Page 128 of The Influencer

“Why do you think that is?”

He reaches a hand out to me. I take it and let him pull me close enough that our chests bump. He slides his hand over my cheek and through my hair. “You could be a reason.”

I can’t help but stare up at him in wonder and complete adoration. I don’t even recognize myself when I’m with him. Like where did this simp come from, and how the fuck do I make him go away? “Oh, I’m not that big of a deal.”

“I don’t know, you’re kind of a thing,” he says with half a grin.

Asher’s hard, and I’m even harder now. “What time are you leaving?”

“Soon. Jax’ll be here with his truck in half an hour.”

“Do you think Olivia will be at the apartment?”

Asher shrugs. “Don’t know. But she better not have changed the locks.”

“I don’t know why she would if she’s expecting you to come crawling back.”

“She did kind of imply that, didn’t she?” Asher asks with a frown.

There’s a new nervousness in the pit of my stomach that I don’t like. I’m worried about him. I guess I can’t blame Adam for being concerned, too. “Will you be okay if she’s there?”

“Sure,” he says, too quickly.

“You don’t have to answer this is if it’s too personal, but in terms of your shop—your personal assets—those are all yours?”

“All mine,” I say. “Adam cosigned the loan for the shop.”

I breathe a sigh of relief. “I just don’t want her to fuck with you any more than she already has.”

“You think I’m fucked up?” he asks.

I scrunch up my face. I could have maybe put that better. “No. A little—I mean—aren’t we all?”

He lets me off with a hug. “You’re very sweet to be concerned.”

“Maybe, but I will not hesitate to cut a bitch,” I say.

He laughs softly. “Neither would she.”

“Don’t ever compare me to her again if you want to keep your balls,” I tell him.

His laugh deepens. “Do you want to meet up later? Come out to Malibu?”

“For…?”

“Dinner. At my brother’s?”

“Oh… No. If there’s any chance Gideon will be there, then I’d rather not.”

Asher’s brows draw together in confusion. “Why?”

“Because he’s my boss, and I’m off today.”

“What if I ask really nicely?”

“You did ask nicely,” I say.

He pulls me closer until our cocks are smashed together. “What if I ask again?”

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