Page 141 of Ash and Poison

Smiling, I took a cup. “Thanks.”

“Vincent doesn’t like Jonah, does he?”

I nodded. “Jonah has always been odd, but I still can’t wrap my head around the fact he might be the one I’ve been hunting for.”

“What now?” Layne asked.

“We wait. I’ve got a feeling he knows it was me. If he gets more worried, he’ll mess up more.”

“I’m tired of waiting. I want this to be over.”

I want to go home with her.

“When it’s over,” Layne said, “we’re going to Trina’s restaurant to celebrate.”

Diya’s eyes narrowed.

“What—”

“She’s an amazing cook,” Layne added, ignoring Diya. “You’ll love it.”

“Why would he come with—” Diya frowned, clearly not impressed.

“Can you give us a minute, Layne?” I asked, and Layne gave me a wink before strolling off, leaving me alone with Diya.

“Little Poison.”

“What now?”

“I take back what I said last night. The debt? It’s not over. And it never will be.”

“What the fuck are you talking about—”

I pressed a finger to her lips. “I saved your life. Without me, you’d be dead. So… this,” I said, motioning to her.

She looked at me like she was two seconds from punching me.

“All of this… your heart, your body, and you… are mine. Forever. You can’t run from that.”

She blinked. “What?”

“You heard me. I want more, I want everything. I look at you and I see a whole world, past this moment, past a year, past ten years.”

“Asher, you…”

“Let me get this out,” I said, taking a deep breath. “After Riley, there has only been darkness, and then you came. And now, there’s no home for me, not without you, Diya.” I took her hand in mine and kissed her palm. “I want to belong to you. I want to be yours.”

“Okay,” she murmured, eyes full of promises. “Because you make me feel the same way,” she said. “Even though it feels totally insane. I didn’t want this at first… I was scared to believe something like this could happen to me. But not anymore.”

My heart was pounding as I looked at her. She gave me a small nod, answering the question I hadn’t dared to ask out loud.

“But tell me, Diya Sharma,” I said, grinning as I gently pushed her onto the couch, “have you ever actually been sane?”

“No.”

“Then let’s be insane together,” I whispered. “I want to kiss you… here…” I traced a finger over her underwear.

“Layne is…” Diya breathed.