Four Brothers and a Bride-Chapter 39

ASHTON

I have less than a second to think through the mush in my head caused by Demi’s entrancing presence and get us both out of this hot mess. Just as my door begins to crack open, I flick off the light switch which was luckily already on a low setting and clasp a hand over Demi’s mouth to muffle any sound. Then I heft her into my bathroom and click the door shut.

"Ash? Are you asleep already?"

When Ashley pokes his head in and turns on the light, he sees me patting my hair dry with a small towel. "Oh, there you are."

I plop on the arm of my couch. "What is this about?" I ask grudgingly. The last time we spoke, it was a heated conversation. I am still pissed at him for acting so immature. Hence, my attitude.

"Hey, I’m really sorry about last time. It was stupid of me to misjudge you like that." Ashley makes himself comfortable on my bed and I grit my teeth. If he’s feeling cozy, this conversation could span hours. I can’t have that, not with Demi freaking in my bathroom.

"I know Demi and I are only married on paper. However, I believe that as her lawful husband, there should be obvious differences between me and you guys being her brothers-in-law. I should have certain rights exclusive to my position. Things like you knowing her passcode when I don’t or you being able to make her feel a certain way just by being in the same room with her makes me go crazy sometimes..."

"I get it, Ash. Whether your marriage is on paper or not, you’re a real couple to Danvarr. I know I can be a hothead and insist on having my way irrespective of how it makes others’ feel. I’m sorry. I’ll give you and your wife the space you need to bond. We’re good." I lurch to my feet, spurring Ashley to do the same.

"Thank you for your understanding, man. For a second, I feared you might actually be in love with her." Ashley chuckles as we share a look meaningful look with each other. If he’s here to force words out of my mouth, it’s not working. I feign a smile at him in return.

"I’ll be on my way now." But then he stops by the door and turns to me with a suspicious air. "By the way, Mila texted Asher to ask if you were home as she hasn’t been able to reach you." Though he doesn’t say the remaining part ringing in his head which is, ’I found that strange because you told us the two of you spent the entire evening together,’ I get it from the wink he goes on to give me.

"Women, am I right? They can be quite clingy."

"Unfortunately, it’s usually not the ones you care about." My reply temporarily stuns him.

"Could you um, help me with Demi’s passcode? I’d like to say goodnight."

And there it is, the immature Ashley sprouts his head again. I toss my towel aside. "The husbandly thing to do will be to ask your wife directly if she’s comfortable with that, not try to finagle it from someone else who happened to see it accidentally. I think Demi will appreciate the respect."

"Right." Ashley nods and grabs the door finally. "For a bachelor, you give good advice that nearly rivals Ashal’s. I’ll be stopping by for more marriage advice."

With a soft laugh, he bids me goodnight and leaves. I exhale deeply. The weird thing with Ashley is that you can never truly know if you’ve managed to fool him or he fooled you.

Did he really not suspect a thing, not even Demi’s night cologne hanging thickly in the air? I go to tap softly on my bathroom door.

"He’s gone. You can come out now."

Demi steps out quietly, a huge blush on her face. I get it. Now, we really do look like we’ve been up to something bad. She literally hid in my bathroom while I hastily tried to get rid of her husband from my bedroom. It looks wrong from every angle.

"Ashley could be watching my room. You leave now and he’ll see."

Demi bites down on her lower lip. "What do I do?"

One look at me and I know she’ll dread the idea.

"We have no other choice." I confirm the fear swimming in her eyes.

From my spot on the couch, I watch her sleeping peacefully on my bed for the next three hours. Damn, has she always been this beautiful?

I force myself to look away. I have never coveted anything that belonged to any of my brothers and I won’t start now. Besides, it’s best for me to keep away from Demi. Her safety and peace of mind depends on it. Father doesn’t bluff. I won’t be able to bear it if he makes Demi suffer like Olivia.

In the wee hours of the morning when I am certain everyone is in their beds, I rouse Demi awake. She purrs like a satisfied cat and stretches like a newborn swaddled all night.

"It’s time to go." I ignore a clawing need to stroke her messy hair. My bed will never feel the same again and I am truly glad. I tell her exactly what to do to avoid suspicion.

"The cameras are temporarily down but the housekeepers are already up. Keep your head up and walk. Go downstairs and get a juice box or a bottle of water from the kitchen. Then go back to your room, okay?"

"Mhmm."

She’s still groggy. I help her out of my high bed and set her down. Now, she looks so small and cute. In the dim light, Demi stares longingly into my eyes. Heat flares up my groin as she runs her hand through my hair. I don’t even flinch or stop her like I normally would. Instead, my eyes flick from her doe eyes to her soft, kissable lips. Before I lose the last shred of my sanity and kiss her lips till they throb, I gently nudge her towards the door. She whispers a little ’thank you’ and quietly leaves.

I wait till her steps retreat in the distance, hoping against hope that none of my brothers broke routine and stayed up all night watching my door. Even with my best talking game, there’s no way I can talk my way out of this. Demi and I can never prove that we didn’t do anything all night.

No commotion. No confrontation and it’s been ten minutes already. I hiss a breath and throw myself on my bed. Her scent still lingers on the pillow and duvet. Smiling sheepishly, I nestle the pillow next to my heart and surrender to sleep.

***

Mila isn’t thrilled about my date tonight. I am not doing this to offend her even though I don’t owe her an explanation for how I choose to spend my time. I just need a distraction from a LOT of things, Demi included. Mila is kind and she’s a dream find but she and I can only be good friends at best. Everything else is just parental pressure trying to ruin our good friendship.

Work isn’t helping to keep my mind off father’s threat and Demi in my bed so I texted the strange lady through my second phone to tell her I’d be available tonight.

I had lied the last time I told Mila I had a date. Back then, I had merely resolved to go on the date in my head to spite Mila for fast tracking our friendship into a fully blown relationship through her dad. Now, I am simply going on the date to get a break from all the craziness around me and to keep Demi out of my head for one evening.

"I told you I didn’t say anything to my father. I am shocked he visited your father’s company. He hasn’t mentioned a peep to me about you."

You don’t owe me an explanation, Mila. I understand how manipulative parents can be. We’re good friends but the way I see it, our parents are going to ruin that for us really soon if we don’t beat them at their game." I watch her dismiss the assistants flanking her with glossy papers to be signed. She’s like Ashley in my world; a fashion icon and stylist.

With everyone gone, she leans conspiratorially towards me. "What are you suggesting?"

I brush my nose against hers. "If we are going to date seriously, it should be our decision not theirs. I have a bad history of treating things or people forced into my hands in a way I am not proud of. You really don’t deserve that. So, you tell daddy that his princess wants to take things slow and see where it goes. If he wants to do business with Rollins HQ, he doesn’t need our alliance to seal the deal."

Mila eyes my lips. "And what if his princess only likes fast things? Fast food? Fast cars? Fast rides?" She moves to kiss me and misses as I lean back on my chair with a smile.

"You don’t strike me like a woman who likes to be used by men merely for pleasure."

"Used?" Mila licks her lips. "That’s very stereotypical of men to think they are the ones always using women. I have needs and you have the genitalia to fulfil them. End of story." I am amazed at her rawness.

"What’s her name?" Her eyes crinkle in a smile. "Go on, you can tell me."

"I don’t know it yet. I am still searching but what I do know is that casual sex doesn’t do it for me anymore. That’s why I am going on this date. Who knows, a couple more and I might just make a connection that will hold forever." I surge to my feet. "Don’t give me that look, Mila. You promised to be fun. Jealousy isn’t fun."

"I hope you don’t regret this."

"Which part?"

"Not kissing me?" She winks at me.

"I already do. I just prefer we get there mutually."

I go around her table and peck her forehead. "I’ve got a fast car I guarantee you’ll enjoy riding. See you later."

Throughout the day, I check my phone and stare at the door to my office expecting Demi to barge in like before. I know neither can happen because I already blocked her number and she wouldn’t come to my workplace so soon after we narrowly escaped being accused of something heinous. Still, I allow my imaginations fly and expect to hear her heels clicking on the floor towards my office.

My date has confirmed her availability. Well, that’s good. We make arrangements for dinner at a remote diner. I prefer it that way. When lunch time rolls by, Gris shows up to remind me to eat. Frankly, I seldom have appetite for lunch.

Since I have less to do and lots of time to kill, I call Ashley to see if we can do lunch together. I still have doubts about his attitude last night and I want to spend more time with him and gauge his reaction to see if he still harbors suspicions of Demi and I.

"Hey, can we do lunch today? It’s been a while."

Ashley sighs over the phone. "Crap man, I’m so sorry. I am already at lunch with Demi."

Demi? How? When did that happen? Doesn’t she work all the way at the HQ? How are they having lunch together? The thoughts keep floating over my head.

"Ash, you there?"

"Oh, sorry. Gris was trying to get me to sign a few papers. You said you’re already having lunch with Demi? That’s fine. I think I’ll just order something here at the office. I still have a lot of work to do anyway so it will save me some time."

"I’m truly sorry man. I would have loved to eat with you alone. It’s been ages."

"I know. We’ll do it some other time. My regards to Demi. Bye."

Fuck. She’s having lunch with her husband while I am over here daydreaming. I fucking hate myself right now. Why am I overthinking last night? It meant nothing. It shouldn’t mean anything. Demi is right to not make a big deal out of it.

Like I told Ashley, I throw myself back into work, forcing Gris to cringe as he watches me take things off his plate. I make plans for a customized car exhibition we have been planning. I take calls from our loyal customers and answer whatever questions and complaints they have. I join the auditing team to review sales reports. Finally, I go over our new car deliveries, rechecking to see that each car fits its description.

"Sir, sir?"

I jerk awake to find Gris’ bespectacled face hovering over me.

"Sir, it’s seven pm. Everyone’s left."

"Apparently, not everyone since you’re still here buzzing in my ear."

"I can’t leave before you do, sir."

I rub the kinks on my neck and tidy my desk. Shit, I have a freaking date by seven thirty. After thanking Gris, I grab my things and rush to my car. I have everything I need in there. I’ll find a motel along the way to freshen up and change for my date, then carry on with my night.

By the time I arrive at the diner, I am nearly an hour late. This time, I am prepared to get an earful for keeping my date waiting. She’ll be justified to vent her anger at me.

However, when I push open the door and go in, I fail to find anyone matching her outfit description in the booths. Just then, I get a text from her apologizing for her lateness and claiming that she’s five minutes away. Wow. And I thought I was the last one to arrive.

I order a drink and slink into a cozy booth at the far end of the diner. It’s completely away from the other booths and allows for more privacy incase someone else happens to recognize me. I kill time by scrolling through social media.

When I check my leather watch, my date is still yet to arrive after twenty minutes. Have I been pranked or something? Is this what Mila feared? What if this person isn’t really interested in a date and I have been lured here for some reason?

Furious, I text her one last time to ask where she is. She doesn’t reply. Brimming with anger, I grab my jacket and head for the door. Outside, the cold night air whizzes past my face, fluttering my long, black curls. I shrug on my jacket as I scan the street. Everything seems relatively normal. People are going about their night peacefully, shuffling casually along the street. I jam my hands in my pocket.

Someone catches my attention. It appears to be a woman in a red coat. She stands a few meters from the diner, slightly hidden by a wall. At first, she doesn’t appear to be actively trying to stay hidden but when my eyes track in her direction, her whole body disappears behind the wall as quick as a whiplash. While I watch the corner, she peeks at me once.

"Mila?" I wonder. Despite how ridiculous that sounds, who else would be tailing me? I start walking in the woman’s direction.

The sound of my footfalls must have alerted her as she takes to her heels. My steps increase to a light jog but as I reach the corner, I am only just in time to see her slide into a cab and zoom off. I can’t even make out her face in the dimness. Too bad her cab is going in a completely different direction from where my car is parked. I will lose them long before I jog back to my car.

I call Mila immediately.

"Where are you?"

"Hello to you too."

I can’t pick up any sounds like she’s in a moving vehicle. I only hear a soft tune in the background.

"I’m sorry. Hi, Mila."

"I’m home, Ashton. Why?"

She doesn’t sound breathy or nervous either. I believe her.

"Nothing. I guess I missed you."

"Hmm. How did your date go?"

"It didn’t. She was a no show."

Mila gasps. "Someone actually stood you up? Ouch."

"Happens to the best of us. I’ll call you later. Gotta go nurse my bruised ego. Bye."

I take one last look at the street. Who the hell was that?

***

By the time I get home, I am pretty exhausted. Mom called a few times on my way back and I quickly answered to assuage her worries. I know she understands I can handle myself but she can’t help being a mother.

Given the kind of father I have, I will never make a fuss about having a doting mom. Life would have been hellish if I didn’t have a parent who saw me as a son rather than a pawn.

"Ashton. My study. Now!" Father beckons the second my right foot hits the stairs. With a silent grumble, I retrace my steps to his study.

I hate it in here. For him, it’s just another office and a seat of power. For me, it’s holds very terrible childhood memories. Father has only ever scolded my brothers and I in here, even as adults. He sits in his high chair and leers at everyone else, talks down on them and foists his decisions on them as well. Calling me in here is strategic on his part. If this is to make me feel spineless under his gaze, I won’t give him the satisfaction tonight.

"You had quite the attitude yesterday." He begins, pouring himself a drink. When he nudges the bottle at me, I shake my head.

"So, it’s true. You’re still not drinking whiskey? It used to be your favorite." I say nothing in reply.

"Sit down, son. I don’t bite."

"I’m tired, father. Can we make this quick? What do you want from me now? A baby with Mila?"

Father’s face tightens. "I know you think I am a horrible father."

"I don’t think it; I know it. I have lived it." My voice is a low growl that shocks both of us. I didn’t even realize how angry I was until his last statement.

"I only want the best for my boys. If I upset you because I have a habit of forcing my decisions down your throats, I apologize. It won’t stop anytime soon, especially since you and your brothers continue to prove to me that you lack good judgement to make worthwhile decisions all by yourself. Look what happened with Ashal. He could have sunken this family with one night of unbridled passion."

"You honestly believe that every decision you’ve taken for us is justified and the best? Then why do you feel guilty, father? Did you really call me here to apologize for what you’ve put me through so far or to apologize for all the ways you plan to use me in the future to aid your selfish goals?

"Ashton."

"Like I told you before, I am faring just fine without your fatherly love or validation. Mom is doing a great job filling the void. Worry about your business like you’ve always done. My brothers and I will survive."

I pivot on my heels and storm out of his study. Too blinded by anger, I take the stairs in giant leaps and arrive at the first floor. While striding purposefully towards my bedroom door, I glance briefly at Demi’s. She’s probably knocked out. Just as I reach for my door knob, I hear this.

"Did she bleed?"

I whirl towards Asher who is lounging by the wall, a smug look on his face.

"What was that?

"The virgin. Did she bleed when you fucked her in your room last night?"