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His hands and mouth are everywhere. I feel him inside and out. He leaves no inch of my flesh craving. He satisfies me so completely there’s room for nothing else.

He raises my body to such a heightened state of being that he begins to fill every void within. His essence searches the lonely halls of my soul, knocking down every wall, searching for every last drop of me.

“Ash!” I yell out, feeling the sting of his flag as he lays siege to my heart. Tears run from my eyes, and he kisses them away as he basks in his victory.

He pulls me close, draping me over his chest. “I love you,” he says confidently, laying his final claim.

I’ve fought so long and hard. It all seems so silly now, but I guess we don’t know what we don’t know.

My eyes blink slowly as my body slips into a place I’ve never known.

Peace.

“I surrender,” I whisper, letting his declaration of love embrace me.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Ash

Iwatch her sleep as I pack my bag. As much fun as I’ve had here with her, it’s time. I need to get back to my sister. She needs me. Her mother-in-law is sick, really sick, and Willow is devastated. Rachel was the one chance she had for her child to have a grandmother. And Jackson … he’s not only my brother-in-law, he’s also my friend. They stood strong when I needed them most, and now it’s my turn to be there for them.

Besides, Lexie’s ready. I’m sure there will be bumps in the road, but we have friends and family to help us along the way.

Her lashes flutter as she tries to open her eyes. “Bright, too bright,” she complains, covering her face as she sits up.

I toss a pillow at her. “Enjoy the sun now because there’s rain moving in again.”

“Ugh,” she says, still hiding from me and the day, but eventually her hand falls away.

Her gaze slides over the room, hesitating on my packed bag on the floor by the stairs. “You’re leaving?” She swallows hard.

“You are too. We’re going home. I was going to pack your bag for you, but I didn’t know what you wanted to wear. I’m glad I brought my truck and not the bike, otherwise we’d be getting soaked today.”

“Oh, okay. I’ll go shower.” She stands and grabs her bag, shoving things in it, and then she’s off, jogging down the steps.

She didn’t seem as enthusiastic about going home as I thought she’d be, but she was also in a rush so she must be somewhat excited.

I whip up a quick brunch for Lexie, and then I load up the truck. When I come back inside, the food I left on the table is still untouched. The shower is off, but Lexie is not out of the bathroom. I glance at my watch.

“You okay in there?” I ask, rapping my knuckles lightly against the door.

No answer.

“Lexie?”

“I’ll be out in a minute.” Her voice cracks.

She’s crying.

“I’m coming in,” I warn as I turn the knob.

She uses her body to push against the door, keeping me on the other side. “I’m fine. Just give me a minute.”

I take a deep breath, pulling the door closed again. Everyone should be allowed to have boundaries. My brain runs through a quick checklist of items in the bathroom. She doesn’t have anything in there she can hurt herself with, so I sit at the table, running through a hundred scenarios in my head. Not that it will do me any good. The only way I’ll know what’s going on in her mind is if she chooses to tell me.

A few seconds later she comes out with her bag slung over her arm. “I’m ready to go.”

“I made you a breakfast sandwich.”