“Well, you’ll need to find a man that doesn’t care about your profession.”
“That’s the thing, he used to not care,” I said. “But then he started to get upset about it.”
“Probably when he fell in love with you,” he said quietly.
“No, not that.” My stomach filled with acid at the thought. “But I know he cares about me.”
“Well, I hope everything works out.”
“Thanks, Tim.” We turned right when we saw the Chinese restaurant then headed down the alley until we reached the outside of Beautiful Entourage. “Thank you for walking me.”
“No problem.” He kept his hands in his pockets. “I’ll call the office if I need anything else.”
“Okay. Great.”
He gave me a curt nod before he turned on his heel and walked back to the sidewalk.
I released a deep sigh before I opened my clutch and searched for my keys.
A man emerged from the shadows like a dark cloud. I felt his proximity before I saw him. I immediately grabbed my mace and prepared to spray my assaulter when he grabbed me by the wrist and yanked my arm down. “It’s me.” Ash’s deep voice came into my ear.
My heart rate slowed down when I realized I wasn’t going to die tonight. I tried to catch my breath as the anxiety passed. “You scared the shit out of me.”
He released my wrist. “And you’re lucky it was me and not someone else.” His voice was full of irritation. “Otherwise, your pathetic attempt to mace me wouldn’t have worked. I would have fucked you against this door and no one would hear your screams.”
I held his gaze without backing down. “Why are you here, Ash?”
He stared at me with a clenched jaw.
“Following me? Keeping tabs on me?”
“Making sure you got here safely and that asshole didn’t pull something stupid.”
“He was a very nice guy.”
“Lucky for you.” He grabbed my arm and pulled me from the alleyway. “Come on.”
I went with him because it’s where I planned on going anyway.
His hand gripped mine and he interlocked our fingers. His hold was tight and it didn’t seem like he ever planned on letting go.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“I’m taking you home,” he said like a smartass. “What does it look like I’m doing?”
I stopped walking and pulled my hand away. “I meant with us.”
He didn’t try to grab me again.
“You break up with me and then you show up here? What are you doing?”
He gripped his skull then released an irritated sigh. “I don’t fucking know. I couldn’t sleep not knowing if you were okay. I couldn’t do anything other than pace in my apartment. All I could think about was some asshole grabbing you. I had to make sure nothing happened.”
This relationship just became more confusing. “Ash, I—”
“I love you.” He looked at the ground as he said it. “I admit it. There. Are you happy?”
“I never asked...”
“I know I’ve felt that way for a long time but I was too afraid to say it to anyone, including myself. And the way I’m behaving right now only confirms it. I’ve never been so obsessed with one person before. You’re constantly on my mind, and the idea of you being unsafe makes me insane. I have no idea what I’m doing or why I’m doing it, but I’m just doing it.” He lowered his hands to his sides. “I’m not good at expressing my emotions or…talking in general. All I know is my life isn’t right when you aren’t in it.” He held my gaze as he spoke. “When we weren’t together for a few months, I didn’t even know who I was anymore. When I’m with you…that’s who I really am. And I can’t stand by and let you risk your life like this. I had to check on you. I’m sorry if that’s too much but I had to.”
Speechless, I stared at him.
He put his hands on his hips as he regarded me. “I know you feel the same way, Alessandra. I see it in your eyes every time I walk through the door. I feel it in your touch every time we’re in bed together. I hear it in your voice when we talk on the phone. Or am I wrong?”
He wasn’t. And I knew that. I shook my head in response. “No…”
Ash crossed his arms over his chest while he stared at me.
I stared back.
He took a deep breath then rubbed the back of his neck. “I can’t believe I just said that