6. Chapter
Samantha
S omehow, while I'm finishing off a couple slices of pizza, Asher manages to get a his giant TV set up, with my TV—from my apartment—brought in and placed off to the side, placed onto a folding card table. It works out.
He even brought my gaming system and controller, which doesn't seem any worse for being thrown at him.
By the time I'm done, he's connected his own console to my wi-fi and we're both loading up BAbr—Build-a-Battle Royale, one of the most popular games of all time.
"Have you ever played this? Do you need some tips?" I ask him, even though I'm the one asking him for help.
His lips quirk again, and I think I'm falling in love with that half-smile of his. "I'm good. I've played it before."
"I'm trying to rank up, but it's not going well," I confess. "I play with my friends a lot but I'm still in bot lobbies. Um, that's where AI players are."
"I know about bot lobbies. I'm not that old." Asher grins at me, which helps me relax.
It's one in the morning and we should really be sleeping—or something even better than that—but I'm excited.
I've only ever played with Amy and Max, and we've never played in the same room together.
Asher pats the cushion beside him, his eyes glinting with mischief. My stomach flip-flops as I perch on the opposite end of the couch, trying to put some distance between us.
Sure, I could plaster myself against him, but I'm trying not to seem desperate.
He chuckles, a deep rumble that sends shivers down my spine, and tugs me closer until our thighs almost touch.
"Easier to show you the controls this way." His breath tickles my ear.
I swallow hard, hyperaware of his solid presence. As we sign in, I sneak a glance at his profile, his chiseled jaw and full lips illuminated by the TV's glow.
"H.E.L.I.O.S.?" I read his gamertag aloud.
At the same time, he says, "CutePinkBunnyNose? Seriously?"
Heat floods my cheeks. "It's... it's an inside joke. With Amy." It's not. I just didn't know what else to put and made it up on the spot.
"Uh huh. Sure." Asher's smirk tells me he doesn't buy it for a second. "And here I thought you were trying to seduce me with thoughts of cute, pink, bunny noses."
"No! I mean, that's not—" The words tangle on my tongue. I do want to seduce him, but I'd rather him think of me, not a bunny.
Unless he's into sexy bunnies? That might be fun.
His shoulder brushes mine as he leans in, voice dropping to a husky whisper. "Relax, Sammi. I'm teasing."
The nickname rolls off his tongue like honey. My heart stutters against my ribs. I fix my gaze on the character selection screen, but his nearness scrambles my thoughts.
"So, um, your tag. What's it mean?"
"Ah, that." Asher rubs the back of his neck. "It's silly. An acronym I used back in my pro days. Stood for 'Harnessing Excellence, Leveraging Intuition Over Skill.' Pretentious as hell."
"I like it. Sounds badass." I nudge him with my elbow, surprised at my own boldness. "Suits you."
His eyes meet mine, stormy blue and intense. "Oh yeah? How so?"
"Well, you did heroically burst through my door to save me. That is officially labeled under 'badass'."
"Hmm, true. Though you nearly brained me with a controller for my troubles."
"Hey! It was dark and I thought you were a serial killer!"
"Do many serial killers ask 'Are you okay?' after breaking in?"
I can't help but laugh. "Okay, point taken. I may have overreacted. A little."
"A little?" Asher arches an eyebrow.
"Fine, a lot. Happy now?"
"Delighted." His knee knocks against mine, sending a jolt of electricity through me. "Now, are you ready for your first lesson?"
"Wait, wait. You need to see my skill level first." I'm determined to show him I can hold my own.
He watches as I choose my avatar, a cute girl with pigtails, wearing pink and blue. He chooses some guy in all black.
As the match loads, I sneak another glance at Asher. He catches me looking and winks, a knowing glint in his eye that makes my insides melt.
God, what is wrong with me? Oh, right. My neighbor. My much older, ridiculously attractive neighbor.
"Show me what you've got, little bunny."
In the first round, I die three times, twice within the first five minutes. Asher comes around in a heroic rescue each time.
By the end of the match, we've won. First place. He has thirty-five kills out of a possible ninety-eight.
I have zero.
"Bunnies were the right choice," Asher says with a laugh. "They aren't very fierce and hop around a lot."
"Shut up ," I groan, smacking his arm. "I'm not usually this bad. Just wait. I'll show you."
But the next match isn't much better.
Or the one after that.
Asher's shoulder bumps mine as he laughs. The sound vibrates through my body, heat spreading under my skin. I force my attention back to the screen as we load into another match.
"At least I'm winning." I huff, selecting my character.
"Only because I'm carrying you, bunny."
I snort. "Fine, I'm a princess bunny then. You're my noble steed."
"As you wish, Your Majesty." His voice is low, teasing. My cheeks flush.
The match starts and I scramble to keep up. Asher effortlessly takes out player after player while I struggle to even aim. Suddenly, an enemy appears right in front of me, gun blazing. I yelp, firing wildly.
Strong arms wrap around me from behind. Asher pulls me back against his chest as his hands cover mine on the controller. "Easy," he murmurs in my ear, sending a jolt of desire right down my body. "Like this."
Under his guidance, my character whirls and takes out the threat with deadly precision. I don't pay much attention. All I can focus on is the heat of Asher's body pressed to my back, his breath on my neck. My heart pounds against my ribs.
"Your aim controls are set really slow," he says, voice rumbling through me. "You should get used to a faster speed."
"Uh huh," I mumble. His arm is still around my waist. I'm hyper aware of every place we touch.
"Let me show you."
Asher's fingers brush mine as he adjusts my settings, leaving his character to live or die by luck. Electricity zings up my arm. I bite my lip, trying to ignore the fluttering low in my stomach.
He guides me through the options, adjusting the sensitivity. I nod along like I'm paying attention and not leaning into his embrace. His woodsy scent wraps around me, making my head spin.
"There." He sits back and cold air rushes in to replace his warmth. "Try it now."
I blink at the screen, momentarily lost. Right. The game. I take a shaky breath and unsteadily move my character forward.
Everything feels too fast, out of control. I overcompensate and send my avatar careening into a wall. Asher chuckles. The sound slides down my spine like honey.
"You'll get used to it." His gaze meets mine, blue eyes gleaming with mischief and something darker. Intense. Hunger unfurls inside me; all this flirting and teasing isn't enough. "I'll make a pro out of you yet, little rabbit."
Asher's advice echoes in my head as we dive into the next match. Faster. React quicker. But my fingers fumble over the buttons, the increased sensitivity throwing me off. I jerk the camera around too sharply, missing easy shots.
"Relax," Asher murmurs. The low timbre of his voice sends shivers dancing along my skin. "Don't fight it. Let it flow."
I try. I really do. But between the unfamiliar settings and Asher's proximity, my mind can't focus. His scent wraps around me, all male and woodsy, dizzying in its intensity. Heat radiates off his body, and all I can think about is how his arms were around me a little while before. It's distracting. He's distracting.
I die again, taken out by an enemy I never saw coming. Groaning, I flop back against Asher's couch in defeat. "I'm hopeless."
"Hardly." Amusement laces his tone. The controller disappears from my hands, placed to the side. "Come here."
Strong arms wrap around my waist, pulling me into the vee of Asher's legs until my back is flush against him. I suck in a sharp breath. Every inch of me tingles at the contact, nerve endings alight. He's so solid behind me, all hard muscle and coiled strength. I feel surrounded. Consumed.
Holy shit.
He's actually doing this.
I'm between his legs. I can feel his heat against my back, and something behind me. Yeah. He's feeling it, too.
"Let me show you." His voice is a whisper against my ear and I shiver. I don't want any more of this flirtatious dance. I want our bodies to communicate.
Instead, Asher puts the controller back in my hands, his long fingers guiding me into position. My skin burns beneath his touch, desire throbbing deep inside of me.
I swallow hard. This close, I can feel the steady thump of his heart against my shoulder blades. The flex of his thighs on either side of mine. The brush of his breath on my neck. The evidence of his arousal, pressed oh-so-innocently against my ass.
It's dizzying. Overwhelming.
"Relax," Asher says again, his lips grazing the shell of my ear. Goosebumps erupt down my arms. "I've got you."
And he does. Oh god, he does. His chest is a wall of heat against my back, his arms a steel cage around me. I've never felt so surrounded. So completely enveloped by another person. It's thrilling and terrifying all at once.
Under Asher's guidance, my character comes to life. We clear the map with ruthless efficiency, moving together, acting as one. His fingers direct mine, showing me when to duck, when to shoot. It's a dance, sensual and intimate, our bodies learning each other. And it's exhilarating.
Every time I shift my weight to get more comfortable, I can feel his body tense and his breath catch. The power that gives me is a thrill I've never felt before.
My heart pounds against my ribs, breath coming faster. I'm acutely aware of every flex of Asher's muscles, every brush of skin on skin. His scent fills my head, an intoxicating mix of pine and something darker. Richer. It clings to the back of my throat, heady and addicting.
I lean further into him, relishing the solid warmth of his body. His arm tightens around my waist in response, pulling me impossibly closer. A small, needy sound escapes me. I feel more than hear Asher's sharp intake of breath, his chest expanding against my back.
"Samantha." His voice is rough, strained. I tilt my head back to meet his gaze and drown in the intensity I find there. Asher's eyes are dark, pupils blown wide and ringed with only the thinnest slice of blue. They burn into me, hungry and searching.
The air between us crackles, heavy with tension. With want. I can't look away. Can't move. Can't breathe. I'm caught in Asher's orbit, helpless to resist the pull. He leans in, achingly slow, until his forehead rests against mine.
"Tell me to stop," he murmurs, breath ghosting across my lips. "Tell me you don't want this."
I should. I know I should. This is insane. We don't even know each other. But my body doesn't care. It yearns for his with a ferocity that steals my breath. I ache, empty and desperate to be filled. To be claimed.
By Asher.
Only Asher.
"Don't stop," I whisper. "Please."