Normal girl. Normal beautiful, soft girl.
Who: Mai and Ash Where: Mai’s Room When: Late
Mai had wandered with Kai for a while, trying to find a way out but eventually they got nowhere. Mai had given up and gone back to her room for a nap and maybe to mope some, but that only entertained her until it got dark and she realized she was stuck. Really stuck. Photoshoot missed, life possibly missed and there was no escape. She lay on the bed for a long while before Ash came to mind and as soon as he was there he wasn't going away.
It didn't take long for her to get up, dig an oversized sweater out of her bag and throw it on over the tank top and jeans she had and leave her room to head to his. He might not want to see her, but it was worth a shot.
Ash had settled in his room for a while with his journals. He spent a good deal of time refining several new non-profit plans. He really didn't need to but it was keeping his mind occupied and also precluding him from pacing endlessly through hallways or the lobby. He felt like a tiger in a cage and it was slowly burning in the back of his thoughts. He knew if he didn't defuse the situation he was going to cause some damage of some sort.
When he'd written and re-written and re-arranged and proofed until he couldn't stand to even think about the causes he was attempting to aid with the non-profits, he thought about eating. Something he hadn't done all day. He didn't really feel like doing that alone which was when he thought of Mai and wondered if she'd eaten. Maybe he'd go find her, make sure she was okay. Ask her if she'd like to join him for a late dinner or something. He left his room and took the stairs quickly, entering the third floor hallway as she was coming out of her room. He chuckled to himself at the fact they'd met this way the last time. "Hey," he said.
Mai looked up surprised, not at all sure what to make of him there. Sure, she was headed to see him, but was he headed to see her? It made her stomach flip at the idea alone and she inwardly scolded herself for that sense of attachment to him. She had no idea what he might want with her or in general. There was no point in getting attached. "Hey," she greeted with a smile, leaning on her door. "What brings you up here?"
Ash pushed his hands into his pockets and headed toward her, smiling because he was pleased to see her. He hoped she wasn't off to do something, though at this late hour, there were few options when stuck in a hotel. He tried not to feel disappointed by the idea she might be going to someone's room for the night. "Came looking for you, actually. Wanted to check in and make sure you were doing okay but it looks like you're on your way out?"
Her. He was there to see her. It made her stomach do that flip thing again even if she'd had the same idea in mind, but she knew it was different to have someone just show up at your place than to find them looking for you as well. Her smile was a little more genuine this time as she shook her head lightly. "I was actually going looking for you. See if you were okay. Or could use company."
He came to a stop in front of her, his smile getting a bit wider to hear she'd been coming to see him. It was nice to know he'd left a good enough impression to be considered for company for her. "I was going to ask if you'd eaten. I managed to forget to do that all day and would really like the company if you're interested in joining me." He felt a little awkward asking, feeling that strange bit of nerves when asking a girl out that he figured he would have gotten over in high school if he'd had the time to think about girls.
Mai definitely liked him there, so close to her an her room, even if he hadn't invaded her personal space yet. "I'd love to," she told him with no hesitation. She wasn't much of an eater, a result of being a model, but it wasn't as if she had a disorder. Just a lot of healthy eating and keeping it to the minimum. But she'd eat with him. "You didn't see anywhere to eat did you?" She didn't remember that in her wanderings. "I imagine they have to have room service though. This late at least."
Ash shook his head. "I spent most of the day in my room after we parted ways," he admitted. "I figured there had to be a kitchen or something. But room service would work." Which then left him to either invite her to his room or appear to fish for an invitation into hers. He didn't want to push into her personal space like that so he asked, "My room? I think we have to fill out some kind of card or something." The last bit was tacked on in a half mumble though he wasn't sure why. He shifted on his feet and tried not to laugh at himself.
Mai laughed lightly and shook her head. "You want to walk all the way down to your room when you're already here?" she teased lightly and unlocked the door to her room, taking a step back to let him inside. "Don't be silly. We'll order from here."
"Alright. I'm sold. This way I skip walking you back to your room to be sure you get 'home' safe." He gave her a look that said he was only half kidding then chuckled soundlessly and passed her into her room. Then there was that. It was her room, not his. What did he do with himself and really what the hell was the deal with this internal awkwardness?
"You wouldn't do that," Mai said, shaking her head as she shut the door, behind him and went to find the room service card to fill out for their meal. She half glanced at him, seeing him just standing there and it made her smile a little. "Make yourself comfortable."
"Yeah, I probably would. But maybe only to prove you wrong," he said and laughed out loud this time. He glanced around the room and decided on a chair to settle on. It was high backed and when he sat he did so the way he would in his executive office. King on the throne. It was habit really. "Do you think they'd do steak at this time of night?" he mused.
Mai was reading through the card, trying to find something she could eat before she looked over at him, having to raise the card to her mouth to hide the fact that she couldn't help but laugh at him. He looked so serious. So official. "I'm sure it doesn't hurt to ask," she said as she headed his way, still smiling. "You're really a big deal aren't you?"
Ash was busy studying her profile with an appreciative little smile when she looked at him. He pressed his lips together, his expression turning to attentive and then went a bit bemused when she seemed to laugh. "I guess I could eat anything really. Just no salad." His brow furrowed slightly and he tilted his head a little. "What do you mean?" he asked curiously.
"No salad? Are you allergic to vegetables?" Mai asked, finding herself right next to him, looking down at him. "You look so proper and serious when you sit like that. Like you're about the run a board meeting. I said comfortable. Not official." And yet, she wanted to crawl into his lap and see what he would do, see how he would react.
"No," he said with a little laugh and rolled the sleeves of his shirt up to give his hands something to do. "Salads are girly though." He avoided her eyes when he said it and then laughed at himself again. His brows raised when she said he looked official. "Force of habit I guess. When I'm not at home by myself it's usually with professional associates." He shifted back and forth slightly until he had sunk down a little and looked comfortable instead of official.
"Girly? That's a good one. At least you won't judge me for getting one then." Mai filled out the rest of the card took it back to the box outside her room before looking back at him trying to get comfortable. "At home by yourself? There's no girlfriend or wife or something?" she ventured. They'd teased about things before, but she hadn't outright asked him if he had someone in his life.
Ash shook his head. "I tend to reserve judgment for myself for the most part. What others do is usually an expression of themselves and who am I to judge who someone is?" He shrugged, not sure why he'd said all of that. He shook his head again at her question. "No, no one like that." Not anymore. "Why? Do you have a girlfriend or wife or something? That's also something I wouldn't judge you on," he said, trying to tease a little to avoid the moment going a little dark for him.
Mai raised an eyebrow at him then shook her head. "No, not girlfriend or wife. Or boyfriend or husband, which would be what I prefer. Just a string of losers and men interested in dating a model and not Anne." She called herself by her middle name, which she was still trying to push even if everything else still said Mai. She wanted to go closer to him, but was sure she couldn't keep her hands off of him, so opted for sitting cross-legged on the bed. "So what do you do when you're alone? Count your money?"
Ash nodded, filing away that information. Though it did have him saying, "I don't understand men who date models for that reason alone. I've met my fair share at fundraisers. If I'm going to take time out of my life to spend with another human being, they have to be someone I like." When she asked him about counting money he scoffed in amusement and shook his hair out of his face. "No, I have accountants for that," he said, wondering if her mention of money and importance was because he was coming off as a pretentious douche. He hoped not. "I don't usually have much free time these days so this is sort of a treat in a way," he said honestly. "Forced vacation, but at least there's good company."
Mai shrugged. "There's a lot of men who want to prove to people they can date a model and a lot of models that want to be seen everywhere. And some don't care. Or they're too stupid to notice. I'm not." She smiled a little at his joke then nodded. "Forced vacation. I like that. Guess you'll have to make the most of it and the company."
"No, you're far from stupid," Ash said decidedly. He also decided that he really liked her smile. He lifted a brow as the various implications of making the most of the time and the company sifted through his mind. "If we really can't leave I guess I'll have plenty of time to explore and get creative."
Mai smiled brightly at the compliment, taking it to heart. She wasn't a model because she couldn't do anything else, she was a model because she liked it and it was easy. Anything else would be too much work. Some days being a model was too much work. She liked that look he gave her though and noded as if to say that yes whatever he was thinking she was thinking it too. "I like creative. And I'd probably like exploring, but it might depend on what you're exploring."
Ash mused over the look she gave him. It almost came out of his mouth that he had intended to explore a who, not a what. "You're more than welcome to explore with me," did slip out though. This time with nothing business-related to do was probably not a good thing. He was going to get himself into trouble, he could see it now. Though that thought made him smile a little.
Mai smiled a little more at him. "I was hoping you'd pick me and not someone else." She leaned back more, hands behind her, still watching him intently. She was letting herself get carried away, but she liked him. That much was obvious to her now. She did like him.
As she sat back, Ash leaned forward, elbows on his knees. The most relaxed position he'd been in yet. "Well, I haven't met anyone else. Are there others here?" he asked though he was sure he would have picked her anyway, even if he he had met others.. "Did you find Kai?"
"I did find Kai. I guess there have to be others right? Not just the three of us." She watched him relax more and smiled. That she liked. "But I suppose if you were looking for someone else you might wind up finding someone." Though she hoped he didn't. That would be more than a little sad.
Ash smiled a bit and nodded. "Good. And yeah, I suppose you're right. Just the three of us would be odd. What would the purpose in that be? Well," he said and rolled his eyes at himself. "What's the purpose in this at all." He didn't figure he'd go looking for someone else. If he bumped into people so be it but, in truth, seeking people out he didn't know seemed like a strange idea to him. "I'm quite content where I am at the moment."
Unless we were kidnapped. Ash was actually worth something. He would be a good target. Mai didn't comment on it though, focusing on the last thing he said instead. "Content? I think you're too far away for content."
Slowly Ash raised a brow at her words. "Oh? For my contentment or yours?" he asked archly. She just seemed to bring it out in him. He sat up again then, sitting back some though taking care not to look like boardroom royalty.
"Both," Mai said without hesitation. She wanted him closer and she had a feeling he might like it. All she had to do was hope she was right.
Ash looked thoughtful and slowly stood. He crossed toward where she was sitting on the bed to another, closer chair. He gave her a glance as he settled on the edge of it. Then he nodded. "Sure, this is better."
That had Mai bursting out laughing before falling back on the bed, staring up the ceiling. "It is better," she said when her laughter died away. "And you're a tease."
Ash watched her fall back and had the brief thought of getting up and bending over her to see what she would do with him that close. He stayed put and attempted an innocent tone as he answered, "What do you mean?"
Mai rolled her head so she could see him. "Because you know you could have come all the way over here and you decided to just tease at it."
He gave her a thoughtful look again and stood again. This time he came all the way to her, standing in front of her for a moment before sitting a couple feet away on the edge of the bed. He lifted a brow.
Mai watched him curiously until he sat and then she sat up as well, still watching him for a long moment. Then she was closing the last of the distance between them so she was next to him. "Now what?"
"Oh this was your idea. I thought you knew," he said with a small smirk. He had no idea what he thought he was doing but there was something magnetic about her that seemed to draw out this flirtatious part of him he didn't realize still existed inside him after Bonnie's death.
Mai smiled briefly before closing the last of the distance between them to kiss him. If he thought she knew, then she was going with what she'd wanted to do since she'd first thought of him tonight, since he'd teased at being in her bed.
Ash's brows raised as she kissed him, not completely having expected that but going with it anyway. His hand came to rest on her shoulder and then he pulled back slowly.
Mai wasn't expecting him to pull back. He kissed her back sure, but then he pulled away. She looked confused, sure that was where it had been going and now she wasn't so sure. "I thought..."
"Room service," he said, blaming his reticence on not wanting to be involved too much in anything when their food arrived. She wasn't wrong though. It had definitely been heading in that direction but he could count the number of women he'd kissed on one hand and it was never a casual thing for him.
"Oh. Right." Mai pulled back, tugging on her hair, twisting parts of it into a tiny braid. She felt silly. Like she'd tried something that wasn't wanted and now she'd ruined a chance with someone she liked.
"Mai," he said. He didn't want her to feel rejected. That was definitely not how he wanted things to go. And it wasn't really fair to have been playful and then withdraw. He was making a mess. "I'm out of practice. It's literally been years..."
That was enough to get her to look at him, confusion on her features again. "Years? How? I..." she shook her head and moved away from him. "You don't have to. It's fine." What she needed was food to get here so she'd stop hitting on a guy who didn't want her. Who didn't seem to want much of anyone. She'd been so wrong and now felt so stupid.
Ash watched her move away and stood up with the intention of ducking out or something. He stopped himself then, taking a chance. "I ... there was someone I was going to marry. When she died I threw myself into work and hardly looked up." Not to mention his addictions. "You're the first one who..." He stopped, not sure what he meant here. Got my attention?
That made Mai's stomach clench a little when she turned to look at him. He'd most been married. And she was dead. Maybe he just didn't want anyone. "The first who what?"
Well he'd said so much already, why not say it all? What did he have to lose at this point when he'd already made her feel rejected. "The first one to get my attention." He pressed his lips together, willing himself to say nothing more.
"But not like that," Mai supplied. Or something else. He wasn't ready. Maybe he was gay. Her mind was reeling and she couldn't stop it. "I shouldn't have. I just...I like you and I thought..." She'd thought his could he not want her.
Ash took a deep breath. "I wanted to kiss you. I want to kiss you. I like you." Maybe he had way back when he was scooping her ice cream. That seemed likely in light of the fact he felt so drawn to her so quickly.
"Then why..." Mai was so confused and she hated that when he said that, she melted a little. It still felt like there was some sort of but waiting around the turn.
Ash shook his head and drifted toward her. "I don't know," he said honestly. "You make me nervous," he added after a beat and laughed lightly at the thought of anyone making him nervous.
"Me? How do I do that?" She asked, trying not t be so relieved that he was moving closer but she was. She was hooked. Already hooked.
He sat down near her and looked over. "That's a good question. I don't know but you do. And it's not a bad thing other than it ended up making you feel bad I think. I'm sorry for that."
"You don't have to be nervous Ash," she told him gently. "Or apologize. I pushed too far." She'd read the whole situation wrong.
Ash shook his head, disagreeing with her. But it was like she was continually trying to give him an out that he didn't want and like maybe she was pitying him. He gave her a friendly smile and stood up. "I think I've kept you up late enough. If room service ever gets here will you have them bring my food up to my room? Or eat it. Either way." He started toward the door.
Mai got up the moment he headed towards the door. "Ash, stop." She headed towards him, reaching for his arm to pull him back. "Don't go. I wanted you to stay."
Ash paused, looking back at her when she pulled at his arm. "I ..." he started, beginning to say he disagreed. He'd told her a lot if personal information to make up for appearing to reject her and now he wasn't so sure he should have. "I don't want pity, Mai. That wasn't why I told you all that I did," he said, his tone quiet and even.
Mai pulled him closer, not letting him leave. "I don't pity you Ash," she said softly. "I want you to stay."
Ash felt rigid, like he needed to stand his ground with this one, but she was kind of making it difficult to keep any sort of self-protective wall up. So his tone slowly lost its edge as he spoke, "I'm a big boy, Mai. I knew what I was doing and I wanted to do it."
"Then kiss me again," Mai said, not sure if that was what he meant but taking a leap. She wanted him to at the very least.
He looked at her hesitantly for a moment and then tentatively cupped her cheek in his palm. He pressed his lips to hers, kissing her gently though not without some feeling.
Mai answered appropriately, wrapping her arms around his neck to keep him close.
Ash wasn't going anywhere. He wasn't sure where it came from but his kiss had a slow burn behind it, intensifying slightly as it progressed.
Mai was putty in his hands as he kissed her like that. That was what she's been hoping for from the jump.
Ash wasn't sure he was kissing Mai for Mai though not for anyone else per se. More a release of some kind of tension he hadn't known was there inside him. She seemed to bring a lot to the surface for him. His arms wound around her waist, pulling her tight against him.
Mai went where he pulled, pressing against him and twisting her fingers into his hair. She was already lost in the kiss, lost in him, and oh so fine with it. Part of her knew better but instinct and feeling had kicked in and she was going with that.
This was stupid. It registered in the back of his mind. Not because being in the moment with Mai was stupid. More like this was moving very fast without a lot of planning or thought. Still. He pulled back just enough to breathe and to look at her.
Mai liked that kiss much better, feeling it draw out naturally and when he pulled back she still had her eyes closed for a moment before she looked up at him with a soft smile.
Ash liked that smile. His arms gently loosened around her as some of his intensity dissipated. He was still looking at her when a sound in the hall outside her room startled him and he gave a little laugh.
The sound came with a knock which had Mai smiling as well, leaning up to press a quick kiss against his lips before moving past him to open the door and grab their food. Oddly enough there wasn't anyone there, just the tray waiting, but she took it inside nonetheless. "Good timing?" she suggested once she was back in the room.
Ash gave her a ghost of a smile when she kissed him again, watching her as she made her way to the door. It was good timing insomuch that it spared him from trying to figure out where to go next without taking her to bed which seemed the logical next step but also faster than he thought he should move. "Mm," he said by way of answering and then drew out the sound as his stomach grumbled with the scent of the food. "Perfect timing, apparently," he said with a little laugh.
She smiled at him, pulling covers off the food to find his meal and hers, then grabbed hers to take it back towards the bed. "I should have ordered wine or something," she said with a smile as she said with her salad bowl, pulling her feet up under her. "But yes perfect."
Ash pulled the chair near the bed closer to it and settled there with his food on the bed, serving as a table of sorts. It would be impossible to cut steak with the plate in his lap. And he was close to Mai. "Wine would have been nice. I'm not sure why I didn't think of it either," he said with a bit of a smile at her. He knew his mind had been elsewhere. He ate a little faster than he probably should have because he was starving and because his mind was on that kiss they'd shared. He wanted another one in spite of himself.
Mai watched him eat, picking at her own food, but eating enough to count. "Maybe next time," she said about the wine, glad that he was close to her. She hoped there would be a next time, maybe several more next times.
Ash put his fork down and nodded. "Definitely next time. I'm curious to see just how accommodating they'll be if I order Cristal," he answered with a slightly mischievous look. He cleared his plate from her bed, returning it to the tray and then came to sit beside her again. On the bed this time.
Mai was impressed at the suggestion alone. "So fancy," she said softly, finishing off her food and setting the plate away as she came back towards her. "I don't know if I could keep up," she admitted.
He raised his brows slightly, teasing a little as he said, "Isn't Cristal what those guys who date models ply them with? I'm more of a beer guy honestly. Give me an IPA like Hopfather or Supernaut, Raging Bitch, and I'm good."
"I suppose if you were a rapper," Mai said. "I don't think everyone else is that way." She smiled a little at him. "I think I'm a liquor or wine girl. Though you know, empty calories, all that."
Ash chuckled and shook his head. "See, I obviously don't date models." He nodded at the empty calories, figuring she probably didn't drink too much. Neither did he really. Anymore. He wasn't going to bring that up though. He settled more, getting comfortable. "I imagine you have to give up quite a bit to be in your industry?"
"Lucky for you I'm just like a normal girl." She inched towards him, smiling still. "I gave up some stuff. The rest is good genes," she explained. "I don't mind it. There's worse things."
"No, you're not like the girls in my world. They're all trying to beat the boys' club and becoming rather masculine in the process. Or their brainless bits of pretty decoration." He paused and cringed slightly. "Was that wrong of me to say?" She was right about good genes. Life had dealt her beauty as well as intelligence and a certain something magnetic that drew him to her.
"Lucky for me, I'm not either one of those." Mai reached for his cheek, drawing him closer. "No, not at all. It's fine. Everyone wonders if there's something wrong with me, if I don't eat, if I've had work done, it's all me though."
He'd more meant was it wrong for him to be so hard on the women around him but it was interesting to hear her side of things. "I could tell them that. You still have the same looks you did all those years ago." He leaned into her touch briefly, watching her face.
That had her tilting her head at him, leaning into his touch and watching him curiously. "I thought you didn't notice me then."
"Of course I noticed. It was hard not to. Though maybe I didn't notice you the way I do now." That was true. He'd been so busy trying to survive that he hadn't had the chance to truly take an interest in her and she'd been so young that he probably wouldn't have anyway. But he'd remembered her so he definitely had noticed her.
Mai laughed lightly. "Now you're just trying to make up for it." She was teasing him, smile on her lips as she watched him. It was fair enough. She'd barely noticed him herself, plus her friend had that crush so it wasn't like Mai was about to get in the way. "What do you notice now that's so different?"
Ash lifted a brow at her teasing and flashed her a slight smile. "No, you'll find I'm as honest as they come." He appraised her as she asked her question and looked at her from a couple different angles, his expression pensive though he was teasing her back. "Well, you're older. More age appropriate for me to notice. Possibly prettier. And I wouldn't say it's different because I have nothing to base that on, but you're soft," he said gently taking her hand from his cheek and holding it.
"So I look old," Mai teased back smiling still. "You aren't that much older than me are you?" she asked. Though even if he was it didn't really bother her that much. She'd dated a few other older guys, mostly boring. "Soft? What kind of soft?"
"Yes, that's exactly what I said," he deadpanned though his eyes were amused. "No, not by much but when we were in school it was a lot. I think I went to school with Kai but even she wasn't in my year." He lifted her hand a little, his other hand closing over it and caressing down along her wrist and back again. "Soft. And when I held you? Soft. Though there's nothing soft about your mind."
"Does it bother you that I'm younger?" she asked gently, shivering a little as he touched her wrist. "I liked you holding me." Mai wondered if he would do it again. She wanted him to do it again. Desperately wanted him to do it again. "Sharp as a tack right?"
Ash shook his head. "No, should it?" he asked curiously. It wasn't like she was underaged, right? It suddenly occurred to him that she might be and he hesitated mentally. "I liked doing it," he admitted. "And kissing you." He nodded when she asked if her mind was sharp because it was as far as he could tell. And determined.
She shook her head. "No. It's not that big of a deal." Just a few years if she remembered correctly. "I liked kissing you too. Quite a bit." And she wanted him to do it again. And then again after that.
He hoped she'd speak up if she were a lot younger than he thought. He left it to her and eased mentally once more. Again it felt so fast but the more time he spent with her, the less he cared. Still, he didn't want to seduce her into a regret on her part. "We'll have to try it again some time."
Mai smirked mischievously, letting her fingers graze across the part of his wrist nearest to her. "What are you doing right now? Want to have another go at it?"
Ash felt goosebumps raise along his arm at her touch and gave her a thoughtful look again. "Well, maybe just one. To tide me over until next time," he said lightly, hoping she picked up on his meaning. He leaned toward her and kissed her warmly, slowly.
Tide him over. She wondered if that meant he was only going to kiss her once. Just this once. That wasn't what she wanted at all. Still, as he kissed her, Mai answered it, openly and willingly, deepening it slightly, but not pushing his pace.
When she deepened the kiss, Ash was pretty sure he was going to lose himself in her. It made part of him want to pull away and another part, one that had long slept, want to simply do just that. He pushed his fingers into her hair, scooting closer to her.
Mai couldn't help the way she angled her body at him, being open to whatever he wanted. She made the tiniest of noises when he slipped his hand into her hair, she reached for him, hand tightening in his shirt, not too bad, but lightly holding on to him to keep him close.
The way she moved, that sound she made, it was all encouragement to Ash. His lips parted slightly against hers when he felt her hand tighten in his shirt. He couldn't resist tasting her then, the tip of his tongue finding her lip.
Mai didn't even hesitate in letting her own mouth open slightly, giving him freedom to deepen the kiss. Her own tongue found his, teasing along it, drinking more of him in and loving it.
Ash's fingers found the back of her neck, his thumbs caressing her throat and then her shoulders. The sensation of her tongue against his produced a soft, breathless sound in his own throat. It had been so long but she felt so right.
That was what she wanted. That noise, that feel. Mai's fingers tightened in his shirt, bunching it up then searching for the bare skin it exposed. She wanted to keep touching, keep him closer, get lost in the moment.
It had been so long since anyone's hands except his own had been on his skin and it earned her an almost inaudible gasp. He pulled back from her lips, breathing for a moment and looking at her. That was one. He wanted more. "Tell me why," he whispered. He knew why he was drawn to her. Why was she?
She let her hand slip under his shirt against his skin, drinking in the warmth, but she looked up at him when he he asked. "Why?" she asked, but pushed forward with what she assumed he meant. "Because you...pull me in. You're like all the best parts of home. And handsome. And warm and safe."
Ash's eyes slipped closed as her hand found his skin but opened again shortly after to hear her answer. That was exactly what he'd needed to hear. He caught her mouth again with his, this kiss only slightly less than gentle.
The less gentle kiss she answered eagerly. Her hand curled around his hip, holding on to him, giving her something to leverage against, something to hold herself steady with as she let herself get carried away.
Ash had stopped thinking. Her touch, where she held to him, felt good and nothing about any of this gave him pause at this point. She'd pulled him so far out of his own head that he found himself pushing gently against her to lay her back against the bed.
Mai didn't stop him. Instead she went where he pushed, laying back against the bed and pulling him with her. One of her hands stayed under his shirt, the other reaching up to twist in his hair.
Ash kissed her until he couldn't breathe and then kept going. He felt the undeniable pull of a forming addiction and thought nothing of it because being addicted to Mai? It wasn't dangerous. He finally had to stop and rested down beside her, his body against hers.
When he pulled away her breathing was ragged, eager for more, but needing to catch her breath as well. She ran her fingers through his hair, smiling at him. "Out of practice or not, I think you've still got it."
Her fingers were heaven and he smiled which broadened at her words though he turned a little bit serious. "I need to stop. I don't want to go but I need to not do more than this right now." He felt a little humiliated to admit it but it was true and he needed her to know.
Mai's smile shifted to confusion, looking up at him. "Why?" There had to be a reason he'd say it like that right? Had to be something. She didn't let go of him yet, not wanting to lose him, his warmth and just that feel of him close to her. Part of her worried she might not see him again.
Ash kissed her cheek softly. He knew he was caught up in the moment, in her. He needed to be sure she wasn't either. If they parted and found themselves together again he'd know. But he wasn't sure how to explain that without sounding like an ass or like someone who took things far too seriously when they weren't. "Being with you like this is something I never expected to happen to me again. I want to ... make it last." He hoped that made sense and wasn't flavored with rejection he wasn't aiming for.
She liked that sweet kiss, but the rest had her looking at him, still trailing her fingers through his hair. "Someone was going to catch your attention," she reassured him. "I don't want you to go," she added in a slight murmur. Mai really didn't want him to. Him leaving had her worrying she wouldn't see him again. "You could make it last tonight. Promise."
Ash sighed softly at her touch in his hair. It felt so good. Not even Bonnie had discovered that. "Not someone." He was pretty sure only she could have done it. She was the right amount of interesting, smart, determined, beautiful, and that added something extra he still couldn't put his finger on. "I don't have to go, no. But, Mai, this is all I can do," he said and pressed his mouth to hers again. Soft and sweet for a moment before it ended.
"Did I have that wrong?" she asked leaning into the kiss before laying back. "Then just this. But tell me why first," Mai asked. She was starting to worry there was something else, something that would keep the whole thing at just kisses. "I want you to stay. Right here. With me."
Ash smiled gently at her, grateful she didn't pull away. "You have nothing wrong. Nothing. I want you. I want to stay. I want to kiss you and hold you." He thought for a moment though, still second guessing himself about the why. Not wanting her to feel rejected because she really wasn't.
"Then you're staying," Mai decided. That sounded better than falling asleep alone and worried in the creepy hotel anyway. "But you didn't answer the question." She sat up a little, propped up on one elbow.
Oh, no, he hadn't answered her, had he? He was definitely staying and he was definitely going to answer her. He moved closer to her side. "Because you're you. Different. You're challenging without being a challenge. Determined. Beautiful. So beautiful. And I'm so very drawn to you."
Mai wrapped her arms around him, smiling. He hadn't answered the question she wanted, but she liked that answer well enough. None of those sounded like bad things and she was particularly drawn to being different. That had been her goal for a long time, to be something other than what her heritage dictated. "Then why no more than just this?"
Ash realized, after he'd spoken, that maybe she'd wanted to know why he only wanted to kiss her. Well, he'd already spilled. There was no going back from that and he wouldn't have wanted to if he could. He kissed her cheek again, this time closer to the corner of her mouth. I'm easily addicted. I need to make sure I'm not just using you. "I don't want to explore everything at one time. I don't want you to get bored of me so soon."
Mai shook her head but stayed close to him for a long moment. "I couldn't get bored of you if I tried." She had a feeling that he just got more interesting the more of him there was to know. Pressing a kiss to his jaw she lingered for a moment longer before getting up and heading to her suitcase to find something to sleep in.
There was something in her statement that sent a shiver through him. He wanted to draw closer but she'd moved away. He quickly figured out what she was doing and pushed himself up too. He moved her salad plate to somewhere other than the bed and then pulled off his shirt. Then he climbed under the covers.
Mai dug through the mess of clothes to find a pair of boxer shorts and a long sleeved shirt that fell off one shoulder. The real treat though was turning back in time to see him take his shirt off before he got under the covers. That was a sight to see. She smiled over at him as she undid her jeans and slipped out of them, hints of lacy underwear before she pulled on the pajama shorts. Then it was the sweater and tank, revealing a matching lacy bra before she was put the shirt on and worked he bra off and out from under it.
Ash hadn't wanted to sleep in his jeans. It was too uncomfortable. But he wasn't sure how that worked until he watched her. She was amazing as she went through the process of changing clothes. He wanted to touch her. He pulled his jeans off under the blankets and pushed them to the floor with his feet. "Come here," he said softly, unable to contain himself anymore.
Mai didn't hesitate in heading towards him, crawling across the bed until she was within reach. She'd seen that he'd ditched his jeans, which was just all the more appealing. There was no point in sharing the bed bundled up like it might protect them from something and in reality just made them uncomfortable.
Ash pulled the blanket away so she could climb in close as she crawled across the bed. The sight of her was amazing. He took it in without a word. "Mai," he murmured, not sure what he even meant to say.
Mai just smiled, sliding into the space next to him before reaching for him to pull him into a kiss. If that was all he could do, she was going to make the most of it and cover him in kisses. "Mm?" she asked when she pulled away, not sure what he meant by saying her name, though for the first time she really didn't mind being called Mai instead of Anne.
Ash kissed her back, letting his mouth and his fingers on her waist express how he felt about her. He lightly caught her lower lip with his teeth but not for long as she pulled away. He shook his head, not having meant he wanted her to pull away.
Mai's giggle was soft, barely there as she moved back to kiss him again, arms wrapping around his neck, body pressed against his. This time she nipped at his lower lip with her teeth, just to see what he would do.
Mai was so much more than he'd bargained for in a way that made him hope he could he could repay her. Her teeth nipped and he moaned. Beneath the covers, his hands quested along her for signs of her own skin.
That noise alone was intoxicating and Mai nibbled at his lip a little more before kissing him hard. As his hand searched she moved into them giving him the right angle to find bare skin, something she was craving just as much as she was.
Ash hadn't intended to touch her. No, he really hadn't intended to make that sound which was repeated and louder when he felt her teeth. She was kissing him hard and he was answering equally and his fingers were pressing in against her skin. He pulled back slowly to breathe, his mouth the only thing separating from her.
Mai didn't want to stop kissing him. She wanted to kiss him for as long as she could so when he pulled back she whimpered lightly. Something kept her from dragging him back, though she desperately wanted to.
He took a few quiet breaths, his lips swollen some from the intensity of their kisses. She was even softer where his fingers touched and it was almost intoxicating being with her like this. He kissed her again, gently this time, but there was a hunger in him for her so it didn’t stay that gentle.
Mai twisted her fingers in his hair as she answered the kiss, gentle at first as well, but as his tone changed, she changed hers too. As the kiss got harder, she shivered a little, mumbling softly with a sweet little murmur of happiness.
Ash breathed a quiet sigh with the twist of her fingers as it fueled his desire for her mouth, her closeness. He felt himself smile against her lips, hearing her murmur, feeling her shiver. It reminded him though that if they didn't stop, he wasn't going to be able to stop. He pulled gently away to kiss her cheek and then her chin. Soft, little kisses.
Mai hated the whimper because she didn’t mean to do that to him, but she did tilt her head so that he could kiss her jaw, giving him more space. They’d talked about pace and timing and Mai didn’t even remember it. All she knew was this moment and how much of herself she was willing to give him.
Ash's lips paused against her skin when she whimpered, parting slightly in response to it. She was making it very difficult to maintain some level of control. He pulled his mouth from her after one more soft kiss to her jaw. He brushed a kiss to her lips and then moved his face back a little. He felt heady and so warm.
Mai let him pull back, keeping her hand in his hair, fingers brushing against his scalp. But her eyes were searching his, wanting to know what he was thinking without asking about it just yet. Maybe he’d tell her.
Ash watched her face, her expression compelling him to speak. He wasn't quite sure what to say. Everything that came to mind sounded awkward or prosaic. She was beautiful. She was way too good at this. He wanted more even though he shouldn't. "What are you thinking?" he decided to ask, his tone quiet.
She smiled softly at him, then leaned in closer to rest against his shoulder. “That I’m surprised. That I’m happy. And I’m glad I found you. And I wonder what you’re thinking.”
His fingers trailed gentle circles against her back as he nodded. "What are you surprised about?" he asked, curious about that particular emotion. "I'm glad I found you too. I wonder if whoever brought us here didn't do us a favor."
She arched into his touches, smiling a little bit more. “Just that...that this would happen.” And that she really liked him. And he seemed like a decent guy. Those things didn’t usually go hand in hand in her world. “They probably did. Otherwise you never would have noticed me again.”
Ash breathed a laugh. "I'm sure you didn't expect to be in bed with a stranger by the end of your first day as a kidnapping victim," he said amusedly. "Oh, I'm sure I would have noticed you when I got dragged to Fashion Week next," he said, nodding.
“I don’t know if I’d call you a stranger completely, but no, not if I’d been kidnapped.” She propped herself up on one elbow, looking down at him. “Well I’d have to get a stage at Fashion Week you’d even see, but I can’t believe you’d pick me out of that big crowd of models. I’m pretty but there’s a lot of competition for someone like you.”
"I hope you don't regret it in the morning," he said, his tone still amused. He rolled his eyes indulgently. "I wouldn't really know. I have an assistant who keeps that stuff far away from me. I'm sure you'll be walking for Diane and Vera and Calvin soon. And I would have gone and been drawn to you."
She slipped her fingers in his hair, kissing him softly. “An assistant that manages your calendar. God you are important aren’t you?” She softened a little under his hands. “I wouldn’t regret you, but yes, all of them. Soon enough.” She hoped. She was getting a little old for Calvin, but she would make it work if she could.
Ash liked her kiss, that she felt comfortable enough to initiate it. He smiled slightly when she mentioned again that he must be important. "Mm, I do. And he makes sure my personal life is drama free. I might be important, but I worked hard to get where I am. I had to," he said, shifting a little. "You have such a different look. It really should be soon, Mai."
“So he’d write me right on out of your calendar huh?” Mai teased, though she was worried that was the point. He might not have time for a woman in his life. “You think so?” She knew that, but she liked hearing it. It was a wonderful little ego boost that she needed.
"Only if you sent me a death threat," Ash promised with a little laugh. "No, I'd instruct him to write you into my calendar and hire another assistant to pick up the inevitable slack. They don't need me at every board meeting or fundraiser." He nodded at her question. "I do. You're lovely and, as far as I can tell, not high strung like some of those girls. I'll bet the photogs like working with you."
“No death threats. Only if you miss a dinner or an anniversary.” She smiled leaning in closer. “Are you asking me out?” She was teasing but there was an honest interest in the question. Shrugging at his last statement she rested against his shoulder again. “Some of them do. Though I prefer the ones who like my sister. Don’t tell her that though.”
"You're the one bringing up dinners and anniversaries. Are you asking me out?" he asked, enjoying this line of conversation. Making plans to have her in his life, have dinners. There was something exciting about that. He felt more hopeful than he had in a very long time. When she asked him not to tell Kai about her preference, he made a motion like zipping his lips and then rested his arm across her waist.
“If you aren’t then I am. I want to see you again.” And again. She smiled leaning up to kiss his jaw. “What do you say?”
Ash dipped his chin to catch her mouth and kissed her lightly. "I want to see you again too. Does that mean I have to leave now?" he teased gently.
She laughed and shook her head. “No. You aren’t allowed to leave. You’re staying right here.” Mai wrapped her arms around him, kissing him again.
"Oh, in that case," he said and half snuggled up against her. Then she was kissing him and he couldn't help but smile. She was special, he could feel it. He knew he was so fortunate to be here and now with her.
Mai giggled lightly and wrapped her arms around him as the kiss broke off, cuddling up close. “So after this...we’ll spend some time together.” Which sounded amazing. “You might have to get me to New York or wherever you’re at.”
Ash nodded and flashed her a grin. "We'll have to go on that vacation together. Mutual arm candy. I'm sure it won't surprise you at this point, but I can always send my private jet to pick you up." All of the stuff he had and could do really meant nothing in here though. He hoped she was enjoying him for the simple man that he was without all of it. She seemed to be.
Mai covered her face with her hands. She was in bed with a decent man who actually had a private jet. “Of course you would.” She peeked at him, smiling brightly. “Where would we go?” She leaned in and kissed his chest, then pillowed her arms against his chest and watched him. He was right in thinking that she liked him. That was enough alone, but the rest the rest made him too good to be true.
Ash hoped Mai never found out about his history of addiction and all the low points he'd been in where he'd almost given up. That person would be so disappointing, he was sure of it. He'd done a good job of spinning the times he'd dropped out of sight into addiction or rehab but there were people who knew. Web sites that had photos. No, he'd have to tell her he supposed. But not now. Not so soon. It had been more than a little uncomfortable to reveal so much about his past history of love and loss earlier. He smiled as she kissed and then settled against him. Gently he stroked her hair. "My favorite is the Dominican Republic. But we could go anywhere really. Where would you go if you could choose?"
“The Dominican Republic?” she asked, confused. “Do they have nice beaches?” She couldn’t see why someone would want to go there. “If I could choose? Paris maybe. Milan.” Any of the fashion hubs would please her, but in a way she liked the idea of a romantic trip somewhere old and pretty.
Ash nodded. "And beautiful resorts and going there improves their economy which is extremely poor." He played with the ends of her hair, idly twirling them around his fingers as he listened to her answer. "I think that could be arranged. Either or both. I love the bridges in Paris, the fountains in Milan. I think it could be fun to spoil you a little. But only a little."
Mai was kind of surprised about the comment on improving their economy, knowing full well that not a lot of people thought like that. Maybe he was even nicer than she thought. The suggestion of spoiling her though that had her eyes widening, sitting up just a little bit. “You’re not joking are you?” He wanted to take her to Paris and Milan. And spoil her. That couldn’t be real. She was dreaming.
"I'll be honest. You're the first person who's given me much hope lately. I kinda want to make sure you're going to stick around," he said with a bit of a teasing smile, representing truth but delivering it playfully. "Besides, you'll find that once you get to know me, there will be a thousand things about me that annoy the hell out of you. I really have to sweeten the pot some."
“Hope?” she asked, finding that a curious thing for someone to say. “Stop. I doubt you’re all that annoying. Just think...you’re dating a model.” She was pretty sure she wasn’t very interesting either.
Ash lifted a brow and let the whole hope thing drop. He wasn't sure he could explain that right now. "Oh believe me. You'll find out though I guess." He laughed lightly when she said he was dating a model. "Am I now a cliche?" he asked. ` She smiled, but shook her head. “This alone,” she said pointing to his chest. “Is interesting enough.” Mai kissed his chest again then shook her head. “No, just don’t expect me to be all that exciting. My job is to stand around and look pretty.”
"My chest will keep you interested?" he asked. "Guess I better get to the gym." He chuckled and then shook his head right back at her. "That's your job. That's not you. And damn, if you're going to judge my excitement level by my job you better run now, Mai. I'm as boring as they come by that standard!" He touched her cheek gently then continued to play with her hair.
“Just you in general,” Mai said. She leaned into his hand and kissed his wrist. “Stop. I’m sure whatever you do is far too interesting.”
"Just me, huh?" Ash asked and brushed his fingers against her lips after she kissed his wrist. "I run companies and non-profits. Make all the big plans." He shrugged. "Unless you have a passion for it, it's not interesting. To me though it's like solving puzzles so that everyone comes out the other side having gained."
“Sounds like that’s how you get people to like you, getting them what they need.” Mai kissed his fingers lightly. “So maybe I don’t have a passion for it, but you do, and that’s what matters right?”
"I don't necessarily need them to like me. I'm hated in some sectors and that's fine. I can be ruthless at times, I know. But I do have a passion for it, yes. And to everyone I work with, that's what matters." He ducked his chin again to kiss her. "No more work talk. Tell me more about Mai."
Mai tried to put him in his office, in a situation like that but he didn’t fit. He came with the demeanor, the aura of it, but just laying here, kissing her and playing with her hair he seemed like something else. Something that wouldn’t fit there. Mai shifted, rolling to his side to rest her head on his shoulder, one arm and leg strewn across him. “Mai is not terribly interesting. I try and go by Anne, but it doesn’t always stick. My name out there is Mai and people seem to think that’s what I should be called. I’m doing a lot of work, just haven’t hit the big break yet.” She glanced up at him. “Not much to tell. This is the most exciting thing that’s happened to me in a while.”
What Mai was experiencing was an Ash who had nothing to do but focus on her. Probably a dangerous thing because the more he focused, the more of her he wanted to know, touch, taste, experience. It was definitely the formation of an addiction and it red-flagged in the back of his mind but if she didn't mind, he wasn't going to stop. When she draped her leg over him, his fingers found their way to it, figuring he was permitted now that she'd made the gesture. He shook his head at her and sort of corrected her, saying, "Mai-Anne. She seems to like danger, thrive almost solely on kisses, and can manage to find excitement in the oddest places. She's a very interesting girl so far. "
“Danger? What danger?” Mai asked, shivering as he touched her leg but not pulling away. “I suppose I have been thriving on you alone, but I’m fine with that. Makes me feel good.” He made her feel good. And he made her feel good about herself which was a rare thing to find in the field she worked in. Often nothing was quite good enough, but Ash made her feel like it was.
Ash pointed to himself. "Strange man, your bed. Alone," he said with a soft laugh that finished with another little kiss. He'd never hurt her or put her in danger. Not on purpose anyway. "I don't mind if you do, if it makes you feel good." She made him feel good too. Like there was more to life than work and negative experiences with mind-altering substances.
“You aren’t all that strange,” she reminded him. “You used to serve me ice cream.” Which in Mai’s mind made him safe. Maybe not her best decision, but it worked for right now because otherwise she might have to leave the bed and his arms. Neither one of those things was happening right now.
Ash knew that he could have gone on to be all kinds of crazy after serving her ice cream. Hell, he could be a serial killer but he wasn't planting that idea in her head. He wanted to spare her that and any other fear she might have because of this damned place. "I'm very strange," he teased but then he kissed her.
She shook her head after she kissed him back. “Stop that. You’re not strange.” Mai wrapped her arms around him again, feeling sleep pull lightly at her. He was warm and this whole thing was comforting.
The more he kissed her the more comfortable it felt though it still stirred things inside him. Things he hoped one day to answer with her. But not tonight. Tonight he would control himself, treat her respectfully, and sneak out of her room in the morning like a lovesick teenager. And he'd grin the entire time. "You're right. I'm just a normal guy."
Mai nodded sleepily against his shoulder. “Normal guy. Normal handsome, warm guy.” She kissed his shoulder and closed her eyes. She was glad he was here. He made her feel safe which was all she needed right now.
Ash smiled to see her sleepy. There was something adorable about it and the way her voice sounded. "Normal girl. Normal beautiful, soft girl," he said, echoing her sentiment. He closed his eyes, not feeling the pull of sleep yet but he knew it would come eventually. For now he'd just enjoy holding onto her, feeling her close, and for the first time in ages feel like he wasn't alone.