Page 13 of Sweet Possession

My lips part as we pull into a nice neighborhood filled with what can only be described as mini mansions. I say mini because, although big, they are a little smaller than the houses on Star Island or Key Biscayne. I glance at Asher. Is playing poker able to afford him something like this, or is he from a wealthy family? I hope it’s the former. If he can teach me to play to a high standard then I can be out of that apartment, be able to afford to live comfortably, and follow my dreams of being an artist. I smile to myself at the thought.

To have my own art studio would be amazing. When I’m painting, I’m in my element. I am who I’m meant to be. If there is a chance that I can do art full time, then I am going to soak up Asher’s attention.

Asher pulls into a driveway and turns off his Audi. Squinting, I look out the window to find one of the nicer houses on the street. Excitement courses through me. Not because of the nice house but because I could have something like this if I can follow his instructions and win money. I mean, how hard can it be to learn poker?

“You ready?” I feel his eyes on me, scorching my bare skin wherever they land.

Glancing over my shoulder at him, his blue gaze meets mine. “Did playing poker help you afford a house like this, or are you from a wealthy family?” I blurt. I need to know if he is just bullshitting me. If this is all some elaborate game to get me here under false pretenses.

He grins. “Playing poker is what got me here. My parents are your typical blue collar, hard-working people. My dad is in construction, my mom is a teacher. Of course, I have treated them with my money. But the answer to your question, is no. I am not some trust fund brat that gambles on the side.”

I nod before waving my arms. “Then teach me your ways, oh clever one.”

He chuckles, throwing me a wink. “Oh, I will. I will teach youallmy ways, angel.” His voice is a rasp going straight between my legs.

Jesus. This man does things to me.

Before I do something stupid, like straddle his lap, I grab the handle, shoving the door open, and scramble out. Asher laughs and I just know he can see what he is doing to me. I groan. I mean, it wouldn’t hurt to fuck the guy. I just can’t catch feelings and get invested. I have a plan for my life, one I need to stick to for the most part. Although I don’t mind veering off course if I can achieve my dream. And if playing poker goes the way I am hoping it will, and I can make the money Asher says I can, then I just might get to do the thing I want most in the world.

Paint.

“Come on.” I startle when Asher’s hand drops to my lower back, and he pushes me forward. Hot breath hits my ear as he murmurs, “I don’t bite, angel.”

I crane my neck to look up at him. “I don’t care if you do. I can bite harder.”

He throws his head back on a laugh and I can’t help but smile. I should feel scared about being with this man I barely know, but I don’t. I find myself feeling confident, wanting to sass him and get a reaction out of him in any way I can. It doesn’t matter that he basically stalked me, that I lost my job because of him. Something about him intrigues me, makes me feel safe. I want to know him.

Everything about him.

He leads me up a path and to the front door. Popping a key into the lock, he twists and pushes it open to reveal a big entryway with high ceilings and clean white walls. Stepping inside, my mind races, my heart pounds, and excitement bubbles within me with thoughts that I could have a place like this to call home. The door clicks into place, pulling me from my reverie.

I spin to face Asher, swallowing when I realize we are now alone. Locked in his house. I may have been a little overconfident in the car with not fearing him. Now we are alone, I remember that I don’t know him. That I’m stupid for putting myself in this position. What the hell was I thinking? I should know better than to put myself in a situation like this. My father drilled ‘stranger danger’ into my head enough times when I was growing up.

Asher’s eyes narrow as if he can hear my thoughts. My spine straightens and my mouth parts when Asher’s gaze turns hungry. He looks like he wants to devour me. I don’t know whether I feel scared or turned on by that. Maybe it’s me that’s sick?

He steps towards me, like a lion hunting the lone gazelle. I step back. He stops. Cocks his head. “I’m not going to hurt you, Remi.” His voice is soft, like a lullaby I want to get caught up in.

I swallow. “I know.”

His answering smirk makes my stomach tighten with need. I don’t know what is happening to me, but this man seems to bring out my most aroused side. “Do you want a drink?” He steps towards me again, and this time I don’t move. That’s all the permission he needs, and he takes my hand and drags me down the hall and through a door to the kitchen. Lifting me, he drops me down on a stool as he moves towards the fridge. Opening it, he roots around for a long beat before appearing with two bottles of water.

Handing me one, he opens his own, taking a big sip as his eyes never leave mine. The intensity in his gaze is something I’ve become familiar with. Something I like. The way he stares at me makes me feel special. “Do you want to learn in here or somewhere more comfortable, like the lounge?”

I should stay in here. It’s safer than getting cozy on a couch with him, but, if we’re going to do this, I want to be relaxed and, as nice as the stool is, it’s hard beneath my ass. “The lounge.”

He nods as if he expected my answer and jerks his head. “Go through the door, take a left. The lounge is at the end of the hallway. I’ll go and grab my laptop and order some food. What do you feel like eating?”

I shrug. “You choose. I’m good with whatever, as long as it’s not lamb.”

He grins. “Okay. No lamb. Got it.”

He rounds the counter towards me, helps me climb off the stool, and pushes me to the exit. I make my way farther down the hallway, gasping when I step over the threshold to the lounge. The view from this room is amazing. You can see the sea. The beach. This house is everything. My dream home. Seeing all of this has reaffirmed my decision to be here. I never had hope about my dreams before, only allowing myself the possibility to finish school and maybe college. Then to get a job that I didn’t really want but that I needed, just to make ends meet and do art on the side.

But maybe, just maybe, if I listen to Asher, I can have this. Have it all. It’s dangerous for a girl like me to have visions of grandeur, but I can’t help getting caught up in it as I stand and look out the floor-to-ceiling windows.

For the first time in a long time, I have hope. And it’s all because a crazy man that will not take no for an answer pushed and pushed until he got his way. He has made me step out of my comfort zone.

For a moment, I am glad for that.