She laughs as she snuggles up next to me and rests her head on my shoulder. “Good?”
I’m breathing heavily, and I can’t answer her for a moment.
When I do, I simply say, “Definitely good.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE
Ashley
I wait until we’ve showered together, engaged in a strenuous round of sex, and climbed into bed before I say what’s been on my mind since this morning.
“J.”
“Ash.” His tone has a hint of amusement in it. “What’s on your mind?”
“This morning.”
“Yeah? What about it?”
“The way you left.”
“Ah.”
“Ah?” I sit up in the bed and give him a stern look. “What’s that mean? Ah—sounds like you’re at the doctor and they’re checking your throat for strep.”
Now he outrightly laughs. “I’ve definitely missed your flair for the dramatic, Hill.”
“I’m not being dramatic,” I say in an overly calm tone.
I’m totally being dramatic.
But I don’t want to tell Jared that. I need him to reassure me. Or just be honest with me. That would be more than enough. Anything else, I can handle. What I can’t handle is evasion and, worse—lies.
Jared sits up to face me. I refuse to look at his rock-hard abs and sexy-as-sin pecs, and I keep my eyes trained on his.
He takes my face in both his hands and says gently, “The phone call. That’s what has you worried?”
“Of course it’s the phone call!” I throw up my hands and shift back from his hands. “It’s none of my damn business, though, and that’s what bugs me the most.”
“Do you trust me?” His expression is neutral, but I can tell how much my answer means to him by the way his voice lifts at the last word.
“Yes. Of course.” I lean forward to kiss him. “I trust you.”
“Okay.” He pulls me into his lap. “I’m glad. Because you can trust me, Ash. I promise.”
I’m counting on that. Each time I fall into bed with Jared, I give up a little bit more of my self-protective armor. Which means, with every day we continue to carry on this affair, I’m growing more and more vulnerable.
After he falls asleep, I slip out into the living room and post on social media.
Posting on social media has been my job for a while, and even though I’ve changed companies, I haven’t lost sight of how important it is to build a following.
Mia’s company has an extremely loyal group of clients, but she’s looking to evolve and grow, especially regarding her foundation. That’s where I come in.
I spent the day sitting in on meetings with her and other members of the company, and I feel more inspired than ever to get photos of Wild Ranch and the horses she’s brought here to rehabilitate and help heal.
The next morning at the crack of dawn, I help Jared pack for his road trip, and he drives me to the stables before he leaves to meet the Wild Kings.
He parks behind the barn so we can’t be seen from the road or the main house, and we watch the sunrise together. The bright orange is heavenly to view as it comes up over the horizon.
