Page 193 of Forgotten Prejudice

“Yes.”

“What about your job?”

“Well.” I cleared my sore throat. “Due to recent developments, I’ve decided that I’ve learned enough from Daniel and that it’s time to take over my grandfather’s company, which happens to be located in LA.” I also knew that when Daniel found out about me asking Dion to send his men to beat up that despicable piece of shit Jones, he’d fire me regardless. However, it was all one big excuse, as the sole reason for my staying was looking back at me with eyes I’d grown addicted to.

“But don’t worry. I don’t expect you to take me back just because of that. I told this to you simply because I didn’t want you to hear about it from someone else…”

Ashton tilted his head while studying me with pursed lips. “So you don’t want me to take you back?”

“That’s not what I’m saying.” I rubbed my hands together, my palms growing sweaty. “Of course I want you back, Ashton. That’s basically what I’ve wanted since the day I made you leave, but—”

“But?” he asked, waiting for me to go on.

“He’ll need you.”

Just like in the past, Kai had relapsed, meaning it was Ashton’s duty to care for him.

“You’re right,” he answered almost immediately, and my heart sank to my stomach. But then, he reached forward and took off my glasses only to put them away before grabbing my hand. “But you need me, too. And quite frankly, I need you, Soren.”

His confession left me out of words, and I struggled to make so much as a sound. My whole body warmed in seconds, making me realize how incomplete I was without him.

“But why?” I frowned at his beautiful, young face. “Why would you need someone like me?” Tangling our fingers together, I allowed my cold skin to get warmed by his touch. “I first came here thinking you’d need me, but seeing all the people waiting for you outside, I realized I wasn’t needed anymore. It made me reflect on the time we’d been together, and that filled me with shame.” It was hard to speak, yet I went on. “You were always so bright and warm while I was nothing but a cold, lonely man who found solace in your insecurities. I lived on it, isolated you from everyone for my own selfish needs. So when you finally left, it made sense, as birds never stay where it’s cold, and so, they search for their summer someplace else.”

I hoped he’d make it easy for us both and ask me to leave, but instead, he only held my hand tighter. “Summer comes in many forms, Soren. It can be hot and dry but also composed and beautiful, with blooming flowers and tweeting birds. The summer in Alaska is not the same as the one in Greece, and that’s okay.” He held my gaze, his lips curving up. “I’m not looking for sunshine and rainbows but for the man whose cold touch I became addicted to. I love it, always have, and nothing you say will change that.”

Overwhelmed with emotions I’d never thought I’d feel, I slipped my hand from his touch and brought it to my face, hopelessly trying to hide the tears in my eyes. I wasn’t sure if this was happiness because it felt more like relief. Relief from being free of the shadows that were forever chasing me.

“Hey, come here,” Ashton said, his voice so soft and loving, unfolding the bundle of nerves that knotted in my stomach.

Somehow, I managed to make my body move, and I sat on his bed.

He put his good hand on my waist. “We’re going to have a lot to work on.” He rubbed my thigh, and I nodded.

“I know.”

“And there are things you’ll need to learn to adjust to because, like you said, I’ve matured and grown, and my life has changed.”

I frowned at him. “A-Are you talking about the boys? Because if so, I don’t care. They’re all great, and Andrei and I are already getting along.”

He chuckled, then pressed his head to my body. “I’m talking about a whole lot of things, but we can do one at a time.”

That sounds fair enough.

“Okay,” I whispered, then put my hand on the back of his head. His hair was so soft and fuzzy, and touching it gave me such simple pleasure.

“I love you, Soren.” He looked up to meet my tearing eyes. “Truth is, I never really stopped.”

My lips quivered, and I knew I looked like a pitiful mess, yet I couldn’t care less; I was too damn happy. “I love you, too, little Sparrow, more than I could ever put into words.”

He smirked. “That’s new, a lawyer without words?”

“Little brat.”

He joked, and I seized the moment to lean down until my lips were an inch from his. “Back on the beach, when I was afraid you’d leave me, I made many promises. One of them was that if you lived, I’d kiss you a million times more.” I whispered the words over his lips, already hungry to taste them.

Ashton’s eyes darted to my mouth and up to my eyes, and he licked those perfect lips of his.

“So you better start counting.”