Page 99 of Ruthless Regret

Her grip on my hand tightens.

"Jason," she whispers. "No. No, please. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

That decides it. I give her shoulder a gentle shake.

"Ashley, wake up. You’re having a nightmare."

Her eyes fly open, and she stares at me, eyes blank. Then awareness floods back, and she bolts upright, breathing hard.

"Zain? What ... Where ..."

"You were having a nightmare." I sit up. "You're safe. It wasn't real."

She nods, running a hand through her hair.

"It felt so real," she whispers.

Without thinking, I reach out and cup her cheek, turning her face toward mine.

"But it wasn't.” My voice is firm. “You're here. With me."

Our eyes lock, and I'm acutely aware of how close we are. Of my hand on her skin. Of the way her lips part slightly as she draws in a shaky breath.

The air between us is charged,electric. I should pull away. IknowI should. But I can't seem to make myself move.

Ashley's gaze drops to my mouth, then flicks back up to meet mine, and I can’t stop myself from leaning in, and closing the distance between us. Our lips meet, softly at first, then with increasing urgency. I pull her closer, one hand tangling in herhair as the other slides down her back. Her arms lift, loop around my neck, and any last remaining thoughts of walking away disappear.

The taste of her is intoxicating, a drug I can't get enough of.

I shouldn't be doing this. Everything in me screams that this is a mistake, that I'm setting myself up for more pain, that I’ve already lost too much control since I was released.

Control.

It's all I've had to cling to since getting out. And now, with Ramsey dead and our leads disappearing, I feel like I'm spiraling.

I break the kiss abruptly, pulling back. Ashley's eyes open, confusion flashing across her face.

"Zain?" Her voice is soft, questioning.

I take a deep breath, trying to center myself. "We need to slow down."

She starts to pull away, but I shake my head.

"I need ..." I frown, unsure how to express what I'm feeling.

"You need control.”

How does this woman know me this well already?

"Take it," she says, her gaze steady on mine. "I trust you."

Her words shock me.

After everything I've done to her, she trusts me?

“Are you sure?”

She gives a small nod, her eyes never leaving me.

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