Chapter 14 #2
He raises his brow, I think surprised I knew that little fact. “I like women, so sue me.” He shrugs, munching loudly on a spoonful of cereal.
“You like screwing women? A lot of them, from what I can gather?”
“Sure, that’s a fun part.” He scoops another huge mouthful and chews loudly. “Tell me, little princess, where did you disappear to while I was busy getting rid of Cruz tonight?”
I feel the blush rise over my chest and cheeks. “None of your business, Asher.” I look away, staring into my bowl so I don’t have to see the way he’s looking at me right now with a hunger I want to quench.
“You know I can see all the private suite bookings and who was in them.” His voice is playful, but I know he’s serious.
My eyes snap back up to him, my heart kicking up a beat. “Why do you care what I was doing?”
“I’m more curious, but I’m sure Cruz will care. He’s sensitive like that.”
Fuck, and now I know why I feel guilty. I was pissed with Cruz when I made the decision to test the waters of the private suites, but now that the excitement has faded, I feel kind of rotten about it.
I know we’re not in a relationship or anything, but he’s kind of been good to me.
And he was just trying to keep me safe, even if I’m not his to look after.
“Don’t I know it.” I sigh heavily, scooping the last mouthful in before I stand and place my bowl in the dishwasher. “I’m going to bed,” I throw over my shoulder. I think I need space away from him before I do anything else I’ll have to feel guilty for.
Asher hops up quickly and does the same, packing away his bowl and the box of cereal. “Can I come?” he asks, with that damn Labrador energy he has. If he were a dog, his tail would be thumping a happy rhythm against the floor, and his eyes would be pleading with me.
I stare back at him, my mouth popping open. “To my bed? Didn’t we already have this conversation? It was a big fat no, Ash.”
“Just to sleep, I promise. The couch gives me a kink in the neck.” He rubs his neck, his muscles bulging in his shirt. He knows what he’s doing, being irresistible.
“That’s because you’re huge.” I look him over, and there is something in his innocent puppy-dog eyes that makes me feel sorry for him.
This is probably how he does it, sleeps with so many women, because he’s just so hard to resist. He wears you down.
“You can sleep beside me, but you come over on my side of the bed or I feel anything poking me in the ass, you will be straight back on the sofa, kink in the neck or not.”
His grin widens, going all the way to his adorable dimples, and I have to wonder for a second why I’m so against screwing this man.
He’s hot as hell and totally unattached, he should be the perfect one-night stand, but he’s also Sloane’s brother and she warned him off me, and I know she wouldn’t have done that for no reason.
I also work with him, and his brother is all psycho over me.
There are just way too many reasons to stay away.
Disappearing into the bathroom, I slip my silk pajamas on and then brush my teeth.
When I get back into my room, Asher is already in bed, the sheets hardly covering him at all, his boxer-brief-wearing package and his bare chest on full display.
All smooth skin, ink, and muscles, I don’t know where to look, and the sexy bastard laughs, knowing the chaos he’s causing in my brain. “Did you have to strip completely?”
“Not completely. I can take these off if you want. I don’t normally wear anything to bed, but I was trying to be a good bed buddy.”
“Keep them on, Asher, or you’re on the sofa. Last warning,” I snip as I pull back the covers on my side. I take the extra pillow and place it between us as a physical barrier.
“Is that necessary?” He chuckles, having way too much fun with this.
“Very.”
He chuckles again, and I know he’s trying to rile me up. This is all some wicked game to him.
I flick off the light and lie back, pulling the covers up, staring at the ceiling.
I have no idea how I’m supposed to sleep.
My brain is wired, and it’s not just from having Asher in bed beside me with practically nothing on.
It’s everything from the last couple of nights. I sigh heavily, trying to relax.
“Can I hold your hand?” Asher asks, his voice soft and sleepy.
I glance over at him, not sure if he’s messing with me or not. But he looks serious, his hand outstretched for me.
I don’t know why, but there is just something about him that’s so hard to say no to, so I give him my hand. He interlaces our fingers and then closes his eyes, satisfied. The gesture is so sweet it’s almost jarring.
It’s not long before he’s asleep, the peaceful sound of his relaxed breathing making me feel sleepier already.
But I don’t close my eyes; instead, I watch him sleep.
He’s so gorgeous, with his long hair flopping over his eyes.
It’s darker than Cruz’s but still has some of the sandy-blond highlights.
His full lips are parted slightly, his chest rising and falling with every breath he takes.
So gorgeous and so forbidden. What I wouldn’t give to run my tongue over his smooth muscles all the way down till I make it to his cock.
I get a tingle running right through to my pussy at the thought.
What would he taste like? Would he make me swallow his cum like my VIP date did tonight, or would he pull out and jizz all over my face?
Damn, now I’m wet thinking about it. I have to stop watching him.
I close my eyes and pray for sleep. No idea how long I lie here trying to go to sleep, but when the front door bursts open with a loud bang, and Jagger shouts with urgency, I’m out of bed, running for the door in no time.
Asher is right behind me.
When Jagger sees us running out of my room together, he glares at us, like proper glares, but I don’t have time to consider his reaction. Because there, supported in his arms, is Cruz. He’s slumped over and looks out of it, blood seeping through his white T-shirt. Shit!
“What the fuck happened?” Asher calls as he shoves past me to help Jagger cradle Cruz.
They move him to the sofa and help him lie down. “I called Ricky. He will be here soon,” Jagger mutters.
“What went wrong?” Asher asks, looking between them.
Their eyes meet. “They were ready for us this time.”
Standing back, I watch the scene unfold in front of me, not sure what to do. I have this terrible urge to run to Cruz and hold him. I want to help, but I also don’t want to get in the way. “Jagger, what can I do to help?”
“Go back to bed,” he growls back at me, cold and distant, not even looking my way.
I stare at him for a beat, confused. I had his dick in my mouth just a few hours ago; now he wants to go back to hating me? Maybe it wasn’t him and it was just my mind playing tricks on me.
“Get him something to drink, Ash,” he barks out at Asher as he helps make Cruz more comfortable.
Ash rushes into the kitchen and returns with a bottle of Jack Daniels. He hands the bottle to Cruz, and he takes a big swig.
Cruz rolls onto his side, his groggy eyes coming to me. “Little darlin’,” he slurs, holding out his good hand for me like he’s just realized I’m here.
Brushing past Jagger, I move to sit on the floor so I can take hold of Cruz’s hand. He might have been pissed with me when I last saw him, but he still wants me around, and I feel compelled to make him feel better in any way I can. I clutch his hand tightly. “What happened?”
“Some prick stabbed me,” he mumbles. “It’s fucking annoying.”
Fuck. I glance back at Jagger to see if it’s true, but his bitter expression gives me nothing to go on. He averts his gaze, grabbing Asher by the arm. He pulls him into the kitchen with him, the two of them talking so hushed I can’t make out anything they are saying.
I grip Cruz’s hand tighter. “You’re going to be okay,” I tell him, even though I have no clue if he is or not. From the way he’s lying, I can’t even tell where exactly he’s been stabbed or how bad it is.
A knock echoes through the silent apartment, and Jagger moves quickly through to answer it.
A man comes into the room with a bag, looking half asleep as he runs a hand through his hair. I have to assume this is the Ricky they were talking about that was coming to help. “Been fighting again, Cruz?” He laughs light-heartedly.
“Not this time, Doc,” Cruz slurs as he tries to sit up higher.
“Then I don’t want to know.” The doctor glances my way, probably wondering who the girl is kneeling at Cruz’s side with her fingers intertwined with his. He gives me a soft, friendly smile, then he gives his full attention back to Cruz. “Show me how bad it is.”
Jagger steps in, undoing the makeshift bandage Cruz has wrapped around his arm. It’s then I realize it must be parts of Jagger’s T-shirt, because he’s just in his emblem jacket, snippets of his bare chest popping through.
Cruz lifts his shirt, and instant nausea washes over me. There is so much blood. Between the two deep gashes, one on his arm, the other on his chest, blood seeps out everywhere.
“I’m going to need some towels and fresh water. You lot need to clear the space,” the doctor says with more urgency in his voice.
“My girl stays,” Cruz slurs, his eyes locking with me. His girl? Man, I hope it’s the blood loss talking. I look to Asher for help. I can’t stay here while Ricky stitches him up. I’m squeamish with blood and can already feel the color draining from my face.
Ricky looks me over, and I know he sees my panic. He leans in closer to Cruz. “You’re losing blood quickly. I need to stitch you up. We can’t have any distractions. Doctor’s orders.” Ricky injects something into his arm, and I feel even woozier.
“Hmm,” Cruz murmurs, his eyes closing as his hand loosens its grip on mine.
“It’s okay, Cruz, I will be back as soon as the doctor fixes you up,” I say, slipping out of his hold. He looks like he might have passed out, and it’s probably for the best.
On wobbly legs, I get to my feet and slink back into the kitchen with Asher, gripping the kitchen counter for support, still close to Cruz but far enough I can’t see what is going on. Sweat coats my brow, and I gag but manage to stop the bile from rising.
Jagger rushes past me with a pile of towels, knocking me on his way through.
Asher’s hand comes to my back. “You okay, little princess?”
My head shakes as I grip the counter tighter, trying to suck in a full breath. I feel weird, my head spinny. I want to talk, but I can’t form a sentence.
“Not good with blood?” Asher chuckles.
I shake my head again, feeling the life drain from my face. The next thing I know, I’m in Asher’s arms.
“Hey, you’re okay,” he says kindly, holding me close to his body before he pulls out a chair and props me up in it, his hand still on me for extra support.
I stare back at him, feeling majorly washed out. What just happened?
He pours me a glass of water. “Such a princess, faints at the sight of a little blood.” He laughs light-heartedly, smiling at me.
With a shaky hand, I take the water, gripping it tightly with both hands as I sip, trying to get my body to stop freaking the hell out.
“Is he going to be okay?” I whisper, so worried about him.
I know I have no right to be, I hardly even know him, but I can’t help this pull I have toward him and this feeling deep down inside that tells me he’s someone important to me.
Asher smiles kindly. “Ricky knows what he’s doing, this isn’t his first rodeo.”
Jagger waltzes back into the kitchen, looking me over with fresh disgust. “Take her back to bed. She shouldn’t be here for this.”
I look up, making sure to meet his eyes, glaring at him and his snippy attitude toward me. Screw him. “I’m not going anywhere until I know he’s okay.”
His dark eyes narrow in on me, and he moves swiftly, his fingers pressing into my arm as he pulls me out of the chair. “You will do as you’re told, and that’s final.”
Asher gives Jagger a look, one that tells me he doesn’t agree with his brother but he’s not going to challenge him on it either. “I’ll come give you an update when Ricky is done.” He takes my hand, pulling me from Jagger’s harsh grip as he wraps an arm around me. He leads me back into the bedroom.
I want to fight him on it. But the truth is, I don’t want to distract Ricky while he is working on Cruz. This isn’t about me and what I want right now, and I can’t help anyway. “Jagger is an asshole. I don’t know why you all let him boss you around.”
Asher smiles, and I know he agrees with me. “Try to get some rest. I’ll let you know as soon as we hear anything.” He tucks me into bed, pulling the covers up.
I sigh heavily and roll away from him, done with trying to smile and pretend I’m okay. Tonight has been too much, and I just know they are keeping stuff from me.