14. Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fourteen
Asher
I pace the kitchen floor as I wait for Piper to show up. What if she doesn’t show up? Do I go to her place and ask to see her? Her brother would likely smash his fist in my face if I did. And I don’t blame him. I fucked her like an animal in the cabin he paid for. And didn’t care at all that I was doing so. Until I had to walk out in front of him. Guilt slides through me.
Even though I don’t know him, I should have respected him more than that. His kids could have been in the cabin. I should have respected her more.
I lick my lips and stir the sauce simmering on the stove, inhaling the basil and oregano as the red liquid bubbles. After I twist the knob to low, I use the wooden spoon to keep the bottom layer of the sauce from singeing.
Visions of Piper’s naked body fill my brain until the scents in the kitchen disappear, and all I see is her. Her silken flesh felt like velvet under my fingertips. Her beautiful mouth against mine. Those long legs and perfect tits. All of her is perfection.
I snatch my phone off the counter and wait. Two rings later, the deep rumble of my Ex-commanding officer’s voice fills the room.
“Truman Security. Truman speaking.” After Cade called, I found the number Truman called from months ago when he rang to check on me. At that point, I wasn’t in any shape to do anything but thank him for the call and feel sorry for myself. Now, I’m ready to get my head out of my ass and be productive. And hope that Piper will be willing to visit me in Kansas City. If I can convince Truman to give me a chance.
“Hello, Truman. This is Asher Murphy.”
“Hello, Asher. I wondered who was calling me on my personal line.” He chuckles. “Until I looked up the number. It’s a good thing I didn’t block you as a scammer.”
“Thanks.” I rotate my shoulders and inhale. “Cade called me the other day and told me you run a security company.”
“Yes, I do. Cade and a few of the other guys I used to lead have joined me here.”
I swallow hard. Can I do this? Do I want to? Yes, I do. The pull to help people and make a difference is still there. It sings in my veins. Just because I can’t serve in the military any longer doesn’t mean my life is over. Piper’s face flashes through my mind. Her smiling face looking up at me as she stroked my flesh. Let’s not think about sex right now.
“Are you still there?”
“Yes.” I half chuckle and cough at the same time. “I’m a little out of my element here.”
“I understand that.”
“If you ever have any openings, I’d love to apply for a position there. I’ve been a little listless. Okay, a lot listless after the injury, but I’ve recovered physically and spent a lot of time in therapy working on my mental health.” I close my eyes. You can do this. “The military was my only passion growing up so when it was taken away, I didn’t have any purpose. But I’d still like to do something that helps other people.”
“When can you get to town?”
My heart skips a beat. “For a tour of the company and an interview?”
“No, for a job. The company is growing by the month, and you were one of the best SEALs I worked with. If you hadn’t gotten injured, you’d have been leading your own team.”
“I don’t know about that.” I was good at the military. It was in my blood. But to have replaced one of the best commanders in the SEALs? I’m not sure I would’ve even risen to those ranks.
“I do. Now, when can you get moved out here?”
I glance around my parents’ kitchen. The familiar stainless-steel appliances. The oak table. All of it has been a part of my life for years but it isn’t holding me back. “Two weeks.”
That’ll give me time to see my parents when they return, pack my things, and find a place to live. What about Piper? My stomach churns. Where does her family live? Will she agree to visit, and hopefully, someday, move in with me?
Move in with me? I bite my bottom lip and inhale. I do want her to move in with me. Maybe not in two weeks. But soon.
“Perfect. I’ll send you a list of available places near the office. Which do you prefer, a house, a condo, or an apartment?”
“A condo for a few months while I look for a house.”
“Gotcha. See you in two weeks. I’ll have my assistant send you all the documents.”
After I hang up, I stare into space. This is it. I’m done running. I smile, and it feels damned good.
A knock at the door has me rushing through the kitchen and living room. When I open the door, Piper stands on the other side, eyeing me with a worried expression.
“What happened?” I clutch her shoulder. “Did your brother do something?”
“No.” She shakes her head. “I mean, it was a little awkward, but no big deal.”
“Okay.” I usher her inside as relief fills me, leaving my knees weak. “I should have apologized to him. It was disrespectful of me to….” She clasps her hands in front of her, and the expression of worry intensifies. “Babe.” I cup her cheeks and rest my forehead against hers. “I don’t regret one second of being with you. At all. So don’t think that’s what I mean. I shouldn’t have had sex with you in a place he’s paying for. Especially when his kids could have seen or heard. But I couldn’t walk away.” One corner of my mouth quirks upward. “My need for you was too strong. Too primal.”
The worry leaves her beautiful eyes. “That’s sweet.”
“I’m not sure taking you like a beast is considered sweet.”
“I think it’s sweet.” She laughs as more of the tension eases from her.
“I’d like to say I practiced that speech, but it’s just a bunch of word vomit that flew out of me when I saw how worried you looked.”
She wraps her arms around me. “Your charm is legendary.’
“I’m always at your service.” The humor edges out of me as I contemplate the future. I pull back and rub my thumbs along her cheekbones. “I just accepted a job in a different state.”
“Oh….” She straightens and swallows.
“A man who was one of my commanders in the SEALs has started a security firm, and one of my friends is working for him. He called the other day, and the idea intrigued me. The first thing that’s intrigued me, besides you, since the accident.”
“I’m glad.” She smiles, putting on what I now recognize as her brave face.
“I would like to keep seeing you after you return home.” I frown. “Where exactly is home?”
“My brother plays on the professional football team in Kansas City. And right now, I still live with them and my mom. We used to live in our own place when Weston and Charlotte got married, but when they built their new house and had Roe and Gavin, we moved in.”
I close my eyes and shake my head. Fate does have a way of giving you exactly what you need when the time is right.
Piper places a hand on my chest. “Are you okay?’
“More than okay.” I open my eyes to meet hers. “Truman Security is located in Kansas City.”
“Oh, my God.” Her eyes are wide as her mouth drops open.
“I’m glad this is good news to you.”
“Very.” She stands on her tiptoes and offers her mouth to me.
I take what she offers and relish every second of her softness in my arms. Her lips under mine. The way she whimpers when I stroke her tongue. Undoubtedly, she was put in front of me when I needed her. To show me that life is worth living. To make me unwind. To show me life could still be beautiful.
And I’m going to show her every day how thankful I am that she gave me a snotty look that shouted I was an asshole.
I trail my lips along her jawline. “Do you want to eat first or wait until I’ve devoured you?”
“I think that might be one of those dumb questions despite people saying there are no dumb questions.”
“Right.” I swing her into my arms, walk to the kitchen, and shut off the stove. “We can eat later. Much later.”