Page 38 of The Love Penalty
He raises his eyebrows like this is no great surprise. “Baxter. I usually don’t answer the door.”
Baxter. The name sounds familiar. Caroline must have mentioned him. “Are you on the team?”
“I’m the goalie.”
“Oh wait!” I click my fingers, feeling like an idiot for not remembering faster. “You love the dog, right? Caroline says you’re really great with him.”
A shy smile curves his lips. “Fezz is a cutie. And he’s the only guy in this place who isn’t a smartass, so yeah, I like him.”
I can’t help a grin.
“So.” He raises his eyebrows. “Who are you looking for?”
“Oh, um… Asher. Is he around?”
“Yep.” Baxter pulls the door open wide and I slink past him, then wait for some direction.
He points to the hallway left of the stairs. “He’s in his man cave. The door straight ahead there.”
“Okay, thanks.”
“Uh-huh.” Baxter nods, then wanders off in the opposite direction.
I swallow, my pulse quickening as I inch my way toward that door. I capture strains of guitar as I draw near and wonder for a moment if he’s playing, but then the bass and drums kick in and I recognize the band. I listen to this album sometimes too.
Of course you do.
I roll my eyes at yet another thing we both like. This is insane! I bet the universe is having a big ol’ laugh over this one. I know! I’ll find the most annoying person on the planet and then make you so attracted to him that you can barely stand it… oh, and let’s give you two a bunch of stuff in common as well. This is gonna be hilarious!
The thought nearly makes me bail, but then my fingers curl into a fist and I tap my knuckles on the wood. My knock is so quiet, it’s barely audible, but it pushes the door open, and I’m soon staring at the back of Asher’s mussed-up hair.
He must be having a sloth day. I can’t remember the last time I had one of those. My heart aches with a yearn for pajamas and comfort and relaxation.
Why have I let myself become this study machine?
Anger bubbles in my belly. Anger at myself for letting someone rob me of… well, me.
“No more,” I whisper, lifting my chin and walking into the room.
Asher must sense the movement and swivels to spot me, his shocked expression kind of adorable. I could seriously dive right into those eyes of his. They’re gorgeous.
As is the rest of him, all shirtless and smoking hot, sitting there on the couch in his basketball shorts with his sexy bare feet and drool-worthy six-pack.
My brain threatens to shut itself down as I walk around the couch and get a full view of him.
Holy shit, he’s so beautiful!
He gazes up at me, his expression a mix of confusion… and maybe amusement?
Say something. Anything! Right now!
“Hi.” I lift my hand in an awkward wave.
“Hi, there.” He draws out the words, obviously pleased by the fact that I’m even here.
I tut and shake my head, my brain giving me absolutely nothing in response. Instead, my eyes dart around his man cave, drinking in the neatly lined bookshelves and the framed posters on the walls. He’s even got a mini fridge and a big-ass TV with all the PlayStation thingies and holy shit, look at that collection of hardbacks! My fingers itch to trail along their spines. I want to pull them out and palm the covers, then carefully open them and sniff the pages like I’m addicted to ink on paper.
“So… nice to see you.” Asher’s obviously choosing his tone carefully. “I think. I guess it depends what you came here to say.”