Chapter 21: Lexa

Once we make it to shore and up to the house, Ash and I go our separate ways to get what we need. Luckily, I haven't really unpacked, so I don't have much to throw in my bag. It's not like I own that much anyway. Most of it is the clothes we bought in Dubai. Now that was a fantastic trip. I had so much fun even when Ash made me go shopping. Maybe Octavia and I need to take a trip on the yacht somewhere. That reminds me, I send her a quick text about the jeep.

While I wait on Ash, I call Reed telling him to set up a candlelight dinner down near the fire pit and have a nice bottle of wine chilling on the table. I want it to be romantic so we can eat while watching the sunset. Then after dinner, we can hang out, and she will stay the night so we can go shopping tomorrow. He laughs at me and says, "You know you don't have to tell me everything you do, right? I just need to know what you need while you are on the ship. I'm not your parent, so I don't have to know your every movement."

I laugh, "Sorry, I'm new to all of this, and I don't really know what I'm doing, especially with Ash. We will have to sit and talk sometime so I can explain everything and get your thoughts. We should be back to the boat shortly."

As I sit waiting for Ash, my phone beeps with a text message. When I look at it, the message is from Allie.

Allie: Hey, sorry I missed the party last night. Are we still on for dinner tomorrow night?

Shit! I completely forgot about dinner with her after she was a no-show at the party, and I already made plans with Ash. Crap, what should I do?

Me: Um, about that, I made other plans since you ghosted me last night. Sorry, can I get a rain check?

Allie: Oh, yeah, sure. Sorry, I should have at least text you about the party. I had a family issue that I had to deal with. I will explain when I see you. I'm really sorry you thought that I ghosted you. I am really looking forward to dinner with you.

Me: I understand, but a text would have been nice. I thought you were just blowing me off. How about you pick me up at six on Tuesday from the dock and we can go wherever you want?

Allie: Sounds good. See you then and dress nice. I'm taking you to a nice dinner then dancing. My treat to make up for last night.

Me: Ok, but that isn't necessary.

Allie: I insist, see you at six.

When I look up, I notice Ash standing there with her backpack. "Sorry, you ready?"

She says, "Yes, is everything okay?"

"Oh yeah, everything is fine. That was that girl Allie I told you about. I forgot I told her we would grab dinner tomorrow night. It's no big deal."

Ash says, "Lexa, if you have plans, we can go shopping some other time."

"Nope, I told her that I made other plans since she ghosted me last night. She apologized for not sending me a text saying she had some sort of family drama. I just told her that we could go to dinner on Tuesday instead. I want to spend time with you! She can wait. Now let's get back to the boat before we miss the sunset. The chef should have dinner just about ready."

We get back to my room and throw our bags in one of the closets. I'll unpack later. Right now, I want to spend some quality time with Ash. I lead her outside to the firepit, where Reed has done a fantastic job. He has taken the large dining table out, putting up a small table for two. There is a bottle of wine in ice and candles on the table along with excellent slow music playing and a rose for me to give to Ash. I take the rose and pull out Ash's chair for her, handing her the rose with a kiss on the cheek.

Before I sit down, I open the wine pouring us both a glass. It isn't long before Petrona came with the appetizers. She said, "Ms.…I mean, Lexa to start off tonight, we have bacon-wrapped jalapeños and roasted parmesan garlic shrimp. Would either of you like a salad as well or just the main course?"

I looked at Ash, and she shook her head no, so I said, "I think we will be fine with these and the main course. Thank you, Petrona."

When she left, I asked Ash, "How did things go yesterday with Callie and Asher?"

She replies, "Fine, Asher is an amazing kid, and apparently, he has fallen in love with you. He made us take him to see the black panthers and the other big cats, where he asked me why 'Xa' likes the black panthers more than the lions and bears. Then he proceeded to ask me when he could have a play date with you."

I laughed, "I bet Callie really liked that! He seems to be a good kid from what I saw of him. He is cute. I'll give him that."

"Yeah, he is. Just so you know, nothing happened between Callie and me. We just went to the zoo, out for dinner and ice cream. Then back to the house where we hung out for a while and talked."

"Ash, that's not why I asked. I just wanted to know how you and Asher are getting along. How your day was. I mean, I already told you about my day. I spent the day at the fights, which was a lot of fun, and I made a lot of money. However, I don't think I will fight in the tournaments anymore. I want more competition. The tournament fights were too easy. You know Octavia is a really good fighter also. I just don't know how Blake is going to feel about it. So, what is the deal with the cookout?"

"You know, I'm not completely sure. Mom is insisting on having a big shindig inviting everyone we know. If it were up to me, which obviously it isn't, we wouldn't have it. I really don't care to see most of the people she is inviting, and I really just don't feel like being around a bunch of people that I haven't seen or talked to in over three years. I do have a surprise for you, though. Raquel and Tecia will be in LA for the UFC fight at the Staple Center, and they sent us some tickets to the fights. So they're also coming to the cookout."

"Seriously? That's amazing. I have an idea why don't we take the chopper down to LA, then they can ride back with us and stay here on the yacht. Do you think they would want to do that? I bet O would love to go to the fights if there are enough tickets."

Ash says, "I don't know, but I can text them and ask. I have five tickets to the fights, so you can bring Octavia. I was going to ask you if it would be okay if I brought Asher if Callie will let him come, which she might not, and if she does, she may say she has to come as well. Would you be okay with that?"

"Sure, I don't have a problem with it, but isn't the fights a little violent for a child?"

"Probably, but I think it would be fun to take him. I don't know. I just feel like I have missed so much of his life. Even though I didn't even know about him, I still feel bad."

"I know, I'm sorry. It is fine with me if he goes or if they both go. Maybe one day, if Callie doesn't mind, you can bring him to the yacht, and we can take him on the jet ski or boat. I have floats that you can pull behind the boat or jet ski he can ride."

"That would be awesome! Are you sure you don't mind?"

"Ash, I told you, I want us to have a relationship even if it isn't a romantic one. I still want to get to know your son, and hopefully, one day, you will find your way back to me. Now that's all I'm going to say about that. Let's enjoy our meal and the beautiful sunset."

For the next hour, we ate our dinner while watching the sunset. Then I asked her to dance. I can't begin to describe how it feels to have her in my arms again. It just makes everything feel right. I could hold her dancing with her until the end of time. We dance for a while and then sit by the fire talking about anything and everything. She tells me where she wants to go shopping while I tell her what I am thinking about making the place feel like home. She texts a friend of hers that's an interior designer. She set up an appointment for first thing in the morning to talk about what I wanted to change in my area, and then Lauren could talk to the full-time crew to get a feel for what they wanted and needed.

It was getting late, but I wasn't ready for the night to end just yet, and magically, our song came on. I don't know how because I haven't told anybody about it, but it is playing at just the right time. I get up and hold out my hand, she takes it, and we begin to dance. I can't help but look into her eyes and sing the chorus when it comes on. When the song is over, I just stand there looking into her Caribbean blue eyes while getting lost in the moment. Before I know what I am doing, I lean in and brush my lips against hers. It starts out as a sensual kiss, one that is like coming home after a long time. It's soft and moist, and I run my tongue across her lips, asking if this is okay. She opens up for me, and the kiss soon becomes hot and breathy. It isn't a battle for dominance like it was with Allie. I wasn't trying to win, but I sought that long-lost union and closeness we had once shared. I was seeking one more timeless and passionate moment with the love of my life because I didn't know when or if I would have another chance to kiss her like this. I need her to know how I feel. I finally broke the kiss while staring into her eyes, which were now a dark blue full of passion and lust.

I say, "I'm sorry, I just got carried away in the moment. I didn't mean to…." Before I could finish my sentence, her lips crashed into mine, her hands becoming tangled in my short hair. I couldn't help but smile into her mouth while moaning. Once she heard my moan, she reached down and grabbed my butt cheeks, picking me up. My legs instinctively wrapping around her waist, never breaking the kiss. She starts carrying me toward the door to my room. I have to admit that I was soaking wet and ready for her. She has never picked me up like this before. I am usually the aggressor. But, not this time, she pulls away from my lips, and I thought that was going to be the end. I thought she had changed her mind, but I was wrong. She starts kissing my neck and then nips my ear, which elicits another moan from me. I swear I am going to cum before she even gets me to the bed. My clit is so hard already that just the movement from her walking me down the hall has me so close it hurts.

I say, "Ash, babe, I'm so close I don't think I could stop if I wanted to, but are you sure this is what you want?"

She pulls away just enough to look me in the eyes and says, "Lexa, there are so many reasons why we shouldn't, but right now, all I want to do is have my way with you. Is that okay with you?"

"Only if I can return the favor and have my way with you!"

She laughs and throws me onto my bed. We spend the rest of the night tangled up in each other. It was amazing! Not once did I think about anything or anyone other than Ash. When we were both totally spent, she lay her head on my naked chest, and I wrapped my arms around her while drawing circles on her back with my fingers. I looked down at her, "I know we never decided on the sleeping arrangements for tonight, but I was kinda hoping you would stay right where you are. Unless, of course sleeping with me makes you uncomfortable."

She looks up at me with those beautiful blue eyes, "Are you planning on sleeping? I thought we were just catching our breaths!"