**Allison's Pov**
Cara expressed her disapproval, "I can't believe you agreed to come watch him race."
I couldn't help but smile, "I was just caught up in the moment. My mouth worked faster than my brain."
"Watching guys in helmets, racing cars on the track sounds boring to me," Cara retorted.
I playfully nudged her as we walked, "Oh, come on, it might be fun."
"What's with the cupcake nickname he gave you? Is there something going on between you two?" Cara suddenly asked
I had been waiting for this question, carefully choosing my words, "No way, Cara. Do you see me with your cousin?"
"He only calls girls he's involved with sweet names like that," Cara pointed out.
I chuckled nervously, trying to lighten the mood, "Well, don't worry, that's not the case with me. Friendship first, always."
Cara fixed her gaze on me, and I could feel my heart race, hoping she wouldn't press further.
"Just be cautious, dating Ash can lead to heartbreak. He's not exactly the commitment type," she cautioned.
I remained silent for a moment before embracing her, "I appreciate you being here. It means a lot."
"I declined Ash's invitation to watch him race. Justin insisted that I should come with you." Cara revealed
Surprised, I raised an eyebrow, "Justin, your brother? That's unexpected."
"He just wanted to make sure you weren't alone. I couldn't leave you hanging," Cara explained.
If only she knew Justin's true motives, maybe she would have joined us willingly.
"That's nice of him," I remarked. "It's interesting how Ash and Justin, being cousins, maintain their distance. What's the story there?" I inquired, genuinely curious.
"It's just their dynamic. They come together when necessary, but Ash's interests are beyond what Justin can keep up with," Cara clarified.
I nodded, observing Justin sitting on Ash's motorcycle, engrossed in his phone. He had always stood out to me, the calm and composed one, a silent protector in his own right.
Cara playfully interjected, "Despite their differences, one thing they share is enjoying flings with different girls of their choice."
I weakly smiled, my eyes meeting Ash's intense gaze. I struggled to look away as he flashed a cold yet alluring smirk before returning his attention to his friends.
Cara and I watched from the sidelines as Ash raced, each risky maneuver making me flinch.
I now understood why Cara disliked this sport so much. Anxiously biting my finger, I winced as Ash's car brushed against the wall.
He managed to finish second, but his frustration was noticeable as he hurled his helmet in anger. Ignoring his friends' attempts to calm him, he stormed off.
"Classic Ash," Cara remarked, rolling her eyes.
"Shouldn't you go check on him or something?" I suggested, turning to Cara, who seemed more interested in the guy fixing Ash's rival car.
"Come on, Cara," I expressed my disbelief in her taste in guys.
Chuckling, she defended herself, "He's cute. Justin usually deals with Ash's outbursts anyway," she explained, heading towards the guy she was eyeing.
I shook my head in disbelief, unsure of what to do next.
Cara did say Ash was hot-tempered and I didn't want to get caught in the crossfire.
I stayed back, watching Cara flirt with the mechanic, feeling a pang of jealousy wash over me.
As the tension in the air lifted, I saw Justin approaching Ash, trying to calm him down.
Cara seems busy and everything seems to have gone back to normal. I walked towards the recessed area, where I found Ash sitting on the hood of his car.
Staring into the distance, without a word, I sat down next to him, feeling the silence between us.
"That was... an experience," I mustered, breaking the heavy silence.
Ash turned to me, his piercing gaze making me nervous. "You're not great at hiding your thoughts," he remarked, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Releasing a breath I didn't realize I was holding, I admitted, "Honestly, that was intense. I can't fathom how you find it enjoyable."
His smile widened, revealing charming dimples. Ash effortlessly exuded both beauty and handsomeness, drawing attention to himself.
"You're staring, Allison," he pointed out, turning to face me closely, our faces mere inches apart.
I quickly averted my gaze, reminding myself to stay focused. "Keep your composure, Allison. This is your summer vacation. No distractions, especially not from Ash Hoover."
"Seems like you're handling it well," I commented lightly.
"I'm sorry you had to witness that side of me. I tend to lose my temper sometimes," Ash spoke softly, a hint of vulnerability in his eyes.
Meeting his gaze, I reassured him, "It's alright. We all have our moments."
Ash nodded, revealing a side that caught me off guard. As I stepped out of his car, he followed suit.
"I should head back. Cara might be looking for me," I said, preparing to leave.
Ash smiled, leaned in, and placed a kiss on my cheek, dangerously close to my lips. I held my breath, my fists clenching tightly in unease.
"See you later, cupcake," he said before walking away, leaving me bewildered and lost in my thoughts.
That night, Ash didn't return home. Trying not to worry, I found relief in Cara's obvious calmness despite her cousin's absence. After a quiet dinner, I retired to bed, restless and unable to find sleep.
Tossing and turning, I eventually gave up and decided to go downstairs for a glass of milk. As I stepped out of my room and into the hallway, I caught sight of Ash leaning against the wall near my door.
"Hey," I called out, confused by his unexpected presence in the hallway.
"Are you taking a night stroll," he asked.
"Not quite. Why are you out here? Are you just passing through?" I inquired, my curiosity piqued.
"Why? Were you worried about me?" he teased, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
I stopped midway to the stairs, rolling my eyes at his remark. "The things you say never fail to leave me speechless."
"I was just asking a question, cupcake," he retorted with a hint of amusement.
Pausing again at the staircase landing, I turned to face him. I couldn't help but admire the shirt vest he wore with the joggers, his messy, wet hair somehow adding to his appeal.
Biting my lower lip, I spoke up. "You really should stop calling me that. I almost got in trouble with Cara because of that nickname," I warned.
Ash leaned in closer, studying my face as a small smile played on his lips. "I can't help it, I just love calling you cupcake," he confessed.
"And why is that?" I inquired, folding my arms and waiting for his answer.
"Because you taste like one. And I happen to be a huge fan of cupcakes, especially the ones that smell like vanilla," he explained cheekily.
His words left me stunned, at a loss for how to respond. I pushed him lightly on the chest, but he caught my hand, gently caressing it.
"I can't stop thinking about kissing you, Allison. Right now, I'm sorely tempted to do just that," he admitted without flinching, seemingly unfazed by the potential of Justin or Cara catching us off guard.
"You're quite the charmer," I retorted, pulling my hand away and making my way downstairs.
Approaching the fridge, I retrieved the milk I came for and then glanced up at the top cupboard.
I remembered instructing the maids to bring down some glasses, and with a smile, I unlocked the lower cupboard. "Thank goodness," I muttered to myself.
Pouring myself a glass of milk, I noticed Ash standing by the pillar near the dining hall, his gaze fixed on me.
"You look rather creepy," I teased, taking a sip.
"Are you serious? I thought I looked pretty sexy," he retorted, striding closer.
He stood in front of me, his words hitting me like a ton of bricks. "Your boyfriend must be one lucky guy to get to taste you," he remarked casually. I coughed, spilling my milk in surprise; he was going to be the end of me.
"Hey, are you okay?" Ash came up behind me, gently rubbing my back. "Geez, Allison, I didn't realize my words would affect you so easily," he commented, concern lacing his voice.
Furrowing my brows at him, I couldn't believe his lack of filter. How did he expect me to react when he said things so recklessly?
"I should probably watch my words around you, can't have you choking on anything," he added, brushing the spilled milk off my lips with his fingers.
He pressed me against the counter, his touch skimming the strap of my pajama top, sliding it down my shoulder to rest on my arm, revealing the skin of my neck.
His other hand traced circles around my navel, eliciting a flinch from me. Leaning in close, his breath hot on my ear, he whispered,
"I still want to fuck you so much, Allison. But I need to hear you say you want it as much as I do."
As he placed kisses on my neck and a soft moan escaped my lips, I grabbed his arm, digging my fingers into his skin as he continued his advances.
His hand began to edge into the waistband of my pajama pants, and I swiftly pulled away, locking eyes with him.
"I... I need to go," I managed to say, hastily making my way past him and dashing upstairs.
Reflections of what nearly transpired flooded my mind as I ran my fingers through my hair in confusion.
"Allison," a voice called out.
I turned, my eyes widening as I stuttered, "Justin," watching him approach me.