Page 18 of Exactly What I Needed
“Syd, are you trying to back out of the—”
“It’s not Syd,” a deep voice cut me off. Adrenaline pricked at my skin as I snapped my head off the table.
Silence. My gaze drifted toward my phone beside me as I stared numb in shock. “A”. That’s what I put his contact in as, just in case Sydney ever accidentally saw it. What was he doing calling me now? What did he want?
“Cosette,” Asher said, his voice low and dark.
“Are you drunk?”
“Why the hell would you think that?”
“You haven’t said anything since opening my Picsnap that I accidentally sent you on Monday,” I whispered.
“Well, I’m not drunk,” he grumbled. “Come outside.”
“What?” I shoved my glasses higher up my nose, confused.
“I said come outside.”
“Outside? Like my house?” I pushed back from the table and crossed the kitchen floor. Sliding the curtains apart, I peered out front into the dark evening sky. There was a shadowy figure outlined in silver moonlight sitting on a motorcycle.
“Hey, muse,” Asher said. He was dressed in a black leather outfit, the helmet shade down and covering his face. “I like your glasses.”
Squeaking, I let go of the blinds and stepped away from the window. “How are you here? And don’t call me that.”
“Your phone’s location is on,” he answered. “And why not? I liked your choice for a safe word.”
“Becauseit’s the safe word. And you remember I said I live with my best friend, right?”
“I waited until she left the house with your two other friends.”
I tugged at the sleeve of the large, oversized sweatshirt I was wearing. It covered my shorts and made it seem like I didn’t have pants on.Of course.Goosebumps erupted across my exposed skin.
“Asher,” I cautioned.
“It’s just a ride. That’s all. Especially since my security will eventually catch up with me,” he replied, and I dropped the phone from my ear for a moment.
Only a ride. That was it. On a motorcycle, a sport bike. I’d always wanted to be someone’s backpack, even just for a moment. Plus, he owed me an explanation as to why he hadn’t spoken to me all week and just now showed up at my house.
Taking a deep breath, I placed the phone back against my ear. “Give me a second to change.” I ended the call and ran down the hallway. What does someone wear when being a passenger princess on someone’s bike? A very nice bike too. Even though I didn’t know much about bikes, you could tell that this sport bike was definitely worth a pretty penny. Blacked out, and I heard the rumble of the engine over the phone.
Tossing clothes around in my closet, I desperately searched for something. Anything. Finally settling on a pair of black yoga pants, I pulled them on and paired them with a long-sleeved, forest green spandex top.
I wouldn’t be out all night if it was just a quick ride, so I snuck into Sydney’s room and snagged a pair of black combat-style boots from her shoe collection. Tugging them on, I dashed back through the hallway andout the front door. The rumble of the bike echoed through our neighborhood, and I hoped it didn’t wake anyone else who lived around us.
Asher kicked the stand down and swung a leg over the side, opening the shade of his helmet. There were those piercing golden-brown eyes, watching me with that same desire as when we first met. I hesitantly stepped down the driveway and paused directly in front of him. Crossing my arms over my chest, I stood there as a hand came from around his back and offered me a helmet.
I gazed at it and then lifted my chin, looking directly up at him. “You owe me an explanation,” I grumbled.
He chuckled; it reverberated deeply in his chest. “You said to leave you alone.”
I rolled my eyes. “And you listened?”
Wait, why was I egging this on? This was no good. But I couldn’t help it. My tongue seemed loose being around him.
“I was trying to be polite.”
Snatching the helmet from his hands, I tugged it over my head, adjusting the braid that ran down my back. He stepped forward, closing the distance between us, and tipped my face up a little higher. His strong fingers worked the buckle for me.
