Page 123 of Fated
Iclutched the blanket around me and turned on my side to face him. He took my hand in his, his thumb tracing soft reassuring circles over my skin.
“You’re nervous,” he said, his thumb now brushing over my knuckles.
“Yes,” I admitted, my voice fracturing slightly. “Not about you or my choice—I’m just afraid … I’ll disappoint you.”
Ash gave me a look of disbelief. “How could you possibly do that?”
I halfheartedly laughed, nerves bubbling up to the surface. “Ash, you’re … well, you’re you. You’re sexy and gorgeous. You command an entire kingdom with such ease. You’re a little … intimidating.” I bit down on my lip. “You’ve probably been with hundreds of drop-dead gorgeous women who knew exactly what they were doing, and I—I don’t know.”
My chest tightened. “I’ve struggled with my self--esteem my entire life, and my mom, she used to remind me every single day to believe in myself, and now that it’s just been me …”
I shrugged, blinking back tears.
“Areya,” he said firmly, making me meet his gaze. “I love you.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “I love you too, Ash.”
He cupped my face. “I don’t care if we do nothing but talk and hold each other like we have so many nights before. You’re my best friend, and while, yes, I want to claim every part of you and make it clear just how sexy I think you are …”
I swallowed hard.
“All I really want is to be with you.” His fingers stroked my cheek.
“I haven’t been with hundreds of women, and never with someone I truly cared about.” He paused. “One day, you’ll see yourself the way I do. Everything I once found beautiful in the world pales compared to the sight of you. And I don’t just mean how gorgeous you are.”
He tapped a finger against my chest, right above where my heart was thrumming furiously. “I fell in love with the beautiful soul inside here.”
His voice wavered as he continued. “I would do anything to bring your mom back to you, but since I can’t do that, I’ll make sure I’m here to remind you to believe in yourself every damn day until you believe it.” He gave my hand a firm squeeze. “And you are not alone, Areya. It’s you and me together, always.”
I wiped away the tears that had silently slipped down my cheeks.
“It kills me you think I’m somehow better than you,” Ash admitted. “I’m nothing more than a foolish boy turned king after killing my father. But you, you’ve been through hell, and still, you’ve stayed kind, good, and somehow still able to see the magic in this shitty world. You’re a light, a beacon.Mybeacon.” His eyes turned glassy as he continued. “Being with you, hearing you laugh, watching you smile, nothing brings me more joy. You have my heart and soul, Areya. Everything I am is yours.” He wiped his eyes, a chuckle escaping him. “And now you’ve got me fucking crying.”
I laughed, and he laughed with me. Everything instantly felt raw, beautiful, and overflowing with love—the moment impossibly perfect.
A quiet minute passed as Ash stroked my face, his eyes locked on mine.
“Earlier today on the yacht, I practically had to pry you off me, and now tonight, you’re hiding from me. What’s changed?”
A fierce blush came over me. “What’s changed is that I saw thousands of people kneel before you today, Ash.”
“And yetIwillingly kneel beforeyou,” he murmured, his words sending a swarm of butterflies through my stomach. The weight of the crown suddenly bore down on my head. I reached up, carefully lifting it off and setting it aside on the bedside table.
“Can it just be us right now? No kings, no queens—just Ash and Areya?”
His smile was warm, filled with affection. “I love just Ash and Areya.”
I let go of the thoughts of crowns and kingdoms, focusing entirely on him. Ash was more than titles or power; he was my best friend, the man who knew me better than anyone else. We were fated, bound by something far greater than those things.
He loved me, and I loved him. In the end, this was all that truly mattered.
With that thought came a surge of boldness. I sat up, letting the blanket slip off my shoulders and fall behind me. I pushed Ash onto the bed just as I’d done earlier today and straddled him.
His eyes sparkled with amusement as he looked up at me.
“There you are, Areya,” he murmured, his hand grazing my cheek just before my lips crashed into his. His hands shot to my waist the same way they had on the yacht, gripping me possessively, but this time, there was no restraint between us. I poured everything into that kiss—my heart, my need, my desire. His tongue explored my mouth, and I pushed back, just as hungry for him, letting the kiss deepen until it seemed impossible to breathe without him.
I rocked my hips against him, his arousal hard beneath me.
