[NOT EDITED]

Katherine's POV

"Come on , it wasn't that bad." I whined like a kid glaring at Ashton.

He looked up from his phone an amused smile on his adorable face  , "No it was." He said arching an eyebrow, "You're not the one who get hot coffee on her face."

Okay , not adorable any more !

I huffed and crossed my arms above my chest , "For my defense, it wasn't that hot."

"Yeah , it was freezing , that's why it burnt my neck." He said sarcastically, then looked back at his phone.

We are sitting on the bed now , and somehow we ended up arguing about that time when i threw coffee on his face and he seems to enjoy teasing me a lot because i feel like ripping his head right now.

"Stop making me feel bad about myself !" I said annoyed , then laid my back on the headboard letting a frustrated sigh.

"You know what , you deserved it." I said again , I can't seem to be able to shut my mouth.

"You were acting like a jerk, and I don't regret it." I added faking confidence.

Because it was such an immature move, i should probably think twice before i do anything from now on.

"But you say i am always a jerk." He said turning his head toward me a sly smirk on his stupid face.

"Yeah that's true." I said , "But that time you were jerk times ten."

He chuckled , "Oh really ?" He asked placing the phone away as he leaned closer toward me.

"Yeah." My voice was low, the look on his face made me forget what i was about to say.

"I mean we were in the hotel... You know we were," I paused for a while, feeling my face warm up when I remembered that day.

"We were what ?" He asked playing dumb , the sly smirk stuck on his face.

He moved from his place, seating himself in front of me, his hands went to the headboard trapping me.

"We were umm .. You know kissing and umm you know what.." I said trying to gather my thoughts, the closeness making my whole body warm up. "And when we went back to work , you started acting like a jerk, and like nothing happened."

"Yeah I remember." He said , "When I kissed you that time i knew you will be the end of me one day." He added , his gaze went toward my lips.

I bit my bottom lip to keep from smiling , a tingling feeling rose in my stomach due to his words and how close he is.

He leaned forward and took my lip into his mouth pulling it away from my teeth.

"Don't hide your smile." He whispered,"You know i love it."

Of course, i smiled again.

As a reflex , he smiled as well , his eyes full with lust and craving , i bet mine are the same.

"It's been a long day." He said , his breath brushing over my skin whenever he talks , his voice low or maybe i am not able to hear it from how hard my heart is beating.

"It was." I manage to say , "It was tiring as well."

"What do you think we should do then to solve that ?" He asked, a mischievous look in his eyes.

I shrug not knowing what to say , or maybe i want him to answer the question.

"Well," He starts, his gaze on my lips again , "You have lips , and i have lips."

"Interesting !" He adds amused , a smirk on his face revealing all the thoughts running in his mind.

I smiled , as if giving him permission.

He smiled as well as he pressed his lips to mine, i felt myself going weak in his arms and he held me even closer that i am sitting in his lap by now , i wrapped my arms around his neck to steady myself.

His lips traveled over my chin and to my neck kissing the upper right corner between my jaw and my throat leaving me feeling dizzy and drunk.

I heard a gasp escaping my mouth as I felt volts of electricity run in my veins and finally reach my brain.

His lips were everywhere.

And so his hands.

I sucked in a deep breath , my body burning as the sensation of his hand kept traveling over my skin.

His lips are soft yet i feel my whole body burning.

The gentle graze of his hands over my skin is annihilating.

He touches me without hesitation, he touches me like he owns me.

And i love that.

My hands tightened over his neck , my nails digging in his skin letting myself experience the sensation that flooded my body when his hand slipped down my pants.

He paused for a while taking a breath, giving me a second to take a breath as well , he looked at my face ,his blue eyes bored into my brown ones and i felt drowning into them even more.

"I want to feel you , taste you,.." He said , his lips locked with mine again , his teeth nipping my bottom lip , "I want to touch you."

The urgency in his voice left me breathless for a second , before i was able to gather my thoughts again.

"I want that too." I mumbled against his lips , the words weren't controlled by my brain , because i think i lost it somewhere on the way between his kisses.

"I want to kiss you so hard that you will never be able to get the taste of me out of your mouth." He demanded possessively.

Well, that's hot.

"I think i would like that." I said my voice low as if i am breathing every word, i leaned closer into him , my hand went from his neck all the way toward his spine, his body is so warm ,i can feel it from above the fabric. And so is mine.

His hands left my body making me miss their warmth so bad , they went and cupped my cheeks and he looked deeply into my eyes , "You make me happy." He said , the words came out of the blue.

I love the way he touches me sometimes , not with his hands,

But with his words.

Because at the moment his words made me crave him even more.

"You make me happy too." I said and he smiled.

"I want you to be happy." He said , his hands left my cheeks and went to the hem of my sweater, a smirk crawled to his lips ,"And naked."

If he kept saying such things i may get a heart attack like Mark because i have no control over it anymore.

His hand stayed there as if waiting for my approval first, but i said nothing.

I just slide my arms lower on his back and begin to tug on his shirt. He released me and lifted his arms so i can take it off of him.

He did the same to me.

He pulled me from his lap to his bed that i was laying down underneath him.

He aligned his body with mine , lips to lips , pulse to pulse.

His mouth traveled to my ear , "If I continued I don't think i'll be able to control myself." He whispered huskily, "I don't think i can be gentle anymore."

His words , his voice, his warm breath against my neck made me lose control over my whole body.

"I don't think i would mind that." I said.

*****

I woke up to something warm wrapped around me. I opened my eyes , the room pitch black , the same as outside.

Except for the moonlight reflecting through the window.

Ashton's hand wrapped around me tightly , his legs tangled with mine.

I smiled , it is as if he is afraid i may escape.

I tilted my head a little to have a better look of his face.

He was fast asleep , his face so peaceful that i would stay ages just staring at it without getting bored.

I snuggled deeper into his embrace, his bare chest pressed against mine.

I wrapped my arm around his waist , my hand moved gently against his bare back.

My mind took me back to yesterday, to how scared he looked when his father was in the surgery.

Even after everything, he deeply care about him.

Ashton doesn't deserve all the bad things that happened in his life.

He doesn't deserve what his father did , what Melanie did , and what I did.

And what is about to happen.

What i am going to do.

He doesn't deserve it at all.

I would be lying if i said i am not afraid of that moment. The thought of it alone scares me.

I have to tell him about it.

He deserves to know , like the doctor said.

But not now, i will wait till things calm down , till his father is really okay.

It's going to be hard but i will tell him.

I placed my head over his chest , "I love you." I said. He didn't hear me , i know.

And that's why i said it.

I just needed to.

His steady heartbeats soothed the ache in my brain , a calming rhythm i fell asleep while hearing it.

*****

In the morning..

I stared at my neck in the mirror for a while before i washed my face and brushed my teeth.

I was drying my face when i felt him coming from behind me , he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer toward him, he kissed my neck , on the same spot he left a hickey from last night.

"Good morning beautiful." He said , then looked at me in the mirror.

I glared at him , "Did you see what you've done ?" I asked faking anger.

Because I wasn't angry for sure.

How i can be angry after what happened last night.

Horny girl.

Shut up you.

He kissed where the hickey is again and pulled me even closer toward him, "I marked you." He said with a big grin on his face.

"What are you ? A Werewolf ?" I said still glaring at him , he chuckled and his smile grew wider.

He turned my body around so i can be face to face with him, "You look hot in my shirt."

You look hot in my shirt, pumpkin.

His voice echoed in my head and his image flashed behind my eyes.

Why ?

Why I remembered his words now ?

I pressed my palms further into the sink behind me and a weird feeling started to rise in my stomach but i decided to ignore it as i stared at Ashton in front of me.

"Don't change the subject." I said to him , trying to busy my mind with anything but the thought the roamed inside it moments ago.

"Now i have to wear a scarf or something to cover it up."

"No , don't wear anything." He said ,"You're my wife , and everyone should know that you are mine."

He leaned closer a smirk as big as his ego on his lips,"Just mine."

"Understood me ,love." He added.

"You know when you go all Alpha on me its such a turn on." I said and he chuckled.

"And you wearing my shirt its such a turn on too." He said , his eyes traveled to the shower and then back to me , "Wanna save water and shower together ?"

"Yeah lets do a favor to the environment." I said biting my lip.

He laughed at my comment and crashed his lips over mine , he was laughing even as we kissed and kissed again.

And in the moment i realized there is no better taste that someone else's laugher in your mouth.

He lifted me up , i wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist as he walked us to the shower, his lips never leaving mine.

After we finished showering which by the way didn't save water at all since I don't know how long we spend there.

Yeah anyway after that , we ate breakfast and now Ashton is getting ready to go to work.

He said he have to go , they need him since he hasn't been to work since two days.

"Do you want me to pick you up when i finish and then go to the hospital?" He asked as i was fixing his tie before he leaves.

"No , i think i am going to go earlier and then we can meet there." I said fixing the collar of his shirt too.

"Okay baby." He said then leaned closer and gave me a peck on the lips.

"Take care of yourself." He added and then walked out of the house.

I cleaned the penthouse a little bit just to let time pass and then i started getting ready to go to the hospital.

I wore a black legging , a baggy white tank top , with a black leather jacket above it and a grey scarf to cover the stupid hickey's Ashton left on my neck -or like he calls them love bite.

Love bite my asś.

I fixed my hair in a ponytail, and applied light makeup just to cover my pale cheeks and the bags underneath my eyes.

I wore my white and grey snickers and took my black purse and headed toward the hospital.

Half minute later I arrived, i asked the reception about the room they transferred Mark to.

After they told me his new room's number I headed toward it.

When i reached I knocked on the door , then entered.

No one is in the room , except for Mark , he was laying on the bed trying to sit up.

His eyes snapped toward my direction once I entered.

I was hoping someone would be here with me , because last time i checked He used to hate me.

When i saw him struggling in sitting down , I rushed toward him ,"Let me help you." I said and he didn't oblige as i helped him sit on the bed.

"How are you feeling today ?" I asked trying to make a conversation.

"Not so bad." He said , his tone normal , not harsh as usual.

Tensed silence settled between us making me uncomfortable.

"Where is everyone?" I asked trying to ease the awkwardness.

"Zoe and my mother went home to change and to bring some stuffs." He said , his voice was a little bit lower than usual.

"And Melanie is probably outside or walking around. I don't know." He added and i nodded not knowing what to say more.

A knock on the door echoed before it was opened , a nurse entered pushing the tray of food with her , "It's lunch time Mr. Ryder." She said with a warm smile stepping closer.

"I am not hungry." He said looking at the food with a disgusted expression , "But you need to eat. I will help you like i did in the morning." She said placing the overbed tray in front of him.

"Umm, it's okay , i will help him eat." I said to the nurse , she looked at Mark as if taking his permission, then looked back at me and nodded.

She went out after that and i sat on the chair beside the bed and started helping him eat his food.

It was somehow awkward but the weird thing is that he didn't say he doesn't want me to feed him or anything.

"This tastes like sh*t." He commented when I placed the first spoon in his mouth.

"I bet food in jail is better." He added and i chuckled , "But it's healthy , and you need to eat."

"I am glad you're okay." I said after a short moment.

And i was really glad he is okay.

Not just because of Ashton , but also because the thought of someone i know dying makes fear crawl under my skin.

"Thank you." He said looking at me , and then he smiled.

For the first time , i saw him smiling and it wasn't fake, it was genuine.

I smiled too , unable to hold it back as I continued helping him with eating his food.

"He didn't kill him." His words came out of the blue but they were enough to make me froze in my spot.

"Ashton isn't capable of hurting anyone , let alone killing someone." He added.

"I know." I said , "But I didn't know that before."

"I am.." He paused as if searching for the word he wants to use ,"I am sorry."

My eyes widened when he said that. Never in million years i imagined Mark would apologize to me.

"I called you a gold digger , i accused you for being after his money and I interfered in both of your lives." He said ,his tone made me believe that he is genuinely sorry.

"It's okay." I said , "Anyone would've thought the same thing.. But believe me i regret what i did and i would never hurt Ashton again."

And I really meant that.

He smiled ,"I know."

"You changed him." He said , "Just like she changed me."

My smile dropped because of his words. I didn't think he would mention her now.

I kept silent not knowing how to reply , the subject is too sensitive to talk about.

"How long have you been pregnant?" He asked after a while and i was glad he changed the subject.

"Almost three months." I said with a smile.

It is still feel weird though , it still feel weird having a normal conversation with him.

"I know we didn't start on good terms , but i was hoping we can change that." He said ,"I was hoping to be a part in my grandchild's life."

"Ashton would love that." I said, "And i would love that too."

My child would need his grandfather.

Especially with the absence of his mother , he needs many people to fill that gap.

I hate when this thought cross my mind , i hate when I remember that i may never be able to hold my child in my arms , or even see him.

I closed my eyes and swallowed past the lump in my throat, letting my mind swallow that thought as well.

I don't know how long Mark and me kept on talking , he asked me about many things, he even asked about my parents and i told him what happened.

He told me that i am like another daughter of his from now on , i was glad that things are getting better between us.

And between him and Ashton.

After few hours, the door opened interrupting our conversation. Alex and Ashton went inside.

"Hello people." Alex was the first to speak , he said it with his sing song tone with a stupid grin on his face.

He is always happy , i don't know why.

"How is my big guy ?" He said stepping closer toward Mark.

"I mean how are you Mr. Ryder ?" He asked again correcting himself, "I am sorry, i just get carried away."

Mark chuckled and Alex's eyes widened. He is probably surprised with this version of him.

Ashton stepped closer too ,"How are you feeling today ?" He asked, his hand rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

It's probably still a little awkward for him to act normal in front of Mark.

But at least he is trying. Which is so good.

Alex came beside me , "Who the f*ck is this man ? And where is Ashton's father ?" He whispered looking shocked.

I chuckled at his expression and shrugged.

I averted my gaze toward Ashton again who is still looking a bit uncomfortable.

"Better." Mark said with a smile ,"Much better."

"Do you need anything ?" Ashton asked.

"Look at Ashton's ears , they're so red." Alex said with a low voice and chuckled.

A smile crept its way to my lips again.

He looks so cute when he is nervous.

"No , i am okay." Mark replied , "Katherine took care of me today."

"She is a keeper." He added and i felt my cheeks warming up.

Ashton smiled, " She is." He simply said , then took a chair and seated himself beside me.

"I missed you." He said in a low voice just for me to hear. "It's been just few hours." I said raising an eyebrow.

"I still missed you though." He shrugged then placed his arm around my shoulders pulling me closer toward him.

The four of us talked for a while about many random things ,but then Alex decided to f*ck the whole situation.

"Is that hickey on your neck ?" He asked- not whispered, No , he said it out loud and Mark heard it as well.

My eyes widened and my hand went involuntary toward my neck. My scarf was loosened a bit exposing the stupid hickey i was trying to hide.

"I didn't know you like it rough , man." Alex added looking at Ashton with a big smile ,"That's my friend."

I felt fire coming out of my face from how hard i was blushing.

That's embarrassing, dammit !

If it was just Alex , then it would be a little less embarrassing, but with Mark in the room it's ten times more awkward.

I tried to fix my scarf busying myself to not meet their eyes.

"You know like they say , less stress , more sex." Alex said nonchalantly.

I turned my head and glared at him , "Shut up." I hissed angrily.

"You look so cute when you blush sweetheart." He said , " Shut up Alex." Ashton said but i can detect a sense of humor in his words making me more uncomfortable.

Mark chuckled and Alex started laughing. Ashton joined them later and i felt myself about to explode from how red my face is.

I tilted my head and glared at Ashton , "I hate you" I said , "Jerk ."

He leaned closer and snatched my scarf away , "I love you too , clumsy."

***************************

So nothing major happened in the chapter , it is just a filler , you know i am giving the characters a break before i throw them into another problem 😂

I hope you liked it, comment and vote if u did 😊

Love ya all❤️