by Mari Madison
And maybe she wasn’t far off. Under normal circumstances.
I closed my eyes then opened them again. “It’s true that I took Sarah out on the boat after you went home,” I said. “Her father is a very important advertiser to News 9, and he was having dinner with my mother. She asked me to take Sarah and I couldn’t say no.”
Piper’s face twisted. “So, what, you took one for the News 9 team? How . . . sacrificial of you.”
I jerked, her words cutting deep. I raked a hand through my hair, trying to find my voice. “Look, I’m not going to lie. Sarah and I have a history. We’ve been thrown together a lot, thanks to our parents and, well, we’ve taken advantage of that a few times in the past. But we’re not a couple. We’ve never been a couple. And I swear to God I didn’t lay a hand on her last night.”
Piper’s eyes flashed fire. “Come on,” she spit out. “Do you think I’m stupid? She slept at your freaking house.”
“She did,” I agreed. “But not with me.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
I turned and walked back over to the couch, dropping down onto it, rubbing the back of my neck with my hand.
“Sarah can be a bit of a party girl,” I said. “And she got pretty drunk on the boat. So drunk that I was afraid she was going to do something stupid if I let her out of my sight. So I brought her to my place. And I let her sleep in my bed. I waited until I was sure she was okay—that she didn’t require medical attention and just needed to sleep it off. Then I crashed on the couch.”
“You . . . slept on the couch?”
I shrugged. “I did.”
“You didn’t sleep with her.”
“I didn’t. And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you any of this. I was, well, pretty embarrassed about the whole thing to tell you the truth.”
She closed her eyes. “Oh God. Asher . . .”
I rose from the couch. Crossed the lounge to her. “Look, Piper, I’ve done some stupid things in my life. Things I am definitely not proud of. And I’m not saying I’m some saint and I’m certainly no knight in shining armor. But I promise you, Piper,” I added after a pause, “there was only one girl on my mind last night. All of last night. And it wasn’t Sarah Martin.”
She nodded slowly, looking at me with those eyes of hers. Those big, fucking beautiful, endless eyes that made me want to pull her into my arms and never let her go.
But I had to finish first.
“Those girls out there?” I said, gesturing to the bathroom door. “They’re the ones I’m supposed to be with. The ones my mother expects me to be with. But you know what? You’re the one I chose to be with tonight. The only one I want to be with.”
I closed my mouth, wondering if I’d said too much. Stripped myself bare, laying everything out in front of her, casting myself upon her mercy. Now all I could do was wait for her answer. Wait for her to—
—kiss me.
Our lips came together, hard and fast. Our tongues delved into each other’s mouths, connecting in a wild, feverish dance. Her hands went to my shoulders. My hands went to her waist, dragging her back on the couch.
Still kissing, I positioned her on top of me so she was straddling my thighs, her core up against my growing arousal. I shifted, needing to feel her against me. Soft, solid, real. My fingers dragged down her arms, slipping underneath to stroke the spot just below her bra line. She moaned softly against my mouth and I jerked in response. Clamping my hands down on her hips, grinding her against me. The feel of her thighs, pressing against my own, her hair falling into my face. It was almost too much. And yet at the same time, not nearly enough.
I reached under her shirt, skimming her flat stomach until my fingers found the softness of her breast. I cupped it my hand for a moment, then slid my thumb over her nipple in a slow circle. It hardened to a sharp peak and she moaned again, her fingers digging into my shoulders, so hard I wondered if she’d draw blood. Not that I would have minded if she did. I nipped at her lower lip, reaching my other hand up to tangle in her copper curls. Trying to resist the urge to rip off her shirt, unclasp her bra. Allow her breasts to properly spill into my hands.
“God, Piper,” I groaned against her mouth. “You feel so fucking—”
A knock on the door interrupted my words. Shit. Caught up in the moment I’d pretty much forgotten the fact that we were technically in a public bathroom. I’d locked the door behind me when I’d entered, but of course it would be only a matter of time before someone had to use the facilities or powder her nose. We were probably fortunate they’d held out this long.
Then again, they could probably hold out a little longer, right? I grinned wickedly at Piper, daring her to ignore the interruption. She was properly mussed at this point, her hair sticking out in all directions and her shirt halfway undone. Had I actually started unbuttoning her shirt? I hadn’t even realized I was doing it in my lust-filled haze.
“Let’s just pretend no one’s here,” I suggested, reaching up to cup her other breast, dragging my fingers across the nipple. She sucked a breath through her teeth and my groin ached in response. God, I needed to get this girl naked, like, yesterday.
But the knock came again, louder this time. More insistent. And Piper pulled away, the spell between us broken. She stumbled off of me, still looking a little stunned, then headed over to the mirror, peering at her reflection with horrified eyes. I watched her for a moment, feeling my erection press painfully against my slacks. Wishing more than anything I could climb off this couch and hoist her onto the counter and take her right then and there.
But that might be pushing it, even for me.
“Is someone in there?” the voice beyond the door demanded, now sounding impatient. I recognized it as Dawn’s, the club’s night manager.
I rose from my seat. “Just a minute,” I growled.
I walked over to Piper, standing behind her in the mirror. For a moment I just looked at her, at how goddamned beautiful she was. Then I reached up, pulling her hair back gently, taking the elastic band from her wrist and sliding it into place. Once I had secured her hair, I walked over and grabbed another towel and handed it to her.
“Take your time,” I told her. “They can wait.”
She nodded slowly, still seeming dazed. She washed her face, then set the towel in the basket and headed toward the door. I watched as she unlocked it and readied to step back into the club.
“Wait,” I said.
She turned to me, questioning. I walked over to her and reached down, taking her hand in mine. I squeezed it hard, giving her a cocky smile. “When we walk out there, I want them all to see you on my arm.”
She bit her lower lip, looking as if she wanted to protest, but couldn’t. I pushed the door open before she could change her mind. Then we stepped out together, still clasping one another’s hands.
I looked around. The entire club had fallen silent, like something out of a movie. Everyone had stopped eating and drinking and talking and instead was staring in our direction. Let’s just say the looks at Piper weren’t exactly complimentary, either.
My jaw clenched. They were judging her. They were condemning her. They were trying to let her know, in no uncertain terms, that they thought she was trash.
When they were the ones who were truly garbage.
I squeezed Piper’s hand, giving her a warning look. She was pale as a ghost, but she kept her head held high. Didn’t let those bastards see her sweat. I wanted to kiss her all over again, I was so proud.
“Come on, Red,” I said loudly, to ensure everyone in the club could hear. “This place is seriously played out.”
I started walking toward the exit, pulling her along with me. My gaze darted around the room, meeting the eyes of anyone who dared to look in our direction. Most were too cowardly, of course, ducking their heads as soon as I glanced their way.
“Ash
er!”
I froze in my tracks. Except for her, of course. Slowly, I turned around.
“Mother,” I said coolly.
“What are you doing?” she hissed, looking like a coiled snake, ready to strike. “You’re making a scene.”
“And here I was trying to make an exit.”
She ignored me, turning her attention to Piper, giving her a disdainful once-over. In response, I slid my hand around Piper’s waist, pulling her tight against me. Making it clear to my mother where I stood on the matter. Sure, I’d probably have to pay for my act of defiance later, but I was willing to do that, to defend Piper’s honor now.
Mom took a step back, holding up her hands. “Well then, don’t let me stop you,” she said in a tight voice.
I didn’t dignify that with a response, instead stepping around her to lead Piper through the front doors and straight to the valet. I handed him my ticket, then realized they’d already brought my bus up. Obviously my departure had been well orchestrated, just like everything else in this place.
I opened the door for Piper and ushered her inside. She stepped in on shaky legs and I closed the door behind her. Normally this was something a valet would do, but they didn’t seem awfully eager to serve at the moment. Probably thought even touching my car would give them some disease. I ran around to the other side, jumped in the driver’s seat, and revved the engine. Fiona grumbled to life, and soon we were puttering away.
“So that was . . . interesting,” I said after we’d cleared the place. Then I forced a grin to my face, hoping to lighten the mood. “Where to next, Red?”
She was silent for a moment. Then, “Please just take me home.”
nineteen
PIPER
To his credit, Asher didn’t argue. He just put the bus in gear and screeched out of the country club parking lot, leaving a cloud of exhaust behind. It would have been funny if I weren’t already so unnerved by what had happened in the bathroom. By the entire night for that matter.
Once again I had allowed myself to lose control. Even after all the promises I’d made to myself about standing strong—walking away. It was like Asher had cast some kind of spell over me. And I was powerless to resist him.
“Look, I am really sorry about that,” he said, glancing over at me. “Trust me, I had no idea they would react like that or I never would have brought you.” He paused then added, “Though I have to admit, it was pretty satisfying to see all the shocked faces. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to piss them off this badly. And that many—all at once. Might be a personal record. Achievement unlocked.”
“Is there anything you take seriously?” I snapped before I could help myself. I knew I should just keep my mouth shut. Let him take me home. But I was so raw and on edge and frustrated at this point. I needed someone to lash out at and unfortunately he was the only person around.
What was I doing? All my life I’d played by the rules. Worked hard, kept under the radar, tried not to piss anyone off—in a vain attempt to get somewhere someday. But Asher—he was like this big ball of destruction, crashing through life like a bull in a china shop, not caring at all about the mess he left behind.
Except he does care, a little voice inside me interjected. He may try to pretend he doesn’t, but he clearly does.
My mind flashed back to his words in the bathroom. How troubled he’d looked when he’d explained how his mother had forced Sarah on him in an effort to win more advertising revenue. As if he were an asset, a commodity to be bought and sold—rather than a member of the family. Her own son.
On the surface Asher’s life seemed so easy. So carefree. But I was fast realizing there was so much more to his existence than he liked to admit. A darkness, a lurking shadow behind those happy-go-lucky green eyes.
But he could always walk away, I reminded myself. If he were willing to cut the purse strings. If he were truly unhappy, he could give up the cash in exchange for freedom.
I realized we had stopped at a red light. Asher was staring at me, his eyes brimming with concern. “I take you seriously,” he said quietly.
My heart squeezed in my chest. At his words, at the expression on his face. Too earnest, too honest to be a lie. To be some long game of seduction. While I still had no idea why he’d focused his attentions on me, I could no longer deny that he had. He liked me. Asher Anderson, the guy everyone wanted. He wanted me.
I squirmed in my seat, heat throbbing between my legs as I thought back to the scene in the bathroom again. The way his mouth had come down on mine. The way his tongue had swirled into my mouth, the way his hands had gripped my hips. My breasts ached at the memory of his touch, the way he circled my nipples with deft fingers, the tips hardening to sharp peaks under his caress.
Looking back now it seemed almost a dream. Me, grinding up against him, praying somehow our clothes would magically disappear and we could connect for real. Thank God someone had chosen that moment to knock on the door. I had been completely without common sense and ready to incur a lifetime of regrets.
But, oh, they would have been delicious regrets.
I shifted, frowning. “This has to stop,” I said. “This whole thing—whatever it is. I mean, don’t get me wrong,” I added quickly, catching his face, “I like you. I like being with you. But I can’t keep putting my future on the line.”
He frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“Do you really not see it?” I asked, frustration building. It was so obvious. But evidently not to someone like him. “You got me this job. I’m working for you. If we continued this and something were to happen, who would be out on the streets? Some random girl who scored a job she didn’t really deserve? Or News 9’s golden son?”
He was silent for a moment, and the look on his face told me I’d insulted him. But what else could I say to make him see? The truth hurt, yes. But that didn’t make it untrue.
“Wow,” he said at last. And I could see his knuckles whitening as he gripped the steering wheel tight in his hands. “You really think I’m an asshole, don’t you?”
“No!” I protested. “It’s just—”
“You really think I got you this job just so I could sleep with you?” he interrupted in a cold, hard voice. “Like some kind of casting couch or something? Do you actually think I can’t get enough girls to sleep with me that I have to fucking pay them?”
My face burned at the fury I heard in his voice. Oh God. This was going completely wrong. “I didn’t mean—”
“Is that why you agreed to go out with me last night and tonight?” he asked in a quiet voice. “Because you felt you owed me for the job? That if you refused me I was going to throw you out on the streets?”
I hung my head, feeling tears brim at the corners of my eyes. He sounded so angry. But there was also this hurt threading through his voice that was nearly unbearable for me to hear.
“I don’t think it was that calculated,” I managed to say in a hoarse voice. “I believe that you actually like me. But, Asher, you must be aware of your reputation. Of using girls and then ditching them to move on to the next. And that’s totally your right,” I added. “I’m not asking you to change. I’m just asking you to understand how fucking scary that is for someone like me. You have nothing to lose. And I have everything.”
He raked a hand through his hair, suddenly looking much older than his twenty-nine years. “Your job is not in my hands, Piper,” he said slowly. “I may have suggested you as a producer candidate, but you are a News 9 employee with all the legal rights and privileges that go along with that. If I wanted to fire you, I would have to give just cause, like any other employee. And that cause cannot be because you didn’t want to sleep with me.”
I swallowed hard, my stomach buzzing. “But—”
He held up a hand. “Look, I’m not a monster, despite what you seem to think. I am completely aware of how hard you w
orked to get where you are and how much this job means to you. I would never in a million years jeopardize that—even if I did have that power. No matter what ends up happening between the two of us, I can promise you one thing now. It will never affect your job at News 9.”
“Even if I tell you I want this to end now?” I asked, my heart pounding in my chest. “Even if I tell you I want nothing more to happen between us?”
He sighed. “Yes. A thousand times yes. It’s not what I want, Piper. In fact, it’s the last thing I want. I haven’t felt this way about a girl in a long time and I want more than anything to see where this could lead. But if you’re not ready or willing to go on this journey with me? I’m not going to force you along. We can be coworkers. Maybe friends—if you’re okay with that. But that will be where it ends.”
I drew in a breath, my stomach twisting in knots. It was exactly what I needed to hear. So why was there suddenly an aching emptiness inside me? At the idea that this could be it. I could just speak the words and it would all be over. All this drama, this frustration. It could end in an instant.
But did I want it to?
All my life I’d gone after what I wanted. Even if it wasn’t easy. Even if it took a long time. Even if it seemed an impossible dream—I had chased it and never once looked back.
And now, here was the most impossible dream of all. Bringing Asher Anderson to shore. I wasn’t ready to risk my career. But was I ready to risk my heart?
twenty
ASHER
Hey! Wake up! Wake up!”
Rough hands grabbed my shoulders, shaking me awake. I groaned, pulling a pillow over my head, trying to swat them away. But the hands only moved lower, setting about to tickle my ribs instead. I rolled over in bed, my eyes catching the alarm clock on the nightstand beside me. Four AM? What the hell?
“Come on, lazy bones! Surf’s up!”
Rubbing my eyes, I managed to sit up in bed to find Jess standing over me, a wicked grin on her face. “Finally!” she said. “Did anyone ever tell you that you sleep like the dead? I’ve been calling you all morning.”
