Page 43 of Asher

“What about Nix?” I couldn’t help but ask. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt that little girl.

Asher smiled widely. “She’s already on board.”

“What?” I reared back a little.

“I talked to her before I flew out. I love you, Haley, but she is the most important person in my life. I had to make sure she’d be okay.”

“What did she say?” I was dying to know. Her happiness meant just as much to me.

He flashed his straight white teeth in a grin. “She asked if that meant I would kiss you like Rylie and Mason.”

“That’s it?”

He nodded, shrugging one shoulder. “She’s excited.”

“You’re sure?” I asked one last time. I had to be sure, because as soon as I gave in to this man. I’d be doomed. There was no going back.

Hell, who was I kidding? There was already no going back. He was my McDreamy.

“Yes, Haley.” Asher released my hand and slid his palm up my arm, gently cupping my jaw before sliding his hand into the back of my hair, holding me in place. “I’m sure,” he whispered against my mouth just before brushing his lips teasingly against mine. I swear I swooned, my eyes fluttering close. Asher smiled against my mouth, before pressing his lip more fully against mine.

The kiss was tentative, sweet.

It wasn’t an accident.

We weren’t drunk.

He was choosing me.

I sighed, leaning into him as much as I could with the armrest between us. My palm landed on his chest. I gripped his t-shirt, holding him to me.

He tugged on my hair, deepening the kiss as a low growl tore from the back of his throat. The sound sent electric currents through my body, straight to the apex of my thighs. His tongue swept in to tangle with mine just before he pulled back, leaving me breathless. His forehead pressed tightly against mine. “Fuck,” he groaned and crushed another bruising kiss to my lips. I wanted more. More of him, more ofthat.He traced his lips along my skin until he reached the spot just below my ear that drove me crazy.

I fought the urge to climb into his lap. I wanted to straddle him and dry hump the fuck out of him like a horny teenager. “Are you sure you don’t want to go back to the bathroom now?” His deep voice made me shiver as he nipped at my ear.

I laughed, slapping the back of my hand on his hard chest. “Shut up.”

“I’m serious. I have a damn problem.” His voice was gravelly as I raised a brow in question. Discretely, he reached down and adjusted himself before grabbing half of my blanket and pulling it over his legs. “Come here.” Asher lifted his arm and tugged me against his chest over the arm rest. My head rested right above his racing heart. He pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “We’ll finish this when there isn’t a plane full of people watching.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

ASHER

Haley jumpedas the wheels touched down, making the plane shake. It wasn’t the smoothest landing and, honestly, it pissed me off that she wasn’t still sleeping against my chest.

Holding her made me feel content for the first time in years. Like I could actually take a deep breath.

Happy.

I was fucking happy, and I never wanted that to end.

I wasn’t joking when I told Haley she had brought me back to life. She was my missing piece. The piece that made both Nix and I whole. I hadn’t dated since Carrie died. I hadn’t been ready and didn’t know if I ever would be. Truthfully, I wasn’t planning on ever dating again, but when I hired Haley to take some pictures of Phoenix we just clicked.

We started hanging out. Texting. Getting to know each other.

We werefriends. Honest to God friends. But things changed for me. I started wanting her around all the time. I imagined pushing her up against my counter and kissing her every time she helped me cook dinner. I thought about dragging her upstairs every night so that I could tie her ass to my bed and devour her.

I envisioned her on her knees in my shower as I jerked off each morning.