Ashton reached his apartment with Hayley in his arms. Feeling her soft body against his chest unleashed a myriad of emotions within him. He had successfully kept these feelings hidden deep within him for the last four years, but not anymore. Why would he obey Gambino when he was paying off his money? Who the f*ck was with Francesca to order him around? After Kingsley’s threat, he felt rebellious, wanting to claim what was rightfully his. Yes, Hayley was his!
He glanced at her tenderly, as she snuggled into his chest and an intense need to protect her rose deep within him. He kicked his door shut and carried her towards his bedroom. This was what he had wanted for a long time, to bring her home! He lay her down on his bed and dropped to his knees beside her, gazing at her delicate, innocent face with longing. Why was she so damn stubborn? Why did she need to dance with others when he was dying to dance with her?
She stirred, and he froze with apprehension, not wanting her to witness his moment of weakness. With a frown, she tugged at her dress unconsciously. Ashton, too, frowned at her dress. Was she uncomfortable in it? Should he change her?
He went to his closet to get her a shirt of his, his mind still at crossroads. How would he control his urges the entire night after changing her? No, he wouldn’t look at her. He would close his eyes while changing her! He pulled out a sky-blue shirt and walked towards his bed. One look at her red, pouty lips made him lose his mind. The dress clung to her body, exposing a shoulder and her long creamy legs. They evoked sinful thoughts in him before he could touch her.
“God!” he groaned in agony. Taking a deep breath, he reached towards her back and pulled the zip down. The dress fell off her shoulder, bunching around her arms. He pulled the dress down gently but forgot to breathe or close his eyes.
With her beautiful, creamy complexion glowing in black lacy lingerie, he was too mesmerized to look away. He pulled the shirt on her body and buttoned it up, his fingertips brushing against her baby soft skin. A spark of electricity shot up his body, causing it to tremble with need, a need to touch her, to brand her as his. He still hadn’t forgotten her kisses. Their taste was branded on his lips forever.
Sighing, he eased himself off the bed, pulling a duvet to cover her. He needed a cold shower first before he could think of sleep.
Afterwards, feeling much refreshed, he lay down in the spare bedroom to sleep. Despite the cold shower, his mind was restless and he couldn’t sleep. How could he when his body craved Hayley?
“F*ck!” he muttered, giving in to the temptation at last. Swinging his legs off the bed, he left the room and walked into his. He found Hayley sleeping in the same position as he had left her. A smile of satisfaction lit up his face and he lay down beside her, facing her and watching her.
She looked so beautiful in her sleep, like a fallen angel! If only he could have her on his bed every night! His hungry gaze swept down her body till where the duvet had slipped down. The minute he had seen her, he had noted the way her body had grown and matured since the last time he saw her. She was always beautiful, but now, she looked irresistible, her body curvier than he had ever imagined in his dreams. Yes, he imagined her in his dreams every night and kissed her, too. She was his in those sinful dreams.
He might have dozed off watching her longingly.
“Ashton! Where the hell are my clothes?” yelled Hayley the next morning, pulling the duvet up to her neck. Ashton still slept like a log, lost in his dreams. Hayley wrapped the duvet around her and leaned over, stretching out a hand to shove him a little. How could he sleep in peace after getting rid of her clothes?
“Ashton, why am I here?” she asked, glaring at his sleepy face, which looked so peaceful and relaxed. His eyelashes left shadows on his cheek while his lips looked extraordinarily dewy and soft. The urge to lean over and kiss him drove her crazy, but she couldn’t make a single move.
Ashton opened his groggy eyes and gazed at her, wondering whether he was still dreaming! How did she land up on his bed otherwise? He flashed a skew little smile at her, remembering their lovemaking in his dream. It was blissful! If only it could be real!
“Ashton, why am I here?” she glared at him, seeing him blink at her.
“Good morning, Hayley! Did you sleep well on my bed?” he drawled with a lazy grin on his face, completely ignoring her question. Hayley blushed to the roots of her hair, seeing his eyes rake all over her. He might have seen her already when he changed her! God, this was so embarrassing!
“No, I was totally out. So why did you bring me here instead of dropping me off at Alyssa’s house?” she demanded with annoyance.
“Alyssa was out too.” Hayley waited for more explanations, but he didn’t give any.
“Where are my clothes? Why have you taken them off, Ashton? Did we? I mean..” she asked with frustration, clueless about everything. She had no idea if they did anything last night in her inebriated state.
“No, we didn’t. I prefer women to be in their senses when I pump into them!” he said with a shrug, springing out of the bed and walking away towards the door.
“You are disgusting, Ashton. I’m sure you took some twisted pleasure in the act!” she said bitterly, his words slicing through her heart. Of course, she knew he was no saint, but hearing him admit it made her a little upset. Deep inside her heart, she preferred a man who would love her, only her. Her romantic heart dreamed of a man who would desire no one else but her.
“Don’t flatter yourself. It’s nothing I haven’t seen before. I’m going to make breakfast. Freshen up and come down if you want some.” He slammed the door shut and left, making her gape at him. When did he become this insensitive? The Ashton she left behind four years ago was very caring, at least towards her. He had changed his views about dating and relationships too for her! So what happened now? What made him so bitter?
His words hurt her immensely. So he didn’t find her attractive at all! She wasn’t special to him! She wouldn’t stay here a minute longer. Rushing to the en-suite with her clothes, she freshened up and wore them quickly. It was then she looked around her and the sparkling clean washroom. When did Ashton move into this place? This wasn’t the cottage she used to visit four years ago!
She felt much better afterward and went downstairs, but the aroma of bacon and eggs made her stomach grumble with hunger. She realized she had not eaten much last night!
“Who’s house is this?” she asked him on seeing him serving their food at the breakfast table.
“Mine now! Do you like it?” he asked, pulling a chair out for her to sit on. Hayley nodded, forgetting her grudge and sitting down.
“The view is lovely! I can sit here all day,” she said, looking out of the enormous bay window towards the beach further away.
“Would you like to go out to the beach after breakfast?”
Hayley turned to give him a look of surprise. If she was nothing special to him, why was he asking her out?
“I’m sure you have someone special in your life to go out with. I’d better go home.” Ashton’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he sat down opposite her. He held her gaze with a small, lazy grin tugging at his lips.
“You can ask me directly!”
“I don’t need to know!” Hayley’s ears flushed with embarrassment at her slip of the tongue. It was true she was bursting with curiosity to know about his equation with Madison. Was he dating her?
“As you wish!” he shrugged, helping himself to the food. Hayley wanted to throttle him for being such a jerk. He could have told her instead of beating around the bush.
She helped herself to the food, keeping her eyes trained on her plate.
“How’s the breakfast?” asked Ashton, seeing her suddenly quiet. He had expected her to ask him directly, but she seemed to have gone into a shell.
“It’s good. Thanks,” she answered, without looking up at him. Maybe he offered breakfast to every woman he brought home. She really wasn’t anyone special.
“So, you didn’t answer me. Will you like to go out to the beach with me?” he asked impatiently.
“No, Ashton. I won’t take advantage of your kindness.”