Ash stands behind me, arms folded, watching with a fondness that’s laced with exhaustion—and something darker. Something warmer. Something that sizzles under my skin.
“You’re good at that,” he murmurs.
“At tucking in grown man-children?”
“At taking care of people.” He pauses. “It’s kind of unfair, how hot that is.”
My cheeks go warm. I straighten slowly and turn toward him. He’s so close.
Our eyes lock in the dim glow of the lamp.
“I guess this means separate beds tonight,” I say, keeping my voice light, though my pulse is anything but.
Ash steps closer. Close enough that I feel his breath against my ear as he leans in, lips brushing my skin.
“We’ll be good,” he whispers, voice low and sinful. “But the second your brother leaves... I’m going to bend you over every surface in this house.”
I gasp softly.
He doesn’t stop.
“I’m going to make you scream my name so many times, the neighbors will know exactly what’s going on. The kitchen counter. That window seat. The shower. My studio. I’ll make you blush just walking past a coffee table.”
I swallow hard, knees weak, brain short-circuiting.
He pulls back just enough to look into my eyes, wicked grin in place. “Sleep tight, Hart.”
Then he turns and strolls down the hallway toward his room—smug as hell, fully aware he’s rattled me.
I stand frozen for a moment, heart jackhammering in my chest.
I’m definitely not sleeping tight.
I’m sleeping frustrated.
And very, very turned on.
16
ASH
Blindfolded
By the time I drag myself out of bed, Olive’s long gone. The house is quiet, save for the low hum of the espresso machine and Liam groaning dramatically from the couch like he’s nursing a war wound.
He finally sits up, hair wild, muttering about hangovers and regret.
I smirk. “Next time, I’m only serving you water.”
He flips me off without much energy and grabs a banana.
I barely listen to his rambling as I make coffee—because my brain is already sprinting toward the weekend. Towardher.
Olive.
I’ve hardly had her to myself these past few days. Now it’s Friday, and she’s mine after work. No more kindergarten talent shows, no meetings, no Liam sprawled on the couch like a human roadblock.
Just us.
