"I should, it's a sport utility vehicle with four-wheel drive. I'll be back in a few hours," he said, placing his lips tenderly on mine.
"Hurry," I said, already missing him even though he wasn't gone yet.
"I'll be back before you know it," he said with the same reluctance I was feeling.
He closed the door quietly behind him and I felt bereft standing in my living room by myself. After being practically inseparable for the last five days, it felt strange to be alone. Irrational thoughts, sure, but I shook them off and headed to my bathroom so I could get ready.
Chapter 22: Phase Two
Nathan
I was still thinking about the phone call earlier with my client when I arrived at my hotel after leaving Ashton. Everything about the conversation had set my teeth on edge and made me want to put my fist through something, preferably the face of the fuck that hired me. I paced in my room trying to calm myself and work through my plan that seemed to be spiraling out of control. I still stood by my decision to call the client and disclose Ashton’s whereabouts, but I wanted us to be prepared. The time for secrets was long gone. By the end of the night, Ashton would know the real reason I was here. My only hope was that I could show her that my feelings for her had changed and that I would never let anyone hurt her ever again. I knew my plan was shaky. Ashton could hate me for my betrayal and take off without ever looking back, but it was the only feasible option.
I stayed awake most of the night debating how I wanted to handle the situation before finally coming to this conclusion. I toyed with the idea of never reporting back to my client and leaving him with nothing. That wouldn't solve anything for Ashton though. If he wanted her back bad enough, he’d just hire someone else to find her. Ashton would spend her life running away, never trusting anyone unless I put a stop to it. If this worked, her life of running could be put to a rest once and for all. Tomorrow morning we would face her demon and send him back to the hole he belonged in. My reputation in my field would be trashed, but I didn’t give a damn. It had been a long time since I enjoyed my job anyway. Hell, I wasn’t sure if I had ever enjoyed it.
Phase two of my plan could equally backfire in my face, but it was a risk I was willing to take. My surprise for Ashton today, though underhanded, would hopefully serve as something that would tie her down. Something that would form an attachment with her that she worked so hard to keep at bay.
Glancing at the clock on the nightstand, I realized I was already fifteen minutes late for my appointment. I hurried out of my room with the box of supplies I’d bought from Fran the day before. Tossing the box on the backseat, I threw the vehicle in gear and headed toward my destination. I smiled for the first time since leaving Ashton earlier as I pulled into the dirt parking lot. Phase two of making Ashton mine was waiting for me just beyond the door in front of me.
Chapter 23: Wilma
Ashton
Two hours later, I was ready and sitting on my couch watching another episode of my show when he knocked on the door once before entering. Relieved he was back, I jumped to my feet as he strode across the room and gathered me in his arms.
"Woman, what kind of spell have you cast over me that I don't like to be away from you for even a few hours," he said, showering kisses over my exposed neck.
"Well, I may have slipped you a love potion," I said without thinking. I instantly regretted my words, wishing I could recall them. Mentioning "love," no matter how innocent, went completely against the rules we had set.
He stiffened for a moment and I wished I could've bitten off my tongue. "It must be working because I feel completely intoxicated when I'm with you," he finally said, cupping my face in his hands and placing a kiss on each corner of my mouth before going all in. Thank god he didn't take my words seriously.
"By the way, you look amazing," he said, breaking the kiss. "Did you wear your hair up again to drive me nuts?" he asked, fingering a tendril that had escaped the elaborate twist I had gathered my hair in.
"Why, is it working?" I asked with false innocence.
"If you consider the inner battle I'm struggling with: whether I should take you out and let other guys gawk at you, or whether I should drag you to bed and show you just what your pinned up hair does to me," he growled, pulling me close.
"I thought guys liked girls to wear their hair down?"
"Not with a delectable neck like yours. Your neck begs to be kissed. It's as appetizing as any banquet and twice as appealing," he murmured. "Now, stop distracting me, I have a surprise for you," he added, suddenly looking jittery.
"A surprise?"
"I left it in the car. You wait here," he said, still looking slightly off.
Puzzled at what the surprise could be, I waited in the center of the room for him to return.
"Okay, sit on the couch and close your eyes," he said, cracking the front door open a fraction to give me the instructions.
I settled on my couch, mystified with my eyes closed. I heard him push the door open and then shut.
"Okay, open your eyes," he said just as I heard a little meowing noise.
"Oh my," I gasped, taking in the little fluff ball in his hands. "You got me a kitten?" I asked, quietly.
"If you don't want her, I'll keep her," Nathan said, sitting across from me with the small orange kitten cradled in his hands.
"I've always wanted a cat, but the time never seemed right," I said, stroking a finger down the soft fur of her neck.