*PLEASE NOTE: Wattpad has been glitching my updates recently so there is a fair chance quite a few of you missed the previous update. Please double check that you've read the previous chapter before reading this one. Thanks!*

___________________

PRESENT

"Leaving already?" Fawn asks. It's only three in the afternoon but I did overtime two days this week to make sure I could leave early on Friday.

"Hell, yeah." I snort and place all my files in my briefcase. "I'm going to go home and crash and wake up on Sunday."

"You better stop talking like that before I get turned on." Fawn winks and I burst out laughing.

"I won't have to set up a single alarm." I continue and lean forward. "Just turn my phone off and sleep for twenty-four hours."

Fawn moans exaggeratedly with her head tipped back, pretending to hold on to my desk for support. Unfortunately her eyes are closed so she doesn't see that Owen uses that exact moment to walk by, freezing in his tracks at the noise that comes out of Fawn and eyes glazing over when he catches the lust on her face. I'm laughing so hard at this point that I sink to the floor so I can lean my back on my desk, no longer able to stay on my feet. Fawn opens her eyes but her own giggles are immediately cut off when she notices Owen. Her face turns beet red, eyes widening alarm.

I point a finger at Owen and barely get my words out through my laughter. "Either you're looking at her like that because you've never heard her make that sound or you've definitely heard her make that sound and you're having sex flashbacks."

Fawns swings her gaze to me, gaping. "Aria!"

"What?" I shrug. "I want to know."

My words snap Owen out of his lust-induced coma and he averts his gaze from Fawn, clearing his throat. "Ah, have a good one, ladies."

He stalks away and this time Fawn looks like she's seconds away from sacrificing my first born to the devil himself.

"Sorry." I offer sheepishly. "I take it you haven't bumped uglies?"

"No shit, Sherlock." She hisses. "And we were making great progress."

"Well you did just give him a front row seat to your orgasm face. If that won't have him crawling back then I don't know what will."

"You make a fair point. And crawling back to me insinuates him on his knees..."

"And then you'll be making those moaning sounds for real."

We both share a giggle over that, elbowing each other. To say Fawn was surprised to find out what my personality is truly like would be an understatement. I'd been so wary and closed-off when I first came to Boston. Now I'm slowly letting go of the hold this city has over me and molding back into the Aria I used to be, the one who never had trouble making friends or making others laugh. Fawn says my presence is contagious and it's been a while since I've truly believed those words. With each day that passes I'm making progress with feeling like myself again. I hardly have nightmares, I'm no longer jumpy or suspicious (for the most part), and my heart has been steadily reconnecting with this city I once called home. I actually feel like I'm finally fucking home.

I owe a huge part of that to my family for having my back relentlessly and reminding me that I'm so freaking blessed to be surrounded by people who love me. I don't regret moving to California or using the opportunity to find myself again but I do regret missing more years with them than I thought I would. I've been fighting tirelessly to make up for it.

Another huge part goes to Asher. We're making progress, too. There are still moments where we slip up or experience something that beyond a friendship but we're getting better at not letting it interfere with our relationship. We're starting to become best friends again, no longer just calling ourselves that because of our history. But I can also feel him holding back a huge part of him that's not letting us connect all the way. I have a feeling it's the same reason that makes him pull away from our heated moments or forbidden words that we sometimes engage in.

Whatever's happening with him, one thing is clear: he's not going to be with me until he resolves it. Maybe he'll never resolve it and therefore never be with me but I'm tired of wondering about the what ifs. I'm tired of obsessing over the future the same way I used to obsess over my past. For once I'm going to live in the goddamn present so Asher can do what he wants and join me when he's ready to go with the flow of things. Until then I'm reminding myself to live my life independently and not constantly make decisions with him in mind. We may be friends but we're not in a relationship and I need to remember that or I'll fail to be my own person. I did that once and I'm not so hot on doing it again, even for Asher. He may own a huge piece of my heart but I'm still me.

I'm just walking out of the building when my phone rings with an unknown caller. That's more or less always the case when you're a lawyer so I pick up and greet the caller professionally. "Aria Hunter, domestic abuse lawyer, can I help you?"

There's silence on the other end. Not totally. Just some heavy breathing.

I stop in my tracks, uncaring if I'm in the middle of the sidewalk and getting in the crowd's way, as I try to make sense of what's happening. There's a bad feeling in my gut.

"Hello?" I repeat a little more sternly.

"Please." Comes a whisper. A shaky voice. Female. Scared. Broken. "Please help me."

"Ma'am." My heart leaps into my throat but I stay calm. This happens way more than I'd like. Women often find themselves in situations where they have to contact me in secrecy for fear of getting hurt. "Ma'am, would you like me to come get you? Can you tell me where you are?"

"No!" Her voice is still a whisper but she manages to make it sound like a yell. "Please. Stay away from this place. I just don't know what to do."

"I'm here." I tell her gently even though I want to rip my hair out and scream up to the sky. Fuck whoever put this woman in this position. Fuck anyone who thinks they can do this to a human being. I sit on the steps outside of my firm. I have a feeling this will take a while. "Is your safety being compromised right now? Would you like me to anonymously call 911? What can I do for you?"

"I...I..." She sounds so scared, like if she admits to me what's happening she's be sacrificing her life for it. Hell, that might just be the case and I fight to contain my sobs. This job fucking sucks sometimes. "I found your business card. I researched you. You help women like me; women who get abused."

"I do." I reassure in my softest voice. "And I would love to help you if you'll let me. Will you let me, ma'am?"

"I...I can't afford you. I can't afford to have you represent me. Maybe you could give me some tips or advice on what to do?"

My heart breaks. I'm well aware not everyone can afford my rates so I make them as cheap as business will allow it. I make the least amount of money out of everyone in my firm but I don't give a shit about that. My job is to help people, not profit from them.

"I do pro-bono's all the time." And that's the truth. "Can we meet? We can go over your situation in person if possible and discuss where to go from there. I don't want you to worry about money, okay? We'll figure it out."

"Are you sure?" Her voice cracks with a cry and my heart cracks right with her. Nearly a decade ago I was in the same position she is. Luckily, I had an army of people behind me to help. Who does this woman have?

"I'm sure." I promise her. "Can we meet?"

There's a huge pause and I know she's calculating the pros and cons of meeting me. I know all the questions going through her mind. What if I get caught? What if she doesn't believe me? What if I get screwed over? Isn't it better to keep my mouth shut?

I'll help you, I silently plead for her. Please let me help you.

"O-okay. We can meet. I live in Worcester."

"I'll drive to you. When?"

"Next Friday at one in the afternoon. But only for an hour. Please. I can't risk more than that."

"That'll be enough time. Can I get your name?"

"Trisha. Do...do I have to disclose my full name?"

"For now, Trisha is fine. I'll see you next week, okay? Please text or call me if you need anything. Just know I'm here for you now."

"Thank you." She sobs and the first tear slips down my face. I let myself feel the pain for a moment because I can only be so strong. "You're saving my life."

Not yet, but I will. Count on it.

***

I calmly wipe my face and double-check my appearance in the rear view mirror before stepping out of my car. I allowed myself ten minutes to breakdown a few streets over before going home. I was looking forward to a day with my family and I didn't want my miserable mood to taint our evening together so I let myself get it out of my system. I know my family would be there for me if I needed it but I wanted to be strong. I wanted to fight back.

I walk up the driveway to my home when I notice another car parked near the house. I immediately recognize it and grin, not even surprised that my best friend made herself at home without waiting for me to make formal introductions. Of course she just barged into my house like she'd done it a million times before.

I hear laughter behind the door while I unlock it and open it up to the sight of my parents and siblings seated in the living room, all of them looking at Lenny who has her legs crossed comfortably. She winks when she sees me and I roll my eyes.

"You couldn't just wait for me to do the introductions?" I tease, dropping my briefcase by the door.

I walk over to her just as she stand and meets me halfway, engulfing me in a tight hug that I needed  after the day I've had. Lenny may have her tough-girl bravado mastered but she's a sucker for hugs.

"You were taking too long. Why wait when I could do it myself?" She bumps her hip with mine and we both sit on the love seat, facing my family.

"What's the verdict?" I ask them.

"She's a keeper." Dad nods.

"We're so glad you brought her home with you." Mom adds and leans over the pat Lenny's cheek affectionately. Lenny grins at the affection and I know she appreciates it more deeply than she's showing.

"Thanks so much again for the ink." Lexie holds her wrist up and admires my best friend's handiwork. The tattoo spans the entire circumference of Lexie's wrist, making it appear like a bracelet. It's a simple tat — a chain of hearts linked together in one straight line. There's eight hearts to symbolize each member of this family and it warms my heart to see how much my baby sister openly loves us. The backbone of this family in so many ways.

"Anytime." Lenny smiles her dazzling smile and my family becomes visibly smitten. Lenny's smile is literally her superpower. She's just so fucking pretty and radiant with those pearly whites, whereas her beauty is softer and hidden behind her normally tough and serious features.

"Where are you currently living?" Mom asks, going into mama-bear mode.

"I'm crashing with two other girls that I met through the tattoo artist community. They're super cool."

"You can live with us if you'd like." Dad offers without hesitation. That's my parents for you. Always so damn giving.

"I tried to tell her to no avail." I shove Lenny playfully.

"I appreciate the offer." She tells my dad and shoves me back without taking her eyes away. I snort. "But I don't want to intrude. Besides, I'm saving up for my own place and by the rate things are going that's likely to be soon."

"But you'll let us know if you need something?" Mom pushes.

The simple care in her voice shakes Lenny up. It's not obvious at all but I know her too well so I casually sling an arm around her shoulder to offer my comfort.

"I will. Thank you, Lily." Lenny says softly.

"Can you at least sleepover?" Mia clasps her hands under her chin. I knew she'd take to Lenny the most. These two have the same fiery personality. They're wary of the world but unfailingly loyal to the ones they love.

"You got it, kid." Lenny moves forward to fist-bump her. I almost laugh at how starstruck Mia looks.

"Can I bake for you?" Mona grins wide. Oh, man. Lenny and I share a look. She's well aware that Mona isn't exactly a master of the kitchen but I also know Lenny would never deny her.

"Are you kidding?" Lenny rubs her stomach. "I refuse to eat anything besides what you make for me. I'm not going home until you feed me to death."

Mom and Dad exchange small smiles of approval. I knew they'd love her.

"I'm clearly getting something out of all the Hunters today." Lenny smiles softly at Eleanor who's yet to say a word. My sweet and quiet girl. "What about you, love? What's on the agenda for us?"

Eleanor's eyes widen slightly at being addressed before she ducks her head, shrugging. Lenny's got this, though.

"I heard you love books. Let me tell you something, dude. I am so relieved. I'm always trying to get Aria to read more books but she's too busy with her fancy lawyer life. You won't let me down like her, right?"

Eleanor's head snaps up in surprise, a small smile playing on her lips. She's melting, slowly giving in. She shakes her head no to Lenny's question who grins back at her.

"Awesome. Then we've got loads to talk about, huh?"

"Yes." She agrees quietly. I'm impressed at how easily Lenny got her to cave.

"How about you girls catch up and I'll put together a snack?" Mom stands up. "Lenny, do you have a preference?"

"I'm fine with anything." Lenny assures her. "Thank you again, Lily."

Mom rubs her arm affectionately before making her way to the kitchen. Dad's eyes unashamedly follow her ass and I roll my eyes. Oh, brother.

"I'm going to go help your mother out." He adds without taking his eyes away.

"Make sure to keep it down, old man." I raise a brow, calling him out on his bullshit.

"Au contraire." Lenny is amused as hell, her grin entirely wicked. "Keep the fire alive. We can move to a quieter place."

"You are amazing." Dad deadpans and pats her shoulder. He side-eyes me as he makes his way to Mom. "You should get your shit together before I replace you."

"Ha. Ha." I stick my tongue out. "You adore me, Daddy."

"My number one, baby girl." He winks and I grin back.

"You know," Lenny murmurs as her eyes follow his retreat. "Chelsea was on to something. Your dad is fine with a capital D."

"There's no D in fine."

"That's not the D I'm talking about."

"Dude." Lexie, Mia, and I groan simultaneously while Lenny sniggers. Eleanor looks horrified and Harmony scowls, never understanding what's going on. Poor girl.

"I'm going to go upstairs and change." I let the girls know.

They wave me off, already immersed in their own conversation. I bound up to my room, already unbuttoning and pulling my blazer off and leaving me in just my white tank top and skirt, bumping the door to my bedroom open with my hip.

And almost trip on my feet at the sight of Asher sitting on my bed.

"What the fuck?" I gasp, quickly shutting the door behind me. My family knows Asher and I are good and steady friends even now but the whole sneaking in shit is entirely out of the question. He should know better.

"Hey." His voice is husky, his eyes dragging over me. I suddenly feel naked in my attire, well aware that my tank top clings to me like a second skin which is why I always wear something over it. It makes my tits look bigger than they are (not that they're small to begin with) and they've apparently caught my best friend's attention. I almost put my blazer back on but I have too much pride to give him the satisfaction. Instead, I clear my throat pointedly and he meets my eyes again, smirking.

"What are you doing here?" I hiss, ignoring my ponding heart. We've got the whole friendship thing down but being close to him or being alone with him still gives me butterflies and sweaty palms. It makes it harder to pretend we don't have something very obvious and very real between us. "I'm going to start locking my French doors."

"No, you won't." He says cockily. I growl in my throat and he laughs under his breath. He loves to spite me. He loves seeing the fire in my eyes.

"Don't tempt me, stupid." I cross my arms but quickly uncross them when Asher's eyes drop back down to my chest. Would he quit that? His gaze alone has made my nipples pucker in excitement and there's no doubt he can see them. The way he licks the corner of his mouth, eyes becoming molten, says it all.

Goddamn it, how the hell has he gotten me so wet without even touching me? This is getting ridiculous.

"Ash." My voice is strained. I snap my fingers. "My eyes are up here."

"I know. Shame." His voice is raspier than it was moments ago. My stomach flips knowing I did that to him.

My hand twitches with the legitimate need to smack him. How can I want to beat him up and kiss him until we can't breathe at the same time?

"What do you think you're doing?" My eyes narrow on him. "All these inappropriate comments and implications...I am your friend, Asher."

"Tell that to your nipples." He licks the corner of his mouth again, as if he's imagining licking them. I swallow tightly.

"Don't be an ass." I remind him. "I won't put up with it like everyone else. I'm not everyone else."

"No, you're not." He says seriously and my eyes blink from the sudden change of direction. There he goes again.

"What are you doing here?" I take us back on track. I can't breathe when he does and says these things.

"I need a reason to see you?" He challenges, standing up.

"No." I say carefully. He's definitely in a mood and I'm betting something happened to throw him off. Usually he sulks alone when he's going through something but sometimes, he likes to go out and play predator. It helps him feel in control and right now, I'm most definitely the prey. My breathing grows heavier as he takes slow and purposeful steps toward me. "You can't just sneak in whenever you want, Ash. Dad would kick your ass if he caught you."

"Then I guess I won't get caught." He murmurs, getting even closer to me. I back up until my ass hits my desk and then I have nowhere to go. I stand tall and watch Asher unwaveringly as he continues to stalk toward me. Slow. Calculated. So damn cunning.

"I know what you're doing." I tell him.

"And what is it I'm doing, Princess?" He reaches me then, his arms settling on the desk behind me and caging me in.

"You're trying to be Ice Cold." I tilt my chin up in defiance despite it bringing our faces closer. I won't let him win this one. "You're going into that dark head space again. What happened?"

"Nothing." He shrugs but I can see the pain in his eyes. Something is going on with him. There's no more denying that.

"Talk to me." I plead.

"Talking is the last thing I want to do with you." He whispers, his lips brushing my chin and moving down my jawline. My eyes grow wide as I stare at my room above his shoulder. All of our touches so far have been innocent and "accidental." Right now, Ash knows exactly what he's doing and there's nothing innocent about the way he presses his body into mine, showing me just how turned on he is by our little cat-and-mouse game. I gasp softly, my legs spreading the slightest bit.

"Asher." I warn. He's trying to forget whatever it is he's going through. I don't want it like this. I don't want him to claim me so he can forget. I want him to claim me so he can remember.

"Aria." He all but purrs, kissing my neck softly.

My eyes flutter shut at how goddamn amazing it feels to have those soft and full lips on my skin, marking me with little sucks and bites. What the hell are we doing? I want to stop him but I feel like I'm on fire, like I'm alive. He's addicting. Dangerous. Mine.

"Ash." This time it's a soft groan when he sucks my ear into his mouth, his hand curving around my waist to push my body closer to his. My hips lift up, seeking the contact where my pulse pounds erratically between my legs. He doesn't hesitate to grind his core into mine and letting me feel his outrageous cock nudge me where I need him most. I am so unbelievably wet that if he pushed into me right now, my body would accept him in an instant. What would it feel like to have Asher inside of me? The boy I grew up with, now all man? Has he dreamt about this before like I have?

A breathless cry escapes me as our bodies pick up pace, grinding and rubbing in the most delicious way. I almost want to laugh hysterically. I'm being dry-fucked by Asher Pryce in my room like we're teenagers. I wonder what it would have been like if we did do this as teenagers. Would it have felt this good, this mind-numbingly insane? I don't think so. I think the silent foreplay of years and years of denying us of each other is what's making this moment so hot and needy.

Asher groans into my neck when I bite his ear softly, pulling the lobe with my teeth before licking my way up the shell. I want to take his face in my hands and kiss him but something about that seems much more intimate than what we're doing now, much more real. This right here is all about lust but I know the second our lips meet, my heart will fall into his hands in an instant. Maybe that's why Asher doesn't make a move to kiss me, either.

"We can't...you can't..." I try to stop this but my brain keeps short-circuiting, especially when his large hand moves over my breast and squeezes hard. Both of us moan and he does it again.

"I will." He promises and my core shakes from the confidence in his words. There's something so desirable about the way he unapologetically wants me. It's thrilling.

"You're trying to distract yourself." I find it in me to keep going. We might be giving into our attraction we've been dancing around but it's happening for the wrong reasons. "You feel helpless. You want your power back and so you're doing this."

"Shut up." He presses down on my nipple with his thumb — hard. It's punishment but it's the kind that I enjoy. My moan is muffled against his shoulder.

"Doing this won't solve your problems or take away whatever's happening. It won't give you control." I continue to rock my hips and feel the familiar clench of an orgasm building low in my abdomen. How long has it been since another man's touch genuinely undid me like this? Too long.

"Shut up, Ria." He snaps and this time he tugs my nipple with a jerk. I enjoy that too.

"Be Ice Cold if you want." I pull back to meet his eyes. He's livid that I'm calling him out and ruining this for him. Tough shit. Big bad Asher is going to have to face the music. "I see right through you, Ashes."

He growls low in his throat and pulls away from me abruptly, eyes blazing. He's furious with me, on fire, burning from the inside. My Ashes.

We breathe heavily, both of us frustrated and on edge, and something passes between us. Acceptance. Whatever we just did, we can't take back. It's going to change everything and we know it. This is one thing we can't bullshit our way out of.

Somebody knocks on my door and our heads snap toward it just as it opens. Lenny stops in her tracks, eyes darting between us. She takes one good and long look at our current state, our flushed faces and heavy breathing — not to mention Asher's obvious hard-on and my inability to stop clenching my thighs — and snorts loudly. She saunters inside knowing good and well what she just interrupted and throws a smirk at Asher.

"Well." She drawls. "Your lips aren't swollen or bruised so I'm going to guess it wasn't a make-out session I interrupted. Definitely something more interesting, no?"

"You must be Lenny." Asher deadpans. Curt. To the point. Still pissed off.

"You must be Asher." Lenny doesn't back down despite the obvious daggers Ash throws at her with his eyes. She throws them right back. "I need my best friend if you don't mind."

"She's my best friend, too." He snaps.

My brows go up to my hairline. I didn't expect Asher to be so possessive of the title. He's normally so sure and confident about his place in my life but right now he seems almost insecure. The thought softens me a little despite being angry with him for the shit he just pulled me in to.

"Truth." Lenny cocks her hip. "Only difference is I don't want to fuck Aria into oblivion like you probably just attempted. For whatever reason that didn't work out so let me take it from here. You look like you need to cool off."

"Lenny." I look at her pointedly. I know she's being protective but now is not the time to goad Asher. He can be ruthless when he wants to be.

"I'm leaving." Asher says without taking his eyes off her. If I'm not mistaken, there's a flash of respect in them. "But I'll be back."

"You better." Lenny smirks.

I shake my head. How in the hell did these two have an argument and call a silent truce in the span of two minutes? My hands are going to be full with keeping them in check.

Asher spares me one final glance, one that says this isn't over, before turning around and awkwardly climbing out my balcony. That's got to be tough with an erection but he pulls through.

As soon as he's gone Lenny turns to me. "What just happened?"

There's no way I can bullshit her. "We dry-fucked. Hard."

A couple of beats of silence tick by before she bursts out laughing. "Nice going, smart-ass. If you thought you were fucked before..."

She shakes her head in pity and I ignore her, locking myself in my bathroom and getting in the shower to finish the job Asher didn't get to. Lenny's words taunt me and I silently finish her sentence.

I am so fucked now.

_________________________

A/N

I...I need a moment.

That was the hottest not-sex sex scene in the history of the world? I cant with these two. They are so so yummy.

I love how Asher's dark side just makes things hotter and how Aria can meet his bullshit head on. If this keeps up, I'm going to get pregnant just by writing about them.

Please VOTE, comment and share if you liked this chapter.

Happy Reading :)