Ashley hesitated and licked her lips. "They want me to join them. I told them I would after Brandon was safe."
Wrong answer. Jonny spoke the word silently. This was what he intended when he dropped Ashley off the night before with his sister. He'd fully expected never to see Ash again, but the price of the White God's permission to heal her was worth it.
One look at her upturned face, at the fire in her eyes, and he didn't think it was possible for him to let her go willingly.
"No," he spoke quietly. "I'm not okay with that."
"It's not your choice to make," she shot back. "Means to an end, remember?"
Jonny reacted rather than speaking. He kissed her hard, testing the waters that were far too muddy for him to decipher his own emotions. Ashley's arms went around his neck instantly, and she leaned into him, her mouth opening to give him access to its depths. She melted into his passion, meeting his need with her own.
With a growl of primal need, he pulled her against him and kissed her, deep and long, wanting to do so much more than he had time for this night. He hadn't been able to shake the fear he experienced when he saw her body hanging in the factory. He wasn't going to be able to let her go when this was over, and he didn't want to face the idea she could end up dead.
When he'd rendered her breathless, he kissed a path down the side of her face to her neck and sank his teeth into her. She gasped and clung to him, her body trembling from more than exhaustion.
Jonny savored her taste. After last night, he was all too aware that there was no guarantee of tomorrow for either of them until Valon was stopped. If his plan failed, if he wasn't able to protect Ashley, if Valon's vamps got a leg up …
He listened to her ragged breathing and did his best to experience every tiny drop, every inch of her body, every sensation he could as he fed from her. She was too weak for him to drink his fill, and he used his magic to patch up the attack waiting to take her down and withdrew much sooner than he wanted. Ashley remained against him, her cheek against his chest. Jonny rested his chin on top of her head.
He was surprised to feel just how deep the instinct to keep her close, to protect her, ran.
"I hate you, Jonny," she whispered.
He held her, uncertain if or when they'd have another chance to be together after his plan tonight. "You belong with me, Ash. Not the fucking Guardians."