Chapter 17
Claire
Riding a spin bike after getting finger-fucked was probably not a good idea. But hindsight is twenty-twenty.
What is a good idea, though, is an icy-cold shower. It’s the perfect way to wash away the sweat and the dirty thoughts racing through my mind.
Asher wasn’t wrong. He’s not bad in bed. In fact, he’s incredible. I’ve never had a man so eager to go down on me. Is “politely commanding” a thing, because that’s what he is.
Maybe it was for the best that we were interrupted before I could return the favor. We can afford to slow things down a bit; we have the whole summer to fool around.
I’ve just finished blow-drying my hair and have changed into leggings and a loose-fitting crop top when Asher and Bea return with pizza and a box filled with games. He shoves the box into the hall closet, but not before plucking a deck of Uno cards from the pile.
“Bea requested we play this tonight. You don’t have to play if you don’t—”
“Sounds fun,” I interject. “Do you want something to drink?” I ask as I set out plates for us on the counter.
“There’s a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc chilling in the fridge. Joey said it was your favorite.”
My heart stutters. “You asked Joey for my favorite wine?”
The tops of his ears turn pink, but he shrugs like it’s no big deal.
“I’m surprised she hasn’t texted me yet. Or apologized on my brother’s behalf.” I retrieve the wine, then unscrew the top and fill two glasses.
“Did you talk to him?” he asks.
“Yup.”
“And?”
“I told him that it was a mistake and it wouldn’t happen again.”
An expression I can’t quite read flashes across his face, but I rein in my curiosity and don’t dig. “That was the right thing to say to him, right?”
“Of course.” He pauses for a moment, then woodenly turns to Bea. “Hey, Dolly, why don’t you change into your pajamas?” Once she’s out of earshot, he leans a hip against the counter, and… Uh-oh, based on the intensity in his expression, he’s about to say something serious.
“I just want to make sure we’re on the same page. I’m not looking for a long-term relationship and I—”
“Oh my god, Greer. You don’t have to worry about a thing.” I hand him a glass. “I’m not going to fall in love with you, even if Millie’s already invited me to collab on a wedding Pinterest board.” I take a swig of my wine and relish the flavor. It’s crisp and tart, just the way I like it.
“A what?”
“Never mind.” I wave him off. “Listen. I could use some fun and orgasms in my life right about now. And you’ve proven you can provide that.” I boop him on the nose. “Win-win, remember?”
“Maybe.” He shrugs.
Maybe? “What do you mean? I scratch your—never mind, that doesn’t sound sexy.” I giggle. “What I mean is, it’s the perfect arrangement. Isn’t it?”
“Well…” His voice is low, and when he steps in close and trails a finger along my forearm, goose bumps emerge across my skin. “You know I’m good in bed, but how do I know you are?”
“Excuse me,” I gasp. “I’ll have you know I’ve had no complaints in that department, thank you very much.” I take another sip. Okay, a gulp.
With his lips grazing against the shell of my ear, he whispers, “Hmm. Guess you’ll just have to prove it, then, Doc.”
I tip my head back, eyes closed, as his warm breath ghosts over my cheek. One small movement from either of us, and our lips will be touching.
“Ready!”
At the sound of that little voice, we pull away faster than two teens getting caught making out in the basement.
“Daddy, you skipped my turn,” Bea pouts, eyeing him over the popcorn bowl settled on the rug between them.
She’s wearing purple pajamas dotted with tiny rainbows and a medium-size pizza stain.
“I didn’t skip you, Dolly,” he says, pointing to the pile of cards in the middle. “This is the Reverse card, remember? We were taking turns this way…” He motions clockwise with his finger. “But I put down the Reverse card, so now we take turns going this way.” He motions counterclockwise.
“But that’s not fair.” She ignores the rules and sets a blue card with a six on it on top of the pile, then looks innocently at me like it’s my turn.
I hesitate, surveying her, then Asher. While I couldn’t care less if we play by Bea’s rules, I also don’t want to overstep any parenting boundaries.
“Bea,” he sighs empathetically. “We play by the rules or we don’t play at all.”
Her eyes narrow slightly and she uses both hands to smoosh the pile like she’s playing with Play Doh.
“Bea Greer,” her father reprimands, but she’s already off and running to her room.
Asher rises with a huff. “Sorry. It appears as though someone’s having a hard time regulating their emotions.”
Holding my hands up in defeat, I say, “No judgment here. She looks like me last Tuesday when I couldn’t find the antibiotic ointment in the clinic.”
With a pitiful laugh, he excuses himself.
I stay seated on the floor at the round coffee table for a few minutes, unsure of whether we’ll continue the game, but when Asher says, “Time to brush your teeth and get in bed,” I take that as my cue to clean up the cards and the popcorn littering the floor.
With a second glass of wine, I cozy up on the couch and scroll through my phone. Jessica texted, reassuring me that everything was fine and that she’d return the radio tomorrow evening.
I discover that I’ve finally heard from Joey, her text making me laugh out loud.
“What?” Asher says, sauntering back into the room.
My breath catches. “Jesus. You scared me. How are you so damn stealthy?”
He plucks the bottle of wine off the counter and tops off his glass beside me. “I attribute it to tiptoeing around an infant. Bea was a terrible sleeper. Any little noise would wake her up.”
“How about now?” I nod toward her room.
“Now she sleeps like a rock. Finally. Unless there’s a thunderstorm.” He sighs. “Anyway, what were you laughing about?”
I smirk, clutching my phone to my chest. “You don’t wanna know.”
“C’mon,” he urges.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” I sing. Then, with a wicked grin, I read the words on my phone’s screen. “Joey asked, ‘If Ezra stuck his dick in a glory hole, do you think you’d be able to tell it was his?’ and Millie said, ‘Ezra’s pierced, so duh.’”
Though he’s still holding his wine, Asher covers his ear with his free hand for dramatic effect, his face scrunched. “I could have gone my whole life without knowing that. He’s dating my sister.”
“I mean… they’re doing more than just dating,” I tease.
“Stop that. My baby sister has never had sex.” He pokes me in my ribs.
“Hey, I’m forced to hear about Joey’s sex life with my brother all the time,” I grouse. “If I have to suffer, then so do you.”
“Is that so?” Smiling, he juts his chin toward my phone. “What was that question for anyway?”
“I’m going to assume it has to do with Joey’s next book, but I can never tell with those two.”
“Is sharing about your sex life something you do often?” he asks.
“What sex life?” I admit under my breath.
“Oh, come on. You’re gorgeous. I bet there’s no shortage of men lining up to be with you.”
“You think I’m gorgeous?” I bat my lashes playfully.
Asher eyes my bare shoulder, where my sleeve has slipped off, then drags his focus to my lips. “Mmm.”
“Mmm?” I echo. “That’s all I get?”
He sets his glass on the table. “What do you want me to say?”
“Never mind.” I take a long swig of my wine and set my glass next to his. I feel silly now. I’ve never been the type to fish for compliments.
When I reach for my phone as a distraction, he rests a hand on top of my wrist. Silently, he scoots in closer, his leg flush against mine. Then he takes my chin between his thumb and forefinger, forcing me to meet his eyes. The silence between us is deafening.
“You’re so gorgeous, it takes my breath away. Is that what you wanted to hear?”
I nod, suddenly at a loss for words. No man has ever called me gorgeous.
He slips a hand around to my nape and pulls me in for a chaste kiss. “So. Fucking. Gorgeous,” he whispers, his mustache tickling just under my nose.
I’m a little lightheaded. Whether from the wine or his intoxicating words, I’m not sure.
Clearing my throat, I inch back. “We should play a game.”
He pulls away, a look of confusion flashing across his face. I know, man. I’m surprised too. But as badly as I wanted it, such a direct compliment is overwhelming, and I need a moment to process.
“Sure,” he says, probably attempting but very clearly failing to hide the disappointment in his tone.
“Uno was a flop. What else is in that box?” I rise from the couch and pad to the hall closet to rifle through the games.
“Will you shut the door, please?” Asher calls out.
I pluck Jenga from the pile, then I slide the pocket door in the hallway closed.
“Bea’s sound machine is on, and I doubt she’ll wake up, but just in case.”
I set the box on the table and begin unpacking the wooden pieces. The third or fourth catches my eye, and my breath stalls out.
“Uh, Ash? Where did you say you got these?”
“Sometimes guests purchase pool toys and games out in town, then leave them behind because they don’t want to travel home with them. We have so many games already, so Brenner passed these along. Why?”
“You’ve got some kinky guests.” I hold out a block. “Look.”
He accepts the rectangular piece and examines it, his eyes going wide.
“Tease your partner’s nip—what the fuck?”
A snort escapes me before I can smack a hand across my face to stifle it. “Did you check the box before you brought them home?”
“No. I didn’t think I had to.” He creeps back to the hallway, fetching the cardboard box of games, then sets it on the table.
After a quick examination, we determine that Jenga is the only X-rated game in the collection.
Though we both freeze in shock when a buzzing noise sounds from the bottom.
Turns out it’s just a rogue plastic wind-up toy.
He clears the table, then picks up a Jenga piece and rubs it between his fingers. “So. Are we playing?”