“I’ll get you another one.” Asher catches my gaze and holds it. “Were you interested in him?”
I pause, brows furrowing. “Who?”
He arches an eyebrow, an amused smile playing on his lips. “The kid who was just flirting with you.”
Oh, Henry. I’d already forgotten about him. Asher has a way of just… making everyone else disappear. I don’t know how he does it, but when he’s around, it’s hard to focus on anything else.
“Does it matter?” I try to keep my tone vague and disinterested, but it’s just a touch too breathy to pass for blasé. Unfortunately, my hormones just can’t help themselves around Asher—they go into overdrive.
“Yes.” Asher’s eyes darken. “I hope you hear me when I say that I—do—not—share.”
I swallow, my mouth suddenly dry. “Tell your famous string of one-night-stands that. You seem happy enough to love ‘em and leave ‘em. Did you keep up with their future hookups, as well?”
I’m not sure why I’m provoking him, but I can’t help myself. Maybe it’s because I can’t quite ignore the niggle of insecurity that I’ll never stack up to his prior conquests. I’m not a supermodel, or actress, or world-famous singer. I’m just me.
“There was never anyloveto speak of, and no, I didn’t keep up with them. I don’t give a shit who else they’ve fucked.”
I bite my bottom lip. “So what’s the difference?”
“That was then. This is now. And none of them could hold a candle toyou.” Asher leans forward, suddenly looking deadly serious. “I’m not going to play this game with you, or wait until we’ve had a society-approved number of dates before mentioning exclusivity. I want it now, or this isn’t going to work.”
Woah. His intensity is overwhelming, but I manage to keep some composure. “Why do you care?”
“Because the thought of anyone else’s hands sliding over your skin, of another man having theprivilegeof hearing what you sound like when you come undone…” he shakes his head. “I can’t stand it. Iwon’tstand for it.” his gaze glints with challenge. “Are you in or are you out?”
“It’s bold of you to give me an ultimatum before clarifyingwhatI’d be in or out of,” I whisper.
“This,” Asher replies. “Us. You and me. Dates, exclusivity, sex. Everything. All of it. Stop stalling—in, or out?”
“In.” The word is torn from my lips like a confession to a very persuasive priest. I should take more time to think about it… I should do alotof things other than what I’m doing; blindly diving into something I haven’t yet taken the time to understand.
Satisfaction glides through Asher’s expression, like he’s the lone victor after an endless war and is aching to enjoy his spoils.
“We should set some ground rules first,” I say hurriedly. That’s theleastI can do to protect both of us and manage expectations.
Asher arches an eyebrow. “Ground rules? Are we playing a game, Victoria?”
I shake my head. “No games. There’s a rule for you. I don’t like them.” More accurately, I don’tunderstandthem. I haven’t dated around enough to understand the finer points of social cues around dating and sex—I need things to be straight forward. I’m no good at indirect communication.
“Agreed. On that note, no trying to make me jealous with anyone else, like you just did.”
“Like I just did?” I repeat, confused. “What are you talking about?”
“Sitting here with a boy simpering over you and fantasizing getting to call youmommy.” Warning flares to life in his eyes, like the flames sparking over guttering embers. “Don’t do it again.”
“He wasn’t fantasizing over me.” At least, I don’tthinkhe was. “And even if he was, what does it matter?”
“It matters,” Asher mutters through gritted teeth.
“Why?”
“Because I’d rather not go to prison after beating my competition half to death.” He bares his teeth in a feral smile. “I. Don’t. Share.”
I tilt my head to the side. This sounds like only child syndrome, even though it’s well-known that Asher isn’t an only child. He has an older brother.
I probably shouldn’t be so drawn to his stark possessiveness, but it makes me feel wanted. After a lifetime of coming in second place, being desired is a weakness of mine, even if that desire presents itself in a dangerous way. Such as a stupidly hot F1 driver wanting to tear someone else to shreds over looking at me for too long.
“Alright. I’ll do my best. It might be difficult considering my next rule—no publicity. Not until we’ve determined that this is going somewhere consequential.”
