Chapter65Don't Want to Leave Tonight
The distinction between fear and dislike was significant, each carrying its own implications and consequences. Ashley's response would shed light on her feelings towards Damian. If it was fear, it could be rooted in a perceived imbalance of power. However, if it was dislike, it would suggest a psychological repulsion. Their professional relationship was teetering on the brink of collapse, and Ashley was wary of digging herself into a deeper hole. "When have you ever seen clients eating pizza at home? Your casual demeanor unnerves me. If I fail to meet your expectations and the deal falls through, I'll be the one left in tears," she retorted. It was a well-crafted response. Undeterred, Damian reached for another slice of pizza. Despite its coldness, it retained its savory flavor. "Is this how you live? It's so barren, devoid of life," he commented. Her apartment was adorned with lavish French-imported furniture, but the overall design was stark and felt cold, devoid of a homely touch. Ashley replied, "This is just a temporary arrangement. Simplicity is key, and it'll make moving out a lot easier."She belonged to the generation of renters, consciously avoiding the accumulation of unnecessary possessions to ease the burden of moving. However, if it were her own home, she would fill it with all sorts of comforts to make it feel more lived-in. The more possessions, the more vibrant the atmosphere. Damian casually remarked, "It will take six months to remodel your house, plus a few more months to remove the formaldehyde. It won't be habitable for a year."He believed that Ashley would grasp his point. His house was vacant, and she knew that a single word from her would be enough if she wanted to move in. However, Ashley had different plans. Once the KM Road lawsuit was resolved, she planned to rent a place near the law firm. A one-bedroom apartment would suffice, as anything larger would feel too lonely. She envisioned decorating the balcony with plants and immersing herself in her books amidst the greenery during her downtime. "Half a year at most, with eco-friendly materials for a quick setup, and maybe a two-month airing-out period before it's ready. I'll just find a short-term rental for those few months," she countered. She had caught his hint, which was exactly why she had rejected his offer so decisively. She was wary of getting too entangled with Damian again, fearing that she might get sucked back into the quagmire. The more time she spent with him, the less she trusted herself to remain detached. She confessed to her inability to resist his charm. Damian then asked, “Do your parents have any plans of moving back to the States?”Ashley’s defenses immediately went up, her voice rising with suspicion, “Why do you ask?”“Considering this is the only property they own, where would they stay if they decided to return? While you, as a young person, might be able to rough it out in a sparsely furnished place, have you thought about what your parents might need? The kitchen, the bathroom, the bedroom—any minor inconvenience could affect their quality of life. This could be where they spend their retirement years, and yet you claim to be so dutiful,” he retorted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. His words struck a chord with Ashley, making her realize her oversight. With the soaring property prices in Rochester City, it would be challenging for her to purchase another house. The entire family would have to live together—it was one thing for her to endure hardship, but should her parents also suffer after finally settling into a comfortable retirement? Investing more in a turnkey home could ensure comfort for decades without the need for major renovations. “Opting for a turnkey home could work. I can just extend my rental period by a few months,” she conceded. In a teasing tone, Damian responded, “You ran off with over a billion, and now you're hesitating over a place to stay. If you really don't want to be indebted to me, return everything you took from me someday.”
Ashley surveyed the expansive house, her gaze lingering on the vast, empty spaces. She didn't mince words, her voice echoing through the hollow rooms, "This house is too large. Living alone here feels eerie. At night, I'm constantly scared, always feeling like someone's lurking in the next room."He dismissed her concerns with a wave of his hand, "Complaining about a house being too big, typical first-world problems."Ashley was taken aback, surprised he hadn't accused her of having a guilty conscience, the usual suspect for inviting ghostly disturbances. She asked, "Why are you helping me?"If the lawsuit was public knowledge, then his offer to provide her with a place to stay must have stemmed from personal interest. She had initially assumed it was a product of Damian's vanity, but upon reflection, that explanation seemed too shallow.Damian responded with a matter-of-fact tone, "I can't afford to lose face. Everyone, including Christian Hayden, knows you're in Rochester City. If they found out you were renting, where would that leave my reputation?"Considering Christian's propensity for gossip, Ashley could indeed become the subject of ridicule. Suppressing her frustration, she offered, "I'll pay you rent."Damian looked at her skeptically, doubting her logic. "You want to pay rent? Suit yourself. But convert the money into something tangible—buy whatever the house lacks. This way, I can come to stay whenever I feel like it without the hassle of starting from scratch."Ashley immediately regretted her suggestion, murmuring, "The furniture you like is always so expensive.""How much do you plan on paying for rent?" he asked.Given the location and size of the property, it couldn't be less than twenty thousand a month. Ashley hesitated, "What kind of furniture do you want?""You pick it out," he said, leaving the decision in her hands.Their previous home had been outfitted by a French designer, every inch oozing Parisian luxury. The seating in the living room alone had cost a small fortune. Could she really base her current shopping on those extravagant standards?"I buy what I like. If you're not into it, throw it away.""Mhm."Ashley watched in astonishment as Damian polished off a plate of pizza. "I thought you didn't like it before."Damian set down his fork. "And I remember when you didn't talk so much during a meal."It wasn't the same thing at all.As night fell and the lights outside began to dim, Ashley, drowsy from her medication, asked, "Aren't you leaving?"Damian glanced at the couch and then towards the master bedroom. "Not staying over?"A shiver ran down Ashley's spine. Was he deliberately mocking her, or... did he really plan on overstaying his welcome?"We're not in a place where staying over is an option, Damian. Keep it light."She tried to hurry to the door, eager to have him gone as quickly as possible, but her step had barely started when her arm was yanked back, her body spinning into a firm chest!His arms were too long, too strong, and Ashley found herself passively ensnared. Looking up, she met his profound gaze. "What if I say I don't want to leave tonight?"Alarm bells rang. "Damian, don't forget—we're divorced. Let go."
Her scent was light and delicate, reminiscent of an unmarried young woman: graceful and serene.
Damian inhaled deeply. With every breath, his body lowered until his chin rested on her hair, his alluring voice whispering dangerously seductive dares, "What haven't we done before? Acting all pure and virtuous now—isn't it a bit late? With such a big case on KM Road, did you really think there wouldn't be a price to pay?"How could he switch gears like that?Just before the meal, he had praised her competence, and now he was trying to raise the stakes?"I thought you were a man of principle, at least when it mattered. I didn't expect you, Damian, to play these underhanded games. If the only way to secure this deal is through such means..." Her words were cut off by his lips claiming hers.Their kiss was a maelstrom of passion, a tug of war in the fiery inch between them.She flailed with her hands and knees, trying to resist, but he was relentless, his demands leaving her breathless.Damian pulled her close, stepping forward to pin her back against the wall, his hand snatching her slender wrists, lifting them above her head, and holding them there firmly.
