“What’s this?” she asks and gasps again as I begin to move hard and fast, chasing both of our orgasms.
“This is good, old-fashioned fucking,” I growl against her neck. “I want you hard and fast, right here in the shower.”
“You’re getting it,” she replies and leans in to bite my shoulder as she comes hard, her legs gripping on to my hips like vices, grinding her pelvis against my own. “Christ, Asher.”
“That’s right,” I murmur and feel myself go blind as my balls lift and tighten with my own release. “Just me.”
“Just you.”
* * * *
“I’m going to need you to pack a bag,” I inform Lila as I tug my shirt over my head and finger-comb my hair. She’s already dressed, looking sexy as fuck in a red sundress that I want to peel off her.
God, I’m out of control.
“Why?” she asks with a frown.
“Because you’re going to come stay with me until we catch this fucker.”
She slides her feet into black flip-flops, then props her hands on her lean hips, and I know I’m in for an argument.
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes. You are.”
She narrows her eyes at me. God, she’s magnificent when she’s pissed.
“You know, I’m happy to take precautions, and you can boss me around all you want in the bedroom—”
“Like that, do you?”
“But you will not tell me where I’m going to live.”
“Look, Lila.”
“No, you look.” She’s pacing now, really worked up, and it’s a sight to behold. “I’ve worked long and hard for my independence. I’m not a stupid woman.”
“Didn’t say you are.”
“And I know how to look out for myself! I’ve been doing it since I was a kid. I didn’t have a mom, Asher. My dad was drunk most of the time. I’ve held jobs and taken care of myself since before I could do algebra.”
“I still can’t do algebra,” I reply, trying to keep it light, but my hands are in fists now at the thought of a young Lila taking care of herself. Her father should have his face beat in.
“I’m not going to be your pawn, that just does as you say. I’m not one of your officers.”
“No, you’re not.” I pull her to me now, drawing her into my arms, and hug her tight. She melts into these hugs like she doesn’t get them often, and that just softens me toward her even more. “You’re not my pawn, Lila. You’re everything.”
“Excuse me?” she whispers, not looking up.
“I don’t know if you’ve been paying attention, baby, but this isn’t a quick fuck for me. You’re not just a job for me.”
“What am I?”
I swallow hard and kiss her head. “You mean more to me than any woman has in a very long time. Let me protect you. I can’t just pack up my daughter and move in with you. If it was just me, I would. I need you to come to me.”
“That’s the other thing.” She pushes out of my arms and stomps away. “Casey.”
I still and my heart stops. “Are you saying you have a problem with my daughter?”
“No!” She whirls around, eyes wide, and I immediately calm. “I adore her. Asher, I can’t bring whatever this could be to your house. I would die before I put Casey in danger!”
“You’re in danger here, Delila. No one is in danger at my house. The killer has no reason to know that you’ll be with me. I don’t like knowing that you’re miles away from me. I can’t get here in time if something were to happen.”
I pace away and push my hands through my hair, suddenly frustrated.
“Damn it, Lila, I need you with me.”
“Casey—”
“Will be fine.” I turn back to her. “Do you honestly think that I’d willingly put my daughter in danger? She’s safe, just like you will be if you come with me.”
She chews on her lip, giving it some thought, and if I wasn’t already completely in love with her, her concern for Casey would have pushed me right over.
“Okay,” she says cautiously. “But when you’re not home, Casey should stay with Mike and Fran.”
I frown, but she continues before I can say anything.
“Not because I don’t love spending time with her, but because no one would follow her to Mike’s house. If you’re not home to protect her, she shouldn’t be alone with me. Just in case.”
I cup her face in my hands and everything in me is screaming to tell her I love her.
“Thank you,” I say instead.
“You won’t be thanking me when I use up all the hot water and burn toast.”
I grin. “I already burn the toast.”
Chapter Seven
~Lila~
It’s been two weeks since Cheyenne was killed. Two weeks without so much as a leaf blowing the wrong way in the trees. Spring has bloomed in New Orleans, making the city seem fresh and bright.
I’ve attended four funerals in the last month, and the sadness of the loss of the girls hangs heavily around me, despite the brightness of early summer. The killer has been quiet—too quiet—and I can’t help but worry that something could happen at any moment.
Classes are out for the weekend, and Asher’s friends, Matt and Nic, from Seattle are coming to visit for a few days. In fact, their plane should have landed not long ago. They’re going to meet us at home.
I mean, Asher’s townhouse.
Except, it’s come to feel like home over the past two weeks. Most of my clothes have managed to migrate there, much to Casey’s delight. She thinks it’s awesome that every night is a sleepover, and she’s loved getting to know Kate and Eli, who have been invited over for dinner several times.
I’ve refused the four hundred and twenty-three offers to sleep in his bed from Asher. I don’t feel comfortable sleeping with him with Casey there. I don’t want to confuse her.
Hell, I’m confused enough for both of us.
That doesn’t mean that he doesn’t sneak into the spare bedroom with me after she goes to sleep. There have been a few times that he’s carried me into his bed to make love to me because he wants to have me there.
Jesus, I’m in love with him. With both of them.
Who knew?
“Lila!”
I spin on the sidewalk to find Colin and Stacy, both from my US Women’s History class, running toward me.
“Hi, guys. What’s up?”
“We wanted to see if you’ve graded our essays yet.”
I grin at them and shake my head. “I’m sorry, not yet. I’m going to grade them over the weekend.”
“Do you ever take a day off?” Colin asks with the shake of his head. He’s just about my height, dressed casually in jeans and a plain white T-shirt.
Stacy, his roommate and best friend, is a plump girl with curly blonde hair and big brown eyes. They’re holding hands, as they always do.
College kids seem to be very affectionate with each other.
“Once in a while,” I reply with a laugh. “What are you guys up to?”
“I have a date tonight,” Colin says and wiggles his eyebrows. “New guy I met the other day at Starbucks.”
“I want to meet this guy,” Stacy says and pokes Colin in the ribs. “He’s probably not good enough for you.”
“They never are, darling,” Colin replies and kisses Stacy on the cheek. “Do you have fun plans this weekend, Lila?”
“Yes, actually. I have friends coming in from out of town.”
“Awesome.” Stacy grins and checks her watch. “Oh, hell. I have to go pick my baby sister up from school. Give me a ride, Colin?”
“You guys stick close together,” I add sternly. “I want you to stay safe.”
Colin’s eyes grow sad. “If I’d stayed with Cheyenne longer, she wouldn’t have—”
“You don’t know that,” Stacy says and kisses his cheek. “It’s not your fault. The police even told you so.”
His eyes narrow a bit at the reminder of being interrogated after
Cheyenne’s death.
“She’s right,” I reassure him. “You couldn’t have known what would happen after you took her home. But be safe out there, you guys.”
“Sure. See you next week, Lila.”
“Bye guys.” I wave, get in the car, and take off toward home.
I mean, Asher’s townhouse, damn it.
When I pull into the driveway, I see a strange car parked behind Asher. They beat me here.
“You brought me strawberry cupcakes!” Casey exclaims as I walk through the front door. She launches herself into a petite brunette’s arms, hugging her tight. “I missed you so much, Nic!”
“I missed you too,” Nic replies and hugs her back, then catches my eye. “You must be Lila.”
“Guilty,” I reply with a smile. “And you’re Nic.”
“She makes the best cupcakes in the whole world,” Casey informs me and bites into a pink cupcake.
“I’ve heard,” I reply with a laugh.
“I brought about two dozen, all different kinds.” Nic shakes my hand, then simply pulls me into a hug. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
“You too.”
“Hey, baby,” Asher says as he and a tall man—a tall, impossibly handsome man—walk into the room. Asher plants a firm kiss on me and looks into my eyes. “You okay?”
“Great.” I smile at Matt. “I’m Lila.”
“Matt.” He shakes my hand and pulls me away from Asher and into his arms, hugging me tight. “And you’re gorgeous. Why are you with that asshole? Sorry, Casey.”
“It’s okay,” she says without looking up from her cupcake.
“You might want to stop touching her,” Asher says with mutiny in his eyes, only making Matt hug me tighter.
“Ignore him,” Nic says with a laugh. “You know how he loves to piss you off.”
“He’s good at it.”
I pull out of Matt’s hug and reach for a cupcake. Chocolate deliciousness explodes in my mouth.
“Marry me.” I turn to Nic. “Divorce him and marry me. I don’t leave the toilet seat up, and I totally understand PMS.”
She laughs and shakes her head. “Sorry. I’m all his. But I can ship cupcakes down here whenever you want.”
“I love you,” I tell her earnestly as I lick frosting off my fingers. I glance up at Asher in time to see a strange look cross his face, but then he seems to catch himself and grins.
“We all love Nic. I tried to talk her into marrying me at least a dozen times before they got married.”
“My loss,” Nic says with a shrug and a smile, then melts into her husband’s side when he wraps his arm around her shoulders. He leans in and whispers something in her ear, making Nic blush. “Not here,” she whispers to him.
“Newlyweds,” Asher says just as the doorbell rings.
“That’s Masie!” Casey exclaims and runs for the door. “We’re having a sleepover!”
“Wait!” Asher and Matt both yell at the same time, bringing Casey up short.
“You don’t just open the door, Casey. We’ve discussed this,” Asher says as he stomps toward the door.
“But it’s just Masie,” Casey says.
“You don’t know that,” Asher replies.
“Things still intense down here?” Nic asks.
“Not really.” I shrug and snatch up another cupcake. Strawberry this time. “Things have been quiet for a few weeks now. It’s weird.” I bite into the cake and immediately know what all the fuss is about. It’s absolutely delicious. “Seriously, you should make these for a living.”
Nic laughs. “You’re right, I should.”
I wink at her, perfectly aware that Nic owns a successful cupcake bakery in Seattle. Asher loves his friends and has told me all about them. He and Matt were partners for nearly ten years.
“Well, Casey is off for her sleepover,” Asher says as he rejoins us in the kitchen. “She’ll be back tomorrow morning. She wants to go on the cemetery tour with us.”
“Fun,” I reply. “I haven’t done the cemetery tour yet.”
“How long have you lived here?” Matt asks as he lays his hand on the back of Nic’s neck, massaging gently, as if she belongs to him and touching her is second nature to him.
It’s sexy as hell.
“Since last fall,” I reply and swallow the last of my cupcake. “But I jumped right into work and haven’t taken the time to explore the city. So, thanks for letting me tag along this weekend.”
“You’re not tagging along,” Asher says and kisses my cheek. “Not coming isn’t an option.”
“Oh right,” I reply and frown. “Because you’re keeping tabs on me.”
“No, because I don’t want to be without you,” he whispers in my ear. “Keeping tabs on you is the excuse I use.”
I roll my eyes, but I’m lit up inside. When he says things like that, I can’t help but swoon.
“What are we doing this evening?” Nic asks. “I’m hungry.”
“Are you okay?” Matt immediately asks her, concerned.
“I’m fine.” Nic turns to me. “Don’t mind him. He freaks out when I talk about food. I’m diabetic.”
“Punishments happen when you make light of it,” he says calmly, as if he’s reminding her, and my eyebrows climb into my hairline.
“Excuse me?”
“It’s okay,” Nic assures me. “These are punishments that I like.”
I glance at Asher, who just coughs into his fist and pretends not to say, “Pervert,” making us all laugh.
“Okay then.” I glance around, clearly missing the joke. “Well, it’s about dinner time anyway. Why don’t we head into the French Quarter to eat?”
“Perfect,” Nic says. I nod my head in agreement and remember that I was supposed to stop by my apartment after class to change into a cute sundress and matching bra and panties I’d bought about a month ago, just in case I ever started to date again.
This counts.
“Why don’t you guys go ahead?” I cover the cupcakes and set them aside before I devour the rest. “I will meet you. I have to swing by my apartment.”
“No.” Asher frowns and crosses his arms over his chest. “No way.”
“You’re being silly.” I roll my eyes. “I’ll be there in just a little bit.”
“There’s a killer out there,” Asher reminds me. “No.”
“I’ll ride with her,” Nic offers with a smile. “We’ll have girl time that way. You can drive Matt into the French Quarter, get us a table, have a beer, and we’ll be right behind you.”
Asher shakes his head, but I lay my hand on his arm. “Asher. Nothing has happened in weeks. We’ll be fine.”
“What do you need at your apartment?”
I grin and bat my eyelashes. “Casey isn’t coming home tonight. That means I get to sleep with you all night. And I might have something pretty to show you.”
His face softens, and he cups my jaw in his hand, then leans in and presses his lips to mine. “Okay. Please be careful.”
“Don’t you know? Careful is my middle name.”
* * * *
“So,” Nic begins about five minutes away from the townhouse. “Tell me about Asher.”
“Well, he has dark hair, gorgeous eyes. He’s tall, not quite as tall as Matt. His arms are To. Die. For. Seriously, he’s got muscles on his arms for days.”
Nic laughs.
“Okay, tell me about you and Asher.”
I glance at her, to find her smiling at me. “Well, I’m completely in love with him.”
“Duh.”
I blink and change lanes.
“That obvious, huh?”
“Oh yeah.” Nic nods. “What do you love about him?”
“His arms,” I reply immediately and then sober as a flood of responses fill my head. “The way he holds me. His arms are hot, but they’re also strong and when he holds me, it’s the safest I’ve ever felt.” I turn down my street. “His laugh. Sharing his coffee with me in the morning. The way he touch
es my face when he kisses me. How much he loves his daughter, and how he parents her.”
“That’s a lot.”
“And it’s only the beginning,” I reply honestly. “There’s so much to love about him.” I pull to a stop, put the car in park, and turn to my new friend.
“You’re right.” Nic smiles reassuringly. “There is a lot to love about him, and I’m very glad that you see that. How did you meet?”
“On an airplane last summer.” I grin, cut the engine, and turn to look at Nic. “I fell in his lap.”
“In his lap?” She giggles. “Do tell.”
“Well, we had arrived here, and I was standing, trying to get my bag from the overhead compartment, and this man pushed me, sending me right into Asher’s lap.” I worry my bottom lip between my teeth. “I noticed his arms then, too. He laughed, planted his hands on my hips, and helped me up.”
“Hot,” Nic says and waves her hand over her face.
“So hot,” I agree. “Was that a test?”
“Of course.”
“Did I pass?”
“With flying colors. You’re good for him. I see changes in him, all for the better. His eyes aren’t sad anymore.” Her own eyes fill with tears as she thinks. “And when he looks at you, he lights up. It’s beautiful, and I’m happy for both of you.”
“Thank you.” Her words have lit me up inside. “I’ll be back in a few.”
“I’ll be here,” she says and pulls her phone out of her bag. “I’ll just text my sister-in-law, Brynna, and let her know we arrived safely.”
“Great.” I jog up the steps to my apartment and let myself in. It’s strange to be here. It almost doesn’t feel like mine anymore. It smells musty, the way a place does when you’ve been on an extended vacation.
I walk back to the bedroom, grab the dress and underwear from my closet, and am about to change when I hear footsteps behind me.
“You can make yourself at home. I wouldn’t want to wait in the car either. It’s hot out there. I’ll be right out.”
“Hello, Lila.”
I spin, shocked that it isn’t Nic that’s let herself into my apartment, but Colin from class.
“Colin? What are you doing in here?”
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