She’d questioned the same thing so manytimes. After years of searching, unable to find any deeper meaningin pain, she no longer let it stop her from thriving. Squeezing hishand, she leaned against his shoulder. “But we’re both here. I’mglad you’re here.”
“Yeah. Not much more to it than that. Lifefucking sucks sometimes. Other times, like right now, it’s prettygreat. I’m glad you’re here, too.” He pulled her hand up and softlypressed his warm lips to her knuckles. “I’ve felt much less alonesince you got here. Whatever that means.”
Sliding her legs up, she crawled into his bedand stole one of his pillows. Fluffing the pillow dramatically, sherested her head and pulled the blankets up, snuggling in at hisside.
Watching, he chuckled, a confused smilecrossing his face. “Forget where you are?”
“Nope.” She curled up on her side closed hereyes. Without argument, he laid back in the bed and enveloped herin his arms. Within seconds, Sophie felt his breathing slow, hisbody relax. She was out a few seconds later.
10
T-Minus 9 Days
Asher woke with a mass of hair spread across hisface. One arm pinned, he found himself wrapped around the octopusthat was wrapped around him. An unexpected smile crossed his face.He’d slept great.
Sophie was nuzzled close, her head on hisshoulder. Daylight streamed in through the open window, casting awarm glow on her smooth skin. She was gorgeous when she slept, herfeatures soft, lips slightly parted. He'd never actuallysleeping-slept with a woman before and found it remarkably arousingto wake up with one in his arms. Well, this one anyway.
Wow, that would have been a good Never forlast night’s game.
Although he hated to ruin the moment, he knewit was late morning already. He tried to gently wake her with akiss. Eyebrows scrunching in adorable confusion, she wasn't quiteawake yet.
He kissed her again, lingering a littlelonger this time. Her lips formed a satisfied smile before her eyesopened. Hand moving up to stroke his rough-bearded cheek, her lips,still warm from sleep, locked onto his. Immersed in the moment, shewrapped her legs around his waist and her fingers gripped in hishair.
Rolling her underneath him, Asher deepenedthe kiss, exploring her waiting mouth. Sliding his hand under hershirt, he grasped her breast, his calloused hand rough against hersatin skin.
A sigh escaped her lips, her hands wandereddown his sides and clutched his bare ass. Already hard, Asherinstinctually moved against her. Glad she’d worn underwear to bed;the thin cotton was the only thing separating them before he didsomething stupid.
Fully awake now, she shifted her hands aroundfront and ran her fingers along his iron-hard erection. Holy shitshe wasn’t shy. After a delicate caress, about torturing him withthe feather light touch, she gripped the base of his cock firmly.Fuck, he about lost it.
A gentle knock thundered at the door,shattering the incredible moment.
“Dammit,” he muttered as he leaped off ofher. Sophie’s eyes widened in panic and she bolted out of bed.
“Asher, can I come in?” His sister’s softvoice carried through the door, jarring him like a damn IEDexploding.
Frantically searching for pants, Asher pulledon his discarded jeans from last night. “Hang on.”
Still in her camisole and panties, Sophie ranfor the bathroom, only to find the door locked. The door handlewasn’t budging. Shit. Apparently, she hadn’t figured out the lockafter the naked lesson the other morning.
Diving under the bed, Sophie disappeared fromsight. Asher had never seen her move so fast, and when she ran, thewind followed her lead. At the last second, he grabbed a sweatshirtso he had something to hide the erection that just wouldn’t fade.It had been way too long; poor guy wasn’t calming down.
Holding the sweatshirt crumpled in front ofhim as if he meant to wear it, but really to maintain his dignity,he made it to the door just in time. Pippa was opening the door acrack to check on him.
“Were you still asleep? It’s after seven. Idon’t think I’ve ever seen you sleep in this late. Or Sophie, forthat matter; we must have stayed out later than I thought.” Sheyawned, noting the daylight streaming in through his openwindow.
Asher turned it around on her. “Consideringwe had to drive a few drunks home at an ungodly late hour, give ussober few a break. How are you up so early?” She did look a littlepasty this morning. Maybe a little green.
“We moronically scheduled the meeting withthe minister the morning after the bachelor and bacheloretteparty.” Her voice crackled as she spoke. Miraculously, she didn’ttry to push past his hand on the door.
Well, for a moment. “Wait, why are youblocking me? Is… You didn’t have sex with Sophie, did you? Afterwhat happened at Mark’s bachelor party?”
Pippa pushed past him, her angry eyessearching the room. She did a quick barrel through the room.Glaring at him, not quite satisfied, she went to the bathroom andtried to get in. Finding the door locked, miracle of miracles, sheassumed Sophie was in the shared bathroom.
“Don’t trust me?” He shrugged innocently.
“No.” She completed her visual sweep of theroom.
Asher gritted his teeth. He knew why she wasso paranoid. She had plenty of friends growing up, but once theywere… well… matured… although he regretted it, many came over totake a ride on the Asher train. He’d dug his own grave.
