43

ASHLEY

Satisfaction trickled through my veins as I tucked my lips between my teeth, gazing at the masterpiece that was sleeping beside me. He was shirtless. In the past few weeks that I have been married to him, I have come to notice that he hates wearing a shirt to bed. His flawless ivory skin was out in the open, only for my eyes to see. He didn't have all the muscles in the world, but he was ripped enough to make my mouth water at the sight of his abs.

His chest fell and rose with ease, the bags under his eyes seemed to be fading. He had come back home late at night and even though he thought I was deeply asleep, I saw him walk in with a bloodied shirt. He rushed to the bathroom to change because he didn't want me to see him, but I did. And in truth, I didn't know how to feel seeing him with blood on his hands and his chest. So, I just didn't allow myself to feel. I turned my emotions off because if I didn't shut them out, they would overwhelm me.

I exhaled, my eyes flitting to hi