I settled between his legs again, on my knees this time, before easing forward and nudging his hole with my tip. I teased it a little, sliding my cock up and down without going inside. He took a slow, deep breath and looked up at me again with those beautiful brown eyes, his dark hair a little damp around his forehead. He closed his eyes and nodded, just a little. I could tell what he was trying to say. Finally, I eased myself inside of him, inch by inch, letting him get used to it as I moved carefully, until my cock was buried in him and my pelvis was pressed flush against his ass.
I watched Asher’s face closely as I stilled, looking for signs that he needed more time or he was ready. When his eyes opened again, he took a shaky breath and reached for me. I leanedforward and kissed him as I slowly withdrew and eased back in. He arched his back and neck, exposing his throat. I moved my mouth down along his jaw and sucked on his sensitive skin.
My cock ached as I sped up my thrusting, enveloped by his heat, his ass gripping me. I rocked my hips, fucking into him, loving the soft gasps and moans he made on almost every thrust. Asher’s hands moved from the bed to cling to my back, his breathing ragged as I took him apart.
Between us, his cock left smears of precum as I fucked into him. A few moments later, Asher reached between us and gripped his cock tightly, stroking himself, hips rocking up into his fist and back onto my cock. We moved like that for several more thrusts before he cried out, the muscles of his ass clenching hard around me, his cock pulsing as he came in thick spurts between us. That was all it took to send my own orgasm careening through me, my cock thickening and pulsing into the condom.
When we were both spent, I gripped the base of my cock and pulled out carefully, slowly, aware that it might be uncomfortable for him. He groaned softly as I moved, and once I was out, I eased off the bed.
“Be right back,” I murmured.
Quickly, I removed the condom and tossed it in the trash in his bathroom before bringing him a warm, damp cloth to clean up with. When he was done, I settled in next to him, Asher slinging an arm around my shoulder and holding me close as I rested my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat steady itself.
“That was…” He exhaled slowly.
“It was okay?” I asked sincerely, worrying that he might not have enjoyed it as much as I did.
Asher kissed me on the top of my head. “Better than okay. It was perfect.”
I pressed a quick kiss to his chest and snuggled in again. My eyelids were heavy and I let them close as he held on to me. For a long time, we lay like that, before I remembered that he was supposed to have taken me home. I needed to let Kieran know where I was, at the very least. I wanted nothing more than to stay the night and hold him until dawn. Then again, no matter what I wanted, we’d agreed we weren’t supposed to be getting serious about each other.
Supposed to. My gut churned when I thought about how work was wrapping up and I might be shipping off to the other side of the country soon, and about how I really felt about leaving him.I don’t want to leave.The thought pounded through my mind in time with Asher’s heartbeat.
I pulled away and looked up at him. “Should I go?”
After a moment, he nodded and sighed softly. “You’re probably right.” A moment later, he pulled his arm away and sat up. “I guess I should get you home.”
My chest ached, deep and painful as we got dressed, Asher moving as slowly as I was. It was clear to me that neither of us wanted the night to end. Once we were in his truck and headed back to my place, I took his hand in mine again.
He drove silently, eyes fixed on the road. I didn’t dare speak, knowing my voice would likely shake if I did. Eventually, we pulled into my driveway. The house was dark and Kieran’s car wasn’t in the driveway. I didn’t know if he just hadn’t made it home yet or had gone home with someone, but tears stung my eyes and a lump formed in my throat as Asher put the truck into park.
We sat for a long few moments before I cleared my throat, squeezed his hand, and let go. “I’m going to head inside,” I said softly. “I had a great time tonight.”
Asher nodded once, and when he spoke, it was barely audible. “Me too.”
I leaned over and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. “I’ll see you on set.”
“See you.”
With that, I climbed out of his truck and made my way inside. From the window, I watched Asher back out of the driveway and kept watching until his taillights receded into the darkness.
Once I was in my own bed, I tried hard to swallow the lump in my throat. I lay there for a long time, fighting tears, praying to the reality TV gods that I’d end up working for at least the rest of the season here in Port Grandlin.
But even if I did, then what? Eventually, my work would come to an end here. This was Asher’s home. His livelihood was here. He wasn’t about to up and travel from job to job with me. There weren’t exactly a lot of job opportunities for set designers in Port Grandlin.
My stomach churned, hot and sour, as I tried to make the thoughts go away. Miserably, I fell asleep eventually, dreaming of a different life, one where I really could stay. Forever.
Chapter 31 - Asher
Ididn’t want to accept that Micah and I had likely had our last… whatever it was. Hangout? Hookup? Encounter? Sex session? I hated all those descriptions. It felt like we were breaking up, even though I knew logically we’d never beentogetherin the first place.
I went to work the next day and slogged through, busy but unable to keep myself busy enough to stop looking for Micah at every turn, to stop thinking about him, to stop wondering what would happen next when it came to us. I made the decision to avoid him as much as possible, which only served to keep me thinking about him all day, positioning myself around wherever I found him.
By the time the workday was over, I was exhausted, physically and mentally. As I packed up to head home, my mom texted me to confirm I was still coming for dinner. When I read the text, I sighed deeply. All I wanted was Micah.
Instead, I replied that of course I was coming, and that I’d see her in a little while. I couldn’t imagine blowing off my parents.We weren’t terribly close, but they’d just returned from a long trip. Iwantedto see them, to hear about their trip, especially because I couldn’t have what Ireallywanted.
I pulled my truck into my parents’ driveway and parked next to the little brick rancher they’d lived in since I was a kid. Putting the truck into park, I sighed again, not sure I had the energy tonight. I stepped out of the truck and did my best to shake off the exhaustion and frustration and headed up the front steps.
