at this moment. Sometimes Ashley was too smug for her own good. “I suppose it involved something intimate?”
Eden’s POV:
I raised my eyebrows at his statement, my heart hammering in my chest. I felt myself heat up a great amount, but I tried not to let it affect me too much. Sometimes Sterling’s smooth tongue was too annoying. Why was it that every time he said something about me, it made me feel weird?
I inched a little closer, my expression morphing into curiosity.
“Oh, really?” I drawled, attempting to mask the effect affect he was having on me. “Then what are the other reasons why you want to pursue me?”
Ashley’s POV:
“Oh, Lucas… Gosh, you’re amazing,” I said softly, another giggle escaping my lips. Just to tease him further, I leaned forward just enough that out noses brushed against each other, and our lips were a breath apart.
Sterling’s POV:
“You, my mysterious maiden, have so many qualities that I admire, it would take me all night to list them all,” I declared, leaning closer to her, looking into those gorgeous eyes… Gosh… Don’t fail me now, smooth talk… “Your personality is beautiful. The way you can be so smart, so bold with your words, so… There aren’t words to describe how I’m drawn to you.”
Lucas’s POV:
I wasn’t an impatient person. No, not really. When it involved Ashley, though, I was incredibly impatient. She was so close. God, why did she like to tease me so much?
“I hate you so much,” I murmured under my breath before I finally pressed my lips against hers, running out patience. Every day, I desired her more. It was funny, but it was true.
Eden’s POV:
I can’t explain what those words did to me. I felt my resolve crumbling, my chest aching. I burned, and I didn’t even know why. A slightly tremor escaped me and I bit my lip, trying to keep a shudder from spilling out of my mouth.
Maintaining eye-contact with Sterling was one of the most difficult things I had to do. I loved his eyes. Once I looked in, I couldn’t escape. Other times, I want to hide because it’s his state that makes it look like he’s staring right through me. His heated gaze that makes me fidget and tremble, which makes me self-conscious. The way my name smoothly rolls off of his tongue, those sly compliments and the flirting that spills from his mouth… it all makes me feel weak in the knees. I was glad I was sitting. Otherwise, I was sure I would have fallen.
“Is that so?” I murmured, breathless as I leaned a little forward. I opened my mouth to continue when I noticed just how close he was to me. His face, barely a few inches away from mine, our noses almost touching.
My eyes widened and I froze, the sound of my heart beating fast ringing in my ears. He was so close. The last time it happened, he ended up kissing me.
Upon remembering the event, my lips began to throb, getting hotter. I knew he wouldn’t do it again, but I couldn’t help but wish he would. Then I immediately discarded the thought.
It was the look in his eyes that stopped my ability to think.
Ashley’s POV:
Nah… You know you love me, my perfect boyfriend… And I love you… So much…
I lifted a hand to cup his cheek, my eyes falling shut was I kissed him back. Honestly, I liked when he initiated things. But, until he was comfortable with doing so, I would…
Sterling’s POV:
This was not good… We needed to back away from each other, or I would do something to push her away. I didn’t want that.
But, gosh, she was so close…
I could remember the way her lips felt from when I kissed her in the parking lot. And I wanted to feel them again. It would only end in pain, though, so I had to stand my ground. I had to… If I could…
“Yeah… It is,” I breathed, pursing my lips as my eyes shot down to hers and then back to her eyes.
I swallowed hard, unable to tear myself away from her. It was all I could do to not kiss her again. I’m not sure if I could have looked away if I wanted to.
Eden’s POV:
My eyes flickered discreetly to Sterling’s pursed lips before I immediately returned to his eyes. I bit my lip, yelling at myself to pull away before I did something I would regret. Why was it so hard to pull away? Why did I want him to close the distance and kiss me? Why was he the one making me feel like this? Why, why, why? Why did someone like Sterling waltz into my life like that? Why was it so hard to resist?
Why was it that even though I know I shouldn’t, I wanted to press my lips against his? Would that get rid of the burning pain in my chest? Would I be able to breathe again if I did it?
I knew that if he kissed me, I wouldn’t be able to pull away. I knew if he kissed me, I would be doomed. Yet, I couldn’t bring to pull myself away because I knew I wanted nothing more than to feel his lips pressed against mine once again.
And I desperately wished he’d do it.
Sterling's POV:
I couldn't do it. I couldn't pull away. But I couldn't just sit here, either… I needed to do something about it.
"I can't do it… I'm sorry, Eden. I tried," I managed to choke out before I closed the distance between us and pressed my lips to hers.
Gosh, I loved this feeling… Her lips on mine, so soft and easily able to worm their way into my heart. I wish she wanted this, too…
Eden’s POV:
“I can't do it… I'm sorry, Eden. I tried,” Sterling’s words rang in my ear, and before I could dwell on them further, his lips pressed against mine tightly, sending shivers down my spine. My stomach exploded and I froze completely, eyes wide open. The burning sensation didn’t decrease. It only increased and I felt like I couldn’t breathe.
My brain stopped functioning, and only when I felt the pressure decrease and Sterling pulling away slowly did it start to work.
I finally answered, pressing my lips tighter against him, my eyes fluttering close as my lips moved against his.
It didn’t slow down my speeding heart, nor did it eliminate the unknown feeling I was drowning in. But one thing I was sure of was that it did, in fact, put me to peace even if it was only a little bit.
Sterling’s POV:
She— She— She kissed me back…
I smiled a bit against her lips. This was amazing. Gosh, I’d wanted this for so long… And I was not disappointed.
I lifted a hand to cup her cheek, holding her close as we kissed. I wanted to press harder against her lips, take the kiss deeper, but I didn’t want to scare her away. Instead, I just kept it at the same pressure until I could breath no more, and only then did I pull away and rest my forehead against hers.
Eden’s POV:
My skin burned under his touch. When he pulled away and rested his forehead against mine, it took everything out of me to not pull him into another kiss.
I breathed deeply, my eyes still shut tight as I tried to process everything that happened in the last five minutes. I trembled under his touch, feeling it getting hard to breathe all over again.
The kiss didn’t eliminate the burn, nor did it help make the heavy feeling disappear. It just got worse.
It was only then did the realization strike me hard, like dousing me in cold water.
He’d won.
I liked Sterling Ainsley.
Sterling’s POV:
After catching my breath, I pulled back more to look at her. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were still closed as she caught her own breath. And, gosh… Dang, she looked beautiful right then…
I cleared my throat to catch her attention. “So… Looks like I might not need the rest of the month. Sorry, sweetheart,” I joked in a whisper.
Eden’s POV:
Sterling’s words registered in my brain and my eyes snapped open, dread filling me. I immediately pulled away, panic taking over.
“Shit,” I cursed under my breath, reaching out for the door handle. I pushed it open, grabbed my bag and walked out, running my fingers through my hair.
What did I just do? What didn’t I just do? How could I be so stupid? I should’ve pulled away the second this happened. I shouldn’t have let it happen. I should’ve pushed him away further. I shouldn’t have let him get close.
But despite all the thoughts running through my head, I couldn’t regret kissing him back. I couldn’t. And it scared me.
I immediately took out my phone, texted Ashley that I was heading to the bathroom. I needed to catch my breath, my thoughts, and most of all, I needed to get my composure back.
Sterling’s POV:
“Dang it, Ainsley… Look what you did,” I muttered to myself as Eden fled.
That was it. That was the end of this. I knew it. I’d scared her away, because I couldn’t keep my stupid mouth shut.
With a heavy groan, I buried my face in my hand. I can’t believe I was so stupid. I shouldn’t have kissed her in the first place, and now she’s gone…
Eden’s POV:
Dinner was awkward. Ashley and Lucas tried to liven up the atmosphere and I could tell they were out of ideas. We got done with our food quickly and I reached into my bag to pay before I got up quickly.
I held out my hand to Lucas, an eyebrow raised. Lucas looked confused for a while before he realized what I wanted and handed me his car keys, although hesitantly.
I took them and walked out without looking back.
Lucas’s POV:
I couldn’t tell what was wrong with her, but the way both her and Sterling were behaving, I was sure of one thing: both of them were involved in this. I stood up and gave Ashley a smile.
“Sorry, I should talk to her,” I told her before I turned to Sterling. “Er, listen, whatever’s wrong, don’t let it discourage you, all right?”
With that said, I followed my sister out, feeling a little frustrated. I hoped she would tell me, or even learn to trust me.
Sterling’s POV:
I sighed and nodded at Lucas before he left. I could feel Ashley’s inquisitive eyes on me, trying to figure out what was wrong.
“Please, Ashley, don’t ask me what happened,” I murmured without meeting her eyes. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Sure, Sterling… I’m not going to ask about it,” she said softly. “Just know that I think you’ll be good for her, once she lets you in.”
I snorted and rolled my eyes, staring at the door she’d disappeared out of. “Right. Yeah…”
