“Nunca, peque.” He held me to his chest. “You’re stuck with me.”
His steady heartbeat thrummed under my ear, and I almost fell asleep. Before I drifted off, an image of two kids with eyes like Asher’s flashed behind my lids.
***
Darkness coated the room when I woke; rain still drummed the window. Asher lay beside me, arm around my waist as if he feared I’d run. His watch on the nightstand read three a.m. I lay on my side, studying him until he opened his eyes.
“Come here,” he said, voice groggy.
I scooted closer. He wrapped me in a warm hug that felt like the home I’d lost. “Did I wake you?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Sore?”
I shifted under the sheet. “Not really. Just wishing I didn’t have to leave so soon.”
He buried his nose in my hair. “Same, peque. But you need to ace that math test, and I need to win so I can find a better team next year.”
“Does my father know you might leave?” I asked.
Asher curled his palm around my waist and rubbed my skin with his thumb. “Not yet. He might like Ethan, but I’m the one who brings him money. I don’t think he wants me to go. Still, I don’t think I can spend another season on that team. Ethan’s toxic.”
“I hate that you lost money because of me.”
“Stop. None of that was your fault. And if he tries anything, I’ll punch him again.”
“But you can’t.”
He exhaled and squeezed my waist. “Can but shouldn’t. It’s ironic—I apparently ride like my dad but don’t behave like him. He never lost his shit. Not with my mother, not with me. I’m not calm and sensible like him.”
“I love the way you are. Don’t change. Just be careful—don’t engage if heprovokes you.”
He chuckled. “Love the way I am, huh? Maybe you also love what I did to you earlier?”
I threw my leg over his. “Remind me.”
Asher brushed my cheek with his fingertips. “It’s too soon.”
“Not for me.” I’d rather be sore from making love than regret not taking advantage of our first weekend together. “I need it,” I said. “Need you, Ash.”
He cupped my cheek, eyes soft and hesitant, but there was no pause in the way I kissed him or climbed on top of him. A low hum of approval vibrated in his throat as he deepened the kiss, caressing the tip of my tongue with his. He sat up against the headboard, bringing me with him, and the kisses returned—hot, urgent. His fingers tangled in my hair, holding my head as his mouth explored mine.
A helpless whimper left my throat when he rubbed my hard nipple, squeezing my breast gently. My skin buzzed as his mouth traced a path down my neck to my breast.
I wrapped my hand around his cock and slid my fingers up and down while he sucked my pebbled nipple.
“Want to try it like this?” Asher murmured, touching me between my legs. “With you on top?”
He rubbed my clit, and I lost the ability to form thoughts, let alone words.
“Peque,” he urged, never stopping the kisses.
“Yes,” I whispered.
Hooking an arm around my waist, Asher held me steady while he reached for the condom on the nightstand.
“I’ll do it,” I said, taking the packet. I scooted back, tore it open, and rolled the condom down his length under his scorching stare.
“Beautiful,” he said, moving my hair from my face. “Sit on me.”
