Until Ashlyn

by Aurora Rose Reynolds

  “Please tell me that bitch is not at your house.”

  “I won’t tell you then.” I sigh, wondering if I should just ignore her and pray that she goes away.

  “Don’t answer it. I’ll be there in less than two.”

  “I can hear you in there,” Isla calls, and I lean my head back.

  “God, even her voice is annoying,” June gripes, and I groan as Isla pounds on the door.

  “I just want to talk,” she yells, and my hand balls into a fist at my side.

  “Do you want me to call Dillon?” June questions softly, and I think about it for a second, but the idea of him dealing with her doesn’t sit well with me… or the ugly green monster that lives in my head.

  “No.”

  “Well, I’m pulling down the drive now.”

  “What does she even want?” I whisper, more to myself than my cousin.

  “Who knows, but you’re not dealing with her alone,” she mutters as I hear the sound of her car getting closer then the crunch of gravel, and a moment later, I hear her car door slam. “Is there something I can help you with?” she asks loud enough for me to hear through the door. Hanging up my cell phone, I turn the knob and swing the door open.

  “I just want to talk,” Isla says softly, turning to face me, looking remorseful.

  “I don’t think we have anything to talk about.” I cross my arms over my chest as a chill from the wind slides over my skin.

  “I know you hate me.” Snorting, I shake my head as June steps up onto the porch and comes to stand next to me, resting her hands on her very pregnant, very round stomach. “Dillon and I—”

  “There is no Dillon and you,” June puts in. Isla’s attention slides to her, and I see the icy look in her eyes before she hides it behind a look of sadness.

  “My family has been his only family since his parents passed away. I don’t want your hate for me to take him away from my parents.”

  “I would never stop him from having a relationship with anyone. He’s his own person. He can do what he likes.”

  “Then why hasn’t he returned any of our calls? Why wouldn’t he see me when I went by the office today?”

  Shrugging, I answer silently while wondering if she went to the office before or after he came home, and why he didn’t tell me that she was in town, even if he didn’t meet with her. Really, I haven’t thought much about her over the last few weeks, but seeing her standing in front of me now, I wonder if she hates me enough to try and hurt me.

  “Where were you three days ago?” I ask, and she frowns, making a wrinkle pop out between her perfectly plucked brows.

  “What?”

  “Where were you three days ago?” I repeat, studying her.

  “I don’t know, home.” She shrugs, smoothing her hands down her waist and hips.

  “So you weren’t in Tennessee?” June asks, seeing what I’m getting at with my questions.

  “No, I just flew in this morning. Why?”

  “Just curious,” I mutter, waving my hand out, and her eyes move to it and narrow.

  “Is that your wedding ring?” My eyes drop to the band on my finger and I ball my hand into a fist to keep it on, as if her seeing it will cause it to disappear. “He didn’t give you his mom’s ring?” she whispers, and even though I know she’s not talking to me and it’s just an observation, her words are a direct shot to my gut and I feel my legs get weak.

  “Are you done?” June asks, and her head turns toward my cousin.

  “I—”

  “You’re done,” June states, not giving her a chance to finish her reply as she crowds me back into the house behind her.

  “Please talk to him,” Isla cries, looking at me as June starts to close the door. “My mom is worried about him. She just wants to make sure he’s okay.”

  “I’ll tell him to call her,” I agree quietly as June shuts the door in her stunned face.

  “God, I hate her,” June hisses, getting up on her tiptoes to look through the peephole.

  “Me too.” Dropping my eyes to my hand, I look at my wedding ring. Shaking my head, I close my eyes.

  “You okay?”

  “No.” I sigh, feeling her hand on my shoulder. “I need a drink,” I murmur as I head for the kitchen.

  “Can you drink right now?”

  “Unfortunately, no.” I really wish I could have a glass of wine, but I can’t.

  “Do you want to talk about what you’re thinking?” she asks, taking a seat on one of the stools at the island in the middle of the kitchen.

  Grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, I pass it to her, pick up mine I left earlier, and take a gulp before dropping my eyes to the marble whispering, “He has his mom’s wedding ring.”

  Looking up at my cousin, I wonder what it means that he didn’t give it to me. I know I shouldn’t be thinking it, but I can’t understand why I’m wearing a band from a wedding chapel, while he has his mom’s wedding ring. A ring I know means something to him. A ring I didn’t know about until now. A ring he has talked to the she-bitch about, even though he obviously didn’t give it to her either.

  “You have him. Don’t let that crazy bitch get to you or get into your head.”

  “I’m not,” I lie shakily. I don’t know why this is bothering me so much, but it feels like I just got to the top of the roller coaster and found out there are no more tracks for my ride down.

  “Get that look off your face right now,” she snaps, and my eyes focus on hers. “Dillon is in love with you.” She points at me. “You don’t know his reasoning for not giving you his mom’s ring, or if there is even a ring to be given. For all you know, he could have lost it years ago, or he could be waiting until the right moment to slide it on your finger.” Her eyes soften and I hold my breath. “In the end, it’s just a piece of metal that means nothing. Marriage isn’t based on the size of the rock on your finger. It’s based on what you feel for the person you are sharing your life with.”

  Feeling properly scolded, I set my water bottle down and rub my forehead. She’s right. One minute with Isla has me questioning everything and doubting Dillon’s feelings for me. “I’m an idiot.”

  “You are not an idiot. You’re in love. Love makes you feel vulnerable and unsure, and it also makes you doubt and question everything. It’s normal to feel like you feel right now.” She waves me off as I take a seat next to her.

  “I don’t know what I would have done if you weren’t here,” I mutter, and she grins, bumping my shoulder.

  “My guess is you would have probably run away.”

  “Probably.” I laugh, knowing she’s right. I don’t like questioning his feelings for me, and I don’t like the feeling of jealousy and envy I get every time I think about his relationship with Isla, or the fact she probably knows more about him than I do.

  “You, my beautiful cousin, have a lot to learn about love and relationships. Dillon is the first guy you’ve ever been serious about. This is all new to you and—”

  “I’ve dated,” I cut her off, and she raises a brow. “Okay, fine, I’ve skimmed through a selection of men.” I sigh, and she laughs.

  “The point is you will figure it all out. Just don’t overthink things, and always talk to him if you have doubts about anything.” She nudges my shoulder then takes a sip of water before moving her eyes over my face, letting them linger on the bruise at my temple. “How are you feeling?”

  “Thankfully, better. I go back to work Monday, and get my stitches out in ten days,” I reply as I absently rub my fingers over the side of my head where my stitches are.

  “Have the police said if they caught the person or gotten any leads?”

  “They still don’t know. No one saw a license plate, only the make of the car. Even with the story being in the news the last few days, they still haven’t gotten anything.”

  “It’s scary that something like that can happen in the middle of the day and no one knows anything.”

  “I know. I just…” I p
ause, taking a breath. “I don’t even want to think about it any more. Every time I think about it, I start to panic,” I admit, which is something I haven’t told anyone until now, but it’s true. There is a constant fear in my stomach. Even today, when I went to the hospital with my mom, I was scared to death about having to walk through the parking lot.

  “It may have just been a freak accident.”

  “Maybe,” I agree, but something in my gut tells me it was intentional, and even though Dillon said the person may have been after him and not me, the more I think about it, the harder I’m finding it to believe. He was at the office. There is no way they could have known he would be standing in the door, talking to a patient when I walked out of the restaurant, or that he would have come across to meet me. And not only that, but if they were after him, they could have aimed for him when he jogged across the street toward me. They had a clear shot of him then, if he was who they wanted to hurt.

  “Earth to Ashlyn.” She snaps her fingers in front of my face, and I blink.

  “Sorry, I spaced.”

  “It’s fine.” She studies me thoughtfully for a moment then smiles. “In better news, I was talking to July yesterday, and we were going over ideas for your bachelorette party next Saturday. There were a few things I wanted to run by you.”

  Frowning at her, I shake my head. “I’m not having a bachelorette party next Saturday,” I deny, and her smile turns into a grin.

  “You definitely are having a party. Everyone is coming. Even the moms are going to come out for a drink or two.”

  “Oh, Lord,” I murmur, seeing that she’s serious. “Dillon is not going to be happy about this.”

  “What am I not going to be happy about?” Dillon asks, startling me, and I squeak, turning on my stool and coming face-to-face with him. I didn’t even hear the garage door open like I normally do when he comes home.

  “I thought you said you would be home at five.” His eyes narrow then move to June, and he lifts his chin in a silent hello before crossing his arms over his chest and turning his eyes back to me.

  “What is it that I’m not going to be happy about?” he repeats, and I pray June can once again know what I’m thinking without me having to say a word.

  “We’re throwing Ash a bachelorette party.” She smiles.

  Apparently not.

  “Seriously, did you have to just come out and say it like that?” I snip, glaring at her, and she shrugs at me then smiles brighter at Dillon.

  “Don’t worry. We’re not going to have strippers. April mentioned getting strippers, and Evan overheard then proceeded to lose his mind.” She rolls her eyes, and Dillon’s jaw begins to twitch.

  “Oh, God,” I whisper, and she looks at me.

  “I know. Then Evan told Wes, and Wes freaked on July.” She shakes her head. “I didn’t really want strippers there anyway. I mean, guys with nice bodies are fun to look at, but I have my own hot guy and I really don’t like polyester-covered sausage flung in my face, and I can’t imagine you would want to have a ding-a-ling in your face either,” she mutters. I shake my head, and my eyes widen at her in a silent plea for her to shut up before she causes Dillon to have a stroke. “Anyway, the plan is to have dinner with everyone before as a congratulations dinner, and then go to my house, change, and meet the party bus.”

  “Um…” I mumble, taking a chance to look at Dillon out of the corner of my eye and see his jaw is still ticking away.

  “Also, April mentioned that maybe we should just rent a hotel room downtown and make a night of it.”

  “I…” I look from her to Dillon and can tell he is barely keeping it together.

  “Dinner sounds good, but I don’t think I want to stay out overnight.” And that’s the truth. I haven’t spent a night away from Dillon since Vegas, and I don’t really want to start now.

  “I figured.” She smiles then looks between Dillon and me as she hops off her stool, causing her belly to bounce. “I should go. Evan will be home soon, and I told him I would make dinner tonight.”

  As she wraps her arms around me in a tight hug, I whisper, “I’m so going to get you back for this.”

  “You’ll be fine.” She grins at me, leaning back.

  “Uh huh.” I roll my eyes, listening to her laugh as she lets me go before walking across the kitchen to Dillon, who leans down to kiss her cheek and grumble a goodbye.

  “I’ll call and let you know what time I get a reservation for.”

  “Sure,” I agree, sliding off my stool to follow her to the door.

  “Don’t worry. I can see myself out.” She winks over her shoulder, and I narrow my eyes. She knows Dillon is pissed and thinks it’s funny. “Love you,” she singsongs, leaving the kitchen, and a few seconds later, I hear the front door shut. Keeping my eyes off my man, who’s pissed-off energy is pulsing through the room, I move to the fridge, open it, close it, and then move to one of the cupboards, doing the same. I’m hoping there is portal hidden somewhere that will teleport me into another dimension, where Dillon is the kind of guy who would be okay with me having a bachelorette party.

  “How are you feeling?” The rough edge of his voice slides over my skin, making me shiver. Turning my head, my eyes connect with his and my core pulses.

  “Fine,” I whisper, and he nods then takes off his suit jacket as he starts toward me. Instinctively taking a step back from the predatory look in his eyes, I bump into the counter then look left, debating if I should run.

  “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” My head swings back toward him, and I realize it’s too late. He’s too close for me to run now.

  “Wh-what are you doing?” I stutter out, feeling my nipples harden and the space between my legs flood with heat as his hands rest against my hips and slide up under my shirt along my sides.

  “I’m going to fuck you.” He nips my neck before my shirt is ripped over my head and tossed to the floor at our feet. “I’m going to remind myself that you are mine.” His hands span my waist then slide softly down, pushing my shorts and panties off my hips, and they fall to the floor. “And that no one else will ever get to touch you.” Grabbing onto his shoulders, I start to pant as he lifts me to the top of the island and pushes my legs roughly apart with his hands on my knees. “Take off your bra,” he commands, then groans as his fingers slide between my spread legs and over my clit.

  “So fucking wet for me. Does making me crazy jealous turn you on?” he asks, pinching my clit. My head shakes side-to-side as my bra slides from my shoulders. “I think it does. You’re drenched and I’ve barely touched you.” His fingers that were between my legs raise, and I watch him slide them into his mouth and close his eyes. “Lay back, heels to the counter, and spread your legs.”

  “Dil—” His name gets lodged in my throat as he presses his hand against my chest and forces me back against the cold marble.

  “Now spread your legs,” he growls. Moaning, my legs fall apart and my eyes snap closed as his fingers begin to toy with me. “You’re so perfect,” he praises, palming my breast while his fingers fuck into me, leaving me breathless and my body begging for him. Forcing my eyes open when he stops, I watch him free himself from his slacks then take a deep breath as he pulls my ass to the edge off the counter and lines himself up with my entrance. “Who do you belong to?”

  “You,” I breathe, wrapping my legs around his waist, using my heels to pull him closer to where I need him.

  “Only me.” He thrusts forward hard, and my mind screams with pleasure as his hands wrap around my hips to keep me in place. “You’re mine.”

  “Yes,” I cry out, arching my back, feeling heat spread from my core throughout my entire body.

  Sliding one hand up my stomach then between my breasts, he wraps it around the back of my neck and lifts me forward, gently, until we are sharing the same breath. Leaning up, I nip his bottom lip then whimper when he takes my mouth like he owns it, thrusting his tongue against mine in sync with each hard blow as he pounds into me
ruthlessly. “Fuck,” he snarls down my throat while slamming into me over and over, sending me closer to the edge. Overheating, every inch of me starts to sing with pleasure and my core begins to clamp down around him.

  “I’m so close,” I breathe into his mouth, then wrap my arms around his back, pull my mouth from his, and bite down on his shoulder as my body ignites and fireworks explode behind my closed eyelids.

  “Again.”

  “Dillon,” I whimper, locking my legs tighter around his hips as my orgasm starts to come back to life.

  “This time, you wait for me,” he groans as my nails dig into his skin and my core tightens.

  “I don’t…” The words end as he thrusts hard, making my breath catch.

  “You will wait for me.” He thrusts hard again and again, and my body begins to shake as I tighten my limbs around him and fight back my release. “God, fucking dammit,” he roars, then growls, “Come.” And just like that, I let go and fly over the edge, clinging to him with every single inch of me as I do. “You will always be mine,” he whispers, and my eyes fill with tears. Isla may know more about him than I do, but she will never have this. She will never know what it feels like to have all of him.

  Chapter 9

  Ashlyn

  Sitting across from Dillon, I use my chopsticks to pick up a piece of sushi then dip it in my wasabi and soy sauce mixture before shoving the whole thing into my mouth, moaning in happiness as the taste explodes on my tongue.

  “I can’t believe of all the places you could have picked, this is the place you chose.” He shakes his head, looking around, and I follow his eyes around the restaurant. I’m not surprised by his reaction. The place isn’t all that great to look at, but they have an all-you-can-eat sushi bar that makes the cheesy décor and questionable environment worth the risk of food poisoning.

  “I love this place.” I shrug, picking up another piece of sushi, dunking it in my perfected mixture.

  “I could have taken you to an actual sushi restaurant instead of a all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet.”

  “And what? Pay fifteen dollars for a California roll, I think not.” Smiling, he shakes his head as I shove another piece of sushi into my mouth.