Page 34 of Save Me

Ashley chuckles and stretches. “Is there time for a shower?”

I let go as he writhes on the bed, working the kinks out of his muscles. “A solo shower. No monkey business. I want to talk first. Alright?”

Ash rolls over so he’s facing me, a serious expression on his face. “Alright. Do you want to talk now? I can always shower later.”

“No. Go ahead. You’ll feel better, and we won’t know what our timeline is until we talk to Volker.”

He nods. “I’m going to have to borrow some clothes. I left everything at the cabin.”

He looks so worried it breaks my heart. Yes, I’m angry with him, but I hate to see him hurting. I place a soft kiss on his forehead and smile. “Your stuff is in the laundry room. I brought it back with me.” He looks shocked. Did he think I’d leave his things at the cabin to punish him? Once again, I want to get my hands on everyone who’s ever made him think like this. “Go. Shower. I’ll get your clean clothes and bring them in for you. Once we have a plan and a timeline, we’ll hopefully be able to do a few loads of laundry.” I turn Ash around and point him at the hallway just past the kitchen. “Bathroom is the first door on the right. Extra towels are on the shelf with your travel kit.” I give him a little nudge to get him moving.

Ash tosses me a saucy wink over his shoulder as he saunters away. “You sure you won’t join me?”

“Go! Stop tempting me!” My grin softens my words.

“So bossy.” Ashley smirks and turns into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.

A minute later, the shower starts and I glance around the small house. It’s basically like an efficiency apartment, but since I'm the only one who lives here and I work long hours, it’s enough for me. Unfortunately, it means that any mess is visible from any part of the place, so I turn around and walk back to the bed and pull the sheets and blankets in order so it’s presentable when Duncan and Volker arrive.

When that’s done, I go to the kitchen to see what I have in the way of beverages and consider the major changes that are about to happen to my life. I take a few more minutes to put away more of the supplies Quinn and I brought back from the cabin and then grab Ash’s duffel and knock on the bathroom door. I poke my head in, about to announce myself so I don’t startle him, but words fail me as I’m greeted with a view of his naked, wet body, just out of the shower. Damn, he’s beautiful. My dick agrees. Ash grabs a towel and wipes his face but does nothing to cover himself or end my review. I finally meet his eyes, and he smirks. “I brought your clothes. Volker and Duncan just pulled up.” I really wish they hadn’t, because my cock really wants me to step into the bathroom and bend Ash over the sink.

“Alright, I’ll be out in a minute.” He laughs at me and winks like he can read my mind. “Just hold that thought, Deputy Marshal.” Heat creeps up my face, but I take another lingering look before shutting the door on Ash’s wicked laugh.

I go to the front door and open it for Duncan and Volker before they even knock. “Hey guys. Come on in.”

“Hey kid. You look like shit. I’d shake your hand but…” Volker nods to the two boxes of pizza in his hands.

I grin and gesture for him to head over to the small seating area directly across from where the bed is. “Thanks. It’s a style I’ve been cultivating.” I shake Duncan’s hand and then pull him into a tight hug. “Thank you. Really.” I don’t need to say for what.

He hugs me back and nods. “You’re welcome. You’d do the same for me.” And I would, because Duncan is family.

Volker takes his laptop out of his messenger bag and powers it on. I run them through the morning’s events, with Duncan filling in the details of what happened at the Laszlo estate, while we eat pizza. Ash comes out of the bathroom midway through Duncan’s explanation. He looks tired, but no less gorgeous in a black short-sleeved T-shirt, black jeans, and his Docs. His hair is pulled back in a damp but sexy knot at the nape of his neck, and he’s lined his eyes, which make them even more intense than they naturally are. He takes in our guests, but when our eyes meet, he gives me his thousand-watt smile and I’m putty in his hands. “Hey.”

Ashley steps up behind me and despite the company, or perhaps because of, he leans down and kisses me, lingering long enough that Volker chuckles, and I can sense Duncan’s scowl. I can’t help but grin. When he ends the kiss, he grins at our guests. “Gentlemen, I apologize for the interruption.”

I take his hand and guide him around the couch to sit next to me. “Ashley, you know Duncan.”

“Yes. Deputy Marshal Brown, thank you again for your help, and for saving my life. I truly can never repay you, but if it is ever in my power to return even a fraction of the favor, please ask.”

Duncan nods and waves off the thanks. “Glad I was there.”

I squeeze Ash’s hand and gesture to Volker. “Ash, this is Volker Schmidt. He’s the Marshal’s information wizard. He’s the one that made your new identity.”

Ash leans forward and extends his hand. “Very nice to meet you, Mr. Schmidt. Thank you as well. I do appreciate that you are not obligated to assist me a second time.”

“No worries. It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Pétillant.” He shakes Ash’s hand and winks. “Everyone ought to get used to calling you by your new name.” He grins, obviously pleased with himself. “Pétillant. I figured it was time to mix it up with the names. It’s French for sparkling.” He looks around and when we all give him blank looks, he rolls his eyes. “As in, personality?”

Ashley laughs, obviously pleased with the choice. “Of course! But also, as in wine.”

“Yeah, you’re an Oenologist.”

Duncan snorts. “Sounds like a member of a religious group.”

Ash laughs and nods in agreement. “There are some for whom Oenology is a religion.”

Volker grins at Duncan. “It means he has a fancy degree in winemaking.” He turns to Ash, fingers poised over his keyboard. “And call me Volker. That’s your new backstory, by the way. Winemaking. Now just give me a sec and I’ll give you the rest of the information.”

“Alright.” Ash pulls a slice of pizza from the box and turns to Duncan. “Is Chris alright?”

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