Page 32 of Never Bed the Boss
“Then I guess I should be less predictable,” Asher rasps from behind me.
Goosebumps flare across my skin, sizzling as he places his hand on the nape of my neck. It takes me a few moments to catch my breath.
“There’s nothing about you I want to change,” I breathe.
Asher slides onto the stool next to me, his scent just as intoxicating. His hand is still on my skin, and it feels so good. I missed his touch. I missed his commanding presence. I missed him. And I can’t believe I wallowed for so long.
“Are you sure about that?” he asks, toying with a tendril of my hair.
“As sure as anyone could be.”
His hand slides from my neck, down my arm, until he collects my hand in his. “I’ve missed you, Lilah. Your scent. Your smile. Your laugh.”
I chance a look at him and I see pain in his eyes. The lightness in them obliterated.
“I fucked up. I knew it long before you left. But I couldn’t help myself. I thought the only way you’d stay was if I gave you everything you wanted. So that’s what I did. I used your list, checking off all the boxes thinking if I checked off enough, you’d fall in love with me. It was wrong. And…” he swallows hard. “I’m sorry, Lilah. I’m sorry for invading your privacy. I’m sorry for keeping that list for myself. Using it. For making you feel like you were nothing but a game for me to figure out. I… I’m sorry.” He sighs, stroking my hand as he stares at it. “I’ve never been good at apologies.”
I swallow. “I think you’ve done well.”
His fingers stop moving and he stares at me. God, I want to kiss his lips again. I want to taste him. Feel him against me. I want him.
“I know it’s not enough. I’ll do whatever it takes. Whatever you need. I don’t care how long it takes, but I want to prove to you that none of this was a game to me. Everything we did. Everything I said. Everything… I truly love you.”
I smile, tears filling my eyes. “I know,” I say, sniffling. “But I need to apologize too. I’m sorry for doubting you. And I’m sorryfor stealing your watch,” I add with a short laugh. “I swear I gave it back.”
“You did,” he says. “I found it today.”
My eyes flare as I look at him. “Apparently, the man at the front desk swiped it. The dude had the gall to wear it too. I spotted it earlier this afternoon when I needed my room re-keyed.”
“Seriously?”
He nods. “Everett was making his rounds too. That guy’s not going to be able to find a job in this city.”
I sigh, a weight lifting off my chest. I know Asher believed me, but I’m glad that it was finally proven.
“But I still stole it,” I add after a few moments.
“I don’t mind, my pretty little thief. It’s not the only thing you’ve stolen from me.”
“Yeah?”
“You’ve stolen my heart. You’ve stolen my soul. But the truth is, they were yours the moment you walked into my life. I knew it instantly. Instinctively. Preternaturally. Truth is they never belonged to me. I’ve only been keeping them for you.”
I smile, more tears rolling down my cheeks. I can’t believe I almost let this man go. I can’t…
“And mine belong to you,” I say, my voice craggy and harsh. I slide his bucket list toward him and take a few moments to gather my thoughts. “I looked at it, so consider us even.”
He takes the list, glancing at it before staring back at me. “Is this real?”
I nod, more tears streaming down my face. “It’s real. I found out a few days ago.”
He touches my belly and I hold his hand against me.
“I love you, Asher. And I want to spend the rest of my life checking off our bucket list, one by one.”
Asher kisses me. It’s soft and slow at first, but then he threads his fingers through my hair and he kisses me like a madman. Like he’s starving and I’m the only thing that could satisfy his hunger. Like he’d die if our lips ever broke apart.
And I love it.
