Page 38 of Forbidden Mischief
That's okay, I’ll make sure he sees it for himself. I’m not going anywhere.
CHAPTER 16
ZAYNE
Tonight was…wow.
After we washed up and climbed out of the shower, we dressed quickly and played a few rounds of Phase 10 in Asher’s room. Laughing and joking around like we usually do since we gave this thing between us a shot. It’s easy to forget everything else when we’re together like that—just two guys, not worrying about anything except who has the next phase. P.S. Asher’s a fucking cheat, and it’s always him. The way he’s suddenly got every wild card like they just fell into his lap? Yeah, not suspicious at all. And don’t even get me started on how he 'accidentally' skips the people winning.
My magic tingles at the edge of my senses, the undeniable buzz of power confirming what I already suspected. He doesn't even bother hiding it — just a smug little grin, like he thinks no one will call him out. But I know better. Magic never lies.
His smile, the way his eyes light up when he wins a round, it makes me feel like maybe I don’t need to figure everything outtonight. But as we wrap up the last round, the tension is still there, lingering beneath the surface.
Dinner was something else. Alice made chimichurri steak sandwiches with fresh-cut fries and mango slices. Everything burst with flavor, and I couldn’t help but eat way more than I should’ve. Asher sat next to me, his knee brushing mine beneath the table, but neither of us said anything about it. There was something unsaid between us—something that feels different now.
Afterward, I excused myself. I needed space to breathe, to get my head clear. Homework seemed like the best distraction, though I knew it wasn’t about school. It was about him. About what happened. But here I am, lying in bed, staring at the ceiling with my mind running a mile a minute.
I keep replaying everything in my head. How he sucked me off. It was easily the best head I’ve ever gotten.
A dude sucked me off.
I can’t stop thinking about it. How he made me feel. How talented he was with his mouth. I can’t believe that I’m even thinking about it, but I am. I’ve felt nothing like that before, and it’s all I can focus on.
God, school tomorrow. How am I supposed to sit next to Asher in class? How do I focus on math—or any of the other crap we’re supposed to be learning—while his sexy body is sitting right there, those piercing eyes locked on me? I’m screwed.
Heat creeps up my neck as I turn over in bed. I can’t stop thinking about what happened, and the way he had to make himself come, how I got everything, and he had to settle. Selfishness is not my intention. I don’t want to be the guy who takes and doesn’t give. I’ve never thought of myself like that before, but now, I can’t avoid it.
I turn onto my side and stare out the window, my mind racing. This isn’t something I can just let go. I have to make itright. He needs to know I’m not in this just for myself. I want him to see how serious I am—how much I care. I want to be a good lover, not the kind of guy who only takes and never gives.
The butterflies in my stomach feel like they’re slamming against my ribs. It’s hard to breathe, like there’s a weight pressing down on my chest. But I know what I need to do. It’s the only way I’ll feel okay.
Without another thought, I throw the covers off and stand up. My heart’s pounding as I walk down the hall. I don’t even know why I’m doing this, but it feels like the only thing that makes sense. Like if I don’t, I won’t be able to move forward.
I stand at his door, my hand trembling as I reach for the knob. For a moment, I hesitate, but then his voice drifts through the wood.
“I can smell you standing out there. Come in.”
I don’t hesitate anymore. I open the door and step inside. Asher’s sitting on the edge of his bed, his gaze meeting mine. His brow furrows with concern, but his eyes—there’s something unreadable there, like he’s waiting for me to say something. Or maybe he already knows.
“Zayne? What’s up? Are you okay? Do you have regrets?Fuck!I’m so sorry.”
I shake my head, the words spilling out before I can stop them. “No, I don’t regret any of it. But… I feel like I need to make it right.” I pause, then say, “You only had your hand, and I want you to feel what I did. I need you to see how serious I am. I want you to feel good, too.”
“Zayne…” Asher’s voice softens, like he understands something I don’t want him to. I hate that. “You know I’m fine. I got exactly what I wanted.”
“No,” I snap. “I didn’t give you enough. I haven’t received and not returned the favor to any girl, and I’m sure as hell not gonna change it just because you’re a guy.”
Asher growls, his eyes darkening. “Don’t talk about your past fucks,” he growls. “Don’t. I want to believe I’m the only mouth that’s been on that smooth cock. The only one who’s tasted your sweet nectar.” His voice drops lower, rougher. “And I’ll sure as hell be the only one who ever gets in your ass.”
The heat that floods through me makes my knees weak. There’s something possessive, almost primal, in the way he says it, and I’m powerless to fight it. My stomach tightens, my breath quickens, and I’m left standing there, frozen in place.
I open my mouth to say something, but nothing comes out. I want to tell him how I’ve never felt anything like this before. But I can’t find the words.
Asher watches me for a long moment, his gaze intense, searching mine. The air between us is thick, and it feels like something’s breaking, something’s shifting. I know we can’t go back now.
“Are you sure you want this?” His voice is low, strained.
Swallowing, I fight to maintain my composure. “I’m sure,” I whisper. “I just want to give you the same thing. You deserve it.”
