Page 63 of Restorations

“Oh no. I’m so sorry.” He’s sounds genuine enough. “And where does Mr. Sterling fit into all of this?”

I pull my gaze away from Asher when he asks that and forgot for a moment that Asher is Jacee’s teacher. “He is Colt’s, Baz’s father’s, brother.”

He nods. “Ah, I guess I see the resemblance.”

“So, you’re doing this all on your own?”

I’m starting to get annoyed with his prying, but I know how much Baz likes Jacee. I don’t want to hurt their friendship because I’m getting a creepy vibe from her dad. And I could beoverreacting. People are curious. “No. I’m not.” I smile as I look around the room and realize that’s true. “I have Asher and The Joker there.” I nod toward Ash and Sawyer, who seem awfully chummy and I wonder if there’s hope for them. Then I gesture toward Penelope and Linc, who are dancing with a group of kids. “And Batman and Cat Woman. Batman is Colt’s other brother.”

Aaron smiles at that. “I see.”

I point toward Lola and Hayden last. “And then, of course, Aquaman and Harley Quinn.”

He leers at Lola a little too long. “And who are they?”

“The hot, crazy looking blonde is Baz’s aunt, but be careful looking too long because Aquaman is quite possessive.”

He grins, his gaze turning back toward me and lets his knuckles graze down the length of my bare arm, making me feel naked and vulnerable. “That’s okay. I was always partial to Wonder Woman myself.”

I feel dirty the way he’s looking at me, and I take a step back, smiling politely but wanting to get far away from him. When I back up, it’s into a hard body.

“Mr. Kincaid.”

Aaron’s eyes lock on Asher’s behind me. “Mr. Sterling. I didn’t know you would be at the party.”

“It’s my house and my nephew, of course.”

He nods again curtly, and it’s clear there’s animosity between the men. “I didn’t know Baz was your nephew.” He looks over at the kids playing, and his eyes flick to me. “Good thing he has such a wonderful mother to keep his nose clean.”

I hear a growl bubbling up from Asher and turn around to face him, pushing my hands on his chest to nudge him back. “Asher, can you help me in the kitchen please?”

His jaw ticks as he looks over at Jacee’s dad, but then he takes a deep breath and looks down at me, nodding. “Yeah.”

I turn back to Aaron. “Enjoy the party. I have to go grab some more snacks.”

I have to drag Asher away and into the kitchen, but when we enter that room, he swiftly cages me in-between his long arms, trapping me against the counter as his palms rest on the top. “He touched you.”

“I didn’t want him to.” My breath is raspy and rapid from the close contact.

“Stay away from him, Viv. He’s not a good man.”

I study his face and can tell he’s completely serious. “He seems harmless. Maybe a little creepy, but I’m not sure he’s a villain, Superman.”

He rolls his eyes at me, only leaning further into my personal space, and I can’t lie—I like it. “Just for once, trust me.”

“I have no interest in him anyway. You don’t have to worry.”

He pushes off the counter but doesn’t move. “I’m not worried.”

I smile, taking in his Superman costume and thinking about him telling me I looked hot earlier. He’s the epitome of the perfect male specimen. Most men would have to opt for the costume with added muscles, but Asher didn’t need them. The spandex molds to each dip of carved perfection, and it makes me ache for him.

But he doesn’t want more, Vivienne.

I try to force myself to listen to my own reasoning.

But when he grins at me and gestures for me to go back to the party with him, I know deep down . . .

My resolve is weakening.

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