Friends! Oh I know you guys are going to like this one :) Just a quick note: I changed the setting. Forks is now L.A. and Phoenix is Ohio. So Spencer moved from Ohio to L.A. like in South...and in this story, let's pretend that it's rainy in L.A.! Haha :) So I went back and changed all of the necessary spots concerning that particular idea. Got it? Cool :)
So, thank you for all the lovely reviews! This has been my favorite chapter to write. More to come soon!
Happy Hanukkah to all my fellow Jews out there :)
I love you guys! Enjoy!
***
I'm not going to lie to you.
Ashley Davies in the sunlight was possibly--no definitely--the most outrageously beautiful thing I had ever had the privilege to lay my unworthy eyes upon.
Eyes that burned from how entirely amazing she looked.
Her skin, even paler than normal, seemed to shimmer and shine, giving off the impression that tiny crystals were embedded in every inch of her skin. The button down she was wearing was now hanging open, and my breath hitched as my eyes roved her scintillating, toned body. She wore a black lacy bra, and I nearly began to drool as I looked on at her gorgeous form. I dragged my eyes from her devastatingly perfect body back up to her face, which glittered unceasingly. I took a few tentative steps toward her, and when Ashley didn't move, I closed the rest of the distance between us. We were inches from each other now, and her fierce golden eyes never left mine.
She was even more stunning up close. Her skin sparkled, and I wanted so badly to touch her picturesque abs.
But if I did that…I really wouldn't able to control myself. So I settled for her face.
Hesitantly, I reached out one finger to touch her cheek, tracing all the way down to her jaw line. I marveled at how cool and marble smooth her skin seemed. I paused at her lips, too uncertain, and stretched my whole hand to her bare, glimmering arm.
"Is this…okay?" I asked just above a whisper, forcing myself to relax. Her light, butterscotch eyes softened.
"You can't possibly fathom how okay that feels, Spencer." Ashley's sweet breath washed over my face, and I felt myself go weak in the knees. She nodded slightly, and watched my hand. I grazed the inside of her forearm, then the outside. Following the same pattern, I traced her palm, and each sparkling fingertip.
I wanted to touch her skin forever.
"Tell me what you're thinking," Ashley whispered, her golden eyes boring into mine intently.
"You're beautiful," I divulged quietly, "and I wish I wasn't afraid."
"Now, when there's no need to fear me, you're afraid? You're a strange girl, Spencer Carlin." Ashley's voice was a soft, velvety hum as a smile played around her full lips. The comment wasn't spiteful, it actually sounded as though Ashley was…in awe.
Somewhat. Maybe. I don't know. I can't think straight.
Her flawless skin was distracting me.
"You're beautiful, Ashley," I told her again, this time going completely out of my comfort zone and framing her angel's face delicately in my hands, as if I could break it if I wasn't careful.
Funny how it's the other way around.
I heard Ashley's breath hitch, and I was blasted with her wintry breath again. The smell was so sweetly heady, and I wanted nothing more in that moment than to simply taste it.
And never stop.
I was running on autopilot now, not listening to my brain. I leaned forward, filling my lungs with as much of her delicious aroma that I could muster. Then, much to my dismay, Ashley had escaped my grasp, and disappeared back into the cover of shade before I could blink.
Curse me and my lack of inhibitions when I'm around her.
"Ashley. I…I'm sorry," I said inaudibly, feeling tears spring into my eyes.
I am truly ridiculous. There is absolutely no reason for me to even think about crying.
"Just a moment, Spencer," she called, her voice void of any malice. I stood as still as a statue. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.
Any time away from her is too long.
After ten excruciatingly long seconds, Ashley strode back toward me, shirt buttoned now--much to my disappointment--and sank to the ground. I mimicked her actions, making sure to keep a good distance between us. Ashley smiled apologetically, triggering a massive amount of butterflies in my stomach.
"I'm sorry, Spencer. It's difficult for me…to be that close to you."
That stung, whether I wanted it to or not. I know her words contained no repulsiveness, only calm truth. Nevertheless, I wished they weren't so.
"I'm the world's best predator, am I not?" she continued, her amber eyes never leaving mine. "Everything about me draws you in--my voice, my face, even my smell."
"Ironic, isn't it?" I challenged her, referring to the fact that my scent attracts her. She picked up on this, frowned angrily, and was on her feet in one lithe movement. She was suddenly across the meadow, having looped it in less than a second, standing atop a tree branch.
"As if you could outrun me!" she shouted, her voice bouncing off every surface surrounding us. Then, she was in front of the largest boulder in the field, staring at me, her eyes smoldering.
"As if you could fight me off," she laughed bitterly, winding her fist back and driving it into the boulder. With a great crack, it split in two, and fell to the ground with a deafening thud.
Now, I was officially scared.
I jumped to my feet, feeling too vulnerable sitting down. Ashley was in front of me, her eyes glittering as much as her seemingly diamond skin.
"Don't be afraid, Spencer," she purred seductively, stepping forward. I stepped back, this time completely frightened of her rather than fascinated with her beauty.
But I would never admit it.
"I won't hurt you, I promise." she assured me quietly, the corners of her mouth twitching into an alluring smile. She advanced on me with sensational slowness, and I had now stopped moving all together.
Frankly, I couldn't resist her.
My blue eyes widened a fraction as Ashley extended a finger, dragging it down my neck, to my slightly exposed chest.
This is so dangerous.
How do I breathe again?
Suddenly, Ashley leapt back at least ten feet, her face contorted into an expression of mortification and shame. She squeezed her golden eyes shut, and clenched her fists in frustration as she turned away from me.
"Please forgive me, Spencer," her voice was nearly imperceptible, and I stepped closer just so I could hear her.
Kind of.
"I can control myself. I swear, I'll be on my best behavior now." I couldn't answer. I managed a shaky breath, and Ashley's sensitive ears detected the intake. She was at my side in mere seconds; her topaz eyes were gentle, contrite, and concerned.
"Are you alright? Maybe you should sit," she suggested tenderly, lightly pulling me down next to her. When we were sitting side-by-side, Ashley slipped her cool, glimmering hand into mine, palm up. I nervously began to trace ever line and groove my careful eyes could find.
I was still shaken up, but this was having a mildly calming effect on me.
"If you're checking for my lifeline, I can guarantee you that I'll be around for awhile," Ashley winked at me, trying to lighten the mood. I couldn't fight the smile that crawled onto my lips as I continued doodling aimlessly across her sleek, prismatic hand.
And when I looked up into Ashley's eyes, I found my voice.
"I'm afraid, Ashley."
"Finally," she scoffed playfully, but I remained as serious as possible.
"I'm afraid because I want to be with you," I confessed. Ashley's flawless face remained passive as I continued to trace purposeless patterns across her iced palm.
"That's certainly not in your best interest."
"You won't hurt me," I stated confidently. "I trust you, Ashley."
"I should have left as soon as you arrived," she murmured, hanging her head. I was mesmerized at the splendor in which her chocolate curls descended like a curtain to hide her pale face. Biting my lip, I reached out to tuck some behind her perfect, shapely ear.
Boy, I was a daredevil today.
"I trust you, Ashley," I repeated softly, letting the hand that wasn't gripping one of hers to linger on her luscious locks. Ashley's tawny eyes met mine, and she flinched away from my touch. I could feel my face fall as she withdrew her hand and ran it through her brown tresses.
"Never forget that I am more treacherous to you than to anyone else."
I wished I could touch her hand again.
Ashley gazed into the forest, and placed her hand back in mine, intertwining our fingers. My heart began to beat irregularly, and I clasped it between both of mine.
"You know, your hand seems to fit very well with mine. The warmth feels…very pleasant," Ashley confided as if it were an afterthought, and I could practically see the wheels turning in her head. She was thinking about something else.
I suddenly felt the urge to sleep. With Ashley's hand braced between my own, and her musical voice lulling my thoughts, I could have easily been out in a few moments time.
"You know how everyone prefers a different flavor of ice cream?" Ashley looked at me thoughtfully. I nodded, not really understanding where she was going with this. "Well, to me, each person has a different essence, an individual scent belonging only to him or her. Your smell just happens to appeal the most to me."
I understood, but my attention was utterly engrossed in the fact that Ashley's slender thumb began to rub small circles into the back of hand.
Me and my short attention span.
Ashley seemed to take my silence as confusion, and proceeded to elaborate. "You're like my own personal brand of heroin," she whispered.
"Does that…exact match, I guess…happen often with your family?"
"Well, I spoke to my brothers about it," Ashley told me, not meeting my eyes. "To Jake, your scents are all the same. He's the most recent to join our family, so naturally, he still has trouble restraining himself."
"Is that why he always looks like he's ready to bite everyone's heads off?" I snickered. Ashley's merely stared at me as if she were trying to figure me out.
The same look she almost always has around me.
"This doesn't offend you in the slightest?"
"Not at all. I want to understand, so just explain however you can," I smiled encouragingly, and squeezed her hand for emphasis. She grinned back, this time keeping her eyes focused on mine.
"Glen has been with us longer, so he's a bit more sensitive to the flavors of each human. It's happened only once for him, though."
"Did Glen do anything about it?" I knew I had struck a chord, for Ashley's expression suddenly hardened.
"Even the strongest of us get thrown under the bus sometimes," she whispered darkly, suddenly squeezing my hand very hard. I winced, and Ashley's hand immediately relaxed, returning to her habit of rubbing comforting circles into my skin.
"What about you?" I asked, tilting my head. Ashley's nose crinkled a little as she smiled.
My heart literally turned to mush right then.
"No one will ever be as appealing to me as you are, Spencer."
Cue dizziness.
"You know, it took every ounce of strength and practice I've built over the years not to jump up in Biology and--" she stopped abruptly, suddenly heaving deep breaths. "When you sat next to me on that particular day, I could have ruined my family's life."
Ashley looked at me grimly, asking permission to continue, and I gave her a quivering nod.
At this point, my curiosity ruled out my fear.
"You were probably wondering why I had been so rude to you. But to me, you were almost the equivalent of a demon…and I couldn't get away from you. As much as I wanted to be next to you for the rest of time, I came extremely close to speaking the words that would lure you away with me so I could…I could kill you. And you would have followed." Ashley spoke this last part bitterly, staring up at me, unblinking, from beneath her dark lashes.
I didn't miss a beat.
"Without hesitation."
Ashley glowered down at my hands, freeing herself from my grasp, and gently playing with my fingers. "Then, in a worthless endeavor to evade your scent, I tried to change my schedule. But there you were, and it was then that I knew I would never be able to escape you. And the thing is, I didn't want to," Ashley glanced at me, making sure I was alright.
I was positively entranced.
"You don't know how hard it was for me not to take you right then and there."
I nearly burst into a fit of giggles at the double meaning behind her words, then inwardly scolded myself as I felt her stop her fiddling of my fingers. I didn't meet her gaze again, feeling a flaming blush spread across my face.
Hey, I'm a teenager.
"But somehow, I managed to resist," she said quietly, her voice raw with emotion. "I willed myself not to follow you from school, and to ignore you as much as possible. So I proceeded straight to the hospital, and informed Raife that I would be leaving for awhile. I didn't tell my siblings where I was going. I felt too guilty to let them see how powerless I had become. "
I sucked in a breath. Everything was finally coming together; the pieces of this twisted vampire puzzle were fusing.
"By the next morning, I was in Alaska," she sounded angry. "I developed an undying sense of arrogance in the untainted air of the mountains. It was hard to believe you were so irresistible when you were miles away. I felt awful that I had upset Christine, my mother for all intents and purposes, and the rest of my family. And then I thought: who were you, Spencer Carlin, to chase me away without even trying? I convinced myself I was strong enough to face you…and returned to L.A…"
I could tell she wasn't finished. And I was glad, because at the present moment, I was beyond speechless.
"When Sherry badgered you with questions about your feelings toward me, I found it more than extremely annoying to have to stoop to her insignificant thought level. And even then, I failed to establish whether or not you were serious. Then, I decided I would just treat you like any other human. Civilized, but I vowed not to let you too close. Obviously, that barrier has fallen," her hypnotic, deadly eyes flashed up to mine, and I smiled in encouragement for her to continue.
"You were nearly crushed to death right before my eyes, and I almost felt incapable of stopping it. But I knew I had to. If your blood actually spilled, I knew my careful restraints would all fall away. And I simply couldn't allow that. I couldn't risk exposing my family. When you were in the hospital…lying so perfectly still as you slept…it was torturous. As if I needed another incentive to take your life…" Ashley trailed off, closing her eyes and lacing her fingers tightly with mine. I caressed her cool skin, letting her know I was right beside her.
I wanted to be closer, though.
"Madison, Glen, and Jake attempted to persuade me to leave. Raife, Christine, and Kyla sided with me, telling me to stay. It was the most divided our family has ever been, and it killed me every second…but none of it mattered once the alluring smell of your hair, your breath, your skin…collided with my senses. Just as destructive as the very first day."
Then, she brought my hand a few inches away from her face, closed her eyes, and laid it against her chilled cheek. Electricity surged through me and I fought the overwhelming sense of urgency to replace my hand with my lips.
I'm awful.
Ashley removed our hands, keeping them interlocked, and fixed her tender gaze upon my blue eyes. "Spencer," she pronounced my name, and I shivered.
I loved hearing her say my name.
"Yes?"
My breathing hitched as she leaned forward, using her free, sparkling hand to stroke my blonde hair. "Spencer, I will never hurt you. The thought of you…dead…is enough to make me want to…" she shuddered, but never broke our eye contact. "It would be unendurable. You are the most important thing to me, Spencer. You are my life now."
Oh. My. GOD.
I'm dreaming. I'm dreaming. I'm dreaming.
There's absolutely no way Ashley Davies just told me I'm her life.
Not me. Not Spencer Carlin.
Her tawny eyes never strayed from mine, however, as she looked at me speculatively, expectantly.
"You already know how I feel, Ashley. It won't change. I would rather…" I faltered, wondering if I should finish my sentence. Ashley's eyebrows knitted together, and she caressed my cheek.
Restraints are so pointless.
"I would rather die than stay away from you, Ashley Davies," I confessed, barely above a whisper. Her angelic features transformed into a nose-crinkling smile, and I returned it.
"And so the lion fell in love with the lamb…" she murmured, her searching gaze traipsing across my face.
"What a stupid lamb," I sighed.
"What a sick, masochistic lion." This time, Ashley fastened my hand between her own. My hand felt cold, but I didn't care.
I was beginning to think I desired cold blood instead of my warm, human version.
Out of nowhere, Ashley was in front of me on her knees. Her perfect face was inches from my own, her hands now on either sides of my head. My pulse was racing, and the thud of my heart was almost ear-piercing.
Surely she could hear it.
"Blush looks lovely on your cheeks," she breathed, and I closed my eyes, smelling her delicious breath again.
If my blood boils anymore, I think I'm going to start sweating.
Ashley's marble thumbs gently stroked the sides of my face. "Spencer…be very still."
As if I wasn't already frozen in place.
Slowly, and very deliberately, Ashley slid her frigid hands down my throat, and to my shoulders, effectively cooling my scorching skin. I almost cried out in surprise when her little nose nuzzled my ear, then traveled down my collarbone and finally came to rest at the hollow of my throat.
I can't even describe to you how light-headed and happy I was in this moment.
Ashley's unusually close proximity did that to me.
Ashley turned her gorgeous head, until her ear rested against my chest. Her hitched breathing evened out, and she sighed in relief as she listened to the hectic rhythm of my heart.
I don't know how long we sat like that, but I think I could have stayed that way forever with her. I watched as the sun reflected in different directions off Ashley's pale skin, and the interestingly light hue her chocolate hair donned.
Suddenly, I felt two strong arms snake around my waist, and Ashley pulled me closer. My blood throbbed under my skin, and my breathing picked up. I'm sure I was as red as a tomato. But I didn't care.
All I could think about was that I was being held by the most beautiful girl in the world.
When she liberated me from her grasp, I immediately wanted back in.
"That actually was easier than I thought it would be," Ashley remarked, her amber eyes peaceful. "Do you feel how warm this is?" She took my hand gingerly in her own twinkling one, and pressed it to her cheek. I gasped; her usually icy cheek was unseasonably warm.
"Stay still, okay?" I requested shakily, trying to take control. Ashley complied, becoming so still that I thought she had turned to stone. Very slowly, so as not to surprise her as before, I traced the outline of her perfectly small nose, her sparkling eyelids, and carefully stroked her face. When I finally reached her flawless lips, I could sense the atmosphere tensing up. I dragged my fingers across them, then dropped my hand, not wanting to push either of us too far.
Mostly me.
When Ashley opened her butterscotch eyes, it struck me just how incredibly beautiful she looked. As always. But for some reason, she looked ten times more amazing at this moment.
"Do all humans feel these incomprehensible feelings of…," Ashley trailed off as I cautiously pressed my ear to her exposed chest.
Not as exposed as I'd like it to be considering her shirt was buttoned. But I'm not complaining.
"Desire?" I breathed.
Ashley put her iron-strength arms around me, and buried her face in my blonde hair, inhaling.
"I don't know how to be close to you, Spencer. I want to be, but I don't know if I can."
I chuckled, resisting the urge to encircle her curvy torso in my arms. That might throw her over the edge, and I was too busy reveling in our newfound intimacy to stop it by going to far.
"You're better at this than you think."
"It's still arduously difficult," Ashley muttered in a strained voice. I inconspicuously--or so I hoped--pushed myself further into her chest, trying to find her heart beat.
All I could hear was her breathing.
"I know," I mumbled, closing my eyes contentedly.
"On the contrary, unless you're addicted to an illegal substance, I'm afraid you don't," Ashley snickered above me. She turned her head upward toward the shadow-streaked sky.
Twilight was falling.
"Can I show you how I travel through the forest, Spencer?" Ashley asked, excitement reflected in her eyes as she let go of me.
No, I just want you to hold me. "You're not going to turn into a bat, right?"
Her laugh was loud and musical. "Oh, please. Don't be so stereotypical." She shot me a crooked smile, and I was so hypnotized that I didn't even see her reaching for my hand. All of a sudden, I was placed strategically on her back, as if she were giving me a piggy back ride. She didn't seem to have any problem holding me up. In fact, it was almost like I didn't even hinder her balance.
That's because I didn't.
And then, she was running.
To say I was terrified was an understatement. I was more alarmed in that moment than I had ever been in my life. Ashley shot through the forest at a deadly speed, trees flying by and nearly hitting us, but never getting quite close enough. Ashley's angelic face was bright, but her breathing stayed exactly the same.
She wasn't exuding any effort.
I couldn't close my eyes, no matter how much I wanted to. This was faster than those rides at Disneyland my mom used to take me on as a little kid.
Back when I still lived in the sheltered world of what was right. What was acceptable.
For the first time in my life, I felt an upward surge of motion sickness.
"Invigorating, isn't it?" Ashley asked excitedly as she slowed her pace to that of a human being.
Oh yeah.
"Spencer?" Ashley panicked when I was silent.
"I think I'm going to be sick," I gasped quickly. Ashley's silky laugh was amused as she loosened my death grip on her neck. She pulled me around to face her, and against her perfect form. I wrapped my hands around her neck and rested my head on her strong shoulder.
"Take deep breaths, Spencer," Ashley commanded soothingly as she rubbed my back. I inhaled that scent that was so uniquely Ashley and slowly began to regain stability. Moments passed, and my ears began to ring as I lifted my head to look at her.
"That was…very interesting."
Ashley's smile was contagious. She let go of me, and circled around to the rear of my truck, opening the back door. She then came back, retrieved my hand, and set me precariously on top. We were at eye level now, me sitting on the truck and Ashley standing on the asphalt.
"I was thinking, you know, while I was running…" she started quietly.
"About trying to stay alive, I hope," I groaned, rubbing my temples and closing my eyes.
Ashley's laugh was a symphony in my ears, and instantly calmed me down. "Running isn't something I have to think about, Spencer. It's simple."
"Well not all of us have that ability," I scoffed, a headache making itself known right behind my eyes. Ashley chuckled again.
Relaxed.
"I was thinking that I wanted to try something," Ashley whispered, stepping between my legs and framing my face in her marble hands. My eyes flew open and I stared at her, wide eyed, watching as she seemed to internally debate with herself whether or not this was a good idea.
Of course it wasn't. But Ashley "was breaking all the rules."
"Don't move," Ashley breathed, nearly inaudible, as she leaned so close our noses touched. My body was pulsing at an unbearable pace, and I resisted closing the gap.
This was her move.
And then, her cold, full lips pressed considerately against mine.
My response astounded both of us, particularly me. I didn't know who I was anymore. Ashley Davies was kissing me.
Me. Spencer Carlin.
Oh my.
My fingers tangled in her chocolate curls, and I pulled her as close as my position atop the truck would allow. My breath came in a frenzied gasp as my lips parted, begging Ashley's mouth for entrance.
Suddenly, Ashley flew off me, landing gracefully on her feet ten feet away, panting hard. I couldn't speak. I felt blameworthy, regretless, and embarrassed all at the same time.
But mostly embarrassed.
I tried to step down off the truck, but Ashley's pale hand shot up in front of her and she ducked her head, shutting her eyes. "Just a moment, please, Spencer."
So I did, holding my breath.
"I'm stronger than I thought," Ashley grinned, coming back toward me, but standing a few inches away.
I wanted to kiss her again. So badly.
"I…I wish I could say the same. I'm sorry," I apologized acerbically, my cheeks boiling. Ashley's mood didn't flounder, her seraphic face pleasant and radiant.
"I think you should let me drive, Spencer."
"You're insane," I told her, even as I faltered once when I stepped down from the truck. Ashley's hand on my shoulder steadied me, but I still felt woozy.
"Maybe you're right."
"Of course I am," she grinned arrogantly and ushered me into the passenger seat. "Besides," Ashley said in and offhand tone as she reached over to buckle my seat belt, "I've already exerted myself quite a bit in order to keep you alive. I'm not about to let it go to waste. Especially when you're so inebriated."
"Inebriated!" I practically shouted, even though she was right next to me.
"Admit it, Spencer. You're intoxicated by my presence," she was smirking.
Incredible.
"And are you not by mine?" I shot back, staring her down. Ashley's conceited expression softened into a warm smile, and she bent her perfect face to mine, brushing her lips back and forth between my chin and ear. Finally, when I thought my heart would explode from over-activity, she ceased her teasing and stopped at my ear, her cool breath making me shiver.
"Maybe I am. But I have unimpaired reflexes."
It was then, in the interior of my old truck, that I realized something.
To be separated from Ashley Davies would cause me every kind of pain.
***
R&R, PLEASE! :)
SPASHLEY FOREVER.