Page 108 of Stone Temptation

Me: Did Maren tell you?

Tom: Yep. What happened?

Me: Can we talk about it later?

Tom: At work? I can’t wait that long!

Me: Want to come here before work? You can meet him.

Tom: I’ll be there!

Me: Awesome. Have you seen Maren?

Tom: About an hour ago.

Me: Thanks.

Apparently, Asher’s meeting with Maren had been a little frosty. Understandable. She didn’t trust easily, and was super protective of those she cared about. She often offered to dish out pain for me, and for Tom.

She’d come around to Asher. She’d bask in his gentle yet strong light, finding herself stealing glances as he strode past her bedroom door in nothing but a towel, tongue ready to lick the droplets of water from his abs.

Or was that just me?

Damn. Where had my resistance gone? Where were my senses?

Be strong.

Asher flew us to the brown brick building halfway up the steepest slope of town. He landed outside the entrance of Brinecrest’s public swimming pools, stretching his limbs.

“More sun than expected,” he said. “Love it.”

Another fine day, though with a few more gray clouds than yesterday.

Okay. Swim time.

Finally.

Before I crossed the threshold, Seth called.

Crap.

Asher rolled his eyes.

“Come now,” Seth demanded the moment I answered.

“But our appointment’s in two hours.”

My plan was to swim, enjoy a spot of breakfast, and keep my quasi-relaxed state flowing for as long as possible.

So much for that.

“Don’t argue with me, Luke. Come now. Where are you?”

“The pool.”

“Have Asher fly you here immediately.” He hung up.

What if I tossed my phone down the hill? How would he bark at me then?

---