“They’re here because they heard you were here, and they want to make sure you’re okay. Rhode works with me, he talks to Brooklyn. Brooklyn talks to Letty. They don’t know about Elise but they know I’m working undercover, they know you worked at the club. They know I brought you here because shit got hot in California. They’re nosy, but it’s not malice, it’s concern. For you and for me.”

“Why would they be concerned about me?”

“Baby, they know you’re mine.”

My chest started heaving as I struggled to expend the oxygen in my lungs. The depletion of air had nothing to do with Asher’s heavy weight bearing down on me and everything to do with the emotions clogging my throat.

“How did this happen?”

“No clue. I just know it did. I fought it. I tried to leave you to your life in California. I tried not to be a selfish asshole, but I failed. And thinking on it, I always knew I wouldn’t be able to walk away.”

“If you don’t hurry up, I’m coming up there and I don’t care if I see your ding-a-ling.”

Asher sighed and his eyes slowly drifted closed. He had an abundance of long lashes that matched his sandy brown hair. His brows were the same, brown mixed with some lighter shades. Though his stubble was darker, and I wondered if he grew a beard if it would be all brown or if some blond strands would appear. I took in his straight nose, square jaw, and full lips. He was total male perfection.

And mine.

How in the world had I gotten so lucky?

“You know,” he started and opened his eyes, “this is one of those times I don’t find Letty funny.”

He didn’t sound pleased about the interruption—actually, he sounded downright disgruntled.

“I think you need to put some clothes on,” I grumbled.

Asher’s lips turned down and his eyes got squinty.

“Are you pouting?” I asked.

“Men don’t pout.”

“It sure looks like you’re pouting.”

He ignored my assessment and dragged his hand from the side of my head down to cup my breast. He easily found my nipple and brushed his thumb back and forth over it until it pebbled.

“I had plans for you this morning,” he reminded me. “Plans that included seeing how many orgasms I could wring out of you. So, I’m not pouting as much as I’m trying to find this shit funny instead of irritating.”

“Ash?” Brooklyn called out from much closer than she was a few minutes ago.

Asher immediately yanked the covers over his bare ass and rolled until he was completely on top of me, shielding me from her view even though I was wearing a shirt.

“I’m just leaving clothes for Sloane,” she rushed to say.

Then I heard footfalls on the steps. But I was only half paying attention to Brooklyn’s retreat because when Asher rolled over me to protect my modesty, it put him between my legs, which meant his erection was dangerously close to where I wanted it. So close, all it would take was a thrust of his hips and he’d be inside of me.