Always Asher

by Lyra Winters

  His grip on my shoulders loosened and he let his hands drop. “You were a virgin?”

  “Of course I was!” I stood up and paced the room, his eyes were on me the whole time. “I had been in love with you for years! You finally showed a romantic interest in me and I gave you all of me.”

  “Fuck.” He hung his head in his hands. “No wonder you hated me.”

  “I could never hate you. That’s what was so frustrating. I never stopped loving you.” I dropped to my knees and met his eyes as he looked back up.

  He pushed off the bed and ambled towards me. “You never got the note?”

  I shook my head. “No. If I had, things could have been so different.”

  “I thought you didn’t want me and that’s why you didn’t call.” His composure deflated as he dropped next to me and wrapped his arms around me.

  I sniffled and grabbed onto him tightly. “You’re an idiot to think that.”

  To think all the heartache could’ve been avoided if one of us had just reached out to the other.

  “Eve is—” Mags' voice stopped, and I heard a low whistle. “What’s going on here?”

  I wiped away my tears on his shirt before pulling back and smiling. “Closure.”

  Asher shook his head. “We’re both idiots is all.”

  She blinked and mouthed, okay then. “Anyway, Eve is here. She’ll be leaving soon though because my dumbass cousin couldn’t spare her for the night.” She frowned.

  I scrunched up my nose. “That’s not like her.”

  “Yeah, my point exactly.” She huffed. “I don’t like Gerald’s influence on her.”

  I pursed my lips as Asher helped me to my feet. “We don’t know it’s Gerald. Maybe Eve is just loving having a boyfriend.”

  She scowled. “I know Gerald. It’s why I warned her to begin with.”

  I nodded. “I trust your judgment. Hopefully, Eve will hang out with us more soon.”

  She shrugged before a mischievous glint twinkled in her eyes. “Enough about that, I expect details later about whatever happened up here.”

  My cheeks grew warm and Asher put his arm around me. “You ladies should go hang out with Eve. Seems you haven’t seen her as much.”

  “You’re right.” Mags threw up her hands. “And don’t leave me alone with your cousin again. He’s a dick.”

  I smirked. I knew they had feelings for each other at one point. I wondered if they still did.

  Once we were downstairs, Luca had already dug into the pizza Asher ordered and Eve’s eyes were plastered on her phone screen.

  When she pulled her eyes back up, she smiled at me. “How’re you feeling?”

  “Well, I just caught my ex-fiance fucking a client on our couch. What do you think?” I collapsed on the couch beside her.

  She moved her glasses up her nose. “I’d assume you weren’t doing so well.”

  Mags snorted before she sat next to me, with a pizza in hand. “No shit, Sherlock!”

  Eve pressed her lips into a line. “Are you really staying here?”

  I nodded. “Asher has a spare room.”

  She glanced and found that Asher and Luca were talking in the kitchen before she released a sigh. “What about your history? How will you handle your feelings for him?”

  My lips curved upward. “Funny story guys.” I launched into the whole misunderstanding that we just talked through upstairs. Tears flowing freely once again at the thought of the avoidable heartbreak.

  Mags swallowed the rest of her pizza before she clapped her hands together. “That explains how snuggly you two were upstairs!”

  Eve creased her brow. “How on earth did you miss the note that morning?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t know. I just woke up and saw he left and lost my mind. I didn’t think to look for any notes.”

  “Well, you have your second chance now that the cheating asshole is out of the picture,” Mags said.

  Eve shot her daggers. “She just saw Preston having—” She lowered her voice. “Sex with another woman. Give her a bit of time.”

  I patted her shoulder. “Thanks for the concern, but I was ending the engagement today anyway. My feelings for Asher are too strong to ignore.”

  Eve hesitated. “If that’s what you’re comfortable with.”

  My heart dropped as I remembered walking in on Preston. “Shit.” I stood up and started pacing. “He wasn’t wearing a condom with her.”

  Mags face twisted in disgust.

  “Make an appointment with your gynecologist tomorrow. I’m sure everything is fine, but you should be safe,” Eve whispered.

  I yanked my phone out and went to my doctor appointment app on my phone. I tapped away on the screen as I made an appointment for early in the morning. I also texted Mr. Higgins to let him know I needed a substitute for half of the morning tomorrow.

  “What’s going on?” Luca asked, his eyebrows raised as he stared at me.

  He and Asher stood there looking from me to the girls. Panicked expressions were on Mags and Eve, and I was sure I sported an intense look of panic on my own if it was any sign of how I felt.

  “Asshole wasn’t wearing a condom, and she’s making an appointment to get tested,” Mags seethed.

  Asher’s upper lip sneered. “You’re fucking kidding me. I’m sorry Faith, I didn’t even notice.”

  I shook my head. “It’ll be fine. I’m sure it’s not an issue, but I want to be sure. I already made an appointment and asked Higgins for a sub for the morning.”

  Asher nodded, but his body was stiff. How dare Preston put me at risk? How long had this been going on? I would’ve never known had I not come home early. My only source of stability was that we hadn’t slept together in two months.

  I shivered, and willed myself not to puke. “Thanks everyone, for coming over, but I think I need to take a shower and sleep.”

  Eve hopped up off the couch. “I need to head out, anyway. Gerald is waiting outside for me.” She gave me a quick hug. “Text me later, okay? Bye, everyone!” She bounced out of the house in a blur.

  Mags blinked. “Seriously? That was so rude. She acted so off today.”

  I bit my lip. “There’s definitely something off. We’ll have a girl's night soon and talk to her.”

  “That sounds like a damn good plan.” She wrapped me up in a hug. “Call and tell me the results whenever they come in.”

  I hugged her back. “I will.”

  Luca crossed his arms. “Let me have a turn to love on my baby cousin, Mags.”

  She stuck her tongue out at him. “God forbid I hold precious Faith hostage from her fabulous cousin.”

  He smirked. “Fabulous, you say?”

  She grunted her goodbye before heading out. I didn’t miss the tinge of pink on her cheeks as Luca teased her.

  I laughed. “You always get under her skin.”

  He hugged me. “Seriously Faith, I’ll go kick his ass.”

  I pulled back and thwacked his forehead. “No way. You’re not getting in trouble.”

  “Do you want help moving your stuff?”

  “Thanks for the offer, but dad already hired a moving company to move it over here.”

  Luca’s eyebrows raised, and he offered a hesitant smile. “That’s good, right?”

  “It is, I think he feels responsible since he was the reason I met Preston.” I shrugged. “It feels good to know he cares.”

  Asher and Luca talked more while I excused myself to take a shower.

  I was grateful to be alone so I could make sense of what all happened today. My life was becoming one big train wreck, but as long as I had my friends and family, I knew I’d be okay.

  I reached out and held Faith’s hand across the table at The Coffee Shop. “I’ve missed you.”

  I saw the flicker of a smile on her face as she squeezed my hand back. “I needed time to deal. But…I’ve missed you too.”

  I loved the comforting feeling of her touch. I missed it, everything about her. She wa
nted some space to process what Preston had done. It’s been a couple of weeks of agony on my end. She threw herself into work, getting home late and hiding out in my spare room every night. It felt more like she wanted time away from me. She took Preston’s betrayal to heart, but I wasn’t him. I just wanted her to be happy.

  “You know that the feelings I had didn’t go away, right?” I stared deep in her pretty blue eyes. “I’m still in love with you, Faith.”

  She covered her face with the hand I wasn’t holding. “Well, obviously you know I’m still in love with you.”

  “I hoped so. Couldn’t tell the past couple of weeks.” I winked, making her giggle. “All seriousness, I want you.”

  She sucked in a breath and darted her eyes around the people in the cafe. “Asher!”

  “Not just your body, though that’s also welcomed.” She narrowed her eyes and I put my hands up in defeat. “I want to take care of you. I want a relationship with you. It’s something I should’ve asked for seven years ago.”

  She nipped at her lips. “My engagement just ended.”

  I brought my gaze up to hers. “You were in a loveless relationship.”

  Her eyes softened. “I know that, but people will talk.”

  “Have I ever cared what people thought?” I raised an eyebrow.

  “No, but—”

  “But nothing. I love you and you love me. We have a lot of lost time to catch up on. Why should we wait?”

  She fell silent, messing with the ends of her hair. “I don’t have an answer to that.”

  “Because you know I’m right,” I countered.

  She had to realize that. I get that she is hesitant but she didn’t love the guy. He fucked his client in front of her, for fucksake.

  Her cheeks were pink as she sipped on her latte. “You’re right. Let’s give us a go.”

  “Then you’re all mine, and I’m never letting you go.”

  She tucked her hair behind her ear. “I fell for you so hard in high school.”

  “I fell for you too.”

  Tears began to pool in her eyes. “When I saw all those girls tagging you on social media, it hurt so bad.”

  My hand grabbed hers across the table once again. “I tried forgetting about you when I should’ve just picked up the phone and called you.”

  “It goes both ways. I could’ve called too,” she murmured. “How many girls have you been with after me?”

  I took a deep breath before answering, “Three. What about you?”

  Her face scrunched up. “Just Preston.”

  “I fucking hate that,” I snapped. She went to pull away but I grabbed her hand. “I’m sorry. I just mean I hate how terrible he was to you.”

  She fiddled with her hand. “When you took the gym teacher job and I saw you, I fell all over again.”

  My heart rate spiked. I was about to reply but was cut off by her ringtone. She pulled away to get out her phone and answered it.

  “Yes?” she clipped. Her eyes round and worried as she listened to the other end of the call. She exhaled a deep breath and grinned. “Thank God,” she mumbled. “Thank you so much for getting back to me. Have a great day.” She hung up.

  “Good news?” I loved her smile. It was as if all the anxiety was lifted from her body.

  “The best! I’m totally clean! Preston didn’t give me anything.” She practically bounced in her seat.

  I gave her a big smile and emptied my cup of coffee. She needed that reassurance, and I was thankful she got it.

  We left the cafe and went back home. Her stuff arrived a week ago and she still had boxes all over the foyer. It made me happy, sharing a home with the only woman I ever loved.

  “Oh shoot.” She swept her hair out of her face and piled it together in a bun on top of her head. “I should probably finish unpacking.”

  I shook my head, as I edged closer to her. I cupped her rosy cheeks in my hands. Her skin was soft against my rough palms. “You wanted to give this a try, right?”

  She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth. “Of course I do.” Her breath quickened.

  I leaned down and captured her lips with mine. Kissing her was more incredible than it was seven years ago. Her arms wrapped around my neck, and I hoisted her up by her ass. Her legs wrapped around me, not once breaking the kiss. Our tongues tangled, her hand twisted in my hair.

  She placed her hands on my chest and pushed me away. I was breathing heavily and placed her back down on her feet.

  “We need to go to your bedroom.” She grabbed my hand, sashayed her way up the stairs and into my room.

  It took her no time to let her sundress fall to the ground and for her to jump back on the bed. She wore black lace lingerie and it was a stark contrast against her pale skin.

  “Are you joining me or are you just going to stand there?” she asked.

  My cock twitched when she smirked. I unbuttoned my jeans to step out of them and pulled my shirt over my head. In a moment, I was hovering over her.

  “I’d never dream of keeping you waiting.” My lips met hers in a frenzy. I reveled in the electric feeling that had all my nerves on end. She was perfect and she was mine.

  Her hands pulled my boxers down, and it caused my dick to spring out, it was rock hard for her. A gasp left her lips. I slipped the boxers off and she sat up to unsnap her bra.

  Her breasts popped out, definitely more developed than what I had remembered. Her pink nipples were small compared to the fullness around them.

  I slid off her panties and she wrapped her legs around me with no hesitation. “Please, make me yours again,” she whispered in my ear as she lined herself up against me.

  “I don’t have a condom on yet,” I reminded her.

  She gave a subtle wink. “I’ve been on a high strength birth control. You?”

  “I’m clean. I’ve been tested since the last time I had sex.”

  “Then we’re fine.” She pressed her lips to mine.

  She was so wet and I fit snug once I pushed myself inside her for the second time in our lives. She moaned, tightening her grip around my neck. With each thrust, a sense of belonging spread through me. I’d been chasing this feeling since that night. Her moans, cries, and the arch of her back mesmerized me. She stiffened before she trembled against me with the sexiest moan I’d ever heard.

  “Asher,” she murmured. Her eyes rolled back and she shut them.

  I couldn’t contain myself. Hearing her say my name had me coming and I hadn’t felt anything so earth-shattering before.

  We rested against each other for a few minutes before I ran to the bathroom to grab a hand towel. She laid on her back against my mattress and I took my time cleaning her up. I threw the towel on the floor and we snuggled up under the comforter. No words were needed as we drifted off into a pleasure-induced sleep.

  She meant the world to me and I was so grateful to have another opportunity to be with Faith. I was never leaving her side again.

  I grabbed my phone and silenced the blaring alarm. It was six in the morning and we had to be at work at eight. My heart skipped a beat as I pushed myself up. I swatted my hair away from my face, and my eyes landed on Asher. I placed a hand on my heart, and the hammering slowed down.

  The corner of his mouth twitched. “What? Did you think I’d be gone?”

  My ears heated. “Can you blame me?”

  Asher’s hair was all messy as he forked a hand through it and I had to admit, sex hair looked perfect on him. “I’m never leaving you. I’m sorry you went through that. I didn’t know—”

  I cut him off with my lips. “I know. It’s okay.”

  He gave a lopsided smile. “I care so deeply for you.”

  “I feel the same about you.” My breathing hitched. “I just—I feel like a whore. My engagement ended not even a full month ago.”

  His lips pressed into a hard line. “Don’t let shit like that come out of your mouth. You’re not a whore.”

  I twisted the end of my hair and sta
yed quiet.

  He grabbed the back of my neck and pulled me into a deep kiss. “It ended because A: you didn’t love the douche and B: he cheated.” His expression was stern. “You’re allowed to be happy.”

  I licked my lips and noticed how dry they were. “Let’s get some breakfast.”

  We dragged ourselves out of bed, ate breakfast, made out some more, got dressed, and were out of the house by seven forty-five. Once we were at work, I told Asher I was going to talk to Mr. Higgins and would meet him in the gym after. I went to the front office and knocked on the principal’s door.

  “Come in,” Mr. Higgins called from inside.

  I stepped in and took a seat across from his desk.

  He gave me a sad smile. “How’re you holding up?”

  I had told him about breaking off my engagement. “I’m okay, I promise.”

  He leaned back in his chair. “You’re like a daughter to me. If you need anything, let me know so I can help.”

  I smiled, and my cheeks tingled from the width of my smile. “I really appreciate that. I need to let you know about something.”

  He put his elbows on the desk and rested his chin on his hands. “What’s that?”

  I sucked in a breath before blurting everything out. “I’ve known Asher almost my whole life. We had been involved previously, and we have taken the time to develop our relationship again.”

  He chuckled. “That makes sense. To be honest, that Preston fellow had a bad name around town. I was worried about you. Asher on the other hand, I see nothing but pureness in that man. It’s why I hired him.”

  A calmness washed over me. None of this upset my boss, he was happy for me. I had to admit; I’d dreaded telling him, but Mr. Higgins took me under his wing when I started student teaching here a few years back. I aspired to be like him.

  “Thank you, Mr. Higgins.” I slapped my thighs as I stood up. “Really quick, have you heard from Rosie? How is she?”

  He gave a tight nod. “She’s away from her uncle. The parents kicked him out. It’s a process, but she’s safe. That’s all I can say right now.”