I laughed, startled. “No. Impossible.”
“Why? Is he a rule stickler like Teagan?”
When it came to me, he’d break every rule without hesitation. “Not even close,” I murmured. “But he had a race today. I don’t think he’d have time to come here.”
Unless he’d risked his life speeding across half the country. That sounded exactly like something he’d do.
Alba patted my thigh and nodded toward the window. A cold weight settled on my skirt—the key to the French doors. “Sometimes it’s nice to be wrong. Go before anyone sees him. I’ll cover for you. Just be back before breakfast.”
One glance at the backyard, and my heart soared. Asher stood partly hidden by the trees, but he was too tall, too beautiful to stay inconspicuous for long.
“Thank you.” I pulled Alba into a quick, impulsive hug, then dashed to the glass door.
I wanted to shout his name but couldn’t risk it. My sneakers slapped the cobblestones, and when he heard me coming, his smile spread—tired but dazzling.
“Peque.” He wrapped me up, a hand sliding into my hair, pressing me to his chest until I felt the steady thud of his heart beneath his black shirt. Lips I’d ached for found mine, and I cupped his cheek, drinking him in. Cool water on a scorching day. The gentle press of his mouth. Mint on his tongue. The heat of his body cocooning me in safety.
He kissed my forehead, nose, cheeks, so tenderly everyI’m fineI’d fed him over the last ten days broke loose, spilling into tears.
“Tranquila,” Asher whispered, rubbing my back, “I’m here. Everything’s all right.”
“How did you—”
He pressed a finger to my lips. “Later. Let’s go before anyone sees us.”
He laced his fingers through mine and led me across the field toward the woods. I caught a glimpse of the gates, but we kept walking until trees closed in. Turns out, the property wasn’t even fenced. After a fewminutes, we stepped onto the road. That was how Bree and the others had sneaked out. Much easier than I’d imagined.
Alejandro’s black Lexus idled at the curb.
“Are you taking me somewhere?” I asked.
Ash unlocked the car with a click. “Yeah. It’s a surprise. You’ll like it. Palabra.”
Of course, I would. He didn’t need to promise me anything.
We climbed in. He slid behind the wheel and turned to me, gaze soft. “I missed you.”
“Me too.” I laced our fingers together. “You must’ve broken a lot of laws to get here this fast. You shouldn’t have.”
Ash sighed and lifted my hand to his lips. His mouth brushed my knuckles before he set it gently in his lap. “I couldn’t go another week without knowing how you really were. What’s this no-phone-rule bullshit? You said you texted me from someone else’s phone. Does this rule only apply to you?”
“No.” I hugged my knees. “My roommate Alba has a contraband phone she keeps hidden. It’s from her dad.”
Asher frowned. “Let me guess—Russell didn’t care that you’d be without a phone.”
“You know him.” I tapped the dashboard. “It’s been a week, and he hasn’t even called.”
“He wasn’t at the race today,” Asher said. “He definitely has time. I’m sorry he left you here alone.”
To him it had never been about spare hours; it was his lack of interest. Willowbrook might have boasted the best academic results among the private schools, but to my father the biggest advantage was the distance.
“That’s my father for you,” I said. “Have you spoken to your mother?”
Asher shook his head. “I haven’t been home much. Training kept me busy, and when I wasn’t training, I spent time with Ale.” He hesitated, like there was more to say, then swallowed it.
“How was the race?” I asked.
“Not bad. Another win.” He said it flatly, no heat in his voice.
