Chapter 12 #2
“Hey!” Jesse walks in, grinning when he spots me. “I heard you were coming.”
I lift a brow. The last time I saw Jesse was during our chaotic ladies’ night. The one Asher had to drive us home from. Since then, he’s had a bit of a life change, too, building a relationship with Skyler – the sister who had no idea he existed until a few months ago.
I blink away the memories of that night as Jesse pulls me into a hug. He smells of sea air.
“Let me guess,” I say as he lets me go. “Autumn told you to babysit me?”
He smirks. “If she did, I’ll never admit it. Not that you need me looking after you. Her big brother’s got that covered.”
“Hudson?” I ask. “He’s too busy being loved up with Skyler and planning world domination to worry about me.”
Jesse shakes his head. “Not Hudson. Asher.”
Even hearing his name sends a shiver down my spine. I force a shrug.
“I know he’s a security genius, but even he can’t monitor me from New York.”
“He’s not in New York,” Jesse says casually. “He’s here.”
My stomach drops. “Here, like… on Liberty?”
Now Autumn’s joining Charlie on my imaginary murder list. I’m not sure who ranks higher.
Below, I decide. Because at least Autumn doesn’t know there’s… something between me and her brother. Or there was. But it’s over. Done. History. God, I wish my brain would shut up.
“Here, as in walking into the coffee shop,” Jesse says, right as the bell above the door jingles.
My skin prickles as a warm gust of air hits my back.
No. No no no.
The last time I saw Asher Fitzgerald, I was stomping out of Myles’ club, muttering something about a boyfriend I don’t have and trying to hang on to the last shred of my dignity.
What the hell is he doing on the island?
I turn slowly, like I’m in a horror movie where the killer is wearing tailored slacks and smells of cedarwood and sin.
His dark eyes meet mine and his unflinching gaze sends a shiver down my spine.
“Francie,” he says, like it’s totally normal that we’re both standing in the same coffee shop on the world’s tiniest island.
“Here’s your drink,” Mylene says, handing me my iced matcha. I blink at her, realizing I never paid.
I double tap my phone, reach for the payment terminal, only to see another phone has beat me to it.
Asher slides his phone back into his pocket.
“I can pay for my own drink,” I mutter.
He doesn’t acknowledge me. Just looks at Mylene. “Can I have an espresso? To go.”
She gives him a warm smile, zero shade. “You don’t need to tell me,” she purrs. “I know you like your coffee hot and dark.”
Kill me now. Seriously, bury my body so deep I never have to go through something like this again.
“I’ve gotta go,” Jesse says, backing toward the door. “I’m on the ferry tonight. You waiting for Simon?”
I nod. I don’t have a car. Truth be told, I never needed one in Manhattan. Renting one for a month felt excessive. Especially when I have a perfectly good lighthouse to hide in.
“You’ll be waiting a while,” Asher says. “I just saw him drive onto the ferry.”
My mouth drops open. “What?”
Great. That means I’ll be waiting at minimum an hour. Probably longer. Knowing Simon, he’ll stop off for a sandwich and a nap before circling back.
“Sheesh,” Jesse mutters. “I’d offer you a ride, but if I’m late again I’ll get written up.”
“I’ll take you,” Asher says.
Of course he will. In that stupid blue car. The one now burned into my memory as the scene of the crime. Or, more specifically, the scene of the orgasm.
“It’s fine,” I say quickly. “I’ll walk.”
He glances at the two massive suitcases at my feet. “It’s two miles,” he says flatly. “You’re not walking.”
God, I hate him.
Or at least I keep trying to.
I sigh loudly and dramatically, just so the universe knows that I’m not happy with this situation.
Then I look Asher straight in the eye.
“A ride would be great, thank you.”
“Autumn tells me you’re staying for a month,” Asher says as we drive along the coast road toward the lighthouse.
“Yep.” I keep my voice breezy. I’ve decided that being sullen in front of him is only playing into his hands. “I needed a break. Some fresh salty air is just the ticket.”
I can feel him scrutinizing my face, but I refuse to look at him.
“How does your boyfriend feel about you being away for so long?” he asks.
Oh shoot. I’d forgotten all about the imaginary guy that’s supposed to be providing me with security. “Um, he’s fine. He’s going to visit when he can,” I say. “But mostly he wants me to relax. He’s very lovely like that.”
“Hmm.” I don’t like the way Asher says it.
So I finally look over at him. Speaking of relaxed, he’s so laid back he’s practically horizontal.
Dressed in a white shirt, no tie, sleeves rolled up, his hair perfectly tousled from the breeze coming in through his open window, he could be the lead in an ad for a high end car right now.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask him.
“Nothing.”
“Oh come on, you can’t make a noise like that and say it means nothing. If you have something to say, just say it.”
He shifts gears, because of course he drives a stick shift. His movements are so fluid it’s stupidly attractive.
“If a guy lets a woman out of his sights for a month it means one of two things,” he says, like he’s the source of all knowledge when it comes to men and relationships.
“Either he’s not that into her…” He trails off as he turns the corner onto the little road that leads to the lighthouse.
It’s rocky and bumpy and there’s no suspension in this car so I find myself being jolted up and down like I’m riding a donkey.
“Of course he’s into me,” I say testily. Because if I’m going to have an imaginary boyfriend, I at least want him to adore me. It’d be awful if he was an asshole. “So what’s the other thing it means, Einstein?”
His lips twitch at the nickname. It doesn’t stop him from coming out with the killer blow though. “Or he doesn’t exist.” His voice is light, but his eyes are anything but. For a second, I see something fierce behind them. Possessive. Raw.
“Are you accusing me of lying?” I shoot back. “Maybe there’s a third option, genius.”
“What would that be?” he asks languidly. He comes to a stop outside the lighthouse, in the exact same spot he parked in last time.
My body shivers at the memory of how he touched me that night.
“That we’re grownups who trust each other and know that the other person is busy.”
Asher smirks. “I guess that’s a possibility.” He climbs out of the driver’s side, and I pull at the handle of my own door because there’s no way I’m going to let him open it for me. “So let’s say… what did you say his name was again?” he asks.
“Nice try,” I say as I climb out of the seat right as he reaches my side. “I’m not telling you, remember?”
“Well, when you think up a name, let me know,” he says, walking to the trunk of his car to pull out my suitcases. The trunk space is small, and they’re so tightly packed he has to yank the first one hard to get it out. He puts it on the ground and I reach for it before he lets go.
And immediately pull my hand away like it’s on fire.
Asher lets out a sigh. “I don’t have a disease. You don’t have to panic about touching me.” He reaches out and takes my hand. His palm is warm, his fingers soft as they curl around mine.
I’m not panicking. I’m just staring at those fingers and remembering. I let out a rough breath and bring my eyes up to his.
He looks at me like he can read my mind and knows exactly what I’m thinking about. My heart thuds against my chest as he slowly runs his thumb over my wrist.
“Does he know about us?” Asher asks, his voice low.
“There is no us.” My voice is unsteady. Actually, my whole body is and I have no idea why. He’s just holding my hand. He’s not touching me anywhere else. He’s certainly not twisting them inside of me like he did that night.
And yet, I’m as turned on as I was then. By a simple swipe of his thumb against my skin.
“I’m going to find out,” he murmurs. “You do know that?”
“Find out what?” I ask him. God, his hand is big. I try to remember what they say about guys with big hands. Or is it big feet?
I look down. They are at least size thirteen. Maybe bigger. Dear Lord.
“Find out his name. Or that he doesn’t exist.” He gives me the cockiest smile.
“Well, while you’re wasting your time, I’m going inside to call my boyfriend. He’s planning our next date. Maybe you’ll get to meet him then.”