Page 50 of Asher
Asher let out a small laugh. “What does that have to do with anything?”
I tossed my hands in the air. “I don’t know. People tend to think it’s weird.”
“Okay. Well, I will pick your clothes up. I sometimes leave hair in the sink when I shave and when I don’t have Nix, I sleep naked.” My neck turned hot as I pictured him naked in bed.Fuck.I dropped my eyes to the front of his jeans wondered what that was like. Asher’s finger hooked under my chin as he lifted my eyes back to his, an amused expression on his face.Balls. He caught me staring at his junk. “Seriously. I don’t care about any of that, and I already knew about it anyway.”
Okay, then. “Where would I even sleep? You only have two rooms.”
Stepping closer to me, our bodies were flush, he lowered his voice. “You’ll be in my bed. With me.”
Goosebump covered my skin as he pressed a kiss to my neck right below my ear, driving me insane. “A-Asher. I’m not ready for that.” I shuddered but leaned into his touch.
“What? Sleeping?” He smiled against my skin before pulling back to look at me. “Look, I’m taking sex off the table, but I want you in my bed. I want you in my space.”
God, I wanted to say yes and jump in headfirst. Asher was handing me everything I ever wanted. But could we really do this? I mean, he’d just started showing interest in me as more than a friend and we’re already married and moving in together?
That’s terrifying.
“What if it ruins everything?” I looked down at our joined hands, mine trembling in his. I couldn’t stop it no matter how much I willed myself to be the bad bitch I normally was.
“It won’t.”
I looked back up at him, my nose scrunched. That was his answer?It won’t?“But what if it does? You’re my best friend. What if you start to hate me?”
His expression softened and he pulled me into his arms. One around my waist; the other holding the back of my head tenderly. My eyes fluttered as I inhaled his comforting scent, completely surrounded by him. “I could never hate you. But how about this? We keep our communication open. If something bothers me, I’ll tell you, and if something bothers you, you tell me?”
“Just like that?” I asked against his chest.
“Just like that.”
My heart hammered against my ribcage. “Okay.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
ASHER
“Daddy!”Nix screamed from the front porch. I waved out of my open window as I turned into the driveway, placing the truck in park. My heart lodged itself in my throat leaped when she jumped off the porch, skipping the three steps completely. She might be seven and fearless, but it still scared me as much today as it did when she was taking her first steps.
Sheila leaned against the railing, smiling at the little girl doing cartwheels on the front lawn. Nix reminded me of Carrie in that moment, and I knew Sheila was thinking the same thing.
“Are you ready for this?” I asked, turning toward Haley. Her hands twisted nervously in her lap. I wanted to laugh because I’d never known Haley to be nervous. She was usually so carefree, but I’m sure this entire day had been a lot to process. Lifting my arm, I placed my hand on the back of her neck.
I couldn’t stop touching her. And I didn’t want to. Normally, I tried to keep my distance. Tried not to get too close or push her too far because I didn’t want to break some invisible barrier, but dancing with her at the club last night and kissing her today?
That barrier got blown to pieces.
And it was never going back up.
Haley bit her lip as the corners of her eyes crinkled in determination. “Let’s do the damn thing.”
I kneaded her neck. “There’s my girl. I thought for a minute you were going be stuck in this timid state.”
“I have never been timid in my life.”
“Today you have been.”
“Well today, I woke up married. My house flooded. And I’m moving in with the hot history teacher that every girl aged sixteen and older wants to bone.”
“You think I’m hot?” I smirked when she rolled her eyes. “And just to clarify, I’ve never boned a teenage girl.”