Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 84: Chapter 84

DEMI

I wake up to Ashton smiling beautifully at me as he plays with my hair. He looks so good. When my eyes slide down his bare chest, thoughts of our passionate night together cause a crimson blush to spread across my face.

I recall his face contorting as he moved over me, our tangled hands, our synced breaths. My body never felt more alive, more sensitive. He outdid himself and shattered all my sexual fantasies about us, filling my head with new, graphic and sensory images. It’s too good to be true.

"Good morning, beautiful." His fingers trace my jaw. "How was your night?" Mischief twinkles in his eyes.

It’s too good to be true, I repeat in my head as memories of my anniversary dinner with Ashley overshadows my passionate sex memory. Eyes wide with shock, I look down at my naked form underneath the blanket and swallow a heart wrenching scream. Did I really sleep with Ashley? How drunk was I? How could I go so far?

"Are you okay?"

I flinch at his touch now, fully aware of who is in bed with me.

"Mmhmm." I avoid his eyes and the shock welling up inside me when I take in our clothes littered on the floor.

The memories are coming back now. I wasn’t that drunk and though I knew Ashley had brought me to my room, I did imagine he was Ashton. I desperately wanted him to be with Ashton so he could satisfy the need inside me.

I should have pretended to drift off to sleep. I shouldn’t have reciprocated the kiss. I kept giving him all the wrong signs while my body ached for Ashton whom I have missed terribly.

Somehow, my desperation to feel his touch convinced me to pretend it was Ashton in my room. The alcohol made it easy. I gave myself willingly as though Ashton had done all of that to my body. But it’s morning now and reality has struck. I can’t even look at myself or Ashley who is trying to understand my coyness.

"It’s a little too late to feel shy." He says, still playing with my hair. He isn’t wearing anything either.

In my head, I am off the bed with the blanket bunched around me, screaming bloody murder to be left alone and sobbing as a misplaced sense of guilt for betraying Ashton overtakes me.

In my head, I am cussing, throwing things at and screaming at Ashley for yielding to me while I was not completely sober but who can blame him? I have been very cozy around him for the last few days. One would almost think I no longer have a problem being intimate with my contract husband. He had every right to not doubt my willingness share that special moment with him under the circumstance.

I only have myself to blame for this. What hurts the most is that I can’t lash out. I can’t have Ashley doubt me again or question my loyalty. Regrettably, I have to stay in character to keep the steam rolling on my grand plan. So, as much as it kills me inside, I allow him kiss me hard on the lips.

"Thank you. Last night was magical."

All I do is beam up at him.

"Wish I didn’t have so much work today. I would have loved to stay in bed with you."

"I have to get ready too." I mumble, then clear my throat. "Lots to do too." With one last kiss on my forehead, he leaps off the bed. The sight of his ass cheeks has me looking away sharply. There’s only so much I can take. He chuckles at my reaction while he shrugs into his clothes.

"You hungry?"

"Yeah. I’ll be down soon."

"I’ll be waiting." He flings his shirt across his shoulder while his pants ride low on his waist. After winking seductively at me, he exits my room. Can he be more obvious we just had sex last night?

I didn’t realize I was holding my breath until the door clicks shut. I cradle my head in my hand and bite down on my lips. What the hell have I done? How could I have let this happen? I mean I always dreamed of doing this with a face like that but not with Ashley! I wanted to do it with Ashton. I brush off the moistness in my eyes and harden my face. I can’t get emotional about this. These sentiments will only come in the way of my plans.

"Suck it up, Demi Branson. You enjoyed every bit of it last night. The same way you pretended you were doing with Ashton, keep that narrative going in your head if it makes you feel better. No sentiments, remember? Ashton isn’t yours. Keep your head in the game."

Despite how much I repeat that, my hands still tremble. I still feel nauseated and want to slap myself repeatedly on the face for everything. I allow myself to wallow in regret and self-pity for ten minutes just to purge myself of the emotions flowing through me so I can get on with my day.

After a few more tears, hair pulling, pillow tossing and gritting of teeth, I roll off the bed with the blanket wrapped around me. My morning face is further crumpled by a conspicuous frown at my messy room.

I shake my head every two seconds so the vivid images from last night will fizzle away. I walk into the bathroom to have a bath. Done, I return to my room, fully dressed for the day, slicked in a basic outfit because I don’t think I can pull off one of Ashley’s daily selections for me. I am in no mood to look corporate and sexy.

While I brush my hair in the mirror, I recall his fingers tangling in them during the energetic moments of the night. The brush clatters to the floor as I grip my dressing table and suck in a breath. The memory is too fresh. I can’t stop them from flooding my head. How am I supposed to work like this? What do I do if I see Ashton? How do I keep pretending I am fine with what happened when Ashley comes close to me?

Speaking of the devil, Ashley messages me on my phone.

[You coming? Your breakfast is getting cold]

with breathing exercises. When I bend down to pick

through the shock. Did Ashley not use a condom? Did he seriously....? My trembling hands drop the

the shock when Ashley

as usual. I shove him back when he tries to give me a peck. The cold fury on my face smokes away the cheerful smile

on his chest and watch him catch it. Like I suspected, his eyes tell me all

dispense with a condom, Ashley? How could you?" I hate the pathetic whine of my

in the

with Nicci so why would you conveniently forget to strap one on when we’re having sex for the first time, Ashely? Is this how you

other and impatient. You wanted me inside you faster than I could strap one on. It kind of slipped

"Are you kidding me?"

am not an amateur, Demi. You don’t have

when I thought he was Ashton. However, I don’t remember him pulling out. My heart is thudding in my chest. I have to get

"Demi..."

angrily when he tries to grab my hand. "I am late for work." I

Before the doors can click shut, someone’s hands block them. The leather watch strapped to the wrist makes my heart plummet to

sorry, I didn’t know anyone

blur with tears as I hang

the

me. My hands tighten around my bag when he holds my waist. He leans close to my ear but echoes in a voice loud enough for Ashton to hear. "I’m truly sorry about last night.

an embarrassed hue on his face to take the stairs. Alone in the elevator, I bite back the urge to slap my

"What was that?"

apology?" He replies,

It’s been weeks, Ashley. Let it go. Trying to make

intercepts me to ask why I am skipping breakfast and I mumble an excuse to her. To ease her worry, I grab a croissant and thank

***

Nessa asks

"Yeah. Why?"

door for the last three

behind my neck and

box of chocolate and expensive jewelry earlier. An envious gasp escapes Nessa’s lips after the courier leaves. I refrain

woman, Demi. I truly envy you. Your man

smile till she leaves. When Ashley calls, I decline yet again. I am not ready to talk to him. With a tired sigh, I press my hands to my eyes to

lunch. I keep poking my food. I

forlorn trance and ask how I am

fine." I tell her even though I don’t believe

door near the kitchen. When she returns, she’s all changed into her casual fit. "Let’s go. I got someone to cover my shift. It’ll be fine." We head to her house where she watches me binge on a

hard on yourself, Demi. You

on because when I looked at him, he easily passed for

not. You’re just

day, have breakfast and dinner on the same table..." I shove more ice cream in my mouth. "Then there are three other brothers that look just like him. Sometimes it gets hard to not distract myself from the sadness of not being with Ashton by pretending Ashley is him. And now that coping mechanism has made me do something I never planned on

into her arms. "It was one

"He didn’t use protection."

We’ll get you on birth

"IT’S NEVER HAPPENING AGAIN."

arched brow. I hate that my response doesn’t come with the

I can’t get

stop sulking. Shake it off. You’ll have to be much stronger than this if

so I can forge ahead." I shove the ice cream bucket into Anna’s hands and wipe my eyes. "Liam can’t find out, not about the sex with Ashley but about how weepy I got because it was with the wrong brother. He’s got minions in the mansion. They’ll probably convey everything to him after my room is cleaned. I just need him to believe that

he

get into father’s study, Asher’s office and other sensitive areas to get my hands on real information. The sooner I get Liam hard evidence to work with, the better I’d feel about myself and my commitment to my mission. I have to take Olivia’s rescue more seriously. I have to onboard more

up.

"That’s the spirit."

***

am surprised to see you, Demi." Josh quips while