“Kiss me before you go?”
“My pleasure.” He grinned.
Asher closed the space between them, cupping her cheek with one hand as he kissed her tenderly. In no time, the heat took over again and Clea found herself clawing along his shoulders, trying to bring them closer together, moaning as his free hand caressed her breasts.
He pulled back when his hand got wet.
“Shit, the water.” Asher moved away from her to turn off the tap before the water spilled over the sides of the tub.
Once again, they’d lost track of time with the kissing.
Not that she minded.
He regarded her from the side of the tub, his emerald gaze positively smoldering at her while he removed his watch. Clea was about to invite him to join her when he stood in an elegant rush of limbs. Her breath caught at the sight of him. She’d forgotten he was naked, and damn, he had a fine form.
“Enjoy your bath,” he husked.
“Oh,” Clea smiled seductively. “I will.”
As he stared at her with abject lust, Clea imagined Asher was warring with himself about staying or going. She knew what she wanted, and it involved him getting into the tub with her. Before she could tell him that, though, he turned on his heel and left.
Even though she knew he was just heading into another of the rooms to get them a drink and gather her things, Clea was sad to see him go. And that was a first. There was just something about him that had her in a way. Something that called to her, that made her ache for more.
She leaned back in the bath, appreciating the spacious tub and the gorgeous decor with a satisfied sigh. That asshole she’d left back in Seattle had a big marble number like this, but his space had been as cold and as he was. And the hotel bathrooms she’d used since she’d escaped, while getting the job done, weren’t anything remotely luxurious.
Asher’s place was warm and inviting. She liked the natural elements, the way the wood and stone played together, the way the bronze and gold fixtures gave the space an old world feel.
And that chandelier was gorgeous.
The way the light refracted from the gem cut crystals, she knew they were Swarovski, which meant Asher owned a unique piece of history in more ways than one. She wondered idly where he’d get the kind of money needed to own a one-of-a-kind work of art like that. Like any of the fine things in his house, for that matter. He looked like a surfer. Snowboarder was probably more like it, considering the closest ocean was hundreds of miles away.
“I wasn’t sure what you’d like to drink, so I brought a few options.” Asher’s voice pulled Clea from her musing. He’d put pants on, but damn, he still looked edible.
She sat up, grinning at what he’d brought her as Asher set a tray on the stand by the side of the tub.
“Looks like you brought the whole bar.”
“I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I stuck to the W’s.”
“This is perfect.” She smiled, selecting the rocks glass. “I love options.Yiamas!” She lifted the glass in a toast, taking a sip of the fine whiskey and loving the trail of fire it left down her throat.
“Greek, huh?” Asher smiled, crouching down and reaching out for her cup.
She handed it to him with a nod.
“My father was Greek.”
“Was.” Asher took a sip before handing the glass back to her. “He still around?”
“No.” Clea shook her head. “He’s long gone.”
And good riddance. He may have been an excellent thief, but he’d been a shit father.
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
Clea glanced up at Asher, her breath hitching at the compassion in his eyes. She handed him the whiskey glass.
“What about your folks?” Though she already knew the answer.
