14. Sutton #2
“You wanted wine and ice cream.”
“Thank you,” I sighed and leaned against the counter. “I’m not going to lie, I was a little sad you weren’t at the door.” A nervous laugh escaped me. Why did I say that? It was the exhaustion. “But thank you, this is great.”
All I heard was a grunt before there was another knock. My steps were quick and this time when I pulled the door open, Asher was standing there. He moved his phone away from his ear.
I didn’t wait for him to say anything. Instead I just wrapped my arms around him.
I settled against his thick chest as his big arms wrapped around me, his chin coming down to rest on my head.
I would have burrowed into him if I could.
Standing like this made me feel safe, made me wonder if I’d ever felt as secure as I did wrapped in his arms.
Guess this was what Sophie was obsessed with. And I had to say, I understood.
“Let’s get inside, sweetheart,” he mumbled from above me after what I’m sure was only a few minutes but didn’t feel nearly long enough. I reluctantly nodded, then pulled back.
His eyes bounced over me, almost like he was taking stock, cataloguing every out of place hair and the tear stains on my cheeks.
I cleared my throat and then moved back to the kitchen. I heard him slide the lock into place before following behind me. “Did you have a hankering for ice cream?”
“Something like that,” he muttered, joining me in the kitchen. “Did I get the right kind?”
“Chocolate anything is my favorite, but I like a little bit of vanilla mixed in,” I said as I pulled out some bowls.
He was quiet for a moment, which wasn’t unusual, but something about it had me glancing back at him. He wasn’t looking at me but at the sink where the tap was supposed to be.
“That happened earlier. I was turning it on to wash some dishes but the damn thing just popped right off. I need to call the landlord but that didn’t happen today. I’ll try him tomorrow.”
He scowled and then looked back at me. “How did you get water?”
“Bathroom.” I shrugged. I was working hard not to let my head get away from me. I didn’t care if he was judging me—I was doing the best I could. “What do you want?” I held up a bowl, distracting him from the sink.
“Your combo sounds good.”
I got to work serving us both before pushing him a bowl and just popping up on the counter to eat rather than moving to the table.
Asher leaned his hip against the counter beside me.
He was in a T-shirt, which I hadn’t noticed before.
It was unfairly showing off his corded, veiny forearms and offering a better view of his tattoos than I’d gotten before.
Then I realized he was in athletic shorts, revealing his muscular thighs. He’d never looked so casual.
“Did I pull you away from something?”
“Just the gym. I was finished,” he replied before we fell into a comfortable silence, the ice cream soothing some of the discomfort from my day.
“Sorry for hugging you before.” I continued eating my ice cream, paying very close attention to it. “I was just overwhelmed.”
“Sutton.”
I glanced up at his firm tone.
“Why are you apologizing for that?”
“You said you don’t like being touched.”
He’d mentioned it at the zoo when someone had bumped into him.
“That didn’t apply to you.”
I could feel the blush on my cheeks. “Oh.”
“Most of my rules don’t apply to you, Sutton.”
His eyes were so intense but I was locked in them all the same. I could feel a tingling over my skin. My body hadn’t reacted to a man in a long time, yet his eyes and deep accented voice were getting me hot.
But those were inappropriate thoughts to have about your friend.
Clearing my throat, I scooped more ice cream into my mouth, the coolness dousing some of the fire.
“Why was Sophie so grumpy?”
I held back a relieved sigh as he let us move on. “It just happens sometimes. I don’t know what caused it today. She could be getting sick, she’s usually extra fussy then, but I checked her temperature a few times and it was normal.”
He grunted in reply and we moved back to silence. I finished my ice cream and before I could protest, Asher took my bowl from me and loaded both in the dishwasher.
“Wine?” he asked after briefly glaring at the sink.
“No,” I sighed. “I haven’t had any water today. The wine was just a momentary thing.” He nodded and grabbed two glasses. “I can do it,” I said, stepping in his way.
He held the glasses above his head. “No.”
I jumped, trying to reach them, but there was no chance. “How freaking tall are you?”
“Six-four. Now move.”
I rolled my eyes but let him pass and he went to my bathroom to fill the glasses.
I plopped down on the couch and rested my head on the back.
I felt a lot calmer than before, my brain less scattered and chaotic.
I felt the couch shift next to me as Asher took a seat.
I turned my head and opened my eyes to look at him.
“Thanks,” I said as I took the glass he passed me.
“Now, are you going to show me this creek show?”
A smile broke out over my face as I grabbed the remote. “We’re going to start on episode one but we have to watch at least three because the characters grow on you and I don’t want you to give up.”