Page 47 of Asher's Assignment

“And I do?”

“Yes. I want to pinch myself every time you look at me like I’m beautiful. I know I’m pretty, but I’m not a supermodel.”

Asher growled. “Supermodels don’t hold a candle to you. In a sea of them, I’d always find you.” Her happy smile, bright blue eyes, and the smattering of freckles on her pretty face held his attention more than the most exotic face ever would. She was stunning.

Color bloomed on her cheeks. “In any case, I like how you make me feel. It’s not just the beauty thing. You make me laugh. And you listen.”

He held her gaze, digesting her words. “I don’t want this to be a one-time thing, Esther. I know it will complicate things, but I think I want this to be more than a fling that only lasts for as long as I’m here.” He hadn’t given the two of them much serious thought, but now that it was staring him in the face, he couldn’t imagine going back to his life without her being a part of it. Especially if they finished what they’d started. “If you’re not all right with that, we need to go inside and go our separate ways for the night.”

He could see the debate raging in her mind through her expressive eyes. A hint of fear and uncertainty appeared, but need and something else he couldn’t put his finger on pushed it away. The apprehension stayed, but determination held it at bay.

“I’m up for that. Wherever it might lead us.”

Twenty

This was madness.

Esther buried her face in Asher’s neck, inhaling his sweaty, masculine scent as he carried her up the stairs. They’d stumbled inside, where after they removed their jackets, he’d whisked her off her feet, cradling her to his chest. It had sent the last of her misgivings running. Whatever happened in the future, she refused to worry about it now. Edie was right. She needed to live a little.

How could she ever expect to find the happiness her sister had if she never put herself out there? Her introverted lifestyle didn’t really lend itself to meeting men.

Here was one basically dropped into her lap.

And he liked her.

She needed to take advantage of that. Especially since he was stunningly handsome and just as kind.

He turned into her bedroom, flipping on the lights with his elbow before carrying her to the bed.

“You still sure?” His low voice rumbled through her as he glanced down, meeting her gaze.

She brought a hand up, threading her fingers into his hair. “Yes.” Stretching her neck, she kissed him, telling him with more than words just how ready she was.

He moved again, and a moment later, the mattress pressed against her backside. Asher lowered himself next to her, sliding a thigh between hers as he kept their mouths fused.

She gripped the hem of his t-shirt at the back of his waist, twisting the material in her hands. Her knuckles grazed warm skin near his spine. She wanted to feel more. Wanted to feel his hands on her bare skin. She wanted all of him. Everywhere.

Her body clenched at the thought. It had been a long time since she’d been with a man. Years. When her last relationship ended, she hadn’t been interested in dating for quite a while. Once she was, no one intrigued her enough to want to get beyond a couple of dates. It had been over a year since she’d been out with anyone.

He shifted, bringing his pelvis into contact with her hip. Esther felt the growing ridge in his jeans and an answering heat pooled in her core. She might not have been on a real date with Asher, but it didn’t matter. She knew what she needed to know.

But the contact brought up another issue. One she hadn’t thought of until now. She pushed him back. “We need protection. I’m not on the pill.” And she didn’t keep that stuff in her house. Her love life sucked, so there was no need.

He rose up slightly and reached into his back pocket, producing his wallet. “I have one, so we need to make it count. And for the record, I don’t sleep around. When I was a teenager, my grandpa and my dad drilled it into me to always carry one. I admit, I used it a couple of times when I was young. Now, though, it’s just a habit to keep one on me.”

“Well, I’m glad. Because I don’t want to stop to go to the store.” She took the wallet, tossed it on the bed, then dragged him back down for another searing kiss.

All talking ceased as their need took over. Esther tunneled her hands beneath his shirt, bunching it up around his shoulders. He peeled it off, giving her an up-close look at what she’d so far only admired from a distance. Fingers trailing over his lean, well-defined muscles, she dedicated herself to learning every inch of his torso.

Deep into her exploration of the ridges and valleys of his abs, she barely noticed her leggings coming down until his fingers slid through the wet heat at her center. She broke away from his lips, moaning as he slicked the wetness over her eager lady bits and found the hidden knot of nerves. Her hips left the bed, chasing his touch.

“Take your top off. Let me see that beautiful body.” He growled, nipping just below her ear.

Esther slid her arms from her sleeves and drew her shirt over her head, leaving her in her lacy pale blue bra.

The hand not teasing her core picked at the lace cup. “This too. Take it off.”

She started to ask why he didn’t do it himself when he speared her with two fingers. All the breath left her lungs on a keening cry.

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