جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 110

“You slut, why do you think you would ever stand a chance with him?” another lady hurled at the first girl, and a few girls behind her, who looked like they belonged to her clique, burst into laughter. “You are not even all that. Why do you always overrate yourself?” a girl from the first girl's clique shot back. The face of the girl Ashley assumed to be the mean one contorted into a frown, everyone gasping as though they couldn't believe what had just happened. From the entire situation, Ashley could tell she was the bully of the group and probably the most feared one. She wondered if they were all here against their will, but they looked far too comfortable for people who had been forced to stay there. Besides, from the way they spoke about serving someone, could it be that they were prostitutes? “You seem to be growing a lot of nerves lately. Perhaps it's time to teach you a lesson,” the bully said as she stepped closer to the girl who had confronted her, a smug smile tugging at

Ashley's chest rose and fell rapidly as she held his gaze, her resolve slowly crumbling beneath the intensity of his eyes. She should have gone through with her plan back inside the tent.Without breaking the silence, Dane's gaze drifted to the reddened mark on her left cheek. Slowly, he leaned closer.Ashley instinctively tried to turn away, but he gently held her in place and continued closing the distance until his lips hovered only a breath away from her skin. Her heart lurched violently against her chest, her body betraying her before her mind could even process what was happening.Then, ever so softly, he blew against her bruised cheek.A startled gasp escaped her lips as his warm breath brushed over her chilled skin, sending an unfamiliar shiver racing through her body. Before she could recover, his lips grazed the swollen mark, lingering there with impossible tenderness. He kissed the injury again, slow and careful, as though trying to soothe the pain he hadn't caused but stil

Dane carried her toward the couch and gently laid her down before hovering over her.Ashley stared at him, following his every movement as he leaned closer. She exhaled and inhaled slowly, her heartbeat racing once more. She began to imagine what he was about to do next, her body warming in anticipation.Dane lowered his hand to her breast, about to pull her bra away when she suddenly grabbed his wrist and called, “Wait!” Her chest rose and fell heavily as she slowly began to regain her senses.Dane lowered his gaze to hers, studying her eyes. He noticed they had cleared, and the desperate haze that had clouded them moments ago was gone. A flicker of disappointment crossed his face, though he quickly masked it. Withdrawing his hand, he stepped away from the couch.Sitting up, she apologized, “I am sorry,” covering her chest with her hands. Becoming fully aware of her surroundings, she bit her lip and cursed herself inwardly. What the hell was she thinking? How was she supposed to face

The silence was deafening as they stared at each other. One had so much to say, while the other was too stunned to speak. Nathan sighed and lowered his head, making Ashley think she had finally managed to convince him.Nathan took a step forward and said, “Ashley, I knew you didn’t love me and still chose to propose. Remember what I told you then?” His question made Ashley raise a brow, trying to recall which of his words he wanted her to remember.“I asked you to just let me stay by your side, and I wouldn’t ask you to love me.” He reminded her when he realized she had no idea what he meant. Ashley frowned, unable to understand him. Even after she had betrayed him, he was still willing to remain by her side?“Don’t you get it, Nathan? It’s impossible, and I will only resent myself as the years pass. Eventually, that resentment will make me hate you if you don’t leave now. What I did is irreversible, and no one deserves to be betrayed that way. I wouldn’t accept it myself,” she said,

“What do you mean?” She asked, staring at him with a curious look.“I don’t care how long it takes or what I have to do. I am going to start chasing you now, Ash. I thought I could live without you, but now I am certain I want you,” he confessed.She scoffed before bursting into light laughter.“If only everyone had your audacity,” she mocked before adding, “Do you think just because you want it, you will get it? Or do I look like some commodity to you? The moment I signed those papers, Dane, I erased you from my mind.” She shot him a hateful glare. Did he really think she would come crawling back into his arms just because he wanted her? She might have been foolish enough to give him a second chance once, but she would never make that mistake again.“I know you hate me and don’t want me anywhere near you, but Ashley, I won’t give up on you. I won’t force you, but I will prove to you that I will never hurt you again. I promise,” he vowed.The conviction in his voice terrified her. He