Page 38 of Doesn't Count

Khaos

It’s over an hour before Ash and Hypnos return. Ash storms straight onto the bus without so much as a glance in my direction and Hypnos runs a hand over his face, the other propped on his hip. He looks stressed, which is out of the ordinary for him.

“She’s got baggage, man. Serious baggage. Tread carefully.” Is all he says before digging into the cold left-overs from breakfast.

There’s a tug in my chest with his warning, but it’s pushing me to get up and check on Ash. I don’t find her in her usual spot on the couch, so I head to the back of the bus, opening the door to the bedroom.

She’s curled up on my bed, staring out the window. When she doesn’t look at me, I clear my throat.

“You’re invading my space.” My voice sounds too loud in this cramped room.

“You invaded mine.”

“Fair.” I say and I guess it’s the right thing because she looks at me with curiosity.

“No comeback?” She asks, pushing herself up against the headboard.

I climb onto the bed, kicking my shoes off before crawling towards her. Her brows dip, uncertain of my intentions. Honestly, so am I. When it comes to Ash, there's an uncertainty inside of me that swirls around and makes me sick. I don’t trust her, but I can’t fight the urge to be near her. It’s exhausting.

I sit next to her, and she visibly relaxes. “I’m sorry about earlier.”

She nods, “You often are.”

“I guess I am. You just have a way of pissing me off.”

“Not really a good excuse, is it? I wasn’t the one who outed our business to everyone.” She argues.

“I know. I said I’m sorry.” The words leave me easier than I want them to.

I capture her blue eyes with mine and she searches for sincerity. She must find what she’s looking for because the anger that lines her face smooths out and the hostility holding her captive dissipates. It’s almost uncomfortable sitting next to her without so much pent-up rage inside of me.

“Thanks.” The corner of her lips tip up just slightly. “To make it up to me, you can give me this room.”

“Funny.” I chuckle.

There’s no way I’m giving up the only king bed with a private bathroom on this bus filled with three other guys. She glares at me, her face hardening.

“No way.” I shake my head.

She crosses her arms and pinches her lips.

I groan, “Fine, but you’re sharing. I’m not sleeping on that couch. A Gnome wouldn’t even fit.”

She rolls her eyes, “Whatever.”

I smirk, my heart skipping a beat in excitement. “Just don’t try to take advantage of me in my sleep.”

She whacks my chest with the back of her hand, “Don’t get too excited. It’s solely because I’m sick of sleeping on leather.”

“Sure, whatever you need to tell yourself to sleep at night.” I catch her wrist, gripping it tightly.

She yanks it back, but I don’t let go, so she tries even harder. I grab her other wrist, pulling her onto me, her thighs straddling my waist. She writhes against me, forcing out a groan. I let her arms go, only to dig my fingers into her waist.

“Don’t.” I warn her.

“I’m not doing anything. I was perfectly fine sitting where I was.” She argues.

“I like you here, so this is where you’ll sit, but if you keep moving your ass I’m going to lose it again.” I explain.

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