Chapter 17 #2
“It has to be related. It’s too much of a coincidence,” I mutter, and Barrett nods, handing me back the picture.
“I know I thought differently before, but now I’m inclined to agree. I really should stay here with you. You need protection.”
Crossing my arms over my chest, I raise a brow. “Really? I need protection?”
“You’re not invincible, Lily. It’s a high paying hit. Professionals are most likely to take the job.”
“I’m a professional, Barrett. Anyone who comes after me is going to lose.”
Sighing, he runs his hand through his dark hair, looking more frazzled than I’ve seen him in… well, ever. “I’m going to reach out to some of my contacts. See who can help from afar.”
“Not family, though, right?” I ask, and he shakes his head.
“Not family.” He bobs his head towards my bedroom door. “Any chance you’re willing to tell your toy boy out there about this? Maybe he can give you an added layer of protection.”
“Absolutely not,” I snap, shoving the pictures back inside the envelope. “You know, the twins have no idea about what I do, or about the Marx family. I intend on keeping it that way, and telling Asher could ruin that.”
“Devon really wants to meet his nephews.”
I take a step back as if Barrett slapped me. “Absolutely not!”
“Okay, fine.” He lifts calming hands. “Let’s table that for now.”
“For good,” I grumble, and Barrett chuckles.
“I’m hoping to stay nearby until this threat is eliminated. I have some work to do in Paris, but if anything seems unusual or something happens, call me immediately. Do not fucking hesitate.”
I nod up at my cousin, and his features soften before he pulls me in for a quick hug.
If the person sending the pictures is the same person sending the texts, and also has put a professional hit out on me, I swear this will be a lot easier, because the alternative is that there are now three people out to get me in one way or another.
Barrett and I go back out into the living area where Asher is pretending to clean, and after another awkward statement from Barrett, he leaves.
Once we’re alone again, Asher’s eyes find mine, and I can’t hide the helplessness I’m feeling. I drag my gaze from his and move to the glass doors, looking out into my backyard as I wrap my arms around myself.
“Sorry about Barrett,” I mutter, and my eyes find Asher’s reflection in the glass behind me.
He doesn’t know I can see him, so my heart sinks at the look of despair on his face.
“Did he try to talk you out of seeing me?” Asher asks, and I shrug.
“Kind of.”
Asher sighs, dragging a frustrated hand through his dark hair. “Did it work?”
I turn around then, not wanting to hide that I can see his expression.
“I should listen to him. This thing…” I gesture between us, “is crazy.”
“Crazy doesn’t mean it’s wrong,” Asher states, and I tilt my head as I study his strong jawline and the dusting of facial hair there.
“Doesn’t it?”
“I’ve asked you this before, but I’ll ask you again.” Asher takes a step closer. So close that if I reach out, I’ll be able to feel the searing skin of his chest. “Does what we’re doing feel wrong?”
I open my mouth to speak, but then snap it shut again, unsure how to answer that. Asher takes that moment to close the distance between us, reaching out and taking each hand, unwrapping my arms from my chest.
When he links our fingers, our arms dropping to our sides, my heart flutters.
Why is the simple act of linking hands with him so impactful?
“Does my touch feel wrong to you?” He leans down, pressing his lips to the corner of my mouth. “Does my kiss feel wrong?” He drops one hand to graze his fingers over my mound. “Does the way I make you come feel wrong?”
“No,” I say breathlessly, and Asher nods before running his thumb over my bottom lip.
“So, are you still with me?”
“I should say no. My life right now is more complicated than this thing between you and me. I have a lot of… other stuff going on.” I try to take a step back, but Asher tightens his grip on me.
“Like what?”
I shake my head, stepping to the side to break his contact.
“I’m sorry. I’m having some business issues. It’s all just a lot right now.”
Asher’s eyes narrow as he studies me, his head tilting as he takes his time.
“That’s not a good enough excuse, Lil. I’ve waited years to be old enough to find the right time to show you how I really feel. I’m not backing down. You can either share your worries with me and let me carry them too, or you can keep them from me, but either way, I’m not backing off.”
Instead of sinking, my heart flips. Asher Scott will fight for me. Hell, he’d probably burn this town to the ground just to please me.
Grinning, I shake my head. “You always were stubborn. Never could convince you to change your mind once you made it up about something.”
He grins. “It’s only gotten worse as I’ve gotten older.” He steps up to me, taking my hands again. “Now, are you gonna tell me what your worries are, or would you just like me to fuck them away?”
A laugh bursts free before I can stop it, and my cheeks heat as my anxiety starts to subside.
“I wish you could.”
Asher smirks. “Challenge accepted, Mummy Bennett.”
“Oh my God! Stop with that. It’s not a thing.” I push him back and try to dart away, but he catches me, pressing his chest to my back and wrapping his hands around my waist before brushing his lips over my ear.
“It really is a thing. I bet you’re dripping right now.”
“Yeah,” I giggle. “From your cum running down my leg.”
He growls. It’s so primal that it instantly heats me up from head to toe.
“Jesus, Asher. We can’t just fuck all the time.”
“We absolutely can.” He nips at my ear as he walks me forward to the bench.
“I have stuff to do,” I complain, but my tone holds no merit.
“Like what?” He presses me against the bench and pushes my head forward until my chin meets the cool stone surface.
“Cleaning. Laundry. S-stuff.” I stutter the last word as he works my pants down, exposing my arse to the room.
“I can do all of those things for you as soon as I’m done eating.”
“Wha—”
My breath hitches as Asher buries his face between my arse cheeks and runs his tongue up the seam of my arse.
“Ash… stop. I haven’t had a chance to clean up from before.” I try to stand, but his hand presses firmly on my spine, keeping me in place.
Shit. I’m all icky down there. Yes, it’s his mess, but still.
Releasing my back, Asher uses both hands to shift my legs wider, before he dips down to run his tongue through the folds of my pussy.
Holy shit. This is so filthy. I’m so fucking dirty but, ohhhh my… Asher’s tongue laps at me, cleaning me, eating me like a man starved.
I shouldn’t like this as much as I am, but my body is here for it, my pussy grinding on his face as he starts sucking over my entrance. The animal in me slams into existence, and I let go, riding his face, squeezing my inner walls to push out all the mess inside me, right into his mouth.
I explode before I even realise I’m going to, and I cry out, mashing my pussy against his face over and over until my legs are shaking and sweat paints my skin.
As soon as I come down from my high, my legs turn to jelly, and Asher comes up for air, his voice husky with lust.
“Fuck, that was hot.”
I grin and push him backwards with my arse, his grunt telling me he fell back to the floor, and I turn to show him my smile.
“You’re a dirty, filthy man, Asher Scott.”
His lips spread wide and his teeth flash as he nods with pride.
“And don’t you fucking forget it.”
“Never.” I giggle, stepping over him. “And now that I’m all clean, I’m gonna need you to dirty me up again.”
He throws his head back, laughing, before grabbing my hips and dragging me to straddle him on the floor.
“Sit on my cock, Lily. Ride me until my cum is oozing from your cunt.”