Chapter 85

Ashley eyed him, trying to find something to nitpick on. But she had been influenced, she wasn't seeing the handsome prickly man that hated everything she did, she was seeing the adorable one that clung fiercely and refused to let go when she just woke up, the supportive one that had offered her extra hands when she suggested to burn her step sister to ashes – it was a riveting conversation that took place shortly after she was informed of the reason Richard wasn't in her life at the moment – and the one that had point blank told her he was in love with her.

For the sake of that man that she had known shortly, she would withstand whatever tantrums this one held.

"C'mere", she said, waving him over.

Ian didn't want to go, but his body had responded to the initial command and he knew it would make him look stupid if he stepped back after stepping forward. What had she done to make him so stupidly complacent?

As he got to her, she opened her arms and reached up. Ian automatically leaned