Page 27 of Lessons in Desire

Asher, who is sitting near his two brothers, smiles at the sight of me. He stands and comes close towards me, his smile growing. “Evelyn—”

His mother points a finger at him. “Oh no you don’t. You have her all the time; I want to get to know her before you whisk her away.”

He shakes his head. “Let her breathe a little first, mom.” He pulls me out of her grasp, placing me in the space before him, his warmth like a fire at my back. “You can interrogate her later.”

“Well, I’ve already met her.” A smug voice lilts from the corner of the room. I turn and my face instantly heats when I see his brother is looking between us like a cat who has the cream, the innuendo clear in his voice.

“Kaden, shut up.” Asher growls.

“Oh well I want to hear this.” Cameron says, his usually stern voice teasing now.

Asher rolls his eyes. “Evelyn, the smug bastard over there is Kaden. Just ignore him, that’s what I usually do.”

“Asher, language.” His mother scolds.

He grins, and points to the other brother. “And that is Cameron who you met a few months back. And you’ve met my mother, but this is Dane, my father.”

I wave at them all, unsure how to navigate a family of this size. “I’m really grateful you’re all letting me join your thanksgiving. It means a lot.” I settle on finally.

“It’s no bother.” Dane murmurs, his voice low, as he slides an arm over his wife. “We were just about to play monopoly if you want to join.” He offers.

I nod, grinning. “I’ll warn you, I’m great at it.”

Kaden groans, “Not another obnoxious player.”

“Who’s the other?”

Kaden glares as Asher who grins, holding his hand out to me. “Would you like to form an alliance?”

“Absolutely, I do.” I place my hand in his, the warmth seeping through us, and feel, for once, like I’m home.

Chapter Sixteen

Evelyn

After obliterating the competition in monopoly and eating enough food to feed a family of ten, I fall into Asher’s bed feeling warm and happy. We haven’t discussed what exactly is happening right now, what we’re doing with each other, but for once I don’t care.

Asher smiles down at me, his long, muscular form leaning against the door frame. “I’ll be across the hall if you need me.”

I sit up against the headboard, my knees in my chest and bite my lip.

“What is it?” He asks, so attuned to my every movement.

“Please stay.” I know I shouldn’t ask it of him, but … something that night, when I was fighting for life, my conscious mind drifting, just clicked into place. I’ve given up so much of myself for my dad and I don’t want to do it anymore. I don’t know what that means yet, but I know I just don’t want to do it. I want my life to mean something to me, and Asher is already part of that. What’s the use in fighting so hard against it?

Asher doesn’t say a word, instead, he walks forward and a second later the bed dips.

“Thank you.” I whisper, sliding down beside him and turning until we’re facing each other. I trace the contours of his face with my eyes, watching the shadows draw the sharp lines of his cheekbones, his forehead, his nose.

He’s so handsome, his manner so easy. I want to drown in it.

“Sleep, Evelyn.” His words whisper over me, the softest caress of silk, and I do as he says, falling into my dreams in one easy sweep.

I brush the paint over the canvas, watching the yellow drip into green and red. The flowers I’m painting are melting and the body of a skeletal woman, curled and foetal, is drenched in their tears. There’s something about her, the woman, that pulls at my heart.

“She’s beautiful.” Asher whispers from behind me. We’re sitting in his garden on a blanket, me painting, him working.

I look over my shoulder and smile. “Most would call her horrifying.”

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