It was really that simple. Max loved Ashley, and despite his grumbling about her teasing at times, he wouldnât want it, or her, any other way. âI love you for you, Ashley,â he said, finally, and nudged her cheek with his nose tenderly, before he chuckled. Of course, she wouldnât drop that idea - they were as bad as the other, after all. âMaple syrup is a good stand-in for now, but you and cake? Itâs the perfect combinationâ He gave an overly exaggerated sigh and fanned himself, while trying not to laugh. âWe have a very large bathtub outside, which we unfortunately cannot use till spring next year⌠unless you like ice baths?â Sitting in the bathtub with her, scented water and foam swirling around them, had become a habit, a tradition, and it just felt right having her between his legs, her back resting against his chest. It wasnât like they had never become creative about how to get to each other, while bathing. Sex had never not been on the table, and a bigger bathtub wouldnât make them feel different about jumping each other, if the mood struck them. With their breakfast food all but gone, Max had time to focus on her, and he did so with glee, gently touching and teasing without going too far. âWell,â he blew out some air between his opened lips, âI wonât complain about you showing me, either.â Jolts erupted from where her fingers connected with his skin and went right up his spine, which had him close his eyes to enjoy that pleasurable sensation which elicited small shivers from his body. Max was in no way immune to her touch, and even if he could resist it, he wasnât sure he wanted to. Ashley was simply too good at what she was doing for him to sit it out. A small groan escaped him, before he cracked open his eyes and looked down at her. âYou are multitasking, I see,â he muttered, and reached out to the hand which held the rest of the pancake, bringing it to his mouth to steal the rest of it from between her fingers. âIâd rather have your full attention, however, because itâs my birthday, and really, food should be the last thing on your mind, until way, way laterâŚâ A grin appeared, bright and boyish, while his hand holding onto her rose to cup and squeeze her breast, the other which had been holding onto hers dropping below the waterline to mirror her teasing touch on her thigh.Â
It really was that simple, but sometimes it was just nice to hear it. Three and a half years, and those words still had the same effect as the first that she had heard it. âI love you too,â Ashley hummed in reply, laughing as his nose came to nuzzle and tickle over her cheek. She laughed and shook her head at him exaggeratingly fanning himself, but in her defence, maybe she was taking the teasing angle a little too far. âThe thought alone makes me shiver, look, I even have goosebumps!â She put her arm up in his line of sight to show him. No, their warm bubble baths like this one would do for her perfectly. âThough maybe it wouldnât be so bad, with the skin on skin contact and all that.â Although, somehow, she didnât exactly feel like testing her theory out, the thought alone was enough to make her shudder. âI didnât think so,â Max was incredibly tactile, she could make a safe bet that something as simple as running her fingertips up the inside of his thigh would be enough of a demonstration to begin to âshow himâ. The quiet groan that she could feel rumble from his chest behind her made her grin in knowledge of the fact that she had succeeded. âI am, it isnât much of a problem either,â She narrowed her eyes at him, glaring as he took the remains of her pancake from between her fingers. âOh really?â The confidence and assertiveness in his tone with his words certainly had her attention. âBecause when you talk to me like that, let me tell you, food isnât the only thing on my mind.â She bit down on her lip, curious to what his plan was and how he was going to execute it. She jumped ever so slightly at hiss hand cupping her breast, shivering as his other hand dipped to trace patterns on her thigh. âYou certainly have my full attention, love.â