novelxo Acts of Grace: Part 1 – Chapter 7
Well, that went about as well as a brick to the head.
Do I go after her?
Fuck, I don’t know. I think I’ve messed up enough for a lifetime. I should’ve known better than to go there with William’s little sister.
I sigh as my pocket vibrates. Whatever just happened will have to wait to be resolved. If that’s even possible.
“Titus. I can’t reach Ashley. Is everything okay?” William’s voice sounds panicked, and I can’t help but feel a sucker punch to the gut.
“She’s probably in the bathroom or something. I’m still in the kitchen and she stepped out. Hudson is in the playroom with the kids. Is everything okay?”
“Yes. I was just calling to give you the visitor hours. But I’m glad I caught you instead of Ashley.”
My hand squeezes the back of my neck, rubbing out the tension this whole situation has caused. “Oh? Why is that?”
“I tried talking to her last night about whatever happened in Florida, but she won’t say. I know she’s probably worried about me and all I have going on, but I don’t want to be a shit brother.”
“Okay. But what does that have to do with me?” I have a feeling I know what he’s about to ask and I already think it’s a terrible idea.
“I don’t exactly have time right now, but I was hoping you could help out with her. Keep an eye out and maybe do a little digging.”
“You sure she’d be okay with us poking around in her personal life? Last I checked, women aren’t keen on their privacy being violated.” Groaning inwardly, I can’t help but feel like a hypocrite. My ass was rummaging through her phone not ten minutes ago like some jealous psycho lover.
“I know. I know. But what’s a brother to do when she won’t open up?”
“Fine.” I run a hand across my face. This isn’t going to be easy. I’m already having a hard time acting like a normal human being around her.
All I want to do is take her over my shoulder and take her to bed, lavishing her with my tongue and cock all day long.
“Thank you, brother. I knew I could count on you. Ren is mourning what’s happened to Aiden and Hudson, he’s dealing with his own shit.”
“So what you’re saying is I was your last hope.” I chuckle into the line. Just as well. I couldn’t handle someone else poking around in Ashley’s personal life.
William laughs, for the first time in a long while and I’m glad I was able to bring him a moment of levity amidst his chaos. “No. I mean, you are the only one available. But for some reason, whenever it comes to my sister, it always comes down to you being the one that’s there for her. I couldn’t have hoped for a better friend to help keep her safe.”
Another dagger of guilt sinks deep into my chest. “Of course, brother. That’s what family is for.”
“Great. We’ll talk more when you get here at eleven. You, Ashley, and Hudson will be part of the second visitation shift.”
“Alright. See you later.”
The line goes dead and I’m left holding the phone in a death grip.
I doubt he’d be feeling the same about me if he knew what transpired last night.
Well, on the bright side, now I have a semi-legitimate reason for having hacked into Ashley’s phone.
Who cares if William’s request might not be retroactive. Right?
“You’re just going to ignore me the entire time? That’s very mature.” My hands grip around the steering wheel, the squeaking of leather echoing my displeasure at Ashley’s attitude.
“Don’t. Now is not the time.” Her head flings back to the twins and Harper strapped into the two rows behind us.
We’ve just left the hospital and I’ve been tasked as chauffeur. Never in my life did I think I was going to be driving a Dad-Mobile. Granted, it’s a Suburban, so at least it’s cool.
“The twins have their headphones on, playing their games, and Harper doesn’t really understand what’s going on. Spare me.” I let out a breath at this infuriating woman. “So are you done ignoring me now?”
“I wasn’t ignoring you. I was giving you the space you wanted. You made that clear on the jet and you made it even clearer in the kitchen.”
We’ve had a rough morning, and the situation with Aiden was just downright depressing. I’m not in the mood for arguing, least of all with a woman who’s driven my thoughts right off the brink of sanity.
“I don’t want to fight with you, Ashley. This has been a highly emotional couple of days for us. Can’t we call a truce?”
Her head jerks back violently as if I’ve slapped her. “Truce? You want to call a damn truce?”
My eyes narrow as I look over toward her, what’s got her riled up now? “Yes, a truce. You know? No more fighting or bickering or whatever it is going on between us.”
A tiny voice speaks up behind us, jerking us from our bubble. “It’s called sexual tension.”
I just about swerve out of the damn road. “Say what? Max, you’re what? Seven? how in the world do you know what that is?”
“I don’t know what it is, but I heard Hudson say you two needed to either fight it out or get a room. Your sexual tension was wrecking his vibe. What does sexual mean?”
I bust out into a violent coughing fit. Oh, hell no. I did not sign up for this shit.
“Um, Ashley?” I defer to her. She’s got to be a million times better than me when it comes to this sort of thing.
“Hudson doesn’t know what he’s talking about. You know he probably skipped out on his meds.” Her lips press together as she glowers at me. “And that word isn’t something you need to worry about. Not for a very long time.”
I mouth a silent thank you to her. Handled like a true champ. No way I could’ve escaped that scenario without causing lifelong childhood scarring.
Her eyes narrow, but her lips curl up into a smirk. She mouths me a ‘you’re welcome’ and my chest fills with warmth.
Things might not be as dire as I thought. Maybe I could still salvage our friendship.
Friendship.
The word doesn’t sound right to me. She isn’t just a friend. There’s no way in hell I could stand to see another man lay claim to her.
I’d lose my damn mind.
“So. Are you done talking to that tool in Florida, or has he tried to reach out to you since this morning?”
Ashley’s head whips toward me, “Excuse me? What gives you the impression that any of that is your business?”
“Your brother made it my business when he asked me to look after you.”
“William did what?!” Ashley’s pitch reaches unheard of heights as she stares daggers at me.
Flicking my eyes back to the road, I try and act cool even though I just threw my man under the bus. Unintentionally, but still.
It’s as if this woman has me under a spell. For the past two days I’ve been in a fog. Acting before thinking.
“Answer me, Titus.”
“Let’s get inside first. Then we can talk.” I roll into the driveway of the rental home and as soon as I place the car in park, the twins are unbuckling themselves as they race to the door.
“Fine but this isn’t over. Not by a long shot.”
I watch Ashley get out of the car and retrieve Harper from the back. Watching how tender she is with her niece makes my heart squeeze.
Visions of her swollen with child flash before me and I stumble back.
What the fuck?
Shaking that shit off, I lock the car and follow everyone inside.
“You’re following me to the playroom. Don’t think you’re off the hook.”
Biting my lip, I can’t help but smirk at her feisty attitude. She’s so damn cute being all authoritative. If she only knew that in my world, it’s all about control.
Visions of Ashley clad in black leather and lace has my cock twitching in my slacks.
Her eyes don’t miss the movement and her face flushes that beautiful shade of pink I love so much.
Am I ashamed of what her body does to mine? Hell no.
Do I get amusement from her noticing said reaction? Hell yes.
Closing the door behind me, I get my first view of the infamous playroom the twins love.
I see why. This place is heaven for a kid. Massive screen with multiple game consoles line one wall, to the right is a full bar complete with popcorn and snack machines. To the left is a toddler play area with climbing toys and plush lovies. Everything in the room is tied together with a massive sectional anchoring the room.
The twins claim the sectional, meanwhile Harper toddles over to the plush toys and doll house.
“Here.” Ashley pats a chaise in the back of the room, calling me to her.
There she is again. Making demands.
If she were mine, I’d have to punish her for that.
“Okay. I’m here. What did you want to know?” I sit back, opening my arms wide along the backside of the seat.
“What did my brother ask you to do and why you?” Her voice comes out hesitant, like she’s all of a sudden shy.
“First and foremost, you have to know he loves you and always wants what’s best for you. With that said, he’s just wanting to make sure you aren’t forgotten in the chaos of the current events of our family. He’s got a lot going on with his divorce, Aiden, and Bella’s case. It’s a lot to juggle, so naturally he asked me to help.”
Her eyes narrow, some of that fire igniting behind those big blue eyes. “Okay, but why you?”
My hand reaches out, cupping her face and lifting it toward mine. “Min skatt, would you rather it be anyone else?”
Her quick intake of breath and dilating pupils draw my face closer.
“No.” Her whispered admission sends shockwaves of pleasure through me, like her words are directly tied to my body. “No one but you.”
Our faces are a breath away, drawing me even closer as our noses caress in the softest of touches.
Without thinking, my tongue comes out to play, licking her juicy bottom lip.
“Are you going to kiss her?” Matt’s tilted head and inquisitive voice pulls me from bliss, meanwhile Ashley jumps back as if I’ve electrocuted her.
“What’s up, little man? Need something?” I ask him because Ashley is still recovering from having been caught.
“Yeah, I was going to ask when we can see Dad again.”
“My sweet boy!” Ashley, having gathered herself, pulls Matt into her. “I know this is all so new, but I promise we will be back first thing tomorrow morning. How about we order some pizza now and play a game together. Sound good?”
“Sounds good.” Matt nods into Ashley’s embrace, meanwhile she looks over his head at me with eyes that hold a sea of sadness.
There’s no doubt she’s currently fighting her own demons. Having to build herself up after what that dick of a man did to her. She’s a fighter, my treasure. Always picking herself up and lifting others with her while she does it.
In that one definitive moment I make up my mind.
I vow to remove all sorrow from her heart. Even if it’s only in my limited capacity.
I will not rest until her heart is whole and my little treasure is shining in all her splendor.