“This is absolutely beautiful,” she gushed. Turning to look at him, she asked, “How much of this did you do yourself?”
“When I first got them a couple of years ago, I gutted each of the four apartments’ kitchens and bathrooms, upgrading all of them. One of my brothers loves to work with wood, and he helped make the kitchen cabinets. Another brother buys older, historic homes, fixes them back to their previous glory and sells them. He helped me with the floors and trim work. Then it just took fresh paint and new windows, and they were ready to rent.”
“Do you ever think about selling them instead of renting?”
“Originally, I was going to flip houses, but when I got the first house fixed up, I had met a young couple that was looking for a nice house to raise their two children in and needed reasonable rent. I rented to them and discovered that I liked that as a way to make money. Sure, I have to fix things when they go wrong, and I have to be really careful who I rent to so that I don’t get someone who trashes the place or doesn’t pay on time. But so far, I’ve been really fortunate in choosing excellent tenants.”
She walked around the room, her hand trailing along the granite countertop, peeked out the windows, and looked at the built-in bookcases.
“Come on,” he called out. “Come look at the rest of it.”
He was waiting for her at the entrance to the hall, and she smiled as he reached down and linked fingers with her.
There were several doors opening from the hall, the first leading to a bedroom and the second to a small bathroom. Across the hall, she was stunned to find a large master bedroom, another large window allowing light to flood in, and a well-appointed connected master bathroom. Walking around the space, she shook her head in awe. “Asher, I feel like a broken record, but this is an amazing place. I’m sorry your tenants moved out, but you’ll have no problem finding new tenants that would be thrilled with this.”
“I’ve got one more surprise,” he said, holding his hand out for her to take again. He led her to the door at the end of the hall and said, "I know it would be nice if the door had a window in it, but I just don’t feel like that would be safe."
Before she had a chance to ask what he meant, he swung open the door, and she found herself standing on a sun-kissed brick patio. A tree was in one corner, petite with weeping, gold- leafed limbs. Several large pots filled with soil, a few with colorful mums, were placed around the edge. She walked to the middle of the patio and turned around slowly, stunned at the beauty and privacy. The entire patio was surrounded by a tall brick wall, keeping prying eyes away, with a tall wooden gate at the back where the trash could be placed for pickup.
Utterly entranced, she picked her jaw up and said, “I didn’t think this place could be more beautiful, but you’ve managed to surprise me." Walking over to him, she slid her arms around his waist and gave him a hug, welcoming his arms around her as well. “I’m so impressed with the work you’ve done, Asher. It’s beautiful.”
She felt his breath halt in his chest for just a second before he let it out in a whoosh. Before she had a chance to ask if he was all right, he spoke, surprising her again.
“I’m glad you like it, Penny, because it’s yours.”
Certain that she misunderstood him, she leaned back and asked, “I’m sorry?”
He held her gaze, sucked in a deep breath before letting it out slowly, and repeated, “It’s yours. This apartment is for you, and I want you to move in as soon as you can.”
Her fingers flexed in an involuntary twitch at his words. She heard the words but did not understand them. Mine? Move in? She would have accused him of joking but could not imagine that he would be so cruel as to dangle something in front of her that he knew she could not take. Embarrassment flooded her at the realization that he did not know that she could not afford this apartment.
Finally, finding her voice while wrapping her dignity around her, she said, “Asher, I can’t take this place. But the offer is lovely. Thank you.”
“Of course, you can take it,” he insisted.
The air burned as she sucked it into her lungs, and she tried to force her stiff muscles into a smile. Shaking her head, she repeated, “I’m afraid I can’t. It’s absolutely lovely, and you will have no problem finding someone…um…better suited to lease to.”
“Better suited? There is no one better suited than you.”
She started to step away, but he halted her with his hands on her shoulders. "Look, Penny. I need a renter who can start renting right away, but I have to pay for advertising, then I have to schedule meetings with potential renters, then I have to pay someone to do their credit checks. If you lease the apartment, I don’t have to do all that. It’s really simple—I need a renter, and you need an apartment.”
Taking another step back so that his hands were no longer on her shoulders but fell down to his sides, she said, “Asher, I cannot take this apartment, so please, just drop it.”
Crossing his arms across his chest, he stared down at her. “Give me one good reason why you can’t.”
She glanced around, swallowing deeply as she searched for excuses. Looking back at him, she claimed, “It’s too big. I don’t need two bedrooms.”
“Lots of single people have two bedrooms. You can use it as a study, hobby room, reading room, storage, whatever you want.”
“It’s farther from my work.”
“It’s in the opposite direction from your office, but it’s only a half mile further."
She glanced around again, this time huffing in frustration. She felt his presence move closer again but did not want to look into his face and see his disappointment. Dropping her chin to her chest, she stared at her feet, trying not to notice the beautiful, polished hardwood floor that was underneath.
“Penny,” he whispered, his breath blowing across the top of her head. “Do you not like this place?"
A tear slid down her face, and she reached out to place her hands on his waist, suddenly so tired. Giving excuses was a coward’s way out, she knew, and he deserved more than a coward for a friend. Dragging in a fortifying breath, she lifted her chin, seeing the concern flood his face as soon as his eyes landed on her tear-stained cheek.
"I’m sorry,” she began. “You deserve nothing but honesty, and I’m not being honest with you right now. The fact is that while I have a job in an office, my salary is not very high." Emitting an indelicate snort, she said, “So many people think that just because you have a job that appears professional, then you must be making good money. Don’t get me wrong…I’m glad for what I have, but the bottom line is that with my monthly budget based on my salary, I can’t afford this apartment, and that’s the honest truth." With that, her fingers flexed against his waist again before she stepped away, a forced smile on her lips.
* * *
Honesty? I deserve honesty? Fuckin’ hell…
Asher’s stomach clenched in the face of Penny’s honest response in spite of her embarrassment. But it solidified his resolve all the more. He had no idea how much she was paying on her apartment, but with as much money as he was making on all of his other rentals, he could easily let her have this place for the same as her current rent.
“Wait!” he called out as she limped to the counter and reached for her bag. Waiting until she looked back at him, he said, “Please, hear me out.”
He saw the confused yet curious expression cross her face. She leaned against the kitchen counter, and it dawned on him that with no furniture in the apartment, her leg might be getting tired. They could go sit in his truck, but he felt his argument would be more convincing right there in the apartment. He could easily lift her to sit on the counter but was uncertain of hurting her.
“Asher, I can see so many thoughts going through your mind,” she said, bringing his attention back to her face.
Huffing, he said, “I want you to be comfortable and was going to offer to have you sit on the counter, but I wasn’t sure if that was a good seat for you.”
&nbs
p; She reached out and placed her hand on his arm, giving a little squeeze. “Thank you, but don’t ever be afraid to ask me anything. I know there are some physical limitations with my injuries, but you can always check with me to see if there’s something I can do.”
He stepped forward and placed his hands gently on her waist. “Is it all right if I lift you to the counter?”
She nodded, and he easily lifted her, settling her gently on the counter. He wanted to move directly between her legs, standing as close as he could, but forced himself to stay close but not crowding.
“Here’s the thing, Penny,” he began. “Everything I told you earlier is true. I will have to advertise for this apartment, take time out of my workday to meet with people, go through applications, call references, and get credit checks. And even with all that, there’s always the risk of someone not being a good tenant. Someone who gets angry and puts their fist through the wall. Someone who smokes or has a guest over who smokes even though this is a non-smoking building. Someone who drags their furniture over the wooden floors, scratching the surface. Someone who lets a leak go unreported until it’s a much bigger problem. And before you ask, yes, I’ve had all of these things happen. That’s why sometimes I wonder if it isn’t better to just flip houses and sell them, but then I really do like owning the real estate and renting.”
“I’m sorry you had to deal with that in the past,” she said, her brow knit in an adorable crinkle.
He stepped forward, lifted his hand, and gently rubbed his finger over her brow, feeling the soft skin relax under his touch. “I never meant to embarrass you earlier. Believe me, I know what it’s like to have to work to make ends meet. What I need you to understand is that it’s more important to me to get a good, steady renter into this apartment who will take care of it than it is for me to make a profit off of it. Plus,” he shrugged, grinning, “you mean something to me. I want you safe and happy, and I think you can be both of those things in this apartment.”
The crinkle appeared in her forehead again as she sucked in her lips, quietly thinking. Lifting her gaze, she said, “I don’t know, Asher. It feels as though I would be taking advantage of you. And then there’s the question of what happens if we stop being…um…friends?”
Glad that she was at least considering the possibility instead of continuing to reject it outright, he nodded. “As far as taking advantage of me, you’re not. If you agree to pay the same rent that you’re paying currently, I’ll consider that to be more than fair. And we’ll have a lease agreement, just like with any of my other tenants. That way, you’ll be protected.”
Wanting to close the distance between them, he moved closer, stopping where his hips rested against her leg. Lifting his hand to tuck her hair behind her ear, he added, “And, just for the record, I don’t see our friendship coming to an end. Instead, I see it only getting better.”
Cupping her face, he moved in slowly until their lips were a whisper apart. “Please say ’yes’,” he begged, just before they kissed. Angling his head, he tried to keep the kiss light, but with her innocent sigh into his mouth, his resolve was cracking. He swept his tongue into her warmth, exploring her mouth the way he wanted to explore her body.
Somewhere along the way, her hands had become tangled in his hair as she held him to her. He had meant to own the kiss, but as her tongue tangled with his, he knew he was losing control. Little shocks vibrated through his body as their mouths moved together. He took the kiss deeper, wanting everything she had to offer. Sucking on her bottom lip, he finally pulled back, his breath ragged.
Holding her gaze as they both panted, he stared at her hooded gaze and repeated, “Please say ‘yes.’" At least my begging is honest.
She sighed, sucked in her lips, and then nodded slowly. “Yes.”
18
Standing in the middle of the floor, Penny wondered if she had lost her mind. When she contacted the owner of her old apartment building to let him know when she was moving out, he had offered her a weekly discount as well as all of her security deposit in return for vacating as soon as possible. Giving that information to Asher, he insisted that she move as quickly as possible to take advantage of the money she would save.
He had come over every day when she got off work, bringing boxes and helping her pack. She now found herself a week later, standing in the middle of organized chaos.
When Asher told her that his brothers would help move furniture, she never expected to see such a gathering of masculine eye candy together in one place. He had introduced her to each of them, and she struggled to remember all of their names. She finally managed to connect the name with the faces of Zander, Rafe, Cael, Zeke, and Cas but gave up trying to determine the difference between the twins, Jaxon and Jayden.
She was a little surprised when they hauled her boxes of kitchen items, books, clothes, toiletries, and odds and ends first before dealing with the heavy furniture. But by the time Asher drove her to the new apartment, she understood their method.
Walking in, she was stunned to see a group of women working like bees putting items in her kitchen, clothes in her closet, toiletries in her bathroom, and books filling the built-in shelves.
With another round of people for her to meet, she was introduced to Rosalie, Eleanor, Regina, Morgan, and Ruby. Normally uncomfortable with so many people, she felt immediately at ease as they assisted in the move with friendly smiles and heartfelt interest in her book collection.
No one stared at her cane, nor did they treat her as an invalid. The acceptance was refreshing, and she found conversations came readily.
She could not help but notice the burn scars that ran along the side of Eleanor’s face and neck, disappearing into her shirt, or the slight limp that she walked with. She recognized Morgan from the articles in the newspaper the year before, when her Olympic hopes were dashed when she was involved in a horrific car accident. While it looked as though Morgan had complete use of both arms, scars were visible on her left one.
She hoped she had the opportunity to get to know the women more at a later time, but for now, she focused on the move. With the items that the women were taking care of now put away and the boxes broken down, by the time the men moved in her furniture, the apartment was perfect.
With hugs goodbye and promises to see each other later at Miss Ethel’s, the huge gathering left, and she stood in the middle of her new living room, stunned at how effortless the move had been.
Asher came up behind her, wrapped his arms around her and said, “Baby, let’s get you off your feet.”
She wanted to protest but knew it would be pointless. Even with all the assistance, the activities of the past week had taken its toll on her, and her leg was throbbing. They moved to the sofa, now setting in front of the wide window overlooking the grassy lawn, and he assisted her onto the soft cushion.
“Where’s your aspirin?” he asked.
“I have no idea,” she confessed. “It was in my medicine cabinet in the old apartment.”
He nodded and left the room, her gaze watching his athletic body stalking away, and smiled through her pain. She wondered if she would ever get used to being around such a gorgeous man.
He walked back in, holding the pills in his hand. Grabbing a bottle of water from the kitchen counter, he handed that to her as well. Before she had a chance to ask, he explained, “The women who helped with packing your other apartment, just put it in the same place here. That’ll make it easy for you to find things.”
She took the pills and the water from his outstretched hands, and after swallowing, she leaned back against the cushions. “I don’t even know what to say, Asher,” she confessed, twisting her head to hold his gaze as he moved around the coffee table and sat next to her. "All of your friends are amazing. I’ve never been around so many people who just jumped in to do whatever they could to help.”
He slid his arm around the back of the sofa, curling around her shoulders. “I was afraid it was going to be overwhelming. I normall
y don’t like being around a lot of people either, but then they’re my family, so I’m used to them."
She smiled, reaching over to link fingers with him and said, “They’re easy to like. They didn’t look at me like there was something wrong with me.”
“They each have their own stories, and I think you’ll find them to be really good friends.”
Sitting together on the sofa in silence for several minutes, she finally relaxed and lay her head on his shoulder. She was tired but could not keep her eyes from moving around the space. The apartment was much larger than her old one, and she certainly could buy more furniture as she was able, but for now, she simply loved the open space.
“Are you too exhausted for a surprise?” Asher asked.
She lifted her head from his shoulder and peered up into his face. Brows lifted, she repeated, “A surprise? How could there possibly be more than this?”
He gently assisted her to her feet, said, “Come with me,” and began leading her down the hall. When they came to the door leading to the patio, he swung it open.
Following him, she gasped as she spied a small table with two matching chairs and an umbrella in the center. On the other side of the patio was a standing swing, wide enough for two people to sit comfortably.
She walked around, her fingers trailing lovingly over the furniture before ending up at the swing. Lifting her gaze to his, she shook her head and said, “I can’t believe you did this for me.”
Stepping forward, he wrapped his arms around her and whispered against her hair. “I would do anything for you.”
She allowed his words to soothe the rough corners of her being before leaning back, gaining his gaze. “But why?” She watched as he appeared to struggle with something deep inside, but she did not understand the emotions he seemed to battle. Waiting patiently, she looked up hopefully as he sighed.
Asher: Heroes at Heart Page 13