Tempted by Her Innocent Kiss(72)
Devon battled a surge of irritation. He was about to tell Cam to go to hell when Ashley rubbed her hand over her forehead. The gesture seemed to make abundantly clear what perhaps he’d missed before. Maybe he’d been missing for a while. Or maybe it just took Cam drawing his attention to it.
She was pale, her face drawn. She looked tired and exceedingly fragile. She looked…different. Not at all like the vivacious, sparkling woman he’d married.
He frowned. “She probably has a headache.”
“You’re a dumbass,” Cam said in disgust.
Before Devon could respond, Cam turned on his heel and walked away, leaving Devon baffled by the anger in his friend’s voice.
But he didn’t have time to figure out Cam’s mood or what bug was up his ass. Ashley looked exhausted. Her forehead was creased in pain and she rubbed the back of her neck. He was more convinced than ever that she had one of her headaches.
He pushed his way through the few people standing between him and where William now stood with his son, Eric.
“I’m going to take Ashley home,” he said to William. “Please give our apologies to our guests.”
William looked up in concern while Eric frowned and immediately sought Ashley out in the crowd.
“Is something wrong?” William asked.
“Everything’s fine,” Devon said in an effort to calm the older man. “I think she has a headache.”
Eric scowled, his blue eyes flashing as he stared holes through Devon. “She seems to be having headaches quite frequently these days.”
Devon wasn’t going to stick around to argue the point. He nodded at William and then went to collect Ashley.
He found her conversing with two of the people who worked in the Tricorp offices. Or rather they were doing all the conversing. Ashley stood smiling and nodding.
“Excuse us please, gentlemen,” Devon said smoothly. “I’d like to steal my wife if you don’t mind.”
The relief on her face made him wince. She was obviously suffering and she’d had to stand here through her father’s speech.
His plans for the evening melted away. His primary concern now was getting her home so he could take care of her. The news about the shelter could wait until tomorrow. They’d have dinner together—another of her experimental concoctions, no doubt—and then he’d tell her that her animals were safe.
He drew her in close, noting again the fatigue etched in her features. But more than that, it was as if the light had been doused from her usually expressive eyes.
He experienced a tightening sensation in his chest but he shook it off and focused his attention on her.
“We’re leaving.”
She looked up in surprise. “But why? The party will be going on for hours yet.”
“You’re hurting,” he said quietly. “Headache?”
A dull flush worked over her features. “It’s okay. I’m fine, really. There’s no need for you to leave. I can have Pippa take me home or I can just catch a cab.”