Page 35 of Trapped (Sheppard & Sons Investigations #6)

Nathan

I started counting the instant my feet hit the floor. Showing Ashley my tattoos meant exposing my scars. Exposing my scars brought back memories. Those memories induced anxiety attacks.

Knowing I couldn’t hide forever, I fought every urge to run. My knuckles ached as I held on to the bed to prevent myself from pulling away.

When I felt Ashley’s wet cheek on my back and her arms around my waist, things started settling. When I heard her say, breathe, I filled my lungs with air.

Slowly but surely, my breathing returned to normal.

I let go of the bed, leaned forward and rested my elbows on my knees and my head in my hands.

Ashley’s quiet presence calmed me faster than the countdown ever had. Her touch healed wounds deeper than the scars left by the barbed whip.

Hearing her apology brought me fully back to the present.

I spun, grabbed her and dragged her onto my lap before she could protest.

One hand fisted her hair while the other supported her back. She wasted no time adjusting and straddling my lap.

When my mouth claimed hers, I poured my soul into the kiss.

Time lost all meaning while I clutched her to me, kissing her like my life depended on it.

When we finally came up for air, Ashley’s lips were red and swollen from my stubble. And sexy as hell .

She rested her forehead against mine as we caught our breath.

Ashley’s hands grabbed my face as she pulled back. When I met her eyes, she said, “Mine.”

No argument there. I’d been Ashley’s since that first night in Vegas. “Yours.” I swear I felt a thousand pounds lighter when her lips lifted in a smile.

I tugged her hair, looked deep in her eyes and whispered, “Mine.”

“Yours.”

We were finally where we were meant to be. Together.

Eventually, we settled back against the headboard, Ashley’s head resting on my chest. I didn’t doubt she could see the effect she had on me, but neither of us acted on it.

I anticipated needing more cold showers until we figured a way to get some alone time. Not a simple task, given the current circumstances.

As much as I wanted to spend hours learning every inch of Ashley in my bed, I was reluctant to keep her away from her grandmother too long. They needed each other, and I’d be selfish to deny them that.

When Ashley fell asleep halfway through the movie she chose, I turned my phone off and let her cute, soft snores lull me to sleep.

We stayed that way, Ashley curled up with her head on my chest while I reclined on the headboard, until four sets of sharp claws landed on my thigh.

“What the fuck!” I yelled, bolting upright and accidentally knocking Ashley away when I brought my hands up, ready to fight.

I probably cost Prince one of his nine lives, but he deserved it for scaring the shit out of me.

Ashley laughed as I cursed the cat. I wasn’t amused. That stupid demon cat had ruined the best night’s sleep I’d had in a long time.