Page 215 of Born of Blood and Ash

Ash ignored it.

I stared at the ceiling once more. Several minutes passed.“Ash?”

“Close your eyes.”

My lips turned down at the corners.

“And go to sleep.”

My eyes narrowed. “It’s important.”

“No, it’s not.”

I turned my head toward his. “You just said that whateverwas important enough to keep me awake was important enough to keep you awake.”

“What you’re thinking about now is not important.”

My frown deepened. “And how do you know what I’m thinking?”

“I’m all-knowing.” Ash snuggled in closer, working a coldthigh between mine. “It’s a new ability.”

“Uh-huh,” I muttered, then my eyes widened. “Wait. You’dbetter be joking.”

“I’m all-knowing when it comes to you,” he amended with achuckle.

“You’re not funny,” I grumbled.

“And you’re not sleeping.” His arm tightened around me. “Youneed your rest, liessa, and I’m prepared toensure you get your sleep.”

I huffed out a short laugh. “And exactly how are you goingto do that?”

“Quite easily.”

“Whatever.” I sighed obnoxiously. A few moments ticked by.“You know, I’m thinking about you—” I squeaked as Ash rolled atop me. My wideeyes locked with his. Bright streaks of starlight swirled wildly in them. “Whatare you doing?”

“What I said I’d do,” he answered. “I’m going to ensure youget your much-needed rest.”

“How?” I tried to move my arms, but his chest trapped themagainst me. “By squishing me to sleep?”

“No.” His lips coasted over mine. “I’m going to fuck you sohard that the only thing you can do afterward is sleep.”

My mouth dropped open, but he captured whatever I was aboutto say with a stroke of his tongue, and then he did as he warned.

Ash fucked me hard, face-to-face, and then flipped me ontomy belly, driving into me until I was limp and sated. And he was successful.

Within five seconds of closing my eyes, I fell right tosleep.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO

Stomach roiling, I stopped at the bottom ofthe staircase as I heard footsteps coming down the main hall. I focused on mybreathing until the churning settled.

The last thing I needed to do was vomit all over Ash’s deskafter clutching the rim of the sink as I dry-heaved for what seemed like asmall eternity. He would never agree to me leaving for Lasaniatoday if I did that.

It had to be the bacon.

Why? I had no idea. I loved the stuff and was in a long-termrelationship with it, but the moment I’d smelled the fried meat, I’d thought Imight vomit all over the table.

It was probably also the fact that Ash had woken me fromanother nightmare this morning. When he asked me about it, I’d pretended tohave no idea what he was talking about.

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