Page 58 of Fractured Fear

“A what?”

“That’s what I’m calling him. It’s either Viking Hottie or Thor.”

“Girl, stop with the nicknames.” I pull a face to emphasize my point.

“Why would I do that when I’m so good at them?” Iris replies with her signature cheeky grin.

Even though Iris makes me uncomfortable by pushing me outside my comfort zone, she makes me laugh just as often and I desperately need that.

“Could you tellthe VikingI'm not here?”

Iris frowns. “Now why would I do that?”

“Because you’re my friend and you love me?” The desperation in my eyes leaves Iris unconvinced.

“Try again, babe.”

I scoff. “Oh my God! How is being friends not enough to lie for me?”

“Because one”—Iris holds up a finger—“that man is hot as fuck. The harem you’re gathering could use a third to round out the group. Not to mention he looks like he has abs that any woman would die to lick”—another finger goes up—“and two, that God out there is not the kind of man you lie to. He lookslike he could snap me in half with his pinky, and I’d thank him afterwards becausethat’show fuckable he is.”

“You can’t talk like that about customers. What if they hear you?”

Iris offers me a bemused smile. “I’m sure he’d be flattered. Besides, I’m in a happy relationship.”

My eyes roll at her antics. Again, I needed the laugh.

Timidly, I make my way to the front of the gallery. Each step bringing me closer to whom I’m praying is not my babysitter for the day.

When I round the partition dividing the showroom and the front desk, my jaw drops. Iris was right. Standing in front of me is a rugged man that I would indeed thank for breaking me with his pinky—or his dick.

He has honey hair tied in a bun at the top of his head. Man buns were never my thing before, but now they are. His thick muscular thighs are encased in denim, and a simple white tee leaves his colorfully inked arms exposed. He really does give Viking energy. I notice his ocean blue eyes are staring at me with indifference, possibly annoyance.

“Hi, I’m Spencer Gray. What can I do for you?”

“I’m your shadow for the day,” he retorts in a curt tone. Definitely annoyed. Not that I blame him. I’m just as annoyed, but his shitty attitude isn’t helping anything.

“Oh. Asher. Nice to meet you.”

“It’s Asher Dawson.”

“Yes. Well, thank you for coming by. I’m sure you’d rather be at home right now?—”

“You’re not getting rid of me that easily, Princess.”

I lift my chin. “Excuse me?”

“Let’s cut the bullshit. I know you don’t want me here and you know I don’t want to be here. I’ve been traveling for work for the last few months. So yes, I’d rather be home, but here Iam. I don’t know what you did to make Rio and Zane follow you around like lost puppies, but they’re important to me. They’re my family, so when they ask for a favor, I jump to it.”

“Are you serious right now?” I can feel my scowl conveying everything my words aren’t.

His slow, steady gait brings him right to me. “I don’t like wasting time,” he whispers.

“Neither do I, but I’m not a dick about it,” I whisper back.

“I’m not here to make friends, Princess. I’m just here to make sure no one else tries to snatch you up.”

His words make me flinch, but the hurt quickly turns. My mouth flattens. “Stop calling me Princess.”

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