Page 36 of Exactly What I Needed
How was I supposed to get into the building, though, with the security I knew lurked inside? But, once again, somehow running on lack of rational thought or simply hoping that things would work out, I parked in a stall and got out of my car. Locking it behind me, I shrugged my purse higher up my shoulder and began walking toward the tall, beige stucco building. The crowded parking lot was claustrophobic. It was as if my lungs constricted on me as I walked closer and closer to the front door.
Eventually, I stopped walking and snatched my phone out of my purse. Then I pulled up Asher’s contact.
I’m here. In the parking lot.
I sent the text and waited, mindlessly tapping my finger against the side of the phone.
Finally, bubbles appeared, and then his response.
Come to the left of the building and I’ll meet you at a side entrance. We aren’t quite done with our recording session, so you’ll have tohide for a bit;)
Rolling my eyes, I sighed in relief and quickly jogged in my heels toward the side of the building. Rounding a corner between a tall fence and some massive shrubs, a side door popped open just as I reached it.
Asher smiled. “Hey, Princess.”
Chapter 13
Asher stepped sideways to allow me room to enter. There was nothing but a long hallway behind him, the lights flickering softly as I walked inside and the door clicked shut behind me. I continued to plod along slowly, hearing his footsteps fall quietly behind me. Except he didn’t say anything.
Right before we rounded a corner, he slipped his fingers into mine, pulling me halfway behind him before anyone spotted me. People too busy to notice that I wasn’t supposed to be here bustled around the massive room, past doors scattered along the outskirts with another hallway at the far side of the room.
He stopped walking and faced me, stepping into my body. I stumbled backwards a few feet and bumped into the wall. His entire frame swamped mine as I lifted my gaze to meet his honey-colored eyes. A corner of his lip lifted into a smile, and he glanced to his left and right, checking to make sure we were completely alone in this desolate hallway.
“There’s magazines on the coffee table in the middle of the sofas. Go park yourself there and hide behind one. If someone asks where you’re supposed to be, just say that you’re waiting for studio three to open. That’s where we are, and we are running a bit behind, so it’ll be a perfect cover,” he said, finally breaking the silence between us.
His eyes swung toward me once more, that mischievous, knowing sparkle back in them. I slowly nodded, sucked into his gaze. Despite fighting with myself, self-control was fleeing my body. I’d rejected him enough times, and my only intention in coming here was for my students, but I couldn’t seem to help myself.
With him this close, his hands on either side of my head, cocooning me into his world, I just couldn’t resist.
Leaning forward without hesitation, I tipped onto my toes and smashed my lips against his. He widened his eyes in shock, and I rapidly pulled away. His surprise turned to confusion while my cheeks became red hot, rosy embarrassment crashing through me.
Then suddenly his mouth was against mine once more, desperate and intense. Closing my eyes, I melted into his velvet, seductive taste as his hands found their way to my waist. One massive palm pressed tightly against my lower back, shoving my hips against his body, his other fingers dug into my side, squeezing tightly.
I threw my arms around his shoulders, intertwining my fingers through his hair, and kissed him with all the ferocity I had. I didn’t care, not at this moment. Not in another thousand moments would I care if anyone saw. The high crashing through me was worth any consequences that would come.
My heart slammed against my ribcage, driving me tighter and more aggressively into him. He didn’t hold back either, shoving his tongue into my mouth the moment he had a chance. Desperation washed through the minty kiss, indentations from his rings on his fingers pressed deep into my body, mirroring the passion we were sharing.
More. Give me more.
Slowly, he slid his tongue out from my teeth and then gave me one last, soft kiss. Sweet and simple, ending this impromptu hallway make-out session with a whisper of something deeper than the physical intimacy we’d been sharing.
I kept my eyes closed, feeling his hot breath washing over my face. He hadn’t released his hold on my body just yet either.
“I’m not quite sure what I believe,” he whispered against my mouth.
“What’s that?” I asked softly.
“You’re constantly rejecting me, and then going and doing things like this. So, which is it?” He pecked my lips. I shook my head, my mouth brushing across his in the process.
Slowly, he removed his palm from my lower back and stepped an inch away. I opened my eyes and stared at his chest. His free hand wrapped around one of my wrists and pulled it away from his neck.
“Princess, look at me.”
I hesitantly lifted my eyes to meet his gaze, his fingers tightening around my wrist.
“What is it you want?”
I swallowed stiffly.You.I wanted him, and the longer I tried to fight it, the deeper the desire raged. But I couldn’t admit it out loud. I would bedead if I did because Sydney. Tera. All the consequences, even if they didn’t quite understand the power that he held over me. Plus, he lived in a world that I couldn’t exist in. Too much of my life could be exposed. Secrets kept buried could be revealed.
