Page 88 of Forbidden Hearts
When he enters the kitchen, I have to remember to breathe. I don’t know how I ever thought he wasn’t all that hot. He’s more than that, and in the week since we’ve started this thing we’re doing, I have gotten to see and feel just how perfect his body is.
That’s it, Phoebe, think only of the body, not the man beneath it all.
I cannot go down that road. I’m leaving for college, preparing to live my very structured and planned future.
Olivia jumps up, dropping the phone on the table, and I laugh. I lift Sara into view. “Sorry, Asher came home.”
“Of course she ditches me for him,” Sara says, seemingly fine with being cast aside. “How is she doing after the incident?”
“She’s okay.”
“What incident?” Asher’s deep voice sends a shiver down my spine.
Liv is very good at reading lips, and while she may not hear, she’ll know we’re talking about her. “I’m going to put the phone down to sign,” I tell Sara.
As I explain the situation to Asher, I make sure that Olivia can understand exactly what I’m telling her father. I watch as the sadness washes over her face, but then there’s a sort of acceptance that shifts to a smile when I talk about the soup.
She pulls on her father’s arm.“With pickles! It’s going to be gross.”
Asher scrunches his face.“Pickles?”
“Don’t knock it till you try it,”I tell them.
“Asher?” Sara’s voice comes through the phone.
“Yes, pain in my ass?”
She huffs. “Phoebe said she got into Texas, and that’s amazing—really, it is—but you still don’t have a nanny, and I won’t be home before she has to leave. So, I’m just wondering what your plan is.”
Asher looks heavenward. “I have time.”
“Yes, but it’s been how many weeks? Are you even trying? Did you call another agency or talk to Brynlee?”
I fight back a smile as his face changes to sheer annoyance. He starts to walk around the room, a sly grin on those perfect lips. “Sara, you’re breaking up. What was that? Huh? Oh, you think I’m doing a great job? I know.” Then he presses the end button and turns to us. “So, should we order pizza in case dinner is a disaster?”
Olivia signs.“Yes.”
“Oh, ye of little faith.”
I get up and check on it. It looks just about ready for the sour cream and flour mix, so I start to prepare that. The two of them watch with different variations of horror on their faces.
“You want us to eat this?”
I glare at Asher. “Yes. I do.”
“And what if we die?”
I roll my eyes. “Then I’ll call Sara and let her know she doesn’t have to finish the job because I did it for her.”
He chuckles and then turns so his back is to me and signs to Liv without saying the words.
Olivia snorts and then rushes out of the room. I turn my head, curious to see where she’s going, but before I can move, Asher is there. He pushes me against the counter, his lips move to my neck, and his hands slide across my stomach.
“I thought about you all day,” he grumbles against my ear. “Wishing I could be home with you naked in my bed, my head between your legs as you whimper and call out my name.”
I melt, having to brace myself on the counter to stay upright. “You can’t say shit like that. I have to cook.”
“Do you have an excuse to stay tonight? I want to watch you on your knees as you wrap those perfect lips around my cock.”
