So, I'm putting this up in honor to Alan Rickman (best known as Snape from Harry Potter Films) and being the Potterhead that I am (and that I've made Spencer) I'm quite sad at the great loss in the acting world. I won't say much but thank you for your reviews, they mean the world to me. We're almost there so hold onto your hats. Enjoy, tell me what you think and...turn to page 394.
Day 9
"Good morning Nancy."
"Morning Ms. Davies, how was your weekend?" Ashley's secretary asks when she enters the main office.
"Amazing, thank you, yours?"
"Hot and wet." Nancy answers annoyed, referring to the muggy rainy weather that had ruined a perfectly good summer weekend. There were few of them left with the fall weather fast approaching.
Ashley smirks as she makes the joke in her head that her weekend had also been hot and wet. She bites her bottom lip as she thinks of Spencer. She finishes making small talk with the elderly woman and enters her office. Signing onto her computer, she begins to open her work emails, trying her best to get lost in her work. This time, last week she had just wondered what the blonde was doing, giving her a call, getting asked out to lunch. Well, ask may be a drastic understatement. Had it only been a week? It feels like ages ago.
Ashley had left Spencer's apartment a little bit after Stevi and Niko had returned from the Hamptons. They regaled crazy stories from their weekend and Spencer diligently pulled her black notebook from her back pocket and wrote down events that interested her no matter what emotion they made her feel. Ashley had been impressed at how everything had inspired the writer.
Ashley's work line rings, she picks it up and Nancy's voice floats through.
"Ms. Davies, you have a Heather here to see you."
Ashley's voice gets caught in her throat. She stammers over her words trying to figure out a coherent response. The last time she saw Heather was when she tried to her approach her at the club. Life has a really crappy way of letting you deal with emotions. She's just trying to figure out if this thing with Spencer is doable and of course when something new is on the horizon, something old loves to rear its ugly head to distract you.
"Send her in."
Seconds later the door opens and Heather peeks in. Ashley gives her a bashful smile.
"Hey."
"Hi."
This used to be a regular thing for Heather to do. Surprise Ashley at work, usually bringing her a coffee and as the memory plays out in her head it unfolds in reality. She coughs out a laugh at the coincidence.
"I come bearing gifts." Heather offers as she walks further into the office, closing the door behind her. Ashley gives her a once over and thinks quickly, Spencer's body's better. She smirks and points to the chair that's in front of her desk.
Heather places the iced coffee onto Ashley desk, being careful to avoid any work that lay on the table. She sits in the chair crossing her legs and slips the straw of her drink between her lips and takes a sip. Ashley sits back in her large seat, unimpressed and stares at her ex.
"So, what can I do for you?" Ashley asks realizing that she's not intimidated by the woman's presence anymore. She grabs the cup of iced coffee, a sorry excuse for a peace offering and takes a sip.
Heather sits in her seat, clears her throat and starts to push her bangs away from her forehead. The Dean's brows furrow, the girl is nervous.
"Heather?" Ashley prods.
"Right, well the other night I saw you and wanted to talk but well you kind of ran out of there really quickly."
"Yeah well you caught me off guard and really at the time you were the last person I wanted to see," She answers honestly. Her tone off-handed like she's explained this a thousand times already.
She takes another sip of her coffee, it's actually pretty good. Heather must have found a new place to buy this. She'll have to ask her where so she can take Spencer there in the future. Ashley's mind drifts and she grabs her phone texting the blonde. She focuses again on her surprise visitor.
"And now?" Heather asks trying to understand why only a few days would cause Ashley to change her mind.
"Now, I don't know. I guess I got tired of caring about how much you hurt me. Well, how much you and Amy hurt me. It looks like you two are together now."
Heather looks down ashamedly.
"It's fine, I'm still hurt but that's life right?"
Heather sighs and looks at Ashley's green eyes. "I never meant to hurt you Ashley, honest. It just happened, we just fell for each other and you were so amazing I didn't know how to tell you without hurting you."
If this had been last week, if this had been before Ashley went shopping at Trader Joe's that fateful afternoon, she would've gotten angry. She would've yelled and screamed and cried but all she seems to be doing is sipping this coffee. She giggles to herself, Spencer would've been stuck on where she got the coffee from as well. It's like that normal stage of budding relationships where you slightly mimic certain aspects of your partner. No matter what another person may have been talking about your mind was on one thing and one thing only.
"I'm sorry but where'd you get this coffee?" She asks sidetracking from what Heather thought was a heartfelt apology.
Ashley can see the look of surprise on Heather's face. She stammers out the name of the coffee shop and Ashley writes it down. She quickly thanks her then apologizes for the interruption.
"Do you even care anymore?" Heather asks offense lingering in her voice.
"Not as much as I used to," She responds frankly.
Heather just shakes her head. "Is it that girl you were with the other night?"
"That's none of your business." Ashley's light airiness makes a quick turn as she feels the urge to defend her relationship with Spencer. Relationship?
"I'll take that as a yes. Are you two serious?"
"Again, none of your business."
"Ashley, I just came here to apologize for what I did, make sure you were okay but clearly you've already got someone doing that."
"So you care about my wellbeing after you hurt me?" The circumstance just didn't make sense.
"That's not what I meant. I just feel really bad about how things went down Ashley, all three of us were really close."
"Yeah a lot closer than I ever would've thought. Heather, I honestly appreciate your apology and maybe sooner it would've meant more but right now they're just words to me. I don't know what kept you away so long, maybe you and Amy were making up for lost time…"
"I'm trying to apologize, Ashley, I know I was wrong I just…I didn't want to just up and leave like you didn't mean anything to me. Like I didn't care because I did. I do."
Ashley takes a deep breath, her phone alerts her that she has a new message. She smiles as she reads Spencer's message, reading that she misses her too and she really wants some mango ice-cream. The dessert becoming their inside joke, using it to refer to wanting a make-out session.
"Heather I believe at some point you cared for me but it wasn't when you began to mess around with Amy. I just wish you would've been straight with me, I thought I deserved that at least. Now I'm assuming you just don't want to feel guilty anymore so I forgive you."
Heather just sighs. Not knowing what to do with herself she drinks some of her coffee. "Does she make you happy?" Ashley opens her mouth to answer but Heather interjects. "I know it's none of my business but I do want you to be happy."
"Yeah she does. We just met and it's still very new but yes."
Ashley smiles as Spencer's face flashes into her mind.
"You're really special Ashley and I'm sorry that I didn't do right by you but I hope this girl will. I know dropping in on you at work was really selfish but I just had to see you under a better circumstance." Heather stands up. Not wanting to overstay her welcome. "You look good with her by the way, saw you two dancing from a distance. I didn't even know you could move like that."
Ashley chokes out a laugh, her cheeks growing a little hot. She just shrugs. "She brings out a side of me I didn't know I had."
Heather nods with a small smile. "Not going to lie, I'm a little jealous."
"Ironic," Ashley states tilting her head on a small angle.
"Isn't it, though? Goodbye, Ashley."
"Goodbye, Heather."
Ashley watches as her ex leaves her office, closing the door behind her. She leans her head back against her chair and exhales a breath she didn't know she was holding. Her phone goes off again. She reads another message from Spencer.
Do you get seasick?
The day had moved very slowly. Ashley's been in complete agony all day waiting for the hours to tick by. Meetings ran slower, emails read longer, and the students seemed even ruder than usual. Ashley's certain that it was her impatience that made things seem that way. She usually loves being at work, being with the students but today had to be over so tonight can happen. Spencer's question of seasickness had been intriguing enough as it is. Clearly they would be on a boat but does that mean they're taking a ferry somewhere or around the water. Ashley grunts, she hates being told there's a surprise and then not told any clues. She bites her lip as she thinks, staring at the clock at the bottom right corner of her computer screen. She also had to pack for an overnight situation. There's so much going on she had to know something…anything. She picks up her office phone and dials Spencer's number. It takes her a second to realize she knows the woman's number by heart. Weird, who memorizes number this quickly. She grunts as the blonde picks up the phone laughing.
"It's not funny."
"It's a little funny. I've got you calling me from an unknown number."
"Spencer, baby, please." Ashley pleads, throwing in the nickname hoping that'll make the blonde buckle. It worked the night before when they were making love. Yeah, the reference to sex has changed as well. A whole crap load has changed in the last two days. What should have been months of emotional development, happened in a week. Would things end as quickly as they started?
"You pulling out the 'baby' card?"
"I heard you groan."
"Touché, but I'm still not telling you, just be ready by seven and dress to impress. I mean, you'll look amazing in a plastic bag but this is a 'my eyes only' situation."
Ashley smirks as she leans back in her chair. This is the second time Spencer has made the subtle reference of Ashley belonging to her. She usually wouldn't want to admit it but she likes it.
"Just a small hint, it's driving me crazy."
"Okay, one hint." Ashley sighs in relief. "We're going to a place via some mode of transportation."
"Ugh, Spencer!"
The blonde erupts in laughter over the line. "Ash, you've got what like five hours left, by the time you get off of work, get home, get ready, I'll be at your door. I can't wait to see your beautiful face. Kiss you, touch you. This is going to be amazing."
Ashley feels her insides melt. She realizes that Spencer's charm is overpowering her desire to know what the hell this date is going to be. Ashley grits her teeth.
"This better be the best night of my life," She threatens playfully.
"I promise," Spencer reassures sincerely.
Ashley can hear the earnestness of Spencer's claim. She feels a little bit better. Her anxiousness to know what's going on dies down a little.
"Fine, you're lucky I have a crush on you."
"I count my blessings. See you tonight gorgeous."
Ashley hangs up the phone and stares at the clock, now four hours and fifty-five minutes.
It felt like forever, it really did. Ashley gives herself a once over in her mirror. She smooths the back of her tight black dress. She runs it over her bottom and smirks as it accentuates her ass. Spencer will love this dress. She brushes away at a piece of lint, her head whips as she hears the knock on the door. Her brow squints in confusion, she goes to the door barefoot, nixing the heels until they're absolutely necessary.
She looks through the peephole and sees the blonde. "You didn't ring the buzzer."
Spencer is staring at the brunette wantonly. "Damn," is all she gets out and Ashley giggles a little.
She opens the door wider, letting the writer in. They circle each other, getting a good look at one another. Spencer groans as she notices the slight slit at the bottom of her black dress, it stops mid-thigh. Spencer licks her lips. Ashley couldn't believe Spencer could look this sexy. Black tight slacks with a short sleeved black bottom down, gray vest with a bowtie to match. They stop circling one another.
"Ashley, your ass. I can't."
Ashley erupts in laughter. "That's the first thing you say to me?"
Spencer groans as she takes a step forward towards her date. "Come here."
Placing one hand on Ashley's hip, the other on her lower back pulling her close. Ashley stumbles into the blonde's body without a fight. She leans down for a kiss but is met with the Dean's cheek. The writer whimpers.
"You made me wait all day now you have to deliver."
"I think we both know I can deliver Dean Davies."
"Mhm, I just need to get my shoes and we're leaving for this mysterious date."
Spencer smirks as Ashley quickly bounces out of the living room, she tilts her head to the side taking in the view. Several seconds later Ashley comes out of her room with her overnight bag and wearing black high heels. Spencer lets out a long whistle, she lays her hand over her heart.
"Be still my beating heart." She quotes and the corner of her mouth twitches a bit as Ashley tries to fight off her smile. It's cheesy but kind of extremely cute.
"Let's go Mountfort." Ashley places her finger under Spencer's chin and gives her a quick peck.
Spencer takes her date's bag as Ashley walks out of the apartment. She assumes Spencer is close behind but she rolls her eyes when the woman is still standing in the apartment ogling her.
"Spencer, come on! All day!" She whines.
"Babe your ass, like I really can't."
"Stop being basic! I'm gonna go without you."
Ashley sighs and points to her date, then points down to the floor. Signaling for her to get out of the apartment. She crosses her arms over her chest and stares down the blonde. Her brow quirks and Spencer smirks.
"Alright. Let's go, but first…"
"If you say let me take a selfie!" Ashley threatens with a wide smile.
Spencer erupts in laughter as she makes her way out the door pulling it closed. "One, I would never say that, and two I need to do this."
Spencer grips Ashley's hips, and captures Ashley's lips in a much needed kiss. Ashley moans uncontrollably as Spencer backs her against the wall, pushing her hips into the Dean's. Spencer slides her tongue across Ashley's bottom lip. Ashley opens her mouth a little waiting for the writer to slide her tongue inside. Spencer only bites her bottom lip. Breaking away from her date, slightly more satisfied than when she first walked into the apartment. She sucks on her bottom lip, wiping the slightly smeared lipstick on Ashley's lip.
"Sorry about your lipstick."
Ashley giggles lightly, taking out her pocket mirror to look at the small damage that's been done. She flashes a gaze up towards the blonde who looks extremely sad that she did ruin Ashley's makeup.
"It's fine."
"You can fix it up in the car if you'd like."
"Car?" The not so messed up make up already forgotten at the mention of the vehicle.
Spencer nods her head towards the exit. "Come on, I think it's time for me to properly romance you."
Spencer holds her hand out and Ashley grabs it eagerly. Reaching over to lock her door. She quickly finishes it up and lets the blonde lead her towards their date.
"So seriously, how'd you get into the building? Should I fear for my safety?"
"Marge let me in, she was leaving as I was coming in." Spencer answers nonchalantly as they walk down the stairs.
"I have no idea who that is."
Spencer gasps in horror. "How can you not know your neighbors Ashley?"
Ashley growls at the blonde as she holds back her laughter. "Oh I don't know, maybe because this ridiculous blonde told me I shouldn't because of some altercation she still hasn't told me about."
They reach the front door and Spencer holds it open for her.
"I saved you, trust me. She dumps stuff on troglodytes. Real wannabe Batman, I'm telling you."
"What the hell is a troglodyte?" Ashley asks staring at Spencer ntarily before stepping outside as the blonde holds the door open for her date.
"I have no freaking clue. That's what she shouted over the intercom that one night."
"You still have to tell me what happened by the way. It completely…" Ashley loses all sense of conversation when she sees the vintage car with a driver standing by the backseat door. She stops in her tracks, Spencer comes up behind her, encircles her arm around her waist, placing a gentle kiss on the back of her head.
"What do you think?"
"I've only seen these things in movies."
"I know." Spencer answers cheekily. Highly proud of herself. Clearly Spencer has some fancy things planned and if this is just the beginning a part of her is extremely excited to see what's next. Spencer can definitely get the business.
"How did you procure one of these?"
Ashley melts as Spencer steps out from behind her but rests an arm around her waist. Clearly this is going to be a night where there hands will be on each other at all times. The woman's barely doing anything right now, and with all she knew about the blonde, and the little that she's done so far she feels herself falling.
"Hey Blakely." Spencer greets handing him Ashley's bag.
The driver nods and smiles softly at his client. "Ms. Spencer." He opens the door for them to enter into the black 1937 Coupe Lagonda. The top down, allowing them to enjoy the warm August air. The night extremely comfortable after the weekend long rain.
"He has a British accent. Really? You're totally putting that on aren't you?"
Spencer cracks up. "Stop ruining it Ashley." She gently pushes the brunette into the car.
"Spencer, how the hell are you doing this? Luxury retro car, British driver, what's next?"
Spencer wraps her arm around the brunette and gets comfortable as Blakely pulls off down the street.
"Do me a favor Ash…enjoy this date please. I've done a lot of planning, let's at least keep the magic going and if you truly want to know all my tricks I will tell you but for now, will you just be the girl I'm trying to get to fall in love with me?"
Ashley looks down, slightly embarrassed. She just can't believe everything that's happening right now. Everything seems, extremely extravagant. She didn't expect Spencer to put this much effort into the date. Truthfully, she didn't expect Spencer at all. That has to be the best thing about the blonde, continually unexpected and more than she can ever imagine.
"I'm sorry." She apologizes sweetly.
"It's okay. Now tell me about your day."
Ashley's heart quickens and she hesitates. Should she? The biggest thing to happen her today, besides this amazing start of their date, had been Heather's visit. This isn't a good way to start a first date. You don't talk about your ex. However, this had been a special circumstance. She didn't want to start off with a lie. Spencer feels the hesitation and in very typical Spencer fashion she assesses the situation and deals with it with ease.
"You can talk to me about and tell me anything Ashley."
"It's not a normal first date conversation."
Spencer shrugs a little. "This isn't a normal first date."
The car shakes their bodies closer together, Ashley slides her hand onto Spencer's thigh. A welcomed gesture as the blonde interlaces their fingers, while it rests languidly between her legs. She places a gentle kiss against Ashley's temple. Ashley squeezes her hand for a courage.
"So this morning before I called you, I had an unexpected visitor."
"Your ex?"
"Yeah."
"Man the universe, total Debby Downer." Spencer teases.
"Right! That's exactly what I thought when Nancy told me she was in the office."
"How'd you feel?"
"Honestly, I was fine. A complete one eighty from the girl that freaked out when I saw her at the club that night." Spencer grunts, showing she's listening attentively. Ashley soaks in the blonde's concentration and she feels something in her heart. A flutter, a spark, something that's blowing the brunette's mind completely. Ashley fights off the urge to analyze and continues.
"So she brings me this iced coffee, tells me how sorry she is, trying to explain herself and I'm completely out of it because this coffee she brought is freaking amazing."
Spencer smirks as she looks at the animated brunette. Ashley's body tingles as she feels Spencer rub her thumb over the back of her hand.
"So she's going on and on and I totally interrupt her and ask her where she got this coffee because all I kept thinking about is how much you'd like it."
"You thought about me?" Ashley can hear the mild shock in Spencer's voice.
"Well, yeah. I mean, I'm always kind of thinking about you."
"Hm." Spencer contemplates for a moment, reveling in that truth. "I like that you think about me.'"
"I do too." They share a moment before Spencer encourages Ashley to continue. "So yeah, she's completely stumped on how little emotion I was showing her but I honestly couldn't help it. I'm smitten."
"Smitten huh?"
"Very."
Spencer smiles bashfully and Ashley gloats in thefact that she actually made the blonde feel shy instead of the other way around. They get lost in conversation, Spencer talks about how she's made even more headway in her novel. How excited her boss had been with the progress and how she can't wait until she does a book tour. She explains the process of publishing to the brunette and expects the book to come out as soon as early next year. When Ashley told the blonde she expected a signed copy before they hit the store Spencer got bashful again and leans in for a kiss but the car coming to a sudden halt breaks the moment.
"Sorry to interrupt, but we're here Ms. Spencer."
Ashley looks around and notices where they are. The question of her getting seasick made sense now. She eyes Spencer curiously.
"Who are you?"
Spencer chuckles as she steps out of the car while Blakely holds the door open for them. Spencer holds her hand out for Ashley, helping her out of the car.
"I'm Spencer. Nice to meet you." The writer teases as she leads Ashley away from the car towards the docks. There floating in the water a massive sailing yacht named "Pier Pressure" awaits them. The brunette stops in her tracks a second time that night. This time causing the blonde to bump into her.
"Is that…is that…" Too stunned to speak Spencer finishes her the question.
"For us? Yes. Blakely you can just toss our bags on board to Tom, thanks so much for squeezing us in."
"Not a problem at all Ms. Spencer. It was my pleasure to assist you on your night." Their driver answers delightfully in his accent as he walks past them, making his way toward the boat.
Ashley just watches the exchange between the two and tries to piece everything together. Is Spencer a secret billionaire, only living with roommates for the company? That's ridiculous. Ashley's mind is running wild with ideas, flying around a hundred miles per minute. A gentle kiss on her neck brings her back to reality, or so she thinks is reality.
"There's a simple explanation for everything, it just seems grand because I want it to seem that way." Spencer answers knowingly. "I told you what my dates are meant to accomplish. Did you really think I was just going to take you out for dinner and a movie? You're worth more than that." Spencer whispers the last part in her date's ear.
She presses a gentle kiss on her ear. Ashley's mouth opens and she tries to say something but she's at a loss for words. Ashley wants to question the blonde. How on earth has she managed to do all this in only twenty-four hours? She doesn't want to ruin the magic but there's just so many questions rolling around in her head. It's agonizing to be honest but her amazement in the blonde is quickly overpowering. She looks at Spencer as she silently leads the Dean towards the boat. Blakely comes off the boat and Spencer shakes his hand, Ashley smirks as she realizes her date slipped a tip in his hand. She's so smooth. He nods and Ashley waves as he crosses her path.
The blonde meant business, she's pulling out all the stops, from attire, to gesture, to attentiveness but she knew that there had been more in what Spencer's trying to do. She's trying to make Ashley feel special. Trying and succeeding, even if the brunette had been awful at receiving any of it. Mostly because no one has ever really tried. As the writer softly instructs Ashley to stand where she is, she walks further up the dock and talks to the Captain. She watches Spencer interact from afar. The way her hair blew in the wind, the way Spencer tosses her head back laughing at a joke the Captain probably made, the sweet smile that's flashed in her direction, and how sexy Spencer looks just walking toward her. It hits the brunette like a bolt of lightning, she really could fall in love with this girl.
Spencer steps in front of her, resting her hands on Ashley's curvy hips. "So he said about another ten minutes and we'll be off."
"Can't wait." Her excitement bursts through her voice and smile.
"So how many more questions do you have popping in your head." Spencer asks as she slowly leads Ashley toward the boat.
"Several hundred." Ashley exaggerates, making the blonde laugh.
"I'll give you three."
She contemplates for a moment, looking at Spencer who's gazing at her adoringly.
"I'd rather keep the magic."
Spencer smirks, nodding slowly. "I was hoping you'd say that."
They look out into the horizon, the sun beginning to set. The joy of day light savings, the ability to enjoy the sunset at a late hour. The mix of purple, pink and orange combining in the sky.
"I didn't get to properly tell you how beautiful you look tonight Ashley."
Ashley can feel her face heat up. It's like she's meeting Spencer for the first time all over again. She's seeing a certain side of Spencer that hasn't been revealed to her. It's odd because Spencer has just been so amazing at being herself as well as making the brunette feel like the only woman in the world, however this time around it's different. Spencer's wooing her, but knows because of who Spencer is, it's not a ploy, it's not an act, this is completely genuine. This is an addition to who Ashley would be getting should they take this further. A Spencer that would be caring and attentive, just like she promised she would be. A Spencer that, should Ashley become her girlfriend, would never let anyone replace the brunette. In her gestures alone, Ashley understood that Spencer would always treat Ashley like she is the only person for her. In Spencer's mind, Ashley is.
"Thank you Spencer. You're pretty jaw dropping yourself."
Spencer drops her head hiding her blush, laughing softly. She slowly lifts her head and looks into green eyes, she leans forward to capture Ashley's lips but again is interrupted. Ashley laughs at the groan that Spencer emits. She gives her date a supportive rub on the arm.
Spencer laces their fingers as she walks them towards the sailboat. She helps Ashley onto the platform that's connected to the boat, holding her hand as she ascends the small hydrolic staircase that lead up onto the deck. The Captain holds his hand out to help the Dean while she get's used to her sea legs. The addition of heels making this a little more difficult.
"Welcome aboard, Ashley." He greets cheerfully.
"Thanks so much, it's a pleasure to be here." The Dean greets cutely, she misses the proud smile that Spencer is wearing. The scruffy looking captain smiles widely at her. He throws a wink at the blonde and the brunette blushes, they obviously shared something amongst themselves about her.
She steps off to the side and Spencer climbs onto the deck. Ashley takes a closer step towards the oval cockpit with seats encircling the large wooden helm. She gets a glimpse of the mid deck chairs and a table. She tries her best to view the rest of the deck, it's too much to take in before Tom talks again.
"I'm glad to have you guys here. It's been a while since I've seen Spencer, busy having a job on land and all."
Spencer smirks. "Tom you said you wouldn't guilt trip me."
"I can't recall." Tom claps his hands together, chuckling softly. "Even though Spencer knows, I'll just give you a quick rundown of a few safety rules and you can be on your way."
"Wait, what?" Ashley's head whips to the blonde. The blonde is smirking and she puts her finger to her lips instructing Ashley to listen to Tom.
Be on your way? What the hell does that mean? Does that mean Tom's not coming? Uh, Tom you're the Captain. If the ship goes down you're supposed to be with it! Ashley's mind lingers and she shakes her thoughts trying to focus on the captain who apparently isn't sticking around.
Tom goes over the safety procedures very quickly in the rare case of an emergency. He leads them around the boat and leaves them at the romantic setup. Ashley gasps and he smiles, casting a glance at the blonde. Several lanterns littering the deck, an assortment of pillows and blankets, Ashley assumes that's for later. Tom instructs them to make sure they hold on to the railing as they move along the deck.
"Spencer you know this vessel well, so I'll leave the rest of the tour to you. If I didn't know you so well and train you myself I'd be nervous but Ashley I promise you, you're in good hands."
Ashley smiles shyly and looks at her very sexy date. "I don't doubt that."
"Thanks again so much Tom."
"Anytime, everything's fully stocked just like you asked and I guess that's my cue to head on out. Have fun, be safe. Contact Phil when you're all done so he can bring her back."
"I will."
With a final wave, the girls watch as Tom walks down the stairs to the small platform and back onto the dock. Ashley turns nervously to her date.
"Nervous?" The blonde asks cutely.
"A bit, yes."
"Don't be I've been sailing since I was twelve, on the sailing team in high school, with Tom actually, he moved out here a few months before I graduated. He got a really sweet offer to charter boats and I got a job with him sailing private events, couples, families, etc."
Ashley's mouth hangs open a little in shock. The blonde chuckles pecking her bottom lip and grabbing her hand.
"Let me show you around, you can get settled and we'll be off. You might want to take your heels off so it's easier to move around."
Ashley takes Spencer up on her offer, taking them off, the blonde instantly grabs them from her hand and carries them while she shows her around.
"Alright so here we have the cockpit obviously, I specifically wanted this boat in case you wanted to sit close by while I sail, most sailboats it's best to have a crew cause they're a lot of running around changing the sails around but it's all electric and I can control it all from here. Also, I wanted the privacy, unless you wanted four more people to join us on our date?"
Ashley makes a cute disgruntled look, which Spencer mirrors.
"Yeah, I didn't think so." Giving off a short laugh she continues. She leads Ashley towards the mid deck. "Here we have seating on the mid deck, I figured breakfast would be great here. Behind the mast is the lounge area where all the pillows, blankets, and lanterns are, don't worry it's faux candles so there aren't any accidents. I thought when we anchor later on we can just cozy up under the moonlight if you want. It's an unreal feeling, I think you'd love it."
Ashley's looking at the blonde with such admiration. She put a lot of thought into tonight and clearly it just wasn't a date that's meant to last a couple of hours. She notices that Spencer's a little nervous as she discusses a few of the plans she has in mind for them. Sailing to Montauk Point, spending the day there, and driving back into the city tomorrow evening.
The thing that made this more special is that the amount of time they get to spend together is very much the character of their relationship. It's about the intimacy. Whether it had been recognizable from the beginning or not the relationship started with something intimate and it seems it will continue to be that way.
She leads them below deck to the cabins and Ashley can't believe the space that's down there. It's basically an apartment on the water. A wide open living space, with a small dining area to the left, or starboard if you want to talk like a sailor. A stocked bar and Ashley wishes that this date would last longer than just the night. There's so much to enjoy on this boat she wants more time. Also picturing the blonde sailing, she has to keep herself from moaning out loud. Spencer shows off the galley where ingredients for dinner is lain out. Further in a stateroom that held a king sized bed and small sofa.
"Last you have the shower right here. I know I made us get all dressed up but I wanted to put on my best for you."
Ashley's heart melted as she looks at the blonde blush softly, pushing her hair behind her ear. She takes a step closer to the writer.
"You're the only person I want to impress."
Spencer smiles widely. Ashley isn't sure where that came from it just fell out of her mouth. Spencer's usually the one to say sweet, cute things while Ashley just plays catchup. However, everything that the blonde has been doing has reinforced a confidence in her that had been lost due to the heartbreak caused by Heather. Ashley takes a step forward, leaning up to kiss the blonde. They share a soft kiss, trying their best to keep it from getting top heated, so close to a bed. Spencer breaks the gesture, frowning as if she's a little disappointed in herself.
"I want to hit the water so we'll have time to eat and relax before it gets way too late. I have some appetizers and Prosecco already prepared so we aren't starving while we sail. Do you want to stay down here and freshen up, or maybe just explore? I can call you when it gets to the exciting stuff."
"It's already exciting." Ashley compliments honesty.
From the moment Spencer knocked on her door to now, she has been at the edge of her seat, just wondering what else the writer has in store for her. No one has ever gone to this length on any date let alone a first date.
Spencer smiles proudly, kissing the tip of her nose. "I'm just gonna untie the ship from the dock, raise the hydrolic staircase, hoist the anchor and all the other sailor stuff, Do you mind grabbing some of the food and bottle of Prosecco and bringing it on deck?"
"Not at all."
They both went to do their respective duties. Ashley making her stop in the galley, while the blonde returns top deck. While Ashley pulls the tray of assorted foods, and bottle of sparkling wine out of the fridge she can hear a loud cranking noise. She guesses Spencer is hoisting the anchor and she grabs a couple of champagne flutes and makes her way towards her date. Climbing up the very narrow staircase, she balances everything as best she can. As she gets higher she feels the plate of food being taken from her hands then replaced by Spencer's warm hand.
"Beautiful woman to my rescue."
"Always." She affirms as she helps the brunette onto the deck.
The boat slowly floats away from the dock, no longer kept in place by its anchor. Spencer moves quickly to set the plate on the mid deck table and gets to the cockpit to get the engines started. She guides the sailboat gently away from the docks, the dimly lit sky still giving her clear visibility. A late sunset making the date even more romantic. Ashley watches as Spencer spins the helm and guides the boat further away from the marina.
"Ready to see New York in the best way possible?"
Ashley smiles widely as she brings the uncorked bottle and the two glasses into the cockpit and takes a seat facing the blonde.
"You always seem to know the best ways to do everything."
Spencer laughs slightly embarrassed. "Yeah well, no point in doing anything if it can't be done the best way."
"Should I pour you a glass Captain?" Ashley smirks, the guttural moan emitted from Spencer assures her that the title did what she meant for it to do.
"Just one for now." Spencer instructs as she tampers with all the necessary gadgets.
Ashley pours two glasses and brings one over to her date. They hold it up to each other in a toast.
"To us?" Ashley offers. The blonde nods in satisfaction and clink their glasses together.
"To us."
They both take a sip of their drink and share a chaste kiss before Ashley takes a seat and watches Spencer as she captains the ship.
"You seem different." Ashley comments before taking a sip of her sparkling wine.
"Good or bad?" The blonde asks with a smile.
"No, good. You're still the same but at a whole other level. I don't know how you can still be the same person that forced me to eat the Cubano sandwich last week."
"Wow, was that only last week?" Spencer releases a curt snort.
"I know, right. Feels longer."
Spencer grunts her agreement and takes a healthy sip of her drink before resting her glass down.
"Come here gorgeous." Spencer asks gently.
She stands, leaving her drink on the table by her seat, thoroughly impressed that the liquid rests easy inside the glass. As she walks over she feels the gentle rock of the ocean as they push through the waves. Spencer takes a step back and nudges her head toward the space between her body and the helm. She takes a tentative step back. Consternation written all over her face as she stares at the blonde. Spencer's grabs Ashley by the wrist and gently pulls her forward.
"Put your hands here." Spencer instructs as she guides her date's hands on the helm. She slides her hands up Ashley's arms. She wraps her arms around her waist and snuggles into her neck, inhaling deeply.
"Babe if you put me in charge we're gonna crash." Ashley's voice quivering a bit.
Spencer places a gentle kiss on Ashley's neck. "Just hold the helm steady we're good for a little bit. You think you'd be impressed with yourself, sailing a ship."
"I don't want our first date to be our last date."
"It won't be. Trust me."
Ashley takes a deep breath and focuses on the waters before her. The boat has a rhythmic bounce as it breaks through the waves. She snuggles against Spencer's body and smiles wide as Spencer tightens her grip around Ashley's waist.
"Spencer?"
"Hm."
"You make me feel safe." Ashley confesses, she feels her face turn hot as she feel Spencer brush her hair away over her shoulder and places a gentle kiss on her neck.
"Good, because with me you are."
Ashley wishes she can turn around and attack Spencer with her lips but doesn't want to make any sudden movements and she be the reason they capsize. Spencer doesn't let the silence settle for too long, making sure to keep the conversation light. The struggle of the emotional conversation onslaught from the weekend enough to make up ten dates. Ashley gasps as Spencer points out their first landmark. The Statue of Liberty.
Ashley giggles at herself. "Is my reaction lame?"
"Not at all." Spencer steps back so Ashley can come away from the helm and get a closer look at France's gift to America. "It's a beautiful site."
Ashley misses Spencer's hidden message as the blonde tilts her head and moans at her view. The Dean couldn't believe her luck. This has been the most romantic gesture and it had just started. She feels her heart overwhelm with joy. It pounds violently in her chest as she looks at the monument. Everything in her is buzzing, if Spencer were to touch her, she's sure the blonde would be able to push her over with her pinky. She looks back at the blonde excitedly and shakes her head in disbelief. She could seriously fall in love with this girl!
"There's more." Spencer shouts over the waves and engine of the boat.
Obviously living in New York for as long as she has Ashley knew all the landmarks worth seeing, but again her date had been right. This had been the best way to see New York. Seeing the Manhattan Skyline and both bridges really added to the ambiance. The way the sun begins to set as the buildings were twinkling in the slowly darkening sky. Ashley is in complete awe. This is the type of things you would only see in movies, the type of things privileged people brag about and take for granted. A private yacht sailboat overlooking the city at sunset, admiring it as each building lights up to illuminate the night sky. This is a gesture of fairytale love stories. It's all so much to take in. Ashley looks at Spencer as she navigates, she can't help feeling ridiculous as tears well up in her eyes. She turns her face away to wipe them away making sure that her emotions don't completely ruin the night. Sniffling, she walks back towards her date.
Spencer makes a radio call in and turns the helm, making sure to get on course. She raises the sails, electrically, shuts off the engine and Ashley looks on with admiration. The only time she's ever seen Spencer this concentrated is when she's writing. The fact that there's so much more to Spencer only pulls the brunette in further. She flashes back to their first night together. The moment Ashley ripped off Spencer's shirt revealing her tattoos.
"You're not anything like I expected."
"You have no idea."
She really didn't.
As she passes by the table with the forgotten appetizers, too swept up in the sights, she grabs a piece and places it in her mouth. As the food touches her palate she only just realizes how hungry she is. She take another piece for herself and one for Spencer.
"Open," Ashley orders as she steps beside the writer, who wordlessly opens her mouth.
Spencer moans in delight. "Thank you, I didn't realize how hungry I was."
"I know, these are amazing. What are they?"
"Chili Lime Shrimp cups, tastes better warm." She criticizes as she opens her mouth signaling she'd like another appetizer.
Just like she did with the bottle of Prosecco, Ashley just bring the tray into the cockpit and feeds her a different appetizer. Spencer chews happily, moaning in satisfaction.
"Are you moaning because it's good?" Ashley asks as she pops the same kind in her mouth, her reaction is the same.
Spencer laughs, shaking her head. "No, because it's satiating my hunger, I don't like to compliment myself. It makes me feel conceited."
"Well, I'll compliment you. Spencer these appetizers are fantastic. Makes me wonder when you had time to do any of this."
She sports a Cheshire grin. "Has the magic faded already?"
Giving the Dean a pointed look, Ashley purses her lips, squints her eyes and tuts. "No it hasn't. This has been the most amazing date I've ever been on."
"Good." She responds with an affirmative nod. "So we're looking pretty good. The waters are pretty clear. No one really sails at night, so we should gain some really good ground. I figure we'll dock around ten tomorrow morning, but we'll anchor about half way, so I can actually spend some time on this date with you. It takes about eight hours but we should cut our trip by a couple hours since we're sailing at night."
"Sounds great," Ashley spits out as she tries to absorb all this new information. She honestly didn't care. She could spend countless hours with the blonde. She'd rather the date not end at all.
The ship picks up a good wind as they sail farther and farther away from the city. The lights growing smaller as they float further away into the ocean. The moon shining brightly and a small chill in the air.
"Oh babe, I'm sorry you must be freezing. Here, take the wheel."
"Spencer…" Ashley whines cutely as she reluctantly takes the giant wheel.
Spencer laughs. "Ash it's fine, honestly at this point the sails are doing most of the work you're just making sure we don't drift off course. Just hold it steady. I just want to get you a blanket."
Spencer rubs Ashley's goosebump ridden arms and quickly dashes toward the bow and grabs the stack of blankets. She returns with large fleece blanket in hand, opening it wide and resting it over Ashley's shoulders.
"Better?" Spencer asks attentively, rubbing her hands up and down Ashley's blanketed arms to warm her a little faster.
"Much."
Ashley angles her head back to steal a kiss from her date. Spencer closes the distance, her reach better than Ashley's. Their lips move languidly as they take their time, as if trying to sear into their mind how each crease of the other's lip feels. Ashley moans disgruntled as she pulls away. The blonde chuckles lightly as she knowingly grabs the wheel. Ashley turns to stand between Spencer and the helm, wrapping her arms around Spencer's waist. The writer carefully steps forward, and places a soft kiss on the tip of Ashley's nose. The Dean scrunches her face cutely making her Captain snicker. She raises herself on the balls of her feet to give the blonde a deep kiss. After leaving the blonde breathless, she attacks her slim neck, feeling the guttural moan the writers emits vibrate against her mouth. Ashley discovered early on, Spencer's favorite spot and she circles her tongue slowly.
"I can smell ice." Spencer forces her quip out and hisses at the nip on her neck as Ashley playfully bites her.
"Not funny Spencer."
Ashley ducks under the blonde's arm as she continues to steer the boat.
"It's a little funny." She forces out as she laughs a little harder.
"Quoting Titanic while on a boat in the middle of the ocean is not funny." Ashley tries to feign anger but her smile is destroying her attempt. She can't even fake anger at the woman beside her, she really would be hard to have a fight with, already seeing proof that she truly can charm her way out of anything. Spencer leans her head towards the brunette insinuating she wants a kiss. She turns her nose to the air.
Her attention quickly given as she feels a pair of hands wrap around her waist. "Spencer!"
The blonde pulls her date into her body. "I would really like for you to kiss me."
Ashley gives her a chaste kissing hoping that would be enough compensation, she tries to step away from the blonde but her grip tightens around the Dean's waist.
"We are going to crash." She whimpers.
Spencer looks into Ashley's green eyes, pulls her lip into her mouth and lets it slide out slowly. "I really want you to kiss me." She repeats.
Spencer dips her head down slowly, Ashley doesn't fight it because truthfully the second Spencer bit her lip the brunette was gone. She kiss the writer, deeply, slowly, slipping her tongue insider her mouth. She feels her stomach heat up and she stifles the ache between her legs, gently gripping her Captain's hair. Ashley releases a silent moan as Spencer bites her bottom lip.
"Thank you." Then takes a step back walking towards the table middeck.
Ashley forces her eyes open as she hears footsteps retreating. She points to the helm. "Spence…the boat?"
"Huh?" Spencer feigns ignorance as she pops an appetizer in her mouth. She smirks and Ashley's trying really hard to be mad at her.
"I'm going to kill you."
"I love it when you talk dirty." Spencer quips, tossing another miniature dish in her mouth.
Ashley can see that the blonde is doing her best to hold back laughter. Spencer walks back down into the cockpit and rests her warm hands on Ashley's slightly chilled cheeks.
"You're freaking over nothing love, it's a self-steering ship, more specifically she has a vane-gear." Spencer throws out as an afterthought, knowing that Ashley probably wouldn't know what a vane gear is.
"What?" Ashley deadpans.
Spencer smiles widely. "Yeah it's like auto-pilot, so I don't have to stand there the whole time. I asked you out on a date. What good would it do to leave you fending for yourself for entertainment all night?"
"So I wasn't really steering earlier?" She says in the same manner as if a little kid's balloon had just popped.
"No, you were really sailing earlier. I just switched over while you were being cute and snobby. There's a lot of technical things I can tell you, but it's not as interesting to hear about than it is to talk about."
"So the ship is steering itself?" Ashley sidesteps the blonde and goes to look at the controls to see if there were some sign she had missed earlier that would tell her how since Spencer wouldn't. She looks around like a little kid.
"You're so damned cute, come sit with me." Spencer says sitting down on the cushioned bench that aligned the cockpit. She crosses her leg and lines her arms around the brim of the seat.
Ashley doesn't argue as she grabs Spencer's glass and hands it to her date. She sits down, pulling the blanket over both of them. She rests her head over Spencer's shoulder picking up her glass and sipping from it.
"This is perfect." Ashley comments sighing contently.
"Glad you think so." Spencer wraps her arm around the brunette.
They sat there silently, for the first time not having anything to say and being okay with it. Spencer buries her fingers in Ashley's hair.
"Spencer?"
"Mhm."
The brunette isn't entirely sure why she broke the silence. Something inside her is bubbling up, her emotions are controlling her and her eyes fill with tears.
"Hey, hey, hey. It's okay." Spencer coos as she wipes away the offending tear.
"I'm sorry." Ashley croaks out, "I'm not even sure why I'm crying right now. I'm so stupid."
She pulls her face away from Spencer embarrassed. Spencer doesn't let a second pass before she places her hand under her date's chin and softly guides it so they are face to face again.
"You're fine Ash. I swear." Her mouth stretches out into a smile.
"I'm ruining our amazing date. I'm ruining this amazing thing you're doing, You're the female version of the most interesting man in the world and I'm crying."
"First of all, the most interesting man in the world wishes he were me and you're so beautiful right now."
Ashley chokes out a laugh through her tears. It's more so out of disbelief than humor. "Where did you come from, honestly?"
Spencer chuckles. She turns her body to fully face the brunette, rests her hand on Ashley's thigh rubbing supportively.
"When a mommy and a daddy love each other." She explains slowly. Ashley whines her name. "Okay! If you spent the entire night crying, I'd sit here and hold you until you were done. This night is about me wooing you so anything you'd throw at me, I make sure I'd give you a response that shows you either tonight or thirty years from now I'm always going to be about you. So if you need to cry, I wouldn't take offense because it's not something I did." She breaks off with a chuckle. "I'm the most interesting woman in the world."
Ashley laughs, sniffling gently. "You most certainly are." She dabs at her eyes. "I think that I'm crying because…"
Ashley sighs, she looks into Spencer's warm inviting eyes. For the third time that night she thought to herself, I really could fall in love with this girl. The feelings so strong, so explosive, so raw everything building inside her in such a short amount of time. It's definitely a lot to process but as she looks into Spencer's eyes she knew one thing she could confess.
"You make me feel so much, more than I can even understand, let alone explain right now. It's weird to say now and I'm not that lesbian." She teases the blonde making her blush, "but I really can't wait to fall in love with you."
Spencer sighs happily. Everything inside Ashley starts to simmer down, it was as if she were a tea pot steaming but once the fire had been turned off things in her were settling down. The emotions were no longer out of control but in a calm affective state. She can feel them properly now that she's told her something she wasn't even prepared to say. Her heart's moving faster than her head and she's doing her best to play catch up.
"I can't wait to fall in love with you either and trust me, it'd be a decision I'd never let you regret."
Ashley leans her head against Spencer's. "You're amazing."
"I don't always drink beer but when I do…I prefer Corona."
Ashley erupts in laughter, tossing her head back. The more time she spent with blonde the more she thought about it. It had been the fourth time she thought it but not the last. As she tries and fights her giggles she doesn't fight off the thought, she really could fall in love with this girl.
Quick PSA hollymarie has released Love Me Back to Life as an ebook on Amazon, so check it out and make the story yours. Thanks for reading. much love to you guys. See you on Day 10