Asche didn't speak to me since then. We rode back to the hotel in silence because his mood was ruined and all he craved was to be alone.

Jules stared at us both with confusion and concern when we made it back to the limousine, Asche having arrived first with a scowl on his face. I sighed and frowned at Jules who nodded his head in understanding.

He mouthed silently, 'Roses and an apology.'

My frown deepened. I doubt that roses would appease him. Asche was a complex being that I often found myself unable to understand. I nodded then slid into the limousine and was welcomed by the strangling atmosphere.

Asche refused to meet my gaze and his demeanor hollered out angry and dangerous so I sat back and sulked as I sipped a glass of wine that I poured after the silence became unbearable.

I ran a frustrated hand through my hair and cursed myself for being so fucking jealous and stupid. Why couldn't I control my anger and possessive nature? It wasn't as if Asche was entertaining the brazen fool. Asche actually looked as if he wanted to bolt into the opposite direction.

I bumped my head on the headrest angrily and Asche's gaze diverted to me with alarm.

My blazing eyes leveled to his taught body that radiated fear.

"I won't hurt you, Asche," I whispered. "I'm just angry at myself."

His lips tightened together in a thin line and he lowered his eyes to the floor of the vehicle. "You should be." He then brought them back up to my face with a smoothed expression that hid his emotions. "Your lack of control worries me."

"With you Asche, I find myself unable to keep myself or my dragon under control. I am a half beast and you must tame me, Asche. That is the reality of it. My dragon is beyond possessive; he wants you for himself. Heart, body, and soul. It's difficult but I'm trying. I really am." I leaned forward with pleading eyes.

"I know I have no right to chastise you because...because we all get jealous. I must admit that I did back there but you almost revealed your other half to him! I saw it. Thank goodness he didn't." Asche pointed out.

I winced. "I was hoping you didn't take notice of it."

"How could I not? You were blowing off steam like a tea kettle!" He threw his hands up.

My heart sank. Was it that obvious? I hope not.

"I'm sorry," I said, gazing at him imploringly.

He reluctantly levitated his eyes on me. "I want to stay angry with you but it's so fucking hard. You're like a puppy, you know that? Giving me those puppy eyes." He rolled his eyes up.

A smile tugged on my lips. "Is it working?"

His lips twitched slightly and I leaned closer causing him to smile. "Yes, okay! Yes, it is!"

"So that means that I am forgiven?" I pressed.

"Yes, you are forgiven." He said, smiling.

"Can I hold you?" I asked, needing to feel the warmth of his body.

I saw the deep flush creep across his face and he snatched his gaze away, nodding. I grinned, placing the wine down and came over to him, taking him in my arms after placing him in my lap.

I nuzzled his neck and kissed him there. He shuddered.

"I love you so much," I whispered and held him tightly.

He sagged in my arms but said nothing, yet he held me as if I would disappear from his embrace.

As we sat there tucked in each other's arms, my mind raced at hundreds of miles per hour as that man's face flashed before my mind's eye. Something about him didn't sit well with me.

One thing I knew for sure, I wasn't letting him near Asche anymore.

Whatever transpired between them was long burnt out and what I now ignited within Asche will burn forever. He belongs to me and nobody else.

If he even thinks about seducing Asche, I'll disfigure his face into charred flesh.

I know there's more to him that Asche doesn't feel comfortable in telling me but I do hope that he eventually opens up and tells me who exactly that man was to him.

I took his hand in mine and brushed my lips along his knuckles, peppering kisses over the ridges. "Asche, you can trust me. I'm here for you, baby."

He sighed and held on to me, snuggling my chest. "I know you are worried about Tye. You deserve to know but it's something I kept buried in the past for so long that I just don't know how to uproot it to tell you everything."

"I understand," I kissed his knuckles again. "Everything takes time."

He didn't respond and silence fell. I stroked his hair and closed my eyes as I floated in his warmth and felt contented.

I lowered my arms to his stomach and gently rubbed it, feeling a rush of love for both him and our unborn child. We lost one but we were blessed to have the opportunity to raise our little survivor.

I still felt a pang of pain whenever I thought about his miscarriage but I pushed the negative feeling away basking in the positives knowing we still had a child on the way.

Jules took the route to a local florist where I instructed him to go inside and purchase a bouquet of white and red roses.

I truly hoped Asche liked roses. Stephon did say he was a romantic. We'll find out soon enough.

Just as I thought that, the limousine pulled up to a small, one storey establishment with flowers lining the windows.

Asche gazed up at me and then went to look out the window but I caught his chin gently.

"It's a surprise." I told him, ticking my finger at him.

His eyes shone with excitement. "Did you both plan this?"

I grinned. "Jules sensed your foul mood and we came to an agreement to try and soothe you."

"That's very thoughtful of you," He said softly, lowering his head, falling silent.

His silence unnerved me.

"Asche?" I inclined my head to catch the look on his face.

"You wanted to know who Tye was." He stated and I swallowed.

"Yes but--"

"He's the man that took my virginity and the first guy I sold my body to."

***