Undeniably Asher (The Colloway Brothers Book 2)(21)

He makes me feel. And that’s not an easy feat.

God, and his wicked words…I haven’t stopped replaying them ever since. I think I remember them verbatim. I’ve not had any other man ever speak to me like that. I liked it. More than liked it. After I watched him drive away, I barely made it inside before my hand was down my tights, bringing myself to orgasm after orgasm against the closed front door until my legs were like jelly. It was empty and unsatisfying, and even today I still ache for his touch, though he’s had his hands all over me all day in one way, shape, or form. Just not in the way I want or need.

His attention has not gone unnoticed by the entire Colloway family, either. Livia cornered me in the bathroom earlier asking me what was going on between us. I had to tell her the truth.

I don’t know. But something is, and as much as I need to I’m not sure how to stop it. I don’t think I can. He is a mystery that I want to solve. Or maybe it’s simply just the girlish instinct to corner the untamed boy and make him fall in love with her. Everyone wants to attain the unattainable.

“Need some time away from my handsy brother?” a low voice penetrates my rampant thoughts. I look up to see Conn walk in, taking a seat in the cream-colored chair across from me.

“Something like that,” I reply with a forced smile. If he senses my Debbie Downer mood, he’s gentleman enough not to mention it.

“You having a good time?”

“Yes.” I smile, because despite my glumness at the moment, it’s honestly been a great day. Watching the Colloway brothers banter is like reality TV, only ten times better.

“So, did Asher tell you about the Colloway Thanksgiving tradition?”

Tucking my right foot under my left leg, I set down my wine and shift my complete attention to Asher’s twin brother. Conn is devastatingly handsome, like all of the Colloways. He is definitely the most laid back of the four brothers, but I can also see he’s an instigator. And I have a hunch he can easily manipulate any situation to his advantage.

“No. He failed to mention it.”

“Probably didn’t want to scare you.” He winks, a broad smile lighting up his gorgeous face, which I return. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Conn, it’s that he’s an incorrigible flirt. More than one innuendo has been thrown down today, and at one point I thought Asher and Conn were going to come to blows. “In case you couldn’t figure it out, we’re all pretty competitive.”

“Really?” I laugh. “I hadn’t caught onto that at dinner when you challenged everyone to a timed pie-eating contest. Or when you put two hundred bucks on the line for whoever won at HORSE. So what’s your tradition?” And why do I even care? I had planned on asking Asher to take me home shortly anyway. All of a sudden I don’t feel like I’m very good company.

“Bowling, followed by a wicked game of laser tag.”

“Laser tag? Aren’t you boys a little old for that?” The look on Conn’s face is so serious, I can’t help but laugh.

“Who are you calling old, babe? I’m the reigning champ, five years running.”

“Yeah, because you cheat,” a velvety deep rumble calls from the other side of the room. It’s a voice that goes straight to my sex every time I hear it. “And she’s not your babe,” Asher growls, taking a seat next to me on the couch.

He puts a possessive arm around my waist, pulling me close to his side. I turn my head, glaring daggers at his clear statement of ownership, but all he does is wag his eyebrows and wink.

“Has Asher told you about his performing arts days yet, Alyse?”

“Conn,” Asher growls in warning.

“No really, it was practically Tony worthy,” Conn quips on a bark. Yep, definitely an instigator.

“Shut the fuck up, Connolly.”

He doesn’t. “Yeah, he played Putzie, one of the lesser known members of the T-Birds in the ninth grade musical Grease. You should ask him to sing ‘Summer Nights’ for you sometime. Epic.” Conn can barely get the last part out because he’s laughing so hard, as am I.

The only one not laughing is Asher.

“Wow, I didn’t know you had so many hidden talents. I’d like a performance.”

Asher looks at me and I expect anger, but all I see is heat. And hunger. “I’d be happy to give you a performance. A private one.”

I make an embarrassing noise that’s somewhere between a huff and a laugh. He continually throws me off my game.

“Well, you boys have fun. I think it’s probably time for me to go home. I don’t want to overstay my welcome.” I wiggle my way out of Asher’s ironclad grip. He frowns, which makes the inner girl that’s been crushing on this guy for years giddy as hell.