Page 43 of Into The Darkness

“Trust me?” His voice was tinged with an unusual vulnerability I hadn’t witnessed in him before. His repeated requests echoed in my mind, a stark departure from his usual demeanor. I grappled with my hesitation, torn between my reluctance to believe him and an unexplainable intuition that urged me to relent.

His eyes bore into mine, a plea etched across his features. It was a side of him I hadn’t expected, a rawness that demanded a response. Despite my skepticism and the questions swirling in my mind, I nodded slowly. It was a complex truth—I despised him for what he knew, yet an unspoken connection compelled me to trust him, even if it meant setting aside my immediate need for answers.

“Kiss me, Ash.” I wondered if his kiss would be like the one I had in high school—a gentle brushing of our lips.

He didn’t have to go far since our mouths weren’t even an inch apart. As his lips brushed mine, I sensed a familiar softness, a delicate touch that sent a shiver down my spine. It was a cautious start, a whisper of intimacy that hinted at the possibility of something more. His angular features were outlined in the dim light, his presence both haunting and magnetic.

But the familiarity quickly gave way to an unexpected intensity. In an instant, the kiss deepened and a surge of desire coursed through my veins. It was as if he couldn’t restrain himself any longer, as if the floodgates had been opened, and his passion cascaded over me. The taste of him was a heady blend of danger and longing, a flavor I couldn’t get enough of.

Our mouths moved together in a symphony of sensation, every brush of his lips against mine sending sparks of electricity through my body. I surrendered to the moment, allowing myself to be consumed by the whirlwind of emotions twirling between us. His hands found their way to my waist, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us.

His kiss was a journey, a tumultuous and exhilarating ride I never wanted to end. It was a collision of past and present, of tender memories and unbridled passion. As our mouths moved in perfect harmony, the weight of his emotions, the intensity of his longing, pressed against me.

Time seemed to stand still as we kissed, the world fading into the background. In that moment, there was only us, lost in the darkness yet illuminated by the fire that burned between our lips. It was a kiss that defied words, a testament to the complexity of our connection.

And as the kiss drew to a close, I was left breathless and yearning for more. The taste of him lingered on my lips, a bittersweet reminder of everything that had transpired tonight. In that moment, I knew I could no longer keep my promise to Ash. I wasn’t sure I could stop myself from falling in love with him.

Chapter sixteen

As we approached campus on our way back to Isles, I noticed subtle signs of nervous tension in Ash’s body language. His shoulders seemed tense, fingers tapping restlessly, and there was an occasional glance over his shoulder, suggesting a heightened awareness and anxiety about the possibility of being followed. Fortunately, the night provided a sense of security for us because any car following us would need to use their headlights.

Just as we bridged into the outskirts of town, Ash sighed. Whatever this truce which had been established in Isles, must have been significant, and I couldn’t help but think of the lies my dad and Walsh had shared.

“I need to talk to Walsh,” I said as we headed back to the center of town.

“Okay,” Ash responded.

“I am going to tell him I know about Isles and the family.”

“Okay.”

I wasn’t sure I quite understood his lack of concern. Surely, if I told Walsh about my knowledge of our family’s history, he would know Ash had been the one to tell me, or at least someone in the Den had.

As if Ash sensed my confusion, he chimed in. “There are a lot of people out here that could have told you about your family history. It is not as secretive as you might have once believed it to be, at least not here in Isles.”

“Aren’t you scared that my brother or dad will find out that I have been hanging out with you?” I asked, tugging at his hand.

He emitted a chuckle that reverberated through the car. “Are you worried about my safety, mi sol?”

I playfully slapped his shoulder. “No.”

Liar. I was a liar. I just didn’t want him to think that I was obsessing over his safety. I didn’t want to worry him.

“Are you worried about your safety?” His eyes narrowed in my direction.

“I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

Looking out the window, I realized we were passing my apartment building.

“Where are we going?” I asked, but he only smiled.

“I told you that once I got a taste, I wouldn’t be able to stop.” That sentence dampened my panties with the thought of all the things he had planned for me.

We pulled up to the Den, and once again, the parking area wasn’t full. Another wonder as to why Ash insisted on parking on the other side of town.

He hopped out of the car and walked over to my side, letting me out. I grabbed my school bag, and we walked together inside.

As we approached the door, I let go of his fingers. We hadn’t talked about . . . what . . . we were, and honestly, I felt immature for even thinking we weresomething.

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