When I got home, Camryn was sitting silently on the sofa.
The living room lights were off, and it gave me a start.
I stood in the doorway, recalling Carleigh's warning from earlier, and hesitated.
Camryn's face was expressionless, but his eyes were darker than ever, like an abyss.
He gestured to me. "Come here."
I blinked but didn't move.
Camryn raised his voice, containing the anger in his tone. "Come here, baby. Don't make me repeat myself."
I obediently walked over, only to be yanked into his arms with sudden force.
He ran his hand over my back, laughing softly. "Did you meet with Carleigh today? What did she say?"
His smile didn't reach his eyes, and I couldn't help but think of Carleigh's threat. "You went after Blaise and tried to make Camryn wear the 'green hat'. I still remember how crazy he was when he came to the banquet to settle things, baby, my heart couldn't take it."
Carleigh had said it like a near-death experience. "Good thing you didn't do anything. If your brother hadn't stepped in, we, along with Blaise, would've been done for right then and there."
"Hurry up and deal with him. I'll take you to find a hotter guy—six-pack abs, hot and rebellious. Totally your type!"
"What are you thinking, huh?"
A low voice cut through my thoughts, and Camryn shook me gently. "Say something."
I didn't dare tell him I was thinking about Blaise's abs, so I just shook my head. "Nothing."
I sat on his lap, speaking honestly. "We talked about my past. Carleigh said we didn't have a fight, and we weren't married."
Camryn remained silent, signaling for me to continue.
"We never loved each other, Camryn."
The shift in how I addressed him caused his face to darken, and he watched me closely. "Then what?"
"You're not my husband, and I'm not your wife."
I placed my hands on his chest and slowly started to get up. "We shouldn't be living together. I want to go home."
Before I could finish, everything spun, and I found myself pinned beneath Camryn.
In the dim light, I couldn't see his expression.
I only heard him, a smile lacing his voice, as he growled. "Go home? To where? This is your home."
He gripped my neck, and his kiss was so intense it almost took my breath away.
"I've already let you off once, Ashley, there won't be a second time."
Camryn's breath was scorching against my neck. "You say I'm not your husband, huh?"
"Where hasn't my hand touched you? Where haven't my lips kissed?"
"You were the one calling me your husband all the time. Now, after one word from someone else, you deny it?"
His grip tightened around me, and just when I could no longer breathe, he suddenly loosened his hold.
Then, Camryn's tone softened as he gently pressed his lips against mine.
"Don't listen to them, we love each other."
"I love you, Ashley, and you love me."
"You can never leave me, understand?"
His tender words felt like a ghost from hell, but I reached up to wrap my arms around him, nodding softly.
Camryn smiled. "Such a good girl, darling."
He patted my back gently, trying to comfort me, though he didn't notice the subtle curve of my lips behind him.
