Page 21 of Can You Take It?

Chapter 8

RICHARD

“What are you doing here?” I blurt out.

Ashley’s gaze flicks to the door where Izel just disappeared. I run a hand over the back of my neck, trying to shake off the tension. Her eyes narrow as she looks back at me.

“Who is she?”

I hate it when people answer a question with a question.

“She’s a witness,” I say, keeping it as evasive as possible. “She’s supposed to be under witness protection, and we’re working on that. But until then, she’s staying with me.”

Ashley’s eyes narrow further, like she’s gearing up for a fight. I can almost see the wheels turning in her head, and I know she’s not happy about this. But I’m not in the mood for a debate.

“What are you doing here, Ashley?” I ask again, more firmly this time.

There’s a brief moment where her expression shifts, the accusation in her eyes softening into something else entirely—something familiar. Lust. I recognize it instantly, the subtle change in her posture, the way her eyes darken as they rake overme. She’s not here for answers. She’s here for sex, plain and simple.

“I came to see you, babe. We haven’t had much time together lately.”

She pulls me in for a kiss, but I hesitate. I’ve nearly kissed Izel twice, and it’s driving me wild. I can’t think straight, and it wouldn’t be fair to Ashley. I step back, and she looks confused.

“Hey, what’s going on, Rick?”

“Ashley, I’m just not in the mood right now,” I sigh.

She frowns, clearly disappointed. “You’ve been distant lately. I thought we could... you know.”

Ashley’s persistence grates on me as she steps closer, pressing herself against me. Her hands slide up my chest, pulling me back in. I can feel her breath on my neck, and it’s like my body is on autopilot, but not in the way she wants.

“Come on, Rick,” she whispers, her breath ghosting over my ear. “We’ve barely spent any time together. Let me make you feel better.”

Her touch feels stiflingly close, like she’s trying to replace what’s missing with something I don’t want. She leans in for another kiss, but I turn my head away at the last second.

“Ashley, stop,” I say.

“Is this because of that girl? Who is she, Rick?”

“I told you she needs protection. So, she’s staying with me. That’s all there is to it.”

“Protection from what? From who? What’s her name? You owe me some answers. If there’s something going on, I have a right to know.”

“Ashley, it’s my job. I can’t share details with you. You knew that when we got involved.”

She crosses her arms, her eyes narrowing. “Your job? That’s your excuse? I have a right to know what’s going on especially if there is a girl staying with you.”

“No, you don’t. This isn’t about you or us. You don’t get to demand answers about something you were never supposed to be involved in.”

“So, I’m just supposed to sit back and watch you play protector to some random woman while you push me away? That’s not fair, Rick, and you know it.”

I can feel the tension in the room ratcheting up, like a coiled spring ready to snap. She’s not getting it, and maybe she never will. My job isn’t something I can just set aside to make her feel better.

“Ashley, I’m asking you to leave. This isn’t the time for this.”

She stares at me, her anger giving way to hurt, but she doesn’t move. Instead, she presses on, as if she can force a different answer out of me.

“Is it about her?” Her voice trembles with jealousy.

---