A silence settles over the room. And for the first time in years, I worry that I’ll have to move forward without my best friend. It’s unsettling. I can’t even imagine a life that didn’t include Asher. It has always us against the world.
“Listen,” Asher says, sensing my unease. “I’m willing to trust you. That’s enough. I’m attracted to Rose, and if you want to see where this can go, I’m willing to come along for the ride. But the second it stops working, she’s gone. Just like every other woman we’ve been with. Deal?” Asher holds out his hand for me to shake.
It’s not exactly what I’m looking for, but I reach over and take his hand anyway. “Deal.”
“This, of course, is assuming Rose will even take us up on the offer. You said it yourself; she’s not like the women we usually fuck. She’s a nice girl. I give you even odds that she quits and files a sexual harassment suit against us.”
She is a nice girl, but there’s something deeper. I see an untapped need in her eyes. Before I can answer, the phone rings. The car is waiting downstairs.
“I think you might be surprised. We’ll invite her over tomorrow and test the waters,” I say and go over to wake Rose.
“Wake up sleepy head,” I say, nudging her foot. “Time to go.”
Rose blinks up and yawns. “Did I fall asleep?”
“Just for a little bit. It’s late.”
“I shouldn’t have had that drink,” she says and arches her back, stretching her long muscles like a house cat waking up from a nap.
“Don’t worry about it. Get your stuff, and we’ll get you home.” Groggily, Rose collects her things and meets us at the elevator. And just like Asher predicted, she tries to get out of the ride.
“You don’t need to drop me off. I can drive home,” Rose insists even as her eyes slide closed again.
“It’s not a problem,” I say and slide my arm around her waist to help keep her upright. Still half-asleep, she snuggles against my chest. She fits there as if the spot was made just for her. I fight back the urge to pull her closer and kiss her. “I’ll have one of the drivers drop your car off at your house. Just give me your keys.”
Asher joins us in the elevator and takes in the scene. “Cozy.”
I can tell he’s still apprehensive about my plan, but I saw the way Rose and Asher got along. He connects with her on a personal level I’ve never seen before. And maybe that’s what’s worrying him most. That she’s the woman, who’s finally going to get under that thick skin of his. But that’s exactly what I want. For my plan to work, Asher needs a woman that will challenge him outside the bedroom as well.
“I can take care of myself,” she says against my chest.
“We know, Bambi,” Asher says and tucks a stray lock of hair behind her ear, exposing those big brown eyes.
Her nose wrinkles and again, I have to fight the urge to laugh. She is so fucking cute.
“Fine,” she acquiesces as her eyes start to slide close again. “And don’t call me Bambi.”
Downstairs, I help Rose into the back of the limo. It’s cold for October, and after we all get settled in the back, I wrap my jacket around her. “Where to?”
She yawns and snuggles into my jacket, struggling to keep her eyes open. “318 Main. Unit 12.”
I recognize the street. It’s down by the docks in a pretty sketchy neighborhood. I know the area well. As a teen, I’d often end up down there when I was looking to get into trouble. I don’t like the idea of Rose living there. I glance over to Asher. He shrugs, obviously not as concerned, and relays the information to the driver.
My apprehension only grows when we arrive at our destination. Instead of a house or an apartment, the driver pulls into one those rundown long-term stay hotels.
“Rose. Wake up.” I nudge her, sure we somehow got the location wrong. Maybe there’s another Main Street in town. “What’s the address again?”
She blinks a few times and looks around. “Oh, we’re here already? Thanks for the ride. I’m sorry I zonked. I shouldn’t have had that drink,” she says, gathering her things. “Do you need me to come in tomorrow?”
She stops, waiting for an answer, but I’m at a loss for words. This place is worse than anything I imagined. There’s a big dude with a gun holster standing outside a room. He’s eyeing the car with suspension and rests his hand on the gun. Two guys that look like they are high are loitering in a dilapidated picnic area smoking God knows what.
“This can’t be where you live,” Asher says, looking around. “Are you sure you gave us the right address?”
“Unit 12.” She nods her head in the direction of the man with the gun. “Thanks again. Don’t worry about my car. I’ll catch a ride and pick it up from the office myself.”
Rose reaches for the door, but I stop her. “You can’t be serious. Why are you living here?” I ask, looking back to the guy with the gun, who seems very interested in the limo. “Why don’t you have an apartment? Or a house or something?”
Rose sighs and rolls her eyes. “Not everyone has the privilege of being a billionaire. I didn’t have the money to put a deposit on an apartment when I took the internship. This was an acceptable solution. It’s clean and didn’t require a deposit. Besides, I was only offered a six-month internship. I didn’t know if I’d get a full-time job, so having a place I could rent week to week made sense.”
“You’ve been working for us for ten months,” Asher says, jumping into the conversation. “Why are you still living here? Surely, we pay you enough.”
“I’ve been meaning to look for an apartment,” she says, “but I just haven’t had time.”
“Then find the time,” I say.
“Says my boss who just had me work nineteen hours today.” Rose shoves my jacket back at me and grabs her purse. “I’m exhausted, and I don’t feel like hashing over my living situation with you right now. So if you don’t mind, I’d like to go inside.”
“You can’t stay here,” Asher says, surprising us both.
“And what exactly is that supposed to mean?” Rose asks, crossing her arms.
“It means you’re coming home with us until you can find an appropriate apartment.”
“Like hell,” she says and reaches for the door. But before she can open it, the hulking man with the gun taps on the window.
I debate whether to tell the driver to leave or not, but Rose hits the button to lower the window.
The guy looks around the interior and grunts, “Is there a problem?”
“No problem,” I say and eye Asher, hoping like hell he doesn’t make a scene. This whole situation is getting out of hand, and I don’t want to make trouble with the guy packing heat.
“Hey, Bruce. My bosses were just dropping me off,” Rose says, casually.
“Rose.” Bruce’s face lights up with a smile. “I knocked on your door earlier. I thought you were out for the night.”
“No, just a late night at work.” She opens the door to get out, but Bruce shuts it before she can.
“That’s too bad,” he says. “It would have been better if you were out for the night. You have a place to stay?”
What the fuck?
I look around the parking lot and see another two guys loitering. By the bulges under their jackets, I’d bet they are also carrying. I take a more critical look at the stoners by the pool. They are far more alert than two guys partying. Something serious was going down, and I didn’t want Rose anywhere near it.
As if reading my thoughts, Asher taps on the window to the driver. “We’ll make sure she has a place to stay.”
Bruce grunts his approval and steps back from the car.
“Ugh,” Rose exclaims and tosses up her hands. “What is everyone’s problem tonight? I’ve been living here for months and managed to survive.”
“I agree with Asher on this one. We can’t let you stay here tonight,” I say.
“You can’t let me?” she says, narrowing her eyes at me. “You do realize that neither one of you have
a say.”
“Tonight, we do,” Asher says.
“Stop the car. I’m serious. Just let me out here.”
“No way. I don’t know if you noticed the gun, but I generally find it useful to listen to the guy packing heat. He says you need to be gone tonight. You’re staying gone,” Asher says with a finality to his words.
Rose pales and turns to look out the back window at the motel. “Bruce had a gun?”
“He did,” Asher says.
“And at least two others by my count,” I add.
“Oh,” Rose says on an exhale. “Bruce seemed so sweet. He’d bring me ice cream from the corner shop.” All the fight seems to leave her as she wraps both arms around her waist. I want to pull her in my arms and reassure her.
“It’s just one night.” Or more, I think, but keep that to myself. Knowing that she’s coming home with us, puts me at ease. And the fact that Asher was the one who suggested it makes me think he’s a lot more invested in Rose than he’s letting on. “We’re all exhausted. We have a guest suite. You can stay tonight, and we can talk about the rest in the morning.”
36
Rose
I watch out the back window as the motel disappears over the horizon. I’m too exhausted to fight with them. After a few hours of sleep and maybe a shower, I’m going home.
Leo tries to assure me that everything is going to work out, but I’m not in the mood. I close my eyes and pretend to sleep until he leaves me alone. The ride back seems to last forever, and I should be able to doze off. I’m bone tired. The week of twelve and fourteen-hour workdays has worn me out. But even so, tonight's events have my mind racing.
Sure, it makes me extremely uneasy that Bruce was hanging out in the parking lot with a gun, but Asher and Leo are over reacting. I’ve stayed in places like that all my life—and not all of the motels were that nice. My mother was living out her rock star dreams with a child in tow. I grew up in hotels and motels all across this country. I took my first steps at a Holiday Inn in Van Nuys, learned to read while holed up at an extended stay in Denver, and lost my virginity at some no-name chain in Cleveland. So I’m just as comfortable in a shabby motel as they are in their penthouse downtown.
It isn’t long before we’re pulling into said penthouse. I’ve been here once before during the office’s Fourth of July party. Leo and Asher own the entire top floor and converted it into a shared living space, complete with a rooftop garden and hot tub. It’s a beautiful, open space and it’s no hardship for me to stay the night.
It’s the company that worries me.
My little crush on Asher has blossomed into full-on infatuation, and now that I’ve gotten to know Leo better… Swoon. It’s one thing to work with them all day long, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to sleep in the next room knowing that they are both so close. Fuck, what I wouldn’t give for my vibrator right about now.
Speaking of my vibrator (talk about odd transitions), I just realized, I don’t have any clothing. Nothing to sleep in and nothing to wear tomorrow besides my work dress.
Leo offers me a hand to get out, and I shake my head. “I need to go back.”
“No. We already discussed this. It’s not safe,” he says, offering his hand again. This time a little more insistently.
“No, really,” I say, crossing my arms. “There are things I need from my room. A change of clothes. My toothbrush. My hair brush.”
“We’ll take care of that tomorrow.”
“And what am I supposed to sleep in?”
“I prefer to sleep nude,” Asher adds over Leo’s shoulder.
Great. Now I’ve got that image imprinted in my mind. I shake my head and frown. There’s no way I’m sleeping naked.
“I have a T-shirt and a pair of boxers you can sleep in,” Lee offers.
I’m not sure that’s any better. The thought of my naked flesh caressing the same fabric he’s worn causes a blush to creep into my cheeks. Maybe I will sleep naked. Or fully clothed. That’d probably be safer.
“Come on, Bambi,” Asher says. “We’re all tried. Let’s just go to bed, and we can talk everything out over breakfast.”
The word bed triggers a yawn that I can’t hold back. I know it’s stupid to keep fighting. It’s almost four a.m., and I can hardly keep my eyes open as is.
“Fine. But just for tonight.”
“If that’s what you want,” Leo says and offers the hand again. This time I take it.
We all pile into the elevator, and Leo inserts his key to access the top floor. An uncomfortable silence engulfs us as the doors close. I’m not exactly sure what to say, and evidently, they don’t know either.
About halfway up, Leo is the first to break the silence. “Explain to me again why you were staying at the no-tell-motel. Especially one in a crappy part of town. Do you realize the kind of people who stay there?”
“People like me,” I say, not amused. “I’ve been there for ten months, and other than the time some drunk guy serenaded the woman who was staying in unit 23, it’s been pretty quiet.”
“You seemed cozy with that Bruce guy,” Asher says. “Based on his tatts, he’s probably muscle for some gang.”
“What do you know about gangs? He’s a nice guy. He looks out for me,” I insist. And I’m not lying. Asher looked at guys and just saw tattoos. It’s easy to assume he is some kind of thug, but Bruce is a good guy. He is one of the reasons I stayed. He likes me and goes out of his way to keep people from bothering me.
“I’m glad someone has been looking out for you,” Leo says, surprising me. The doors open into the entry, and he exits, leaving me to wonder exactly what he means.
The penthouse is as spectacular as I remembered. Large, floor to ceiling windows line the far wall, offering light from the city below. The space is open and inviting. But it feels different being there with just the two of them.
Asher drops his bag on the sofa and slips off his tie. Leo enters a code on an alarm keypad by the elevator and then does much the same. And I just stand there, unsure what’s going to happen next.
“I’ve set the alarm, so don’t try to slip out in the morning. When you’re ready to go tomorrow, we’ll take you back. Promise,” Leo says walking across the open common room. He points to a dark wood door on the north side of the room. “Asher’s suite is over there, and I’m over here.” He points to an identical door on the south end of the room. “If you need anything, just knock. The doors are unlocked.”
I nod, watching Leo as he opens another dark wood door on the far end of the room. He waves me over, and I shuffle across the hardwood, exhaustion finally hitting me.
“This is the guest suite. There’s a private bathroom that should have a toothbrush and any other necessities you should need. Help yourself.”
Leo flips on the light, and I’m greeted with a large room as tastefully decorated as the rest of the house. I can’t help but wonder if they hired someone or picked out the furnishings themselves. The guest suite, as he called it, is bigger than the apartment I shared with Billy. A large king-size bed dominates the center of the room. There’s even a small work area and separate sitting area.
“If you get hungry, the kitchen is the next door over. Please make yourself at home.”
I sag against the doorframe and close my eyes. The weariness of the day is catching up with me.
“Are you okay?” Leo asks. “If this doesn’t work, you can take my room.”
“This is fine,” I say, but he doesn’t seem like he’s buying it. “Really. I’m just tired.”
“Stop hovering,” Asher yells from the living room. “Let her sleep. You can talk to her tomorrow.”
Leo shakes his head and takes a step closer. “I want you to be comfortable,” he says in a low voice. His hot breath whispers across my skin, causing every nerve in my body to take notice. The air between us is charged with an untapped energy, and it’s all I can do to stop myself from leaning into him like some drunk stripper.
As if reading m
y thoughts, a grin spreads across his face, and he steps away. “Sleep tight.”
It wasn’t until he’s already closed the door to his suite that I realize, I still don’t have clothes to sleep in. There was no way in hell I am going to go knock on his door. With a sigh, I close the door to the guest room, resigned to sleep in my underwear.
But soon after I brush my teeth and wash my face, there’s a knock on the door. Much to my surprise, Asher is standing there when I open the door.
“I figured you’d want something to sleep in,” he says and holds out a bundle of clothes.
“Thanks, I could have managed.” I reach out to take the clothing. My hand brushes his, and a chill runs up my arm. It’s not like we’ve never touched before, but this time there is something different in his touch. Something more. I glance up, wondering if he felt it too. The heat in his eyes steals my breath, and I pull back. But as he lets go of the stack of clothes, his fingers slide down my arm.
“I’m sorry,” he says, catching me by surprise.
“Sorry for what?” Sure, they may have brought me here against my wishes, but now that I’m here, I admit, I’m glad I came. For the first time in years—hell, probably ever—I feel safe, protected.
“I’m sorry I didn’t notice you before,” he says and steps in closer. For a second I’m sure he’s going to kiss me, but instead, he tucks a stray lock of my hair behind my ear and kisses my forehead. “But I see you now, Bambi.”
And with that cryptic comment, he goes back to his room, and I am left to wonder exactly what it was he saw.
37
Leo
As promised, early the next morning, we took Rose back to that shithole she’d been living in. It is even worse in the harsh light of day. I’d be surprised if the building could pass city inspection. The whole structure looks ready to collapse. Several of the units have boarded up windows, and the institutional green paint is peeling in big chunks.
I realize that this way of life is a reality for a lot of people. Unlike Asher who was born into money, I came into it later in life. I lived in a shitty house not far from here with five other foster kids. I was almost ten when the Masons adopted me, so I’m no stranger to this world. But this isn’t the place for Rose. She is gentle, and places like this tended to use up people like her.
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