Cinder To Ash (Tainted Hearts Book 3)

by Summer, AJ

  “Good morning,” I whisper, still lost in the sea of green absorbing my face. The way Jase has been looking at me this past week, it feels like he’s never going to see me again and wants to lock the image in his brain forever. Only he promised he won’t ever leave me again. I guess I’ve been looking at him the same way too, because rough hands grab my hips and pull me on top of his hard body. And I mean hard, all over. The delicious hardness against my belly turns the tickle into a pulsing ache quickly. Ah shit, this is ten seconds away from turning into a ‘late for work’ phone call. Jase kisses a path from my neck to my jaw. Nibbling softly on my chin.

  “You’re going to be late for work,” he growls sexily. Oh yes, I’d be late for work for him anytime.

  “Uh huh...” I moan as he continues to taste me. I love his mouth on me. A playful smack on my butt has me lifting my head in shock. His smirk is absolutely devilish.

  “You’re going to be late for work,” he says again. Shaking my head to gain some control over my lusty body I scramble off of him.

  “Will you give me a lift?” I ask over my shoulder while pulling clothes out of my wardrobe.

  “Sure,” he answers smoothly.

  When I dash into the bathroom I catch a glimpse of his gorgeous boxer-covered ass fixing the bed sheet. Man, I could so be late for work for that. Sadly, I’ve been away from work enough as is. I hurry through my shower, barely dry before I’m brushing my teeth.

  I burst through the door to be greeted by an already dressed Jase. He’s wearing a fresh shirt from the cupboard and a pair of blue jeans. Sexy without an effort. I drop the towel and get dressed. A suppressed groan comes from Jase, making me smile. I wiggle my ass just a little bit extra while slipping into my skinnies.

  “I’ll wait downstairs,” he grumbles before opening and disappearing through my door. I can’t help the happy laugh that erupts from my mouth. And man am I happy!

  So our dates didn’t all turn out well, but it was still fun. The lake was a different adventure. The movie a new experience, even if I was sick. The dinner (that we didn’t get to eat) at Bellini's was an eye opener, making me realize that maybe I still need closure about Kyle’s death. If I can meet Runner and see for myself that my ears were playing tricks on me, maybe I can move on and put my twin to rest. Bingo cured me, or at least Gram’s chicken soup did. That reminds me ... slipping on my pumps I grab my bag and phone. Dialing Grams on my way through the door.

  “Good morning,” her friendly old voice croons over the line.

  “A very good morning in deed. I’m all better!”

  She ‘mmm-hmm’s’ over the line. “I’m so glad you’re feeling better.” I can almost see her smiling over the phone.

  “Thank you for the soup.”

  “You’re welcome.” Feeling awkward now that’s done, I pause on the stairs. What else should I say?

  “Is everything okay, dear?” She sounds worried.

  “Oh no, no everything is fine. Just running late for work,” again, I add in my head.

  “I’ll let you go then. Have a good day. Send my love to Jase.”

  “Will do. Bye!” I end the call and jog down the rest of the stairs. I’m halfway to the door when Jase steps out of the kitchen. His usual travel cup in his hand.

  “See you tonight?” Jenna yells from the kitchen.

  “Yeah,” I shout back. “Come on. Come on.” I wave him on impatiently. He chuckles, taking the door and holding it for me. He still manages to open the truck door before I get there, too. I hop in and bounce my leg anxiously until he’s seated and starting the truck.

  Alec isn’t in when I get to work. Just Livvy at the counter doing some paperwork. She waves hello before sticking the pen back in her mouth. I set up my station for my nine o’clock client. It’s the same guy from a couple of days ago. Apparently he’s been having some problems with his color. I’ve never had this happen before so I’m really nervous to see this guy.

  The client walks in fifteen minutes later. A whole twenty minutes early. I haven’t even had coffee yet! I grumble under my breath but smile when Livvy sends him to the chairs for a bit.

  I smile at him, “I'll be with you in a minute.” And to Livvy, I mouth: “Thanks!”

  She gives me a smiley wink before stacking another pile of invoices. I’m glad that’s not my job. The bell jingles to reveal Jase walking through the door with a cup holder filled with delicious smelling coffee. My mouth waters. Right now he’s my freaking superhero. He greets Livvy and the client before handing me a cup. I’m sure the smile on my face could blow a tornado away. He hands Livvy a cup who tells him Alec isn’t in yet. Taking his cup, he goes over to his station. I raise an eyebrow at Livvy who just shrugs. Jase spins his chair around to watch me. So he’s not here to work then. I blow on my coffee before taking a careful sip.

  “You can come through,” I say to the guy on the chairs. He chucks his magazine onto the coffee table, which lands with a loud slap. That should tickle Livvy’s funny bone. Ha! She hates it when the customers mess up the magazines.

  The client sits down on my table showing me his arm. The tattoo in question looks like he’s been scratching it. The whole bottom part of his tiger is messed up.

  “Oh,” I snap my mouth shut to cover my surprised slip.

  “It’s such an embarrassment now. Can you fix it?” He grumbles.

  “Did you scratch it?” I counter.

  “Of course I fucking didn’t.” A black shadow falls over his arm. I don’t need to look behind me to know that it’s Jase. No one speaks to me like that. Not even this douchey client. Jase clears his throat causing tiger boy to look up.

  “I can fix that. Come over here,” Jase says, walking to his table. Thank goodness because I've never seen anything like that before. I have no idea how to fix that disaster. The guy sits down on Jase’s table looking extremely uncomfortable. Was he just trying to upset me? I know I buzzed him with my gun, but that didn’t even leave a mark. I grab my coffee and walk to Jase. He’s setting up his equipment, his hands knowing exactly where to go for what he needs. Sneaking another look at the guy’s arm I think he definitely scratched it. Or he didn’t keep it clean. Could infection do that? There's no scab-

  “This is going to hurt,” Jase says, squeezing his gun a few times. Maybe he shouldn’t have been so rude. I might have snickered a little, but I’m also feeling sorry for the poor guy. Despite Jase’s harsh words, his hands are steady and sure. He colors the smudged part neatly and precisely. Client guy doesn’t even get a chance to squeak before he’s done. Jase slaps a piece of cling wrap around his arm and shoves the aftercare instructions against his chest.

  “Keep it dry for the next two hours. Keep it clean after that. Put some ointment on so it doesn’t itch. DON'T SCRATCH.” The guy gives Jase an embarrassed look. He walks over to Livvy who looks at Jase. Jase waves her off.

  “No charge. Just follow the aftercare this time okay?” she says with her hands on her hips.

  “Sure.”

  I finish the last of my coffee, chucking the paper cup in the bin. Seeing as Jase just sorted my customer in ten minutes flat and he was still early, I suddenly have time.

  “I’m going for a smoke,” I call to no one, secretly hoping I don’t have to go alone. I’m so close to kicking this habit. Getting a cigarette and my lighter out of my bag I walk through the kitchen to the back door. The sun is warm and bright, making everything look happy, when I sit down on the table we have outside. I swing my legs, flipping my lighter I light the cigarette. The first breath of smoke fills my lungs causing me to cough. When was the last time I had a one of these? I can’t even remember.

  “Time to quit,” Jase jokes when he moves in between my legs. His big palms smooth over my thighs towards my hips. What was he saying? “I really wanted to kick his ass.” He places a quick kiss on my exposed shoulder. This shirt has a wide neck line, causing it to slide down. Another quick kiss turns my skin to static. “I should go kick his ass now,” he murmu
rs against my skin.

  “Mmm” I moan.

  “Really? You agree with me?” He takes my ear between his teeth and bites down gently.

  “Uh huh.” My voice is breathy. I wish he’d touch me. Ever since I woke up this morning my day has been a series of ups and down, and not the fun kind that ends in an orgasm. Jase’s deliciously throaty chuckle in my ear whips me from my dirty thoughts.

  “What’s funny?” I ask, adjusting my top.

  “You are,” he answers with a kiss to my nose. He’s so close now my eyes are crossed.

  “Why?” I’m confused.

  “Never mind.” He snatches the cigarette from between my fingers and takes a big drag. The smoke puffs out in a thin line, caressing his beautiful lips before floating away on the wind. Then he kills it.

  “Hey, that was mine.” I moan.

  “I have to go. I’ll see you later.” Another quick kiss, this time on my mouth which leaves me with tingling lips.

  “Bye!” I call after him.

  The rest of the day flies by. Not because there are so many customers but because I get stuck sorting out invoices with Livvy. I hate paperwork.

  I clamp another piece of hair into the iron and pull it down slowly. Why do I have to have so much hair? I insert another piece and drag the iron down again, releasing a waterfall of smooth dark brown hair. Yeah that’s right, brown. I’ve had a box of brown hair color in my bathroom cabinet for almost two months now. After I got home from work I decided today was the day. It took Lewis a run to the chemist because some of the pink strands turned this hideous moldy color after the first try. The second box thankfully took care of that.

  I add the finish touches to my hair and look myself over in the mirror. I’ve never been one for make-up. Some kohl, mascara and lip gloss normally does it for me. I guess I’m one of those lucky girls that never had a problem with her skin. I admit sometimes I can be a little pale but that’s not something that bothers me. Which is a good thing, because I also have two left hands when it comes to anything make-up related. I spritz some perfume, Jase’s favorite, and get up. My legs have gone dead from sitting still for so long. I put my phone in my pocket and leave my room.

  The rest of the guys should be downstairs by now. We agreed to all leave together. I listen for Jase’s voice but I don’t hear it until I round the corner of the kitchen and spot the four guys at the table. Lewis, James, Parker and Jase. I’m a bit surprised to see Parker here. Then again he is Aiden’s friend so this new edition should be expected. I just didn’t think he’d be here too. At this house. With us.

  Jase rises from his seat and wraps his arms around me. He smells divine. The scent invades my senses, prickling every nerve all the way to my toes. Oh hell I’ve missed this. It’s like falling in love all over again. Yet I never fell out of love in the first place. I’m just falling further, drifting somewhere between bliss and utter ecstasy. There’s still doubt, niggling at the back of my mind, reminding me that I could still plummet to utter destruction. I just choose not to acknowledge it.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen your hair like this,” Jase whispers into my hair, close to my ear. His breath flows through the strands tickling my warming skin beneath. My body gravitates forward, needy for more of his words, touch, heck anything. Four dates and so much teasing. I’m ready to have some bases covered. Jase is no saint so I have no idea how he’s not even snuck in a boob rub! If this carries on any longer I might have to seduce him first. That’s why I called quits on the whole ‘let’s go on dates’ thing. I know it was my idea, but come on, so far it’s been kind of disastrous. Getting sick, hearing my dead twin, way too much flirting, not nearly enough doing. I really can do with some doing.

  One Two a lake trip we should do.

  Three Four dinner, dead twins and more.

  Five Six Movies with whips in the mix

  Seven Eight, Bingo and soup we ate.

  Nine Ten, so we can have some sex again!

  I laugh at my own ridiculous poem.

  “Mia?” Jase chuckles in my face. My eyes snap open to amused greens twinkling at me. I spaced out. I haven’t done that in a while.

  “Oh, sorry. Voices.” I laugh, making a cuckoo sign around the side of my head.

  “You ready to leave? The guys are waiting,” he asks with raised brows. And sure enough the kitchen is empty.

  “I am, let’s go.”

  Parker is already on his bike when we get outside. Lewis and James are waiting at Jase’s truck. When I get to the passenger side there’s an awkward moment when neither Jase nor Lewis knows who is going to open my door for me. Lewis sidesteps and gets in the back without another word. James slides in next to him. Parker’s bike starts up and chills dance down my side. I never thought about myself as a motorcycle girl, but that beauty right there is slowing turning me into one.

  “Listen to that,” Lewis moans from the back. I nod my head agreeing silently. Speaking of silent, I turn to lean to the back.

  “Where’s Ana?” I ask James.

  “Not sure,” James says, avoiding my eyes. When it’s clear he isn’t going to say anything else I turn to sit back down.

  “She’s been M.I.A since last night. Took off like a bat out of hell. Her phone hasn’t been on since either.” Trust Lewis to spill the nasty green beans. James scowls at him before flipping him off and staring out the window. Okay.

  Jase drives in silence to the new house on Oaks and Elms. I can’t wait to see it. Jenna hasn’t stopped talking about it. Jase pulls up to the address they gave us. I almost pee my pants at the perfection before me. They have the porch swing and everything. A huge tree with branches hanging low enough to climb. There’s even an attic window. I chew my lip hard, trying not to be jealous. We should’ve been the first to move out. This should’ve been my housewarming. This should’ve been my house! I’m being childish and immature but I wanted this so badly. I still do.

  “Pretty awesome isn't it?” Lewis says, getting out of the truck. He and James stand next to my door admiring the big old brick house. Yeah, pretty damn awesome.

  “You coming?” Jase asks from next to me. I can’t even help the tears forming when I hear the concern in his voice. How could he have been so careless? How could he just throw us away like that? I don’t think I’ll ever forget. I look at those green eyes staring back at me and I can see the fear in them. The uncertainty staring back at me. And I know he’s paying dearly for the choices he made. Even now as his thumb strokes with firm pressure on my thigh, I can feel how tense he is. He thinks I’ll turn and run. But from him? Never.

  “Let’s go,” I say. Taking a deep breath, I open my door and jump out.

  “Let’s go warm this house up!” Lewis shouts. James whistles loudly and I throw in a poor attempt at a whoop. Jase just watches us with a crooked smile on his face.

  Jenna and Aiden open their front door and the reality of it all hits me. They’re about to be a real family. My friend is going to have a baby and they’re going raise him or her in this house. They’ll sit on that swing and rock him to sleep. Watch him run around on this lawn. The feeling is so surreal that I wrap Jenna in a hug, tears streaming down my face.

  “Congratulations. I’m so happy for you.” My words are a teary mess, but I mean each one of them.

  “Hey, hey?” Jenna lifts my messy face up to hers. “I love your hair,” she says with that pretty smile of hers. I scoff. “Thank you, Mia.” She wraps her arms around me and holds me tight. I nod against her shoulder. Her hand smoothes down my hair, comforting me when I don’t deserve it for being so jealous of her happiness.

  “Group hug!” Lewis shouts right before he grabs the both of us.

  “Watch the belly!” Aiden groans somewhere from the side. Jenna laughs and then the rest of us join in. Jase pulls me out of the tangle and to his side. He kisses the side of my head and together we follow our friends inside.

  I roll the dice and get four, the lowest again. “Not fair!” I groan loudly.r />
  This is the fourth time I’ve had to drink. The previous shot Jenna managed to fill with water. How she did that I don’t know. I put the shot glass to my mouth and tip it. Vodka this time, not water. I choke on the vile burn down my throat. Urgh! I take a sip of my glass of water next to me. I have to throw a six to buy myself out of the game. And like I said, each time I’ve gotten everything but, and it’s always the lowest. Lewis rolls and gets a six. He sucks on his beer with a smile. Jase rolls a five and Aiden rolls a four. James rolls a two. Everybody hollers at his snake eyes. Come on, come on! I chant while holding my dice out for Jenna to blow on. She hasn’t brought me any luck so far. I shake the dice and roll ... one! How in the hell is that even possible? The next shot I do is vodka again.

  “You okay?” Jase asks. He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. His hand moves down the side of my neck to gently rest on my nape. I nod. I’m still fine, buzzing but fine. His hand stays on my neck, his thumb rubbing hot tingles on my skin. The next round we play Lewis drinks his first shot for the evening. The round after that James drinks. The two rounds after that it’s Aiden’s turn.

  Sometime during the game a storm started to brew. Flashes of lightening streak through the sky, painting the black top with silver. It’s a magnificent sight. Our little drinking game ends and the guys all move to the den. Jenna takes me up to the attic.

  “You and Jase seem better,” she says, sitting down on the little couch looking out of the attic window. It would make a perfect reading spot for winter. I hum. “That’s not an answer,” she huffs. I hum again just to tease her. She hurls a throw pillow at me, it hits my shin with a soft thump. I scoop the pillow up and sit down with it in my lap.

  “It’s better. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. I guess now that I know how easily he could leave me, I’m wondering when it’ll happen again.” At the same time I feel like an insecure fool for doubting him when he’s been doing so good.

  “You have every right to feel that way. You don’t have the best past with guys. Your stepdad was an asshole. Then you had that issue with Christopher. It’s understandable. But you know why Jase left don’t you? You know how bad his situation was? I didn’t get it until Aiden explained to me that there was no way he’d ever ask me to help him to the bathroom.” I get it. I really do and when she puts it that way I get it even more, but he should’ve explained it to me!