Page 40 of Fractured Mind

Nana chuckles. “I can imagine. You tell your mother I said hi and that she’s overdue for a visit.”

When she leaves, Ashton raises his brow. “We should run right now. You look fine.”

I lower my eyes, but he links our hands and drags me inside until we get to the bed, where he falls onto his back and pulls me down with him. Laughter spills from my lips, but it stops when Irealize I’m hovering over him in an intimate position. He stares into my eyes, and the intensity of his gaze has me springing up and crawling over to the other side of the bed. I’m trying hard not to become attached to him, but he isn’t making it easy when he’s saying all the right things and constantly touching me. I knew he wouldn’t make it easy, but this is just painful.

“What would you like to watch?” I stare at the TV, pretending nothing just happened.

“You choose.” I can hear the smile in his voice.

As he shuffles to lie next to me, I mindlessly flick through the channels and stop on a random movie and pray it has no sex scenes. The movie is playing, yet I can’t hear it or follow what’s happening; every sense is on high alert while I lie next to him. Our bodies are close so that our arms are about half an inch apart, but not touching. There’s a battle inside of me. I want him to touch me even though I know it’s not a good idea, so my hands drift to my belly, where I clasp them together and fidget.

He sits up a little. “Here,” he says, signaling to his chest.

I give him a wary stare, even though every part of me wants to.

His lips lift into a knowing smile. “I’ll be good, I promise.”

Looking at his chest with longing, I exhale a gush of air. I wriggle down and rest my head on his firm chest. He puts his arm over me and pulls me into him. Warmth and contentment envelop my body. I inhale deeply, and his scent relaxes me further. He presses a lingering kiss to the top of my head. I feel his adoration all the way to my soul, and I swallow back the sudden emotion. He makes me feel like I’m his.

CHAPTER

THIRTEEN

ASHTON

The girlI’m in love with is sleeping peacefully in her bed. I listen to Mia breathe in and out slowly, reminding me that this is real...she is real... I could lie like this forever with her head on my chest and her arm around me. My fingers tangle in her soft blond hair, and I gently move it from her cheek. She’s so beautiful... somine.

I could see her desperation to touch me in her eyes. She’s so innocent... so sweet. I know she feels the same as me, but she’s hesitating. I’m torn between wanting to be with her in any way I can and not scaring her off. She doesn’t remember our history, and that sucks because she doesn’t know how close we were, so she can’t tell whether I’m being genuine or I’m just some fuckboy.

Every time I see her, we’re getting closer, but it never feels like it will be enough. I’ve never wanted someone so much in my life. Those goddamn people fucking on that boat. I close my eyes, remembering the heat in her eyes, her rosy cheeks. The way she kept looking at my lips like she desperately needed them on hers.I’ve never had to restrain myself like that before, but I have to prove myself to her.

I haven’t felt this happy since before her accident, but there’s this darkness that weighs heavily on me, and poisonous thoughts seep into my mind at the thought of losing her all over again. My arm tightens around her protectively. She stirs slightly, then drifts back off to sleep. I can’t help it—there’s this overwhelming emotion in me that wants to keep her safe in my arms. No matter what happens, I’ll follow her to the ends of the earth.

Hours go by, and I need to get up and go home, but my body, mind, and soul recoil at the thought. I just want to stay and listen to her breathing, feel the warmth of her skin, the weight of her body. I feel at peace here, but I don’t want her to wake up and be uncomfortable because I’ve been lying in her bed with her all night, especially when she doesn’t trust me yet.

With a sigh, I softly kiss her head again, then carefully move her off my chest settling her onto the bed. I pull the blanket up to keep her snug and then pause by her side. My hands twitch to go back to her, but I force myself to leave.

Once I’m home and in my room there’s aknock-knockon my door.

“Come in.”

Mom pops her head around the corner. “When are you bringing Mia here?” she asks with a raised brow. “I’ve been patiently waiting.”

I snort. Patiently waiting my ass. She’s been harassing me every chance she gets. “Soon, Mom.”

She claps her hands with excitement. “I can’t wait to see her. Did she say how long she’s staying for?”

I grow cold. Mia seems happy here, and she gave me the impression she was miserable living with her mom. I can’t say goodbye to Mia again. It will destroy me. I’ll do whatever it takesto be by her side. She’s the only woman I’lleverlove. “I hope she’s staying here for good,” I reply.

Mom smiles sadly. “I hope so too. I’ve missed them. Well... I’ll let you be. Keep me updated when she’s coming over. I wouldn’t mind doing some baking for her.”

“I will.”

MIA

When my eyes crept open last night, it was dark outside. I must have fallen asleep. I snuggled into the pillow because I could still smell him. He makes me feel treasured, and every second with him brings an exhilarating thrill. I constantly have to remind myself of the heartache I’ll face when I’m alone once more.

As soon as my ass meets the car seat, Ruby’s onto me. “What happened yesterday?” she asks while wiggling her eyebrows.

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