He nods, pressing a prolonged kiss to my hair. “Okay.”
I take this as my cue to leave, but he pulls me back into his lap and settles my head on his shoulder. “I’m not ready to let you go yet.”
Good. I’m not ready to be let go. I don’t think I ever will be.
After a couple beats, he asks, “How was your meeting? Did you get what you need to start?”
“This doesn’t feel very businesslike,” I tease, running my fingers up and down the buttons of his grey dress shirt, unable to stop myself from touching him.
“You are far more than business to me, Alyse Kingsley.”
Good answer.
I finally grasp the courage to ask him a question that’s been plaguing me since last Monday when I figured out Asher was coming to see me. “Did you hire me because you wanted to sleep with me?”
He laughs. Not the response I was expecting.
“I’d be lying if I didn’t say yes, but that’s not the only reason I hired you.” He sits me up so we’re looking eye to eye. “Nothing I said in our meeting last week was untrue. I did do my homework and I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews about you and your company. I’ve never wanted to get a woman in my bed as much as I do you, Alyse, but I would never put my company in jeopardy to do that.”
“Thank you. It means a lot that you put your trust in me.”
“You have no idea,” he mutters right before he kisses me again. Just as Asher deepens it, his assistant’s voice echoes through the speakerphone.
“Asher, Mr. Grandy is here for your lunch appointment.”
He sighs. “Give me five minutes, Tara.”
“Yes, sir.”
I glance at the clock to see that it’s already almost noon. I’ve spent nearly an hour in Asher’s office doing nothing but flirting. The sweet ache between my thighs will have to wait until later to be assuaged, I guess.
Helping me off his lap, he tells me, “I’ll be tied up for the rest of the day. Is there anything you need from me?”
“Ah, no. I have what I need to start.” I run my hands through my long hair and underneath my eyes, trying to make sure I don’t look like I’ve just almost been fucked before walking out of the boss’s office.
“You look gorgeous, Alyse.” He leans down to my ear. “Desire is a good look on you. The flush of an orgasm will look even better.”
“Oh God,” I groan, unsure if I’m embarrassed or turned on.
“Seven,” he says with a peck to my lips.
“Seven.”
I’m about halfway to the door when he calls, “And, Alyse, to be clear, you will be in my bed tonight.”
My steps falter, but I don’t turn and I don’t reply. He doesn’t expect one.
God he’s bossy.
Why do I like that so much?
Chapter 12
Asher
“I can’t believe you live in this building and didn’t tell me.”
That’s because you probably would have said no to my proposal. “You didn’t ask,” I reply, putting the finishing touches on the salad. I could give a fuck about dinner; what I’d rather be eating is her. I spent the entire rest of the day in a state of semi-hardness, which did not go unnoticed by Phil Grandy. And since he plays for the other team that was one awkward lunch.
“Are you sure I can’t help?”
“No, baby. This is my treat.”
I can’t believe how easily that endearment just rolls off my tongue with her. Even more, how she lets me say it without putting up a protest. Besides Natalie, I haven’t used an endearment on another woman. And I wish I could stop comparing every fucking thing I do with Alyse to Natalie, because she is not her. She could never be her.
I already see that Alyse is trustworthy. Maybe I’m a fool, but I can’t imagine she’s the type of woman who would ever cheat. I had my doubts about Natalie from the very beginning, but I was in love with her. And love truly does blind. I ignored all the signs, all the warnings, all the neon fucking flashing lights. I made excuses. I rationalized.
I was stupid.
“Okay, soup’s on. I hope you like chicken. I should have asked.”
“I do.” She smiles. “I’m not terribly picky.”
I set two plates containing chicken piccata over brown rice and fresh green beans on the table, along with a loaf of sliced multigrain bread and arugula salad. Two glasses of my favorite Chardonnay await our consumption. I’ve set the mood, going all out. Candles, low lights, some sultry music playing softly in the background. I don’t need it, because we both know where tonight will end, but I wanted to do it.
I want to fuck Alyse. Badly. The need to take her in a hundred different ways is almost animalistic. The things I want to do to her would scare her if she knew. I am demanding and I am adventurous. There are certain things I enjoy that not just any woman would go for and I want them with her. I want her to want them. At the same time I’m terrified she won’t.