Page 34 of Scars Run Deep

Yours,

Asher.

I screwed up my face as I put the note back where I’d found it.

Even when he was trying to be what could almost be called sweet, he couldn’t commit to it all the way. He couldn’t allow that level of vulnerability. He couldn’t allow himself to be exposed like that.

Whispers jolted me and had me swinging my head to the far left of the expansive room at the ensuite bathroom. The most luxurious bathroom in the house. Of course.

The door was ajar, a soft light coming from beneath.

I headed over there, Asher and Jonah’s voices becoming distinguishable as I drew closer.

They were so involved with their whisper-yelling discussion—or more like a spat—that neither of them picked up on my presence as I opened the door wider and leaned against the frame watching them.

Jonah was easing Ash’s arm back into the sling, the latter’s hair still dripping wet from an obvious recent shower.

Prostrating himself in front of his beloved Sire as usual.

I rolled my eyes. Right on cue, J. Right on fucking cue.

“I advised you not to take a shower first thing, leave it a couple of days, yeah?”

“I’m not an uncivilized brute,” Ash answered with utter disgust.

“Well, fuck, I’m not gonna lie, you smell damned good.” Jonah breathed him in. “That sandalwood. Mmm,” he uttered on a groan as he helped him button one of his designer black shirts. “That fresh clean scent and that one that’s all you.” He nipped at his jaw. “So fucking edible.”

Asher batted his hands from his shirt. “I’ve got it.”

“You don’t need to have it. I’m here.”

“And yet.”

I was surprised as fuck when Ash actually registered Jonah’s dejectedness. Even more so when he reached out and cupped his face. “I know you’re here. You always are. That doesn’t go unnoticed.”

Jonah smiled. “I’m glad.”

“Very good.”

“Look, I know you’re kind of pissed that I dosed you last night. You get why I did it, though, right?”

“I do.” That almost-tenderness was gone in a second, that flash of darkness flaring in Asher’s eyes. His soft grip on Jonah’s cheek tightened to painful pressure. “But don’t you ever take it upon yourself to determine what’s best for me without consult again. Don’t circumvent my authority or my will.”

Jonah was a mix of worried and turned on as he gazed back at him. “Got it, Sire.”

“Well, isn’t this a fucked-up version of cozy?” I finally spoke.

Jonah’s gaze snapped to mine.

Ash barely reacted, obviously having actually sensed me beforehand after all. He drew his hand from Jonah and looked out at me.

“Are you two gonna fuck now?”

“He’s hurt,” Jonah said.

“True, but one-handed isn’t actually a problem for him.” I eyed Asher. “Is it, Ash? I mean, you proved that last night, right?”

“Kill,” Jonah warned, shooting me a look to shut the fuck up.

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