Chapter 18
Sierra
“You really don’t need to fuss,” Asher said as he folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the doorjamb. “You look beautiful.”
Oh, God, I was fussing, and I knew it.
Luckily, I’d let Asher buy me some new clothing, and I’d picked up a little more makeup.
Still, I hadn’t gotten much except a few decent tops to wear with jeans.
I’d only picked up the things I really needed to get out more with Asher.
I’d put on my nicest top, a cute retro blouse with a flowy fit.
Yes, I was still Asher’s housekeeper, but everyone was making me feel like a valued guest instead of just a woman who was tagging along with Asher.
All of the Remington women had texted me to let me know how excited they were to see me, and Millie had gushed because I was attending my first family dinner.
There was also the fact that Asher and I were sleeping together, and he did absolutely nothing to hide it.
He touched me like a lover, and he didn’t hide his affection.
Truthfully, I loved it. I’d probably feel horrible if he hid it like he didn’t want anyone to know.
However, his family wasn’t blind, and they’d definitely notice.
“I just want to look nice,” I said with a sigh.
He strode over to me and kissed my temple. “Mission accomplished…a long time ago.”
I looked up at him and smiled. “Thanks.”
God, he was a stunning man.
He was wearing nice jeans and a long-sleeved Henley that looked expensive and classy on him.
The dark-green color suited him.
“If you don’t stop smiling at me like that, we’re going to be late,” he said in a deep, warning voice that didn’t sound completely like a joke.
I couldn’t stop myself from pulling his head down for a brief kiss.
My body responded to his insistent mouth almost immediately.
God, we should probably be worn out from the last few nights, but I was only getting to know how much I’d been missing.
“We can’t be late,” I said breathlessly as he released my lips.
“Then you better move your gorgeous ass downstairs,” he said dangerously.
I giggled as I picked up my bag and put my lipstick into it. “I forgot to tell you that I got offered two more projects today. Great offers from popular authors. One is an author I worked with before I blew up my career. I’d really like to work with her again.”
“Do it,” he encouraged.
I let out a long breath. “I’m getting a lot of work offers. Maybe more than I can handle with my housekeeping job. I have to be picky about what I take now.”
“I’ve been thinking about that,” he said. “I’ll get someone to clean every week, and we can share duties at home. I’ll continue to pay you until you’re supporting yourself on your career.”
I gaped at him.
Had he completely lost his mind?
“No, you will not,” I said adamantly. “Who does that? Who pays somebody without them putting in the work?”
Asher took my bag, placed it on the dresser, and put a hand on each side of my body, trapping me against the piece of furniture.
He caught my gaze, and my heart tripped.
His gray eyes were swirling with an intense emotion I couldn’t name.
He moved so close that I could feel his warm breath on my face.
“You’re my woman,” he informed me. “I consider you my partner. You’re not a random employee, Sierra.
You’re sleeping in my bed, and I’m quite happy with that arrangement.
I shouldn’t have to fight to buy you gifts that you want or need, and I’m not going to in the future.
As a partner, I also shouldn’t have to argue with you to support you, both emotionally and financially, while you’re establishing a career.
I think that’s what partners do when they’re perfectly capable of doing it.
I’m a billionaire, for fuck’s sake. I’m going to take care of you, Sierra. It’s not a damn hardship for me.”
I swallowed hard, tears filling my eyes.
Did he really consider me his woman?
His partner?
“You consider us a couple?” I squeaked. “Are we…dating?”
“I’ve been inside your beautiful body, Sierra. I’d say we’re intimately connected. We’re dating. Exclusively. Did you think we were just fucking?”
I shivered as his lips brushed the side of my face near my ear.
“I-I-I didn’t know,” I stuttered.
“I hope I’ve made myself perfectly clear about where I stand,” he said huskily beside my ear. “What do you want, Sierra?”
Asher had my head reeling until I couldn’t think straight.
“You,” I said breathlessly as I wrapped my arms around his neck. “All of the same things you do. I’ve never had a healthy relationship, Asher. I’ve never really had a partner. I’m not sure how that feels.”
“Me, either, sweetheart,” he said as he tightened his arms around my waist. “But I’d like to see what it feels like.”
With Asher, I was thinking it would be pretty amazing.
“Are we clear on the whole support thing?” he asked in a grumbly voice. “I want you to be free to pursue your dreams, Sierra.”
“Okay,” I agreed, because there was really no reason for me to argue and because I knew it would probably make Asher happy.
“I don’t think it will be long before I’m making a good living, but you’re not paying me for housekeeping anymore.
You already pay for everything, and I’m making an income.
You’re also taking care of every financial need I have, plus you’re going to make sure my mother’s house is repaired. ”
Everything was new to me in this relationship with Asher, and the truth was, he was a very, very wealthy man.
I didn’t want to put restrictions on him just because we didn’t live the same lifestyle.
If this relationship was going to work, we were going to have to accept each other completely.
“Fuck the money,” he rumbled. “I want you to do what makes you happy.”
I quickly brushed a tear from my cheek.
I wasn’t sure how to explain to him how different this was for me.
I wasn’t used to being supported in any way.
“You’re an incredible man, Asher Remington,” I told him.
“Not really,” he said drily. “I just know when I’ve got it good and I don’t want to screw this up.”
I laughed. He was so full of it.
“No cleaning person,” I negotiated. “I can clean and do the basics.”
“I’m not crazy about that idea,” he admitted.
“Just a little every day,” I insisted. “It’s not a big deal, Asher. You’re doing so much for me. Please.”
“Agreed,” he said in a reluctant voice. “I guess I mostly got my way.”
I smiled as I gazed at his handsome face. “We’d better go or we’re definitely going to be late.”
He grinned and pulled my hips against him. “I was just wondering if we could get away with being a little late.”
I groaned and squirmed against him.
He was rock hard, and my core spasmed with the need to get that very firm cock inside me.
I shuddered and backed off. “Asher, we can’t. We’re already going to be a few minutes late. People will take one look at us and know why we’re so late. It would be embarrassing.”
He shot me a shit-eating grin. “It’s not embarrassing. I’m willing to bet that every one of my cousins has been late for exactly the same reason. But if you’re going to be mortified, I’ll try to behave. My dick will get over it.”
“You don’t have to behave once we get home,” I told him.
In fact, I was hoping he wouldn’t.
I was getting addicted to being with Asher every night.
“One condition,” he drawled.
I picked up my bag. “Oh, there’s going to be a condition?” I teased, familiar with that playful tone of his.
“Just one,” he told me.
“Are you going to share?”
He crooked his finger. “Kiss me, gorgeous. Give me something to hold me over until we get home.”
Something fluttered in my belly.
God, this man got to me in a way no one else ever had.
He had a way of making me feel like a twitterpated teenager sometimes.
The way he wanted me, the way he seemed to adore me made me giddy, and I was probably the most pragmatic woman on the planet.
I leaned toward him and kissed him on the cheek.
He shook his head. “That’s not going to cut it. Don’t play with me, woman.”
I giggled because I knew he was going to say that.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my body against his. “Better?”
He pulled me close and lowered his head. “It will do…for now,” he answered right before he captured my lips.
He gave me the kind of kiss that made a woman’s toes curl.
It was sensual.
It was unhurried.
And it was thorough.
He explored my mouth like he’d never kissed me before, and I nearly ended up in a puddle at his feet by the time he finally released my mouth.
“Now I’m tempted to be late,” I said in a bemused voice.
He chuckled and took my hand so naturally that it felt like we’d been a couple forever.
“Let’s get out of here before I decide to cancel altogether,” he said as he led me out of the bedroom.
“We couldn’t,” I scolded. “Millie would be horribly disappointed.”
“I’d find a way to make it up to her,” he said as we made our way downstairs.
“I’m glad we’re going,” I shared. “I like Millie, and I’d really like to be friends with Anna, Reese, and Hannah. Lauren, too, when she comes back from her honeymoon.”
It was going to feel a little strange to be sitting at the same table as Anna because she was an international pop star and I’d always loved her music, but I was sure I’d get used to it. We’d met briefly in town, and she seemed like a down-to-earth woman, even though she was a household name.
“I think they’d be damn lucky to have you as a friend,” Asher rumbled.
“They’re wildly successful women,” I reminded him. “It’s a little intimidating.”
“Don’t,” he growled. “Don’t ever compare yourself to anyone else.
They’re no better than you because they have successful careers.
You can’t compare their lives to yours. You’ve already been successful.
I’m not sure what happened to derail you for a while, but you’re a damn strong woman, Sierra.
Nobody in this world should ever make you feel intimidated. ”
I swallowed hard.
How lucky was I to have a guy who said things like that and really meant them?
“Not even you?” I said in a lighthearted tone.
“Especially not me,” he grunted. “I’m the guy who needed your help to get through my little brother’s wedding.”
“You’re actually a pretty intimidating guy,” I said as we entered the garage.
He opened the passenger door of his SUV for me.
“Not to you,” he said huskily. “Never to you.”
I slid into the seat and fastened my seat belt with a broad smile.
Asher Remington might be intimidating to a lot of people, but he was right.
He was probably never going to be scary to me.