Restrictions (Sterling Family #2)

13. Asher

13

ASHER

T he doorbell rings, and I hear Viv holler from upstairs in her room, “Oh no! He’s early. Asher, can you please get the door?”

Fucking great . “Yeah,” I yell back up the stairs as I pry myself from the couch and walk to the door. The last thing I want to do is greet the douchebag taking Viv out on a date tonight, but I guess I should.

I pull open the door and look confused when Sawyer is standing there. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

She said it was a guy from class, not Sawyer. “You still pissed about the other night?”

I nod. “Yup.” I look up the stairs and then back at Sawyer. “Are you taking Viv out?”

“What?” Now he looks confused, ruffling his blond hair with his hand and shaking his head. “No. I’m not here for Vivienne. I thought you might want to hang out.” I look behind him, seeing no one is with him and feeling an odd sense of relief that he’s not the one taking Viv out. Although, I’m not thrilled about anyone with a dick taking her out if I’m being honest. “I didn’t bring Bianca. No worries.”

“What the fuck was that all about?”

He shrugs casually, placing a hand in his pocket. “I have no fucking clue, but you know she’s always had a thing for you. Maybe she’s jealous.”

“Of Viv?”

“Yeah. She thinks you’re fucking. I tried to set her straight, knowing that girl wears a chastity belt that’s unlockable, but she insists.”

Kinda hope he’s right about that, I’m not gonna lie. The thought of some fucker she just met getting into her panties fills me with inexplicable rage. “We aren’t. But I’m not interested in Bianca.”

“Probably shouldn’t have fucked her then.”

“You’re one to talk, asshole.”

He chuckles and nods behind me. “So, can I come in or what?”

“I’m watching Sebastian tonight.”

“Oh yeah? Why? Where’s Viv going?”

I move out of the way, allowing him to walk in. “A date.”

“Holy shit. The ice queen has a date?” I close the door behind him, irritated with the nickname.

“Don’t call her that.”

“Oh come on, man. It’s the perfect nickname for her. You know how many ice-cold showers Casey had to take dating her? Fucker’s balls were always blue.”

“I don’t give a fuck about Casey’s balls.”

He laughs and flops on the couch, propping his feet up on the ottoman and making himself at home. “Just saying. So who’s the poor sucker dating her now?”

His attitude toward Viv pisses me the fuck off, but I assume he hit on her at one point and got turned down cold, and this is just his passive-aggressive way of handling it.

“Some guy from school.”

“Hope he likes cold showers.”

“Stop, asshole. I mean it. Or I’ll kick your ass out too.”

He laughs. “Where’s the kid?”

“He’s helping Viv get ready. And it’s just going to be a night of cartoons and pizza. You might as well go to a party or something.”

He shrugs. “Nah. I’m already here.” He tucks his arm behind his head, getting even more comfortable. “And besides, I like cartoons and pizza as much as the next guy. ”

“I need new friends.”

He chuckles, but my attention is no longer on him as Baz runs down the stairs followed by Viv. And it’s her I can’t unglue my eyes from.

Holy. Shit.

Sawyer must notice my lack of response to whatever joke he made and turns around, letting out a low whistle as Viv approaches the last step.

I’ve never seen her dressed like this, and I can’t look away. Her dress is navy, with thin straps and is low-cut, showing more cleavage than I’ve ever fucking seen on her. I had no idea how perky and full her tits were until now. The dress is cinched at the waist with a brown belt, showing off her tanned, toned calves. She left her hair down but curled it and is wearing her makeup a little darker than normal with her lips painted red.

Fuck, she’s gorgeous.

“Damn, Viv. You clean up nice.”

Suddenly I have the urge to poke Sawyer’s eyes out as I walk toward her and try to come up with something to say that doesn’t make me sound like an asshole or like I want to hump her leg. “You look nice.”

She smiles, grabbing a clutch-style purse. “Thank you.” Her eyes stay on Sawyer and then slide over to me suspiciously.

“It’s just him. Bianca’s not here,” I assure her.

“Yup, just here to supervise him watching the kid.” Sebastian jumps on the couch next to Sawyer, showing him his newest toy, and I laugh. Sawyer can’t be all bad if Baz likes him. The kid is an excellent judge of character.

“Yeah, I’ll watch them both. Don’t worry.”

She nods, still giving me the cold shoulder after how I reacted when she told me she had a date. But if she seriously thinks her being a mom won’t be a big deal, she has a rude awakening coming, and I don’t like it.

“Thank you. I won’t be gone long.”

“Oh, come on, Viv. You dressed up all nice.” Sawyer pivots so he’s looking over the back of the couch at her again. “You did your hair.” His eyes slide down her legs, and I feel that rage boiling back up again. “I’m sure you shaved your legs.” His eyes float higher. “Maybe other things. ”

I move my body further in front of Viv, blocking Sawyer’s view. “Shut up.”

Baz turns his whole little body around looking at me. “Umm... Mommy says we aren’t supposed to say that.”

Shit. I look at Viv, who smiles over at Baz. “That’s right. We say ‘be quiet.’”

“Sorry, little man.” I look over at Sawyer, deadly serious. “Be. Quiet.”

He laughs and turns back around, gaining Baz’s full attention again. I focus on Viv, keeping my voice low. “I’m sorry about the other day.”

She noticeably tenses and tries to wave it off. “It’s fine.”

My eyes won’t stay off her tits, and I have to mentally force myself not to keep looking down at them. What the fuck is wrong with me? “It’s not. I was an ass, but I think you should tell him sooner rather than later.”

“He’s picking me up here. Baz is awake. It’s no big deal. He’s going to find out.”

“You sure about this, Viv?”

She looks so fucking frustrated, and I don’t blame her, but seriously, who is this douchebag? The doorbell rings again, and her heels click on the wood floor as she heads in that direction, looking back over her shoulder at me. “It will be fine.”

She opens the door, letting in some frat brother, linebacker-type motherfucker with a smile that’s way too fucking bright. I don’t trust him at all as he looks her up and down, grinning like a fool. “Wow. You look amazing.”

Viv smiles nervously, gesturing for him to come in. “Thank you. I need to grab my jacket, and then I’ll be ready to go.”

He nods, walking inside, his eyes locking with mine, and then his grin fades instantly. “Oh, hello.”

Viv looks back at me. “Oh, this is um...” She has no idea how to describe me. “This is Asher.” She turns back to her date, and I roll my eyes, annoyed by this shitshow. “He’s...”

I walk over to the guy and hold out my hand for him. “Asher Sterling.”

He nods his head, still clearly confused as he shakes my hand. “William Stanley. ”

I see his surprised expression as Sebastian runs over to his mom, grabbing her leg as she pulls her jacket from the hook. “Mommy! Are you leaving?”

Here we go.

William looks down at Baz and then back at Viv. “Mommy?”

Vivienne is clearly anxious as she slips her arms through her jacket and brushes her hand over the top of Sebastian’s head. “Yes. This is my son, Sebastian.”

He nods to Sebastian and gives him a weak wave. Baz just holds onto his mom, eyeing the stranger. William then looks back at me. “You’re his father?”

I shake my head. “Uncle.”

“It’s a really long story.” Vivienne fluffs her hair and zips her jacket. “I’ll tell you all about it over dinner, if you still want to go.”

William looks over at her again, his smile back. “Of course.” But I don’t miss the hesitance.

Does she?

“Great.” She kneels down in front of Sebastian. “I’m going out to eat with my friend William. Will you do me a huge favor and watch Sawyer and Asher? I’m not sure they should be left home alone.”

She’s good.

Sebastian nods his head with determination. “I can do it.”

“Good boy. Mommy won’t be gone long, okay?” She kisses his nose and gives him a great big hug before standing and joining this William asshole.

“Okay, Mommy. Have fun. I stay here.”

She smiles, and I know it’s hard for her to leave him. Especially for something she wants to do for herself. I shouldn’t make it any harder on her.

I walk them to the door. “He’ll be fine.”

She smiles at that, and I see her take a nervous breath. “Thank you. I won’t be out late.”

I don’t look at her date. “Have a good time. You deserve nothing but the best.” I eye this new fucker, giving him a silent warning as he motions for her to go with him.

“Shall we? ”

She nods, and I watch them go out to his BMW, closing the door and joining Sawyer and Baz on the couch.

“Pizza?” Sebastian asks hopefully, and I laugh, pulling my phone out of my pocket to order some.

My mind on Viv on her date.

He better not hurt her, or I’ll rearrange his pretty little face.