The Arrangement by Jennifer Lewis

Author:Jennifer Lewis [Lewis, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-09-18T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-One

Arriving home an hour earlier than usual, Deacon looked forward to a small meal and a hopefully quiet evening with Ashlyn. Since coming back from their honeymoon, they went about their usual routines and things remained tepid at best. Though they slept next to one another at night, they rarely slept together. Ashlyn seemed unusually exhausted this last week and he didn’t want to pressure her into anything.

Since it was coming up on the end of her semester, he figured she could use a dinner she didn’t cooked herself. Especially considering she spent the better part of the first few weeks getting caught up. He admittedly admired her resolve. She remained dedicated to her studies when others might have given up years before. He imagined gaining a doctorate couldn’t be easy.

Having grown up in business and knowing its inner working practically before he could walk, groomed to this life by his father, he had no use for college. It couldn’t teach him more than he already knew; if it was otherwise, he wouldn’t have been as successful as he became.

Setting his briefcase on a table by the door, he heard muffled voices coming from the kitchen.

Though he wasn’t surprised because of the cars parked in the driveway, he didn’t know who Ashlyn’s company consisted of. To say he was disappointed wouldn’t be a lie; but he couldn’t fault her for having friends over. Not when they didn’t officially make plans.

He left his shoes at the entryway. The rich aroma of marinara told him that his idea of cooking wasn’t a solitary one. He would share her for dinner.

The voices grew more distinct as he neared the dining room. He recognized Josh and Emme before he saw them. Ashlyn stood at the stove, stirring something and rolling her eyes. She seemed at ease and relaxed. She wore a pair of white slacks and a short-sleeved lacy blouse; her hair wound down her back, wavy and loose. Something grabbed him in the chest, squeezing and he froze a moment, staring unfettered before being noticed.

Emme and Josh had their backs to him. Ashlyn, smiling, looked up and locked eyes with him. Her eyes widened and color fled her face as her smile faded. Confused, uncertain what he would have done to make her look that way, Deacon felt an intense need to go to her and comfort, but Josh and Emme turned and began greeting him.

“Deacon! I hope we aren’t intruding,” Emme said immediately, jumping from the bar stool to give him a hug. He returned it, murmuring words to reassure her, though his eyes never left Ashlyn.

He shook Josh’s hand and said the appropriate social niceties. But his focus was still on Ashlyn. When he reached her, he placed a hand on her lower back and leaned down. “You didn’t have to cook again. I was hoping to do it for you.”

Deacon felt her tremble beneath his palm and felt rewarded to know she wasn’t immune to his touch.

“Oh, I don’t mind.

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