DANIEL
Daniel paced back and forth across his study room. This new piece of information had thrown him completely for a loop. The words of his PI kept ringing through his head repeatedly making him more restless. He didn't know what to make of this new information. There was no denying that this new lead, which most likely was going to meet a dead-end, had only added to this puzzle.Daniel cudgeled his brain, trying to look for any incident or clue that he might have missed earlier but nothing came to his mind. He couldn't understand why would someone have a number on Ashley's name. What could be the intention?He didn't know who was playing this game and why but he knew one thing that Ashley had nothing to do with it. Even though he might not have known her for long, he trusted her.He slumped in a chair and rested his head on the back of it. He closed his eyes and a smile crept over his bow-shaped lips when her flustered face flashed behind his close-lidded eyeDaniel was too deep in haze to have caught on to Ashley's questioning tone. Driven by insecurities and a throbbing cock, he continued rolling his hot tongue over her delectable skin. His assault didn't stop even when Ashey turned around to face him. She was still locked between Daniel and the counter. By the look of things, Daniel wasn't in his senses to let go of her just now. He was growing hard and impatient with every second. Ashley wanted to talk to him but Daniel wanted to communicate through his body. He latched his hungry lips onto the crook of her neck to get a taste of her as soon as she swerved. His hands flew to grab her waist to pull her more into him. There wasn't an inch of gap between them. His restless arousal pressed against her stomach sent tingles down her spine."Stop it," Ashley protested and tried to push his chest away.He didn't. Just a few words were not going to get to him. He had waited for her for months. For this, the moment he laid his eyes o
"She thinks it's just a phase," Daniel chuckled. Pain shining through his glassy eyes.Steve remained silent, observing Daniel. This was the new side of Daniel that he was witnessing. He had never seen him this broken. This dejected.He knew something was wrong the moment he laid eyes on Daniel this morning. The bags underneath his bloodshot eyes, dispirited outlook, and ruffled hair told him that he haven't had a wink of sleep last night and he figured why, when Daniel told him about the conversation he had with Ashley last night. His ruthless friend was drowned deep in love.Rejection kept him awake the whole night. The whole night her words kept themselves playing in his head. The whole night he felt a crushing weight sitting on his heart. When the pain of rejection became unbearable, he resorted to alcohol to ease his agony. He took large swigs of the drink to chase away memories of their last encounter. He intoxicated his brain so that her words would stop making
Daniel turned towards her, confused. But soon realized what she meant when he followed her line of gaze. Her eyes were on the scratches she had given her. Daniel couldn't help but smile. After smashing his heart, crashing his hopes, and hurting his feelings, all she felt guilty about was a few scratches on his arm."Don't be. They don't hurt much," Daniel turned his eyes back on the road. Ashley detected the expected accusation underlying his tone. She knew he was upset with her. He may not express it openly but his body language said it all. His stern expression was a dead giveaway.No one said anything throughout the ride.Daniel, without saying any word retired to his room after they reached home leaving Ashley all alone in the hall. She didn't know why but she felt abandoned and left behind by his action. She wasn't used to of him ignoring her much less giving her the cold shoulder. But wasn't it what expected of him? Wasn't it what she wanted him to do? To keep a
Daniel was looking down at her with a stern expression. But Ashley was too consumed by her fear to notice that. She hid her head in his chest to get the old familiar sense of safety.Ashley even failed to notice another standing beside Daniel."You okay?" Daniel's gruff voice reached her. She nodded against his chest. She heard his heartbeat. His heart was beating widely just like hers.Daniel pushed her apart from him to examine her face. Ashley's breath hitched for the second time that day when she stared into his eyes. His green orbs resembled death. Ashley shuddered when she took in his countenance. Cold eyes burning with rage, jaw set, muscles tensed, heavy breathing, and body shaking.He shifted his murderous gaze from her to the man standing behind her.Without saying a word, Daniel walked past her, stomping towards the man responsible for her current condition. Leo was standing in the middle of the alley, befuddled and tensed.He saw Daniel appr
Daniel disappeared after that incident.Giselle and Steve drove her to the mansion. Ashley didn't tell them about the incident. She didn't want to hurt Giselle nor did she have the energy to keep up a long conversation with anyone. She was still stuck at that moment. The moment when he told her that he broke her again. The moment he bared all his pain to her.She was numb from the inside and lost on the outside. She broke the man who gave her a second chance in life. Helped her create a new life for her. She broke her creator. But it wasn't only guilt that was gnawing at her insides. She was guilty, no doubt, but along with that, she was scared too.His last words had thrown her in a whirlwind of doubts. Has he gotten fed up with her? Is he going to give up on her now? Is he going to walk away?That night she cried herself to sleep. She didn't wait for him as she knew he wouldn't come. He had stopped coming home, coming to her a long time ago.After all, she
The sky boomed thunderously when their lips met. Lightening pierced through that grey-painted heaven, exposing two mortal souls entangled with each other to whoever residing up above. Rain began to hum its melody with new fervor to celebrate their union.Two starved souls feasting on each other's touch. Ashley slid her hands up his collar and grabbed on his soft wet locks while pushing her delicate lips more into his chaffed dry ones, leaving no gap between them. He reeked of alcohol but she didn't feel repulsed in the slightest. If anything, she felt more aroused.Daniel stood frozen. Blown by her sudden advances. Ashley parted her mouth and tugged on his lower lip. Biting on it whereas her fingers gently pulled on his hair, urging him to take the lead.Flames of Passion licked through Daniel when she swiped her slick tongue along the seam of his sealed lips, demanding entrance into his mouth. Lust flowed through him like Lava and he draped his arm around her waist t
Her eyes flitted open and the first thing she noticed was a giant glass wall showcasing a blue bird perching and cooing on a tree. A smile kissed her lips when she felt a weight around her waist. Her cheeks flamed red as the memories of last night came rushing back. Her body was aching from all the sweet torture he put her through last night. The soreness between her legs was an example enough of his manliness. Her blush deepened when she remembered the possessive glint his eye held while taking her ferociously.All this pain was giving her pleasure. Because she knew the intention behind it was pure, sacred, and passionate.She had never felt this wanted before. This cherished. This craved. She gathered all her strength and rolled over to get a good look at the man who made her feel so special last night.She couldn't hide her surprise when she saw two green orbs intently staring at her. He was already awake."good morning," she blurted to break his trance. But h
The pair hadn't known that nights could be so liberating and mornings could be so consuming. They were free but they were bound too. Ashley had captivated every bit of his soul and every piece of his thoughts. And Daniel had reinvigorated her soul back to life.Daniel left for the office shortly after their heated love-making session as he had to attend a meeting with his international client in less than an hour. Because of his impending meeting, they couldn't discuss anything. Ashley made him a quick breakfast and made sure he was fed properly before he steps out of the house. It was after a long time he had such a delicious breakfast that didn't only sate his hunger but pleased his heart too. Although his hunger for food was sated her caring nature had reignited another kind of hunger in him. The man didn't forget to pull her in for a long deep kiss before leaving her side. He left his imprint on her lips and took with him the feel of her touch.He was not able to think
Daniel gave her a heart-melting smile while approaching his chair that she returned with her own.He sat down and fixed his eyes on her. He liked watching her. Every movement of her. Her every expression. He was a goner and he knew that.Ashley felt uncomfortable under his scrutiny but she didn't object. Whereas a part of her wanted him to take his eyes off her the other part liked the way he was looking at her. Passionately.She sat next to him after serving him his plate. The smile was still pasted on Daniel's lips. He wasn't looking like his usual self that is stiff and untouched. He looked adorable and so cute."You can start," Ashley spoke to break his gaze on her. He blinked and lowered his gaze to his plate."It looks delicious," he beamed at her before picking up his spoon and scarfing down the food.That's it. That expression was what she was talking about. Him beaming like a child at the sight of his favorite food. That was her reward that she cherished m
Daniel flipped the sign to close as soon as the last customer walked out of the cafe. He sneaked into the kitchen where his wife and the owner o the bakery was working. There was no one on the premises except for the two. Daniel had already given earlier leave to the other staff members.His heart suffused with immense love when he saw her drowned in her work. He stalked over to her with quiet steps and wrapped his arms around her waist. He grunted and rested his chin on her shoulder while smooching the length of her neck, causing a radiating smile to chase across her lips."May I ask you what you doing, Mr. Smith?" she closed her eyes and tilted her head to allow him more access"Loving my wife. You gotta problem with that, Mrs. Smith?" he mumbled between kisses.The temperature dropped drastically in the room when his hand started stroking the sides of her body. His movement became urgent so did his kisses."Someone will see," she arched her back and close
FOURTEEN MONTHS LATERAshley's POVA lot of things have changed in the last fourteen months. I have my own bakery shop now which, by the way, is doing great. I also bought a house for my Mom.But if you ask me whether I have changed or not then I would say no. I haven't changed. He didn't want me to change but, yeah, I have surely become a better version of myself just like he wanted me to. I am still the same old Ashley but with a lot more confidence, faith in myself, and a new perspective on life. I am not afraid of my past anymore. I have learned to own my past and embrace it as an experience. An experience that taught me, toughened me up, and most importantly gave me a chance to meet him. Yup, I am all about him now.You know, Initially, I was mad at him for sending me away. But as time ticked by, I realized he was right. He was always right. I needed to spend some time with myself. I needed to discover my true self and then work on my shortcomings. I needed
Daniel cradled her face. His thumb wiping her tears away. "Baby..I want you to give yourself some time. You are..."Ashley grabbed his lapel and pulled him down. "No...I only need you. Please...Daniel..please....Don't do this to me. Don't push me away. I know you are mad at me... I....I am sorry, Daniel. Beat me if you want to..slap me..hit me (she takes his hands and starts slapping herself but Daniel retracts immediately) Ashley cupped his pain-etched face. "But please, baby, don't..don't push me away..I love you, Daniel..," she pleaded and attached her lips with his. She kissed him passionately, hoping that would change his mind. Tears streamed down her eyes.Daniel pulled away and rested his forehead against hers as his eyes too started to water down, "I love you too. So much that it hurts, Ashley" he squeezes his eyes shut but then opens them again and meets her desperate gaze."And I am not pushing you away, angel...I can never push you away...Do you understand?
Ashley glanced over to the goon with pleading eyes. She couldn't believe this was happening. The goon strapped her to the bed and stormed out of the room.Mr. Watson placed the gun on the table and went to lock the door once again."You are a brat, Ashley. You shouldn't have done that. You shouldn't have hit me. Your master," he spits menacingly while taking threatening steps towards her. Ashley cowered away in fear. Squeezing herself into the headrest. Her dress rode up her thigh, exposing her panty. But she didn't pay no mind to it.Mr. Watson tangled his fingers into her hair and pulled at them with full force. Ashley shrieked in pain but there was no one who could listen to her."Scream bitch. Scream louder. No one is going to hear you. Not tonight not ever," his palm smacked hard against her cheek, leaving the imprint of his palm.Her head spun by the impact as her face fell down to one side. He pulled her hair with more force making her head tilt up. T
"You are sick," she stated, realizing that the old man was indeed a psycho. Horror and understanding were written all over her face.Mr. Watson chuckled as if she has cracked some joke. He walked behind her and tightly clutched at the edge of her chair."Guess what. This sick man is going to decide your fate," he whispered in her ears. The back of his hand caressing her wet cheek. Her heart was thudding frighteningly against her chest.Ashley jerked away from his touch. " You can't do this to me. I am like your daughter," she bit out.Mr. Watson laughed at her words and paced across the room. His footsteps sounding off the walls. Blake was sitting like a statue in her chair. listening to everything, seeing everything but too helpless to do anything."Daughter? You are my slave, Ashley. My personal slave," the maliciousness in his voice rattled the strings of her heart. He resembled a maniac. A lunatic. How couldn't she see his true self?"But don't worr
Her eyes flickered onto the woman sitting in the wheelchair, catching a lone tear trailing down her cheek. Blake was listening to their conversation."My mother died in a car accident," she affirmed without blinking away from Blakely. Her eyes scanned her for any similarity but except their eye color, there was nothing common between them."Is that what they told you? No wonder. Well, it's a half-truth sweetheart. Your parents did meet a car accident but Blakely survived and your pathetic father died," he said casually.Anger fired up through her veins as she jolted the ropes that were restraining her."Don't you dare talk about my parents like this," she warned him in a cold tone."No?" he questioned mockingly. And then started laughing."Ohh Blake you've got a lovely daughter," Mr. Watson spoke to Blake gently caressing her cheek.Ashley had no idea how to react. But she didn't like the way he was treating Blake." Why am I here?" she gritte
She was hovering on the edge of unconsciousness when approaching firm footsteps caught her attention. Her ears perked up at the sound of the opening of the door and the footsteps became louder."Oh...There you are.......Sugar" a manly voice greeted her, causing her breath to hitch. A chill coursed through her body as the hair on her nape pricked up in response. His voice resonated: a freezing wind in a cold night. So unfriendly and so threatening. She had heard this voice. She knew it in her guts. But where? Her chain of thoughts was severed when he heard him approaching her. Step by step. Ashley whimpered in fear as a drop of warm tear trickled down her cheek.Her body grew stiff when she felt his finger pad wiping her tear.And then he tsked."Poor Ashley. Life has always played hide and seek with you. Isn't it?" he mocked her. And then she felt him going behind her back."Wanna know who I am?" he whispered in her ear from behind. Ashley breathed in his cologne and
Daniel spent the whole night at his office. Drowned in the darkness and shrouded with an eerie silence. This is strange, how one starts to see things more clearly in the dark. He saw it too. He saw how one truth turned his life upside down. He knew he was doing wrong when he signed those papers. Even though it was the right thing to do. He was hurt but not angry. The man still hadn't forgiven himself for that, then how could he expect Ashley to forgive him. But still, he couldn't help himself but feel hurt by Ashley's words. This must have been really tough for her.He knew Ashley had trust issues after what she went through with Michael. Her ex-husband, who pretended to love her until he got his fill of her body. It must have been really challenging for her to start trusting Daniel. But despite it all, she had started to trust him and the man had given her all the reasons.He didn't blame Ashley for how she reacted. It was natural for her to go frenzy after learning that