I reach over to his pillow and feel the cool indent of where his head laid last night. Once we finally made it to his room, we followed up the wall sex with more wall sex, except in the shower. Then another two rounds in bed. The last time, he made sweet, passionate love to me, taking his time and thoroughly exploring every part of my body, never removing his eyes from me. I was a quivering mess, begging him to take me, when he slowly sank inside my body. It was one of the most tender moments of my life. One that I will always remember and cherish.
I sit up in bed, holding the sheet to my naked chest, and spy Asher sitting in a chair that’s in the corner. He’s back in his jeans from last night, button undone, legs spread wide out in front, barefoot and no shirt. He looks incredibly sexy sitting there with both his arms resting on the armrest; one hand lifted and a thumb rubbing across his bottom lip. I just don’t understand why he’s over there and not in bed with me. The sheets are cool on his side, indicating he’s been there for a while.
My brows dip down in confusion. “Why are you…” I stop when something draws my attention to the right. I look over and freeze. There, on the cherry wood nightstand, sitting next to the lamp and my phone is a big vase that has to have at least two dozen sterling silver roses. I try to gulp down the lump in my throat, but it lodges itself there and won’t move. I feel like I can’t breathe. My heart is pounding so hard I feel it all the way to my toes.
Did Sterling find out where we’re staying? Why would he send me flowers here? Especially after the text he sent me the night before last. Is this his way of saying he’s not letting me go?
Forcing my gaze from the vase, I move them back to Asher. He hasn’t moved from his spot, and he’s still watching me intently. His eyes bore into mine, making me nervous. Is he mad at me for Sterling sending my weekly flowers here? I certainly wouldn’t blame him. I wasn’t at work the day I normally get them. I’m surprised it didn’t cross my mind, but then again, I was preoccupied getting things ready for this trip.
I stop breathing, not sure what to say to him. From his comment the other night, he obviously knows I get the flowers every week. I had no way of knowing Sterling would find out where we are and still send them.
A look to my left shows another vase full of roses, then another on the dresser, and another on the desk. Looking around, I see them everywhere. How could I have missed them when I first sat up.
An ache forms in my chest. I’ve decided to tell Sterling I can’t be with him, but seeing all these flowers has my heart hurting. Why does this have to happen now? Why do two good men have to come into my life at the same time?
I turn sad eyes back to Asher, ready to explain. “Asher…” my words stop in my throat when he lifts his phone from where it was sitting on his leg and starts typing out a message.
I’m confused again. Why does he choose now to fiddle with his phone?
My phone pings from the nightstand. Now isn’t the time to be playing with my phone, so I leave it there. When it pings again a second later, Asher lifts his head and looks at me. His eyes flicker over to my phone, and understanding dawns. He sent me a message. Wearily, and with shaking hands, I grab it.
My stomach bottoms out when I see the name displayed on the phone.
Sterling: To make up for missing my normal delivery.
And then another message.
Sterling: A
I glance up and find Asher’s penetrating green eyes on me. Without looking down, his finger presses down on his phone, right before my phone pings again.
I get a sick feeling in stomach as I look down.
Sterling: S
Another ping.
Sterling: H
And another.
Sterling: E
Sterling: R
Sterling: K
ASHERK
Asher Knight
AESRKH
Oh. My. God!
Sterling, my mystery man, is none other than Asher Knight—my boss! The man I’ve been sleeping with.
With my heart in my throat and my breaths coming out in pants, I look back up at Asher, who looks like he’s preparing to spring from the chair and come after me. His hands are gripping the arms so tight, it wouldn’t surprise me if they splintered apart. His jaw ticks and his eyes are blazing with fire.