Page 9 of Rejected By My Stepbrother Alpha
As soon as I got to the safety of the elevator, I let out a long, slow breath. I'd managed to survive the night without embarrassing myself.
I leaned my forehead against one of the cool walls of the elevator. Socializing all night had robbed me of my energy. I couldn't wait to call Maeve and tell her about the night. When the elevator came to a stop, I straightened up and stepped out. As I walked down the empty hallway, I wondered if Maeve would still be up at this time of night or if I should wait until the morning to call her.
Should I tell her about my obsession with my stepbrother? As usual, my mind wandered to Asher. Was he already asleep? My body grew warm as I thought about what he wore to bed. Did he sleep in his boxers? Or did he wear nothing at all? Was there nothing between his naked body and the cool white sheets?
What I wouldn't give to be in his bed just for one night…
A loud thumping sound interrupted my thoughts. I looked up, and my heart stopped.
Asher was in front of his hotel room door with his key card in his hand. His black suit jacket was discarded on the ground next to him, his shirt sleeves were rolled up, and his silver tie that matched my dress was loose around his neck. I could see the defined muscles through his white shirt, and my heart began to beat frantically. Asher tried to slide his key card into the slot again, but he couldn't manage it. He lifted his hand and banged on the door with his fist in frustration and mumbled under his breath.
So, that was what the thumping sound had been.
Irrational anger flowed through me. Why couldn't he just be in his room asleep? Why did he have to be right next to my room, looking so disheveled and handsome? And why the hell did he seem resentful toward me? What did I ever do to him? But the thing that I was most angry with him for was something that neither of us could control.
Why did Asher Callahan have to be my stepbrother?
“Asher, what the hell are you doing?” I hissedand made my way over to him. “You're going to wake up the entire floor if you keep it up.”
He turned toward me, and the expression on his face made me pause. The look in Asher's eyes wasn't the usual icy indifference that they held whenever he glanced my way. His hazel eyes were full of heat and longing as they slowly traveled down my body.
Oh…
His eyes scanning my body made my hands shake, and I forgot why I had been so mad at him a moment ago. For a second, I forgot my own name.
As my stepbrother eyed my cleavage, a lazy grin crossed his face.
“Hello, Ivy,” he said, like we were old friends.
Or lovers.
Don't even go there. Don't even hope.
Asher was off-limits. Nothing could happen between us for so many reasons.
“Uh, hi,” I replied. “Having trouble getting into your room?”
“Yep. They must have given me the wrong…what's the word for this?” He pointed to the key card in his hand.
Before I could answer him, he swayed slightly, and I had to grab his forearms to hold him steady. An electric shock went through me at the contact.
His red and watery eyes shot down to my lips, and I had to clear my throat and drop my hands before I did something I'd regret.
“Goddess, Asher. How much did you have to drink?” I asked.
“Only…uh, one glass.” He shrugged and scrubbed a hand down his flushed face.
I snorted.
Well, I guess he was still sober enough to mess with me. It was true that I didn't see him drink much throughout the night, but what other reason could there be for him to be acting this way?
“Here, give me your key card, and I'll open your door,” I said. “They didn't give you the wrong key card. You just aren't using it right.”
“Key card! That's the name!” Asher said and fumbled with the key card before handing it over.
Goddess, his words were slurred.
It took me two tries to fit the key card into the thin slot, but I managed to get it open.
