(Chapter 23- True Feelings)

As I walked home with Don we talked about everything. We really had a lot in common to be honest. I don’t know why but I get this feeling that I already know him. I know it’s probably crazy but there is just something so familiar about him.

As we stopped outside my house I released his arm and turned to him. I starred up into his bright green eyes studying them trying to figure out what it was about him. As Don starred back into mine I saw something that surprised me. His eyes held so much love that it scared me and I backed away. Why would he love me when I don’t even know him? Is he a stalker or something? He did just happen to be there all of a sudden didn’t he?

“Ashlyn what’s wrong?” Don asked worried.

I just shook my head and slowly backed away from him.

“What is it dear? Why are you backing away from me? Have I done something wrong?” He questioned.

“Who are you?” I said quietly.

“Don remember?”

“No I mean who are you really? I feel like there is something else you are not saying.” I said a little scared.

I continued backing away from him toward my house until my foot hit the bottom step to my house and I almost fell over. Faster than I could comprehend Don was there saving me from my fall. He carefully lifted me up as soon as I fell and put me back on my feet but didn’t remove his arm from me waist.

Don was giving me that loving look again as he slowly lifted his hand to my face. He brushed my check ever so gently before he started leaning in. I instantly knew what he was doing and my mind was screaming for me to run, but my body was staying in place enjoying his touch. I raised my hand to his that was holding my face and placed my hand on it. For the life of me I still couldn’t figure out why I was not running and letting some stranger put the moves on me. What is wrong with me today?

Slowly inch by inch Don was closing in on me and I made no attempt to move. My eyes studied his lips just before they finally made contact with mine. At first I didn’t react to him but then the tingles started, send jolts of electricity all through my body at once. I threw my arms around him I let my lips work with his. The kiss we were having was great and don’t get me wrong I was enjoying myself but something still felt off about it. As the kiss deepened and Don’s arm around me waist tightened bringing me closer to him Chase’s image hit my mind and the guilt started in.

I know Chase just used me and it was probably just something fun for him but it meant a lot more to me. I deluded my mind into thinking it could be something more with him only to have my heart broken. The thought of never being friends with Chase again or sharing what we had last night sent the tears streaming down my face. If one thing this kiss with Don taught me is that I love my best friend more than I thought I ever would. I wanted Chase so bad right now it was literally killing me inside. What I was doing felt like I was cheating on Chase even though we weren’t together. I know crazy right?

I unwrapped my arms from around Don and placed my hands on his chest pushing him away. He stumbled back and looked at me in shock but oh well I had somewhere to be.

“Don you’re a nice guy and all but I have to go. I have somewhere that I really need to be.” I stated.

“Thought you needed to go home?” He questioned.

“I did but now I realized there is somewhere else that I need to be.” I smiled and walked back the way I came.

There is no way I’m letting Chase just use me and toss me aside like that. I’m going to go tell him a thing or two about how he treats girls and especially me, I want more than that. I want Chase. I am going to tell him exactly how I feel.

******

Don’s POV

I watched Ashlyn as she walked away from me. I should have gone after her not letting her leave but I knew that I had gotten what I came for, Ashlyn’s affection. That’s all I needed for her to start feeling the bond. Now it will continue to grow and get stronger until she won’t be able to bear it and then she will be mine. The only thing that worried me is that her bond with Chase will overpower mine she will choose him still. If that should happen then I would have no choice but to kill him. I have lost her once already and I won’t stand by and let it happen again. This time Arianna you are mine.

******

Ashlyn’s POV

Once Chase’s house was in sight I picked up my pace a little so I could get there faster. I stepped on his porch walked up to the door. I didn’t even bother knocking; instead I just pushed open the door and walked right in. I didn’t want him to have any warning as to what I was getting ready to do.

I looked around down stairs for him but he was nowhere to be found so I ran upstairs to his room. I opened the door only to find it empty as well. Where was he? I checked all the other rooms upstairs only to find him not their either. Great he left and now I can’t say the things that have been bugging me for all these years. I was just about to stomp off and leave until I heard a noise coming from the bathroom. Of course the bathroom! Why didn’t I remember to check there?

I walked to the bathroom door and flung it open without warning. Chase was standing there in all his glory with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. My eyes traveled from the towel slowly up his body until they reach his Abs. Suddenly my mind went blank and all I could do was look at his toned body that called out for mine.  Between the muscles on his stomach the water droplets ran in between them following down the crease’s on his body. All I wanted to do was run over to him and trail my hands down them licking off each water droplet one by one. I could feel myself getting turned on by him once again and when I realized this I hurriedly looked away and meet Chase’s eyes.

“When did you get here?” Chase asked obviously surprised to see me here.

“I came here to say something to you and you are going to listen until I’m finished.” I said firmly. I don’t know where all this confidence was coming from but I was glad for it. I would have never of had the courage to confront Chase before like this.

“Ashlyn-“

“Shh.” I said cutting him off. “You can speak when I’m done.”

Chase sighed and leaned up against the counter in the bathroom waiting for me to say what was on my mind.

“Look I know you’re used to just having your way with girls and then tossing the aside the next day and I never said anything to you before but that repulses me to the core. What makes it even worse it to do it to your best friend of all people. I have a lot of things go over the years Chase but this I can’t. I love you and it’s more than a friend way. I know developing feeling for you was probably not the smartest thing I should have done but I did.”

“I know but-“ Chase tried to speak again but I didn’t let him.

“I’m not done yet.” I said. “Anyway after last night happened I refuse to just let it go and be one of your other girls. I want more than that and if you can’t give it to me than we’re done Chase. If you don’t feel the same way than tell me know but if you do-“

Suddenly I was cut off by a pair of lips crashing down on mine. I quickly realized it was Chase and was stunned. How did he get over to me so fast? I was just standing here looking at him and now he is here kissing me.

As Chase nibbled on my bottom lip I was pulled out of all thoughts except him and what we were doing. I opened my mouth letting him in allowing our tongues work together. As we wrestled for dominance over the kiss I was picked up by Chase wrapping my legs around his waist. Before this could go any further he pulled away but not letting me down.

“Does that answer your question?” He smirked.

“No it just tells me that you want my body. I want to hear the words Chase.”

Chase smiled and brought me down so we were eye to eye making it more personal. Suddenly butterflies erupted all through my stomach at having this moment with him.

“Ashlyn Grace Hay- Wells.” He quickly recovered. Hmm did he almost give me his last name? “I have loved you since the day I first laid eyes on you in the fourth grade. The first time you smiled at me with your braces I and cute freckled cheeks I was yours and that will never change. I knew that moment I saw you that I would take care of you forever and that’s what I promise to do.”

Hearing Chase say all of those things to me brought out the tears in my eyes again. I can’t believe that he has felt this way all along and never told me. He really loved me. How did I miss that? I don’t know but one thing is for sure, I love my best friend more than anything in this world and couldn’t be happier.

“Chase did you almost call me Hayes a second ago?” I asked having to know what that was about.

“Yeah.” He said a little embarrassed.

I couldn’t help but burst out laughing at that. What a weird coincidence that he said that and I had that dream last night.

“What?” he asked confused.

“Nothing you’ll think I’m crazy.” I laughed.

“More than I do right now?” He smiled.

“Well it’s just that last night I had a dream about being in a big white dress talking to your mom and she called me your soul mate and daughter- in- law.” I said still cracking up.

Chase’s face became serious as he muttered what sounded like. “You remembered.”

Before I had a chance to ask what it was about he quickly grabbed his phone and dialed a number. Why do I feel like I’m missing something again? I heard Chase frantically telling his dad something but I couldn’t make out the words. Downstairs I heard someone practically banging the door in down stairs before they made their way up the stairs.

“Chase we need to find Ashlyn. She wasn’t at her house. What if Don has taken her-“ Crystal yelled frantically then suddenly stopped when she I was standing there. “Oh crap.” She mumbled.

“Umm what’s going on and how do you know Don, I just meet him a while ago?” I asked utterly confused.