To Be Needed

Chapter 22

Vince woke up to Ashby wrapped around his body. He smiled slightly as he thought of everything they did last night. He was happy. Not because they finally made love, although it was wonderful. Vince was happy because he knew he was truly loved in returned. No one ever treated him like Ashby does, especially not in bed. For the first time it felt different. It was nothing like he had experienced before. Vince knew after last night he never wanted anyone else but her. He could never be with anyone else but her.

Vince tightened his grip around her body, pulling her closer. He smiled when he heard her moan lightly as she slowly came awake.

Ashby stretched lazily in Vince's arms. She opened her eyes and saw him staring at her. She smiled softly. "Morning," she said softly and kissed him lightly on the lips.

She frowned slightly when she saw he was still staring at her. "What?"

Vince smiled. "Nothing, just that I love you. I'm sorry I never said it until now. Before I just needed you, but now I know I love you. I'll always love you." He said and then kissed her gently.

Tears welled up in Ashby's eyes. "I love you too, V." She said against his mouth. She deepened the kiss, allowing his tongue to slip inside.

Vince moved over, climbing on top of her. His hands wandered all over, revealing in her body. He wanted nothing more than to repeat everything they did last night, but he had something important to ask her first.

"Ash, can I ask you something?"

Ashby moaned against his jaw. "Anything, baby." She said then went back to spreading butterfly kisses along his neck.

"I love you and I want you with me forever. Will you... you know... be with me forever?" He said clumsily.

Ashby stilled against his throat and lifted her gaze to look at him. "Vince, are you asking me to marry you?" She asked in a firm voice.

Suddenly Vince grew nervous. What if she didn't want the same thing as he did? "If you want too," he said fearfully.

Ashby laughed. She pulled him tighter to her body and kissed his lips. "Of course I do silly. Why wouldn't I? I guess this means Jesse can stop sleepin in our room then. I think he was ready to kick your ass." Ashby said in amusement.

Vince frowned at her. "What?"

"You mean you don't know why Jesse is always in our room? He was waiting for you to make an honest woman out of me. I think he was afraid you would hurt me so he had to make sure you didn't," Ashby explained.

Vince's eyes widened as he thought about it. She was right. Everything Jesse has done made sense now. Why he was always following them around. How he never left them alone. Vince smiled when he realized how much Jesse really cared about Ashby. It only proved to him how much Ashby really was apart of the team. How they all cared about her. She was never temporary, not even in the beginning. It was obvious since they came back from Mexico that all she and the team wanted was to be needed. Vince knew it would always be that way no matter what happened in the future.

"Race wars is going to be crazy," he said as he grinned and leaned down for another kiss.

All Ashby could do was laugh.