Ash’s gaze locked on hers, and what Carmen saw there nearly had her gasping out loud. Does she even realise how she looks at me?
Ash blinked and wet her lips. “Carmen, I…” She shuddered in Carmen’s arms. “I don’t know what’s happening.” She exhaled and looked skywards, the golden pink light of the setting sun illuminating her worried features. “That’s not true. I know, but I…I don’t know what to do with it.”
“You’re scared.” Carmen kept her voice low, non-accusatory.
“Yes.”
“This is real for me.” Carmen reached up once more to cup Ash’s face. She ran her fingertips lightly over the smooth skin of her cheek before dragging her thumb over Ash’s full lips. “This isn’t a game. I’m not fooling around with you to satisfy some idle curiosity. I promise.”
“So much of me wants to believe you.” Ash dropped her gaze and pursed her lips. “But there’s a part of me still so scared of what happened once before.”
“I understand. Or at least I think I do. I’m a little scared myself. The last time I let myself feel this way about someone, he had to leave me.”
Ash flinched at the male pronoun.
“I have dated men, Ash. I’m not going to apologise for that.”
“No!” Ash’s gaze was back on Carmen’s, her eyes wide. “You don’t have to.” She tensed in Carmen’s arms but didn’t pull away, much to Carmen’s relief. “This is my problem. My thing I have to get past. I’m sorry; I shouldn’t have reacted that way.”
“It’s okay. From what little you’ve told me, it’s understandable. But I’m not her. Please remember that.” Carmen held Ash’s gaze, hoping by will alone she could convince Ash she could be trusted.
“I will.” Ash blinked a couple of times, and her posture relaxed once more. “So, um, what now?”
Carmen gave her a gentle smile. “You’re asking me? I’m the inexperienced one here.”
Ash chuckled. “I don’t know about that. You seem to be handling things far better than I am.” She ran her fingertips along Carmen’s jawline. “Okay, here’s what I think. If we’re going to do this, as in, stop pretending this is just some fun, casual thing and recognise it might be more than that, then I, um, would like to do it properly.”
“Properly?”
“Exclusive. Monogamous. If there’s an us, I want a proper us.”
“Oh God, absolutely.” Carmen’s entire body thrummed at the thought of being considered part of an us with this extraordinary woman. “I only want you. Just you.” Her voice was husky and low.
Ash moaned, low and quiet, but it sounded like a rumble of thunder in Carmen’s ears.
Carmen leaned up and did what she’d been wanting to do, deep down, ever since they said hello at the bar earlier.
Soft. Dear God, so soft . Ash’s lips were like silk beneath hers. Everything inside Carmen seemed to take a seismic shift sideways as their lips pressed together. This kiss was different from all the others they’d shared. There was an emotional level to it, one Ash seemed to reciprocate in equal measure. Those emotions imbued the kiss with something that made Carmen’s heart lurch in excited anticipation of what they could become.
She lost herself once more in the feel of Ash in her arms, Ash’s mouth moving gently against hers, Ash’s heat permeating every inch of her where their bodies joined.
Carmen shifted closer. Her entire body tingled as their kiss deepened. Her mind emptied; she was nothing now but touch and emotion.
Ash moved a hand into her hair, bringing her closer yet. Her tongue gently swiped across Carmen’s bottom lip, and, with a small groan born of hunger and an incredible need, Carmen parted her lips and let her in.
When their tongues touched, every sensation increased tenfold. Her body was equal parts liquid heat and fierce shivers. Carmen sank into the kiss, tasting Ash, revelling in the velvet texture of her tongue, the incredible arousal her touch stirred.
Finally, they came up for air. They held their foreheads together, their breathing heavy in the still air.
“That just keeps getting better and better,” Carmen whispered.
Ash merely nodded and dipped her head once more.
Chapter 32
Carmen’s heart leaped when she saw Ash waiting for her at Tottenham Court Road station on Sunday evening. She wore a short-sleeved, plain white shirt over tight-fitting black jeans with black boots. Her long fringe had been boosted with some kind of product and was a sexy, messy tumble swept to one side of her head.
Good God . Carmen clutched for breath. She’s stunning. And she’s my date . Carmen stepped off the top of the escalator and walked over to meet her.
Ash’s gaze raked down Carmen’s body and back up again, and the action sent a thrill coursing through her. The little black dress was one of her favourites, and she’d hoped Ash would appreciate it.
“Jesus,” Ash said as Carmen reached her. “You look incredible.” She leaned forward and dropped a sweetly soft kiss on Carmen’s cheek.
“Thank you.” Carmen couldn’t help it; she needed to touch. She ran her fingers lightly over Ash’s bare forearm. “So do you. Those jeans look like they were tailor-made for you.”
Ash placed one hand on Carmen’s waist and tugged her a little closer. “That dress looks like it was painted on. It’s beyond sexy.”
Carmen flushed, but not from embarrassment. She tilted her head, and their gazes locked. Every time they met, the heat level between them seemed to rise just a little more. It was intoxicating.
“Later.” Ash lifted her other hand to tenderly stroke Carmen’s cheek.
“Are you reading my mind now?”
Ash nodded slowly and grinned. “Let’s just say your eyes are very expressive.”
Chuckling ruefully, Carmen stepped back.
“So where are you taking me?” Ash bounced on her toes. That and her excited grin made her seem about eight years old.
Carmen laughed. “I told you, it’s a surprise. Are you always this impatient?”
“Sometimes.” Ash waggled her eyebrows.
