Page 126 of The Sidekick

“And leave your friends behind.”

I blink in surprise, then I start laughing softly, “You’re mean.”

“Then why are you laughing?”

“Because I did leave you guys behind, and it fit perfectly. Now that song is going to be in my head all night.”

“Mine too,” he shrugs casually as he gives me a sexy grin. “We’ll get through it together.”

I blink in surprise. “You should really be using this time to escape Andi’s clutches.”

“I think I have her handled.” If he knew her at all, he wouldn’t sound that confident.

“You have me handled,” I mutter softly and stare at the floor. Ugh, I said that out loud! Why does this stuff fall out of my mouth around him?

I’m so focused on my feet that when I look up, I startle at how close he’s gotten. He looks serious, and I meet his eyes in concern. That tug to him is there as soon as our eyes meet.

“What’s wrong?” What did I do to put that frustrated look on his face? Has he finally realized that he made a mistake trying to pursue me?

“I want to kiss you, but I don’t want to scare you,” he lays his thoughts at my feet, and my eyes widen in surprise as my hand drops.

What do I say to that? It’s like I’ve forgotten how to speak as my brain flat lines with the thought that this guy wants to kiss me. This guy. How did I get his attention? I shouldn’t even be on his radar. I shouldn’t be on anyone’s radar.

I open my mouth to ask him why and feel his hand softly grip my throat. It should be a threatening move coming from a virtual stranger. I’m sure it would look that way if anyone passed by. I should be struggling to get free, poised to attack like a wild animal.

Instead, I melt back against the wall, knees weak. I’ve been drifting aimlessly, and his hand is holding me tethered, grounded to reality with his touch. It’s a hundred times more soothing than when I do it.

My eyelashes flutter as my breath soughs out in surrender. He sucks in a sharp breath as his pupils expand. Does he know that he’s just become my only focus, or is he as oblivious as I usually am? I’m half hoping he has no idea because having this much control over me is a little frightening.

Before that thought can really sink in, he leans forward, brushing his lips against mine. My eyes close, and I hold my breath, praying he continues.

“When you want to stop,” he places a kiss at the corner of my mouth, “you will tell me.” A lick across my lower lip, his breath hot against my face. “Understand?”

When I don’t answer, his fingers spasm around my throat, tightening down the barest hint. I gasp out, “Yes. Please, don’t stop.”

“Fuck.” The word is low and gritty when he utters it.

His mouth covers mine in a rush, tongue invading and taking possession. The gentleness is gone as he takes, and I give. It feels natural and right. I would give him whatever he wanted if he kept me safe like this. Everything in the background of our little bubble fades until it’s not important.

My brain clicks off as I wrap my arms around his neck and press myself against him. No panicked thoughts or doubts, just pure bliss. When my chest bumps his, I rub my breasts over him to soothe the ache in my nipples. When our hips meet, I feel how hard he is and go to my tiptoes to notch us together. He needs just as much as I do. We’re like puzzle pieces that would be perfectly aligned if clothes weren’t in the way.

“More?” I whisper weakly as he catches a breath. My leg lifts to his hip, opening myself completely to the invasion I’m welcoming with open arms.

He doesn’t back away, gripping my thigh to pull me closer in a hold that might bruise later, but I don’t care. It’s what I need. My hips shift, and I let out a frustrated whimper. I can’t get the angle that I need. My fingers dig into his shoulders as I try to find a way to get myself where I want to be.

“Please?”

His hand drops from my throat as he crouches slightly, grabbing my other thigh. “Up, angel.”

I hop up, and he finishes the move smoothly. My ankles lock over each other so I can shift until I find the perfect spot. I sigh when I find it and roll my hips. He gives a choked sound and pulls his head away, looking back and forth down the hallway. I don’t stop. I don’t need to be worried about what’s going on in the outside world. He has it covered. I want to feel all of him against me.

Asher’s arms slide from my thighs, and one wraps around my butt, forcing me to still, while the other bands around my back. His hands are clenched where he holds me. I already have my arms wrapped around his neck, keeping every bit of him as close as I can get.

I don’t notice he’s pulled me away from the wall until he starts walking. The shift of his hips as he moves makes small gasping sounds come out of my mouth with every rough stride. I hear a door open, and the lights get brighter as I press kiss after kiss along his cheek. I barely hear myself whispering please over and over again.

The door closes, and the click of the lock sounds loud as I pant and squirm. When my butt lands on something hard and cold, my legs refuse to let him go. I’m afraid he’s going to leave. He draws back, and I clutch his shoulders desperately. It feels like he tore something inside my chest by separating us.

“Please don’t go,” I gasp and get a rough kiss in return.

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