"You expect me to live with that?"

"I expect nothing," Spencer said quietly. The tone caused Ashley to look deeper for the answers Spencer refused to give. "And I’ve agreed to nothing. Not yet."

"You ask for too much," Ashley bit off as she released her. "Too damn much."

Spencer wanted to go to her, go back to her arms and beg her to forget the past. Perhaps it was possible to live for the moment if one wanted to badly enough. It might have been pride that stopped her, or the deeply ingrained survival instinct she had developed since that long-ago September afternoon when she had fled from her and the prospect of pain. Spencer laced her fingers together and stared down at them. "Yes, I know. I’m sorry, Ash, we’ll only hurt each other."

Tense and tormented, Ashley turned back. "I’ve never wanted to hurt you, Spencer. Not even when I thought I did."

The ache spread so quickly, Spencer almost gasped from it. Isn’t that what Kyla had said that day? Ashley would never want to hurt you… never want to hurt you. Spencer could hear the words echoing inside her head. "Neither of us wanted to," she murmured. "Both of us did. Isn’t it foolish to do it again?"

"Look at me." The command was quiet and firm. Bracing herself, Spencer obeyed. Ashley’s eyes were locked on hers—those dark, penetrating eyes that conveyed such raw feeling. Gently Ashley touched her cheek. Without hesitation her hand rose to cover hers. "Now," Ashley whispered, "ask me again."

A long, shuddering breath escaped. "Oh, Ash, I was so sure I could prevent this. So sure I could resist you this time."

"And now?"

"Now I’m not sure of anything." She shook her head before Ashley could speak again. "Don’t ask now. Give us both some time."

Ashley started to protest, then managed to restrain it. She’d waited three years, a bit longer wouldn’t matter. "Some time," she agreed, lowering her hand. But as Spencer started to relax, Ashley took her wrist. The grip was neither gentle nor patient. "The next time, Spencer, I won’t ask."

She nodded, accepting. "Then we understand each other."

Ashley’s smile was a trifle grim. "That we do. I’ll walk you back." Ashley drew her through the curtain of leaves.