Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 47: Chapter 47

ASHLEY

Demi is a crying mess when I walk into her room. At first, I expect to get yelled at for barging in. I know she has never been comfortable being alone with me. Surprisingly, she merely blots at her teary eyes and sits up on her bed. Her eyes cling adoringly to my face as a ghost of a smile seeps into her cheeks.

"I knew you would come back." She says in a low whisper. "I’m so sorry. Please don’t hate me."

Her crying fit starts again while I stand watching her, confused as hell. Was Ashton just in here? What the hell transpired between them? Can’t Demi tell I am wearing the same clothes from earlier when we met at the drawing room or does this mistaken identity have to do with the low setting of her bedroom light? Gradually, my brows furrow in annoyance. Just how much does she care about Ashton? Why has she never looked at me so lovingly like this?

Her arms shoot up to wrap around my neck in a tight embrace. "I didn’t mean to lie to you. Please believe me. It’s all a big misunderstanding."

Slowly, she eases back, her breath fanning my face. When I least expect it, her lips are on mine. She infuses just the right about of slutty aggression and sensual passion into the kiss. Lust curls like a ball at the pit of my stomach as she strokes her hands in my hair.

Heart thumping widely, my hands snake around her slender waist. I feel her shiver with excitement as my hands brush over the warm skin of her back. She tips her head back and moans when my tongue goes to work, teasing and kissing the soft band of her neck. When my fingers scrape over her hardened nipples, she gasps in ecstasy.

"Ashton" She slurs, her voice no higher than an erotic whisper. My breath catches.

Disappointed and furious, I pull away so fast she falls back on the bed. Her hair tumbles across her face. Even through the red haze of anger, I am still pining to taste her. I forcefully peel my eyes off her body and rub my hand over my neck, biting down on the clawing need to break something. What the hell was that? She was really thinking about Ashton?

"Is something wrong?" She asks leaping off the bed and taking my hand. She’s so close now, eager to continue. She kisses my cheeks one after the other. "Am I too fast?" I allow her cup my angry face in her hands and return her intense stare. I can’t believe her right now. So, I was never the problem? She just preferred to have casual sex with a different Ash Rollins.

The scales seem to fall from her eyes as she takes me in, from eyes to clothes. When she tries to jerk back, I grip her hand on my cheek and secure her waist with my other hand.

"Ashley?" She manages with trembling lips.

"What?" I dare her. My eyes are sizzling with rage now. She tries to jerk free only to topple us over the bed. I straddle her and watch with ire as she squirms beneath me. "I was never the problem, was I? And you aren’t averse to having casual sex; you just wanted to have it with Ashton!"

Bile tickles my throat now. I have never suffered this kind of raw rejection. Women have never been able to resist me so how can Demi be disgusted by the thought of being touched by me even when I am a mirror image of Ashton?

"Ashley, please."

She struggles to free her hands but I clamp down hard on them.

"You told me things between you guys was simply platonic and here you are trying to give yourself to him while still being married to me! How could you try to fuck my own brother? How shameless can you be?" My voice is a low hush in spite of the fury vibrating within me.

"I...I..."

"Cat got your tongue?" I grab her by the lapels of her shirt now. "What would have happened if I didn’t stop? If Ashton were here and he didn’t stop? You would have given yourself completely to him, wouldn’t you? Why? Why him and not me? Why not the man you’re actually married to, Demi?"

I let her go and get down from the bed. I won’t allow it. Women keep toying with me even when I try to be a gentleman. This is all I ever get; betrayal. They’re all the same.

"Ashely, I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking."

I slap her hands off me. "Don’t complicate this any further by lying to my face. You knew exactly what you were doing. You desperately wanted to sleep with Ashton tonight. If he had come in here and not me, he’d already be inside you by now."

"Ashley..."

"Don’t. call. my. name." I growl in anger. "I trusted you Demi. When you insisted that sex shouldn’t be a part of our marriage contract, I didn’t question it. I respected your boundaries despite how difficult it got with each passing day. Do you have any idea how much I struggle to keep my word to you? I was a perfect gentleman all for you and this is how you pay me back? You’ve been lying to my face this whole time. MY BROTHER? It had to be my own brother?"

I gasp, covering my face with my hands. "I am so disappointed in you right now, and in my brother too. You both have been fooling everyone this whole time acting like your feelings for each other are nothing to be concerned about."

I don’t what got over me. I had a bad day and

SHOULD HAVE COME TO ME! I AM THE ONE YOU’RE MARRIED TO

I would have fulfilled your needs without judging you for going back on your word. I rushed in here worried about you when I heard from one of the maids that you

upset her? And father, he won’t go easy on Ashton because he knows how stubborn Ash can get when he wants something. He’ll give him a tough time and it will all be your fault. You have no idea what you’ve

sorry." She repeats over and over

got caught. If I hadn’t been here, you and Ashton would probably have hidden the secret of this night from everyone." When her teary eyes look up at me, I refuse to me swayed by them.

"Ashley..."

"Swear it!"

told you he hasn’t kissed me, ever. That night

might be in love with my own brother! Even worse, Ashton may just have strong feelings for her that transcends sexual attraction. Am I supposed to pretend to be cool with this bullshit simply because of the nature of

to make me a laughing stock in Danvarr for the second time and I won’t allow it. Once bitten, twice shy, right? I’ll do what I can to stop this madness. Demi can’t get with any one of my brothers; that’s fucked up. A

Now,

think he’s got a shot with you. He’s your brother-in-law, not your friend. Hence, you’ll only treat him as such. You’ll honor our contract and give me the respect I am due. In return, I’ll try to forget this night ever happened

Demi sniffles. "We are."

your last chance. If you give me a reason to suspect you and Ashton ever again, we’re through and you’ll be blamed

feet. "Thank you, Ashley for being so mature

stupid? I step up to her with darkened eyes. "Don’t thank me yet. You have a long way to go to convince me that you and my brother aren’t up to no good every time I

dip to her lips. I can understand why Ashton keeps coming back after that accidental kiss between

must have sensed how annoyed I am as she returns a halfhearted peck on my cheek. I cup her chin kiss her slowly on her lips. Demi tries not to show any discomfort and even kisses me back. We carry on

tell me all about your day and what made you

***

open my eyes, slivers of sunlight filters into the room through the wide window. I look down to find

as a tense conversation ended up with jokes, laughter and a goodnight kiss. Demi even fell asleep holding my hand. I know it’s nothing but I feel good knowing she trusted me enough to fall asleep

"Morning."

small nod as I get off the bed. Her eyes follow me till I wink her before

it’s his ’I don’t give a damn about anyone so do well to avoid me’ face because he had promised me last night or if he really can’t care less that I

knows by now that I didn’t sleep in my bed. I wonder what he must have imagined transpired between Demi and I. Yet, I don’t feel bad

has her breakfast. Afterwards, everyone begins to

a nice day

smile. She slides into her car and I help

checkered shirt and black leather pants. He almost looks like a Kpop idol right now. He doffs his cap at me before taking off in his Mustang. I follow suit, smiling

***

Ashley? How could you

"Nicci, I only called you here for your

well to remember that I am a high grossing top model

back in my chair and press my eyes

what your adulterous wife has been up to. When you do get some time off your precious work, head over to Rahl’s books and ask the young man at

guy holding Demi’s hand at the bookstore in Nicola’s video oddly familiar. I’m certain I’ve seen

we were forced

Could Demi truly be having an affair with that stranger? I thought

Demi’s number. It’s already lunch time at the HQ. If she isn’t at work, then she might have gone off to have lunch somewhere. I just need to

She sounds

the blue

bite with Anna, catching up, you

That’s good. I’m just heading out myself.