Page 73 of Burn With Me

Beck was already back to making her creation which smelled divine. She could cook anything she set her mind to, but the Italian food she made was seriously worth killing for.

“Do you think you’re moving too fast?”

“How am I supposed to know? I mean, my last real boyfriend was Jeff during senior year.” I sat down at the island and couldn’t help playing over the last few weeks.

“Jeff? You mean the guy that always wore the same rock T-shirt to school every day and brayed like a donkey when he laughed?” Beck turned her head and gave me her patented, ‘have you lost your mind’ look. “You went out on like three dates because he begged you and offered to do your math homework.” She shook her head. “I’m not even sure how you managed to make it to number three. That guy was off. Plus, did you see the way he looked at cats? I’m telling you that one is a serial killer by now.”

“Oh my god, stop.” I couldn’t help laughing. “He was a decent guy, just a little different.”

“Different? Vi, the guy ate peanut butter and honey sandwiches with dill pickles. If that doesn’t say it all, I don’t know what would. Just disgusting.”

“Okay, back to my question about taking things too fast.”

Work was easy for me. I knew what to look for and how to analyze it. It was all very clinical. I also knew how to handle the guys that hit on me when I had zero interest, but this was different. I liked Asher a lot, so what he thought mattered. This was why I didn’t date—too much emotional turmoil.

“I can’t tell you if you’re moving too fast, but if you’re unsure, you should talk to him,” Beck said.

“I hate logic.”

“Ha! You love logic, just not with relationships.”

“Okay, I hate that you know me so well,” I said and smiled as I stood and gave her a hug from behind. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Girl, you’re gonna make me cry.”

I would’ve continued to pester her, but a knock sounded at the door. My body heated like I’d stepped into a five-hundred-degree oven, and the fluttering sensation in my belly staggered me. They had me grabbing for my stomach. Wow, this was crazy.

“Well, open the door, don’t leave him out there,” Beck whispered when I didn’t move.

Taking a deep breath, I opened the door just as Asher was about to knock again.

“Hey,” I said, my voice coming out breathlessly as I stared at him.

Asher didn’t say anything. His eyes just roamed over my face before he took me by surprise and cupped my cheeks, dropping his lips to mine. In his standard Asher fashion, he managed to make the rest of the world evaporate. My soul felt lighter and calmer with him around. It was hard to explain and seemed insane to say out loud, but this man was quickly becoming the piece I’d been longing for and yet never knew I wanted.

Asher broke the kiss and pulled me close to his body as he whispered in my ear. “I’m going to give you one of my hoodies to wear, and then I’m going to fuck you in it.”

If I hadn’t already felt like melting, I sure as hell did now.

“Well, hello. I need a damn fan. That was hot as hell,” Beck said.

I’d totally forgotten she was even here, and even though I knew my face would be red, I couldn’t stop my stupid smile. Glancing at Beck, her hip was leaning against the counter while she fanned her face with the tea towel, and I suddenly wasn’t sure this was a good idea. If anyone were going to embarrass the shit out of me, it would be Beck. I wasn’t sure Asher was ready for that level of crazy just yet. I gave her a stern look that begged her to behave. Not that it helped.

“Well, come on in, Mr. Sexy. Vi, when you decide you’re going to date, you definitely know how to pick ‘em.” Beck walked over and held out her hand as Asher stepped into the apartment. “I’m Becky, but honestly, you can call me whatever the fuck you want.”

“Beck!” I scolded and covered my eyes like that would help the trainwreck that was coming.

If Asher was uncomfortable, he didn’t show it. In fact, he laughed, his smile lighting up the entire kitchen as he held out his hand for Beck to shake.

“Nice to meet you, Becky. I’m Asher, and I brought this to have with dinner. Since I didn’t know what we were eating, I grabbed red and white.” He held out the bag of wine.

“Thank you,” she said, shaking his hand. “You don’t do threesomes, do you?”

“Beck! Oh my god.” I grabbed my friend and pulled her away from Asher before she could traumatize me any further. “What? I had to ask.”

“Just make yourself comfortable. I’ll be right back once I kill my friend,” I called out as I dragged Beck around the corner to my bedroom and closed the door. “You behave.”

“I was behaving. You have no idea what I wanted to say.”