Page 54 of Where the Stars Heal

Bringing my fingers to my mouth I suck them clean as she watches me, her mouth popped open in disbelief.

“Tastes so good,” I whisper to her with a wink.

24

SHE’S HERE TO PLAY

ASHER

Her head tips back as she laughs, loud and carefree, the sound sending a spark through the chaos. She leans over, grabs the glasses from the table, and waves at the girls there. Those legs in denim shorts and ankle boots seem to stretch for miles, and the image of them wrapped around my head assaults my mind, sending a zap of heat straight down my spine.

“Asher, stop ogling my sister, dude, and go get more ice!” Hunter yells at me from the other side of the bar.

“Yeah, yeah,” I mutter under my breath as I head out the back to the ice bin, a small smile tugging at my mouth.

It’s Saturday night and Whiskey Cove is alive with energy. The entire town seems to be here tonight, drowning their weekly worries in a bottle, celebrating the wins, and letting off some steam after a long week. The music pumping through the jukebox seems obnoxiously loud tonight, or maybe that’s just me, hyper-aware of every little thing. This is Halle’s first Saturday shift. For the past two weeks, we’ve eased her in on quieter nights, teaching her the ropes and preparing her for tonight, and so far, she’sfucking killing it. But that hasn’t stopped me from keeping an eye on her every move. Looking out for any sign of her anxiety sneaking up on her and watching every damn guy in here who looks at her like they’d like their own taste. My blood simmers at the thought, and I’ve had to force myself to step back multiple times tonight when someone’s gotten too close to her. I know Halle can handle herself, and me coming in acting like a crazed caveman won’t do me any favors with her.

Filling the buckets with ice, I hear the door behind me open and close, the faint click of the lock pulling my attention. My pulse quickens, anticipation thrumming through my veins. Her presence overwhelms me in an all-consuming way, and I wait, every nerve on edge, to see what she does next.

“Have you been watching me?” she asks, her voice daring. “Because I can feel your eyes on me with every step I take.” She steps closer, her chest brushing against my back.

Her words and the heat of her presence make the hair on my arms stand.

“I can feel your intensity,” she murmurs close to my ear, “when another man looks at me.”

She’s here to play. I bite down on my lower lip, dropping the ice and bucket, the clatter filling the room. Heat coils in my stomach at her boldness, the confidence she’s showing right now. I knew all along that there was a part of her that wanted to play, and I’ve loved getting to know this side of her since that mess of a party. The memory of her chasing her high right there in front of everyone on the couch has been etched into my brain.

Spinning on the spot, my eyes find hers, and the playful spark I find there spurs me on. I walk forward, my hands gripping her hips as I push her up against the door. A smallgasp falls from her parted lips, and it’s all I can focus on. My whole body is alight, burning with the need to have her, every inch of her.

With my hands roaming all over her body—her hips, tits, and ass—I grab a handful and squeeze, my eyes rolling back into my head for a split second before they lock onto hers. The spark I saw moments ago now burns with pure need. My dick strains against my jeans, already aching for her.

“I fucking hate it when another man looks at you,” I growl out.

“So possessive,” she says as her fingers work to undo the button on my jeans.

“Someone will come looking for us, sweetheart.” My forehead presses against hers as I fight for my restraint.

“And our first time cannot be up against the door in the store room of the bar.” My hands tug her hips forward and back into the door. Torn between drawing her closer and stepping away.

That doesn’t mean I can’t touch her, though, make her feel good. Over the years, I’ve always chased my own needs, never caring for anyone else. Sure, if they got off, we all won, but my end game was always me. With Halle, though, it’s different. I don’t care about myself. Making her feel good makes me feel good, and I’ve spent the last two weeks doing nothing but finding ways to make her feel good. It’s addictive.

She’s getting impatient. Her need for more is palpable. Her hand goes to slip into my briefs, and I grab her wrist, stopping her.

The pout she gives me is the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen, and I can’t help but lean in, capturing her lips with mine, kissing it away. Halle pulls back slightly, her hand strainingto break free from my hold, her eyes flashing with determination.

“Asher, if you don’t fuck me now.” The frustration in her voice has me smiling wide at her.

“You’ll what?” I raise a brow at her.

“Seriously, you left me wanting, needing, this morning down at Falls Creek, and now you’re going to fix it. I’m not some innocent little girl, Asher. Please.”

My hips pin her to the door, and my head falls back with a groan. I move, popping the button on her shorts and letting them fall to the floor.

“What have I said to you about begging?” I say, hooking my fingers into her panties and sliding them down her thighs.

Her hands move back to my jeans. With hurried movements, she pushes them and my briefs down. My cock springs free and her soft hand wraps around me, squeezing. Closing my eyes, I lean forward, my breathing heavy as I bite down on her ear.

“This isn’t going to be sweet, baby,” I say in her ear. “I’m going to fuck you hard and fast, is that what you need?”

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