Chapter 10
Sierra
“What are you smiling about this early in the morning?” Asher asked as he strolled into the kitchen. “And why are you up this early? I thought you’d sleep a little longer.”
I’d slept like a log in the comfortable suite next to Asher’s last night.
We’d eaten our huckleberry pie and looked at my website for a while, but I’d gone to bed soon after.
Considering I’d already slept for an entire day, I’d been surprised that I’d slept until morning.
It had been barely past dark when my head had hit the pillow.
I looked up from my phone and smiled at him. “I feel good this morning. I slept plenty. I went to bed really early. I was just looking at pictures of Lauren and Cole’s honeymoon. She put me on a friend thread, so I’ve been getting photo texts of her adventures in Europe.”
I motioned for him to look at the pictures with me.
He looked over my shoulder and the front of his body brushed against mine.
I shivered and drew in a sharp breath.
Maybe this is a bad idea.
I was so attracted to Asher that a simple touch felt like an erotic fantasy.
He reached around me and scrolled through the pictures, seemingly unfazed every time our bodies made contact.
I couldn’t say that I was equally detached.
I wanted to turn toward the warmth of Asher’s big, muscular body and explore every inch of it.
I knew that was impossible because he didn’t like to be touched, but the desire was still there.
“They look like they’re having fun,” Asher drawled. “I never thought I’d see my brother riding in a gondola in Venice. He’s been to Italy quite a few times.”
I snorted. “He was probably there on business. Lauren and Cole are tourists right now. And they’re on their honeymoon. I think it’s sweet. Don’t try to be cynical with me. I know you’re happy for your brother and Lauren.”
“I didn’t say that I wasn’t,” he said as he finally stepped back. “I guess I’m still not used to seeing my brother as a devoted husband.”
I let out a shaky breath, relieved that my body could finally stop reacting to his nearness.
Asher Remington was dangerous to me, and I was going to have to keep him at a distance or I was going to end up making a fool of myself.
I put my phone down. “I guess I’d better stop goofing off and get breakfast ready.”
“Don’t,” Asher rumbled. “I thought we could stop at the Mug and Jug for a cinnamon roll and coffee on the way to Billings to gather up the rest of your stuff. Devon and Reese are stopping there this morning. Reese wanted to see you to make sure that you’re okay.
I told them we might see them there. I didn’t think you’d mind if you were awake. ”
I shook my head slowly.
Did Asher really want to go out again?
And since when did he communicate with his cousin and his wife on a regular basis?
I was happy.
Really happy.
I’d been wanting Asher to connect with his family, but I was shocked that it was actually happening.
“Of course I don’t mind,” I answered. “But I think we need to seriously discuss me living here with you. I’m going to need more duties to make up for the board, Asher. I barely have enough to do as is, and I can’t just live here for nothing.”
It was an enormous house, and I did some cooking, errands, and laundry, but there was barely enough cleaning to keep me busy since I was here every day.
“You can,” he said rigidly. “But I wouldn’t mind changing things up a little.
You can clean less and come out with me more often.
I’m at the point that I need to keep getting out in public.
I can’t be a total recluse anymore. If you want to help me, come out with me.
It feels easier when you’re with me, Sierra. ”
“You don’t have to pay me to do that,” I argued.
“Technically, I’m not. I’m just adjusting your schedule so you can help me out.
I want you to still have time to rebuild your career.
I don’t need my house so clean that I can eat off every surface in my home.
I need to get over the condition that’s held me prisoner for the last several years.
Work in the morning if you have to, come out with me for lunch, and do your illustration projects when we get home.
We’ll fix dinner and clean up together.”
I put my hands on my hips. “I’ll actually be working less time for you.”
He shrugged. “That’s what works for me.”
He was so full of shit, and I knew it.
I could accept the fact that he could use my company when he was out.
I’d always known that he was more at ease when he was in my company in public.
However, it was a little ridiculous that he wanted me to use some of his time rebuilding my career.
“That’s not fair to you,” I said stubbornly.
“It’s what I want,” he replied, his tone unyielding.
I lifted a brow. “And do you always get what you want?”
He suddenly grinned. “Almost always and without question, until you started working for me.”
Dear God, I hated myself when my heart suddenly squeezed inside my chest.
Asher was devastatingly handsome when he smiled like that.
“You’re absolutely impossible,” I told him.
“Get used to it,” he answered. “You’ll be seeing a lot more of me in the future.”
I sighed in resignation.
What else could I say?
I could hardly quit my job because my boss wanted nothing more than to help me.
“I’ll find a way to pay you back for this,” I said softly.
“If you’re happy and safe, that’s payback enough for me,” he said huskily.
My heart tripped.
I just wasn’t used to anyone caring about my happiness, and the way that Asher seemed to care about my well-being baffled me sometimes.
He was my boss.
I couldn’t even say we were friends.
Honestly, maybe I shouldn’t question it so much because I cared about him the same way even though it didn’t make sense.
“I should change to meet up with Reese and Devon,” I said as I motioned toward my usual cleaning clothes. “You already know that I don’t really have anything nice to wear, but at least I can change into a better top.”
I had one decent top. Literally.
I was dressed in my usual uniform…jeans and a worn T-shirt.
My wardrobe was really limited, and most of my clothes were just as well-used as what I was wearing.
Asher looked put together, as usual, in a nice button-down shirt and jeans.
“You look beautiful,” he said with a frown. “You don’t have to change.”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t have a lot of clothes, but I can do better than a T-shirt with a hole at the hem. How long do I have? Can I shower?”
I usually took a shower after I got home from work, but if I was going out with Asher, I really wanted to look decent.
He glanced at his watch. “Can you be ready in a half hour?”
I laughed. “I don’t have that many clothes to choose from. I should be down in twenty.”
“I’ll be in my office,” he grumbled.
I raced to get upstairs.
I smiled as I saw that he’d attempted to make his own bed, probably because he’d expected me to sleep late and not work much today.
He’s trying to save me work.
“I don’t think he’s made his own bed in a long time,” I said to myself in an amused voice as I fluffed the pillows and remade the messy bed.
I went to my suite, made my own bed, and jumped into the shower, surprised by how much I was looking forward to going to the Mug and Jug with Asher.
Okay, I was looking forward to trying Silas’s legendary cinnamon rolls, but I was also happy to be meeting with Devon and Reese.
They were Asher’s family, and I wanted to get to know them better.
I also wanted the chance to thank Reese for everything she’d done for me.
I really wanted to linger in the luxurious shower, but I forced myself to hustle, dressing in the same jeans and a nicer top when I got out.
I took out my sparse makeup bag and put on some light makeup and quickly dried my hair, leaving it down from its normal ponytail for a change.
I used to hate the natural curl to my hair, but I’d started to appreciate it as I got older and realized that a lot of women fussed to get the same curls that I had naturally.
When I headed back downstairs, I’d been gone almost exactly twenty minutes.
“You’re ready?” Asher asked as I appeared at his office door. “You look beautiful.”
Something fluttered inside my belly.
The way that Asher was looking at me made me ridiculously giddy.
“You said that earlier,” I reminded him breathlessly.
“You look even more beautiful now,” he said in a serious tone.
“I’m ready,” I said, flustered.
Asher could do that to me.
A woman who had tried to teach herself not to react to much of anything.
I knew it was because when Asher said something, he meant it. He wasn’t the type of person to toss out flattery for no reason.
He started to shut his computer down. “I was just looking at your website again. Your talent is remarkable, Sierra. If there’s anything I can do to help you get your career back, I’ll do it.”
“You’re already helping me enough, Asher,” I insisted.
He probably had no idea how much his faith that I’d get my career back and his encouragement meant to me.
Knowing that he liked my work was incredibly flattering.
Asher had many valuable pieces of artwork in his home, so he obviously had an appreciation for art.
He rose from his chair. “Not as much as I’d like to,” he informed me.
I let out an exasperated sigh. “Can you stop trying to help me for five minutes?”
He pulled up in front of me and nudged me out the door. “Honestly, I’m not sure I can,” he said in a voice totally devoid of humor as he followed close behind me.
I opened my mouth and then closed it again.
Really, what in the hell could I say to that?