Page 5 of Hooking a Firefly
Chapter 2
Ashlyn rubbed her temples as the beginning of a migraine had formed behind her eyes.She still had to grade term papers and exams from two of her classes.She would never be able to get them done if she couldn’t manage the pain shooting through her brain.Sometimes she wondered why she had wanted to be both a history and psychology professor.She had an interest in both subjects, so she did a dual major in both and had earned doctorates as well.The class load had been intensive, but having a photographic memory had helped a lot.Intelligence alone wouldn’t have aided her in completing the dual degrees.
Now she was on her way to tenure at the Sparkle City University.She could have gone to another college, but she didn’t want to leave the city she’d grown up in.Ashlyn didn’t do well with change.With someone with her gift of foresight, it only made the visions worse if she disrupted her routine.A headache was going to do just that.
She sighed.
Grading anything would have to wait.She could do them over the weekend.Her students were accustomed to her posting grades earlier than most professors did, but this could not be helped.She would have to go home and crawl into bed with all the lights out.The pain would not lessen.It did not matter what she did; it was persistent.
Ashlyn stood to put on her suit jacket, but felt light-headed.She fell back on the small sofa in her office and the office disappeared.Instead, she was thrown back into the past.To a time and a man, she wanted to forget about, but her mind insisted on holding on to those memories, and now her gift was adding its two cents in.
Two weeks after Scarlett’s failed wedding, Ashlyn had gone to the beach.She had been drawn to the water ever since Harrison had kissed her.She didn’t want to relive those moments, but she couldn’t help herself.She had a feeling she would never be drawn to another man again.Her heart beat harder and faster whenever he was near.The very thought of him made her whole body fill with desire.
So she walked along the shoreline and let the waves roll over her feet.It soothed her soul and helped her to keep her resolve.That didn’t mean she forgot, but it served to remind her why she’d walked away from Harrison.She was protecting him.Sometimes it was best not to become involved.He would be far better off not having her in his life.She would only end up hurting him.
Ashlyn never wanted to hurt him.
She walked away from the shore and sat down in the sand and stared at the water.After taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and just let the sea air wash over her.After this visit, she could keep her distance from Harrison.At least she hoped she would…
“Ashlyn,” someone said her name.
It took her a moment to realize who had spoken.She froze in place.Had she somehow wished him there?God help her.She opened her eyes and met his gaze.“Harrison,” she said in a cool tone.Encouraging him was not a good idea.
“Can I join you?”he asked.
Damn it all to hell.She didn’t want to be a bitch, but she might have to be.Instead of answering him, she stood and brushed the sand off her dress.“You’re more than welcome to stay here.It’s time I left.”
“Don’t go,” he said.His voice was hoarse.“I want to talk to you.”
She folded her arms over her chest.“There’s nothing you need to say to me.Everything that needed saying was done two weeks ago.”She kept her tone neutral and uninterested.“I really need to go.”
Ashlyn turned to leave, but he reached out and wrapped his hand around her upper arm.“No,” he said in a cool tone.“I need you to listen to me.”
She turned and met his gaze.“Why are you being difficult?”She lifted a brow and said in a mocking tone, “Was the kiss that good?I hadn’t realized I was that talented.”She had never kissed anyone before that day, but his lips on hers had left an impression on her.He did not need to know that, though.
The muscles in his jaw clenched.“Tell me what happened.Why are you pushing me away?”
She definitely would have to be a bitch, or at least a bigger one than she had already been so far.Ashlyn let out an exaggerated sigh.“Look, the kiss was pleasant, and it was all fun for a moment, but I’m not into you.”She shrugged.“It wasn’t that…memorable.”The lie burned on her tongue.She would never forget him or his touch.In fact, she would probably crave both to her dying day.At least she shouldn’t be in misery for very long.
“I don’t believe you.”His tone was full of anger mixed with a hefty dose of pain intertwined with it.She’d hurt him and that stung.She had wanted to avoid that.
“I can’t help what you believe.”She wrenched her arm from his grip.“Now, if you don’t mind, I have someplace else to be.”
“And if I do mind?”It was his turn to lift a brow.“What then?”
“I’ll leave, anyway.”She met his gaze and made sure not to flinch.“Trust me, you’ll thank me one day.There’s someone better out there for you.I’m a bad bet.”
She prayed he found someone.It would be painful to see him with someone else, but it would make it easier for her to stay away.Ashlyn walked away and once she was far enough away, she let the tears fall.At least he would be busy with school and hockey soon.He would forget her, and they both would move on with their lives.She thanked whatever deity was watching over them that he’d chosen a school in another city.Distance would heal both their hearts…
The vision ended, and her office came into focus again.She had forgotten about that day on the beach.No, that wasn’t true.She’d buried it away and tried not to remember it.Why did she have that vision now?What was she supposed to see?
Her phone vibrated on her desk.She got up and wavered on her feet, then went to answer the call.She glanced at the screen and frowned.Ashlyn clicked the accept button and pressed her phone to her ear.“Lieutenant Netom,” she said.“What is it?”She often worked with the Sparkle City Police Department, but she usually called them when she had a vision that might be of interest to them.Though sometimes they wanted her for her skills as a profiler.
“There’s a missing girl,” the lieutenant answered.“I know this isn’t how we usually work, but can you meet with us?”
“Of course,” she said.Why couldn’t she have gotten a vision about a lost girl instead of the one she’d just relived?“I’ll be there in twenty minutes.I’m still at the university.”
“Actually,” he began.“Can you meet me at the beach?”
