The Sidekick

Chapter Forty-Four

Tera

I keep an eye on Shade as we get ready for family dinner. I’ve had an invite for the monthly occurrence ever since I came back into town. Thankfully, my wallet is up to the struggle. I begged him for us to watch a rom-com instead, but he’s being stubborn. I don’t know why he won’t just stay home.

He’s subdued, but it’s hardly noticeable with his overall don’t care attitude. I’m starting to get really mad about this whole thing, and I’m wondering how I can help him out. I don’t want him to transfer. He’s the big brother no one ever asked for. He deserves to find happiness somewhere, though, and if he can’t find it here, then leaving is his best option. The thought is more depressing than I want to admit.

It”s all those jerk’s fault. I’ll show them as soon as I figure out what I’m doing. I asked about breaking their legs, and Shade said no physical damage. He laughed at me for asking. I’m still calling South. I need to finally catch up with her and she can be on standby if Shade changes his mind.

I started a homework list on my phone scrambled into code just in case Shade gets access to it. My plans for vengeance in his honor seem kind of weak without the threat of South. I need to be more devious, and she might be able to help me with ideas. She thinks outside the box a lot.

I need to get my computer back from Satan. I’m thinking of going tonight after dinner since I’m angry enough to actually have the guts for it.

“Can we ride together?” Shade pipes up, and I wince. “You can drive.”

There goes that plan. He can’t know what I’m trying to plan out, so he has deniability.

Since when does he ask? He hates my driving. Where has my arch nemesis gone? I want him back, darn it! This must be how villains feel when heroes try to retire in the comics.

“Of course,” I scoff and walk around until he has to look at me. “If I slap you, will you snap out of it? I don’t want to hurt you, but I’ll take one for the team.”

He gives me his signature flat look.

“That’s better,” I impulsively give him a tight hug. He doesn’t return the gesture, so I back off and lead the way to my car.

“You have your purse? I don’t want to turn around in two minutes to come back.”

The irritated tone is much better. “It’s on my arm, jerk.”

“Your phone?” His voice becomes taunting.

I pat the purse confidently.

He nags me the entire way to the restaurant, and I love every second of the normality of it as I snark back.

I pull into the parking lot and double park just to make him mad. He hates that, like any other sane person on the planet. Then, I spend ten minutes pretending to line the car up perfectly between the lines to really get him going. It works like a charm. I’m all smiles and evil giggling as he rants about my driving the entire walk into the restaurant.

I stop cold when I see Asher in the waiting area.

What are the odds? Is he here with a date?

My stomach tries to revolt as I look around for the mystery woman in a panic. He seems to be standing alone in slacks and an untucked collared shirt. It’s weird seeing him out of his normal sweatpants and tank top. He looks amazing. He’s missing his glasses, so maybe we can slip by without him seeing us.

A painful fissure starts in my chest. It’s just as bad as when Satan threw my heart on the ground. How is that possible? Please, just let me get by without him spotting me.

Shade and I are not on the same page because he walks up to him, does the guy head nod thing, and says, “This way.”

I’m confused by the casual greeting. I mean, casual for Shade.

Did he invite him?

Oh my gosh, that’s why I drove him! I can’t run away unless Shade’s with me. He knows I won’t leave him stranded. My arch-nemesis has one upped me once again! I’m ridiculously happy about it. The ache in my chest eases away.

Asher looks around him, and a smile breaks free when he sees me. Or maybe he doesn’t. I could be a blob of color, and he thinks I’m a plant or something.

His smile turns into a smirk as he raises a hand and crooks his finger. Whether it’s for me or not, I find myself walking directly to him as if he has me on a string. Once I stop in front of him, his smile returns, softer this time.

“You look beautiful.”

I glance down at my normal jeans and t-shirt outfit and back at him like he’s crazy. If this is beautiful, he should up his standards.

“Thank you?”

Shade shakes his head in disgust and walks away.

Asher slides his hands into his pockets. “If my being here makes you uncomfortable, just tell me. I was a last-minute invite. I guess Shade didn’t tell you?”

“It doesn’t make me uncomfortable,” I reassure him in a panicked rush. I’m really excited he’s here, and I get to spend more time with him.

“Of course, Shade didn’t tell me. He’s a dictator, so he knows what’s best for me.” My giggle gets muffled behind my hand as I watch his smile get wider. He has a beautiful smile.

“Have you thought about overthrowing him?” He suggests softly. It sounds like we’re conspiring to take down an army.

“Only daily,” my hand drops as my grin becomes smug. “I’m waiting for him to get comfortable, so it really shocks him.”

I look around for Shade and see him frozen in front of the back room where they always sit. He’s not ready to go in without backup. All of the giddy feelings inside me drop flat.

“I know we don’t know each other well,” I cringe at that understatement. In total, I’ve known him for about five hours. “But could I ask you for a favor?”

“Of course,” he answers as if he’s a genie here to grant my wishes. It must be nice to be unfazed by everything.

I rise onto my tiptoes to whisper in his ear, and he leans towards me obligingly.

“Shade is having some trouble, and I was wondering if you could help me distract him?” I ask hopefully and drop down to study his face. I’m not above using sad puppy eyes to make him give in.

His brows dip down slightly, and he looks thoughtful.

“I don’t want you to feel pressured or anything, but if we can be jerks to him tonight, it would help him a lot. It’s his love language. I want my dictator back in fighting form.”

“Having a bad day, is he?” He gives me an affectionate smile that warms me inside.

“Yes, and he’s about to face a table full of jerks, so distraction is mandatory, or he’ll start moping again.” I intertwine my fingers and hold them up as I shamelessly beg.

He laughs at my gesture. “You’re too sweet, angel. We can focus on Shade tonight.”

“Thank you so much,” I grab his bicep without thinking and give him a pleading look. “I hate that he’s upset. He deserves better.”

“I’m sure I can think of some choice phrases for him,” he grins at me, and I grin back in excitement.

I bounce on my toes and give him a quick celebratory hug. Or I try to. He smells delicious, and I’ve pressed myself fully to his chest, my head tucked under his chin. He radiates heat. My nipples are more than happy to be here.

Before he can return the embrace, I jolt back in embarrassment. My face flushes an unattractive red, and I hurry away from him.

“Normal people have boundaries, Tera. No random hugging,” I remind myself. Can I just not be me for a little bit? I feel like it’s a fair ask.

“I’m not normal people with you,” he assures me from over my shoulder.

How the heck is he still right behind me!?

I quicken my steps, practically running. When I reach the table, I’m huffing, more from embarrassment than the run. He still manages to get there and pull my chair out for me, maintaining his relaxed smile.

It isn’t until I fall into the seat that I realize he’s going to be next to me on my left while Shade is on my right. The next thought is more concerning.

His seat placement puts him directly across from Andi. She’s smiling evilly and fully focused on him. I’m waiting for a super villain laugh any second.

Why though? Something isn’t right about this. He needs to run.

I turn to him, grabbing his arm and pulling him towards me, whispering, “She looks like she’s about to interrogate you. Run.”

He turns his face until his lips are against my ear. It makes goosebumps race down my neck when warm breath washes over me. His voice is raspy when he answers. “Let her. I’m not leaving unless you are.”

He leans back casually while I blink in confusion.

“You must be Asher,” Andi says smugly and straightens her shoulders like a queen in front of a lowly subject. Everyone else is already here, and they’re watching her antics with malicious smiles. Oh gosh, we’re outnumbered. It’s eight to three.

My hand reaches out, and I grab Shade’s hand under the table with a tight grip.

“You must be Andi,” Asher smiles back and places a napkin in his lap. He should be running, not settling in!

“So good to meet you,” she schmoozes. “Weird that I’ve never heard you mentioned before.”

I frown at her with a what gives look. She can’t believe whatever she’s heard from her stupid jerk guards, can she?

“I’m a new addition,” he says without losing his calm pose.

“How new?” Her eyes narrow.

“Very.”

“Odd.”

“Not really.”

“Oh?”

“Fate.”

Her eyes open wide, and she leans forward, suddenly excited. I didn’t follow that conversation very well. It started threatening, and now she looks awed by him. I look to Shade, hoping for a translation.

He’s focused on the menu, not paying attention. Not abnormal for him, but it brings my focus back to his issues instead of my own.

“Do you have an app that I can download to understand what’s going on?” I ask him sweetly.

“A common sense app? I wish,” he replies.

Dang it! He got me. I release his hand to smack his arm, and Asher turns towards us.

“How’s it going, Shade?”

His polite question gets ignored.

“That good, huh?” He smirks and goes back to Andi.

His multitasking skills are unreal.

Our drink order is taken while Andi grills him about why he asked for water, for pity’s sake. Really, Andi? It doesn’t help that the rest of the bodyguards are trading giving me and Asher death glares.

So much for spending time with him. I feel like I should be using my appetizer plate as a shield.

“How did you meet?” Her tone rises in volume and pitch as her excitement grows. She leans her elbows on the table, fully invested in some grandiose story she’s made up in her head I’m sure.

“Yoga class.”

“You do the limp noodle thing?”

I want to facepalm so bad right now. It’s like she reads my mind because she gives me a glare.

Asher shrugs and thanks the waiter as he sets the water down.

I stare at the matching glass placed in front of me. We’re the only ones that got water. How weird is that?

It’s not weird, and this isn’t kismet. Get it together!

I glance down and face my next horror.

The menu stares innocently back at me.

Neither of us blink.

How the heck am I supposed to eat with all of this going on around us? Everyone else has segregated into little cliques to mumble to each other while Andi really gets going with the questions. Only Shade and I are silent.

Panic wells up. I suddenly feel like I don’t belong here, and the urge to grab Shade like a purse and run for the door is becoming overwhelming. I need to get out of here for a second. But I can’t run away. Shade will refuse to move. I know it.

“Tera?” Andi’s concerned voice breaks me out of my stare down with the menu.

I stand announcing loudly, “I have to pee,” and then run for the bathroom.

I’m not running out the door and driving away, so I call it good. Strategic retreat, that’s all this is.

Once I’m in the softly lit hallway leading to the women’s restroom, I lean against the wall with a groan. I just left both him and Shade there to suffer alone. What kind of person does that? I’m such a coward.

I spend a few minutes silently berating myself and banging my head on the wall. Neither coping mechanism is working. I need to stop. I have to get it together, go back to the table, order food I will stare at for an hour, collect Shade, and bail. I can do this. I have a smoothie ready to go in the fridge. It’ll be fine.

When I finally have myself calmed down enough that I can pretend I’m normal, I open my eyes and startle.

Asher is leaning against the wall across from me, watching my meltdown with a tiny smile.

“Hi.”

“Hi,” I sigh and drop my head back. Of course, he caught me. I should have gone into the bathroom and locked myself in a stall.

“Feel a little better?”

“Not really,” I squeeze my hand over my throat, searching for that soothing, grounded sensation I get from it, but it isn’t working. I look at the entrance, hoping no one else comes back here to watch the panic zone happen. “I’m such a mess.”

“You’re adorable,” he corrects me, and I give him a suspicious look.

“Has anyone ever told you that you need to raise your standards? I’m starting to get concerned for you.”

He raises an eyebrow with a smirk. “My standards are actually very high. It’s a good thing I put you on that pedestal.”

“You’re funny, too? I can’t win,” I whine and bang my head again.

“Stop,” he says calmly, and my head drops forward automatically. I frown darkly as I realize what I just did.

“I can bang my head if I want to,” I try to sound stern, but I think I fail because his smile widens unbearably.

“And leave your friends behind.”

I blink in surprise, then I start laughing softly, “You’re mean.”

“Then why are you laughing?”

“Because I did leave you guys behind, and it fit perfectly. Now that song is going to be in my head all night.”

“Mine too,” he shrugs casually as he gives me a sexy grin. “We’ll get through it together.”

I blink in surprise. “You should really be using this time to escape Andi’s clutches.”

“I think I have her handled.” If he knew her at all, he wouldn’t sound that confident.

“You have me handled,” I mutter softly and stare at the floor. Ugh, I said that out loud! Why does this stuff fall out of my mouth around him?

I’m so focused on my feet that when I look up, I startle at how close he’s gotten. He looks serious, and I meet his eyes in concern. That tug to him is there as soon as our eyes meet.

“What’s wrong?” What did I do to put that frustrated look on his face? Has he finally realized that he made a mistake trying to pursue me?

“I want to kiss you, but I don’t want to scare you,” he lays his thoughts at my feet, and my eyes widen in surprise as my hand drops.

What do I say to that? It’s like I’ve forgotten how to speak as my brain flat lines with the thought that this guy wants to kiss me. This guy. How did I get his attention? I shouldn’t even be on his radar. I shouldn’t be on anyone’s radar.

I open my mouth to ask him why and feel his hand softly grip my throat. It should be a threatening move coming from a virtual stranger. I’m sure it would look that way if anyone passed by. I should be struggling to get free, poised to attack like a wild animal.

Instead, I melt back against the wall, knees weak. I’ve been drifting aimlessly, and his hand is holding me tethered, grounded to reality with his touch. It’s a hundred times more soothing than when I do it.

My eyelashes flutter as my breath soughs out in surrender. He sucks in a sharp breath as his pupils expand. Does he know that he’s just become my only focus, or is he as oblivious as I usually am? I’m half hoping he has no idea because having this much control over me is a little frightening.

Before that thought can really sink in, he leans forward, brushing his lips against mine. My eyes close, and I hold my breath, praying he continues.

“When you want to stop,” he places a kiss at the corner of my mouth, “you will tell me.” A lick across my lower lip, his breath hot against my face. “Understand?”

When I don’t answer, his fingers spasm around my throat, tightening down the barest hint. I gasp out, “Yes. Please, don’t stop.”

“Fuck.” The word is low and gritty when he utters it.

His mouth covers mine in a rush, tongue invading and taking possession. The gentleness is gone as he takes, and I give. It feels natural and right. I would give him whatever he wanted if he kept me safe like this. Everything in the background of our little bubble fades until it’s not important.

My brain clicks off as I wrap my arms around his neck and press myself against him. No panicked thoughts or doubts, just pure bliss. When my chest bumps his, I rub my breasts over him to soothe the ache in my nipples. When our hips meet, I feel how hard he is and go to my tiptoes to notch us together. He needs just as much as I do. We’re like puzzle pieces that would be perfectly aligned if clothes weren’t in the way.

“More?” I whisper weakly as he catches a breath. My leg lifts to his hip, opening myself completely to the invasion I’m welcoming with open arms.

He doesn’t back away, gripping my thigh to pull me closer in a hold that might bruise later, but I don’t care. It’s what I need. My hips shift, and I let out a frustrated whimper. I can’t get the angle that I need. My fingers dig into his shoulders as I try to find a way to get myself where I want to be.

“Please?”

His hand drops from my throat as he crouches slightly, grabbing my other thigh. “Up, angel.”

I hop up, and he finishes the move smoothly. My ankles lock over each other so I can shift until I find the perfect spot. I sigh when I find it and roll my hips. He gives a choked sound and pulls his head away, looking back and forth down the hallway. I don’t stop. I don’t need to be worried about what’s going on in the outside world. He has it covered. I want to feel all of him against me.

Asher’s arms slide from my thighs, and one wraps around my butt, forcing me to still, while the other bands around my back. His hands are clenched where he holds me. I already have my arms wrapped around his neck, keeping every bit of him as close as I can get.

I don’t notice he’s pulled me away from the wall until he starts walking. The shift of his hips as he moves makes small gasping sounds come out of my mouth with every rough stride. I hear a door open, and the lights get brighter as I press kiss after kiss along his cheek. I barely hear myself whispering please over and over again.

The door closes, and the click of the lock sounds loud as I pant and squirm. When my butt lands on something hard and cold, my legs refuse to let him go. I’m afraid he’s going to leave. He draws back, and I clutch his shoulders desperately. It feels like he tore something inside my chest by separating us.

“Please don’t go,” I gasp and get a rough kiss in return.

“Take your pants off. Only the pants,” he grits out, his lips moving against mine as he speaks.

I hurry to obey as he draws back to watch. His hands go to his pants. The sound of his zipper going down gives me excited chills.

“Spread your legs and let me see you. I want your hands on the sink to hold on. Do not let go,” his voice is strained as he stares at my plain white panties. They’re probably soaked through at this point, and I can’t find it in me to care. My traitor arms move at his command without hesitation as my knees spread wantonly. My fingers clench around the porcelain. I want to cry with the mounting frustration.

“I’ve got you,” he pants, returning his lips to mine in a possessive kiss. I return it with shy strokes of my tongue, gasping breaths, and small sounds I’ve never made before.

His control over me gets tested severely when he draws back, and I look down. His pants are open and riding low on his hips. His boxers have been pushed down to expose his erection. His grip over the flesh looks brutal as he squeezes and strokes slowly. The broad head is wet with precum. I open my mouth to beg him to let me touch, but the words get scattered as his fingers tug at the seam of my underwear.

“I want to rip these off,” he grits out, and I nod desperately. “Not yet. I won’t fuck you here, angel, but you’re definitely going to cum for me.”

Before I can protest, his fingers slip the scrap of fabric to the side, and my eyes roll back when they make contact with soaked flesh.

“Fuck, you’re so wet for me,” he grunts, his fingers sliding through the wetness to find my clit and circle it. My back arches as violent tremors rack my spine. The rest of me goes boneless. My shoulders meet the mirror behind me, my only support as everything inside me shifts to make room for whatever he wants from me.

I can only watch, panting as a finger sinks into me, a small whine of relief escaping. The sound turns into a gasping moan as a second finger joins the first, pumping in time with his strokes. He withdraws them to rub the moisture he’s gathered all over his rigid flesh before he brings them back to me. He does it several times until his stroking fist slides easily over his erection.

My mind drifts as pleasure overwhelms everything else, my fingers locked on the sink beneath me as he works us both up in a frenzy. My eyelids flutter closed as I bask in the sensations he’s pulling out of me.

“Stay with me, angel. Eyes up.”

I meet his eyes and take in his flushed cheeks and clenched teeth. I want to stroke his face and ease the strain there, but I can’t make my hands obey me. I lean forward instead and press a soft kiss against his lower lip. “Asher. You feel so good.”

“Sweet angel,” he groans and presses a hard kiss to my lips like he’s rewarding me for my words. “Imagine how much better it will feel when it’s my dick and I fill you up with my cum.”

I clench on his fingers as his words fill my head with the image. “Please? I want that.”

“Not yet. Fuck. I’ve already gone too far.” The words are a frustrated groan as his fingers curl inside me. He stops thrusting to rub over a spot that makes a sharp sound wrench from my throat. The heel of his palm grinds against my clit with the subtler movement, and I clamp down hard, my mouth opening in a soundless scream as an orgasm snaps through me with enough force to strain all of my muscles.

He lets out a strangled moan as his forehead presses against mine, panting breaths bathing my face as I shake. Heat splashes across my thighs, and I feel a sharp stab of disappointment that it isn’t inside me where it belongs.

My eyes slip shut as my mind floats away into that happy place it goes during meditation as my body goes slack. I have the distant thought that I should be uncomfortable before even that slips away.

“Tera,” Asher’s voice calls from somewhere far away. I make a contented sound that vibrates my throat. A warm, wet towel wipes across my legs, and the noise becomes a protest at his actions.

“I want to leave it there too, angel, but you’ll be uncomfortable. We’ve been gone too long,” his words are punctuated by gentle kisses. I feel him working my pants back up my calves. The fabric stops just above my knees before his hand returns to my mound, cupping me possessively after he covers me. It makes me smile.

“Ok,” I sigh out and wiggle to get the feeling back into my numb butt.

He lets out a dark chuckle and says, “Eyes up.”

I pout as my eyes open to meet his. The sexy smile is back in place, and it turns my lips up in response. Neither of us says anything as we take each other in. When he leans back, he presses both hands over mine. I’m still holding onto the sink, even though my fingers are slack.

“Let go,” he whispers, and my arms seem to unlock at the words. His eyes close tightly, cutting me off from whatever he’s thinking abruptly. It makes unease begin to curl around the base of my spine as I frown.

Asher tugs me upright and slides me down his front as his arms encircle me. The hold isn’t tight, but it has the same effect as his hand on my throat. I tilt my head back to kiss the chrysanthemum on his throat, and he makes a pleased sound, grounding me further.

He huffs out a laugh and shakes his head as he pulls away to finish righting my pants. I’ve never had a man dress me before. It makes me giggle. Isn’t he supposed to be taking them off? I feel a little drunk, but I haven’t had any alcohol.

I’m still only half aware when he leads me out of the bathroom, twining our fingers together. He holds my chair out for me at the table, and Damien chokes out a welcome back as he laughs. I don’t even care.

I have a plate of food waiting for me and reach down to grasp Shade’s hand under the table. Asher takes my other hand, and I silently tell myself that I’m worthy of the food that’s in front of me. Both of their grips tighten on mine at the same time, shoring me up for battle. The thought gives me a tiny smile.

Asher leans towards me and presses his lips to my ear as he whispers, “You’ll want to eat a little so your legs don’t wobble when you walk out of here.”

I let out a surprised bark of laughter and sputter, “Limp n-noodle c-class.”

“I’m telling you, that’s what yoga means, guys!” Andi grins at me with her hands clasped under her chin as she watches us.

Shade starts laughing, and I follow suit as Asher pulls away with a grin. When he starts eating, I glance at the noodles in front of me, chewing my lip. He might be right. I’d better eat as much as I can to save face.