When There Is Nothing Left But Love

I’d barely reached the hallway when Ashton lifted me from behind and dumped me onto the bed.

I landed in a clumsy heap on the bed. Glaring at him, I shouted, “Ashton! Are you sick or something?”

“Yes,” he replied seriously as he tossed his towel aside. He rasped seductively, “I’m lovesick.”

I…

I tried to be modest and look away from his body. “Ashton, there are dressing gowns in the hotel. You should put one on!”

He seemed to ignore my words as he crawled onto the bed toward me. He asked huskily, “What are you hiding from? Are you scared of something?”

I was tongue-tied as the scent of his shower gel hit me. I started inching backward slowly. “Ashton, what are you trying to do?”

He began closing in on me, and I felt unsettled by his stare. “You should know what I’m planning to do.”

He’d said this lightly, though I couldn’t miss the emphasis he’d placed on the last word in his answer.

I’d run out of space to back into. I looked at him and swallowed my saliva involuntarily. “Don’t come so near to me. It’s late, and I should really get going.”

This position was far too sensual for my liking. I was finding it hard to breathe.

He seemed to enjoy the atmosphere immensely. He didn’t make a move and gave me a piercing stare. “Going back? Where to?”

He moved his lips closer to me as he spoke.

I was so taut that I almost forgot to breathe. Acting on instinct, I closed my eyes.

sensed his movements. He ordered in a deep tone, “Don’t refuse

and didn’t know what to do. So I froze

time, placing featherlight kisses along

he’s doing stuff like

and I luxuriated

to fall under his spell. He suddenly stopped just as I was anticipating

was met by his knowing smirk. He teased, “Do you

red as a tomato at

laughter rang out

if I said I didn’t

the window. I was shocked when I saw

you

on the bed. When he saw that I was awake,

wouldn’t I be

getting over my surprise

“Are you hungry?”

from him. “I should leave!”

down on the

just treat last

go our separate ways?” His warm tone had disappeared as he interrupted my words. “Scarlett, did

“No!” I paused again, thinking of what to say. “I’m not running away. I just want to make

What do you mean that? Is my existence somehow

life. I want to live alone and not become