Chapter 364

When I woke up again, it was already afternoon, and the space beside me was empty. Ashton had left for work. My stomach was growling with hunger, and I slowly pushed myself up, ignoring the ache that spread through my body. Sitting up was one thing, but when I swung my legs out of bed, they trembled so badly I nearly ended up in a heap on the floor. My face flushed hot as the memories from last night came rushing back. ‘That bastard,’ I muttered under my breath. ‘Couldn’t he have been a little gentler?’ I dragged myself through my morning routine: washing up, heading downstairs for a quick bite, then coming back up. Suddenly, the idea of a long, soothing bath seemed irresistible. I didn’t stay in the tub for too long. After a short soak, I got out, lathered up with shower gel, rinsed off, and wrapped myself in a bathrobe. Stepping out of the bathroom, I turned into the dressing room to get changed, only to find Ashton already there, in the middle of changing himself. He had his trouser