Page 29 of Suddenly Single

Asher’s hard cock pressed against my lower stomach, and the urge to drop to my knees and take him in my mouth filled me. Then a bright light shone on us. We jumped apart, both of us panting with desire.

“Gentlemen.” The flashlight was blinding, especially since we couldn’t see who was holding it. Then the light pointed down, and I blinked. “I’m Officer Smith. It’s wonderful that you’re enjoying the beautiful view of the river, but perhaps you need to take this inside.”

My heart was pounding so hard from both Asher and the cop. “Of course, sir.” I mumbled, then Asher took my hand, and we started walking back into the Oregon Hill neighborhood. The feel of his smooth palm against mine was nearly as good as our kiss. All I wanted now was to wake up in his arms in the morning, and have everything go back to the way it used to be. When we got back to the restaurant, all the windows were dark. Asher fished his phone out of his pocket and started tapping on the screen. I figured he was calling a car, so I leaned against the building, a lone streetlight shining down on the two of us.

“How far away is the driver?” I asked.

“It’s only two blocks away.” Asher grinned, then pecked me on the cheek. “Aren’t you going to call a car, too?”

“Huh? Call a car?” Why the hell would we take two cars?

Chapter 17

Asher

“Carter, we don’t live together anymore. We can share a ride if you like, but I meant what I said.” I loved this man so much, but things had to change first. “I want to be courted, and I want us to work on our issues before we get remarried.”

Carter bit his lower lip, then did the strange breathing thing with his eyes closed again. After a few seconds, he opened them and grinned. “You’re right, Asher. I guess I was expecting things to automatically return to the way they used to be.”

I laid my hands on his shoulders and locked my eyes with his. “Remember, the reason we broke up in the first place was miscommunication, and keeping secrets from each other. Let’s do better this time, then we can have the wedding of your dreams.”

Carter’s gaze dropped, and a slow smile spread across his cheeks. “Okay. Can we agree on one thing first?”

I nodded, wondering what he wanted.

“When we originally got married, we did it your way, in private, on top of that mountain. I want our next ceremony done my way.” He said, then the car pulled up. “May I share the ride with you?”

“Yes, of course.” I slid open the back door of a lime-green minivan and Carter climbed in first. After telling the driver where Carter’s shop was, we sat back in the seat. I placed my hand on his, then Carter’s fingers laced through mine.

“I want a big ceremony, so I can show the world how much I love you.” Carter whispered, and the driver turned up the radio. It was the perfect music to end the night, Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat Major. Carter hated classical music, said it put him to sleep. I loved the piano and took lessons as a child. “I want the ceremony held at the country club, and I want the most important people in our lives to be there. Do you think I could get Florida in the ceremony somehow? Like an attendant of some sort? Because she means the world to me, and…”

“Anything for you, Carter. In fact, go ahead and start planning it.” I squeezed his hand, and his face split in a smile. “But before we make things final, I want us to work through our problems.” I leaned over and kissed his cheek. “And I wasn’t kidding about being wooed.”

“Hey, would you mind if I scheduled an appointment for the two of us with Belinda Therapista? You know, like marriage counseling?” Carter tilted his head while I struggled to find a reason not to say no. Dr. Johnson was nice, but I hated the thought of telling an almost stranger what was going on in my head. “Asher, you said we needed to work through our problems, and that’s what a psychologist does.”

I forced a smile onto my face. “You’re right. Set up an appointment.”

“Goody.” Carter grinned, then the driver turned onto Cary Street a block from Carter’s shop. “Sir, just pull into that parking lot.”

It took all my self-control not to invite him back to the house, but I wanted the time and space for us to work through our problems. Jumping back into our relationship too soon might end up killing it. “Good night, sweetheart. I love you.”

Carter brushed his lips across mine and opened the minivan door. “I love you too, Asher Yates. Never forget that.”

The door shut, and the driver backed out of the parking lot. I turned in the seat to watch Carter go up the back stairs. A streetlight in the alley was over him, and Carter’s wavy black hair glistened. He leaned against the railing, brought his palm to his lips, then blew a kiss in my direction. I did the same, then the car turned onto Cary street, and began the long drive home.

When the driver turned onto the driveway, there was only one light shining in the house. It was my mother’s study, and instead of having the driver drop me off at the cottage, I got out at the back door.

“Thanks.” I muttered, then let myself into the tack room.

“Is that you, Asher?” Florida’s sleepy voice called out. She had a small apartment on the first floor attached to the kitchen, and I must have woken her up.

“Yes.” I whispered. “Go back to sleep.”

I tiptoed through the dark first floor, then crept up the stairs. As usual with old homes, the hard wood creaked with every other step. When I got to the third floor, the door to Mom’s study was open.

“Knock knock.” I softly announced myself. Mom was behind the desk where she was doing paperwork.

“Darling.” She murmured, gesturing for me to sit in the leather wingback chair in front of the desk. I shut the door, then sat down. “This has been quite an interesting evening. So, according to Cort, you and Carter have reconciled. Where is he?”

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