I moan.
“You okay, Lily?” His deep rasp shakes me out of my stupor.
Oh my fucking God!
Did I just moan?
Out loud?
I nod quickly. “Y-yes. Fine.”
The fuck I am! I’m losing my mind.
How can I so easily taunt, torture and kill a man, yet the moment Asher parades around without a shirt on, I turn into a blubbering hot mess?
Asher studies me for a moment while biting into his pizza, and I glance away. I can’t look at him. He’s going to see thewanton my face, and even though I’m positive he was checking me out earlier, I need to slap myself and remember that he is the best mate of my twin sons.
“How’s business at the salon?” Asher asks. “Are your clients still travelling from London to get their hair done by the award-winning Lily Bennett?”
“Yes.” I smile, appreciating his attempt at small talk since I’m making this whole dinner awkward as hell. “I’ve had to close my books to new clients.”
“Wow.” He beams, and a hint of the young boy I used to take care of shows through in that smile. “That’s cracking, Lil.”
I nod, trying not to blush at the way he said my name.Lil.
It seems so… personal.
Intimate.
My heart races at the thought. The stupid organ needs to calm the hell down and remember that this is Asher. My heart shouldn’t be racing, and I shouldn’t be fighting off blushes.
“Thanks.” I smile, needing to clear my throat before I speakagain. “It’s good for business, I guess. I’ve cut back my hours recently. The salon is doing well enough now that I don’t have to work full time.”
Lies. It’s the money my side hustle brings in that means I can reduce my hours at the salon, but people believe what I tell them about the little salon I own, and it’s a good place to launder some of the money I make on the side.
“I’m chuffed for you.” Asher grins before taking a sip of his drink. “I don’t suppose you have an open appointment to cut my hair tomorrow?” He reaches up and runs his fingers through his thick, longer than usual dark hair, and the butterflies in my belly make another appearance.
“Well, not an official appointment, but I can cut your hair after the salon closes tomorrow.” I smile warmly, hoping he’ll be happy with that.
Asher leans forward then, his elbows resting on his knees as he grins. “That’s perfect. Thank you.”
Oh shit. That grin. That chest. Those lips…
This is a bad idea. I’ll have to touch him. His hair. Get up close as I trim it.
“Or, if you like, I can get one of the other stylists to do it for you,” I rush out, but he’s already shaking his head.
“Nope. No one but you touches my hair.” He deadpans. “You’ve always cut my hair, Lily. That’s not changing.”
My brows shoot up at the clear authority in his tone. I shouldn’t like it, but I do, and it’s freaking me the hell out.
“Oh… Okay then.” I force a smile and reach for another slice of pizza at the same time he does.
Of course, we go to take the same bloody slice and our fingers brush.
“I’m sorry. You take that one.” I pull back quickly and he frowns.
“No, that’s okay. You have it.”
