Sophie mumbled something he couldn’thear.
Grady continued, “I guess when I realized youand Asher had something going on, realizing I’d missed my window, Iblew up. He’s got a reputation, and I know you haven’t dated much,so I worried that you were being taken advantage of.”
Speaking louder this time, he could hearSophie. “Apparently I give off that vibe. Thank you for worryingabout me, but whatever it is about me that gives off this vibe,it’s not innocence. I just know myself well enough to know that Iwon’t pursue anyone that I can’t see myself with fifty years fromnow. Not anymore, anyway.”
Silence reigned for a moment. A hopefultwinge fluttered in his gut. Fifty years from now, huh?
He tried to picture what was happening. Gradywas sitting down now? “And that’s not me, huh?”
“Sorry, no. I really wanted to feel that wayabout you. You’re everything I’m looking for, but as Freya wouldput it, the pheromones just aren’t there.”
“What is it about Asher? I was worried it wasbecause Pippa warned you off about him and you had a forbiddenfruit complex.” A long pause. Hopefully Sophie was giving him agood death glare. Or laughing in his face. “I heard about hishistory with Pippa’s friends.”
Sophie’s voice was surprisingly calm. Hewanted to punch him in the Adam’s apple. “First, that was a longtime ago, and I don’t think Pippa sees her brother for who he istoday. Nor was Pippa as good of friends with those particular fewas she cares to recall.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but wehaven’t had sex. Second, if you got to know Asher at all, I thinkyou’d like him too. He’s clever and thoughtful. He’s only been outof the navy for a short while and went through a lot. Give himtime.”
Somehow, Grady redeemed himself. “Okay.Lincoln likes him, and thinks you’re pretty capable, so I won’ttear the guy apart just yet.”
As if. Navy SEAL. Expert in the kicking assbusiness. Not that he would; he was also trained when to userestraint. Tempting, however.
“You going to tell Pippa or just send her awedding invitation when the time comes?”
He could hear Sophie calming, a genuine smilein her voice. “We’re holding off on saying anything to her untilafter the wedding. Pippa has enough on her plate right now. I justneed to find a way to let her know she and I will always befriends, no matter what happens with Asher.”
“Your secret is safe with me. For now. But,if he tries to pull anything, I’m raising the alarm, got it?”
“Thanks, Grady.”
Asher could hear Grady closing the bedroomdoor as he left. Moments later, he was about to sneak away when thebathroom door opened, the doorknob nearly smacking him on the assas he tried to sneak away, undetected.
“Get all that?” Sophie’s eyebrow was raisedin challenge. The grin on her face destroyed any chance she mayhave had at appearing menacing.
“I won’t kick his ass just yet.” He leaneddown and pulled her against him. Wrapping her arms around his neck,her body molded against his. Pressing his lips to hers, he savoredthe sweet, easiness of the kiss.
Pulling back, Sophie sniffed the air, and asatisfied smile passed her lips. “Did I smell Italian for dinner?I’m starving.”
Ignoring the mouthwatering scent of dinnerwafting about the house, he stared at her mouth and growled, “Metoo.” Lifting her up onto the bathroom counter, he devoured,feasting on her warm lips, soft neck, hands running along thesmooth skin of her back.
Ending the building tension before things gotout of hand, he ended the kiss and shook his head to clear hisone-track mind. Sophie did the same, hopping off the counter. Hewas falling so deep and so fast for Sophie, it was becoming painfulto be unable to shout it from the damn rooftops. Not to mention,sexual frustration was a bitch and a half. A little release wouldgo a long way to improving his mood.
Turning, he headed out through his bedroom tochange into a dry shirt. Just to piss off his dad, he pulled on aripped up old Disturbed concert tee to match his dark mood. He wasitching for a fight but wouldn’t start one. Unless provoked.
14
The shirt had the desired reaction. Paul didn’t sayanything, but his pinched expression said it all for him. Leaned upagainst the kitchen counter as Denise pulled a piping hot pan ofsomething delicious and Italian out of the oven, Paul took a swigof his beer to avoid commenting.
Wordlessly, Paul pushed off from the counterand grabbed a beer for Asher from the fridge. He poured it into aglass and handed it to his son. His mother was oddly silent. Notgood.
“Join me out on the deck for a few.” Yep, thebeer was not a peace offering but a blow-softener.
Asher grabbed the offered beer and followedhis dad out to the deck to the Adirondack chairs where he andSophie enjoyed their coffee together each morning. A cool breezewas kicking up for the night. Shadows grew long across the deck asthe sun dipped behind the house.
Something more than the t-shirt was up. Paulkept starting to speak, then silencing himself. Denise and Pippapretended to be deep in conversation… right next to the open windowoff the living room.
Not realizing anyone was in earshot, or notcaring, Paul finally let loose. “If you weren’t planning on workingat Sutherland’s, why didn’t you say anything?”
“I’m really sorry, Dad. I really was planningon working there. Couldn’t say I’d planned to stay forever, but Iwas planning to give it a chance.” No longer thirsty, Asher set hisbeer on the wide arm of the chair.
