As Lilly slowly opened her eyes she found Ashton in front of her. Propping his head on his hand he was looking at her with a smile on his face.

Finally, after so many days, he was there right by her side. Lilly felt relieved at the sight.

"Good morning, Mrs King." He greeted her with a smile.

She could sense the uncertainty in his voice and the questions behind those beautiful grey eyes asking if they were alright now. Smiling she touched his cheek gently as she wished, ''Good morning, Mr king."

His smile widened and he pulled her in a hug. Morning hugs were the best, Lilly smiled but this one was different. She could feel how tightly he held her in his embrace as if scared that she might run away.

"I am not going anywhere, Ashton. I am here right by your side," she said wrapping her arms about his back.

"Are you speaking the truth?" he asked still holding her beneath him in a hug.

"Yes. Have I ever lied to you?" she smiled as she slowly threaded her fingers through his hair.

Taking in a deep breath he pulled her a little just enough to look into her eyes. "You are staying with me."

She wasn't sure if it was a statement or a question but she still answered, "Forever." she smiled.

Just then her eyes fell on the clock. ''It's 10!" she couldn't believe she slept till this late.

"Aren't you going to be late, Ashton?"

"Nope." he smiled looking oh so relaxed while Lilly sat bolt upright as she looked at him.

"I hope you remember that you have a billion-dollar company to run."

"They can do it without me for at least a few days. That's what I am paying them for."

" I am jealous." She pouted looking at him. "Well unlike you I have a ton of work so I am out." She was about to get out of the bed but he pulled her from her wrist and her face met his chest.

"Don't go."

" Ashton, Grace must be waiting for us on the breakfast table." She tried to reason.

" No, she isn't." Ashton smiled satisfactorily as he gently touched her bare back with his fingers. "She is smart and she knows we both are having our couple time together."

Lilly sighed and then came up with another idea. "What about Sam?"

"You don't need to worry about him. Sam and Grace are now good friends so I don't think either of them is missing your presence there. So it's me who needs your attention, Mrs King."

Even though he was trying to play it as a joke but she could see how serious and genuine his eyes were. He still was not ready to let her leave his sight even for a second.

Climbing on top of him she cupped his face in both her hands.

" Now listen to me very clearly, Mr Ashton King. You have a billion-dollar business to run and I have a job that demands my attention. The drafts that I need to translate are just piling up on my table and you are the sole reason I have so much work pending."

"Why so, Mrs king?" he asked raising a brow.

"Because you weren't here so I couldn't concentrate. So now get your freakingly handsome self out of the bed and go and hunt in your jungle while I do my work here."

He chuckled at those words but then pulled a serious face as he asked, "What if I say I don't want to leave you alone here."

She knew the reason behind those words so she smiled reassuringly as she said, "My confession wasn't limited to those three words. When I said those words then it meant that I would never leave your side no matter what the situation is. So as long as you don't raise your hand on me or disrespect me you will find me right by your side. Do you get that?"

He slowly nodded his head in a yes so she continued, "In case I do something wrong then tell me where did I go wrong. If we ever argue again then instead of quitting and disappearing on me I want you to talk to me and sort it out. Have a conversation like adults. I don't want to be left alone again wondering for days where you might be or what are you doing."

"I promise."

"And one last thing, if I ever see any other woman touching you intimately then I swear I will never see your face ever again. I will leave-"

He placed his hand on her mouth stopping her from completing the sentence. ''That would never happen. You are the only one I need and want."

Sometimes, she couldn't believe how amazingly caring he was. Every time he said such sweet words she couldn't help but fall a little more in his love. She removed his hand from her mouth and holding his big hand in her smaller and softer ones she placed a kiss in his palm

"I promise I will never leave your side. So stop worrying too much, Mr King because even I don't know what I would do without you."

Lowering her head she placed her lips on his taking him by surprise and relief.

-----------

Sated from their long lovemaking Lilly was lying on him, completely exhausted and at peace.

"Lilly?" She heard him speak and smiled dreamily.

"Hmm..?"

"I want to take you somewhere."

"Where?"

The way he was tapping his fingers on her bare flesh she could feel how nervous he was. It felt as if he was contemplating whether or not to say what he wanted to speak.

He felt like he was walking on thin ice not sure exactly where to put his next step.

She touched his cheek gently as she looked into his eyes. "I will be there with you wherever you go and in whatever you do." She gave him a reassuring smile.

He looked into her eyes and it felt like so many unnamed emotions were clogging his throat. Taking in a deep breath he gave her a tight smile.

" I will use the shower first until then you can get some rest," he said getting up from the bed.

"Why?" she asked as she looked at all the muscles and sinew any girl would fall for.

"We have to go out somewhere."

"Aren't you going to save water today?" she asked giving him a teasing smile.

He smiled at that and replied, "As much as I want to, my wife is tired. So for today, I guess it would be fine if I take a shower alone."

And with that, he disappeared into the bathroom while she looked at the closed door behind him.

After a quick breakfast, they both had left the house and since the moment they sat in the car Ashton had gone completely quiet. He was holding her hand tightly while his thoughts were somewhere else. Just from the tension in his posture, she could tell how nervous he was. He still hadn't told her about where they were going but if it was something that could make the great Ashton King so nervous then it might be something huge, something of great importance, she acknowledged.

The car came to a stop and the driver announced that they have arrived.