Undeniably Asher (The Colloway Brothers Book 2)(47)

My body tingles at her revelation and all those stupid elementary school girl fantasies about Barbie and Ken living happily ever after in their Barbie Dreamhouse try to take hold.

Then a sudden, sick feeling hits me in the pit of my stomach, making me break out into a sweat. “Does Asher know about…you know?”

After Beck’s death, I couldn’t date again until I was a sophomore in college. Nearly two years. His name was Jedd. Even though he was the polar opposite of Beck, I really liked him. Unfortunately I made the relationship-ending mistake of telling him about my little thirty-day vaca in the psych ward because I foolishly wanted to be honest. Once he found out, he didn’t return my calls for a week, and when he broke it off, his bullshit excuse was “It’s not you, it’s me.” Riiiight. So if Asher already knows…

“No, Alyse. He doesn’t know. Gray swore he wouldn’t tell another soul and he never has.”

My relief is palpable. I’m not ready for Asher to know. In fact, I’m not sure I ever will be ready.

I think about how Asher’s worried I may hurt him. He’s not wrong with his concern. “With my track record, Livia, I think maybe I’ll end up being the one to hurt him.”

“I don’t know, Alyse. I see the way your eyes light up when he’s in the room or when he touches you or even when his name is mentioned. I know I missed a lot these past few years…” The last several words are choked. I sense a sadness in Livia I haven’t seen before and I wonder why I haven’t noticed.

Maybe because you’ve been steeped in resentment, you selfish B.

“…but I’ve never seen you look at someone like you do Asher.”

Guilt stabs me, because I have felt this way before. With Beck. I genuinely loved him. I’m hiding so many secrets from Livia. What would be gained by telling her?

Peace? Maybe.

Freedom from the past? I don’t know.

“I’m scared, Libs. I’m scared I’ll get hurt.”

“So is he,” she replies, smiling gently. “No risk, no reward. Right?”

“Right,” I mumble, not at all convinced. No risk, no rejection has always been my pathetic mantra instead.

How do you persuade your mind to free your heart so it can soar high and free, grabbing that happiness that evades you? I wish I knew the answer. I could bottle it and sell it and become a billionaire.

I chance a look down at the texts that have been sublimely whispering my name and smile. No matter the unwelcome ping-pong game my emotions seem to be playing, there is no denying how I feel about this man. God, I like him. So very much. But liking him isn’t the real issue. Letting him in is.





Asher: do not touch urself

Asher: ur ass will b a pretty shade of red if u disobey me

Asher: alyse, answer me. now





There’s no way I can leave Asher’s bossiness unchecked. Somehow I think he’d tire quickly if he had a meek woman he thought he could push around.





Me: too late. moan…god that feels sooooo good





Setting the phone back down, I try to turn my attention back to my plate, but suddenly my physical appetite is gone, replaced instead by a sexual one so intense that I’m definitely going to be taking the edge off later. Maybe even now. In Livia’s bathroom. My phone buzzes again and my breath hitches. I can practically hear the growl in his written words.





Asher: ur orgasms belong to me, beautiful

Me: why r u so damn bossy

Asher: cuz it makes u so wet





Damn. Yes it does. Just as I’m about to reply with something snarky, I hear the door open. Male laughter carries into the kitchen where Livia and I sit.

Seconds later, Gray and Asher walk in. The minute they spot us, their laughter stops, replaced by looks that can be mistaken for nothing but hunger. And not for cooked dough topped with hot cheese and pepperoni.

Holy shit, they both look like male gods dropped down from heaven above dressed in their fitted suits. Asher’s is charcoal grey with a deep purple shirt underneath, the top two buttons undone. He looks so fucking sexy, my mouth actually hurts with the need to taste him.

I’m instantly wet. Well…wetter.

Gray hastily makes his way to Livia, tugging her to him for a hard kiss. When he whispers something in Livia’s ear, her face turns red.

Strong arms band around me from behind. Asher’s desire presses hard against my lower back. A rough, raspy voice rumbles in my ear, “Are you ready, baby?”

“For what?” I mumble, just as low.

“Promises.”

How does he always know the right thing to say?





Chapter 17





Asher





The second we walk over the threshold of my apartment, I have Alyse pinned up against the wall, my mouth on hers, my hands frantically searching to find naked skin. I kick the door shut on a slam, not quite ready to share her with the rest of the world yet. I have that planned for later.