Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 39: Chapter 39

ASHTON

I have less than a second to think through the mush in my head caused by Demi’s entrancing presence and get us both out of this hot mess. Just as my door begins to crack open, I flick off the light switch which was luckily already on a low setting and clasp a hand over Demi’s mouth to muffle any sound. Then I heft her into my bathroom and click the door shut.

"Ash? Are you asleep already?"

When Ashley pokes his head in and turns on the light, he sees me patting my hair dry with a small towel. "Oh, there you are."

I plop on the arm of my couch. "What is this about?" I ask grudgingly. The last time we spoke, it was a heated conversation. I am still pissed at him for acting so immature. Hence, my attitude.

"Hey, I’m really sorry about last time. It was stupid of me to misjudge you like that." Ashley makes himself comfortable on my bed and I grit my teeth. If he’s feeling cozy, this conversation could span hours. I can’t have that, not with Demi freaking in my bathroom.

"I know Demi and I are only married on paper. However, I believe that as her lawful husband, there should be obvious differences between me and you guys being her brothers-in-law. I should have certain rights exclusive to my position. Things like you knowing her passcode when I don’t or you being able to make her feel a certain way just by being in the same room with her makes me go crazy sometimes..."

"I get it, Ash. Whether your marriage is on paper or not, you’re a real couple to Danvarr. I know I can be a hothead and insist on having my way irrespective of how it makes others’ feel. I’m sorry. I’ll give you and your wife the space you need to bond. We’re good." I lurch to my feet, spurring Ashley to do the same.

"Thank you for your understanding, man. For a second, I feared you might actually be in love with her." Ashley chuckles as we share a look meaningful look with each other. If he’s here to force words out of my mouth, it’s not working. I feign a smile at him in return.

"I’ll be on my way now." But then he stops by the door and turns to me with a suspicious air. "By the way, Mila texted Asher to ask if you were home as she hasn’t been able to reach you." Though he doesn’t say the remaining part ringing in his head which is, ’I found that strange because you told us the two of you spent the entire evening together,’ I get it from the wink he goes on to give me.

"Women, am I right? They can be quite clingy."

"Unfortunately, it’s usually not the ones you care about." My reply temporarily stuns him.

"Could you um, help me with Demi’s passcode? I’d like to say goodnight."

And there it is, the immature Ashley sprouts his head again. I toss my towel aside. "The husbandly thing to do will be to ask your wife directly if she’s comfortable with that, not try to finagle it from someone else who happened to see it accidentally. I think Demi will appreciate the respect."

"Right." Ashley nods and grabs the door finally. "For a bachelor, you give good advice that nearly rivals Ashal’s. I’ll be stopping by for more marriage advice."

With a soft laugh, he bids me goodnight and leaves. I exhale deeply. The weird thing with Ashley is that you can never truly know if you’ve managed to fool him or he fooled you.

Did he really not suspect a thing, not even Demi’s night cologne hanging thickly in the air? I go to tap softly on my bathroom door.

"He’s gone. You can come out now."

Demi steps out quietly, a huge blush on her face. I get it. Now, we really do look like we’ve been up to something bad. She literally hid in my bathroom while I hastily tried to get rid of her husband from my bedroom. It looks wrong from every angle.

"Ashley could be watching my room. You leave now and he’ll see."

Demi bites down on her lower lip. "What do I do?"

One look at me and I know she’ll dread the idea.

"We have no other choice." I confirm the fear swimming in her eyes.

From my spot on the couch, I watch her sleeping peacefully on my bed for the next three hours. Damn, has she always been this beautiful?

I force myself to look away. I have never coveted anything that belonged to any of my brothers and I won’t start now. Besides, it’s best for me to keep away from Demi. Her safety and peace of mind depends on it. Father doesn’t bluff. I won’t be able to bear it if he makes Demi suffer like Olivia.

In the wee hours of the morning when I am certain everyone is in their beds, I rouse Demi awake. She purrs like a satisfied cat and stretches like a newborn swaddled all night.

"It’s time to go." I ignore a clawing need to stroke her messy hair. My bed will never feel the same again and I am truly glad. I tell her exactly what to do to avoid suspicion.

up. Keep your head up and walk. Go downstairs and get a juice box or a bottle of water from the

"Mhmm."

and cute. In the dim light, Demi stares longingly into my eyes. Heat flares up my groin as she runs her hand through my hair. I don’t even flinch or stop her like I normally would. Instead, my eyes flick from her doe eyes to her soft, kissable lips. Before I lose the last

against hope that none of my brothers broke routine and stayed up all night watching my door. Even with my best talking game, there’s no way I can talk my way out of this. Demi and I can never prove that we

and it’s been ten minutes already. I hiss a breath and throw myself on my bed. Her scent still lingers on the pillow and duvet. Smiling

***

though I don’t owe her an explanation for how I choose to spend my time. I just need a distraction from a LOT of things, Demi included. Mila is kind and she’s a dream find but she and I can only be good friends at best. Everything else is just parental pressure

isn’t helping to keep my mind off father’s threat and Demi in my bed so I texted the strange lady

to spite Mila for fast tracking our friendship into a fully blown relationship through her dad. Now, I am simply going on the date to get

am shocked he visited your father’s company. He hasn’t mentioned a peep to me

good friends but the way I see it, our parents are going to ruin that for us really soon if we don’t beat them at their game." I watch her dismiss the assistants flanking her with glossy papers to be signed. She’s like Ashley

she leans conspiratorially

hers. "If we are going to date seriously, it should be our decision not theirs. I have a bad history of treating things or people forced into my hands in a way I am not proud of. You really don’t deserve that. So, you tell daddy that his princess wants to take things

Fast food? Fast cars? Fast rides?" She moves

me like a woman who likes to be used by men merely for

ones always using women. I have needs

eyes crinkle in a smile. "Go

is that casual sex doesn’t do it for me anymore. That’s why I am going on this date. Who knows, a couple more and I might just make a connection that will hold forever." I surge to my feet. "Don’t give me that look, Mila. You promised to be fun.

you

"Which part?"

me?" She winks

just prefer we get there

table and peck her forehead. "I’ve got a fast car I guarantee you’ll

can happen because I already blocked her number and she wouldn’t come to my workplace so soon after we narrowly escaped being accused of something heinous. Still, I allow my

We make arrangements for dinner at a remote diner. I prefer it that way. When lunch time rolls by, Gris shows up to

kill, I call Ashley to see if we can do lunch together. I still have doubts about his attitude last night and I want to spend more time with him and gauge his reaction to see if he still harbors suspicions

we do lunch today? It’s been a

over the phone. "Crap man, I’m so sorry. I am already at

way at the

"Ash, you there?"

You said you’re already having lunch with Demi? That’s fine. I think I’ll just order something here at the office. I still have a lot of work to do anyway so it

man. I would have loved to eat with you

We’ll do it some other time. My regards to

right now. Why am I overthinking last night? It meant nothing. It

cringe as he watches me take things off his plate. I make plans for a customized car exhibition we have been planning. I take calls from our loyal customers and answer whatever questions and complaints they have. I join the auditing team to review sales reports. Finally, I go over our new car deliveries, rechecking to see that each car

"Sir, sir?"

Gris’ bespectacled face hovering over

seven pm. Everyone’s

since you’re still here buzzing in my

before you do,

grab my things and rush to my car. I have everything I need in there. I’ll find

time, I am prepared to get an earful for keeping my date waiting. She’ll be justified

Just then, I get a text from her apologizing for her lateness and claiming that she’s five minutes away. Wow. And

diner. It’s completely away from the other booths and allows for more privacy incase someone else happens to recognize me. I kill time by scrolling through

leather watch, my date is still yet to arrive after twenty minutes. Have I been pranked or something? Is this what Mila feared? What if this person isn’t really interested in a date and I have been lured

she is. She doesn’t reply. Brimming with anger, I grab my jacket and head for the door. Outside, the cold night air whizzes past my face, fluttering my long, black curls. I shrug on my jacket as I scan the street. Everything seems relatively normal. People are going about their

doesn’t appear to be actively trying to stay hidden but when my eyes track in her direction, her whole body disappears behind the wall as quick as a whiplash. While

that sounds, who else would

in time to see her slide into a cab and zoom off. I can’t even make out her face in the dimness. Too bad her cab is going

I call Mila immediately.