I wanted to tell him he was wrong about all of it, that I wasn't strong or caring or anything he thought I was.
That I was a liar and a coward who'd sold herself for money she couldn't pay back.
That caring about him was the most dangerous thing I could do for both of us.
But the hope in his eyes topped me.
I couldn’t derail his sobriety on purpose.
"Thank you for trusting me," I managed, and the words felt inadequate and enormous at the same time.
He nodded, his gaze drifting back to the flames. "I haven't told anyone else. Just you and Robert, but he's been through it himself so he understands the specifics."
"I'm glad you have Robert to help you through this."
"I have you, Veda… That's all I really need now." Asher pulled me closer again, and I had no choice but to set my purse aside and curl up next to him.
My heels fell off as I tucked my feet up and he pressed a kiss to my forehead.
I didn't know what to say in response to any of that because what I wanted to say would only hurt him.
So I bit my tongue and said nothing.
His hand never left my hair. He kept stroking, slow passes that drifted down my neck and along my spine until every touch coaxed me closer and my body curved into his.
I felt the unmistakable press of his dick against my thigh and it sent a shudder through my core.
He lifted my face with careful fingers and searched my eyes for a long moment, then he kissed me again, barely more than a breath shared between parted lips, until I sighed into him and the kiss deepened.
His tongue slid against mine softly but with growing hunger as I arched into him and gripped the lapel of his open shirt.
“Can I have you?” he whispered reverently against my mouth.
“Yes,” I whispered.
He kissed me again and his fingers opened my blouse button by button until the fabric parted and fell away from my shoulders.
My skin met his shirt and guilt stabbed me because I did not deserve this kindness from the man I still had to destroy.
His hands paused at the edge of my bra, thumbs brushing the lace as if asking permission again.
I nodded, barely, and he unclasped it with a single slow motion, letting the straps slide down my arms.
Cool air kissed my skin, then his palms covered my breasts, thumbs circling my nipples until they tightened and I whimpered.
He lowered his mouth to one, drawing the peak between his lips with gentle suction that sent heat shooting straight between my thighs. I threaded my fingers through his hair, holding himthere, ashamed of how desperately I wanted more when I was the last thing he actually needed.
He pulled back just enough to meet my eyes. “Tell me what you need, baby.”
And I knew what he wanted me to say, despite how embarrassed I felt sometimes when I said it. But I knew he loved it. I’d watched his eyes darken every time the word left my lips.
Tonight I gave it to him on purpose, the one thing I could still offer him before I ruined him. “You, Daddy.”
Asher growled as something dark flared in his gaze. He kissed me again, harder this time, teeth grazing my lower lip. “Say it again.”
“Yes, Daddy,” I breathed, cheeks burning. But my body was his and he knew it. My hips bucked against him, body arching as he breathed hot air on my neck while raking his teeth across my pulse point.
“That’s my good girl.” His voice was rough with approval as he laid me down on the couch and worked on my clothing.
