Page 57 of All That Glitters
And how she’d come… How she’d moaned and moved…
She might be the only thing that kept me sane.
13
Helen
I nearly passed the turn off. Wildly kicking up dirt and pebbles, and barely keeping control of the Jeep, I made it. Before long I saw the outline of a roof, then the cottage came into view. It was mostly hidden by wild grasses, and a few trees. Seeing it again and the memories came flooding back of the four of us spending hours within its walls playing games, watching old races, talking about the future plans we had.
I smiled. Everything was simple back then.
Ashton was standing in the doorway when I pulled up out front.
I couldn’t tell anything by the look on his face. I couldn’t tell what kind of mood he was in. He appeared almost bored, but I knew I wouldn’t be that lucky. Not after last night.
I hadn’t slept a whole lot and when I did sleep, he was there. His hands were all over me, his voice was in my ear, his lips were stealing every breath.
And his eyes were cold.
That vision had stayed with me through three cups of coffee and some cold toast. I’d spent the day questioning what I had gotten myself into and for the duration of my meeting earlier, I’d been so distracted that my assistant had to take over. I wasn’t able to concentrate on anything. I wasn’t able to focus and that’s what I needed. I had a job that needed my attention and I couldn’t spend hours obsessing over Ashton, but I had a feeling that after whatever happened with him for the rest of the day, that obsess was exactly what I’d be doing.
When I got out, he didn’t move. He continued to lean against the doorframe, hands tucked in his pockets, bare feet crossed at the ankles.
Casual.
Lethal.
The two words shouldn’t go together and normally wouldn’t, but used to describe Ashton Glitterati, they fit perfectly, like puzzle pieces waiting to be matched.
“Did you have trouble finding the place?”
“Only a little trouble finding the road.”
For a moment longer, he regarded me with a look that was unreadable. I didn’t fidget. I didn’t shift my weight. I didn’t move at all. On the outside.
Inside I was shaking so hard I was afraid I’d come apart.
“Strip.”
“Excuse me?”
I heard him plainly. I heard the one word. I just didn’t want to believe he meant it.
“Strip.”
“Ashton…”
“Take your clothes off, Helen. You don’t get to come inside until you’re naked.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“That’s my rule, ridiculous or not.”
“It’s cold out here.”
“Then I suggest you do it quickly so you can come inside where it’s warm.”
“Why are you doing this, Ash?”
