“Where do you think you’re going?” a voice sounded just as Selena was trying to disentangle her legs from the bed. And she winced. She had wanted to get away furtively without any dramatic scenes. Not that she had regretted last night; she had no words to describe the awesome moments she had spent in his arms.

But she feared that it was only a momentary elapse on his part and that he would regret it on waking up. Even if she had been a virgin, she knew how it worked. Men treated sex like a trivial activity; she had her father as a good example to confirm her theory. It didn’t mean anything to them.

And Ashton was no different. Who better than her to know that? And besides when she had decided to sleep with him, she had also made up her mind not to cling to him. She wanted him to fall in love with her without any help from her and if she failed to do that, she would distance herself. It was futile fighting for something that was never destined to be hers.

“I’m going back home,” she said averting her eyes fearing he might see the moisture already starting to pool in them.

“Stay,” he said quietly and her poor heart so wanted to.

She looked at him over the sheets and watched as he sat up and propelled his hand under his head as he watched her closely. She swallowed terrified that he had found out her truth about her feelings. He was so astute that he could probably guess the reason why she had so willingly offered herself to him without any thought.

And then her pride took over. So what if he knew she loved him so much? If he did not love her back it was going to be his loss. As far as she was concerned, she was doing no sin at all. Sitting up to tell him just that, she was surprised to see him get down from the bed and knelt in front of her still on the bed.

“Ash!! What are you doing?”

Without replying, he opened the drawer near her and showed her his mother’s engagement ring; the one he had offered to her at the famous dinner party. Astounded, her hand covered her mouth as she stared at him with her eyes wide open. Was he going to do what she had just thought? Was he going to propose?

“Selena Rose McKenzie, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

She opened her mouth but no words came out and she promptly closed it again. Then tried again but still no words came out and she chided herself mentally for behaving like a bloody fish. He was just doing the honorable thing. And besides he had asked her to marry him before they had slept together just for the sake of Uncle Devin.

It probably meant nothing but try tell that to her racing heart! That foolish organ was ready to jump out of her chest at the mere prospect of getting married to its master. Be still my heart, she pleaded silently.

“Ashton, this is so chivalrous of you but I’m sorry I cannot marry you.”

How could she explain that a loveless marriage would be a living hell? Especially when he did not love her back. Each second would be a torture as she would always hope that he would love her back. And she would never know whether he was sincere with his vows or not. She felt a prick in her heart as his expression fell and he frowned at her uncertainly. “Why not?” he asked her in a small voice. She sighed; it was going to be harder than expected.

“Ash, look, you can’t just marry me because it was what Uncle Devin wanted. I know you feel guilty about his death and wished you could have made him happy but this is not going to work out. Marriages cannot be based on such situations.”

“It has worked out well for Jake and Rach,” he persisted still on his knees and waiting to make her wear the ring.

“But they are different. They have loved each other for a long time. We can’t even stand the sight of each other. How do you think we are going to be able to manage a relationship let alone a household?”

“But.. things could change. You could learn to love me, right?” he asked uncertainly.

Selena sighed. If only he knew the truth. “Okay you tell me. Do you think you will learn to love me with time?” she said with her heart in her throat asking the question that had been trotting in her mind ever since she had discovered she loved him. Why was she refusing him anyway; she should just accept and to hell with the consequences.

“Are you telling me that there is no possibility of you falling in love with me? Ever?” he asked instead of giving him an answer.

Before she could reply, she realized that Ashton was still on his knees and horrified she asked him to get up. But he refused to do so without an answer from her.

“No, I won’t get up until you answer my question,” he said stubbornly.

“Ash, don’t be such an idiot! Your legs will feel numb. Please get up.” she pleaded unable to watch him in such an awkward position.

He shook his head in his usual stubborn manner and Selena had to give in to his whim.

“Yes,” she finally said just to make him get up and he grinned widely at her slipping the ring in her left finger immediately.

Just to what had she just agreed to, she wondered twisting the ring in her finger looking at it with thousands of questions running in her mind. Would she be able to manage a relationship knowing that her player husband did not love her back?

She would have to establish certain rules, she decided. A part of her was calling her all kind of names for being such a pushover but a major part of her knew it was going to be her only chance. Ultimately, she felt she did not have a real choice;  something was always better than nothing.

As he sat beside her on the bed, she tried to tell him that after marriage she would not tolerate that his tomcat ways and he would have to be faithful to her. No matter what.

“Ash, if we are going to get married I have to set some conditions.”

He groaned. “Not again!!!”

She smiled in spite of herself at his exasperated tone. “No I just need to you to know that I won’t accept that you are still cavorting around with your girlfriends while we are married. It will be downright insulting and not to mention humiliating for me to..”

“Oh don’t worry. I’ve been raised better than that. Even if I’m not a very husband material, I’m from a decent family and I know the importance of family. So you don’t have to worry about that, I’m not going to cheat on you. I’m nothing like your father,” he said in a  small voice.

Feeling a pain in the center of her heart, she looked at him holding the sheets in place since they were slowly slipping away. How the hell did he know about her dad? And why was Ashton telling her about him now? Did he knew about her insecurities as well? Then he must know how she felt about him.

Deep down, she knew he was nothing like her father else she would never have fallen in love with him in the first place. He was one who had been tagged as a player before he had the choice because all the time she had been with him, she had never seen him with the lecherous ways everyone had accused him of. She knew he did not care what others thought of him.

And Selena decided it was time she let go of her pride. If he was ready to marry her, it could not be so bad anyway. And besides, even if he could not love her back, she would love him anyway and learn to live with her fate.  Love had no conditions attached; when you love someone it is not always necessary that he should love you back.

“Ash, I love you.  I have loved you for a long time now. But I know you don’t love me yet and I can’t complain. Not really. But if we're going to get married, you have…”

She did not get any further. She found herself being hugged in a bear embrace and found his lips on hers, plundering like it always had demanding its right. And she did the only thing which seemed the most natural to her. She responded back with all fire and passion she felt for him matching each thrust of his tongue with hers. Until she had to break the kiss for some air.

“You love me?!!” Ash exclaimed in shock after he got back his breath too.

“Yes, for a long time and I want to be married to you,” she finally admitted feeling a weight lift over her heart when the words were out. She was finally free to love him the way she wanted. Even if he did not love her back. There would be no pretense now; no false pride.

Ashton laughed at her confession and jumped on her. She shrieked and fell back on the bed her head nearly hitting against the back of the bed.

“Sorry! I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?” he asked alarmed rubbing her head which had nearly crashed against the bed.

“I’m fine,” she muttered.

“Oh Selena baby,” he whispered against her lips and her heart soared at his expression. There was some hope for them if he looked at her like that, he must be feeling something for her.

“I love you too,’ he said and kissed her promptly on her lips without giving her time to register his words. For a second she thought she must have misheard him but when he drew back and kissed her again on her lips lightly, the tremendous joy on his face was unmistakable.

“Say it again,” she breathed unable to believe what she was hearing.

“I love you. I love you. I love you. Have always done I think.”

Surprised, she drew back a little. “Always?”

“Yes ever since the first time I saw you. But you were so distant at that time refusing even my friendship. That ticked me off completely.”

Selena smiled ruefully at the memory still unable to believe that Ash had loved her back then. “I had just moved to Orlando and my father had left us penniless. My mother had to work her ass off to be able to pay for my courses. Uncle Lloyd, Rachel’s father gave us some money but mom saved that for later. And it served when I got an entrance in the university. Life had never been easy on us, you know.”

Taking her hand in his, he gave it a gentle squeeze to offer his support and kissed her to show his love. Selena could still not believe that Ashton was in love with her. It was as if all the hardships life had thrown her way was finally paying off.

His love felt like a balm to her wounded soul. Heart filled with love, she kissed him feeling that for the first time she had a right over him.

“I still can’t believe you love me Ash,” she said trying to stop his wayward hands.

“Let me show you then,” he said in a naughty tone and kissed her senseless.

After he was done with her, there was no doubt left in her mind that this man was truly in love with her. His lips had touched her in places she had not believed existed as erogenous zones .When she laid tired after her orgasm, he moved to mount on her but she stopped him and mounted him instead leaving him surprised. His hard-on grew even bigger and she could feel him going moist already.

Feeling confident of her love, she decided to show him how much she loved him too. Stretching her legs, she guided his shaft inside her and took his whole length. Feeling complete and getting wild with desire, she lifted herself up and down and heard his ferocious growl. It was nothing like she had expected it would be.

Being on top of him gave her the power to dictate the pace of their lovemaking and she felt a completely powerful woman. As she found herself reaching climax, she increased the pace and her breath stopped when he matched her movement thrust for thrust.

Finally, she found her peak of pleasure and collapsed as waves after waves of sensations drove through her. Seconds later, he joined her as he reached his climax too letting out a loud growl of pleasure. Spent, she rolled off him and closed her eyes to catch her breath. 

Then out of the blue, she remembered that she no longer lived alone but was still living with her mother and the latter would have expected  her home by now.

Alarmed, she sat up and Ash looked at her worriedly also sitting up. “What’s wrong?” he asked with his trademark frown.

“I have not informed my mother of my stay at your place. She must be out of her mind with worry now and I can’t believe I forgot to call her. I have never behaved so irresponsibly before; it is simply unacceptable,” she raved on panicking and Ashton watched her his frown becoming more pronounced.

“You’re an adult, honey. You’re not supposed to have curfews anymore.”

Selena smiled. Ashton was so clueless sometimes. “I know but she’s my mother. I should have at least phoned her. Can I borrow your phone please? My battery is dead.”

“Sure,” he said getting off the bed giving her some privacy.

Like expected, her mother was furious with her and she apologized profusely not wanting to upset her more. Of course she did not give her any details of her whereabouts but just assured her that she would be back home soon.

After taking a quick bath, she wore one of Ashton’s t-shirt which came down some inches above her knees and joined him downstairs. Hearing some noise the kitchen, she made her way there and stood dumbstruck.

Ashton wearing only a pair of sexy trunks was cooking. It was so sweet of him and of course so unlike him. The one who had refused to help her in any task some months ago was now preparing her breakfast.

While she had not expected him to change, she was glad that he was no longer the arrogant man he had always been. It was a positive makeover; one she was not complaining about since it was going to help her so much.

Sneaking behind him, she hugged his broad back and dropped light kisses there loving the feel of his skin. Grinning he whirled round and kissed her playfully before turning back to his task.

“Why have you come down? I was going to surprise you by bringing you breakfast in bed,” he told her and was whisking some eggs awkwardly.

Selena peeped into the bowl and watched in horror as she found a part of the eggshell inside the bowl along with the eggs. Thank God she had come down or otherwise she would have to eat egg shells for breakfast, How romantic!

“Ash, why don’t you shower? Let me prepare the breakfast,” she said between clenched teeth to mask her indignation. She could not blame him; it was Ash’s character after all and she had loved him in spite of all that.

He seemed relieved at her offer and practically pushed the bowl in her direction kissing her quickly on her nose before disappearing. It was her turn to heave a sigh of relief as she dumbed the eggs into the sink and washed away any trace of it not wanting to hurt his feelings and she prepared another omelet.

When Ashton joined her, everything was ready and he approached her kissing her on the lips. “My shirt looks so much better on you,” he whispered nuzzling her neck and she felt goose bumps down her spine.

Within minutes, he gulped down the omelet and grinned at her wolfishly. “I’m so proud of the breakfast I helped to make.” And Selena had to look away to hide her secret smile. He was so cute and she would never let him know what happened to his eggs.

“I’m proud of you too,” she said sincerely at the change in him.

“You are such a wonderful woman,” he said. “I’m sorry I have hurt you so much in the past. I have been very tough with you sometimes and I would never forgive myself for being so hard on you with all those insults I’ve used.”

Selena smiled at him her love shining in her eyes and she winked at him playfully. “No worries. I know you regret them and that is the most important thing to do. I had some misconceptions about you too but ever since I’ve got to know you I’ve seen you in a very different light.”

“Do you realize that it was thanks to Uncle Devin, If he had not intervened, we would still be masking our mutual attraction by our hate.”

She smiled affectionately at the memory of the old cunning man. Heaven helped them if he was still alive; he would be gloating at his victory. Feeling a pang in her heart, she realized that she missed his cocky attitude.

“I miss him too,” whispered Ashton coming close to her and hugged her.

She leant against his chest and sighed sadly. Death was something difficult to deal with sometimes. But it was part of life too.

“Yeah,” she said huskily and Ash wiped off the single tear that fell down her cheek.

“Don’t cry baby. We should always thank him for bringing us together. I’m sure that wherever he is he must be happier than us.”

Selena hugged him back wishing he was right. They had been the most wonderful person around her surrounding always helpful whenever anyone had needed their help. And such a lovely couple. Every children in town owed them something as they had always provided wealth and support to each and every family in need. Aunt Ana had been a heiress but had never shown off her money to any of her friends. And Uncle Devin had loved her with all her heart.

If anyone deserved a better life even after death it was Uncle Devin and Aunt Ana.