The dinner conversation had been a little too high brow for me, and I’d struggled not to show my boredom. It was nice though, being included in Anna’s family. And it wasn’t even Anna that had requested my presence; it was her father that had asked for me to attend with his daughter. After the ‘hands on ass plastered all over the tabloids’ mistake of our vacation, I had been worried that he would have had a problem with me, or told me to keep my mind on the job, but it hadn’t even been mentioned at all.
After two Sloppy Joes, I was finally satiated, but it was now almost midnight. “I should really go and let you get some sleep, we have an early morning call tomorrow,” I begrudgingly said, pushing myself off her sofa and wiping my hands on a napkin.
She frowned, and her eyes flicked to the door. Just like when we’d attended her father’s birthday party, I’d been booked a room that was three floors down with the other agents, and the Spencer family and other close-knit members of her father’s cabinet had this floor booked out to themselves.
“I don’t want you to go,” she whispered, pouting.
“I could stay if you want, but I’m not sure how we’d explain it to anyone that asks why I spent the night in your room,” I shrugged. I didn’t want to leave either, especially not after everything that she’d been through. No doubt she would be suffering tonight.
She stood. “Stay then. I don’t care what anyone else thinks about it. I don’t want to be on my own, not tonight.” She took my hand and nodded back towards the four poster bed behind us in the large room. My heart leapt in my chest because she clearly didn’t care about the subsequent rumours it would generate. When we got to the bedroom part of her suite, she picked up her pyjamas from the bed and smiled at me tentatively before silently turning and waltzing into the bathroom.
Watching the door for her return, I slipped out of my clothes, laying my gun and holster on the bedside unit before climbing into her bed. She came out a few moments later, dressed in a killer red silk negligée that made every male part of me wake up and jump for joy.
A small smile graced her lips as she slid into the bed next to me and scooted up close to my side. As I wrapped my arms around her, I sighed contentedly. She felt so incredibly right in my arms. Every inch of her silk-covered body pressed against me as she just looked up into my eyes. The way she gazed at me made me feel like the most important man in the world. It was almost as if I was the only thing that she could see, and, in that moment, I knew we were meant to be together forever.
Her hand tangled into the back of my hair as the weightless feeling consumed me. “Ashton, can I talk to you about something?” she asked quietly. I nodded. She took a deep breath before she spoke. “It’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately, and because you asked me to open up to you more, I figured that maybe I should talk to you about it.”
I smiled encouragingly and reached out, brushing my fingers across her cheek. “You can talk to me about anything.”
Her eyes fluttered closed as she dipped her head and pressed her face into the side of my neck. “Carter’s trial starts in just over three weeks,” she mumbled against my skin.
Anger boiled inside me, the same as it always did when I thought of him. “Yeah,” I managed to force out.
“I know the lawyer guy said that I probably won’t get called to give evidence again, but I was wondering,” she gulped, “if I do have to go to court, would you come with me? Maybe you could sit somewhere where I can see you?”
I bent my head and kissed her hair. It actually hurt a little that she felt she needed to ask. “Of course I will.”
Her small body relaxed against mine as she pulled her head back and smiled up at me gratefully. “Yeah? Thanks. I think that’ll really help me if I can see you.”
Her comment made me feel a hundred feet tall. “Whatever you need, Baby Girl. Though I’m pretty sure you won’t get called.”
She nodded in agreement. In her eyes, I could see the love burning and swirling as she stroked the back of my neck with one finger. I desperately wanted to lean in and kiss her, but I forced myself to remain still. After a few minutes she moved forward and snuggled into my neck again. Her leg tangled in with mine the way it always did when she wanted to go to sleep, so I knew the conversation was over. The next three weeks before the trial were obviously going to be a distressing time for her, but hopefully she’d allow me to help her in any way I could and not close herself off from me like she did everyone else.
Her father’s inauguration ceremony went exactly to plan. Anna, her mother, and I had stood on the sidelines, watching as he’d stood in front of the White House and had been sworn into office, taking the pledge and promising to serve his country.
Security had been immense. Police on motorbikes lined the streets, secret service were out in abundance too, issuing commands and checks through their ear pieces. I’d never seen so many guns all in one place.
Cameras buzzed and flashed everywhere, people stood and watched, soldiers lined up to salute and show their respect to their new commander and chief. The whole thing had been mind-blowing, and although I’d seen previous Presidents sworn into office on the TV, it was different being part of it and actually knowing the man that was going to lead his country for the next four years. An immense pride had swelled inside me as he’d been bestowed the title. Anna’s hand had tightened in mine as she watched with wide eyes and an even wider smile. She looked so proud of him that she was practically bouncing on the spot. Melissa was even worse and had a hankie at the ready, dabbing under her eyes as she cried happy tears.
As he’d stood at the podium and given his speech, people had listened, enraptured, and transfixed with every word. He certainly had the heart of the nation behind him and, to me, it was a momentous occasion, just to say that I was there the day that President Spencer was sworn into office.
Then there was the parade where people cheered as we all walked behind her parents. Afterwards, we’d all been led into the White House and given a tour of the private residence. Anna, being given her choice of bedrooms for when she stayed here in the school holidays, chose a blue room that overlooked the grounds at the back. The whole time we’d wandered around, my heart had been in my throat because of the sheer luxury and intricacy of the building.
After spending a few hours with Anna, getting lost within the corridors, secret passages and large expansive rooms, we’d finally had to leave to catch our flight back to Arizona, leaving her parents to go through the motions of the rest of the ceremonies and galas that were scheduled over the whole week. The Spencers’ goodbye had been a teary one, especially on Melissa’s part who hadn’t managed to contain her emotions all day long.
By the time we arrived back at our apartment, we were both exhausted and fell into bed without even unpacking our bags.
Chapter Fourteen
The next three weeks before Carter’s trial seemed to pass in a blur. Thankfully, and quite rightly, the press were now more interested in President Spencer than they were me and Anna – though the gossip magazines still chose to feature us both on a regular basis.
Security had tightened around Anna now that the trial was so close. I’d already pulled Dean and Peter in closer as a precaution.
Anna herself had changed slightly in the last couple of weeks. As the trial drew nearer, she became a little flaky and kept going off into her own little world, often completely oblivious to everything around her. Her school work was suffering, deadlines were being missed, but luckily her professors were already going easy on her because of who her father was. For the last two days, Anna had barely eaten anything, barely spoken, and I’d almost forgotten what her smile looked like. But, true to her word, she hadn’t shut me out. We’d spoken numerous times about the trial and what would happen. Although she’d been quieter, and was clearly suffering inside, she hadn’t had the breakdown yet that I was sure would come. I’d been keeping a close eye on her, even to the point of checking her arms while she slept to make sure
that she’d not been hurting herself, but thankfully, she hadn’t.
The day before the trial was due to start, the prosecution lawyer paid us another visit, again reassuring her that she shouldn’t be called into court. He’d predicted that the retrial would last no longer than a week and then it would all be over. She’d just nodded politely the whole time, holding my hand in a vice-like grip that almost cut off the circulation in my fingers.
That night, we finally went to bed. That seemed to be where most of her talking was done. It was almost as if she waited for the lights to go off or something. I figured it was easier for her to talk about it when no one was looking at her.
As she scooted over to me and set her head on my chest, I wrapped my arms around her tightly. “Are you okay, Baby Girl?” I asked quietly.
“Yeah, I’m good,” she whispered.
Frowning into the darkness, I rolled to the side and tangled one hand into the back of her hair, holding her securely against me. “Everything’s going to be fine tomorrow,” I assured her, dipping my head and kissing her cheek softly. That did it, the floodgates finally opened and she burst into tears.
I stroked her hair, knowing that there was nothing I could say or do to make her feel better as she sobbed uncontrollably onto my chest. Her whole body hitched and shook as her tears pooled on my skin and her breathing came out in ragged gasps. Her fingers dug into my back, clutching me closer to her as she cried her heart out.
After almost an hour of heart breaking sobs, she finally drifted off to sleep in my arms. I already knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep well tonight. Anger simmered inside me as all I could think about was the photos that I’d seen in her file. The bruises and broken bones that had been documented on the day that she’d been rescued flashed before my eyes. I felt sick. I rolled onto my back, keeping one arm around her, and then I just lay there, staring at the ceiling for a couple of hours before I fell into a restless sleep.
I woke early in the morning. It was only just after six. Anna was stretched out across my chest, still sound asleep. It made a change for her to be lying on me instead of the other way around. I trailed my fingers up and down her back, enjoying her closeness. This week was going to kill me. Seeing her upset like that every day was going to be pain like I’d never experienced. I lay there, watching her for another hour until she stirred, scooting closer to me and making a little sleepy groaning sound as she kissed my chest softly. When she tilted her head up, I saw that her eyes were a little bloodshot and slightly puffy from crying for so long.
I reached out and brushed her hair from her face. “Morning, Baby Girl,” I greeted, smiling sadly.
Her eyes flicked away from me as a subtle blush crept over her face. “I’m sorry I cried all over you last night, Ashton. I’m so pathetic.” She ground her teeth and frowned as she absentmindedly traced my belly button with one finger.
I closed my eyes and shook my head at her. She truly was absurd sometimes. “You’re not pathetic, and I don’t care if you cry all over me, Anna. I want to be here for you,” I promised.
She hugged me fiercely and made a strangled sound in the back of her throat. “You know, I’m going to miss you so much when you leave.” Her voice was husky and full of emotion.
I frowned at her statement. “Leave? Where am I going?” I didn’t have any planned trips or anything.
She smiled sadly. “When you leave, when your assignments done. You’re only guarding me until after the trial is finished,” she explained, rolling off me and lying close to my side.
That was true. My assignment was due to finish just a couple of weeks after Carter’s trial ended, which potentially meant that I could have a new job in just three short weeks’ time. I smiled sheepishly because I didn’t intend for that to happen and had planned on speaking to her about it. It looked like now was going to be that time, seeing as she brought it up first. “I wanted to talk to you about that, actually,” I admitted.
“Yeah?” she chewed on her lip as if she was trying to hold herself together.
I nodded, swallowing my nerves, knowing that the time had come for me to finally admit my feelings for her. “Yeah. I was thinking, once I’m not your guard anymore, I could request an assignment near your school.” I watched her face to see what she truly thought.
A confused frown lined her forehead as she looked up at me. “Here? Why?”
I chuckled awkwardly because she just had no idea of the power that she had over me. Now I just had to suck it up and bite the bullet. It was now time for me to tell her that I loved her and pray that she didn’t freak out.
“Well, I want to stay here with you. I was wondering if I get an assignment here, maybe we could still live together?” I suggested hopefully.
She gasped and shook her head, looking extremely angry. I winced immediately, scolding myself. She obviously wasn’t ready for me to be getting this heavy with her. I should have waited another couple of weeks.
“I’m not some charity case, Ashton! God, you need to chill out, for goodness’ sake! Other agents can look after me, you know,” she cried angrily as she pushed herself up, about to get out of bed. I groaned. Again, she thinks I’m only interested in her safety. Why can’t she see that I’m head over heels for her? I grabbed her hand before she could get out of the bed. “Get off, Ashton! Seriously, I’m really annoyed with you. You think other people can’t look after me so you have to stay here and babysit me, even when it’s not your job anymore?” she spat, struggling to pull her hand from my tight grip.
I tugged on her hand, making her fall down onto the bed beside me before I rolled so that I was half hovering over her. “Anna, calm down! Jeez, let me explain, will you?” I pleaded desperately. She sighed and a muscle in her jaw twitched angrily as she narrowed her eyes but stopped struggling. Nerves were making me feel sick. “I’m not worried about your safety, well actually that’s not true, I’ll always be worried about your safety. But that’s not the reason I want to stay here.” I begged her with my eyes to hear me out before she had whatever panic attack she was going to have. One of her eyebrows rose in prompt, clearly not believing a word of what I was saying. I took a deep breath. Please God, please don’t let her freak out. “I want to stay here with you, I… I…” I stuttered. Wow, the words are hard to say when you didn’t know how they’re going to be received.
“What? Just spit it out!” she snapped angrily.
I fought a smile. I loved it when she was feisty. “I love you, Anna.” The anger faded from her face to be replaced by shock. Her mouth dropped open, and her eyes widened as she looked at me. I nodded and smiled, watching it slowly sink in. “I’ve fallen so in love with you that it’s unreal. Honestly, I want to stay here with you because I love you more than anything in the world,” I explained, biting on the inside of my cheek, waiting for her to react.
It felt like an enormous weight had been lifted off my shoulders now that she finally knew how I felt. She was just staring at me like I had grown a second head, so I let go of her hands and pushed myself off her, sitting up on the bed next to her, feeling the panic brew inside me because her silence started to become deafening.
~ Anna ~
Stunned into silence was probably the phrase that would best describe me in that second. I had no words. Had he seriously just told me that he loved me? Me, messed up, damaged, broken Annabelle Spencer? Someone like Ashton couldn’t love me, could he? What on earth would he even see in me? Ashton was a player; he didn’t love girls… did he? My heart constricted. I wanted so badly for that to be true. I’d dreamt of him saying those words to me hundreds of times. Never, in any of my dreams, had they sounded so sweet.
He pushed himself up off me as he stared down at me, seeming to be gauging my reaction. His emerald green eyes were searching my face. They shone with tenderness and passion, and the sight of it made my heart ache. Could it be? Could someone as sweet, adorable, smart and funny, really want me?
My body seemed to belong to someone else, my limbs
were not responding as I struggled to take in and believe his confession. It took a great deal of effort for me to push myself up to sitting too. His face was merely inches away from mine as his eyes narrowed, silently begging me to speak.
“You love me?” I whispered disbelievingly.
He nodded. “Yeah, I love you,” he confirmed. That was when I saw it in his eyes, the truth, the depth of his feelings, the devotion. Suddenly it all made sense, his actions, his attentiveness, his affection. He wanted me. A sad smile twitched at the corner of his full lips. “It’s okay; I know you’re scared to let me in, Anna. After what happened with Jack, I know you need time before you can make yourself vulnerable again. I’ll wait for you, as long as it takes,” he whispered, looking at me fiercely.
My heart melted into a puddle in my chest. My muscles seemed to unfreeze, so I bent forward and pressed my lips to his, knowing that nothing I could say would explain it better than that. He didn’t kiss me back though; he just stayed still as if shocked. When I pulled back, I looked up into his eyes, and I saw my whole future there.
“I love you too, Ashton,” I whispered. Air rushed out of his lungs, blowing across my face in one large burst. His eyes widened in shock as his whole body stiffened. “I’ve known it for a while but I didn’t really know how to deal with it, and I didn’t want to tell you because I didn’t think that you felt the same.”
He groaned, leaning forward and pressing his forehead against mine. “Really?”
I laughed nervously and nodded. “Yeah.”
His hands cupped around my face as he tilted my head slightly. His eyes met mine. “Let’s try this again then, huh?” he whispered. His lips brushed mine when he spoke and my skin prickled with excitement. “I love you,” he repeated, grinning.