away. And I don’t know if I can sleep with that on my conscience right now.”
“Then, it sounds like I should make a pot of coffee and start a movie marathon on the television.”
He kissed my forehead. “You need sleep.”
“I took a long, pain-med-induced nap before you got home. I actually just woke up a few minutes ago.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Scottie sooner.”
I ran my hand through his hair. “Why didn’t you tell me about the orphanage sooner?”
He shrugged. “I don’t like talking about it much.”
“Not even Scottie?”
He cleared his throat. “Look, I grew up in a rough part of town, and sometimes the things I experienced in the orphanage with Scottie still give me nightmares.”
I shook my head. “I’m so sorry, Ash.”
“It’s just… easier not to talk about it. You know?”
I nodded slowly. “I know all too well. But just know that if you ever get ready to talk about it? I’ll be here for you. Ready to listen to whatever you have to say. Okay?”
His eyes danced between mine. “You’re remarkable.”
I smiled. “Well, I do try.”
His lips crashed against my own and I clung to him for dear life. His kiss left me breathless and his touch weakened my already trembling knees. I loved this man with everything inside me, and whatever he needed from me, I knew I’d give him. Our tongues slid together in a moment of passion, forever searing itself into my memory. I blanketed my body against him. I melded to him and let him mold my body as he held me close against his heartbeat. I wanted nothing more than this for the rest of my life. I wanted nothing more than him for the rest of my life.
“Hannah?”
My eyes fluttered open. “Yes, Ash?”
He slid his fingers through my hair. “Why didn’t you take your pain medication until Scottie got here?”
I sighed. “Look, he had me take it and I rested, so—”
He glared at me. “Answer the question.”
I slumped against him. “I wanted to wait up for you in case you were coming back today. And I knew the meds would put me to sleep.”
He held me close. “Hannah, if you’re going to be in my life for the long haul, you have to learn how to take care of yourself in my absence. You can’t go putting yourself in more pain and more danger just because I’m gone. Okay?”
I blinked. “Long haul?”
He chuckled. “Hey, you’re not running away from me that easily.”
I kissed his neck. “Trust me, I wouldn't want to, handsome.”
He scooped me back into his arms. “So, you have your first day of work tomorrow.”
He carried me into the kitchen. “Mhm. Bright and early at nine.”
“Mind if I take you to work and see where you’re going to be at?”
“Oh, Ash. I’d love nothing more than to share that with you.”
He sat me down at the kitchen table. “Good. Because you didn’t have a choice.”
I snickered. “Figured as much.”
He walked over to the fridge. “So, how about I whip us up some burgers for our movie marathon? Maybe have some chips and milkshakes with them, too?”
My stomach growled. “That sounds like a damn good winner to me.”
“Do you want cheese on your burger, in your burger, or no cheese at all?”
I blinked. “In the burger?”
He grinned. “My specialty.”
“Then, by all means, stick as much cheese as you want in the burgers.”
As I watched him move around the kitchen, his brutish form hovering over the stove just for me, my heart leapt in my chest. I’d never be alone again, thanks to this man. I’d never have to wake up alone, or find my way alone, I’d never have to eat alone, love alone, or go on trips alone. I had a partner for life, and I’d never give him up.
Come hell or high water or a torturous end, I’d stay at his side.
No matter what the future brought our way.
Sneak Peak at Knuckles
I fucking hate packing.
I smoothed my black t-shirt out on my comforter before I reached for a pair of socks. I rolled them down, tightening them into a cylinder shape, before laying them horizontally across the front of the shirt. I reached for a pair of jeans and spread them out, making sure there were no wrinkles as I smoothed it out beside my shirt and socks. And after plucking a pair of boxer briefs from my pile of clothes, I folded them up and placed them on top of the socks.
Then, I wrapped up