way in hell my ex would find me out in the middle of nowhere. Especially since I had no idea how long we drove through the woods in order to get here. I walked over to the glass-encased walk-in shower and marveled at the waterfall showerhead. I turned toward the bed and watched Ash fluff the pillows, which practically made my damn nipples hard.
“You’re a hell of a man,” I murmured.
“What was that?” Ash asked.
I cleared my throat. “Nothing. Just a bit tired and talking to myself.”
He flipped the covers back. “I’m sure you are. We drove all through the night to get here. I’m shocked you stayed awake the entire time.”
I shrugged. “Call it a talent of mine.”
He chuckled. “Noted.”
His eyes met mine and my toes curled in my shoes. I didn’t know what it was about this man that toppled me head over heels, but I couldn't stand it. Well, I could, but I didn’t want to. I wanted to jump his bones, rip his clothes off, and slide my tongue along every creviced line of his muscles his body had.
And judging by the way he looked at me, he thought much of the same thing.
“Anyway,” he said before clearing his throat, “take a shower. Get yourself some rest. Help yourself to anything in either kitchen.”
“Oh, so the kitchen down here has food?”
He nodded. “It’s got necessities. And if you go up the steps that lead into the main part of the house, it’ll dump you right into the kitchen up there. Feel free to pick stuff from there, too.”
“I appreciate that so much. Thank you.”
We stood there staring at one another for a little while before he finally turned on his heels. But he didn’t leave my presence without stealing one last glance over his shoulder. I tossed him another wink and he shook his head, but I saw the shadow of a smile crossing his face.
Maybe one day we can use this shower together.
But until then, I resolved myself to a shower alone.
Before I crashed into bed, wet and naked.
“Ash?”
My eyes fell open and I rolled over onto my back. The one thing about this room was that it was completely underground. So, when the lights were out, they were really out.
“Ash, you here?”
I called out for him as I pushed myself up. I slid off the mattress and padded over to where I thought the door was, though it took me a while to locate the light switch. I turned on the light and had to shield my eyes from how piercing it was at first. But once my eyes adjusted, I rummaged through my bags for something to wear.
Before I headed upstairs.
“Ash!” I exclaimed.
The birds chirped and the sun shone heavily through the upstairs kitchen windows. I smelled coffee in the pot, but the pot was half-empty. And lukewarm. I looked over at the dining room table and saw an empty plate that held nothing but crumbs from the food that used to be there.
But there was still no Ash.
“Ash!” I bellowed.
I walked into the dining room from the kitchen and saw a small piece of paper sitting on the table by the plate. I picked it up and unfolded it, wondering if it was something Ash left behind. But instead, I found a note addressed to me. Signed by the man I was looking for.
Huh.
Hannah,
Went to the Iron Horse this morning. I didn’t have the heart to wake you after sleeping all day yesterday. I hope you feel well-rested. I’ll be back tonight. Help yourself to anything. There are keys hanging up by your door downstairs. They go to the beat-up truck underneath the awning. If you want to go somewhere, it’s got a full tank.
Ash
I set the note down and rushed back down the stairs. I rummaged around until I found my cell phone and quickly got it plugged in. Of course, the damn thing was dead. I hadn’t plugged it in for days. But once I got my phone to finally turn on, I plugged in “Iron Horse” into my GPS.
And it showed me exactly where I needed to go from Ash’s place.
“I wonder,” I murmured.
I made my way back downstairs and found the keys Ash’s note spoke about. Then, I quickly threw on some clothes. Nothing fancy, mind you. Just some jeans and a t-shirt with a pair of my flats. I gathered my phone, purse, and phone charger, then I started my search for that beat-up truck.
Though, it didn’t