Ashley's eyes felt heavy as she forced them open and fluttered as they encountered the blinding rays of sunlight piercing through the half open curtains.
The pounding in her head was relentless, her stomach growled as if it had been tossed into a washing machine. Groaning, she pressed a hand to her forehead, trying to piece together the events of the previous night.
Her memory came back in bits and flashes, piece by piece. Laughter, tequila shots, Julian's smirk, the impulsive vows whispered under neon lights.
She jerked up.
Realisation dawned on her, her eyes slowly roamed the room and there he was, beside her.
Both of them were lying on the bed, stark naked underneath the tangled sheets. Her stomach twisted, partly from the hangover and partly from sheer mortification. Panic set in as she realized just how reckless and utterly irresponsible last night had been.
Julian stirred beside her, letting out a low, amused chuckle that made her panic even more.
"You're awake and you look like you've seen a ghost," he murmured, voice hoarse from sleep, dark eyes still twinkling with mischief.
"I-I can't believe this," she stammered, pressing her knees to her chest, trying to cover herself suddenly embarrassed and ashamed.
"This… this is crazy. I…"
He raised a hand lazily, interrupting her frantic monologue.
"Shhh… relax. You're fine," he said, his voice teasing but comforting at the same time.
"Look at me. You're alive, right?"
Ashley groaned. "Barely. I don't feel so great, my head hurts."
Julian chuckled again, a low, warm sound that seemed to ripple through the room.
"You survived tequila, tequila-fueled decisions, and me. That's a win in my book." he said, winking at her.
"We'll take care of the headache, don't worry, it's just a hangover".
He nodded at the night stand.
"A glass of water.Two pills. Already prescribed."
She let out a small grateful laugh despite herself. His humor, his calmness, it was somehow grounding, almost soothing in the middle of her self activated panic mode.
She shifted slightly, curling tighter under the weight of embarrassment, but Julian didn't move to make her uncomfortable. He simply regarded her, half amused, half admiring.
"We did get married, didn't we?"
"That's one way to put it," he said, smirking. "
Ashley's eyes narrowed at him. "Still cocky I see."
Julian leaned closer, his chest almost brushing hers. "Last night was unforgettable" he said, voice low, " And we will both remember it, always"
Her cheeks heated, and she couldn't look at him. She turned her gaze to the window, blinking at the sunlight, willing it to erase the previous night's chaos from her memory. She couldn't.
An ugly thought crept up, and she wondered if this was what he did for fun? Shaking up the world of strangers with fun taken too far, just for the sake of it? He looked too, at ease.
Julian sighed, stretching one long arm over the headboard, exposing the lean, strong line of his torso.
"So, here's the deal," he said casually. "You look miserable. Misery is a terrible use of Vegas and lucky for you, I'm feeling quite generous today."
Ashley tilted her head, skeptical. "Generous? How?"
He flashed a grin, dangerous and charming all at once. "I dare you to come on a boat cruise with me. Right now. Just the two of us. A few days on the water, sun on our skin, wind in our hair.
You can scream at me, glare at me, sulk at me but you'll be forced to forget the world for a little while."
Ashley blinked at him. "A dare again? Seriously?" There was no end to his madness, she thought.
He shrugged, the corner of his mouth lifting in that maddening way she was beginning to be wary of "I dare you to come with me. Take it or stay here and be miserable about things you can't help. Your choice."
Her stomach twisted not with nausea this time, but anticipation. She wanted to say no, to retreat, to safety, to go back to her hotel room and pretend the impulsive wedding had never happened. But something about him, the smirk, the playful confidence, the teasing dares.
It stirred something reckless inside her. Something she hadn't allowed herself to feel all her life. She had already done the worst, marrying a stranger. What could top that? she thought to herself.
Julian leaned closer again, so near she could see the faint curve of his lips and the teasing glint in his eyes.
"Because, Ashley," he murmured, voice low and smooth, "Sometimes the things you resist the most, are the very things you need. And I promise, I'm more fun than paperwork or the stress you are clearly seeking an escape from.
You do look like you need a breather and im here at your service wife."
She was laughing, small but genuine, but what was this word "wife" he kept throwing around? It made her nervous. What was that tug she felt? good old familiar panic? Or Shyness. She found herself suddenly blushing.
For the first time in months, she felt a spark of freedom, freedom to do whatever the hell she wanted. Maybe that was all Vegas was meant to be, a place to breathe, to let go, to be foolish, even if just for a little while.
"Fine," she said finally, rolling her eyes but smiling despite herself. "I'll go on your stupid cruise. But on one condition."
He raised an eyebrow, pretending to be intrigued. "Oh?"
"If our wedding was actually legal, I would like to get it annulled as soon as we get back," she said firmly, crossing her arms across her chest. "I'm not planning to extend this chaos any further than the weekend."
Julian chuckled, a deep, rich sound that made her pulse quicken. "Divorce after the cruise it is," he said, correcting her use of words. "Though I'm warning you… the sea has a funny way of making people forget plans."
Ashley was suddenly intrigued at the use of the word divorce, over annulment. Her best friend was a lawyer, so she knew the differences." Julian, did we by any chance go all the way last night?" she asked dread, creeping up her throat.
"I hope you didnt…" Surely he hadn't taken advantage of the situation and consummated their union, she hoped.
Julian was watching and enjoying the look of despair on her face and decided he was going to wait longer before easing her fears. He was enjoying this a little bit too much.
He feigned shock and surprise " You sure you can't remember? That's a shame, Mrs Blackwood, you were an insatiable wild cat, see how spent i was this morning? you wouldn't let me be all through the night, practically begging for it. He was staring at her, daring her to look at him.
She suddenly turned red and looked away. There was no need to be petrified, they were both Adults and she had put herself in that situation.
" Oh common, we are married, you know. What's with the coyness, You insisted we consummated our marriage, something about testing the goods" he said his voice trailing off.
She groaned at his audacity, but couldn't suppress the laughter, instead of getting angry. His boldness, the charm, it was infuriating she admitted and magnetic all at once.
She never thought she would be the slutty drunk, but then again she had gotten married to a stranger, she wasn't as reserved and wise as she'd thought.
She swung her legs over the side of the bed, feet hitting the cool floor, there was no need to feel embarrassed, he had after all seen all of her, she thought. Julian watched, still sprawled lazily, hands behind his head, studying her like she was a puzzle he was both determined and unwilling to solve.
"You're ridiculous and unbelievable," she said, shaking her head.
Julian's presence, his confidence, his teasing all of it distracted her from the hangover, from the weight of what had transpired, from her responsibilities, from the looming reality of her father's failling company. For now, that was enough.
By the time they reached the Marina, Ashley had traded self consciousness for something easier, curiosity, daring, and a touch of thrill. Julian greeted the boat captain, then turned to her, one eyebrow raised. She quietly found herself wondering who he was?
They'd flown in with a private Jet and now this. She'd suspected he had money but not on the scale she was experiencing .
"Ready for your first dare of the day?" he asked, interrupting her attempt at figuring him out.
She laughed, shaking her head. "I can't believe I'm doing this."
"Believe it," he said, offering his hand. "And hold on tight. You might just survive the day and maybe, even enjoy it."
Ashley took his hand, letting him guide her onto the deck.
The yacht rocked steady beneath their feet, the sun glinting on the water and waves sparkling like diamonds.
Julian leaned close again, just enough for her to feel his warmth.
"I promise," he murmured, voice low, "It'll be fun." Ashley smiled despite herself. "It already is.
And as the yacht pulled away from the dock, gliding over the open water, Ashley Ashford felt unburdened, alive, and recklessly free.
None of them had any idea how far and surprising this game would be.
Neither of them noticed the skiff drifting at a distance, its lone passenger lifting a camera, one click away from rewriting their story.
By the time Ashley turned, the skiff was gone and so, perhaps, was her quiet life.