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When I still refuse, he leans down so his face is in mine. “Please, Beautiful. You need to sleep tonight, and I doubt you’ll get any without help.”
The worried expression is what has me reaching for the glass. I sputter and cough as the liquid burns going down my throat. I slam it down on the counter and Tony refills our glasses again. I drink that one too, but hold my hand over the glass when he tries to refill it for a third time.
“I’m going to go take a shower and go to bed,” I tell the group. Asher steps back, allowing me to climb off the stool.
Liv comes to my side. “Are you okay?”
I smile the best I can. “I will be.”
I turn to Asher, not sure how to act around him now. I roll to my toes and kiss his cheek. My lips linger as I breathe in his unique scent that I miss so much. It’s different from when he was Sterling, but I love it just the same.
His hands land on my hips, his fingers digging in like he doesn’t want to let me go. When I pull back, there’s an underlying pain in his eyes. It brings the never-ending tears to my eyes, but I push them back. I’ve cried enough this evening.
Neither of us say anything as he leans his forehead against mine, before very gently laying a soft kiss against my lips.
I feel his eyes on me as I walk away. I have no idea what’s going to happen from here on out. I know down to my bones that I love Asher. I want him like I’ve never wanted anything else in my life. I just wonder if I can find it in me to forgive him.
A small voice in my head says, You already have.
Chapter Twenty-One
Poppy
My head is bent to the side as I dry my hair. When I walk into my room, I come to a stop. Asher’s lying back against the headboard on my bed with the covers to his waist, his chest gloriously bare. Tingles form all over my body before they settle between my legs. Seeing him lying there, so relaxed in my bed brings erotic memories to mind. Memories I don’t want to remember right now, but they force their way in regardless.
He saw me enter and his own eyes devour me as I stand in the doorway. My whole body flushes under his perusal. His gaze follows the red that starts in my toes and works its way up to my face. His eyes leave no part of my body out. My pussy starts to weep, and I squeeze my legs together to try to relieve the ache forming. I don’t want to react to his blatant staring, but I can’t stop it. He’s trapped me with no way out. He owns my body.
Finally finding my voice, I ask, the words coming out more husky than I’d like, “What are you doing here?”
The tattoos on his arms and chest ripple as he shifts on the bed. He leans forward and pats the covers by his hips. “Come, sit.”
I shake my head. I can’t be near him right now. I’m not sure I would be able to control myself if I’m close to him. He looks too good lying there. And the comfort I know he can give me will be too irresistible.
“Poppy,” he coaxes. “Come sit by me. I won’t touch you if you don’t want me to.”
Still, I shake my head, but I feel my resolve wavering. “No,” I croak.
He tips his head to the side. “Why?”
“Because.” Yes, that was my answer. That’s all I’ve got at the moment. I won’t tell him that he’s tempting me too much.
His lips quirk and he gets up from the bed. My feet carry me back a couple feet as he walks toward me. No, he swaggers toward me. My eyes rake down his body, and I find I’m both grateful and regretful that he’s still wearing his boxer briefs.
I forgot my clothes in my room when I took a shower, so I’m wearing Liv’s silk robe she left on the back of the door. My nipples tighten and strain against the cool material. He notices and moves his eyes to them.
“No!” I say loudly, holding my hand up to ward off his forward movements. He snaps his eyes up and stops just a few feet from me. “Tell me why you’re still here.”
“I’m not leaving you again. I know I said I’d give you time, and I still will if you want it, but it’ll be in my presence.”
I take a deep breath and blow it out. I drop my hand that’s still holding the damp towel.
“I’ll be safe here, Asher. After tonight, I know Liv won’t let Tony leave my side again. He won’t get to me; I can promise you.”
He shakes his head. “I won’t take that chance. You mean too much to me.”
“Asher—”
I stop when he moves so fast I fear whiplash. One minute he’s feet from me, the next he’s right in front of me. What he says next rocks me to my core.
