Ashes of Us

Chapter 32: The Call That Changed Everything

Laughter filled the room as I playfully swatted at Tobi, my heart light, my body still humming from his touch. The morning felt perfect—too perfect.

Then his phone rang.

The sharp vibration cut through our moment, and the change in Tobi was instant. His smile faded, his body stiffened. He sat up, reaching for the phone with a look I had never seen before.

I watched as he checked the caller ID, then without a word, got out of bed and walked toward the door.

Something in my chest tightened.

"Tobi?" I called softly.

He didn’t respond. Just picked up the call and stepped out, his voice low, unreadable.

I sat there for a moment, staring at the spot where he had been. The warmth from his body still lingered on the sheets, but now the room felt cold.

My first instinct was to follow him.

I got up, pulling on his shirt, and padded quietly toward the stairs. From the top, I could see him standing in the living room, phone pressed to his ear, his free hand clenched into a fist.

His tone was calm. Too calm. But the way his jaw tightened, the way his shoulders tensed—something was wrong.

I had a choice.

I could go down there, demand to know what was happening. Ask him why his whole mood had shifted in a matter of seconds.

But… did I really want to know?

Right now, all I wanted was to enjoy this feeling. To enjoy him.

With a quiet sigh, I turned and walked back to the room.

Tobi could handle whatever it was.

And I… I wasn’t ready to ask questions I might not like the answers to.

Chapter 33: Two Months of Tobi

Two months.

Sixty days of waking up to his warmth, of feeling his hands claim every inch of me, his lips tracing fire across my skin.

Two months of pure indulgence.

I’ve learned so much in this short time—not just about pleasure, but about power. About the kind of world Tobi moves in.

I don’t ask questions.

I don’t have to.

Because every time I look at him, I know there are things he isn’t telling me. Things he doesn’t want me to be involved in. And I’m fine with that.

For now.

All I know is that I’m his. And he makes sure I lack nothing.

A house. A whole damn house.

Tobi got it for me like it was nothing—a luxury apartment in one of the best estates. I don’t even live there yet. I still stay with him because the thought of sleeping anywhere else feels… wrong.

And the car? A sleek, expensive ride that turns heads wherever I go.

The morning he gave it to me, I just stood there, speechless, staring at the keys in my palm like they were unreal.

Tobi had only smirked, brushing a finger under my chin. "Can’t have my woman moving around like a commoner."

My heart clenched.

I’ve never known this kind of care before. This kind of devotion.

Two months of drowning in him, in his love, in the kind of pleasure that makes me forget everything else.

And the craziest part?

I’m falling harder every single day.

My mom is living her best life, and I still can’t believe it. Tobi is like a godsend—he’s changed our lives in ways I never imagined.

The struggles are gone, replaced with comfort and ease. My siblings are thriving. For the first time, we don’t have to worry about the next meal or school fees.

Every time I call home, my mom says the same thing—she wants to thank Tobi personally.

But I keep postponing it, always finding an excuse, not ready to bridge that gap just yet.

Because deep down, I know…

Tobi’s world isn’t just luxury and care.

It’s something else.

Something darker.

And I’m not sure I’m ready to face it yet.

Chapter 34: A Dangerous Kind of Love

Three days.

Seventy-two hours without a word.

And now, just like that, he was back—acting like nothing happened.

I sat at the edge of the bed, arms crossed, watching him. Tobi moved around the room like he hadn't just disappeared without an explanation. He unbuttoned his shirt, his movements slow, deliberate, unaffected.

My chest tightened. This wasn’t the first time.

Ever since I moved in with him, he had a habit of vanishing—sometimes for a night, sometimes longer. Each time, he returned like it was nothing. And each time, I told myself not to ask. Not to push.

But this time?

This time, I needed answers.

"You're back." My voice was calm, but the tension laced every word.

Tobi glanced at me, his brow lifting slightly. "Yeah, baby. Missed me?"

I scoffed. "Three days, Tobi. No calls. No messages. Where did you go?"

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he pulled off his shirt, exposing the smooth planes of his chest. The sight almost distracted me—almost—but I was too pissed to care.

"Tobi." My voice sharpened. "Where were you?"

Still, nothing.

Instead, he walked toward me, closing the space between us in slow, deliberate steps. His scent—dark, masculine, intoxicating—wrapped around me as he stopped right in front of me.

His fingers tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze.

"Baby, why are you angry?" His voice was low, almost teasing.

I yanked my chin free, standing up to meet him head-on. "Because I need to know where you go. You leave for days and come back like nothing happened. You don’t tell me anything, Tobi."

Something flickered in his eyes. Something unreadable.

"I handle business," he said simply.

I folded my arms. "What kind of business?"

A pause. Then, "Nothing you need to worry about."

My jaw clenched. "That’s not an answer."

Tobi exhaled slowly, his fingers grazing my bare arm, his touch just enough to make me shiver.

"You trust me, don’t you?" His voice softened, coaxing.

I swallowed. "It’s not about trust. It’s about knowing who I’m living with. Who I’m—" I hesitated. Who I’m falling deeper for.

Tobi’s thumb brushed over my bottom lip, his eyes darkening. "You’re mine, Sophie. I take care of you, don’t I?"

I hated that his touch still made my body react, even when I was mad.

Before I could answer, my phone buzzed loudly on the nightstand.

I jumped when I saw the name flashing on the screen.

Mom.

Tobi stepped back, watching as I grabbed the phone and answered.

"Hey, Mom."

Her voice was warm but curious. "My daughter, how are you? How is school?"

"Good, Mom," I said quickly, trying to steady my voice.

"Did you send the money? I saw it, but I wanted to confirm."

My stomach twisted. "Yes, Mom. I sent it yesterday."

A pause. Then—"Sophie… who is this man?"

My throat went dry. "What?"

"This… Tobi. My dear, tell me the truth. How did you meet someone who gives you this much?"

My grip on the phone tightened as I glanced at Tobi. He was watching me again, his expression unreadable.

I took a breath. "Mom, he’s just… someone who cares about me."

"I need to thank him. Give me his number."

My pulse spiked. "Mom, he’s not here right now. I’ll tell him."

Silence.

Then, she sighed. "Alright. But tell him I’m grateful. I just want to know the person changing our lives."

I swallowed. "I will."

I hung up, exhaling shakily.

Tobi was still watching me.

"You don’t want her talking to me yet," he said simply.

I hesitated. "I just… I want to wait."

Tobi nodded slowly, but there was something in his eyes, something knowing.

"Alright," he murmured, brushing his thumb along my jaw. "You’ll tell her when you’re ready."

I exhaled, relieved.

But the relief vanished when he suddenly flipped me onto the bed, his body pressing into mine, hard and hot.

"But for now…" He smirked against my lips. "You still owe me for questioning me."

I gasped.

Then, his mouth was on mine again, and I was lost.

Chapter 35: Consumed by Him

I stood there, arms crossed, trying to hold onto my anger. Three days. He had disappeared without a single explanation, leaving me to stew in my thoughts.

And now, Tobi was back, standing in front of me, looking so damn calm and confident like he hadn’t just ignored my calls and messages.

"Sophie," he murmured, stepping closer, his voice low, teasing. "You missed me."

My lips parted, ready to argue, ready to throw all my frustration at him.

But then, he reached into his pocket and pulled out something small, something that made my breath catch.

My passport.

I blinked, confused, as he held it up. "Pack your bags, baby. We’re leaving the country tomorrow."

My heart skipped. "Wait, what?"

Tobi smirked. "I told you before. You’re mine. I want to take you somewhere nice, somewhere just for us." He leaned in, brushing his lips against my ear. "You trust me, don’t you?"

My fingers trembled as I took the passport, staring at it.

I wanted to question him, but the heat of his body, the deep pull of his presence made me dizzy.

And then—

He kissed me.

Deep, slow, claiming.

My anger dissolved like sugar melting into fire.

Tobi's hands found my waist, gripping, pulling me in until I felt the hardness of his body pressing into my softness.

I gasped against his mouth, but he didn’t let me go—his tongue slipped past my lips, devouring, taking.

A moan escaped before I could stop it.

His hands slid down, cupping my ass, lifting me against him.

"I know you were mad," he whispered against my lips, kissing down my neck, teasing my pulse. "But let me make it up to you."

I barely had time to think before he carried me, my legs wrapping around his waist as he took me straight to the bed.

And then, he worshipped me.

Tobi wasn’t in a hurry.

He kissed me everywhere.

Licked, sucked, tasted.

I fell apart in his hands, moaning as his tongue traced every sensitive spot, as his fingers played my body like a sweet, dangerous melody.

When he finally entered me, it was slow, deep, intense.

My body arched, my mind spinning as he filled me completely.

Tobi groaned against my skin, holding my hips, thrusting deeper, slower, making me feel everything.

"You’re mine," he growled, voice rough with pleasure. "Only mine."

I shattered.

My entire world exploded into pleasure, my cries lost against his lips as he kissed me through my release.

But he wasn’t done.

He flipped me over, pinned me down, and took me again.

Harder. Deeper. Making me forget everything except the way he made me feel.

By the time he was finished with me, I lay completely spent, my body trembling, my anger long forgotten.

Tobi pulled me close, his fingers stroking my thigh lazily as I tried to catch my breath.

"Still mad?" he teased, pressing a kiss to my shoulder.

I could only shake my head, burying my face in his chest.

He chuckled darkly. "Good. Because tomorrow, I’m taking you somewhere unforgettable."

I closed my eyes, letting sleep pull me under.

I didn’t know where he was taking me.

I didn’t even care.

As long as it was with him.