“Thanks.” She gave me my total and when Liz came back out, we exchanged numbers. I told her that I would call. I went to my dad’s and dropped off my new stuff and packed up Beast. I quickly left my dad a note telling him to call me later and drove to Asher’s.
Now I am enjoying the sun that is slowly setting. There is a slight chill in the air but I put on my knit hat and giant wool sweater so I feel nice and toasty. My hair slides across my neck and then lips kiss the sensitive skin under my ear. I open my eyes to see Asher smiling down at me.
“Hey, baby. I’ve been looking for you,” he whispers.
“Hi.” I stretch, sitting up and looking around. “I guess I fell asleep,” I say quietly, realizing that I'm still sitting outside but it’s dusk and really cold.
“Yeah, I got worried when I couldn’t find you in the house. Where is your phone? Your dad and I tried calling you?”
“Oh, crap. I think it’s still in my bag. I wasn’t planning on being out here so long.”
“Let’s get you inside,” he says, picking me up. My arms go around his shoulders and I lay my head on his chest. His body is so warm and he smells so good.
“I can walk,” I mumble into his chest.
“I like carrying you. You’re so tiny,” he says and I feel him kiss my forehead.
“Ha! Only to you cause you’re a giant.” He laughs and I can feel it rumble against my cheek as he carries me into the living room and sits with me in his lap. I curl into him for a few minutes just absorbing his warmth and the feel of his steady breathing. It should feel awkward to be with him like this but it feels completely normal. How creepy is that?
“What do you want on the pizza, baby?” he asks, rubbing my back. I feel like I could fall back asleep.
“Um, mushrooms, peppers, olives, and pepperoni, unless you want something else.”
“Nope, sounds good.” I feel him lift his hips and his hand leaves my back. I can hear the beeping of his phone before he places our order. After disconnect the call, I hear the phone hit the coffee table.
“Did you have a good day?” I ask into his chest.
“No. The fire inspector wanted to close the site and Cash had to go to the hospital to get stitches.” The minute that the words are out of his mouth, I'm up, trying to pull out of his arms.
“Oh my God! What are you doing? You should be with him. Is he okay? Who’s taking care of him?” I yell, trying hard to pull away.
“He’s fine. Mom’s with him. He just cut his hand. Calm down.”
“How many stitches did he need?”
“Just three. Why are you so worried?” he asks, narrowing his eyes. Suddenly, he looks angry.
“He was hurt and he’s your brother,” I say slowly. “What do you mean, why am I worried?” I ask, confused. He doesn’t say anything. He just stares at me then I realize why he’s asking that question and I want to kick him. “Seriously? Your own brother?” I ask him, shaking my head in disbelief and again trying to pull away.
“Let me up,” I say but his arms only tighten. “I'm serious, Asher. Let me up right now. I cannot believe that you would even think that I would be sitting here with you if I was even a little interested in your brother. I mean, obviously we don’t know each other very well but if you want to get to know me, you’re going to have to trust me. Otherwise, don’t waste my time.” I pull away and am finally able to stand. I leave him sitting on the couch and go into the bathroom and hop up on the counter, wondering what the hell is wrong with him. First Nick, now his brother. I want to scream at the top of my lungs. The door opens and I look up. He’s just standing there, looking at me, not saying anything. I'm starting to feel like I shouldn’t be here anymore and should risk respiratory failure and stay with my grandma.
“I think I should go stay with my grandma,” I say quietly.
He still doesn’t say anything and I start to squirm on the counter under his stare. Then I see him take a deep breath and he lunges at me and his mouth crashes into mine. His hands go to my ass, pulling me to the edge of the counter.
I'm caught off guard but my body takes over and my hand goes to his back. My other hand digs into his hair as he bites my bottom lip, then lightly bites my chin and then comes back to my mouth where he devours me. His tongue is in my mouth and playing with mine, nipping and biting my lips. I feel one of his hands leave my ass and travel around and up the front of my shirt, cupping my breast through my bra. I whimper into his mouth and try to press closer, knowing my panties are soaked. I don’t think I’ve ever been so turned on in my life. Then pulls away, kissing me softer and setting his forehead to mine.
“You’re not going anywhere,” he rumbles and I feel the vibrations of his words straight between my legs.
“I don’t want to go anywhere,” I tell him truthfully, knowing that I should leave because this situation has heartache written all over it.
He presses his forehead to mine and takes a breath. “Almost every woman that I’ve f**ked has also f**ked one or more of my brothers,” he says quietly. I can feel bile crawling up my throat and a horrible pain hit my chest at his words. He was actually opening up to me but I wasn’t sure I wanted to know this.
I don’t know why, but I feel like I need to share something about me to make us even, to make him understand that he isn’t the only one with baggage.