Chapter 359 Welcome Home
That night, I didn’t have a single nightmare.
In fact, I slept more deeply and soundly than I had in ages.
When I woke the next morning to sunlight streaming through the windows, I immediately reached for my phone on the pillow next to me. It was cold to the touch and had completely run out of battery. I groaned, annoyed with myself for forgetting to charge it. I knew the battery had been on its last legs when we were talking.
I plugged it in, and as it booted up, the screen showed our call had ended at four in the morning.
Had Ashton really been awake until four?
The thought sent a pang of guilt through me. I’d been so wrapped up in my own need for comfort that I hadn’t considered his rest.
***
Three days later, evening was drawing in.
I’d been waiting in the villa all day, my nerves stretched taut. Several times, I’d been certain I heard the sound of his car, only to rush outside and find the driveway empty. It was just my mind playing tricks on me, my longing for him conjuring sounds out of the silence.
I was trudging back inside after another disappointment when Geoffrey hurried towards me. ‘Mrs Laurent, Mr Laurent is back.’
‘Really?’ After so many false alarms, a part of me was sceptical.
Geoffrey nodded earnestly. ‘His car has just pulled into the driveway.’
That was all I needed to hear. I was off, flying through the door. I didn’t know why this separation had felt so acute, why the need to see him was this physical ache.
As I burst outside, I saw him just stepping out of the car. The warm, golden light of the setting sun caught him in profile, gilding the side of his face and making his sculpted features look like something out of a myth.
He wore a white shirt and slate-grey trousers, no tie, with the top two buttons undone revealing a hint of his collarbone. His hair was slightly messy, not perfectly styled as usual, and it made my heart stutter. The man was devastatingly handsome without even trying.
He felt my gaze and looked up.
Our eyes met across the distance. A ripple of emotion crossed the deep blue of his eyes, and the corner of his mouth lifted in a slow, sure smile. He opened his arms, a clear, wordless invitation.
My heart leapt, and without a second thought, my feet were moving. The first step was tentative, but the second broke into a run.
I crashed into him like a force of nature, my arms wrapping tightly around his waist, my face buried in his chest. I breathed him in, that familiar, clean scent that felt like home, and my entire being seemed to melt into his.
‘You’re back,’ I mumbled into his shirt, my voice thick with everything I’d felt while he was gone.
His arms closed around me, holding me so tightly it almost stole my breath. It was a fierce, possessive embrace, his jaw resting heavily against my forehead. The pressure was solid and real, a tangible reminder of his presence.
This separation had been hard on both of us. He had missed me, too.
‘I’m home,’ his low voice rumbled in response.
We stood there, not speaking. Nothing else needed to be said. In that moment, just holding each other was enough. The rest of the world—the villa, the gardens, everything—just faded away, leaving only the quiet joy of being together again.
After a long while, I tilted my head back to say something, and my eyes caught Dominic’s watchful gaze.
A flush of self-consciousness warmed my cheeks. I’d just thrown myself at Ashton in full view of Dominic and all the security staff. Even though it was just a hug, I still felt incredibly embarrassed.
I gave Ashton a gentle push and whispered, ‘Dominic and the others are watching.’
Ashton stilled. He lifted his head and fixed Dominic with a cool, dismissive stare.
‘It’s so warm out, let’s go inside.’ I turned to include Dominic. ‘You should come in too, Dominic. Have a drink.’
‘Yes, thank you, Mrs Laurent.’
No sooner had he spoken than Ashton fixed him with another icy look.
‘You’re welcome,’ I said, giving Dominic a friendly smile.
That simple act made the possessive man beside me tighten his arm around my waist, pulling me closer.
I started walking towards the house, but after a few steps, something felt off. I turned back to him. ‘Are you all right?’
He’d been standing by the car door since he got out, not moving much even when he opened his arms to me. But now, as we walked, I noticed a slight hesitation when he stepped forward with his right leg.
Ashton’s jaw tightened. ‘I’m fine. Let’s go.’
He took another step, and this time his stride was steady and confident as ever.
Inside the house, Ashton gave Dominic a look, then turned to me. ‘I need to go over a few things with Dom.’
He was home now, and even though I wanted to soak him in, I knew he had responsibilities. I nodded. ‘Alright.’
I went upstairs and left the bedroom door open a crack. A little while later, I heard the door and saw Ashton come in. ‘All done?’ I asked.
‘Hm,’ he replied.
I peeked around him to make sure Dominic was gone. Then, rising onto my toes, I pressed a kiss straight to his lips.
His eyes darkened immediately.
After a few days apart, he was probably just as horny as I was.