Page 89 of Exactly What I Needed
“Ow,” he whined, rolling off his stomach. “Why would you do that?”
“Why would you tell them what it is?” I shoved my hands on my hips.
He rose from the bed and opened the putty package. “Why would Inottell them? My girlfriend gave me a naked poster of herself. What guy doesn’t want that?”
“I’m not entirely naked.”
He shrugged his shoulders and pulled some blue putty into pieces. “Close enough. Besides, that’s part of the point. Because now, I can also show the guys and it’s not technically inappropriate.” He grinned again and stood up on the bed.
“Yes, it still is!” I gasped as he began sticking the poster to the ceiling.
“You have a bra on, and your hand is covering my delicious dessert I love eating. So, again, what’s inappropriate about it?”
“Because that’sallthat is covered! And the bra is quite see-through and lacy. You can practically see everything anyway.” I pointed at the picture as he stuck the last side up.
“So, it’s okay for you to show Kieron this, but I can’t?” he shot back, lifting his brows and facing me.
My mouth opened, ready to argue, but words wouldn’t come out.
He jumped down from the bed, a wicked grin across his face. “Yeah, Kieron isn’t very good at keeping secrets.” Asher walked toward me, and I closed my mouth.
“I wasn’t sure which one I—” My shoulders sagged.
He held his hand up, stopping me. “I know. I won’t let anyone else see it if you really feel that way.”
“It’s your poster. Do what you want with it.”
His fingers shot around my chin. Grabbing my cheeks, he tugged me closer to his face.
“Cosette, it makes it that much more special to me that you wanted the opinion of someone who’s known me for most of my life. I know you didn’t show it to him for the reason that you gave me this poster. I also know you didn’t tell him what you were putting on the bottom of it. My point is, this means a lot to me because I know how much effort you put into it. Plus, it’s definitely out of your comfort zone.” He gently released his hold on me, and I slowly nodded.
“You did a good job,” he whispered and quickly kissed me.
Chapter 30
My phone was off, charging on his nightstand. He’d agreed to set an alarm on his cell so I didn’t have to hear any notifications from Sydney. Or anyone else. Actually, it had been his idea, and as I lay in his lap, with my eyes closed, listening to the movie that was playing, I felt so at peace.
Nova was snoring in Drake’s lap, Ava and Jaxon were making out while Kieron grumbled over his options on some dating app. Asher’s fingers slid back and forth through my hair, gently sending chills down my spine.
“How’d you manage to snag a girl like her? And where can I find one?” Kieron grumbled.
Asher chuckled. “Shit, I have no idea. I’m surprised she even looked my way, if I’m being honest,” he replied. It seemed clear that they thought I was asleep.
“I knew, in case you were wondering. Before you said anything, I totally figured it out,” Kieron saidtriumphantly.
“I wasn’t really trying that hard to hide it. She, on the other hand, kept turning me down.”
“That makes me so happy to hear.”
Asher moved quickly, punching him, and I heard Kieron grunt.
“Fucking hell,” Kieron grumbled, and Asher took a deep breath. “Why’d you stick it out? If she kept running away, what made you so determined to not give up?”
“She made me feel alive and normal,” Asher quietly said, his fingers pausing. “She’s sassy, keeps me on my toes. But in the end, I feel at peace with her. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt so…content.”
“She gives you peace. That’s seriously why? Even after the headache she put you through? The chase?”
“Even after. Hell, even during it. Like I said, when I was with her, things were simple. Easy. Calm.” Asher slid forward a little, creating more room in his lap as I remained curled up tightly.
