Page 46 of Fractured Mind
“You’reAshton’s girl?”
My eyes bulge as I let his words sink in. “We’re friends.”Are we something more?Maybe, but we haven’t confirmed anything.
He gives me a pointed look. “That’s not what I heard.”
“Well, you heard wrong.” Ashton and I are getting close, but I’m not going to lie and say we’re together. When the hint of a smile crosses his lips, I tug at the neck of the hoodie, wondering if I gave him the wrong impression. But I’m not in the mood to talk about that right now.
“That’s good enough for me,” he replies. His attention returns to the road, and he looks both ways before he pulls out.
The heavy rain blurs the trees and distorts the houses, but it isn’t long until we arrive at Nana’s. “This will be interesting...” Theo murmurs as he slows the truck to a stop. I sit up and glance around, and my chest constricts when I see Ashton’s car.
When Ashton gets out, he stands at his full height. The heavy rain soaks him. His body is rigid, and the heat from his glare burns my skin. The windshield wipers are still on, creating moments of clear visibility. He doesn’t move, apart from clenching his fists by his side. He looks like a loaded gun, ready to go off.
Theo turns the truck off, then opens his door, but my hand latches on to his arm. “I’ll get out. You leave.”
His eyes flash with amusement. “I’m no coward.”
Before I can speak, he steps out of the truck and strides toward Ashton.
The rain stops. My blood is coursing with adrenaline as I yank open the door and run toward them. My heart pounds rapidly as I position myself between them with my hands extended toward their chests. When my gaze collides with Ashton’s, his eyes are cold, but as they roam over my body, they turn deadly and his nostrils flare. I peer down and realize I have Theo’s hoodie on. I curse inwardly.
“She told me you were only friends with her,” Theo points out.
My head whips to Theo as I sharpen my eyes at him, willing him to shut up, but Ashton grabs me by my waist and whirls me behind him. Within seconds, he pulls his arm back and his fist connects with Theo’s face. My breath hitches as Theo falls on the ground, mud splashing around him and covering his clothes.
Ashton advances toward Theo. My brain snaps into action and I rush forward to stop him. I grab his hand with both of mine and try to pull him away. “No more, Ashton. No more,” I beg through heavy breaths.
He turns to me, furious. There’s movement behind him, and when I glance at Theo, he’s standing and coming right for us. I scream in warning, in time for Ashton to push me out of the way so that he takes the full force of Theo’s tackle. They land hard on the ground.
“Stop it!” I shout as another wave of panic fills me.
A loud, piercing bang makes me jump. I look over to see Wayne holding a gun in one hand. It’s aimed at the sky. Nana is standing next to him.
Ashton and Theo stop and turn their attention to Nana and Wayne. Seconds later they cautiously rise to their feet.
Nana, arms crossed over her chest, is looking at them with a murderous glare. “What on earth is going on here?” Then she turns her lethal glare at me.
My mouth gapes open to talk, yet I struggle to speak because I’m not sure how to explain it. Ashton doesn’t answer her either. Instead, he looks at Theo and sneers, “I’ll enjoy our fight tonight, but if I see you with her again, you’re a dead man.” His voice carries a dangerous undertone.
There’s a flash of worry in Theo’s eyes before they harden.
“Ashton. De. Santis.” Nana clearly pronounces each word. “I will not put up with violence at my home. You know better!” Shelets her threat hang in the air. “Can I go inside now, or do we have to stay to ensure you two don’t kill each other?”
“We’re leaving now,” Ashton replies, staring at Theo, daring him to say anything.
“It’s okay, Nana,” I answer, finding my words.
She looks at me, then back at the guys, giving them one more icy glare before Wayne takes her hand, helping her back inside.
Ashton’s soaking wet, and his shirt clings to him. Mud splashes cover his clothes, with specks dotting his face.
He scans my body, then takes a cautious step toward me and grabs the bottom of the hoodie. I oblige and raise my arms so that he can lift it over my head. He throws it at Theo’s feet. Theo’s lip curls, and he steps forward to pick up his drenched, muddy hoodie.
Ashton catches my face, holding me still. My gaze collides with his, and then he crushes his lips to mine. I startle, but my mind goes silent, and the only thing I can concentrate on is him. His hands on my face are gentle, but his lips claim mine with urgency, his tongue stroking and caressing. I lift my arms and snake them behind his neck, bringing our bodies closer and deepening the kiss. It’s hot and wet. The taste of him is perfect. My body feels on fire as the kiss consumes me.
He pulls back from me, and immediately I sense his loss all the way to my core. I’m left breathless, heaving for air. I touch my plump lips as my mind reels at what happened. He lifts my chin, and when our eyes meet, he leans in again.
“You’re mine,” he growls against my lips.