Lexie wouldn't stop, though. Her wanting a commitment had reached an all-time high this last month.
He probably had his friends to thank for that. Seeing Luca commit to Evie and now Eden with Shylah. It had seemed to light a fire in Lexie.
He liked her. A lot.
He was infatuated with the woman, but did that mean he wanted to throw her into the world of Project Arma, genetically altered soldiers and drugs that made you want to kill? Hell no.
Experiencing the effects of Toved firsthand had just solidified Asher's decision. The drug was a biological weapon, damn it. Eden may have had the capacity to not hurt Shylah, but Asher doubted he had the same willpower.
When Asher didn't respond, Luca took a step closer to his friend. "You know it's okay to let her in. Tell her about us. We all trust her. You're allowed to have a genuine relationship with her, Striker."
Glancing back over at Lexie's bright red hair and serene face, Asher inwardly winced at the idea. No way was he dumping all that shit on her doorstep.
"No. I can't do that, Rocket."
Silent for a moment, Luca shrugged. "Then, you need to be prepared to possibly lose her."
Shit. Could Asher watch her walk away? That would damn near destroy him. But it might be better than knowing he messed up her perfect life.
"Whatever decision she makes is her own," Asher said dismissively.
"Idiot," Luca muttered.
Luca didn't get it.
Shaking his head, Asher looked back to his friend. "How's Evie?" Asher asked, keen to get off the topic of Lexie.
Raising a brow at the change of subject, Luca shrugged. "That woman never ceases to amaze me with her strength."
Damn straight. After what she'd been through, she was a fucking warrior.
"We visited Hunter and Shylah last night. Everything seems to be back to normal. Well, their new normal."
"I still can't believe Hunter didn't kill Shylah. That drug is brutal. I wanted to kill everyone in sight. Especially you guys because your scent was most familiar to me." Watching as Lexie dropped some envelopes in a drawer, Asher clenched his fists. "I hope I'm never on it around Lex."
Placing his hand on Asher's shoulder, Luca gave it a squeeze. "Don't underestimate yourself, Striker."
Turning away, Luca had only taken a step before he turned his head back to Asher for a moment. "I almost forgot, Shylah mentioned to Evie that Lex was at the hospital the other week. Said she seemed a bit scattered, and when she saw Shylah, she turned to leave."
"What the hell? Why was she there?" Freezing on the spot, Asher's eyes zoomed in on Lexie.
Was she sick? Ice filled Asher's veins at the possibility.
Eyes flashing to Lexie then back to Asher, Luca's brow lifted. "I think that's a question for your woman."
Not bothering to correct Luca on the "his woman" part, Asher went to the desk.
Screw this "ignoring him" shit. He wanted answers, and he wanted them now.
"Lexie."
Lexie's head immediately lifted at the sound of his voice. An emotion that he couldn't identify flashed over her face before it vanished.
Longing maybe? That might have been wishful thinking on Asher's part. Before he could analyze it, she masked all emotion on her face.
"Hello, Asher. How can I help you this morning?"
Asher's blood boiled at the formality in her voice.
"Lex, can I talk to you for a moment? Maybe in the office."
"Sure, we can talk. But I'd prefer to talk out here." Lexie's distant smile did nothing to settle the frustration inside him.
Fine, if that's how she wanted to play it.
"I heard you went to the hospital the other day. Are you okay?"
The blank mask faded, and anger took its place. "Does no one get any privacy in this town? Shylah shouldn't have said anything. I'm fine, like I told her, I was visiting a friend."
Turning back to the envelopes, Lexie all but dismissed him.
Not deterred, Asher rounded the desk and stood close to Lexie. Too close for a friend to stand, but it still felt too damn far for him.
Lexie's wide eyes flashed up at him. Standing this close, Asher saw new shadows under her eyes. Her skin was also more pale than usual. Her normal glow strangely missing.
Placing his hand on her back, Asher immediately felt the zing of electricity he always felt when he touched her. "I want to be there for you if you need me, Lex."
Lexie's face immediately changed at his words. If he thought she had looked mad before, that was nothing compared to the fire her eyes were spitting at him now.
"Actually, no. What you want from me is sex, Asher." Her voice rose. He wouldn't be surprised if all the guys in the building had heard, no super hearing needed. "That is something you have made abundantly clear. So, if you aren't going to share your personal shit, then get used to me not sharing mine."
Grinding his teeth, Asher ignored the eyes of his brothers on him. "Lex, you know I care about you."
Rolling her eyes, Lexie turned back to the papers. "Was there anything else, Asher?"
Before he could respond, the door to Marble opened, and Evie strolled up to the desk.
"Hey, Lex, I'm here to take over for the last couple of hours."
"Great," Lexie muttered, grabbing her bag from below the counter. Evie's eyes darted between the two of them, but she remained silent.
Pushing past Asher, Lexie didn't spare him so much as a glance. Stopping at Evie's side, Lexie gave her friend a quick hug before walking out of the building.
Hell no. If Lexie thought they would leave it like that, she was dead wrong.
Storming out behind her, Asher reached Lexie before she got to her car. Grabbing her arm, Lexie stopped but didn't turn, forcing Asher to walk around her.
Dropping his hand from her arm and studying her face, Lexie refused to meet his eye. "What is going on with you, Lexie? You and I work great together, why are you pulling away?"
Lexie's eyes closed for a moment before opening them. When she did, there was a mixture of exhaustion and fear clouding them.
"You don't get it, do you, Asher? I can't do casual with you anymore. We've been doing it for months, but I want more. I need more." Taking a small step closer to Asher, Lexie's voice lowered a fraction. "I care about you. Like 'give you the key to my apartment, plan a future together' care."
Asher had no words. He cared about Lexie too, so damn much. But he didn't know if he could give her what she wanted. He was a tornado of baggage.
When the silence lengthened, the hurt on Lexie's face was like a dagger through Asher's heart.
Before Asher could blink, all sadness on Lexie's face was masked with anger. "We're done. Please don't come to my apartment anymore. Don't call me. I'm the receptionist at your business, and that's it."
Moving to step around Asher, he latched onto her arm again, not able to let her leave like this.
As Lexie turned, her breathing suddenly changed. That was the only warning Asher got before her eyes fluttered closed, and her legs gave out.
Catching Lexie before she hit the ground, she blinked a few times before grabbing onto his shoulders.
"Jesus, Lex, are you okay? Do you need a doctor?"
Taking a few breaths, Lexie seemed to compose herself before pushing off his body. Asher allowed her to put some space between them but kept a firm hold on her arm.
"I'm fine, Asher. I just haven't eaten." Her eyes flickered to his face again, then away.
"Okay, let's eat."
Standing that bit taller, Lexie's voice firmed as she spoke. "Asher, please remove your hand from my arm."
Slowly untangling his fingers, Asher knew he would catch her in time if she fell anyway.
"I respect your decision that you don't want to make a commitment to me, but you need to respect mine as well. If we can't date, we can't be anything."
Asher wanted to argue. God, he was one step away from throwing the woman over his shoulder and making love to he
r until she took it all back.
One look at her set expression, and he knew he would not get anywhere. He also didn't want her passing out on him again.
Worry about her too pale features set in again.
"At least let me drive you home, Lex. You just about passed out on me."
Swallowing, Lexie took her keys out of her purse. "I've got an apple in my bag, I'll be fine." Eyes darting to her car door before flicking back to Asher, the sadness returned. "I'll see you next shift, Asher."
Asher remained silent as he watched her climb into her car.
What the hell else could he say? She wanted a relationship, he didn't. There was no getting around that.
Lexie backed out of her parking spot, and Asher watched her drive away.
Whenever she wasn't there, Asher felt hollow. He had to figure out what he was going to do and figure it out fast. Because he refused to lose her from his life. She was too damn important.
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Also by Nyssa Kathryn
PROJECT ARMA SERIES
(SERIES ONGOING)
Uncovering Project Arma
Luca
Eden
Asher
Mason
About the Author
Nyssa Kathryn is a romantic suspense author. She lives in South Australia with her daughter and hubby and takes every chance she can to be plotting and writing. Always an avid reader of romance novels, she considers alpha males and happily-ever-afters to be her jam.
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Eden: A steamy contemporary military romance (Project Arma Book 2) Page 22