Page 43 of Ashes of Saints

Then kiss her one last time.

CHAPTER TWELVE

AURORA

It’s been days since I saw Parker. Since I seduced him, and he slid between my legs and gave me the two best orgasms of my entire life.

I can still feel his touch.

A shiver runs through me.

I’ve never taken drugs, but I can imagine it’s like having heroin once and then feeling the absence of it forever. Nothing will be the same again after.

Parker was the perfect gentleman at the funeral—despite my behavior—and I let myself think he was mine for a short time. I knew he wasn’t looking for anything serious, and certainly not with me. I had accepted it.

That was before we were intimate.

Now his absence hurts.

I’m trying to focus on what I’ve learned about my mother, her death, and my yo-yo relationship with Parker.

Life feels very strange right now.

“Babes, you’re super rich.” Chloe drops the letter into her lap and stares at me from across the room. She’s sitting cross-legged on the sofa and looks much happier about the situation than I do.

Then again, she only has part of the story.

Then again... I don’t think I have the full story myself.

“Hmm,” I reply and glance at the pillow I was clutching as my body roared to life under Parker’s tongue. Jesus the man has talent.

Surely, if he was interested, he would have messaged me. Why would you ghost someone you’re interested in? I have his number, but I am not going to make the first move.

I can’t help but think, if he’s not that into me, why did he turn up at Mom’s funeral? Why kiss me as if I’m the only woman in the world and set the room on fire around us?

That was not some vanilla kiss.

He consumed me like I was his favorite cool drink on a hot summer’s day, and there wasn’t enough.

Then ran.

I would go crazy if I kept trying to understand what Parker was thinking. If he was the kind of guy to fuck and run, I was better off cutting my losses now.

It was likely not going anywhere anyhow.

Refocusing on Chloe, I nodded at the letter on her lap. “Yes. She left me the penthouse and over two million dollars.”

Two million fucking dollars cash.

“Did you know she had that much money?” Chloe shakes her head.

I glance around my shitty apartment. “What do you think?”

“Is it weird she never helped you?” Chloe asks tentatively.

I walk over and flop down next to her, letting out a sigh. “Yes. I don’t know. I haven’t told you something.”

“Oh no. You have a surprise brother?” she gasps.

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