by Tania Sparks
Ash pulls his hands away from mine and crosses his arms across his chest. “No!” he says defiantly.
I squint my eyes and tilt my head as I hesitantly ask, “What do you mean ‘No’ Ash?”
He straightens his back and looks at me insolently, “I mean No - no you’re not going!”
“What the hell Ash! you can’t tell me not to go!” I shriek loudly.
“I can too!” he yells.
I yell back in frustration matching his volume, “No Ash. No you can’t.”
“You’re my girl and I’m your, your…I don’t know, I guess I’m your boyfriend. I can tell you not to go if that’s what I want!” He stamps his foot insolently.
If this wasn’t such a serious matter I would find his temper tantrum comical. “Ash.” I say lowering my voice and trying to speak calmly. I pick up his hands and stare into his determined eyes. “Ash, even boyfriends can’t tell their girlfriends what to do – I’m a big girl you know, I can make my own decisions.”
Ash stands their pouting for a few seconds, then his face lights up with an idea, “What if you’re not just my girlfriend Angel, can I tell you what to do then?” he asks.
I’m not sure I like where this conversation is going, “What do you mean Ash?”
“Marry me Angel?”
Holy Christ! What the hell is he thinking!
“Oh my god Ash. I can’t believe you asked me to marry you just to try to stop me from going to New York for a few days. And no, even if I was your wife you couldn’t tell me not to go!”
Ash stares at me looking all sheepish, then he quietly repeats, “Marry me Angel?”
I stand there in stunned silence, he can’t be serious. I know he doesn’t mean it, he’s just over-reacting to me going away for a few days. “No Ash I won’t marry you.”
“What!” he yells, “You won’t marry me! Fuck Angel.”
He turns around, opens the door, slams it behind him and stomps off angrily down the bus corridor. I can hear crashing and banging as he takes out his frustrations on everything in his path. Then it goes quiet and all I can hear is the guys talking in hushed voices.
I flop down onto my back on the bed. That didn’t go quite how I expected. I rest my forearms across my face as tears start to pool in my eyes. I don’t know what to do. Ash and I have never actually fought before, ever. I feel like my heart’s been ripped out. He asked me to marry him! - and I said no!
Shit, what a mess, so much for trying to make this work. We’re not doing a very good job of it, the first little stumbling block and we’ve already mucked it up.
After a few minutes the door to the bedroom opens and Ash slinks inside looking miserable. His eyes are watery and his shoulders are slumped. I sit up on the edge of the bed. He sits down next to me and holds my hand, “I’m sorry Angel, I didn’t mean to yell at you. That was the first time we’ve fought and I fucking hated it.” He embraces me tightly in his arms, his face buried in my hair. “I know I’m being selfish Angel, I just sort of panicked at the thought of not seeing you for four days and it threw me into a tail-spin.”
We shuffle up on the bed and Ash sits with his legs out in front of him. I straddle his lap so we’re facing each other and I rest my head on his shoulder, wrapping our arms around each other. “I hate fighting too Ash but I know you didn’t mean what you said, it’s a new situation for both of us and we need to work out how we can compromise to make this work so that we’re both happy.”
Ash sits looking straight into my eyes. His mouth opens to say something, but he just sighs and closes his mouth again, deep in thought. Then he talks softly, “Angel, I did mean some of what I said. I know the timing was all off and I know it was a shit thing to ask in the middle of an argument. And I know we’ve only been back together for a couple of weeks. But someday I will ask you to marry me and you will say yes. But I promise you, next time I ask I’ll do a better job. I’ll propose in a way that you deserve, even with flowers and love heart shit.”
I chuckle at his pseudo-romantic remark. “Flowers and love heart shit huh!”
He grins back at me cheekily, “Yeah, flowers and love heart shit.”
“That’s okay Ash, we’ve got plenty of time, there’s no rush. When that time comes, sometime way in the future, in a few years maybe, when the time’s right and when you ask again, then my answer will be yes.”
“Angel, I can promise you one thing, there’s no fucking way I’m waiting for a few years for you to be mine.”
“I’m already yours Ash. Always have been. Always will be.”
“Always.” he whispers.
We sit holding each other in silence until I realise that we still need to sort out our disagreement. “So what do we do about New York?” I ask hesitantly.
“You need to go Angel. I realise that. You have a great career that’s really important to you. I don’t fucking like the idea of us being apart for four days, and I’m going to be a sulky bastard the whole time, but I do understand.”
“Thanks Ash, I appreciate it. My career is really important to me, but you should know that you’re more important to me than anything else. We’ll make this work, I promise.”
“Yeah Angel, we’ll make it work. I just have to get my head out of my ass and compromise now an’ then, and not be such a selfish prick wanting to have you here at my beck and call all the time.”
“I sort of like being at your beck and call.” I flirt. “You know we have a few hours before we reach our next stop. Why don’t we make the most of the time. I’m not gone yet. I’m here. You’re here. This bed is here.” I bat my eyes and pat the bed beneath us, “I can be at your beck and call right now.”
“Oh sweetheart, I’m undoubtedly going to make you ‘beg and call’. I plan on making the most of the next few hours. I’ll tease you so much that I’ll have you begging in no time. Then when I finally fuck you you’ll be calling so loudly that the whole damn bus ‘ll hear you screaming my name.”
He gently pushes me backwards on the bed and climbs on top of me so he’s straddling my hips. His eyes are burning with desire and promise. He leans down and his hands clasp lightly around my jaw, holding my face in place while he softly devours my lips. He tastes so good, I could do this all day. His mouth moves down over my jaw to my neck, nibbling, kissing and lavishing affection on me. I can tell already that he’s going to make the most of the few hours that we have, he’s going to drive me crazy with his touch.
He pushes the top of my t-shirt down as far as it will stretch and he runs his tongue along my collar bone. He sits back upright settling himself between my knees. He runs his finger slowly and seductively all the way from my chin, down my neck, between my breasts, over my stomach and to the waistband of my jeans. Even though I am still fully clothed, his scorching touch leaves a trail of heat along my body. Both hands gently ease under my t-shirt, rubbing small circles over my waist and ribs. He clasps the bottom of my t-shirt and pulls it up and over my head. I lift up slightly to allow its removal then lower back down. He reaches underneath me and deftly unclasps my bra and lifts it from my body. An appreciative sound emanates from his throat as he growls, “Always so fucking beautiful Angel. How the hell am I going to cope for four days?”
“I can send a reminder pxt or two to your phone if you like.” I giggle.
“Holy hell Angel, that would be so hot. But honestly I think it would drive me fucking crazy being able to see you and not touch.”
He crosses his hands over his chest and grabs a hold of the hem of his t-shirt and lifts it up and over his head. It doesn’t matter how many times I see his beautiful torso, each time makes me gasp in surprise. Holy-fucking-christ he’s hot! His smooth skin seems to stretch over his well-defined muscles that ripple and contract with every movement. I reach up and run my fingers over his warm flesh, causing goose bumps to ripple over both our bodies.
He repositions himself so he’s lying down next to me. I turn to face him so we’re face to face, our hands explore and wo
rship each other. We slowly remove the rest of each other’s clothing and then lie back down so we remain facing each other. I take the opportunity to survey every inch of his perfect body and he does the same to me. We’re still re-learning and re-familiarising ourselves with each other and I’m enjoying every single minute.
Gradually we get more and more intimate as his fingers delve into my folds and he slips inside me and starts to pump rythmically. He builds me up so I’m just about to come and then he frustratingly slows down. He does the same thing over and over again, each time making my body chase an ever elusive orgasm. He keeps his promise and drives me crazy until I’m literally begging him to let me come.
After what feels like a lifetime he flips me over onto my stomach. Grasping my hips he lifts me so I’m on all fours. He enters me from behind, plunging deep inside in one strong thrust. My orgasm explodes instantly as I scream out his name over and over again. I don’t give a damn who can hear me, I have no control over either my body or my voice. Ash continues to thrust slowly prolonging my ecstasy.
“Jesus Christ Angel.”, he growls as he speeds up and thrusts harder, “You feel so good, oh my god, I’m going to...” A loud erotic moan emanates from his chest as he releases explosively. I can feel him pulse inside me and he quickly has me coming again as I match his flamboyant moan with another of my own.
Ash gently pulls out of me and we both flop down onto the bed. We lie there panting, unable to move. After a few minutes Ash gets up and holds up a sheet, “Come on Angel, let’s go jump in the shower and clean up.” I get up and he wraps me in the sheet and then in his arms. We stumble out into the corridor and quickly dart into the small bathroom. After we’ve cleaned up we go back to the bedroom and get dressed.
We must be really close to Michigan by now, so we wonder on out to the main cabin of the bus. We’re greeted by clapping and cheers. I guess we did make quite a bit of noise, the guys obviously heard everything! I cover my eyes with my hands as my face turns a bright shade of red. Ash grins and takes a theatrical bow as I slap him playfully on the shoulder for his brazenness.
Chapter 20
We reach Michigan at just after one o’clock in the afternoon. We’d all decided to forego a lunch stop and grab some food once we get here. Luckily tonight is one of the few nights that the guys don’t have a show, so we have the whole of this afternoon, evening and until around midday tomorrow to do whatever we like. Yippee!
Oblivion are headlining Dirtfest tomorrow night and the guys are all really pumped. Apparently the last time they played at the festival they were one of the minor acts, so they’re eager to come back and be the headline. It’ll be great to get to listen and watch the other bands and the added bonus of Trixie arriving tomorrow means I’m really excited about the next few days.
We pull up to the hotel and as we all pile out of the bus, Beth is there waiting for us. She has her handy clipboard perched in her hand and is looking unusually efficient and professional. I guess she’s trying to make an effort to do her job properly. She smiles cheerily, “Hey guys, I’ve checked you in already and I’ll arrange for your bags to be taken up. Ash, I’ve organised the limo you asked for, it’s ready and waiting to take you all through to the Frankenmuth Brewery. I’ve booked you guys in for lunch and then a tour.” She pauses for dramatic effect, smiling like she expects to be patted on the back for doing her job. She looks at the guys hopefully and shrugs her shoulders, “Any chance of a spare seat for me?”
The guys all shake their heads and nudge Ash to respond. “No sorry Beth, band only.”
Beth looks disappointed and throws an evil scowl in my direction. “What about her?” she asks nodding her chin at me.
“Angel’s one of us Beth, wherever I go, she goes.” Ash grabs me around my waist and gives me an affectionate kiss on my lips.
Beth scowls at me some more, then humphs, turning her back on us and walking into the hotel. She sulks off and mumbles to anyone listening, “I guess I’ll see you at the venue tomorrow then.”
“Yep, that you will.” Ash chortles. We jump into the limo which takes us to the Frankenmuth Brewery which is only a short drive away.
We spend a pleasant afternoon eating lunch, touring the brewery and tasting the beers on offer. Afterwards we go for a wonder around the Bavarian themed shops at Frankenmuth River Place. We all split up and Ash and I wonder around hand-in-hand browsing leisurely through the stores. We don’t seem to be attracting much attention and we don’t look too out of place as there’s an unusually large number of rockers wondering around too, they must be here for the festival tomorrow as well. Every now and then one or two of them will stop and introduce themselves to Ash, they obviously recognise him. Ash introduces me to each and every one of them and I’m in awe of the recognition and respect he gets from other well-known musicians. Ash always keeps me involved in the conversations and I’m thankful that I feel part of the discussions.
After a while of wondering around the shops we all meet up at the limo and jump in. The driver asks us where we want to go. Cody gets a cheeky grin on his face, “Anyone up for some zipping?” he asks.
I don’t know what zipping is so I lean into Ash as ask him what it is. “You’ll love it Angel, it’s a big thrill and really cool fun.” He looks at each of the guys, “Hell yeah!” they all reply in unison. I’m still not sure what zipping is, but the guys sound keen so it can’t be too bad. Cody tells the driver to take us to the Frankenmuth Adventure Park.
We drive to the park and as we get out of the limo I quickly realise what we’ll be doing. There are people getting strapped into harnesses like they’re going rock climbing. I hear a girl screaming from above us. I look up into the tall trees that surround us and realise that she’s zipping past us on a wire thirty feet in the air. There’s an obstacle course built right up there into the tree tops. Apparently you climb around the obstacles which are linked by zip lines so you literally fly between the trees. Great! This should be interesting.
We’re all strapped into our harnesses and are given a safety demonstration. After each of us sign pieces of paper waiving the park of all liability, I start to get even more nervous. The instructor asks us which course we want to do. Apparently there are different levels of scariness. Nikki tells the instructor, “Do we look like we want to do the pussy course – we’ll go on the bad-ass-mother-fucker one – which one’s that?”
The instructor grins evilly and directs us to a ladder that disappears up into the tree canopy. We climb up and up, getting higher and higher until we are extremely high and all perched on a wooden platform. I can see a wire that leaves the platform and it disappears a couple of hundred feet into the trees. “Holy shit!” I exclaim. The guys all smirk.
Ash slaps me on the bum. “Come on Angel, ladies first, clip on.”
“Crap Ash, I’m not going first. I don’t even know where the bloody thing goes!”
“Don’t worry about it Eve.” Hansen says, “It’ll be a blast, you’ll see.”
The guys all start chanting, “Go Eve. Go Eve. Go Eve!” Ash stands there grinning at me. God, I need to shut them up and the longer I stand here pondering, the more nervous I’m getting, so I latch my harness onto the wire. I turn around and give Ash a quick kiss on the lips, “Nice knowing you band boy.” I push off and launch myself over the edge of the platform. “Shiiiiiiiiiiiiit !” I scream as I speed down the wire at what feels like a hundred miles an hour. I can hear the guys laughing riotously behind me as I continue to scream like a mad person. I’m careening down the wire as it miraculously makes its way through the trees. After a very long ride, I finally come to rest on another platform, having enjoyed myself immensely but thankful that I now have my feet firmly where I feel safe.
After a minute or so Ash comes zipping down the wire towards me. He lands on the platform with a big smile on his face and a sparkle in his eye, “How was that Angel?”
“That was really cool Ash, it’s fun!” I reply with a responding smile.
I hear Nikki coming down the line before I see him. He’s yelling expletives of joy. He lands on the platform, “That was fucking cool!” he chuckles. The other guys follow all enjoying the ride immensely.
Cody clasps my shoulder, “Did you enjoy that Eve? It sounds like you had fun.”
“Yes, it was amazing, I can’t wait to do the next one. I hope I didn’t scream too loudly though!”
Cody grins mischievously, “That’s okay Eve, we’re quite used to hearing you scream. Normally Ash is the cause though. I don’t know what this douchebag does to you, but we definitely hear your appreciative screams - frequently!”
The guys all laugh. I can feel my face turning bright red. Ash wraps his arms around me and gives me an affectionate kiss on my cheek. He whispers in my ear, “Don’t let it bother you Eve, I fucking love hearing you scream.”
I’m still feeling embarrassed and need to remove myself from the awkwardness, so I clip my harness onto the wire and take off down the next zipline. I turn my head back to see Nikki giving Ash a high five as they all laugh and pat Ash on the back. Men!
By the time the guys catch up at the next platform, we’ve forgotten about Cody’s cheeky comment because we’re all just having way too much fun. We spend the next couple of hours zipping through the tree tops.
~~~
Once we get back to the hotel we decide to make our own arrangements for the evening. Cody and Hansen organise to meet up later to go to a club they’ve been told about. Nikki tells them he’s too tired to go out and would rather stay in and relax tonight. Cody and Hansen give him a bit of a hard time, but Nikki’s made up his mind and would rather have a quiet night in. Scott suggests that he and Nikki meet up later, order some room service and play a few hands of poker. He obviously feels like a quiet night in too. I must admit, a night staying in with just me and Ash, ordering room service and watching a movie sounds perfect. We say our goodnights and make our way to our own suites.
