Helloooooo friends. Well...I apologize for the lack of quick updates here and there...life is really kind of kicking my ass right now :( but your reviews are amazing as usual! I just want to say thank you to all of you who have actually been reading these little author's notes at the beginning of each chapter that I write. It makes me feel special :))
So...as a reward...I'm going to do some FOF!!!
NOTxINx2xLABELS: Thank you very much! I'm happy to see that one of my readers that doesn't normally review actually reviewed. That means a lot :))
Corvus Nyx: The ever present question: will Madison ever come around? You'll have to keep reading my friend :))
irondragonsll: Wow, thank you! That means a lot...I never really thought anyone could ever do that book justice. Glad you think so!
ElloEllo9: Congratulations! I think you're the first one that's noticed the spin :)) I actually thought I didn't make that part noticeable enough. And thank you my friend, but on the contrary, YOU'RE awesome.
Tatj: Thanksfor all your reviews! By the way, I love "Hot, Young, Talented and So Gay" :))
Andi957: Once again, possibly my favorite review. I make you blush? Wow...first time for me :)) go back and read what you wrote to me, though. My cheeks were bright red :))
Darlyka: You made me laugh! Seriously, first review I've ever gotten that has referred to my story as a drug. Don't get too high, buddy! But keep reviewing, please! I always love reading what you have to say :))
s0nFan16: You and me both, bud. Ashley and Spencer...mmm :))
LoveAsh87, Insuferable-know-it-all15, Hotcutii3, Ryoko05, dangerflowers, Halfreck3929, and areader96: Thank you so much!!!!! You guys are all so sweet :))
So I have a dumb question...could somebody please tell me what PMS stands for? *shy smile* Have fun with this one! Love you guys!!!
***
"Ashley, where are we going?" I asked playfully, my head still reeling from our hair-raising kiss…the best kiss of my life.
Indefinitely.
She flashed me a nose-crinkling smile, reducing my apprehension to mush, and tugged me forward by her icy hand. "Just follow me."
I'd follow you to the ends of the Earth, Ashley Davies. Anywhere, anytime.
As we reached the bottom floor, I noticed Ashley's entire family was in the foyer, with the exception of Madison and Glen.
I suddenly became a bit jittery.
Ashley wrapped her arms around me from behind, and rested her chin atop my shoulder. I leaned back, and sighed, momentarily forgetting the other four vampires in the room with us.
"Proceed," Ashley said carelessly, and I turned my attention to her family.
"There's going to be a very powerful storm tonight," Kyla announced, rocking back and forth on her heels. "Glen wants to get a game going."
"There's going to be quite a bit of thunder, Ash," Raife said excitedly, and I turned my head to look at my girlfriend.
Ash. That was the first time I'd heard her been called upon by the nickname, and I must confess that it almost affectionately slipped my tongue once or twice. But I didn't know if that was okay yet.
Actually, I still don't know if it's okay.
Making a mental note to consult her about that at a later date, I watched Ashley's angelic features. She didn't show any sign that she had heard her family.
"Spencer, would you like to join us?" Christine smiled warmly at me, and I felt considerably more comfortable. I saw Jake look warily in Christine's direction, but she seemed to have her eyes determinedly trained on me.
Maybe Jake didn't like me either…
Nevertheless, I looked to Ashley for confirmation. Her expression was ecstatic; her golden eyes lit up as she lifted her chin from my shoulder. She turned face toward me, luscious chocolate curls bouncing.
"Do you want to go?"
"Sure," I smiled. "But won't it be…thundering?"
Ashley nuzzled my cheek with her chilled nose, causing it to heat a little. Our public display of affection in front of her family made me a little nervous.
"You'll see why we need it."
"We'll meet you in the clearing, Ashley. You too, Spencer," I snapped my head up at being addressed by Jake for the first time, and nodded sheepishly. As Ashley's family trooped out, my shyness slowly ebbed away, and I looked up into her perfect face.
"So, what will we be playing?"
"Baseball," Ashley clarified. "However, you will be watching."
I frowned, and tried to pull out of her grip, but she held fast. "What if I like baseball?"
"Spencer, you hate playing sports," Ashley growled playfully. "Trust me, you'll truly enjoy the view."
Double meanings, double meanings, double meanings.
"Now come on, let's get you home. We still need to obtain your father's permission," Ashley pulled me out the door, and into my truck
I was giddy. She said we.
***
The beginnings of the storm became evident once Ashley had turned onto my street. Rain drizzled down in showers. That's when I saw the black car.
The Dennisons were at my house.
I heard Ashley say something low and unintelligible in a harsh, irritated tone. If I had to make a guess, she swore. As she stopped the truck behind Arthur's cruiser, I saw her slouch in her seat, her amber eyes flickering to mine.
Her gaze was hard.
"This is beyond ridiculous," she whispered grimly. I looked up, and my suspicions were confirmed. Matt Dennison sat tensely in his wheelchair, staring furiously in our direction from the porch. Behind him was Aiden, smiling goofily at me, and waving.
I couldn't help the smile that stretched across my own features.
"Matthew came to warn your father," Ashley's voice was agonized and aggravated. I suddenly hated the fact that we were being watched; I felt the paralyzing desire to frame her marble face in my hands, and reenact our kiss from that afternoon.
It was almost impossible for me to be irritated with Aiden though.
"I'll deal with this," I volunteered.
"Be careful, Spencer," she fixed her worried gaze upon me. "Your friend is completely unaware."
"He's more clued in that you think," I muttered, grimacing as I recalled Aiden's recounting of Quileute legends.
He may not believe them, but that doesn't mean he doesn't know.
Ashley waved the comment off and gingerly grasped my hand.
"I need to leave. Just get them inside, and I'll be back around dusk," she rubbed her frigid thumb along the back of my hand, leaving a trail of fire in its wake.
Funny how fire and ice react with each other.
"Do you have to?" I whined, pouting and tilting my head. Ashley smiled, and closed her eyes, bringing my hand to her lips and gently kissing each of my knuckles.
"I'll be with you shortly," she professed, her crooked smile removing all doubt from my mind. She let go of my hand, and I stepped out into the flurried drizzle, rushing up to the porch.
"Hey Aiden, Matt," I called cheerfully as I approached them. "I hope you haven't been waiting too long."
"We don't mind the rain," Matt said firmly, black eyes boring into mine. I looked away from his intense gaze, and fumbled with the key to the door. As I stepped back to let Aiden push Matt inside, and chanced a harried glance in the direction of my truck.
No sign of Ashley.
"So where's Arthur?" Aiden shook his raven hair out as I closed the door behind me.
"Fishing," I told him, feeling a little awkward.
I missed Ashley.
"Aid," Matt's dark eyes were focused vehemently on me. "Why don't you run out to the car, and get the fish fry we brought over?"
"But, Dad," Aiden was shifting nervously from foot to foot. "If Arthur is fishing, then he'll probably bring some back with him. That'd be a lot of fish and--"
"Aiden," Matt cut him off sternly, his voice rising. His bleak eyes were still fixated on me, and I was beginning to mimic Aiden's nervous habit.
Aiden shot me an apologetic look, then slouched out into the steadily increasing downpour. Matt and I stared at each other in utter silence, his aged face completely unreadable.
Boy, if I missed Ashley before, it was nothing compared to how much I longed for her now.
It was starting to get awkward, so I walked into the kitchen. I groaned inwardly when I heard the squeak of Matt's wheels as he followed.
"Spencer," he enunciated the syllables of my name so clearly that I almost knocked something over.
"Yes?"
"Listen…I've observed that you've been spending quite a bit of time with one of the Davies'…" he started, eyes glued to my face in order to gauge my reaction.
I was furious. I spun around, my blue eyes scorching into his black ones. I'm not going to lie to you; I was trying to imitate the way Ashley intimidated people.
"Yes, I have."
"I understand that I'm in no position to tell you what to do, but I don't think that's a very safe idea."
I ground my teeth together, trying to keep myself calm.
Ashley. Ashley. Ashley. Think about Ashley, Spencer!
"You're right," I spat curtly. "You really aren't in any position to tell me what to do."
"Spencer…I'm sure you know that the Davies' don't have the best reputation around the reservation," he trailed off. I clenched my fists, and flexed my jaw angrily.
"That doesn't matter though, does it? Because the Davies' aren't even allowed onto the reservation. Besides, Ashley," I stressed her name, trying to make a point that she did indeed have one, "and I don't hang out there. So I'm afraid you're a little out of your element."
I was hoping my declaration would startle him into ending the conversation, but I was wrong.
He wasn't phased.
"You know, Arthur and I have been best friends for a very long time. Perhaps it's my duty as a best friend to inform him of his daughter's…"
I hate it when people pause for dramatic effect.
"Whereabouts," he finished quietly.
"My relationship with Ashley is my business. So wouldn't you think that it would be my decision on whether or not to tell my father my business?" I spoke slowly, defiantly, and tried not to raise my voice.
This was proving to be overwhelmingly difficult.
I stared, silently daring him to prove me wrong.
"I suppose it is," Matt surrendered, but kept his eyes on me. "But please think about what you're doing, Spencer. In other words, stop what you're doing."
Before I could open my mouth to retort, the door slammed and Aiden rushed into the kitchen. His shirt was soaked; everything was dripping. He shook his shaggy, black hair out at us, earning a laugh from me.
"Here's the fish fry, Spence," Aiden handed the astoundingly dry paper bag to me, and I carelessly shoved it behind a jar on top of the fridge.
"Well…would you tell Arthur we stopped by, please?" Matt asked politely.
Don't think I didn't see his eyes narrow a centimeter.
"Sure," I muttered begrudgingly. Aiden looked confusedly between us.
"We're leaving already? What happened?"
"Arthur won't be back for awhile," Matt explained without looking at me, wheeling himself past his disoriented son.
Another reason why I'm not too fond of men: they can be really dense. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that his father and I just had an argument.
But it was hard to feel angry at Aiden. I did like him a lot…
"Oh," Aiden's face fell visibly, and I reached out sympathetically to touch his bicep. He smiled, and it was infectious.
"I'll see you later, Aid," I smiled as he followed Matt out. His green eyes never left mine until I closed the front door.
I rushed to my room, and threw on an old red and blue flannel shirt that I barely wore anymore. I'd be in my raincoat all night anyway. The sound of the phone had me flying back downstairs again. My heart was thumping so hard; there was only one voice I wanted to hear.
"Hello?"
"CLAY KISSED ME!" Chelsea screamed uncharacteristically in my ear.
"ETHAN KISSED ME, TOO!" Sherry chimed in, equally as loud if not more.
I was on the receiving end of a three way call. Great.
"That's wonderful," I told them sincerely, my voice lacking the amount of enthusiasm I would have liked.
I was too busy trying to regain my hearing.
"So what did you do yesterday?" Chelsea asked quietly, reverting back to her original self.
Sherry, however, wasted no time cutting to the chase.
"What's going on with you and Ashley Davies?"
"Hey kiddo," Arthur called cheerfully as he strode into the kitchen, completely decked out in fishing gear. I waved half-heartedly, and motioned to the phone.
"Oh shoot, your dad's there!" Sherry exclaimed.
As if that weren't obvious.
I wasn't in the best mood; I wanted Ashley.
"We'll see you tomorrow, Spence," Chelsea promised. I could almost hear the happiness in her voice, and the little part of my mind that wasn't being consumed with Ashley related thoughts was ecstatic for her.
"See you guys," I mumbled weakly, and hung up the phone. Arthur was already frying the fish at the stove.
"So what did you do with yourself today, Spence?"
I swallowed, recalling Ashley's words about meeting Arthur.
It was going to have to happen sooner or later…
"Well, I spent the day at…at the Davies'." Arthur froze, and looked at me, wonderment painted across his face.
"Dr. Davies' mansion?"
"That's the one."
Arthur frowned. "What for?" I was mentally ticking off the things in my head that would be gone after my next sentence. There go my privileges…
"I…" I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to think pleasant thoughts. "I-I have a date with--with Ashley Davies, and she wanted me to meet her parents…"
I looked at Arthur; expression unreadable, face impassive. I waited.
"You're dating Ashley Davies?!" he thundered, shutting the stove off.
This is not going to end well. "Look, Dad. I know we haven't talked about my…my preference for girls…but you know that I'm gay and--"
"It's not that. She's too old for you, Spencer," he said in a tone that told me he didn't want any further discussion.
I wasn't giving up.
"She's seventeen!" I lied. She really wasn't…but that doesn't matter.
"Wait…which one is Ashlan?"
"Ashley, Dad," I rolled my eyes as he served up the fish, and we sat down. He was looking at me with rapt attention, but I could tell that the anger was slowly fading away. "She the youngest, and has dark brown curls."
The beautiful, flawless, strong one…
"I don't know about this, Spence," he shoveled fish into his mouth. It mildly peeved me that he sounded like Matt.
Reprimanding me when he didn't even know Ashley.
"So is she your girlfriend?" He continued. That's one thing I like about Arthur: he didn't have as big of a problem with my sexuality as…as Paula.
"I think so," I mused, not wanting to push Arthur over the edge with all the girlfriend talk.
"So when will she be here?" Just as he asked, the doorbell rang, and we both rose from our seats. Arthur put a hand on my shoulder, and gently pushed me back down, stalking off to answer the door. I hurried after him.
Rain was cascading down from the dark sky in bitingly cold sheets. And of course, there stood Ashley in her leather jacket that I loved so much, looking nothing short of a Greek goddess.
As usual.
"Come on in, Ashley," Arthur stepped back.
"Thank you, Chief Carlin," Ashley nodded politely. When she shot a crooked smile my way, the undying urge to kiss her fiercely bombarded me.
Very badly.
"So where will you and Spencer be going tonight?" He asked, a hint of protectiveness noticeable in his voice. I kept my eyes trained on Ashley's perfect features.
It had only been about an hour, and I was rememorizing every slope and plane of her features.
I didn't need to though, considering I knew it all.
"I will be taking her to watch a little baseball."
Arthur smirked at me, and I blushed. "You're a brave one. Just don't have her home too late."
"We won't be too long."
"Ashley…you'll keep my daughter safe." It wasn't a request, it was a demand.
I inwardly groaned. Sometimes parents were irritatingly difficult.
"She'll be very safe with me and my family. I promise, sir," Ashley flashed him a dazzling smile, and reached her strong arm around my shoulders, anchoring me to her side. I immediately breathed in her delectable aroma.
I felt like I was home again.
Arthur walked us out, and I gasped. Behind my poor excuse for a truck was a humongous, shiny green Jeep. Metal guards were locked in front of the headlights and tail lights, and four enormous spotlights were attached to the crash bar.
"This…isn't the Porsche," I breathed as Ashley pulled my raincoat hood over my head and followed me to the passenger side. Considering that the tires were nearly as tall as I was, I couldn't very well clear the distance to the seat. Ashley, being the attentive girlfriend she was, lifted me easily into the seat with one hand.
I hope Arthur didn't see that.
As she entered the car on the driver's side, I fumbled with the buckles. This shouldn't be rocket science, yet it was way too complicated for a vehicle.
"This is Glen's Jeep," Ashley explained. I let her buckle the infernal harness, and focused on not hyperventilating. Her icy hands trailed languidly down my neck and collarbone, making my breath hitch every five seconds.
Actually, there wasn't even a five second gap.
Once she was done, she leaned over and pressed a chaste kiss to the top of my head. I looked at her; puzzled, yet overjoyed.
In the hour that we hadn't been together, I had missed her kisses the most.
"You smell wonderful in the rain, Spencer," she sighed into my cheek, carefully brushing out some of my tangled blonde hair with her icy fingertips.
There goes my ability to breathe again…
Conversation was implausible during the ride. The seat was causing me to bounce up and down, effectively serving to make me nauseous beyond belief. Not to mention the fact that the engine was so irritatingly loud that I could barely hear my own thoughts.
Glen seemed like the type to drive a car like this.
The only thing keeping my waves of sickness in check was Ashley's frigid hand, which was intertwined with mine over the gear shift as she rubbed smooth, comforting circles into the back of it.
Sometime later, Ashley stopped the Jeep by the side of a vacant road. The rain had let up some, but as I glanced at the sky, it was becoming progressively darker.
Thunder was coming.
"We'll have to go on foot from here," Ashley said apologetically as she appeared on my side of the vehicle.
"That's alright, I think I'll just wait here," I protested, settling more snugly back into my seat. "I haven't quite forgotten the last time you took me running."
Before I could insist on staying behind anymore, Ashley had swiftly pulled me from the Jeep. I was now backed up against the wet door, her icy hands on either side of my head. She was dangerously close, and her perfect face was inches from mine.
"Your courage was extraordinary this morning," her delicious breath caressed my face, and I could feel myself losing all aptitude for forming coherent sentences. "What are you so afraid of?"
"Hitting trees, getting sick," I ticked them off on my fingers. Anything to distract me from our close proximity. "Oh, and maybe dying."
Ashley chuckled musically and pressed her lips to the underside of my jaw. My eyelids fell, and I stifled a gasp.
"Are you worried now?"
"Yes." I was attempting to stay stubborn, but my resolve was breaking fast.
"About what? You don't really think I would hit a tree, do you? Give me a little more credit," she purred, dragging her chilled nose upward to my flaming cheek.
"I might hit a tree," I told her weakly as she laid butterfly kisses down to the corner of my mouth.
"I won't let the big, bad tree hurt you, Spencer," she promised teasingly, her full lips grazing my bottom one. "There's no reason for you to be afraid."
As if she were trying to prove her point, she took my face between her hands, and smashed her marble lips into mine. The kiss was earnest, and I couldn't keep myself in control anymore. I pressed myself against Ashley, wrapping my arms inflexibly around her unbreakable neck, and parted my lips. Just as I met her tongue, she froze and was thrown backward.
It was nearly an identical replay of our first kiss.
"Damn it, Spencer!" she gasped, ten feet away from me, and knotted her fingers in her chocolate curls. She seemed as though she was gasping for air. "You're going to be the death of me."
"Oh yes, Ashley. Because someone as frail and human as me could actually kill a vampire," I smirked, trying to catch my breath. I could've sworn I saw the ghost of a smile flit across her angelic features, but it was gone just as quickly.
"Let's go…before I do something unforgivable," she growled, effortlessly throwing me across her limber back, and dashing through the rain. I couldn't look away from the trees, and apparently Ashley noticed.
"Close your eyes," she warned severely, picking up the pace as I tucked my head tightly against her shoulder blade. I concentrated on her tempting scent, and didn't even notice we were moving.
Or when we had stopped.
"It's over, Spencer," she reached back to touch my hair, and gently pulled me off of her. As soon as I regained my balance, I stomped off in a random direction, frown set firmly in place.
"I believe the game is that way," Ashley pointed behind me as we fell into step.
"You were mad," I faced her, pouting as I referred to our kiss.
"Yes," she agreed solemnly, a smile playing across her lips. That irked me a little; how could she be joking right now?
"But I'm not angry with you, Spencer," she assured me quietly, taking my cold hands in her even colder ones, and squeezing tenderly. "It's impossible to be."
"Then why the frustration? Why the mood swings?" I pressed, stepping forward the tiniest bit. She averted her golden eyes, and this time, I was the one to place my hand under her icy chin and force her to look at me.
No more teasing; I wanted answers.
"Sometimes I absolutely loathe myself, nor do I have any trust in my self-control. I should be stronger…but everything I do, what I am, puts you at risk every single--" I cut her off, silencing her with my hand to her flawless mouth.
"It's okay," I whispered. She reached up to take my hand with her free one, and held it to her angelic face. She smiled authentically at me, her eyes softening, and my insides exploded with…
Guess? Butterflies!
"I love you," she murmured honestly. "I love you, Spencer."
I think I just fainted.
It was the first time this godlike creature had told me she loved me. And it was the most incredible sensation in the world. I felt like I was flying. I told myself right then and there that nothing would ever rival the feeling those words--her words--gave me.
"I love you too, Ashley," I smiled back, caressing her cheek gently with my thumb. She closed her eyes, and sighed contently, leaning into my touch.
Forget the baseball game.
"Hold still," she commanded softly, not opening her eyes. She leaned forward, and pressed her lips to mine. I obeyed, closing my own eyes and reveling in the feeling of our lips being fused together in a slow, passionate kiss.
When she pulled away, we were smiling goofily at each other. She twined our fingers together, and tugged me forward toward an enormous thicket of trees.
"The field's this way. We need to get going…I wouldn't want your father to lose all trust in me if I get you back after curfew. Yet," she winked as she said the last part, and my smile grew as I listened to her beautiful, velvety laugh.
I let her lead me through the wet overgrowth, and drizzling rain.
Without hesitation.
Always.
***
R&R PLEASE!! :))
SPASHLEY FOREVER.