Page 13 of Broken Beauty

“No, I'd say there are a lot of potentials in California.”

Ash's eyes spark with that familiar mischief I always see him have. It makes the spot between my thighs ache.

I love the way he looks at me, even if it's filled with hatred.

I look away from Ash and at Bridgette.

“So how long do you plan on staying in California then?” Bridgette asks.

“Not sure. I am going to finish up my degree here and whatever happens next, we'll see.”

I remember on one of our many dates last summer, Ash told me about how he wants to become a counselor for little kids. He wants to help them through life.

I loved that about him. How he wanted to help kids through talking and listening.

I don't know what happened between him and I.

I remember the night Ash and I last spoke.

It was with words filled with hate.

That whole night was a mess and I remember crying for days about it.

Boys shouldn't make you cry and I thought things with Ash and I were going to end happily but that didn't happen.

I can never forget how mad he was and how much he wanted to throw me away. I hated how we spoke to each other but this is the way it has to be.

I can't be with Ash and he can't be with me. That doesn't mean I want to hate him though.

“I have to go. My dad is in town and I want to see him before he has things to do in the city,” I explain before grabbing my stuff and making a move to get out of the booth but when I look at Ash, his heat-filled gaze is staring up at me. “Can you move?”

Ash shakes his head lightly before getting out of the booth and letting me leave.

Bridgette and Jace say 'bye' and I don't stay any longer to give Ash a chance to say anything. I practically run out of the diner and speed walk to my car.

I can't stay here any longer because if I do, I know Ash will get the chance to follow me and I don't want to face Ash by myself.

The moment I unlock my car and open the door, a familiar hand comes into my view and pushes my door shut.

I feel a sense of deja vu. The first time Ash and I met, something similar happened, but it wasn't filled with hate or disdain.

Shivers go down my spine as I feel his hard, warm chest against my back.

“Madden.” Ash says with disgust. “Ariella. Fucking. Madden.” No, no, no, no, no. This can't happen. I can't face him by myself again. “Turn around Ariella.”

I do what he says and turn around, pushing my back against the car as if that will help this situation. Ash's hands rest on either side of my head and I swear for a second he leans in closer to me and his eyes soften, only for a second before it's gone.

“Ash.”

Ash's eyes darken and he leans in even closer. “Don't say my name like that.”

“Like what?” I ask before my eyes quickly go down to his lips and then meet his eyes again.

“Like you want me when you know you shouldn't.”

“Ash-“

“I only came out here to tell you this Ariella so listen carefully.” Ash's lips are now maybe an inch away from mine and it's so hard to not just lean in and kiss him. I wish I could have him on top of me again and feel his hands on me and lips caressing mine. I can't help that my body misses him and a part of my soul. “Everything that happened this summer is gone. I don't care for you, I hate you. I will ruin you, Madden, and when I'm done no one will be able to save you other than me, but the fun thing about that is, I don't plan on saving you ever. I will fucking ruin you and then throw you away. That Ash you met this summer is gone.”