Page 82 of Penalized Love

I stare at the screen, waiting for those three dots to appear. Selene may be wild and unpredictable at times, but she’s always there when I need her. Her reply pops up after an eternity, but in reality, it’s probably only a minute.

Selene: Ooh, sneaking out for a secret rendezvous with a certain someone? Do tell!

I roll my eyes, but it doesn’t stop the smile from appearing on my lips.

Me: Asher has his own room tonight. He wants me to come up, but I’m stuck sharing with Dad. Do you have any ideas?

Selene: Girl, this is too good. Okay, here’s the plan...

She proceeds to outline a step-by-step guide to sneaking out undetected. Wait until Dad is snoring (she suggests taking a video for proof and future teasing purposes), arrange the pillows under the covers to look like my sleeping form, keep the lights off, and tiptoe out of here. This is basic stuff but hearing it from her raises my confidence.

Me: You’re a lifesaver. Wish me luck!

Selene: Oh honey, you won’t need luck for what I’m sure you and Asher have planned,but go get your man! And I want ALL the details later!

I cover my mouth to try to stop laughing, but it doesn’t help. However, the laughter does help release the tension I’ve been holding in my body. This is just one reason why Selene is thebest. I take one more deep breath before quietly opening the bathroom door.

The room is dark, only the glow from the parking lot lights peeking through the curtains. I can hear the slow, even breathing that indicates Dad is already asleep. I tiptoe over to his bed just to confirm. Yep, dead to the world, with his sleeping headphones on.

This might just work.

I tiptoe over to my bed and arrange the pillows like Selene instructed. It looks convincing enough in the low light. I grab the spare keycard off the end table, throw my hoodie on quickly, and, after one more glance at Dad, I ease open the door and slip out.

My heart is pounding so loudly that I swear it echoes in the empty hallway. But I make it out, and that is the hardest part. Now, the only thing standing between me and Asher is if someone sees me roaming the halls.

I pull my hood up, as if that will be enough to disguise myself, and make my way to the elevators. I can’t help but thank the universe that I haven’t seen a soul so far because I don’t want to stand there and have to explain what I am up to. The doors slide open with a soft ding, and I step inside, stabbing the button for the seventh floor as if my life depended on it.

The doors close, and the elevator begins to move. I lean against the back wall, trying to calm myself down.Everything is going to be okay, so chill out.

The elevator dings again, and the doors open on the seventh floor. I step out into the hallway, which is empty as well. Room 704... I scan the numbers on the doors as I walk. 702...703... there. 704.

I pause outside the door as uncertainty begins to creep up again. Is this really a good idea? It’s too late since I’m already here. I raise my hand and knock softly.

The door opens immediately, and I’m left staring at the sight before me.

32

ASHER

She came.

Well, she hasn’t in the way I want her to yet, but there’s no doubt that she’s standing outside my door right now. And I’ve made it my mission that she will come tonight.

Multiple times.

I toss the condom I’ve been holding in my hand on the bed as I make my way to the door. That will be very useful in a few minutes.

As I reach for the doorknob, I slide a hand through my hair and take a deep breath. Her arrival at my door has been all I could think about since I was told I’d have a room to myself.

I twist the handle and pull, and as the door swings open, it reveals Isla in all her breathtaking beauty. I swear it doesn’t matter what she wears—the hoodie and shorts she’s in before me or dressed to the nines—she’s always stunning. Her blonde hair tumbles around her shoulders in soft waves, and her blue eyes sparkle with a hint of apprehension, probably related to this scenario.

I rush to pull her into my room, removing the risk of anyone seeing her. The moment the door clicks shut behind her and herhand lands on my chest because of my actions, I get a whiff of something that smells floral, and I can’t help but wonder what she used and where. It’s intoxicating.

“Hi,”Isla says, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Hey yourself,”I murmur back, reaching out to tuck a stray golden lock behind her ear. My fingertips linger for a moment to trace the shell of her ear, and she shivers at my touch. I fight the urge to pull her flush against me, which would then lead to me claiming her lips with my own.

But I hold back.

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