Page 64 of Heal For Me

Beverly turns into a driveway, leans out her window, and punches in a code into a box that causes the gates in front of us to open. I turn just enough to exchange a look with Janelle.

Fancy, she mouths.

“I promise we are not as poncy as the gate makes us seem. Over the years, as our firm has gained popularity, we’ve had a few opposing clients who have left with . . . disgruntled feelings. So, William had it installed for safety. Mostly mine when he’s not here. Which isn’t a lot.” Despite what she just told us, she laughs lightheartedly.

A short drive later, a brick house comes into view. I have to stop my mouth from falling open when I see it. It’s huge. We were passing similar homes on the short drive from the train station, but seeing it up close is a whole other thing. All the houses were brick, but this one seems brighter, cleaner maybe. Considering Ash’s mom smells delightful—and expensive, it doesn’t surprise me her house is well maintained also. The lawn is perfectly green, and right in the middle is a beautiful fountain. Nice. The driveway is brick and leads right to the attached three-car garage. She doesn’t pull in but stops in front of it. I was too focused on the house to notice who was out front. Not until he steps to the edge of the patio.

Someone, I assume Janelle, grabs my shoulder but I hardly feel it. Everything in my body beats for him. Lightning zaps inside me like its own personal storm.

“Let’s not make him wait. I worry he might rip the door off the hinges once he realizes,” Beverly encourages while pushing her door open.

“Ready?” Janelle asks.

More than anything. I lift my hand and lay it over the small lump of the ring that rests on my collarbone. This is a promise.

I grab the handle with a shaky hand and push it open, and Todd darts out like he knows that’s his dad waiting for him, maybe he does. My first steps are wary, unsure because he hasn’t moved from his spot more than to give Todd a few good pets. His features are sharp as ever, thick eyebrows angled down as he stares at me in disbelief.

God, he’s beautiful.

He’s gotten a haircut since the last time I saw him, and he shaved his beard to a close stubble. I loved the beard and his hair, but this is the Ash I fell in love with. I can almost see the twenty-something-year old from years ago. Except his body is different. He’s not as slim as he was, instead of sleek lines, his body is hard—rigid and so. Fucking. Sexy. From years of heavy lifting. And much to my happiness, he looks healthy and strong.

Strong enough to hold me.

The moment he steps onto the ground, I take off as fast as my knee will allow until I’m crashing into him.

His arms wrap around my waist, and he pulls me tight against his body.

He sucks in a deep breath and holds it. “Jailbird.” His voice is a whisper but enough to calm the storm inside me, replacing it with the serenity only he can bring. It’s been months since I’ve felt this calm, maybe it’s been forever. I’ve heard various forms of his accent, but nothing compares to the deep and gravel of his voice in this very moment.

I hug onto him just as tightly, bury my face into the crook of his neck, and cry. I’m not sure why I’m crying, but I’m full of so many emotions I guess they are coming out as tears.

“Babygirl.” He sounds as if he might be fighting the tears as well. “Tell me I’m not dreaming. That you’re actually here.”

The giddiest laugh rips from my lips. “I’m here.”

“Thank. God.” Two simple words, but they mean more than he could know. I think I was more worried about our relationship status than I even knew. But the fact he is so relieved to see me and holding me as tight as he can without crushing my ribs, I know I have nothing to worry about.

My breathing steadies and a strong smell filters into my nose, not exactly bad but not great. I push away just enough to see his face.

“You stink.”

His plump lips stretch into a cocky grin. “You like it.”

“Ashley James Pearson. I told you to be showered and ready for tea.”

Tea? Like a tea party?

“Oh, I will be.” His seductive tone shoots straight south, offering flutters I haven’t felt in a while. His eyes darken as he takes in my body. We changed after the flight in the bathroom before Beverly got there, so I’m no longer in pajamas but a simple white Henley and jean shorts. I wonder what he thinks about my few added pounds. It’s not a lot that I would think he would notice looking at me, but maybe carrying me like he is. He’s not struggling in the slightest, so I guess that’s good.

Remembering his family is around, I lightly smack the back of his head.

“Stop it.” My voice is hushed but his dad laughs anyway, obviously hearing me.

Secretly, I couldn’t be more thrilled to hear a sex joke, but not in front of his parents.

“William, why don’t we go inside and discuss Janelle’s future employment at Helms and Pearson, let these two get reacquainted.”

“I know the first thing I’m getting reacquainted with,” Ash growls into my ear, and my skin erupts in goose bumps. He places a wet kiss below my ear, and my thighs automatically clamp around his waist.

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