“Sorry—you’re right.” Alba toyed with a pink bookmark. “But the point stands. You can want to look pretty for yourself, too.”
Teagan twirled a blond lock around her finger. “How old is he again?”
“Twenty-one. Why?”
She yawned into her fist and set aside her math textbook. “I can’t imagine what I’d talk about with a guy that age.”
“Equations.” I spread more gloss. “Who doesn’t love those?”
I grabbed my backpack. “Well, I’ll be going. Have fun with your dad tomorrow, Alba.”
She gave a thumbs up and mouthedBe safe. Teagan waved half-heartedly as I slipped out.
Sarah was on the phone as I passed her office; she didn’t object to me leaving with my so-called brother. Outside, the sun warmed the yard. I shaded my eyes and looked toward the gates—Asher’s bike by them made my heart speed up. Gravel crunched under my sneakers as I hurried.
A few steps, and he wrapped me in a tight hug, one palm smoothing my back. “You look beautiful,” he whispered in my ear. “Ready to go?”
“I am.” I took him in—black riding gear, everything—and waited while he swung up on the bike. I climbed on behind him. As usual, he handed me a helmet. I strapped it under my chin and couldn’t stop the grin that split my face.
My body buzzed with anticipation. A weekend with him, and no need to hide—what could be better?
***
Two hours later we pulled into the driveway of a stunning wooden cabin tucked into trees. Floor-to-ceiling windows reflected the green canopy, and the house seemed to belong to the landscape.
“This place is amazing,” I said as Asher lugged our bags, “but the plaque says Delano Hotels. This looks like a rental.”
He kissed my cheek. “It’s a bit of both—more exclusive. No people around. I wanted you all to myself for once.”
I traced his jaw with my fingertips. “It must be crazy expensive.”
“And you’re worth it.” He planted a soft kiss on my forehead. “I saw the photos on their site and fell in love. Want to see the rest?”
I nodded and gripped his hand. We walked up the driveway; he unlocked the door and let me step inside first.
Daylight poured through the wide windows. A couch faced the fireplace. If it rained, I could already imagine us curled under a blanket,watching the flames. In the bedroom a huge bed, dressed in crisp white linen, faced sliding glass doors that opened on the trees.
“Like it?” Asher murmured, hugging me from behind. I folded against his hard chest as he kissed the hollow of my throat so slowly my knees went weak.
“Love it,” I whispered.
He bit my shoulder gently. “We’ll do whatever you want. If there’s something you’re not ready for, that’s fine too. No rush.”
I turned in his arms. “Ash.”
He threaded his fingers through the end of my ponytail. “Your first time matters. I want to be sure you’re ready.”
I edged forward until my chest molded against his. “I am. I think we’ve waited long enough.”
Asher pressed his forehead to mine; his breath came fast. “Worth it,” he said.
My hand slid to the hem of his shirt. “Then let’s not wait.” I pushed it up over his abs; he yanked it the rest of the way off. I kicked off my shoes and socks; he did the same. His hands roamed my back, as if each touch rewarded him.
When he cupped my breast in a rough palm, I stifled a moan and leaned into him. “I love how you feel,” he murmured against my neck, then licked a path to my shoulder. I gripped his forearms; he took that as permission to lead me to the bed. I stepped backward until the backs of my knees hit the mattress. He eased me down onto a bed so soft it held me like a cloud.
Asher hovered over me, weight on one forearm, the other sliding under my top. “I want your skin on mine—naked,” he said. “I want to kiss and touch you until you beg me to take you, peque.” He rubbed my nipple through lace; a hot jolt arced to my center. “I want your first time with me to be so good you’ll beg for a second.”
I arched into his hand. “Undress me, then.”
