Page 101 of The Backup

She pulls back slightly, her eyes meeting mine, and there’s something in her gaze—something unspoken but undeniable. Her fingers trace along my jawline, her touch light but grounding.

For once, there’s no teasing, no witty comeback, just the two of us, raw and unguarded. It’s terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

She rests her head on my chest, and I feel her body relax completely against mine. The silence between us is warm, comfortable, and as I run my fingers through her hair, I realize there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.

“Stay,” I whisper. “You’re going to stay, right?” I tighten my hold on her, pressing my lips to her forehead.

“I’m not going anywhere,” she purrs, her voice soft but sure. “I’m done being your dirty little secret.”

“Yeah? What are you now then, that you’re not my secret?”

“I’m your dirty little dream come true,” she whispers, her eyes glinting with a mix of affection and mischief.

A grin tugs at my lips as I brush my fingers through her hair. “Dirty little dream come true. I like that.”

Her laughter is light, like the sound of something finally set free. She curls closer to me, her hand resting over my heart, and I hold her tighter, letting the quiet settle around us like a blanket.

For the first time in what feels like forever, everything is exactly how it should be.

thirty-two

. . .

Sloane

The sunlight filtersthrough the curtains, soft and warm, stirring me from the most peaceful sleep I’ve had in weeks. I stretch lazily, my muscles still deliciously sore, and reach out instinctively—but my hand meets an empty bed.

I sit up, my heart sinking slightly as my mind starts to race. Where is he? Did he leave? Did he change his mind?

I press a hand to my chest, willing myself to calm down. Maybe he just…

The door creaks open, and there he is. Asher.

He’s holding two iced coffees, a lazy grin spreading across his face as he sees me sitting there. “Good morning, sleepyhead.”

I blink, startled, and then can’t help but smile. “You left?”

“Just to grab these,” he says, handing me a cup. “Yours is exactly how you like it. Light ice, extra caramel, a splash of oat milk.”

I stare at the coffee, my chest tightening. “You…memorized my order?”

“Of course,” he says, sitting on the edge of the bed. “I pay attention, Sloane. I like to please you. And not just in bed.”

His words are so casual, so genuine, that they leave me speechless for a moment.

“You’re full of surprises,” I murmur, taking a sip of the coffee. It’s perfect.

He shrugs, his grin turning softer. “Just how I roll.”

But the questions in my mind don’t stop swirling. “Asher, what is this?” I ask, setting the coffee on the nightstand. “What are we doing? Where is this going?”

He takes my hands in his, his thumbs brushing over my knuckles. “Hey, calm down,” he says softly. “We’ve got all the time in the world. I’m not going anywhere. And neither are you.”

I bite my lip, my heart pounding as I search his face.

“Sloane,” he says, his voice low and serious, “I love you.”

The words hang between us, heavy and undeniable.

---