He chuckled wickedly. “Alright, fine. I won’t say another word.” He sat up. “Can we go eat? I’m starving.”

I sat up and winced as the movement made my head a little fuzzy. “You’re always starving,” I teased. He grinned and leant in, planting a soft kiss on my forehead before standing up and leaving the room.

Forgoing the shower because I didn’t have the energy, I dressed and then put on a large pair of shades to keep the brightness of the day out of my eyes.

“Hey, you ready?” he chirped as I walked out of the bedroom. I nodded, picking up my purse. “I’m in the mood for bacon, what about you?” he asked, taking my hand and interlacing our fingers.

I shrugged. “Anything, as long as it’s greasy and bad for me.”

In the local café that was a five minute drive away from our apartment, I ordered a huge plate of bacon and eggs, and surprisingly, it did make me feel better. Or maybe that was the two espressos that I had to accompany it.

“So, about our date tonight, I know where I want to go. Make sure you dress casual and warm, and no heels,” Ashton instructed, grinning as we waited for the waitress to bring his change. I frowned. Our date night was usually on a Friday, but because I’d had my girls’ night, we’d shifted our date to tonight instead.

I cocked my head to the side. “Where are we going?”

He shook his head, smiling teasingly. “Surprise.”

“Oh come on, tell me, please?” I whined. I hated surprises, and he knew it.

“Nope,” he answered, popping the p. The bell above the door rang, signalling someone either coming in or leaving the café. His eyes flicked to the door and his body stiffened. I glanced over my shoulder in time to see a group of five guys walking in. They were all loud and boisterous, like they were still drunk or high from the night before. “You ready to go?” he asked, still discreetly watching the group of guys as they started harassing a couple of women a couple of tables away. I nodded, standing up. Ashton’s hand wrapped around mine as he pulled me close to his back on the opposite side to the men than were laughing and jeering, pushing each other playfully.

When we were about four feet from the door, one of them stepped in front of us and smiled. “Leaving so soon?”

“Yeah, excuse us.” Ashton smiled politely, tightening his grip on my hand.

“Well, maybe your lady would rather stay here,” the guy suggested, smiling at me.

I snorted in disbelief. “No thanks.”

Ashton shifted on the balls of his feet. “Seriously, bud, excuse us before you get yourself hurt,” he growled. The guy laughed but stepped out of the way, waving us through. As soon as we walked past him, he grabbed my hand, yanking me backwards. My instincts took over and I turned, throwing my knee up into his groin. He groaned in pain and Ashton shoved me towards the door as one of the other guys stepped forward.

“Son of a bitch!” he ranted.

“Leave with Dean!” Ashton growled, pushing me towards the door again.

“What? No!” I cried, horrified. There was no way I was leaving him here with five guys.

“NOW, ANNA!” he ordered.

I flinched at the authority in his voice and quickly turned for the door. As soon as I was outside, I ran to Dean, who was about a hundred years away, leaning casually against the wall. “There’s a fight. Go help him!” I shouted, pointing frantically at the café. I felt sick with worry. He was going to get hurt, I just knew it. My heart was pounding out of my chest.

Dean’s eyes widened as he looked back at the café but didn’t move. Suddenly he shook his head. “No. I need to take you away.” His hand clamped around my elbow, starting to drag me forward.

What the hell? He’s going to leave Ashton on his own? “Dean, what the hell are you doing? Ashton’s in there with five guys!” I screamed, trying desperately to shake off his hold.

“Then I feel sorry for the five guys. My orders from him are to take you away if there’s trouble,” he replied simply.

I didn’t want to hurt him, but if he carried on dragging me away then I was going to break his face. “For God’s sake! You can’t just leave him in there. Get the hell off me! Dean, will you stop? Ashton’s in there on his own, please go and help him!” I shouted, struggling to a stop.

Another pair of hands gripped my hips, and I squealed from the shock. “Chill out, Baby Girl, I’m here,” Ashton said in my ear.

My breath caught as my heart stuttered. I turned to face him and threw my arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. “What happened? Are you okay?” I asked, gripping onto him for dear life, probably choking the life out of him.

Instead of answering, his arms circled my waist and he lifted me off my feet. “Dean, let’s get her to your car,” he ordered. He moved one hand to my ass and forced my legs around his waist with the other as he started to jog in the direction of the car.

“I can walk, Ashton,” I protested, unwrapping one of my legs, but he just hooked it back there again and continued to jog towards the parking lot where we’d left the cars.

“I know you can, just humour me, okay?” he countered, gripping me tightly. My breathing started to slow, and my stomach unclenched now that he was here with me. When we got to Dean’s car, Ashton set me in the passenger seat and slammed the door, talking to Dean outside. I took the opportunity to look at every inch of his exposed skin, trying to see a red mark or blemish that indicated that he’d been injured, but there was nothing.