Page 20 of Ash
ChapterSeventeen
Lainey
I woke up alone, wrapped up alone in a cocoon of warmth and the sweet smokey cinnamon smell of Ash’s skin. For a second I could do nothing but lay there and revel in it all. The memories of the night before assaulted every sense I had.
My body ached but there was no pain. It was a good kind of ache. The kind that came fast on the heels of several amazing orgasms. And they had been amazing. Ash was a skilled lover, attentive and thorough.
It felt like I was floating on a cloud. I was still so relaxed. Not even the niggling pain in my shoulder could take away from it. Because hell, Ash was…
He was amazing.
The sound of shuffling outside filtered into my still sleepy brain. And fully blinking open my eyes I sat upright. The tent was empty which meant it was Ash outside. My heart settled back down to a more normal pace. Not that I thought for a second. That anything could get to me whilst he was around. Ash made me feel protected and, as much as I hated to admit it, loved.
He made me feel like I could love myself as well.
He was just that kind of guy.
Scrambling up I donned the clothes I had so wantonly discarded the night before shivering in the frigid morning air. My own ruined clothes would not be dry and I had nothing but his giant tee and socks to cover myself with. None of which were any kind of protection from the elements.
Wrapping the sleeping bag around me, I ducked out of the tent and into the morning light.
The sun was shining down from a crystal blue sky, and it made the snow that covered everything glow. I whistled low at the sight that met my eyes.
When Ash had rescued me it had been snowing but it must have really started to come down when we were otherwise engaged and I hadn't noticed because my mind was occupied.
Ash was a little way away. His shoulders were hunched and his booted feet, scraping back and forth over the snow.
I frowned. “What are you doing?”
He didn't stop. “I thought I heard you wake up.” Glancing over his shoulder he grinned at my frowning face but he didn't answer my question. And I ignored the utter absurdity of him “Hearing me wake up”
“Ash?” My eyes narrowed. As his booted foot moved again.
“Just stretching my legs.” He turned to me fully, and his smile was beautiful as he came trudging towards me. Bending his head, he brushed his lips against mine. “Good morning beautiful, I hope I didn't wake you.” Curling his arm around my shoulders he tried to lead me back into the tent. I remained rigid where I was, which was no easy feat because Ash was strong.
“Come inside Lainey, before you catch your death.” Catching me tight into his side, he seemed oblivious to my sudden shift in mood. “I'm hoping I can get you down today. It should be possible although I’ll admit, I kind of like you all to myself up here”
Ignoring his flirty talk, I turned to him with a scowl. “But we aren't alone, are we? Something was up here with us last night wasn't it?”
His smile slipped and then disappeared totally as I scowled up at him. “It's just a fox.”
I pulled myself out of his arms completely. He was lying to me. I had known I'd heard something last night. Since my kidnapping, my senses had been on high alert.
Just like I had seen the giant paw prints in the pristine snow before he had wiped his boot over them.
“It wasn't a fox,” I said deadpan. “It was much bigger than a fox.”
“Lainey, come inside. I'll get you to safety and then I'll explain.” Ash pulled me into his arms. “You're freezing out here, please come inside my love.”
“I’ll come inside when you stop lying to me. Something is on this mountain and you know what it is”
His arms dropped to his side. “There's nothing up here that can hurt you, Lainey, I promise you that.”
His use of words was not lost on me. Nothing on this mountain that could hurt me, not that there wasn't anything on this mountain.
“You're lying to me and I want to know why.” My lips thinned. “I'm not moving off this mountain until I know the truth, Ash.”
I crossed my arms over my chest.
