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Matt couldn't help but smile as he made the rest of his way home. The memory of her hands, her lips, wouldn't leave him. That luscious, voluptuous body left him hungry for more. Well, he would just expend the rest of his sexual energy with Ashley.
He exited the car, which he'd parked in the driveway, and lugged out his suitcase. As he trod up the walk, he smiled even larger. He lived for this life, for being on the road all the time, but it was sure good to be home.
Hardy let himself in with his key, knowing his girlfriend was most likely sound asleep at this hour. It was after two, and he knew although she was a night owl, she usually turned in by about one.
As he entered the house, he nearly tripped over Tobey, who was whimpering and generally making little puppy sounds. He grunted with frustration as he tugged his suitcase over the threshold.
"Get in, you mutt!" he exclaimed. He supposed the tiny canine was happy to see him, but at the moment, he didn't care. All he wanted was to get in, get settled and hit the hay... Maybe wake up Ashley and have a little fun with her.
Matt groaned with aggravation as he realized Tobey was acting very much like Lucas often did. He wondered where the dog was. He practically had to keep from tripping as he made his way past the hallway and into the house proper. He decided to leave his suitcase for the time being. He was exhausted, so he would deal with his stuff after he slept.
As Hardy made his way through the house, he did find it odd that his dog hadn't greeted him while Ashley's had. Lucas always came running and barking when he arrived home. Where was he? Maybe Ash had the door closed in the bedroom, and the dog in there with her? He couldn't ever recall her keeping the door closed, though.
"Get off!" the dark-haired man said in a loud whisper as he glared down. That damned yapping puppy had practically latched onto his ankle as he was apparently playing with one of his shoelaces. It was annoying. He shook the dog off, trying not to hurt him, but he probably still ended up kicking him in the process. Well, whatever.
At this point, he was pretty much at his bedroom. Sure enough, the door was open, and as he glanced inside, he could just make out Ashley's form on her side of the bed. She seemed to be asleep as he easily caught the sound of her regular, even breathing.
"Ashley!" he called, not even bothering to care about disturbing her. The air conditioning was on, and prior to his shout, that had been the only really audible sound in the room.
He sat down on the side of the edge of the bed he normally slept and untied his shoes. As he watched, the blonde suddenly stirred and turned over onto her back.
"Matt?" She squinted as she stared up at him in the darkness. "Is that you?"
"Yeah, it's me," he said, wondering what would possess her to ask if it was him. Who else would she expect to appear by her bedside?
"Welcome home," she said groggily. She blew him and audible kiss but seemed to settle back on the comfortable mattress.
"Before you drift back into dreamland," he said, "where's Lucas?"
Ashley stiffened, her insides suddenly growing cold. Damn it... Couldn't this have waited until morning? She really didn't feel much up to a fight, not in the wee hours... Maybe if she gave him a vague answer, it would be okay.
"Um... He's around."
There was a moment of uncomfortable silence except for the sound of their breathing. Ashley dreaded the next words she knew would come out of his mouth.
Then, finally Matt reached over to turn the switch on the lamp by the bedside, putting the room in sheer brightness. The blonde nearly recoiled, shielding her eyes from the offensive light.
"I'm gonna ask you again..." He fixed his angry dark eyes on her. "... Where is Lucas?" He annunciated the last three words as though she were a disobedient child, or even worse, an idiot.
Ashley hesitated for a fraction of a second. Surely, this could wait until a better, more reasonable hour.
"I don't know *exactly* where he is... but he's around." She settled back in the bed, pulling the blanket up over her head.
Hardy snatched the covers away almost violently a second later, his face furious.
"Oh, he's 'around,' is he?!" he shouted down into her shocked face. "Let's just see about that!" Matt suddenly rose, storming from the room as he tore through the house.
Ashley winced as she heard him call the little dog's name, and her heart was beating so fast, she feared a premature heart attak.
Several minutes later, she was cowering in the bed as he returned. She hated herself for being so weak. She knew she should have just risen and gone after him, told him the truth. But it was the middle of the night, and although she was now wide awake thanks to him, she could barely think straight. On top of that, she was practically paralyzed with fear. And she knew that was the worst thing ever - one should never be scared of their significant other, especially not to *that* extent.
"He's not here." Matt's voice was eerily soft, considering his rage.
Ashley literally began to shake as she began to reluctantly offer her explanation.