Free Questing Heart: Fighting Heart Erotic Bad Boy Romance Series Book 2 by Nicole Hamilton Page A

in turn.
    “You must be the muse, I’m guessing. I’m Joanna Laws. It’s good to meet you,” she said, extending a slender hand. Ashley took it and they shook once.
    “Likewise. You’re the agent, Joanna.”
    “Yes, that’s me. Oh, it’s just so warm, isn’t it? You know, I’d really like an ice cream right now, wouldn’t you?”
    The Aygo was parked a hundred yards from a village shop ahead on the lane. Cody and Ashley waited for Joanna to spot it, to head off and buy an ice cream, but she didn’t. “Oh, right,” said Cody, the penny finally dropping and left the ladies behind. He walked slowly wondering about the ladies he was leaving behind and what was going to unfold while he was gone. When he returned a few minutes later, he saw the increased distance between them. They were facing different angles, looking quietly at different views. What the hell could have happened inside two minutes? Cody gave them each a Magnum ice cream and tried to read their faces, but their acting was immaculate. They both smiled. But in the corner of Ashley’s mouth, was the slightest crease of unhappiness. She looked at Cody and did her best to smile and then looked away.
    “What a lovely day,” said Joanna.
    Up until that moment, it had been a lovely day. But now Cody saw his hope for turning up the heat with Ashley had hit a serious road block…

Eleven
     
    Ashley wouldn’t talk about it and she didn’t hold Cody’s hand like that again for the rest of the day. He was confused and perturbed, and wanted to reset their relationship back to the morning when they started on their country walk. And he wanted to speak to Joanna to find out what had happened. For that he needed to be alone with Joanna too. Why did everything have to be so awkward? Cody didn’t know the answer to that, but he needed to get some clarity.  He saw the conflict in Ashley’s eyes. Before they returned to York for another book reading, Cody found a moment when Joanna had left them to call the tour organiser. She left them overlooking a sweeping vista of green dales, farm land with sheep and grazing cattle and the sounds of the country. The shadows of the day were stretching longer now. Cody wanted Ashley to speak, but she didn’t, so he broke the silence.
    “Hey. We had a nice morning together you and me, am I right?”
    Ashley smiled and glowed for a few seconds. Then she sighed. “Yeah, it was lovely, Cody. Thanks for walking with me today.”
    “Thank me for walking with you? I should thank you. My muse returned to inspire me for my readings. Heck, Joanna should be paying you to be here.”
    She laughed and looked across the fields. “Somehow, I don’t think that’s going to happen, Cody.”
    “Ashley?” He said. There was a bittersweet look in her eyes. “Ashley, you’re still my muse, right. Whatever is going on in our crazy messed up, lives, that’s just how it is.”
    “I know how the land lies, Cody, you’ve been sweet to me, and I realise me turning up like this has been difficult for you, but I really need your help. I’m homeless because of Brandon and you remember how he threatened to ruin my course if I left him. I just don’t know what he’s going to do… and most of the time I’m in control of my destiny, but right now I’m worried and it feels like you’re the only friend I’ve got. The only one I can trust. So don’t worry, Cody. I’m not upset, but please just promise me you’ll help me.”
    Cody tried to read between the lines rapid-fire. He felt a new distance between them. She hadn’t accepted the feelings he’d declared for her. It was as if she hadn’t heard any of it. All Cody heard was that Ashley believed she wasn’t welcome in York and that they were nothing more than friends. Cody shook his head. He wanted much more than that.
    “I promise I’ll help you with all of that stuff. I care about you, Ash.”
    Ashley nodded. “My timing sucks, huh?” and gave Cody a friendly yet still