Chapter 19
Nineteen
C ool night air whispered over Asher’s still overheated skin as he got out of the car at Esther’s. He opened the rear door and retrieved his backpack, then walked around to her side, waiting while she gathered her things. “I had fun tonight. I didn’t think I would when I saw where we were.”
She backed out of the car, slinging her bag over her shoulder, and smiled up at him. “I’m glad. I love skating. Liv and I go a lot. You picked it up pretty quickly.” Her smile broadened. “But you still lost our bet.”
He had. Quite spectacularly. Cornering still made him uncomfortable, so around every bend he’d slowed. Esther hadn’t. She’d whipped around them like a professional Indy car driver, red ponytail flowing behind her, waving the checkered flag on his defeat.
“The question now is which inflatable to buy for you to wear?” She laid a finger on the tip of her chin and looked away in thought.
The mischief in her eyes set off the firestorm of need that had been building in Asher’s gut all evening. Her adorableness was officially off the charts, and he couldn’t take it anymore.
Crowding her against the car, he brushed the flyaway hairs back from her face. “I’ll wear whatever you want, wherever you want.”
The smile on her face faded as their gazes locked. Asher slid his hand back, cradling the side of her head as he leaned closer. Giving her every chance to back away, he held her gaze, making sure she knew his intentions. She brought a hand up to clutch his wrist, but she didn’t push him away. Asher closed the distance and kissed her.
This time, he was prepared for the onslaught of need that punched him in the gut.
Or so he thought.
It didn’t surprise him, but it still stole his breath. The only thing his body wanted was her. Not air or anything else. Just Esther.
So, he gave it what it wanted and deepened the kiss, super-charging the flames already racing through him. Plunging into the depths of her mouth, he tasted her, learning every corner. She did the same. In moments, they were pressed together, their hands roaming and the passion flaring higher.
The ache in his pants became almost unbearable, and he pulled back, needing to know where she stood on where this was going. He knew where he wanted it to go, but he was a man; it’s where his body always wanted to go.
Forehead pressed to hers, he sucked in a breath. “Essy, I want to take this inside. If you don’t, that’s fine, but we need to stop before I explode.”
She sucked that bottom lip between her teeth and nibbled on it, pulling a strangled groan from him. He wanted to be the one to bite that lip. Of their own accord, his hands squeezed her butt, tipping her belly into his hips.
Her eyelids fluttered and her mouth parted. Asher clenched his teeth and forced himself not to pounce.
She slid her hands up his chest to tangle in his hair. “When you said you’d wear anything I wanted, did that include nothing?” A sexy smirk emerged as she spoke.
“Hell yes.” Asher pounced.
With one tug, he had her body molded to his. Burrowing his fingers into her hair, he loosened her ponytail, pulling out the band that held it in place. The silky tresses cascaded over his hand. He gripped her hair, holding her steady as he deepened their kiss.
The wind gusted, blowing strands of the unbound tresses over their faces. Asher pulled back to stare at her. “We should take this inside. But first… are you sure?” He searched her now midnight blue gaze, looking for misgivings. All he saw was raw, unadulterated need. It matched what burned in his chest.
“I know it’s crazy. It might not end well. But I don’t care. Edie’s always telling me I’m too cautious. I’ve never had anything—or anyone—give me a good enough reason not to be.”
“And I do?”
“Yes. I want to pinch myself every time you look at me like I’m beautiful. I know I’m pretty, but I’m not a supermodel.”
Asher growled. “Supermodels don’t hold a candle to you. In a sea of them, I’d always find you.” Her happy smile, bright blue eyes, and the smattering of freckles on her pretty face held his attention more than the most exotic face ever would. She was stunning.
Color bloomed on her cheeks. “In any case, I like how you make me feel. It’s not just the beauty thing. You make me laugh. And you listen.”
He held her gaze, digesting her words. “I don’t want this to be a one-time thing, Esther. I know it will complicate things, but I think I want this to be more than a fling that only lasts for as long as I’m here.” He hadn’t given the two of them much serious thought, but now that it was staring him in the face, he couldn’t imagine going back to his life without her being a part of it. Especially if they finished what they’d started. “If you’re not all right with that, we need to go inside and go our separate ways for the night.”
He could see the debate raging in her mind through her expressive eyes. A hint of fear and uncertainty appeared, but need and something else he couldn’t put his finger on pushed it away. The apprehension stayed, but determination held it at bay.
“I’m up for that. Wherever it might lead us.”