by Skye McNeil
Pushing open the screened door, she crossed her arms at the top of the steps. “Get a little warm today?” she heckled when Tommy glanced her way.
“No thanks to your boyfriend,” he implied, climbing the steps.
A little cool off seemed warranted, so Jessie didn’t bother prodding for more information. If Tommy fell in with or without Asher’s help, he deserved it. A dip in the mountain stream would add a layer of ice to his soul anyhow. “Aw, poor Tommy,” she crooned with malice.
Tommy reached the top of the stairs and brushed by her. Droplets of water transferred onto Jessie’s sleeveless arms, sending chills up her spine. “You know he’s an ass, right?”
Jessie harrumphed. “It takes one to know one.”
Shaking his head, Tommy grabbed her arms. His breath drifted to her and a hint of whiskey met her nose. Fishing and drinking, what a great combination.
“No, this guy is even more of an asshole than me.”
“Yeah, not possible. He’s not screwing my sister.” She broke free from his grasp, but the victory was short-lived. It seemed Tommy snuck a few swigs during the fishing excursion. Tommy and booze got along as well as a bathtub and toaster.
Before she knew what was happening, Tommy had her pinned against the cabin’s exterior. “Let go,” she seethed when she felt his body flush to hers. Once upon a time she may have encouraged this advance, but not anymore. Not when she had felt what a real man was supposed to be. Not since she met Asher.
“He’s playing you, Mina,” Tommy whispered, leaning closer to her. His breath, whiskey laced with a fresh winterberry edge, trickled down her throat. The razorback tank top she wore didn’t seem like such a good idea. His eyes lowered to her chest and she clenched her teeth. He got handsy when he drank. One of the attributes she assumed played a part in his betrayal.
“Nice bruise,” she managed when the purple mark on his jaw came to her attention. This situation wasn’t getting any better, and she needed to distract him with something other than her.
“Your boyfriend gave it to me. Nice of him, wasn’t it?” Tommy’s hand looped around her waist, squeezing her tight.
Narrowing her eyes, she produced, “I’m sure you deserved it.” She jutted her chin up. “Let go or I’ll give you a matching pair.”
Chuckling, Tommy pressed a kiss to her cheek. Jessie’s heart dropped at his act. The son of a bitch hadn’t changed one bit. He was still the cheating bastard she had been engaged to. “You need to back off, Tommy,” she ground out when he met her eyes.
“Why? It’s not like anyone will save you. Your boyfriend isn’t all he cracks up to be. You should ask him about it,” Tommy reprised when Jessie turned her head away from him.
Ignoring the insinuation about Asher, Jessie stomped on his foot, but found he was wearing boots. Now with an injured foot, she was stuck between an ex and a wooden cabin. Her heart rate skyrocketed when she heard what sounded like a low growl from below.
“She said back off, but I think she was being a little too kind.” Asher’s voice was so dark Jessie almost didn’t recognize it.
Relief washed over her when she spotted him at last, taking the steps two at a time. His jaw was set tight, causing his dimple to flatten against his cheek.
After what seemed like hours to her, Asher reached them and wrenched her free from Tommy’s grip. “Touch her again and I’ll make your death look like an accident,” he threatened, pulling Jessie flush to him.
Never one to be the heroine tied to railroad tracks awaiting a man’s rescue, she was astounded when she remained in Asher’s warmth.
Tommy held up his hands in defeat. “Whatever you say, soldier boy.” He returned his gaze to Jessie. “She’s not worth it anyway. In more ways than one.”
Jessie’s eyes turned dark at his allegation about their sex life and she shoved away from Asher’s hold. Stalking toward Tommy, she crossed her arms over her chest. “If faking orgasms was in the Olympics, I would have gotten a gold medal every time I slept with you. You were the worst lay I’ve ever had.”
Tommy frowned and then chortled. “I’m sure it’s a very long list too.”
No longer in control, Jessie’s fist jabbed toward Tommy and connected with the uninjured side of his jaw.
Reeling back, Tommy let out a yelp as he glared at her with wide eyes. “What the hell?”
“Talk to me again and I’ll do more than punch you,” she promised through haughty lips. Tommy didn’t offer an answer, but stumbled toward the door and disappeared into the cabin.
“Holy shit, Mina. That was awesome!” Asher commended when they were alone at last.
Jessie’s hand drew her attention to her wayward act and she held it against her stomach in pain.
“You’re shaking,” Asher told her, his eyes softening when they met hers. He wrapped her in a hug and lifted her fist for inspection. “I don’t think you broke anything.” With care, he pressed his lips to her throbbing fist. “But it will bruise something fierce.”
Jessie let out a breath and felt tears threaten her eyes. Tommy had been rough with her before, but nothing like what she’d escaped not a minute ago. If Asher hadn’t come upon them when he did, she wasn’t sure what would’ve happened. Stepping away from his body, she offered him a small smile. “Thank you.”
Asher let her take a step backward before Jessie felt his arm around her waist. It wasn’t snaring her into place, but supporting her instead. “Let me help you up to the room. I think you need a minute.”
“I’m fine, honest,” she lied. Going inside where he was did not sound safe. “I’d rather stay out here.”
“Oh, sure.” Asher led her to one of the patio couches and settled on the seat beside her.
He studied her face and then placed another kiss on her injury. “Are you okay? As badass as you were, it looked like you did it for more than one reason.”
Jessie couldn’t deny the pain caused by Tommy’s actions and her own, but she also couldn’t ignore the redemption she felt. Slugging her ex felt good on too many levels for her to regret it. “I think so.”
Asher shook his head. “This is my fault. I’m sorry.”
Forcing out a laugh, she shook her head and kept her eyes on the hummingbird feeder. “What do you have to be sorry for?”
“I provoked him by punching him,” he confessed, resting his forearms on his thighs.
Jessie grinned at the image of Asher sending Tommy into the creek by way of a pummeling punch. “He deserved it.”
“I didn’t think he would take it out on you,” Asher concluded, sorrow written on his face.
She didn’t think so either. Tommy had always a prick, but not an aggressive one. “It’s fine. I’m fine. You have nothing to be sorry about.”
Asher’s hands were around her face in an instant, pulling her toward him. “You have no idea.” His eyes drifted over her features, calming her even then. “I don’t know what came over me. I saw him with you and all I could do was react. If you weren’t there, I would’ve broken his jaw this time around. And maybe a few other bones.” His finger caressed her nose and then traced her lips. “I like you a lot, Mina. I don’t want to be your pretend boyfriend. I want to be your real one.”
Jessie swallowed hard at his statement. Dismissing the realization she was growing on the way he called her Mina, she all but melted into his arms. Screw his profession. She liked him even more because of it. “I like you a lot too,” she admitted, holding his gaze.
Asher smirked, an act which was much too addicting to see. “Then say you’ll be my girlfriend. For real, though. Even when we’re back in New York, I want you to be my girlfriend.”
Jessie mulled over his offer. It wasn’t flowery or over the top. It was sincere and too good to be real. She should think it over. She should weigh the pros and cons of a relationship. Her eyes skimmed his features. But damn, her brain functioned on the vibrations he sent through her body and those sensations alone.
After a moment, she held up
her index finger. “Okay, but does this count as a date, because—”
Asher’s lips engulfed the rest of her feisty reply. Wrapping her arms around his shoulders, Jessie gave in to his kiss. Hell, she would stay on the deck all night kissing him if it was all they were given.
A drop of rain interrupted their first official caress as boyfriend and girlfriend. Another followed, but Jessie did her best to ignore it. Kissing in the rain was romantic, after all. It was in almost every book she edited.
When the skies opened up and saturated them in moisture, Asher broke free with a chuckle. He pushed back the hair plastered to her face and stared at her with longing. “Even with makeup running and hair flat, you’re gorgeous.”
Jessie giggled and drew him in for another kiss. She’d always heard rain on a wedding day was good luck, so maybe rain on a new couple had the same effect. “Let’s get inside before we’re both drenched.”
Asher studied her apparel now clinging to her curves. “Yeah, maybe we should stay out here a little while longer. I don’t think you’re wet enough.”
Holding back an eye roll, Jessie grabbed his hand and hauled him into the warmth of the cabin. “I’ll grab some towels,” she called, dropping her hold and leaving him in the living room.
Once she found the closet full of towels down the hall, she returned to find Asher studying one of the books on the coffee table. His brows were pulled together and he no longer sported a handsome grin. “Everything okay?”
Asher replaced the book on one of the nearby shelves. “Yeah, fine.” He grabbed one of the towels in her hands. “I’m going to get out of these clothes.” His hand snaked around her waist. “Want to help your boyfriend out?”
There was the flirty guy she knew and adored. “I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do,” she replied as they walked to the staircase. Still, she snuck a glance over her shoulder at the book he replaced on the shelf and wondered if it was the title or author who unnerved him. Shoving her worry aside, Jessie slid her eyes over to Asher and wondered how long they had until her family interrupted them once more.
»»•««
After an unsuccessful attempt at changing, Asher had just gotten comfortable on the couch with a blanket draped over the two of them as they gazed at the fire, when Jessie’s cousins flooded into the room. He swore they came out of the woodwork, the way they appeared. Now, he watched a helpless Jessie as the same shining faces ushered her out of his sight. A last-minute bachelorette party was the reason for their giggles, though from the few bottles of booze he spotted, Asher doubted the party would last long.
Stretching his legs now adorned in sweatpants and a Sherpa blanket, he watched the flames lick at the wood in the fireplace. Falling asleep in this position would’ve been ideal, but with the Davis clan, peace wasn’t in the cards.
“Asher, there you are. I thought the women would’ve taken you along for a little strip tease,” Dennis joked, taking a seat beside him.
Jessie fit the spot much better, but Asher managed a smile. “They wanted a stripper cop and since I’m just a stripper Army guy, they passed.” He went along with the gag.
Dennis chuckled and patted Asher’s leg. “You’re a good sport. I can’t say the same for the other guys Jessie brought home.”
The idea of numerous men visiting the same cabin with Jessie on their arms perturbed Asher. Thinking of her with anyone but him unsettled his stomach. She was his now. Officially. Not social media official, but official enough for him to grin like a fool when he called her his girlfriend.
Turning back to Dennis, he offered, “Then I hope I’m the last one.”
The patriarch nodded beside him and crossed his arms over his chest. “Have you told Jess about your, uh, other name?” Dennis asked, nodding toward the bookshelf.
The lone A.J. Whit book stared back at Asher as he mulled the query. Without a doubt, Tommy had found the book and put it on the table for Jessie to find earlier. To his relief, Asher found it first. It would’ve mattered in the beginning. Jessie didn’t like romance novels, but if she turned the paperback over, the damning evidence would’ve presented itself.
“No, I haven’t. We don’t get much time alone and it’s not something I want to half-ass,” explained Asher, feeling warm at the subject. He tossed off the blanket and folded it in pristine manner before placing it in the basket on the side of the couch.
“Don’t wait too long. If you don’t tell her, we both know who will,” cautioned Dennis as he stood and stretched his arms.
“Yeah, you’re right. Thanks, sir.” Asher also stood and held out his hand. In the last few days, he had grown fond of Jessie’s dad. In a small way, he reminded Asher of his own father. The two would get along just fine, given the opportunity.
Dennis stared at the outstretched hand and shook his head. “I think we’ve moved past it.” He wrapped Asher in a hug then whispered. “Just because you’re ex-Army, don’t think I won’t avenge any damage you inflict on my firstborn.”
Asher gave the man a vigilant smile before Dennis chuckled and disappeared into one of the cabin’s bedroom. Shaking the threat off, he decided to call it a night. Jessie wouldn’t be back until late, if at all, and he needed to get a bit of shut eye before the festivities the next day.
The bookshelf urged his footsteps to pause before he got too far. Eyeing his title, he grabbed the novel and stared at the cover. Flipping to the back, Asher sighed. He needed to take his namesake’s advice and go for it when it came to Jessie. The first phase was taken as to their relationship, but not to the truth.
Snatching a pen from the shelf, he opened the cover and shook his head at the title. He wasn’t his uncle, but he would be a man and admit his secret. Scribbling his autograph, Asher replaced the book. As to when, he wasn’t positive.
Voices littered the cabin and his smile dampened. He infiltrated a happy home without hassle and didn’t want it to be destroyed at his hands. Recalling the excellent jab Tommy received at Jessie’s fist, he climbed the stairs. She was a spitfire when it came down to it. A quality he long admired in a woman.
Crawling into the queen-sized bed, Asher frowned when it felt much too big and lacking Jessie’s citrus-smelling hair in his face.
Chapter Ten
Cradling her head with one hand, Jessie held her other hand up against the daylight streaming through the window. She squinted around and saw her sister asleep on the couch with their cousins sprawled out all around them on the floor of the cabin’s basement. How did we get here? She blinked, trying to clear her hazy eyes. The night’s events washed over her like the shots of tequila they drank. Hot and messy.
After pulling herself up to a standing position, Jessie staggered to the stairs. Damn, but they should’ve stayed upstairs instead of deciding the basement was a better option. She needed a bed, not the floor, to make her feel like half a human again.
Taking each step at a snail’s pace, she pieced together Bobbi’s impromptu bachelorette party. The surprise was on her, not the bride. As she later discovered, Bobbi spearheaded the event from the start. Most of the night was full of drinking shots of every liquor available, eating cold pizza, and each of them taking turns on the hammock. Two of them somehow ended up in the hammock. The rest toppled from their grandma’s favorite chair outside the basement door.
Pushing upward, she smirked at the scene below. The women looked like a snippet from a raunchy chick flick. Mussed hair, empty bottles of tequila, vodka, and beer were among the litter of popcorn kernels, potato chips, and chocolate candy wrappers scattered across their sleeping bodies. Her stomach jolted at the thought of food. She didn’t want to eat for a massive amount of time.
She made it up the first flight of stairs, not knowing how. The living room was silent and when she caught sight of the clock on the wall, Jessie saw why. It wasn’t even seven in the morning. It seemed much later to her.
The final staircase loomed ahead of her, but she staggered on. She was determined to get at least
an hour of comfortable sleep before one of her crazy cousins woke her. They had more wedding shit to do. “Yay,” she mumbled in a sarcastic tone.
Focusing on her lagging footsteps, Jessie knew at this rate, she wouldn’t make the top of the stairs before she collapsed from exhaustion. Bachelorette parties were not her thing. She attempted three of them and each one was worse than the last.
Scratching her arm, she was ninety-percent sure someone suggested a stripper. Seeing how the sole eligible men were Tommy and Asher, Jessie was glad neither one made an appearance. As much as she would love seeing Asher give a strip tease, she didn’t want to share the experience with her horny cousins.
Pulling herself along the handrail, she made it to the top of the staircase at last. “Oh, thank God.” Shuffling her feet across the catwalk, Jessie breathed a sigh of relief when she turned the handle on the bedroom door. It was unlocked.
Asher’s scent filled the room and she felt at home in an instant. The earthy tone of coffee brought out the spice of his cologne and drew her closer to him. Tiptoeing to the bed, she snuck a glance at the slumbering man. The rumpled sheets displayed an apparent restless night of the brown-haired wonder.
Jessie surveyed his furrowed brow and her eyes drifted over his shirtless frame. His tattoos bewitched her. The intricate lines and masterful strokes were as unique as him. The few tattoos she sported were hidden from all, save her, though she had an inkling Asher got a view of them once or twice. Her swimsuit didn’t cover them all.
She traced the masterpieces, memorizing them for eternity. Even if they proclaimed a mutual relationship, Jessie doubted it would last. Their lives were nothing alike. Lifestyles as opposite as theirs could never mesh into one. Yet, as her fingers danced along the hard lines of his muscles, she wished in her heart they could make it work. That somehow, they would figure it out. Her eyes drifted to his full lips. She could kiss him until she forgot everyone else but him.