Page 44 of Restorations

I laugh cruelly and advance toward her, her small body pressing back up against the wall as I cage her in with mine.“Explain what? That you and Sawyer wanted to try your best to make me jealous with your little peepshow? Newsflash, Viv, I've already seen your tits.” I lean in so my mouth is just next to her ear, my voice a low, heated growl. “I’ve had them in my hands and my mouth. I’ve had my tongue over every single inch of your flesh.” I pull back and look in her eyes, hellbent on pushing her the fuck away from me. “And I got tired of it. Why the fuck would I care about seeing it again?”

She folds her arms over her chest, although fully clothed, it’s clear she feels vulnerable. “I shouldn’t have allowed that to happen.”

I shake my head. “Don’t do that. Own your shit. You did that because you wanted to. You wanted to push me to the edge.”

“No. That’s not what I wanted to do, Asher.” She sounds desperate.

“Of course, you did. You wanted to try your damnedest to hurt me because I didn’t want you any longer.”

She looks hurt and then furious before she shoves my chest, pushing me out of her way. “Don’t flatter yourself, Asher. It wasn’t about you.”

I should let her walk away, but I can’t resist. “Keep telling yourself that, Viv.”

She walks to her bedroom, slamming the door behind her as she does. But I know it isn’t over.

Why do I keep allowing myself to get to this point with her?

21

VIVIENNE

“Mooooommm, let’s go!” Baz is jerking on my arm as I desperately try to finish every last drop of my coffee this morning.

We’re back to the school schedule, and although I often woke early over the summer to work with Penelope and Lola, I wasn’t prepared for this morning.

Baz, however, is ready, and I sigh as I look down at him. The private school he goes to has a uniform. It offers some variety in choices. Today is warm, so he’s wearing khaki shorts with a crisp white shirt and navy vest displaying the school crest.

His hair is styled, and he’s already placed his black sunglasses on his face.

He’s ready. I’m still on edge after my confrontation with Asher yesterday, but I want Baz to have a great first day of school. Asher is working at his school, and Baz has asked to ride with him. Although, I'm not crazy about letting Asher do anything at the moment, I'm not going to punish Sebastian.

I’m taking him this morning, though, since it’s his first day.

Asher walks into the kitchen, and I have to stop myself from drooling like an idiot. The grown-up version of the uniform isway too hot—khaki slacks, white button-down shirt, navy tie, navy sweater pulled over the shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows. I have no idea why it’s so sexy, but it is. His hair is gelled and mussed perfectly.

I look away from him as he greets Baz before grabbing some coffee.

“Uncle Asher! I thought we were going to match.” Baz pouts, and I only see Asher’s bright smile as he walks to Baz and leans down.

“We do, buddy.” He points to the crest on Baz’s vest and then to the same one on his sweater that clings tightly to his muscled arms and chest.

Baz lights up. “Oh! We do!”

“Yup.” Asher stands, fondly messing Baz’s hair with his large hand and gives me a curt nod. “I have to head in now.”

I nod my head, and Baz clings to his leg. “I’ll go with you!”

Asher winks down at him. “I’m bringing you home, and you’ll ride with me the rest of this week. Let your mom have this one, buddy.”

I want to be angry at the bastard, but when it comes to Baz, he is the absolute best. Sebastian pouts but agrees, and Asher heads to the school while I finish getting us ready.

When I drive Baz to school, we’re early. I know I shouldn’t but I can’t resist stopping by Asher’s classroom. I try to say it’s for Sebastian, but I know deep down I want to see him in his new career.

The hallways are beginning to buzz with excitement and kids running through the halls, and I stop when I see a sign on the wall with the name “Mr. Sterling” outside of a classroom door.

Asher sits at his desk, but Baz sees him and runs in excitedly. I follow nervously. He was so angry with me yesterday, and I'm still not sure why.

He said it had nothing to do with Sawyer, but I’m not so sure.

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