Chapter 189
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“I was afraid you’d escape if your knees went weak,” Ashton said, his voice calm yet teasing, as if he could see right through me,
I buried my face in his chest, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. “If I wanted to escape, I wouldn’t have let you come in the first place,” I said stubbornly.
“I see. Then I must’ve misunderstood,” he replied smoothly, his tone playful yet sincere.
His words made my blush deepen. Still holding me in his arms, Ashton walked into the bedroom. He approached the bed and gently placed me down, but he didn’t step away. Instead, he leaned over, his gaze locking with mine, intense and unwavering.
I felt like my entire body was on fire. My heart raced as the silence in the room grew heavier. His proximity made me recall the last time I had teased him, as well as Nora’s words about men and moments like these.
“Ashton,” I began, my voice barely above a whisper, “have you ever slept with another woman?”
Though he had told me before that he’d never had a girlfriend, I needed to be sure.
His gaze darkened as he answered, “No.”
That single word made my heart tremble.
“Do you want to?” I asked cautiously, my voice shaking.
His jaw tightened, and before I could think, his lips crashed against mine. The kiss was overwhelming, consuming, and full of restrained passion.
But then, he pulled back, pressing his forehead against mine. His warm breath fanned my face as he said in a low, strained voice, “How long are you going to test me? Or… do you just want to torture me?”
His words made my heart clench. Seeing the desire in his eyes, the way he clearly wanted me but was holding himself back, I cupped his face gently.
“Do you really want this?” I asked softly. “Is this desire… only for me?”
Logan’s careless words from the past echoed in my mind again: “She made the first move, so I’m not interested in her.” The memory stung, making me question my worth.
But Ashton’s answer came without hesitation. “Yes,” he breathed heavily, “only for you.”
Hearing that, I closed my eyes, feeling something in me finally let go.
“Ashton…” I started, but his voice calling my name was cut off as I kissed him again, pulling him
closer.
“Should we wait a little longer?” he asked at the very last moment, his voice trembling as he restrained
himself.
“Wait for what?” I asked, my voice shaky.
“For when we get married,” he said, his gaze piercing into mine.
I hesitated, studying his face. “Even if we get married, if you’re not sincere, you’ll still betray me.”
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< Chapter 189
“I won’t,” he said softly, pressing a light kiss to the tip of my nose. Til never betray you, Elaine.”
He made the promise with such certainty, but I no longer believed in promises. Logan had made promises too, and in the end, he had broken them.
The truth was, promises were fragile, like glass. More people broke them than kept them. And for me, expecting too much only led to disappointment.
“But I can’t promise that I won’t betray you,” I said, my words cold and heartless.
Ashton’s expression faltered for a moment, his surprise evident. But before he could respond, I gave him a small smile and said, “If you’re afraid, or if you want to back out, now’s your chance.”
His gaze softened, and he murmured against my lips, “I don’t want to back out. If it ever comes to that, it’ll be my fault for not keeping you by my side.”
His words pierced my heart. Ashton, oh Ashton, you knew exactly where to hit me.
When I had broken up with Logan, I had thought the same thing. I had blamed myself, wondering if I wasn’t good enough, if I had somehow pushed him into the arms of someone else.
I kissed Ashton again, this time with more urgency, and as my hands moved to pull off his shirt, I decided to stop holding back.
The night stretched long, filled with whispered words and quiet, shared moments. It wasn’t until dawn that I finally fell asleep in the fresh sheets Ashton had laid out for us.
But even sleep didn’t bring peace.
I dreamed of Logan.
In the dream, he stood before me, covered in blood. His face was pale, and his voice trembled as he called my name.
“Elaine…”
I was asleep in the dream, but his voice woke me. When I opened my eyes and saw him standing there, my heart froze in panic.
“Logan, what happened to you? Why are you covered in so much blood?” I asked, my voice shaking.
“Elaine, will you feel sad if I die?” he asked, his voice hauntingly calm.
“Logan, why would you die? What’s wrong? Talk to me!” I pleaded desperately.
But he didn’t answer. He just stood there, staring at me with empty eyes, blood dripping onto the floor.
“Logan, say something! Logan!” I screamed.
“Elaine, wake up. Elaine, open your eyes…”
Ashton’s voice pulled me from the nightmare.
When I opened my eyes, I saw his worried face hovering over me. But all I could see was the bloody image of Logan from my dream.
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