10. Chapter
Asher
T he light of morning is harsh and bright against my eyelids. I squint my eyes open, resolving to get curtains up as soon as possible.
Sam's silky hair tickles my nose, and I nuzzle into her neck, breathing in her warm, apple-and-cinnamon scent. She smells like home.
She fits perfectly in my arms, all soft curves and smooth skin. I trail light kisses along her shoulder, marveling at the rightness of it all. Even the weight of Milo curled at my feet feels natural, like this is how I'm meant to wake every morning.
Sam stirs, pressing back against me with a sleepy murmur. She's naked—I wouldn't let her put on a single stitch of clothing when we finally fell into bed.
Tightening my embrace, I savor the moment. Waking up with her in my bed, in my new home, it's like the scattered pieces of my life are locking into place. A sense of peace and belonging settles deep in my chest.
Have I fallen too far too fast?
Yeah.
Do I give a fuck?
Not really.
Maybe I should. She's young. I'm way too old for her. She has a full life ahead of her, and I just retired from my dream career.
But—there's a dark little corner of my mind that whispers ideas into my head. Like making sure she falls as hard as I do so she can never, ever leave.
I brush my lips against the shell of her ear. "Morning, little bunny."
She hums contentedly, threading her fingers through mine where they rest on her stomach. "Mm, five more minutes..."
I chuckle. "You can have as long as you want. No rush."
I'm in no hurry to let her go. I could happily stay here all day, holding her, talking, teasing, touching. Last night was... intense. Mind-blowing. I've never experienced anything like the fiery connection between us. It's addictive.
Sam rolls over to face me, her dark hair spilling across the pillow, the ends a vibrant blue that doesn't even make me blink.
It's so perfectly her. I love every bit of it.
She blinks up at me with those big doe eyes, still hazy with sleep. Fucking gorgeous. I capture her lips in a searing kiss, pouring my need into it. She meets me with matching hunger, hands fisting in my hair, and I'm already dreaming of a full course of Sam for breakfast.
A wet nose nudges my foot, accompanied by an impatient whine, shattering my hopes. I groan against Sam's mouth. She pulls back with a breathless laugh.
"Someone needs to go out." She untangles herself and sits up, running a hand through her mussed hair. "I should get him home."
"You don't have to go." The words tumble out before I can stop them. "You could stay. We could have breakfast, take Milo for a walk..."
Uncertainty flickers across her face. Fuck. Too fast.
I backpedal. "Or not. Whatever you want. No pressure."
"I want to. I do. It's just..." She gnaws at her plump bottom lip. "This is a lot. You and me. It's intense. I'm not honestly sure how I'm supposed to be acting right now. I've never had a one-night stand before. And definitely not with a neighbor."
"I know. Believe me, I feel it too." Hiding my internal panic at the way she summarized our amazing night as a one-night stand, I cup her cheek, smoothing my thumb over her lip until she releases it. "Hey. We can take this slow. Figure it out as we go. No need to put any labels. Let's just do what feels right. Okay?"
I'll make it so everything feels so right, she never wants to leave.
Simple.
Game plan: Get the girl.
She searches my eyes and then nods. "Okay. Slow sounds good."
Fast sounds better, but I don't argue. I kiss her again, soft and sweet. "Go take care of Milo. I'll make you coffee. We'll have breakfast and see when the repair men are supposed to get here."
While Sam takes the dog out, I pull on sweatpants and head to the kitchen. I load the coffee maker, thoughts drifting as it burbles and hisses. A quick text to Liam solves the repairman issue—he'll let me know when they're on the way.
I meant what I said about taking things slow, letting this develop naturally. But I already know I'm all in. Sam is special. I felt it the moment I crashed through her door and saw her brandishing that controller, all fire and sass.
I want her in my bed, in my arms. I want to come home to her, share my life with her. Fuck, I never thought I'd be thinking about having a dog, but now I'm planning on a dog destroying my yard for the rest of my natural life. If that furball is part of the package, I'll learn to live with dog hair and chew toys. Gladly. Waking up with her tucked against me, I've never felt so complete. So happy.
The door opens, admitting Sam and Milo. She's wearing my shirt, and the sight makes me want to drag her back to bed. Milo scampers over, sniffing at my bare feet. I crouch down and let him lick my fingers.
May as well start with making a connection with her little furball.
He's kind of cute, in a doggy kind of way.
"Well, well. Looks like you two are friends now." Sam props a hip against the counter with a smile.
"We've reached an understanding." I straighten up and pull her into my arms. "I tolerate him peeing on my shoes, he tolerates me ravishing his mom. Fair trade."
She swats my chest, cheeks pinking. "Ravishing? Seriously?"
I flash her a wolfish grin. "Just calling it like I see it."
"Uh-huh." She pokes a finger into my chest. "For the record, there will be no ravishing until after coffee."
"On a scale of light ravishing to a full ravishing, what level of liberties may I take before coffee?"
"Kisses, but only if you don't have terrible morning breath."
"Duly noted." I release her to grab mugs, admiring the way my shirt skims her thighs. "How do you take it?"
"A whole cup full of cream, two sugars, and a dash of coffee."
I stare at her in consternation, and she laughs. "Seriously though, fill it up with a ton of creamer. If you think it's too much, add more."
I doctor her coffee and pass it over, then pour my own. For a few minutes we just sip in comfortable silence, exchanging heated glances over the rims of our mugs. The charge between us hasn't lessened. If anything, it's stronger in the light of day.
Sam's the first one to break.
She sets her mug down and steps closer, smoothing her hands up my bare chest. I shudder at her touch, at the way she explores my skin so freely.
All I want to do is turn her around and fuck her against the stove, but I'm trying to be a gentleman she can fall in love with, and not a horny bastard who happens to live next door.
"You know," she says casually, "I seem to recall that I never got any rewards for the first two kills last night. It doesn't seem fair."
I raise my eyebrows. "Oh, you want to collect, do you?"
She lifts onto her toes, her breasts pressing against my chest as she brings her mouth to my ear.
"What can I say? You made a very compelling offer."
Fuck. I wrap my arms around her and lift her up, pinning her to the fridge. She yelps and then laughs, legs locking around my waist.
"Well, when you put it like that..." I nuzzle into her throat, nipping at her racing pulse. "Guess I better pay up."
Her fingers delve into my hair, nails raking my scalp. I groan and seek her lips, losing myself in her drugging kisses.
I'm already hard. She arches against me, eager and responsive, and the sweet heat behind her panties is torture as I rock my hips against her. I could kiss her for hours, for days, and never get enough.
Just as I'm convinced I'm going to fulfill my fuck-her-over-a-stove fantasy, a bark interrupts us.
She breaks away from me, flushed and breathing hard. Milo wags his tail, tongue lolling in a doggy grin. Sam giggles and drops her head to my shoulder.
"He has terrible timing."
"The worst." I set her down reluctantly, wondering how much she'd hate me if I were to flambe her dog. "To be continued?"
"Definitely." She stretches up to peck my lips. "Let me go get changed. I don't want to meet the repairmen in just your shirt."
Good point. I'd rather her not meet them at all, but she'd be less than impressed if I were to start acting like a possessive caveman.
"Meet you back here in twenty?" I know she brought clothes with her, but I'm happy to have her leave them here and get new ones from home.
"It's a date."
I watch her go, Milo trotting happily at her heels. As the door closes behind them, I lean back against the counter and blow out a breath. My life has turned upside down in the space of a day. I went from solitary bachelor to falling hard and fast for the girl next door. It's crazy. Reckless.
And I wouldn't change a damn thing. Sam is the best kind of plot twist. With her, I can imagine a future I never let myself want before. Love, companionship, a home that feels complete. Even if it comes with a side of doggy drool.
I'm grinning like an idiot as I head for the shower.