MasukARIELLA I held his gaze. “I can’t survive without you,” I said again. “You won’t have to,” he replied quietly. “I’m going to be okay. I’ll come back. I have to. You and Leon are waiting for me. I won’t break that promise.” He lifted my chin gently so I had no choice but to look at him. “I just
ARIELLA I woke up to feel light kisses on my face. I opened my eyes to find Asher hovering over me, pressing soft kisses against my skin. I let out a small laugh as he brushed his lips against mine before straightening. He was already dressed. Tie in place. Hair perfectly styled. Everything about
ARIELLA When Asher is finally, fully seated inside me, the bed groans beneath our combined weight. He pulls back out just as slowly, and the friction is enough to make my head swim. He’s doing this on purpose; I can see the intent in his eyes. He’s paying me back for every stolen glance and silen
ARIELLA That did it. Asher's expression shifted, something deeper, more certain. And this time when he kissed me, I didn’t hesitate. Didn’t hold back. Didn’t think about later or tomorrow. Or anything waiting for us outside that room. I let myself go into Asher's arms. I shiver beneath his touch,
ARIELLA The moment the flash went off, both of them stirred. Leon shifted first, letting out a small, confused sound as he buried his face deeper into the pillow. But Asher.... Asher woke instantly. His hand tightened instinctively around the book on his chest, the other bracing slightly at his si
ARIELLA I couldn't believe him right now. “None of the above,” I replied quickly, turning away from his smug face and back to Leon. “Okay, listen. Dad is coming upstairs to read you a book.” “Yay!” Leon said instantly, already turning around and running out of the room. The moment he left, I le
I cried ugly tears. Big, ugly, dramatic sobs. But I didn’t care. I wanted the drama. I needed him to see the side of me that wasn’t composed calm or cool. Because if I didn’t get through to the part of Asher that still loved me—really loved me—I was going to leave here today with nothing. And I wo
Five Years Ago His hand was on my throat—not squeezing, not choking. Just there. But it was trembling. He was trembling. His whole body had gone rigid, his eyes burning with something raw and dark. I had never seen him like this. "Don’t ever say that again," he growled. A cold chill ran dow
“I’m angry, okay?” Asher said, finally turning to face me again. “I’m angry that you put me in that situation. I’m angry that you care so little about yourself. I’m angry that you nearly destroyed something I’ve been working so damn hard to build... for us. For you....” I opened my mouth, but not
But I didn’t make a move to remove the hair from my face or stand up. I just lay there, closing my eyes, not looking at him. I wanted to know what he was thinking. If he had hate or anger or whatever it was he was feeling. I had a lot of questions. I thought men wanted sex, and this was the second







