Page 99 of The Backup

“Don’t tell me what to do,” he shoots back, his voice slurring. “You think you’re better than me, don’t you? Just because you’ve got her now?”

“Not just because of that,” I say coldly, crossing my arms.

His eyes narrow, but before he can say anything else, I step closer, lowering my voice so only he can hear. “You screwed up, Joe. She gave you a shot, and you blew it. Now you’re creeping around like this, and it’s pathetic.”

Joe flinches, but I keep going. “I’m not going to screw this up. I like her.” I hesitate for a fraction of a second, the word on the tip of my tongue.Love.But I swallow it, keeping my focus on him. “And I’m not going to let you mess this up for her. Or me.”

Joe blinks, his expression wavering between defiance and defeat. Finally, he mutters something under his breath and stumbles back down the hallway, disappearing into the noise of the party.

I shut the door with a sharp click, leaning against it as I exhale.

When I turn back, Sloane is sitting on the couch, wide-eyed but smiling faintly.

“Well,” she says, her voice light with amusement. “That was…something.”

“Sorry about that,” I say, running a hand through my hair, trying to shake off the interruption.

She tilts her head, a sly smile curving her lips as her eyes trail down to where I’m still standing in my boxers. “Not gonna lie… the look on his face when he saw you? Worth it.”

I laugh softly, crossing the room to her. “What can I say? I’m full of surprises.”

She reaches for me, her fingers trailing lightly along my arm as she pulls me down beside her. “Think we’ll get another interruption?” she asks, her voice playful but laced with a hint of caution.

“Not a chance,” I reply, leaning in closer, our faces just inches apart. “I’m locking that door this time. Double-bolting it.”

Her laugh is soft, but it catches in her throat as I move closer, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. My lips find her jawline, trailing a slow, deliberate path along her skin. “You’re so good at handling interruptions,” I murmur, my voice low and teasing. “Now let’s see how good you are at following orders.”

Her breath hitches, her body instinctively leaning into me. I take her hand, guiding her to stand, her back brushing against the edge of the bed.

“Asher,” she whispers, her voice laced with anticipation, her pupils dark and dilated as I spin her gently to face me.

I lower my hands, starting with the delicate straps of her heels. My fingers brush along her ankle as I undo the clasp, slipping one shoe off and then the other, my lips grazing the curve of her calf as I go. She shivers, her breath hitching again when my hands trail upward, finding the zipper of her pencil skirt.

With practiced ease, I slide it down over her hips, letting the fabric pool at her feet. She steps out of it, and I can’t help but linger, my eyes tracing the curve of her legs and the soft dip of her waist. “You’re stunning,” I murmur, my voice unguarded as I reach for the clasp of her bra.

Her hands move to my shoulders, steadying herself as I release the bra, letting it fall away. Her chest rises and falls with each deep breath, and I let my fingers skim over her sides before hooking them into the waistband of her panties. My eyes lockonto hers, a silent question passing between us, and she nods, her lips parting slightly.

I take my time sliding the last barrier down, savoring every inch of exposed skin, every subtle tremble of her body under my touch. She steps out of her panties completely bare before me, and the sight takes my breath away. She’s all soft curves and confidence, and for a moment, I can’t do anything but look at her.

Her lips quirk into a small, knowing smile. “Orders, huh?” she teases, her voice shaky but bold as she moves to take her glasses off.

“No, the glasses stay on.”

“Okay,” she smiles.

I smirk, stepping closer to her, my hands settling on her hips as I guide her backward. “Get on all fours,” I say, my tone soft but commanding, my breath brushing against her ear.

She glances back at me, her cheeks flushed, her lips parting slightly in surprise. But then she moves, her body sinking gracefully onto the bed, the curve of her back arching in a way that makes me grip the edge of my self-control. The way she looks, so trusting and ready, nearly undoes me.

“Good girl,” I murmur, trailing my hand down her spine, letting it rest just above the curve of her hips. I lean in, pressing a soft kiss to the small of her back, and her breath hitches in response.

Kneeling behind her, I let my hands settle on her waist, my thumbs brushing the soft skin there as I lower my mouth to her. My lips trace a slow, deliberate path over the back of her thighs, teasing closer to her heat with each kiss. The first flick of my tongue against her makes her gasp, her body trembling as I hold her steady.

I take my time, savoring every reaction—the way she moans my name, the way her thighs quiver under my grip, the way shearches into me, desperate for more. Each slow, languid stroke of my tongue drives her closer, her soft cries growing louder as I draw her right to the edge.

“Asher,” she whimpers, her voice breathy and strained, her fingers digging into the sheets. “Please… oh my God, please.”

I glance up, my hands gripping her hips tighter as I let my tongue circle her one more time, pushing her higher. Her legs tremble, her body straining as she hovers on the brink of release. “Please,” she begs again, her voice cracking. “I need you inside me… now.”

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