Ash's Place

Chapter 13

Ash's POV

Someone's arm is draped over my stomach.

Blinking the grogginess from my eyes, I try to avoid freaking out when I look down to see that the arm is very clearly a man's arm. Cautiously, as to not wake up the person still soundly asleep next to me, I turn my head and mentally face-palm myself when my eyes flick over my husband's features. If I thought he looked handsome before, I certainly do now.

The light sunrays streaming in through the window softly accentuate the sharpness of his relaxed jawline and the slight dip in the ridge of his nose. Without thinking, I turned over and placed a gentle kiss on the tip of his nose, while my fingers moved a few stray pieces of hair off his forehead. His eyes immediately flew open and within a single heartbeat, he was on top of me and pinning my shoulders down onto the mattress. His eyes were wild with something almost like fear and then he blinked. And blinked again. Swore under his breath. Removed his hands and rolled off of me, hiding his face in his hands.

I let out a shaky breath, my heart still pounding from the split-second shift he has just made. I brushed my hair off my shoulders and let out another breath.

"I'm so sorry, dear," Xander mumbled, his hands still covering his face. His arms slightly trembled as he slumped against the headboard, making me more concerned than afraid.

I moved myself so I was kneeling in between his bent legs and gently pried his hands away from his face, "Xander? Are you okay?"

He heaved a long sigh, "Yes, I'm sorry. This is new for me. I am not used to waking up next to someone. You just startled me, that's all."

I tilted my head slightly and gave him a pointed look.

"Alright, fine. My brothers thoroughly enjoyed picking on me since I am the youngest and they would often wake me up with less than...preferable methods."

I smiled and turned so I could my back against his front, "Well, one time my brother tried to stab me with a knife because I ate the last cinnamon roll. So, siblings, right?"

Xander's arms found their way around my middle as he pulled me slightly closer to him.

"Lord Locklynn tried to stab you? How old were you?"

I rested my head against his solid chest and slightly laughed, "That happened two weeks ago."

Xander sharply exhaled and brought his head down closer to mine. His breath fanned over the shell of my ear as he said, "Well, the next time anyone tries to lay a hand on my wife, they will have to answer to me."

"Mmm, I like it when you get all protective over me, husband."

His voice somehow dropped even lower, and I felt the vibrations of the words against my back, "I like the way you say husband, wife."

My magic hummed under my skin at the pure huskiness of his tone, and I felt it flick at my fingertips. So, gaining a confidence that I didn't quite realize I had, I turned around again so I was facing him and wrapped my legs around his torso, securing me on his lap.

Trailing my magic-infested fingers up his chest, I leaned forward ever so slightly and let my eyes drop to his lips. The invitation was not lost on him, and he smirked before leaning forward to meet me in the middle. His kiss was consuming and when his hand gently cupped the back of my head, I involuntarily whimpered. I felt him smile against my lips while also feeling heat creep up the back of my neck before settling on my cheeks, turning them into a crimson I am sure could rival a tomato.

He pulled back slightly, just enough to put mere inches between us and I immediately avoided eye contact with him. But his other hand tenderly guided my face until I was looking at him and his amused expression deepened my blush.