“Yeah, I know,” I said, swallowing, my mouth tasting like a dirty-ass desert floor. “Not today though. I’m not mentally prepared for that.”
Asher nodded, a small smile playing across his face. “How much do you remember?” he asked me.
I shrugged. “Uh, bits and pieces. I went to a bar, drank a shit-ton of death disguised as alcohol, and met a surly shifter.”
Asher’s playfulness faded in an instant. “Stay away from Rayge, Maddison. He’s not like other shifters. He’s old, dangerous, and damaged beyond repair. He’s not a good friend for you to have.”
I smirked, groaning at the pain in my temples. “Thanks for the warning, Asher, but since you don’t get to choose my friends, let’s just agree to disagree here.”
He really looked like he wanted to argue, but thankfully Asher knew how to pick his fights, and since we were leaving today and I’d probably never see Rayge again, he let it go.
“I better go pack,” I said softly, pushing away and leaving his bathroom. “I just need some space.” Asher didn’t follow me, for which I was eternally grateful. I was cracking around the edges and nobody needed to see that, especially not Asher. The truth was, I remembered everything about last night.
We’d drank, and laughed, and danced. Asher and Rayge had even had a few civil conversations. For a few hours, I’d been the old Maddison and Asher had beenmyAsher. But those hours were over, reality was intruding once more, and we were heading back to school.
* * *
The plane ridefelt like an eternity. I spent most of it texting Ilia and Larissa. I filled them in on the trial and what happened last night, all the while fuming because Asher had chosen to sit away from me during the flight. I’d waited for him to need me during takeoff again, but he hadn’t looked in my direction. I mean, I couldn’t really be mad—I was the one who’d asked for space—and yet I was pissed as hell.
Sure, I knew I was confusing as fuck these days, but … if Asher wanted to win my trust back he needed to fight for me. He needed to show me that I wasn’t as easily replaced and dismissed as he’d made out. Even worse, after our few days together, I was missing him in the worst kind of way.
My phone chimed in my hand.What game is Asher playing?Ilia texted, after I’d told her everything.I know he’s up to something, but I’m still not sure what it is.
Another text.Don’t you dare forgive him until he offers some sort of explanation.Larissa was pissed. Rone had been sniffing around her again; she’d all but kicked him in the balls in reply. My bestie was not giving in without a fight.
Shooting off texts to them both, I squared my shoulders. They were right. I needed to know everything before I was even remotely in a place to trust Asher again. My heart was ready, my body burned for him, but my brain, the part that actually thought it through, knew that Asher and I were a long way from okay.
My phone chimed again, and I squinted at the unknown number.I want to touch you.
My head jerked up and I looked at where Asher was sitting, right near the front. I couldn’t see if he had a phone in his hands, but who else would send me something like that?
I read the message again. And again. And again until I was a fucking mess.
Another message chimed.Trace my tongue across your skin, so smooth and perfect. Taste every dip and crevice.
My legs clenched. I was both aroused and angry. He kept bringing it back to sex. Sex was never our problem and it wasn’t going to fix us now.
Angry, my fingers raced across the keys.Asher, enough. We need to talk. End of story, no more fucking sexting.
The reply was so fast that I wasn’t sure anyone or any supe could type that quickly.Who is Asher?
My blood went cold and I shot up from my seat, crossing around to where Asher sat…
No phone in hand. He was staring forward, his eyes shuttered and his jaw clenched.
No phone.
He turned as I hovered, because somehow he always knew when I was upset. “What is it?” he said, on his feet.
My eyes flicked to the phone still clenched in my hand. “Uh, nothing,” I said softly. “Was just feeling a little cramped.”
He knew I was lying, that much was obvious, but he didn’t call me out on it. He grabbed my free hand and tugged me down into the seat next to his. “Ready to talk?” he asked as he sat, still staring ahead.
I looked across to Princeps Jones, who was snoozing. He’d had a big night as well with some old friends, and I was grateful not to be the only one looking like dogshit when we’d left the prison town.
“Yeah, I guess.” I said, keeping my voice low. This was a private conversation, and I was well aware that there was a pilot and cabin crew on board, all of whom were supernatural.
Asher leaned down and brushed his lips across my ear, sending tingles through my body. “I tried so hard to stay away from you, love. Protect you from the fucked-up skeletons in both of our closets. But … we are inevitable. Our love is a true mate bond and I was fighting fate…” He pressed the softest kiss to my throat. “I was always going to lose.”
