“Pip, really. I’m not that guy anymore. And Idon’t think Sophie’s one of those girls.” Shoving her out the door,he tried to close it in her face. Nicely, of course, but he was alittle irritated.
She stuck her foot in the door so he couldn’tlock her out yet. “I’m sure that’s true. Just… not Sophie. Icouldn’t bear it if you broke her heart.”
He knew what she meant. As much as she caredfor her friend, she couldn’t handle the heartbreak of losinganother friend to his recklessness. “I know, Pip. I’d never doanything to hurt you.” He amended, “Not intentionally anyway.”
“I know.” Downtrodden, not relieved by hisreassurances, she started to leave. “Breakfast is keeping warm inthe oven when you're hungry. We’re off to see the minister.”
Finally, she unwedged her foot from the door.Immediately, but quietly to avoid arousing suspicion, he closed andlocked the door. Never to leave it unlocked ever again. Walkingaround to the far side of the bed, he watched as Sophie wiggled herway out from under the bed.
“You need to vacuum under there more often.”She brushed a few dust bunnies out of her hair, looking incrediblyadorable.
Smoothing her wild hair, he caught himselfand pulled his hand back and left it to hang uselessly at his side.“I can’t do this to Pippa. Shit, this sucks. But, I… I like you. Alot.”
Biting her lip, Sophie looked away. Her eyeswere moist from the dust or from the moment. He dared to hope itwas the moment. Where was that coming from? He’d never wanted awoman to get emotional over him before.
“I like you, too. Maybe we can try the friendthing out for now? At least until after the wedding?”
Hating it, but knowing it was a good idea,Asher nodded. “Yeah.”
She looked up at him, her arms crossedprotectively across her chest. “I have a meeting with your AuntJane today about the business. Sort of an interview, but sherefused to call it that, as she says she’s hiring me anyway.”
Shoving his hands in his pockets so hewouldn’t touch her, his body clearly not on board with thefriends-only thing, Asher nodded. “That’s great. She’ll be a goodbusiness partner. You know where the office is? I have a fewerrands to run, so we could head in together.” He quicklycorrected, “As friends, of course.”
“Sounds good. You know how to picklocks?”
Scowling at the bathroom door, Asher shookhis head. “I usually just kick them down. If I have to kick itdown, you have to explain to Dad why the door is off itshinges.”
Sophie wasn’t wearing anything but herlace-trimmed tank top and flimsy little cotton panties. Coming outof his bedroom wearing next to nothing, or even his clothes, wouldreally not be helpful at this point.
Pulling on a t-shirt, erection finally atease, Asher offered, “I’ll unlock it from your end. If there’sanyone out there, it may take me a bit.” Sophie nodded and hidbehind the bedroom door while he ventured into the open loftarea.
Coast clear, he casually strolled to herroom, then dashed in before anyone saw. How the hell the door hadlocked itself, he’d never know. Stupid electronic locks. It was oneof the finest on the market when they’d built the house. His dadhad been so excited to stock it at the shop.
Standing in the middle of his bedroom, hipcocked out to the side in pure attitude, Sophie stood waiting forhim. He tried not to let his gaze linger on those long legs. Triednot to notice her soft, handful-sized breasts were perky andbraless under her tank. Tried not to notice how sexy she looked,all rumpled from sleeping curled up next to him last night.
When Pippa got back from her honeymoon, hewas going to have to have a serious talk with her. He wasn’tletting Sophie go.
He’d been a dumbass back in the day, which heknew. He’d always had a bit of trouble controlling his impulses.That was why he rushed his way through high school, then majored inthe fastest program he could find; he knew he would flounder foryears otherwise. Then joined the navy without a fucking clue whathe’d been getting into.
There was this little box on a form torequest his preferred unit, and he thought, SEALs are awesome, whynot? His impulsivity got his in trouble more often than not, sohe’d worked hard to be sure he was constantly on the move before itbit him in the ass.
***
After a quick shower, he dashed downstairs.Thank goodness most of the house appeared to be gone. Pippa andLincoln must have left for their appointment already.
Coffee. Sleeping in so late, the caffeineheadache was kicking in already. The pot nearly empty, he pouredthe last of the dregs into his cup. Measuring the fragrant grounds,he made a full pot, anticipating the need for a little extra kickthis morning.
Sophie would be down soon and be looking forher morning caffeine fix, too. And, as he was, she’d be a bittwitchy from missing their run this morning.
Smirking with what he knew was a dumbass grinon his face, he imagined what might have happened if they hadn’tbeen so rudely interrupted. She was definitely not the innocenteveryone seemed to think. After that stupid game last night, thenthis morning…
The way she’d tormented him with thatfeather-light touch until he forgot his own name, then squeezed himso tight… he about came in her hand. He’d been right about thoseperfect breasts of hers, too. It was going to be a fucking longwait to have her.
Again, rudely interrupted. What was with hisfamily? Paul lumbered around the corner and joined him in thekitchen. Thank god he’d worn thick, snug jeans to keep thingssubdued this morning. He needed to get his own place. Fast.
“Morning, Asher. Don’t usually see you sleepin so late. Exciting bachelor party last night?” Paul stood next tohim, also waiting for the fresh pot of coffee to finishbrewing.
He knew his dad was just making conversation,but he couldn’t help but feel defensive. Yeah, he’d nailed Mark’sstripper that night, but it hadn’t exactly been planned oranything. Everyone else had passed out drunk before she finishedher routine. With a sailor’s tolerance, he’d been just fine, allsystems in full operation. She’d been looking for a little afterparty action, and he was happy to accommodate.
