Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 22: Chapter 22

DEMI

The harsh slivers of sunlight wash into my room, half-blinding my eyes. Stirring, I block the rays with an arm over my face and groggily sit up on my bed. The room spins slightly with every move I make. Cussing, I pull my knees up and cradle my aching head in my hands. Just then, the blinds on the window come down, blocking off the heat of the sunrays.

I blink severally to adjust my vision. My heart leaps at the sight of one of the quads sitting in my room. How long has he been there watching me. His clothes are very casual and very black. I can't make anything from his bland eyes. Trying to figure out which brother is facing me makes my head want to split in two so I just give up.

"What do you want? I am not in the mood for this."

"Beside you." He jerks his chin towards my bedside drawer. "That should help with the hangover." I hastily drain the contents of the cup and toss my head back on the headboard. A film of sweat coats my forehead, dibbles down my side.

"I hate this feeling."

"And yet you still drink." His tone makes me look up at him. "For someone who claims her life turned on its head after one drunken night, you sure haven't learnt your lesson." A small smile tugs his lips.

"Which brother do I have the privilege of being lectured by this fine morning?"

"Hmm. I thought you were somewhat of an expert by now. Are the clothes too abstract for you?" Before I can frown, he makes a familiar hand signal and relief swells inside me.

"Oh, Ashal, just who I wanted to see." I dab my brows. "I'm sorry about last night. I was so foolish. I thought I wasn't furious about Nicola's visit. I wanted to come find you so we can drink and I can air out my feelings but then I recalled you already had plans. I guzzled a can of beer in here. I must have wandered." My head spins again and I close a hand over my forehead. "I hope I didn't do something crazy."

Ashal chuckles. "Isn't it amazing that you seem to never lose your bearings especially when drunk?" He rises to his feet. "If you're going to have a secret hand signal with Ashal, maybe try not to make it so fucking obvious in public, Branson."

I shut my eyes. It just had to be him. I am not nearly ready for this back and forth, especially since our last encounter is still vivid in my imagination. I feel a crimson blush seep into my cheeks. "Of course, you saw that."

My stomach muscles tighten as Ashton approaches with his hands jammed in the pockets of his pants as usual. "You must know that my brothers and I have concrete reasons to be wary of you. Let's say I believe that the Blue Cove was an accident. You came to my family the very next morning to assert your claim to a place here. Pressured by public sentiments and my mom's rare liking to you, you were accepted into our home. You got a husband and a wealthy family. Now, my question to you is why this isn't enough? Why are you hell bent on finding the man who wedded you while intoxicated? What is it to you?"

"Keep it down. My head is aching." I hope I can stall his rapid-fire questions with a show of dizziness but true to form, he persists stubbornly.

"Are you in love with him?"

my eyebrows slash up at him. The grim set of his eyes has been tempered by

"You spoke with mother?"

"She's worried about you. Everyone is, in their own way." He hits me with those intense blue eyes again and my throat goes dry. It always does whenever I am

eyes frantically search his deep ones. He tears his away, and shifts uncomfortably. "You know him, don't you?" Gently, I

if he isn't willing to show himself to you because he is afraid of hurting

how that could be a possibility. I am not asking him for a lifelong commitment. I just want closure from that night and

mine. Unable to resist it, I lean forward and capture his lips with mine in a hurried kiss. Ashton cups my face with both hands and leans in deeper into our kiss. Our tongues discover each other. Our heartbeat drum in rhythm.

here. I just want to talk and that'll be it. I am not breaking my contract with Ashley. I value promises and keeping my word."

So, what is it you want to say to me about that night?

"You..."

to drink away my pain." Tears wells up in my eyes when he plants a kiss in my palm. "It was stupid what we did. I didn't think you'd care or show up the very next morning at my house with our marriage certificate on display for the world to see how badly I fucked up. I was mortified, Demi and mad at your arrogance. Heck, I didn't even recall your face from the previous night until you arrived. I thought you were one of the numerous gold-digging women vying

Demi, you have to understand. A lot was at stake for me. Yes, I did feel a connection between us in Blue Cove but everything wilted when you showed up with your family. Heck, couldn't you have personally tried to reach me first? What was the need for the drama and

be rid of this confusion of trying to decipher the one quad that may have a connection to my parents' death, I

am grateful for his reflexes, I am too angry to thank him. I shove his hands away from

talk. I opened

needed closure. I felt a connection that night and every day since then, I have wondered if things

I hope you'll forgive me for all the inconveniences caused. Let's expunge that night

shut behind me, I exhale deeply and listen as his steps retreat. Tears cloud

always knew it was going to be one of them. You were prepared for this." I blot away my tears with the hem of my

***

could you have been so reckless? Anything could have happened to you. There's no telling what

in a quiet nook at the back of the shelves. Just before I had to move in with my new family, I had pitched the idea to Mr. Rahl about adding some reading tables and sofas to the shop, as well as displaying treats

allows Liam and I to hang out at the back to avoid being photographed by desperate journalists. Save for the new employee at the counter with headphones stuck on his

fact that they

head. "Well? Did you

his brothers bickered, I managed to stick one of the devices under the wooden table closest to the door. I was very scared. Asher was onto me but Ashley and Ashton protected me." I stare wistfully into my

on my face. He sips his coffee and sighs. "I don't like that look on your face. You know you can't have soft spots for any member of that family if you hope