***

“Where to?” he asked as he rubbed his hand over the steering wheel.

Sophie pulled the crumpled piece of paper out of her purse. “Econo Rooms Motel,” she read, and then followed with the address printed at the bottom of the coupon. She looked up at him and noticed he was watching her with raised eyebrows. “What are you waiting for? Let’s go.” Sophie watched Ashton shake his head in disbelief before he pulled away from the curb.

The longer they drove, the more nervous she got about how far away this place was. She wanted to seem completely confident despite her inner turmoil.

When they pulled up to an old dilapidated motel, Sophie held the coupon up to the light. The picture must have been taken years ago. The building now looked in dire need of repairs.

“Stellar place.” Ashton’s words dripped with sarcasm.

Sophie didn’t respond. She pushed open the door and walked toward the main office. A bell chimed overhead when the door opened. A man sitting behind the desk slid his feet off the counter, sending papers fluttering to the floor. His unwashed hair was brushed back off his face in a tangle of waves that met his shoulders. A mustache sat heavily upon his lip and a dark shadow covered the rest of his chin. He wiped crumbs from his shirt, watching Sophie approach the desk.

“Need a room, beautiful?” His words seemed innocent enough, but he gave off a creepy vibe that made her insides twist with anxiety.

“Yes, please,” Sophie responded with a small voice. She glimpsed the small television he had been captivated with when she walked in. She couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw a porn playing. What the hell!

Ashton pushed through the door behind her, causing the bell to sound again. The man behind the counter eyed Ashton before he addressed Sophie.

“Just you? Or both?”

“Just me.” A slow unsettling smile spread across his face. “I have a coupon for my stay.” Sophie handed it over to the man. When he took it from her, she pulled her hand away quickly to avoid the unnecessary contact.

“Sorry, sweetheart. This coupon expired ages ago,” he informed her before slapping it down on the counter.

“Mr. Cleary, my landlord, gave it to me. He said he knew the owner.” Sophie shuffled her feet uncomfortably. She hated the fact that Ashton was standing behind her. She wanted to run screaming from this place.

“My old man died five years ago,” he said casually.

“Okay. Your standard room, please,” Sophie said quickly. She just wanted the exchange to be over. She would deal with Mr. Cleary later.

She could tell Ashton didn’t like this guy either by the way he practically growled under his breath.

“It’s one size fits all in these parts, sweetheart.” He smiled, dropping a grimy key in her hand.

“Thank you.” Sophie quickly left the office with Ashton close on her heels.

“You are seriously going to stay in this shit hole?” Ashton asked as if questioning her sanity. She ignored him as she walked up to his trunk, waiting to retrieve her things.

“Yes. It’s not so bad. It has charm.” She tried to defend her decision but her defense was pitiful. She hated this place so much but refused to waste her money on unnecessary luxury. This creepy, rundown motel fit her budget.

“Charm? Fuck that!”

Chapter Nine

Sophie pushed the door open, revealing the dark room. She flicked on the lights when she found the switch. “Not so bad.” She tried to encourage herself by staying positive. Ashton came in behind her and set her things on the bed.

“Yeah, it’s kind of nice for a piece of shit.” As if on cue, screaming erupted from the next room as a couple engaged in a heated argument. Ashton just raised his eyebrows in an I told you so way.

“It’s just a couple of days. There’s even a bus stop just a block away.” Sophie tried to keep her attitude positive.

“The one the guy was spray painting a giant cock on when we drove by?” Ashton asked in disbelief.

“It’s called freedom of expression. If he feels the need to celebrate his cock, then who are we to say otherwise.” Sophie watched Ashton tilt his head. “Don’t say anything,” she warned.

“Come on. How can I not say anything after a statement like that?” he complained humorously. “Though it is good to know you have nothing against cocks.”

Sophie took a quick look in the bathroom, which made her cringe. “Okay. I’m good. You can leave now,” she said, walking out toward Ashton. He was pulling the covers back on her bed. A look of disgust crossed his features as he noticed the stained sheets underneath.

“Oh dear,” Sophie gasped before she could stop herself. “The chair suddenly looks appealing.”

Ashton looked up at her with disbelief in his eyes. “It’s your life.” He shrugged his shoulders. He stepped back, looking at Sophie before a devilish smile crept over his face. “How do you feel about spiders?”

“Terrified. Why?” Sophie’s eyes widened as she stared back at him.

“Because one just crawled on your shoulder.” He chuckled.

“What!” Sophie spun around, wiping her shoulders frantically. She jumped up on the bed, trying not to scream out as she searched for the spider. “Where is it?” she cried.

“I think I saw it fall on the bed.” He laughed.

Without thinking she jumped off the bed, grabbing onto Ashton and pulling herself up his tall frame. He stiffened under her unexpected move. She didn’t care what he thought at that moment, her flee response was triggered and he seemed like the safest option to escape the spider. Pulling herself against him in her attempt to avoid touching the floor wreaked havoc on her insides. Everywhere her body touched his ignited a passionate fire that made her core clench in response. The only sound in the room was her breathing as time slowed down and seemed to stop altogether.

“Oh god! Sorry.” Sophie quickly released her hold on him. The spider was long forgotten. The promise of a broken heart pulled at her consciousness. She needed space to clear her head. Attraction is only a chemical reaction in the brain. These feelings are not real! Get a grip!

“I would pay anything to know what is going through your head right now.” Ashton’s words surprised her. She was speechless staring back at him.

Ashton stepped forward, trailing up her arm with his fingertips. “Tell me what you’re thinking, Sophie.” Her name on his lips undid her.

A moan escaped her when his hand slipped around her waist and grabbed firmly onto her behind. He pulled her body against his, lifting her from the ground until her legs wrapped around his waist. He pressed her back against the wall. “Tell me.” He looked down into her eyes, his darker than she had ever seen them, swirling pools of desire. She was putty in his hands as he molded her body to his, pulling, squeezing, and caressing until she could no longer form a rational thought.

“I want…” He gently bit the tender skin of her neck, causing her to cry out in pleasure. “I want this.” He wound his fingers through her hair, angling her lips toward his.

“Good,” he whispered before grazing his teeth over her lower lip. His erection throbbed against her. She rocked her body against his to satisfy the growing ache deep between her legs. His lips consumed hers—it was demanding, raw, and desperate. It was beautiful and dangerous and desire claimed her like a powerful drug. Both of his hands found her face, pinning her against the wall with his powerful body.

“Fuck, you taste good,” he growled almost angrily against her lips before his tongue continued exploring her.

Ashton pulled back. His hooded lids shadowed his eyes. Sophie ran her fingers across his cheek, feeling his chest rise and fall exaggeratedly against her. She twisted her fingers through his soft hair, an indulgence that she had daydreamed about from the first moment she had seen him.