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“But I could have lots of babies,” I rushed on, suddenly feeling like an idiot. I should have thought this through better.
Ash’s shoulders stiffened. “Why are you telling me this, Briar?” he demanded.
I sighed and offered him a gentle smile.
“I don’t know,” I replied quietly. “Maybe so you understand that I’m kind of a catch. That’s why my father thought I’d make good collateral.”
It was a poor joke, and Ash didn’t laugh.
“Briar…”
“Everyone wants to have kids,” I blurted out. “You must have thought of it. I mean, if you had the opportunity.”
To my dismay, Ash jumped up, shaking his head.
“No, I don’t want children,” he growled, anger flashing in his crystalline irises. “Not everyone wants that.”
It was a knife to the heart.
“Not even with me?” I breathed.
All the color drained from Ash’s olive tone, and he bared his teeth at me.
“I warned you,” he hissed. “I warned you that we couldn’t be together, and now you’re trying to bear my children? No. No, I made a mistake letting you stay here.”
Shock flooded my soul, and I started to protest, but he didn’t allow me to speak.
“Go upstairs and pack up your belongings. I’ll ensure you receive a proper stipend and a place to live, if that’s what you require, but you can’t stay here anymore.”
I gasped aloud. “What?!” I choked. “What do you mean?”
He grunted. “Don’t look so surprised. You’re getting too close, too comfortable, and it will never work.”
“I’m not—” I tried to protest, but he wasn’t hearing me.
“It’s my own fault. I let this get way out of hand, but now I’m putting an end to it. You’re leaving, Briar. Tonight. Go get your things together. I’ll have Royce meet you with the car when you’re ready.”
Without giving me a chance to find my voice, he stormed from the gym and out of the basement as tears welled in my eyes.
What was I going to do now?
Chapter20
Ash
Istood at my bedroom window and watched as Royce piled Briar’s bags into the SUV, a shiver of disgust rocking through me.
She didn’t deserve to be treated like that. She loved me. And I loved her, although we had never voiced our feelings.
But I couldn’t really love her, not if I wanted her to live. What the hell had I been thinking, letting her stay this long? I could say whatever I wanted, but the truth was, I did care about her, and I wanted to be with her, too.
I couldn’t commit to her, though.
Briar turned toward the house, and I ducked back from the glass, my pulse racing. I didn’t want her to see me watching. She needed to go. It was the safest thing for everyone.
But when I heard the car pull away, I was back at the window again, watching Briar drive out of my life for good.
And that’s for the best. That’s what it should be. She shouldn’t have been in my life in the first place.
