Born of Blood and Ash

“Have you thought about trying?”

“You’ll be shocked to learn I have, but that’s not what I’m thinking about.”

“So shocked,” he drawled.

I took a deep breath and exhaled loudly.

Ash ignored it.

I stared at the ceiling once more. Several minutes passed. “Ash?”

“Close your eyes.”

My lips turned down at the corners.

“And go to sleep.”

My eyes narrowed. “It’s important.”

“No, it’s not.”

I turned my head toward his. “You just said that whatever was important enough to keep me awake was important enough to keep you awake.”

“What you’re thinking about now is not important.”

My frown deepened. “And how do you know what I’m thinking?”

“I’m all-knowing.” Ash snuggled in closer, working a cold thigh between mine. “It’s a new ability.”

“Uh-huh,” I muttered, then my eyes widened. “Wait. You’d better be joking.”

“I’m all-knowing when it comes to you,” he amended with a chuckle.

“You’re not fu

“And you’re not sleeping.” His arm tightened around me. “You need your rest, liessa, and I’m prepared to ensure you get your sleep.”

I huffed out a short laugh. “And exactly how are you going to do that?”

“Quite easily.”

“Whatever.” I sighed obnoxiously. A few moments ticked by. “You know, I’m thinking about you—” I squeaked as Ash rolled atop me. My wide eyes locked with his. Bright streaks of starlight swirled wildly in them. “What are you doing?”

“What I said I’d do,” he answered. “I’m going to ensure you get your much-needed rest.”

“How?” I tried to move my arms, but his chest trapped them against me. “By squishing me to sleep?”

“No.” His lips coasted over mine. “I’m going to fuck you so hard that the only thing you can do afterward is sleep.”

My mouth dropped open, but he captured whatever I was about to say with a stroke of his tongue, and then he did as he warned.

Ash fucked me hard, face-to-face, and then flipped me onto my belly, driving into me until I was limp and sated. And he was successful.

Within five seconds of closing my eyes, I fell right to sleep.