That thought had me hugging him again, clinging to his broad neck. “Thank you,” I whispered.
“You’re welcome, baby girl.” His voice was warm and happy for me. “We know how hard you’ve worked here—and now other people will, too.”
“We’re very proud of you,” Landon said, and I leaned over to hug him tightly, too.
“Don’t I get a second hug?” Asher complained after Landon let me go.
Kai grinned. “Don’t complain too much. After tonight, you’ll be the only one in the same town with her. I’d say that might get you a very special reward if you play your cards right.”
Asher looked at me with desire in his eyes. “Good thing I’m excellent at cards.”
38
ZOE
The car rideback to Haverford was completely different from the ride up. I couldn’t help bouncing around in my seat, singing along with the music, and teasing Asher about his terrible playlist.
“Are you sure you’re the same sullen woman I drove up here?” he asked, glancing over at me with a smile.
“Hmm, I’m not sure,” I said, pretending to think about it. “Probably not, because I rode up here with a guy who was a real asshole.”
We both laughed, and it felt good to be able to joke about how things had started with us. And to know they’d never be that way again.
“So when should we meet up?” I asked, not even feeling shy. I’d aced my internship, had sex with three hot-as-sin men, and I was flying high. “Is tomorrow too soon, maybe for dinner?”
“What’s wrong with tonight?” He kept his eyes on the road.
“Tonight?” I hadn’t thought of that. “I think tomorrow would be better,” I said. “I have to unpack, and wash all my clothes, and work on my notes and re-read that internship report a million times.” Not to mention trying to track down my sister and the supposed love-of-her-life.
“You can do all those things at my place. And I’ve got a really comfy bed.”
The thought of sleeping next to him—and doing more things than sleeping—made my thighs clench together. But… this was the start of my last semester. I needed to hit the ground running, and if I spent all my time with a gorgeous, sexy guy like Asher, I doubted I’ll get much schoolwork done.
He glanced over and saw the answer on my face. “Can’t you just indulge every once in a while?”
I sighed and shook my head. “I wish I could.” But maybe if I worked my ass off this week, I’d be able to stay over when the twins arrived next week. “You may have noticed that I don’t often let myself relax.”
“That’s why you need us.” I was pleased that he’d saidus, even though the twins weren’t here at the moment. I missed them already.
Asher tilted his head to the side, thinking. His lips twisted into a crooked smile. “What if you had no choice but to stay at my place tonight?”
I was amused by his playfulness but still didn’t understand his meaning. “Are you kidnapping me?”
Asher grinned. “Not kidnapping, though I’d love to tie you up sometime. I’m just calling in a favor.”
“A favor?” I echoed. Something about that sounded familiar.
“Yep. The one you promised me at the start of your lessons.”
I had? Oh my god, I had. “I forgot about that,” I told him, watching as he drove confidently down the winding road. “You were such an arrogant ass back then.”
“Right back at you.” He was quiet for a moment. “When you asked us to teach you how to have sex, I think that was the most shocked I’d ever been in my entire life.”
I laughed. “I shocked myself, too. But it just goes to show you that sometimes when you’re brave, it pays off.”
“So be brave,” he said. “Spend the night with me tonight.”
“All right.” The words came out almost without my permission. But I’d take one more night to forget school, jobs, and the real world. He wanted me there, and I wanted to be with him, too. Why fight that? And if he made me come all night long, I’d deal with the resulting sleepiness the next day. After all, I ran a coffee shop.
