Chapter 198: Chapter 72
KELLAN'S P.O.V
The soft thud of Ashley’s door closing was a stark contrast to the way my heart pounded in my chest.
My fingers balled by my side with the strain of keeping myself in check. I didn’t get a wink of sleep last night, not when I was deeply aware that Ashley was finally, finally home. Under the same roof with me, after over five months.
She was home. And I plan on making her stay.
It had been impossible to close my eyes and give in to sleep when every part of me was restless, burning. I lay in my bed—our bed, staring at the ceiling, wishing I were with her instead.
I can still taste our kiss from last night, still see how her eyelids had fluttered so beautifully, she looked like an angel. I wanted that moment to stretch on into eternity. I wanted to hold her closer to me, I wanted to do so much more.
And that wasn't right. I shouldn't be having these burning feelings, not now at least.
So I tried, to push my desires to the back of my mind. I called my PI, checked on my father and grandmother, and distracted myself by finding out who the hell was after me and my family.
But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't help the fire blazing in my heart. It consumed me with the need to haul us together, to drink every breath she'd offer me, to kiss her lips and make love to her till we lose track of everything.
And again, I shouldn't be thinking about such. Not when she just escaped a fire incident.
Ashley took another step backwards, her eyes on me. “Well, go ahead, Kellan.” I could have sworn something like desire blazed in her. Her voice dropped to a low murmur “Kiss me”
My spine tightened, so did my throat, so did every single muscle in my body. It was as if that kiss last night had broken the restraint I’d held onto for so long, shattered the part of me I had learned to keep away. Now, all I could think about was pulling Ashley closer, holding her so completely that there would be no space left between us.
“If I kiss you again, I won’t be able to stop myself,” I warned, my voice rough.
It was true. If my lips touched hers again.....it wouldn’t be enough. Nothing would be enough. Not one day or two, not one short kiss or two. Being with Ashley is never enough. She always leaves me addicted, leaves me wanting more and more and more
Her presence alone was enough to undo me, to make me lose focus, to scatter every thought until all that was left was her. If we crossed that line into intimacy now…..there would be no turning back.
Absolutely no way I'd be able to hold back.
Ashley’s long, beautiful lashes fluttered once. Her chest rose and fell, and then her hand drifted to her stomach.
Her stomach.
The reminder that a baby was growing there filled me with a mix of awe and an unexplainable protectiveness that stole my breath.
Does she know how breathtaking and mesmerizing she looks like this? Does she know how badly I wanted to fall to my knees before her, to kiss the place where that small human was growing? Does she know that I've come to see the baby there as my own too?
Ashley’s lashes fluttered again, slower this time, “Don’t hold back,” she whispered, but her voice was steady
Those words were like a current I couldn't help but surrender to. With the speed of light, I crossed the doorway and into her apartment.
Ashley gasped as I closed the distance between us and slanted my mouth with hers. Her hand flew to my shirt, gripping tight.
I buried my fingers in her hair, one hand under her jaw to tilt her head up. Our lips and tongue worked in harmony together. I sucked on hers, nibbled her lower lip, and worked my way down to her throat.
Ashley moaned something unintelligible when I kissed her throat and the sound slipped into my bloodstream, making my entire body hot.
My spine tightened, and coherent thoughts cleared from my head when she moaned out my name.
“Oh, baby. I've missed this,” I purred as I licked the column of her throat and nibbled on her sweet spot—the left side of her collarbone.
She let out a sound that was a cry and a moan mixed together.
And fuck, that sound made my body hard.
My lips found hers again, hungry and without restraint. I poured everything into that kiss, she tasted of everything I’d been starving for.
I placed both hands on her waist and brought us closer, so close I felt the curve of her belly and before I could think about what I was doing, I dropped to my knees.
Confusion was written all over her beautiful face. “Kellan?”
“Ashley,” I purred, but said nothing else.
My palms flattened on her hips and I pressed my lips against the swell of her stomach. Placing a reverent, soft kiss. When I looked up, tears had welled up in Ashley's eyes and her chin quivered.
I wanted to tell her that I'll be here with her. Every Step of the way, but instead I found myself saying “Mine,”
Her. The baby. Both.
Mine.
Ashley shook her head, her features tight with... guilt, fear. Tears slid down her face and she opened her mouth. “Kellan, the baby is...”
She stopped all of a sudden, and I found my heart hammering. I stood up on my feet and wiped her tears with my thumb. “The baby is what?”
She only shook her head and stepped back. “N...nothing. I'll go take the bag I need.” Her eyes didn't meet mine as she walked away towards what I assume is her room.
I stood there a minute, trying to make out what it was she almost said but something caught my eye across the room
And I completely froze