Page 18 of Moonlit Thorns

But then the dick Asher Voss says, “Where’s my honey?”

Shit. I picture the small bowl of honey where I left it on the counter. I must have forgotten to put it on the tray and bring it in. “I’ll go grab it.”

“Is it really that hard to remember I need honey every morning? I’m sure Mrs. Potter would have told you.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll go get it.”

Before I can turn, he reaches for me. I look down at the ferocious bear tattoo on the top of his hand as his fingers easily wrap around my wrist. His hands are so large compared to mine that they’re like bear paws.

“Is this going to be another smoothie incident?” He arches a brow.

My body tenses and is on high alert, but damned if I know whether that’s because I’m afraid or if it’s because his skin is touching mine. I shake my head. “No, sir.”

There’s a snicker from the other side of the table, but I don’t dare look away from Asher Voss.

He nods and releases me. I twist around and leave the room, trying to look as if I’m not running away like a scared little rabbit.

When I return with the honey, Asher doesn’t thank me or acknowledge my presence, and it’s then I realize that the energy in the room shifted in my short absence. I don’t know what was said, but it feels heightened in here now.

“Where’s Nero?” Asher asks his brothers once I’ve returned to my spot in the corner where I will hopefully be forgotten.

“Probably with that girl he’s been seeing,” Sid says.

“Can’t seem to pull his dick from her pussy long enough to come up for air,” Kol grumbles.

My eyes widen, and I resist the urge to look at them.

Asher doesn’t say anything, but there must be something on his face because Sid says, “What, you don’t approve?”

“He needs to be careful, that’s all.”

I chance a quick glance at Asher. He’s seated facing my direction. His jaw is set, then he shoves a piece of his toast into his mouth. When he glances over and catches my gaze, I stiffen and look straight ahead.

“He will be. He knows the drill,” Sid says. “Maybe we need to get you laid, lighten you up a bit.”

I wonder how a man like Asher Voss gets laid. Because there’s no doubt he has to be getting laid somewhere. He’s too hot and too full of sexual charisma not to be. But from what I know, he rarely leaves the house. Does he have women brought in for him? Does he have a girlfriend? I’m guessing no, from what Sid just said. Jesus, why do I care?

“I think we all know that’s not a problem for me.” Asher’s voice is smug.

“Have you fucked your new pet yet?” Kol says with such distaste, I stiffen.

“I don’t fuck the help,” Asher says, as though I’m not standing here listening.

“Maybe I will then,” Kol says, and Sid chuckles under his breath.

The sound of cutlery being dropped onto a plate sounds, but I don’t dare look anywhere except straight ahead, my breathing picking up and sounding loud in my own ears.

“Ash’s plaything, come on over here.” It’s Kol’s voice.

I don’t move my head, but I do let my gaze flicker over to Asher Voss’s. His jaw is set, his expression is thunderous.

“Don’t look at him for permission,” Kol spits out. “You work at Midnight Manor, do you not? I’m just as much a part of it as he is.”

I walk over to Kol. He slides his chair out at an angle and motions for me to stand between him and Sid, across from their eldest brother.

“Pour me some more coffee.”

It sounds like an easy enough task, but I can’t help but feel as if there’s some kind of catch to his request. Regardless, I lean forward to grab the coffee in the tall silver pot, and I pour it into his empty cup.

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