Ashton
Cassie helps me clear the table and wash up and then I set about getting her bathed and ready for bed. I find myself easing into the role of her mother as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. She’s absolutely gorgeous and her high spirits make her even more adorable. She appears to love life with a passion and takes great delight in even the smallest thing. She loves to do crazy things and by the end of her bath I’m soaked through.
As she sits on my knee while I brush her hair, I feel as if I have everything I’ve ever wanted.
As we head downstairs, I hear the doorbell. Ryder opens it revealing a small woman with dark hair and kind brown eyes, staring at me with interest. Cassie squeals and runs to her shouting, “Did you bring me candy, Flo?”
Flo laughs and her eyes twinkle as she holds a little box wrapped with a ribbon high above Cassie’s head. “Patience young lady. This candy is for good little princesses who sit quietly and watch their favorite movie like a good girl.”
Cassie stops and stands quietly and smiles prettily.
“I’m a good girl, Flo. Can we watch Cinderella?”
Flo nods. “Go on then, go and get it ready while I say hi to your new mom.”
Cassie runs off and Flo turns to look at me. I feel Ryder watching and feel slightly nervous. She smiles. “You must be Ashton. I’m Flo and I live with Tiny and my son Beau and daughter Molli. They’re your typical teenagers and I apologize if you hear me shouting and cussing at them, not to mention my husband most days.”
Ryder grins and I feel myself relaxing. “I’m Ashton. I’m pleased to meet you, Flo. Thanks for coming over to watch Cassie. I promise we won’t be late.”
Flo laughs softly and looks over at Ryder and grins.
“I don’t expect you will, honey. This could be the shortest movie in history.”
I feel myself blushing as Ryder laughs softly.
“What do you expect? We’ve just got married after all.”
He moves beside me and pulls me close to his side, dropping a kiss on the top of my head. “Just make sure Cassie is nice and tired by the time we return.”
He winks and I feel my face turning as red as my dress as Flo laughs.
“Get out of here and leave us in peace.”
As she heads off to find Cassie, Ryder whispers.
“You look amazing in that dress. No need to change, we’ll head over there now. Now, remember the deal. They must think we’re together like every other newly married couple. They mustn’t suspect a thing.”
Ryder takes me to the barn that I remember from my first day. I feel nervous at what I will find and even with his strong hand holding mine firmly my legs feel weak with nerves and my mouth dry. I’m so out of place here. Everyone will hate me because of the hand I have taken, and it’s the thought of having to fight for my man that’s worrying me the most. Then there are the men. What if they discover the deal I’ve made? Will I be safe when Ryder isn’t about to warn them off? I feel so anxious and wish we could have stayed in with Cassie. There I feel safe and protected. I have a role and a part to play.
Then there is Ryder. The one that scrambles my mind and does strange things to my body. He is holding my hand firmly and I want nothing more than to feel those hands roaming freely over my body. I won’t beg him though. What on earth does that even mean? Why would he want me to?
By the time we reach the bar I’m a quivering mess of nerves and something else. The man beside me is dangerous to me in every way.
Ryder stops and looks at me with interest.
“You don’t have to worry. Nobody will harm you. I can sense your nerves but they have no place in your life here. This place is your sanctuary and if anyone steps out of line, they’ll regret it. Do you understand?”
I nod and bite my lip as I always do when I’m nervous. Ryder looks at me for a long, hard, minute and I see a battle waging in his eyes. He doesn’t speak but something is getting to him and I look at him anxiously. “What if I let you down?”
He shakes his head and leans down until I feel his breath fanning my face. He whispers huskily, “You could never let me down, Angel. You don’t know how powerful you are. Just one word from those pretty little lips would make me kill for you. Just one nod from that gorgeous head would make me go to the ends of the earth to make you happy. Those eyes of yours may be filled with fear right now but when you understand just what we have here, that worry will be replaced with the knowledge that you’ve crashed into my world and blown it apart. If anyone has anything to worry about, Ashton - it’s me.”
He winks and then pushes the door open leaving me in total shock. What does he mean? I’m not powerful. I have nothing to offer him. But the look in his eyes leaves me panting inside. That look was loaded with desire and took my breath away. It’s no secret Ryder wants me but I never knew how much - until now. That look mirrored my own and suddenly having to beg for something I want more than air itself is becoming a much stronger possibility.
The noise greets us as we head inside. As before the television is loud and men are sprawled on the couch watching a game. Some are playing pool and some have a woman on their lap or between their legs. I swallow-hard. This is it.
I feel the stares as we walk among them hand in hand. The curiosity of the room is reaching out and hitting me hard. These people are wondering why I’m here and how I’ve manage to snatch their president from them with no regard. I catch the eye of one of the so-called whores whose intense look burns through to my soul.
Gripping Ryder’s hand just a little tighter we carry on through to a table in the corner of the room. My heart sighs with relief when I see Bonnie and Snake sitting there with Lily and what must be her husband, Rock. I can’t tear my eyes away from him. He is huge and yet has a softness to him that draws your attention. Like the others he’s a commanding presence but his eyes are kinder and he’s fair where they are dark. He compliments Lily’s darkness and where she is petite, he dwarfs her in every way.
I see the way he is caressing the back of her neck, a hold that connects the two and shows a softness, a possession and a sense of ownership. They may not be speaking but the two of them are connected in the most potent of ways.
Lily looks up and smiles and I feel the relief flooding through me. She is kind and gentle and nothing like I thought a woman living this hard life would be. I smile warmly at her and then Bonnie laughs. “Hey, Ashton. Come and sit with me. Still wearing that knockout dress, I see.”
Ryder releases my hand as I head over and take the seat next to Bonnie. I can’t miss the sight of her man, Snake, as he leans back in his chair and looks at me with interest. I shiver inside as I see the large snake decorating his skin and the menace in his eyes. Like Ryder, this man is as hard as nails and even when relaxing looks as if he could shoot a man dead with just one look from those piercing blue eyes. He too has some form of contact with Bonnie and I notice his hand rubbing circles on her back as he sits staring at me with curiosity.
I briefly smile and then turn to Bonnie and sigh with relief. She is like an open book. Her friendly smile lifts my spirits, and she nods towards the bar. “Here, let’s get you a drink and settle those nerves. What’s your poison?”
Despite the fact I rarely drink alcohol I am feeling a strong need for some tonight. “A wine would be good, thanks, Bonnie.”
She nods towards the bar. “Come with me. You too Lily. Let’s leave these guys to do whatever they do when we’re not around. We’ll have a much better time gossiping about them behind their back.”
The guys grin and I’m grateful for the chance to escape. I feel Ryder watching me as I walk away and try to push the thoughts of the man from my mind as I follow the girls. I can’t deal with my need for him at the moment. Everything is happening way too fast and I need some time to adjust to this strange situation.
As we near the bar, I see a couple of girls sitting there looking at me with curiosity. From the look of them they are whores as their dress is seductive. Their lips pout prettily as they flash sultry looks to a table of bikers nearby. Bonnie whispers, “Don’t be intimidated by them, Ashton. They’re nice girls, I’ll introduce you.”
As we approach, I watch as Bonnie smiles at them. “Hey, Marie, Sonia, this is Ashton, Ryder’s old lady.”
I feel my heart thumping as they look at me with curiosity and smile shyly. Marie looks interested. “Welcome, honey. You’ve caused quite a stir here you know. Nobody can talk about anything else. I can see why Ryder moved as fast as he did though. It’s obvious you’re no whore but these guys wouldn’t care. I must say you’re one lucky lady. Ryder will be sorely missed by those of us who have reason to mourn the loss.”
She winks as Sonia laughs softly. “We should hate every pretty little hair on your head but something is stopping us. Don’t pay attention to anyone who gives you a hard time. You’re a Reaper now and we protect our own. The only one who may have had cause to seek revenge is long gone.”
I feel myself relax at their words and know they must be talking about Kitty. I sit down on a bar stool and smile hesitantly.
“Are you talking about Kitty?”
Sonia nods. “Yes, she had designs on Ryder almost as soon as she saw him. He was never interested in anything more than he offered the rest of us. It used to send her crazy when he chose another to spend time with and the thought of you in his bed would have eaten her up inside. Ryder was right to send her away.”
Bonnie thrusts a large glass of wine towards me and winks. “Here you go. Get that Dutch courage inside you. You’ll soon see things aren’t so scary here. The girls may envy you but won’t wish you any harm.”
She turns to say something to Lily and I look at the girls with curiosity.
“What about you, why do you stay here?”
Marie laughs. “Are you mad? I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I have my pick of hot, dangerous, guys who spoil me to bits. I’m treated like the finest bone china and yet they’re the hottest dirty brutes when they get me alone. I have everything I want here and the only way I would commit to one of them is if I fell in love. Hardly likely to happen though. I mean, who would fall in love with a girl that has been with every man here? No, this is my happy ever after. A girl let loose in a candy store and gorging on the delights within.”
Sonia laughs and nods her head in agreement. “We almost feel sorry for the old ladies. Just one guy when you could pick from so many. You get to clean, cook and care for the kids they put in your belly. We on the other hand, have all the fun with none of the responsibility. I’ll admit the thought of lying with Ryder every night would more than make up for it. But he’s a hard bastard that seems incapable of sparing any love for anyone, other than that gorgeous girl he calls his own.”
We are interrupted as Lou joins us. She smiles at the girls and then turns to me.
“It’s good to see you here, honey. A night away from the kitchen sink is just what the doctor ordered”
She winks at Bonnie who appears to be playing bartender. “A large rum and coke with more rum than coke please Bonnie.”
Lily laughs. “Someone’s had a hard day.”
Lou grins. “Brewer was buzzing after their job this morning. I know he plays it down but the thought of what could have happened laid heavy on his mind. When he returned, he was all fired up and I think it’s the relief mixed with the adrenalin that made him horny as hell.”
The others laugh but I feel myself blush. This is a life that is strange in every way. I wonder how I will fit in.