And, once again, Andrew was right, the asshole.
sixteen
Emma
Asher has been waking me up with a cup of coffee every morning. I guess we’ve fallen into a routine. Every day I ask whether today is the day we can go see my plants, and he always says, “Not yet.” Except today, he says, “Yes.”
My ankle and foot are a disgusting combination of purple, yellow, and green colors, but it’s not swollen anymore. I guess listening to the doctor’s instructions and Asher’s rules paid off.
Knowing I’m getting out of the cabin makes everything exciting. He’s even letting me take a shower—alone—for the first time since I’ve been here. Asher’s grump has been behaving until I push one of his buttons. Most of the time, I don’t realize until it’s too late, and I end up tied to his bed and edged with the butt plug until I’m screaming and crying for relief. Ashbear wasn’t kidding when he said he was dominant in the bedroom, but I love that side of him, even if I’m not ready to say it out loud. Given my people-pleasing tendencies, I should have suspected I’d be submissive, but it was still a surprise, a happy one.
I’ve been pushing his limits all morning. First, about him dressing me, then eating breakfast before we leave. It’s been too many days since I’ve seen the mountain sweet pitcher plants. Even though Andrew said I could stay until I finish my research, my deadline is looming.
Dr. Fishburn, my doctoral advisor, set the date for my defense ages ago. We didn’t think I’d ever be able to do my hands-on study, and when the permission finally came through, the timeline worked, even though I knew I’d have to rush the updates. But the clock is ticking. I need to complete the research and add the data into my paper. It’s a lot, but doable if Asher cooperates.
I’m practically vibrating with excitement to get out there. Asher charged my camera battery and has transferred everything I need into his pack. Of course he won’t let me carry anything. He won’t even let me use the crutches outside. Understandable, I guess. The ground is uneven, and with how slowly I move, it would take forever. His solution? Carrying me, of course. Not that I mind. I’ve gotten used to being carried everywhere. He’s spoiling me. When I leave, there’s going to be an Asher-sized hole in my heart.
Ash still insists I’m his, and he’s not letting me leave. I love it when he says it, but we both know I have to go back. I’ve worked too hard on my doctorate to give up now. At least I hope he realizes that. I’m open to talking about continuing whatever this is afterward.
“C’mon, Raindrop. You’ve been on me all morning about going. Now it’s time, and you’re daydreaming again.”
“Sorry, Ashbear. I’m ready. Are we walking the entire way or driving to the campsite and walking from there?”
He smirks as he lifts me from the couch and balances me on his hip. I can’t resist sniffing his neck and kissing his cheek. He always smells like the mountain, like he’s part of it on a cellular level. I wonder if his living off the land for so long has affected him. My scientific mind would love to study the phenomenon, but one thing at a time.
“Walking. I know a more direct path. It’ll be quicker.”
“Perfect. I’ve only had the one day with the mountain sweet pitchers so far. I need to gather a lot more data.”
“You’ll get what you need, Raindrop. I promised, right? I never break those. We can pinky swear?”
I narrow my gaze. Did he just say pinky swear? Where the heck did my grump-meister go? “Sure, we can do that, but I believe you anyway. You haven’t lied to me, yet.” Still, I’m entranced by this version of my Ashbear and hold up my pinky to wrap around his.
“There will never be a ‘yet.’ I’ll always be honest, even if I know you won’t like what I have to say.”
Travel by Ashbear is definitely the way to go. We reach my research spot in a quarter of the time it took me on the first day. I’m so excited I’m ready to jump down and get to work. His cabin is gorgeous and already feels like it could be home, but being outside—that’s where I’m truly happy. Based on the softening of the lines of his face and his more relaxed gait, I know Ash feels the same.
“Is this where you want to set up?” Asher asks as he gently sets me on my feet.
I know better than to put my full weight on my ankle, so I lean against a tree. “Yes. See those plants over there?” I point to a grouping of the endangered species I’m studying for my doctorate. There are several species on the mountain, but I knew I wouldn’t have time to study all of them. The mountain sweet pitcher plant is so fascinating, a stemless herbaceous perennial and carnivorous plant; it was an easy choice.
“Got it. Stay here while I spread the tarp out for you.”
“Yes, Daddy,” I sass. I know he prefers that honorific to Sir, but I can’t bring myself to say it during sex, only when I’m teasing him.
Asher slides the pack off his back and narrows his gaze when it meets mine. “Careful, Raindrop. I won’t hesitate to pick you up and bring you home if you get sassy with me.”
“Yes, Sir. I’m sorry.” I’m not, and he knows it too by his smirk. I guess I’m not doing a great job of hiding that I love his Dominant side so much.
It’s a warmer day today, perfect since I’ll be lying on the ground for hours. But it also means Asher is only wearing a T-shirt and jeans. His back is facing me as he unpacks everything we need.
His muscles rippling under the tight shirt make my skin prickle with desire and my panties wet. Although that’s been perpetual since the first orgasm he gave me.
“Like what you see, baby?” he asks as he lays the tarp close to the cluster of plants.
Heat floods my cheeks. He’s not even looking at me. How the frack does he know?
“I’m…”
