“Should I askhowyou know how to use a gun since this country has extremely strict gun laws?” I point out, and he raises a brow.
“ShouldIaskyouthe same, Lily? How do you know how to shoot? You shot those guys this morning. Clean shots, right through the eye socket. You’re no amateur.”
I shrug. “I guess we’ll just leave it at that, then.”
Sighing, Asher’s lips thin. “I don’t really want to leave it at that. I want you to talk to me, Lil. Tell me everything. But I know you feel like you can’t right now.” He presses his forehead to mine, water running down both our faces. “So I’ll be patient and wait until you realise that youcantrust me. I may be young, but I’m not dumb or naïve. I know there’s more at play here. Something a lot bigger. But I want you to know, I don’t care what it is. I don’t care what you’re into. I just care about you, and I’m not going anywhere.”
CHAPTER 30
ASHER
Having Lily pressed up behind me on my Triumph is something else. I get the urge to just keep riding and let the road take us somewhere far fucking away from Hedgwick, but I know things aren’t that simple, and doing that would just cause more problems for Lil.
She gives me a squeeze as I slow and turn into the driveway that leads to The Rough House, and as I straighten the bike, I run my hand up and down her thigh, not wanting to stop touching her.
I’m addicted to this woman. A complete fucking junkie for her. I’d walk through fire for her, without a doubt.
I’m fucking chuffed that she agreed to come with me tonight. I never imagined bringing her here, but when I told her I was going to cancel, what with everything that’s happened this week with the salon getting shot up a couple of days ago and given Joel’s funeral is tomorrow, I kinda thought I should.
She had other ideas.
Pulling up, I shut off the engine, kick down the stand and remove my helmet.
Lily climbs off, distracting me with the curve of her hips in those black wet-look skin-hugging pants, making my fucking cock stir.
Fuuuck. The last thing I need is a boner while trying not to fucking die.
As Lily tugs off her helmet and releases a waterfall of copper waves, I get off my Triumph and fucking stare at how hot she is.
She looks badass tonight. Nothing like the soccer mum look she normally has going, which, I still think is fucking hot.
“You ready for this?” I ask, and she nods, those pretty pink lips kicking up at the corners.
“Absolutely.”
Even as hot as she looks right now, I can still see the worry she carries behind her eyes. She’s bearing so much weight. So much pain. I wish I could reach inside her chest and take it all away for her, ease all her worries with a single kiss, take away all her burdens with a single touch, and remove any threats with my bare fucking hands.
I go to step towards her, but headlights wash over us as more cars pull in, and I find myself stepping back.
“Asher, if me being here is going to bother you, I can go,” she states, a slight frown tugging at her brows.
“No,” I rush out, closing the distance and reaching out to touch her, but then thinking better of it. “I want you here… I just don’t know how to act…” I leave that open, hoping she’ll pick up my meaning, and she does.
“To everyone, we should look like the really good friends we are.” She smiles confidently, and I sigh, knowing that would be her answer, but wishing we lived in a world where we could show everyone we aremorethan just friends.
“So I guess kissing you is out of the question?” I smirk and she shoots me areallylook. “No holding hands, either?”
This time, she rolls her eyes. “Save it for when we get home.”
It’s the first time in days that there’s been any sort of sexual innuendo between us. Naturally, given the circumstances after the attack on the salon, but still, it’s nice to hear she still thinks of me that way, and that we haven’t actually morphed into a best buddies kind of situation.
“I’ll take you up on that.” I point at her, and she grins.
“I do hope so.”
She flutters her lashes and blows me a kiss before turning and walking towards the entrance.
For fuck’s sake… now my cock really is hard.
