Past time.
“I’m sorry,” she blew out. She opened her hands and then clasped them together again. “I was mad and I overreacted.”
He put a hand over both of hers. A small gesture, yet so big. And it made her want to scoot closer to him, which of course put her on the defensive again.
“You can’t blame me. Not like you put me in the most comfortable position,” she snapped, undoing the apology she’d just doled out, so she added, “Anyway, I’m okay now, and I wanted to make sure we were okay.”
He watched her for a moment, then his lips curved in bemusement. He gave her hand a squeeze and let go. “We’re okay, Sarge. You let loose with me and that’s not a bad thing.”
She bit the inside of her cheek. She did let loose with him. Of all the stress-induced moments of her life when she’d been able to hold it together, she came completely unglued when it came to Asher. Whether they were arguing or kissing.
She tightened her folded fingers, her nerves rattling. So…she could leave now. She guessed. But she didn’t move.
“How’d the rest of your day go?” he asked.
“Busy.” She tilted an eyebrow at him. “I feel like crashing. Or drinking a bottle of wine. Or going out dancing.”
“Interesting mix.” He smiled.
“You know me. Restless and don’t know how to fix it.” It was supposed to be a throwaway statement, but he didn’t let it go.
“I do know you, Sarge.” He stood, balancing the toy on the railing and extending a hand. “I know exactly what you need.”
“Ash.” She ran her suddenly sweaty palms down her skirt.
“It’s totally innocent.”
She didn’t fully trust him, or herself when she was with him.
“Okay, mostly innocent.” His smile broadened to a grin.
She put her hand into his. He held her fingers loosely against his palm and together, they walked down the dock.
“Beautiful night,” she said as they strolled.
The stars glimmered in a navy sky and the pale moon shone, reflecting off the lake’s placid surface. The back of the house faced a huge private portion of the lake surrounded by trees. Another mansion-style house was on the other side, another off to the far left, but unless someone had a telescope, he had privacy.
“You have a slice of paradise here.” She lifted her head to take in the night sky.
“What was supposed to be your slice,” he muttered.
She looked back at him. “I shouldn’t have mentioned that.”
“You should have mentioned it sooner.”
“I have a place.” She shrugged. “I’m settled.”
“Don’t want you to settle, Sarge.” He held her eyes for a beat too long before saying, “Haven’t seen where you call home yet, you know.”
“No, and you won’t, either.” The retort came out like a bark. She didn’t make it a habit to let people into her private space. She closed her eyes briefly, realizing she was being mean yet again. “Sorry, that wasn’t nice.”
“Nice doesn’t suit you.” He chuckled.
He knew her. He got her. She’d never known anyone like him.
“Where’s Tank?” She needed a topic change with Asher’s hand warming hers, the stars making her start to fantasize about dreams and a future and the view that could have been hers…He was standing so close. All she could think about was the kiss earlier.
“In bed.” Asher’s voice came out seductive, but it wasn’t his fault. His voice was seductive. It’s why he was so great at what he did.
“Probably has his own room.” She cleared her throat, nervous and not understanding why. Or well, yeah, she did. She wanted to kiss him again and things were suddenly…awkward.
“He has a crate but usually prefers furniture. After Emily came to pick up Hawk, Tank crawled into that crate and crashed. He had a big day.”
Asher dropped her hand and stepped behind her, resting his palms on her shoulders and blanketing her back with his signature heat. No wonder girls cried and went nuts when he was near. He was like an element, but a new one—like water and fire mixed.
“Water’s warm,” he said, mirroring her thoughts. He ran his hands down her bare arms. “Had my feet in it earlier.”
“I haven’t swam since I moved here.” She shivered but it wasn’t the least bit cold.
“How can you live in a lake town and not swim?” he asked, his mouth close to her ear.
“I don’t know,” she breathed. “Busy, I guess.”
“Maybe you should stop being busy.” That low, sensual tone struck her nerves and made her close her eyes. His hands moved from her arms to the red belt looped around her dress. His fingers touched the buckle and she covered his hand with hers.
“Ash.” A whisper.
“Let’s get wet.” He lowered his lips to her ear—her absolute weakness. His tongue flicked out and drew a circle and she felt her knees give. He anticipated her reaction, looping his arm around her waist to support her weight. The belt hit the deck next to her bare feet a second later.
Chapter 8