Page 56 of Captivated By You

Asher’s response to Forster’s behavior at my interview seeped into my mind. He’d taken the word of a stranger, investigated my allegations without being prompted, and acted accordingly. A definite tick in his favor.

But I hated talking about that time, and what Simon had done when I’d told him his brother had cornered me in the hotel bar after hours and attempted to kiss me and shove his hand up my skirt.

And what hehadn’tdone, too. Namely, believed me.

“I’ll think about it.”

* * *

An hour later, after tossing and turning the entire time, I flung back the covers and planted my feet on the plush carpeting. The wine with dinner had made me thirsty. I slipped into the living room, feeling my way until my eyes adjusted to the dimness. I found the minibar and grabbed an apple juice. Twisting off the cap, I gulped down half the bottle. Better.

“Hi.”

I leaped about ten feet in the air. Okay, nottenfeet, but it felt like it. Clasping a hand to my chest, my eyes sought Asher. Wearing only boxer shorts, he was sitting in a chair set at right angles to a three-seater couch, holding a glass of amber liquid that he swirled as his eyes ate me up.

“I was right about that nightgown.”

His gaze traveled from my head to my feet and back up again, each inch feeling as if he were undressing me. Not that there was much to undress. Slip off the spaghetti straps, and bam! Naked.

Yeah, not a good direction to allow my thoughts to travel. Especially given Asher’s state of undress. I hadn’t exactly forgotten the broad planes of his taut chest, nor the ridges of muscle across his abdomen, nor the trail of hair I’d explored with my tongue. But the reminder was not making resisting him any easier.

“How come you’re awake?”

“Couldn’t sleep.” He sipped his drink.

“Alcohol won’t help. Maybe you should call down to room service and have them bring you up a cup of warm milk.”

“I have a better idea.”

He rose from the chair with the grace of a dancer, but his prowl toward me was all animal. A panther, or a lion. I backed up, my ass hitting the fridge.

“Ash.”

He reached me, capturing a strand of my hair and feeding it through his thumb and index finger. “So soft.”

“Asher.” I used his full name as a warning, even as my belly flipped and my heart skipped a beat. Useless thing.Listen to your head.

“Why are you resisting me?” He bent his head and nuzzled my neck. “God, you smell so good.” His thumb brushed my hip. “And I’m so horny.”

I groaned when his teeth grazed my jawline. “Please,” I whispered, teetering on the edge of capitulation.

“Please what?” He kissed the corner of my mouth. “Stop. Continue. Hoist up this nightgown and fuck you until your screams wake the guests below us?”

“I-I want…”

He ran his palm over my rib cage, stopping just shy of my boobs. “Tell me what you want, Kiana. Tell me, and whatever it is, I’ll get it for you.” He slipped one strap off my shoulder and kissed along my exposed collarbone. “I’ll give you the world, if you just let me in. I won’t hurt you.”

Dickfacehadsaid the same. And look what had happened? I’d lost my job and spent the next three years waiting tables and scouring the internet for opportunities, scared to death my career was over before it had begun.

“You can’t promise that. No one can.”

I ducked underneath his arms and put some distance between us. Ash followed, a man who sensed the weakening mindset of his prey.

“Who hurt you?”

“No one.”

“Liar.” He captured me around the waist, tugging me against him. “Whoever he is, I want to kill him.”

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