Page 36 of Can't Help Growling in Love
But Asher sniffs, and his eyes glow golden. He crowds me against the side of his truck, his arms suddenly caging me in. I stare up at him, my breaths quickening.
“What are you thinking about?” he demands.
My eyelids flutter shut. “Nothing I can share right now.”
He lowers his head until his lips brush my cheek in a warm kiss. “You can always share with me. I need to know what you want.”
Fuck, he’s right. This will only work if we’re both honest. If he trusts me enough to show me all of himself, I should do the same.
I glance around to see if anyone’s near enough to hear us, but it’s midday on a workday. Kids are all in school, and adults haven’t come home from work yet, not in this family-friendly neighborhood.
“I was thinking that I like how strong you are,” I murmur, just loud enough for Asher to pick up. “I told you I won’t mind itif you’d like to take control, but once you’re comfortable, I’d like you to…”
“Yeah?” He presses the length of his body to mine, his cock hard against my belly. A lick at my ear sends shivers down my body. “I’m comfortable now. Tell me.”
It’s a command now, as if he’s instinctively taking the control I mentioned. That he’s so attuned to me is a huge turn-on, as is his godsdamned scent… I close my eyes and inhale, huffing the incredible aroma like an addict.
“I’d like you to let go of your control with me.”
My admission slips from my lips, and I want to take it back immediately. Asher freezes—I don’t even think he’s breathing. His big body brackets mine, and for the first time, I worry I’ve gone too far. That I’ve blown it and scared Asher, which is fucking ironic because he’s been worried all this time that he might scareme.
But I can’t undo the words, and the longer I stand there, staring up at him, the more I feel that I’ve hit an issue that could become a problem between us. So I lift my chin and stare him down.
His throat bobs as he swallows. “I could hurt you.”
“You won’t.”
My faith in him is unshakeable. He’s done everything in his power to keep me protected, but despite how much bigger he is than me, I want all of that, unleashed.
“Gods, June.” Asher touches his forehead to mine. “You have no idea how much I want to throw you over my shoulder and carry you inside your house and fuck you on the first flat surface we find.”
His voice trembles slightly, betraying his fraying control, and I fuckingloveit. My nipples pebble. A low growl reverberates from his chest, and I put my hands on his shoulders on instinct, clinging on so my wobbly knees don’t buckle.
“I won’t break,” I whisper. “I promise, I won’t. You don’t have to hold back. Or hide yourself from me. I wantallof you.”
He kisses me, his lips crashing down on mine, and I return the kiss with all I have. His teeth, blunt in his human-shaped form, sink into my lower lip, and I whimper at the pinch of pain. He groans and soothes the sting with lick after lick. I dig my fingers in his short hair and tug his head down, barely resisting the need to hop up and wrap my legs around his waist.
I will not fuck my new boyfriend in the street for the first time.
Asher lifts his head, his irises a liquid gold. “Tomorrow. I’m gonna let you go now, but you’re mine tomorrow.”
I shiver at his declaration.
You’re mine tomorrow.
“Okay,” I breathe. “I’ll hold you to that.”
I wave at Asher from the front stoop and let myself into the house. The rumble of his truck’s engine fades into the distance as I shuck my jacket and put my gear away, still glowing from the kisses we shared. I walk into the kitchen and run the tap to put the water on for tea, a nice calming brew before bed, then turn the water to hot to wash the bowl and spoon I left in the sink last night.
But the hot water doesn’t come. I frown, turning the knob again, and wait with my fingers under the stream of water.
Nothing.
Battling away the sense of foreboding, I shut the water off and take the stairs down into the basement.
The sound of dripping water is the first sign that something’s wrong. A flick of the switch has the lights flickering ominously. Iyelp and turn them off, then scurry upstairs to grab a flashlight. Just to be sure, I turn off the gas stove and fiddle with the main electric switch until I’m sure I won’t get accidentally electrocuted.
Then I descend into the basement again and face the newest disaster this cursed house has graced me with.
