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The coil winds tighter and tighter, pleasure spiking sharply with every plunge. I chase my release desperately, writhing beneath Ash's solid weight. He growls against my neck, pace faltering as he nears the edge.
One more deep thrust and I shatter, coming with a shout. Ash follows seconds later, burying himself to the hilt and spilling hot inside me with a guttural groan.
We collapse in a tangle of limp limbs, heartbeats thundering as one. Ash gathers me close again, brushing my hair back to kiss my forehead tenderly.
Afterward, laying entwined together against a pine tree, endorphin high fading, we gaze into each other’s now soft eyes. Ash strokes my hair, his other arm banded securely around my waist. I nuzzle into the comforting warmth of his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.
A grin tugs at my lips. "That was... incredible."
Ash chuckles, the sound rumbling under my ear. "Aye, I don’t think either of us will be walking straight anytime soon."
I laugh, swatting his chest playfully. "Beast."
"Yours alone," he murmurs, kissing my hair.
Nearby, I hear the muffled sound of talking getting louder. “Shh,” I whisper, pressing a finger to Ash's lips. "Someone's coming."
Ash sighs, but as the noise gets louder, I realize it's Birch on the phone.
"Yeah, my brother Ash was the one discussing the problems with the campsite. He's indisposed at the moment, but I can ask him to call you tomorrow.”
I stiffen in Ash's arms as I strain to make out what Birch is referring to. Horror washes over me in a sickening wave as I discern details of plans to block permits for my campsite.
Ash must feel the tension in my body because he peers down at me in concern. "What is it?"
I jerk away from him, scrambling to gather my discarded clothes. Hurt and betrayal war within me, clouding my vision with angry tears.
How could he? I trusted him, gave him my heart, my body—everything. And all the while, he was the one conspiring against me with his vile family. I had a feeling it was him, but after this, I assumed I must have been mistaken. How could he do this to me?
Ash reaches for me anxiously. "Gemma, what's wrong?"
I slap his hands away, gaze icy with contempt. "Don't touch me, you lying bastard."
Ash's eyes widen in confusion and alarm. "What are you talking about? What's happened?"
"I heard enough of what Birch said to put the pieces together,” I spit out, yanking on my trousers. “You've been sabotaging my campsite plans all along!"
Understanding dawns on his face, quickly replaced by guilt. He opens his mouth, but no words emerge.
"All of this between us was just a distraction, wasn't it?" I shout, fury pulsing through my veins. "You used me!"
"No, Gemma, that's not true," Ash protests weakly.
"Don't deny it," I shriek, nearly hysterical. How could I have been so blind? So stupid? "You've been lying to me this whole time. I hate you!"
I turn on my heel, ready to storm off into the forest. Ash grabs my arm, expression anguished. "Please listen to me. I never meant to hurt you, I swear?—"
Wrenching from his grasp, I slap him hard across the face. "Don't you dare touch me again. We're through."
Ash stares at me with wounded eyes, one hand pressed to his reddening cheek. But I won't soften, won't give him another chance to twist the knife in my back.
I straighten my spine, refusing to shed another tear over this snake. "Goodbye, Ash."
I storm through the forest, rage pulsing through my veins with every step. How dare he? How dare Ash use me like that only to stab me in the back? I thought... I thought there was something real between us. That what we shared meant something.
But it was all a lie—a cruel manipulation to get what he wanted. To destroy my campsite plans so he could protect his precious family business.
I clench my hands into fists, nails biting into my palms. The pain helps ground me and gives the churning emotions inside an outlet. I want to scream. I want to cry. I want to find Ash and claw his lying eyes out.
