12. Chapter
Asher
T he smell of burning charcoal wafts through the air as I watch Sam and Milo romp across the newly tidied yard. Her musical laughter rings out, mingling with excited yips.
"Good boy, Milo! Bring it back!"
The little mutt bounds after the tennis ball, ears flapping. I shake my head, lips twitching. Damn dog's starting to grow on me.
My phone buzzes. Miriam. I swipe to answer.
"Asher, fantastic news. HypeGaming signed the contract."
I grunt. "About time. Their feet-dragging was getting old." Now that the contract is done, my company is set. This was the last thing we needed to move forward. From pro gamer to game development.
Mobile games. But still, there's a huge market there, and HypeGaming can do what I need them to do. They're the professionals I need to make my dream come true.
"There's more. They want to bring an influencer on board. Someone high profile to really sell it."
I frown. "An influencer? Seriously? We don't need—"
"Influencer?" Sam asks from beside me, slightly out of breath. "Do you need one?"
I'd explained all about my company this morning. She's now my biggest fan, but I'm more interested in the fantasies I have that involve her in my office.
Especially the one with her in thigh-high stockings and a pencil skirt. Something about Sam dressed as a prim secretary is really doing it for me.
"I might know someone perfect."
Shit, she was talking while I was fantasizing about sliding between those delicious thighs. Again.
I glance over, brow raised. "Oh?"
She nods, tucking windblown hair behind her ear. "My boss, Amy. Gaming is her side hustle and she's killing it. Millions of followers."
I blink. "Your boss moonlights as a gaming influencer?"
"Yep. Sponsors, merch, the whole shebang. But you didn't hear it from me." She winks.
I smirk. "Hear what?"
She grins and jogs back to Milo, who prances eagerly with the ball. I watch her in appreciation. The way her ass jiggles with every movement. That soft stomach I like to rest my hands on. How her thighs rub together—
"Miriam, let's talk more on this influencer angle tomorrow. For now, the contract is a go. I'll be in touch."
"Of course. Enjoy your evening, Asher." I can hear the smile in her voice. She hangs up.
I pocket the phone and head to the grill, mind whirring. An influencer, huh? Interesting.
I arrange the marinated steaks on the hot grate, inhaling the savory aroma as they sizzle. Milo woofs and scampers over to investigate.
"Hey, you little beggar." I nudge him away with my foot. "These aren't for you."
"Careful, he's crafty," Sam calls. "I caught him on the counter going after my sandwich once."
"Guess he'll fit right in with us shady characters then," I drawl.
She laughs, the sound sending a pleasant shiver down my spine. I glance over to see her plopped on the grass, Milo having given up the possibility of steak to sprawl in her lap. Damn, she's beautiful.
I clear my throat. "Steaks'll be ready soon."
"Great, I'm starved." She squints at me, but makes no effort to rise. "What can I help with?"
"I think I can handle flipping some meat, sweetheart."
She scoffs. "I'm not totally inept in the kitchen, you know."
"Never said you were. But you're my guest, so sit your pretty ass down and let me handle it."
She rolls her eyes but obliges, laying back against the grass. I hide a grin and focus on the food, prodding the meat with tongs.
Smoke curls in the breeze, embers glowing orange beneath the grate. The spicy scent of charring flesh permeates the air.
It's a perfect evening.
I slide the steaks onto a waiting platter and carry it to the table. Sam straightens, eyes widening.
"Wow. Those look incredible."
"Just wait 'til you taste 'em." I set the dishes down with a flourish.
Sam rises gracefully, snatching the ball and hurling it across the yard. Milo yips and dashes after it, tongue lolling.
I watch, amused, as the mutt skids to a halt and spins in a circle, clearly having lost the ball's location. He sniffs the ground intently, tail wagging.
"How has that dog survived this long?" I ask.
Sam laughs, shaking her head. "Honestly, I baby him a lot. But I can't help it. I love the little doofus, even if he's only got two brain cells to rub together."
I chuckle. It fits her.
Sam stands by the table, and her brows knit together. "Um, Asher—is this it? Just steak?"
I blink at her, nonplussed. The hell's wrong with steak? "Yeah?"
She bursts out laughing, the sound rich and warm. "Okay. Yeah, I'm going to have to introduce you to a few vegetables. You can't just eat meat and nothing else."
I huff. "Sometimes I bake potatoes, too."
"Oh, well excuse me. Didn't realize I was dealing with a regular chef here." Her eyes sparkle with mirth.
I narrow my gaze at her. "Watch it, bunny. I might rescind your steak privileges."
She laughs. "I don't think you'd dare."
"Try me."
She purses her lips, fighting a smile. Damn, she's cute when she's trying to be stern. Makes me want to kiss that pout right off her face.
"Tell you what," she says, stepping closer. "Let me worry about the veggies next time. I promise I'll make them so delicious, even a carnivore like you will be impressed."
I arch a brow, even as I loop my arms around her waist. She's so tiny. So delicate. I should really remember that when I turn into a beast. "That so?"
"Mhmm." She trails a finger down my chest, peering up at me through her lashes. "I'm very good with... produce."
Fuck. The heated promise in her gaze shoots straight to my cock. I clear my throat roughly. "I'll hold you to that."
She winks. "You do that." Then she saunters over to the table, putting an extra sway in her hips because she knows I'm watching. Minx.
I adjust myself discreetly and follow, determined to get my head out of the gutter. For now.
Milo chooses that moment to return, ball clamped triumphantly between his teeth. He drops it at Sam's feet and sits, tail thumping the ground.
"Good job, buddy!" Sam ruffles his ears. "You're so clever, yes you are."
I snort. Cleverness is not a word I'd associate with that dog. But hey, whatever makes her happy.
We settle at the table, the savory aroma of steak wafting between us. I have to admit, even though it's simple, the meal looks damn good to me. Perfectly seared meat, juicy and tender.
Sam cuts into hers and takes a bite, eyes drifting shut as she moans appreciatively. "Oh my god. Asher, this is incredible."
I preen a bit at the compliment, watching her pink lips close around the fork. I wonder what other noises I could coax out of her with my cooking. Among other things.
Down boy. I slice into my own steak, focusing on the task. The first bite nearly makes me groan. Smoky, with just the right amount of char. Damn, I'm good. Nothing beats charcoal. Fuck those fancy propane grills.
We eat in comfortable silence for a bit, punctuated by the clink of silverware and Milo's hopeful whines. Sam slips him a small piece of steak, and I pretend not to notice. Softy.
"So," she says after a while, setting her fork down. "Tell me more about this influencer thing. You really think it could help your company?"
I lean back in my chair, considering. "Honestly? I'm not sure. It's a new angle, one I hadn't really considered before. It's becoming more common for a lot of these games, though. The advertising potential is there."
She nods thoughtfully. "Well, I meant what I said about Amy. She's great at what she does. And if she's on board, her followers will be too."
"Hmm." I rub my jaw. "Might be worth a conversation, at least."
"I can put in a good word for you, if you want." She smiles impishly. "Since I have an in with the boss and all."
I chuckle. "Appreciate it. Though I'm not sure how much credibility you'll have, considering you're currently shacking up with the company."
She giggles, the sound light and carefree. I could get used to hearing that. Used to being the one to cause it.
Ah, shit. I'm in deep, and loving every moment of it.
She takes another bite of steak, chewing slowly. I can practically hear the gears in her head working.
"We're not shacking up," she says suddenly, and I blink.
"What?"
Her fork jabs in my direction. "You said I'm shacking up with you. Shacking up implies we live together."
"Well…" I flick my eyes toward the duplex. "We live under the same roof. That'd qualify as shacking."
"Mm. No."
I lean forward, a grin tugging at my lips. "You slept in my bed, sweetheart. That would definitely qualify as shacking up."
She scoffs, shaking her head. "It was one night! Hardly a permanent arrangement."
"Ah, but what a night it was."
Pink blooms across her cheeks and down her neck. Fuck, I love how responsive she is. How easily I can fluster her.
"That's beside the point," she mumbles, stabbing a piece of steak with more force than necessary.
"Is it?" I tilt my head, studying her. "Because from where I'm sitting, it seems pretty damn relevant."
She meets my gaze, defiant despite the blush still staining her skin. "Sex does not equal cohabitation."
"Maybe not." I shrug. "But it's a start. A damn good one, if you ask me."
"I didn't ask you."
"Ouch." I press a hand to my chest in mock affront. "You wound me, bunny."
She rolls her eyes, but I catch the twitch of her lips. "I'm sure your ego will recover."
"Only if you kiss it better."
A surprised laugh bursts out of her. "Smooth, Asher. Real smooth."
I flash her a roguish grin. "I try."
She shakes her head, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. Damn, I want to taste that smile. Feel it pressed against my own lips.
"Careful," she warns, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Keep this up and I might start to think you like me or something."
"Well, we can't have that." I lean back, folding my arms across my chest. "Guess I'll have to be meaner."
"Mm, I don't think you have a mean bone in your body." Her gaze rakes over me, hot and assessing. "Well, maybe one."
Fuck. The innuendo hits me like a punch to the gut. I shift in my seat, desire coiling tight in my belly. "Careful, bunny." My voice is a low rasp. "Keep this up and I might have to bend you over this table."
"Promise?"
A growl rumbles in my chest. "Behave. Or you won't be able to sit for a week."
She bites her lip, eyes hooded. Temptress. She knows exactly what she's doing to me.
I inhale deeply, trying to rein myself in. As much as I'd love to make good on that threat, I'm trying to be a gentleman. A boyfriend . I'd surprised her with a home-cooked meal—okay, I forgot sides for the meat, but my brain was otherwise occupied—instead of a date out, figuring it would be more romantic.
It worked. I don't want to ruin that by having her think all I want to do is slide my cock between her thighs every time I see her.
She's more than just sex.
"Finish your food," I say gruffly.
She pouts but obeys, cutting into her steak with renewed vigor. I watch the fork disappear between her lips, transfixed and wondering what else I can put in that pretty mouth.
Down boy. I clear my throat and focus on my own plate. But it's hard to concentrate on anything besides the enticing woman across from me. The one who's steadily dismantling all my defenses. Worming her way under my skin and into my heart.
It should scare me. Should send me running for the hills. I'm not really a relationship kind of guy. Never have been. I was too busy as H.E.L.I.O.S. to have time for a woman.
But with Sam... it's different. She's different.
I want more than just a quick fuck.
I want lazy Sundays tangled in bed sheets. Stolen kisses over morning coffee. Laughter echoing through the halls of our home.
Our home. Fuck. When did I start thinking of it as ours? It's been less than twenty-four hours of her under my skin, and I'm ready to devote my entire life to her.
And I'm okay with that.
Wild.
I glance at Sam, watching as she slips Milo another piece of steak. The tender smile on her face as she coos at the mutt. The way the sunlight gilds her hair.
She's beautiful. Inside and out. And I'm completely, utterly fucked because I've already fallen for her, hard and fast, with no end in sight. I'm not fighting it. I'm diving in headfirst, consequences be damned.
Sam looks up, catching me staring. She arches a brow. "What?"
"Nothing." I shake my head, a slow smile spreading across my face. "Just thinking about how lucky I am."
Her expression softens, eyes crinkling at the corners. "Charmer."
"Only for you, bunny." Only for her.
She reaches across the table, tangling our fingers together. Her hand is so small in mine. Delicate. But there's a strength in her grip. A surety.
Like she knows exactly what she wants. And what she wants... is me.
I squeeze her hand, marveling at how right it feels. How perfectly we fit together.
In this moment, everything seems so clear. So simple.
I'm hers. And she's mine.
The rest? We'll figure it out as we go.
Together.