Page 103 of Doesn't Count

“I could use a cup.”

When his gaze finally finds mine, I ask, “What’s up?”

There’s a solemn vibe surrounding him, infecting this morning with more of that dread I felt earlier.

“Post-Holiday Blues I guess.”

“Mmm,” I nod. “We’ve barely even made it past the holidays. It’s going to be quite a long winter for you, my friend.”

His grimace turns into a scowl, something resembling annoyance flashing across his golden eyes. I pretend I don’t notice, afraid that if I push, he’s just going to shut down. Instead, I grab a couple mugs from my cabinet, tucking a coffee pod into my Keurig.

“Friends? Is that what you call this?”

I mull the word around in my head while I watch the steady stream of coffee fill the first mug. The smell immediately waking me up.

Are we friends?

“I think so.” I shrug.

A curt laugh bellows out of him, closely resembling a scoff. My shoulders tense as warmth seeps into my back, his presence feeling suddenly dangerous.

“Friends don’t kiss, Ash.” His voice slithers into my ears like a venomous snake ready to bite. His arm curls around me, inching lower, cupping the apex of my thighs. “Friends don’t touch each other here.” His free hand slides up my chest to wrap around my neck, tilting my head back against his chest. Locked into him, he whispers, “They don’t fuck the way we do. So, tell me Ash, are we just friends?”

“No.” I swallow nervously.

With one swift movement, he spins me around, his fingers digging into my hips to lift me up onto the counter, tucking himself between my legs. He grabs onto a handful of hair, tugging back to tilt my face so I can look up into his.

“Good girl.” He praises. “Now say what I know you want to.”

My brows cave together, confused. “And what’s that?”

“Those three little words you’ve been holding back.”

Air catches inside my throat, afraid he means what I think he means, but there’s no way. If I assume wrong, then I’m leaving myself in a vulnerable position, helpless really and Ashton Crawford is not helpless.

I shake my head, “I don’t know-”

“I know when you’re lying, Ash. The words are on the tip of your tongue, they have been for a while now. I can taste them every time I kiss you.” He smirks.

The hold on my hair loosens as his eyes frantically search mine for the answer he’s looking for. I know it lies there in plain sight for him to see, but my mind doesn’t want to let my heart give in.

“What are you going to do with it if I give it to you?”

“Give me what?”

“My love.”

Khaos thinks on it a moment before answering, “I’ll give you mine.”

His confession is like a lasso trapping my heart, tearing it out of my chest with just one rapid yank. I don’t even have the chance to save it before it’s his.

“Okay.” I hear myself whisper.

"Okay?”

A small smile plays on his lips, victory falling right into his lap. I’ve won many battles between us, but Khaos is going to win this war.

Knowing that, I nod in defeat, “I think I love you.”

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