“And I definitely don’t connect with anyone easily. Butwe’reconnected now.”
Even though it’s hard for him to tell me this, I can see how important it is to him that I understand. This man has likely never experienced the support that he’s so freely offering to me.
The continual stroke of his thumb creeps up to my wrist, sending goosebumps over my flesh, and I can’t look away. I feel like his gaze is home to a deeper longing too. Though that’sprobably just the hopeless romantic in me begging to see what’s not there.
“And about either of us meeting someone else …” He looks down to my wrist, probably feeling my heart stutter out. “Theonlything I’m focused on right now is you and the baby. And I can pretend to be in a relationship with you for your parents’ sake too. Though I have some conditions.”
“Conditions?” I ask meekly.
“Yes. A change to the pact.” Asher’s eyes flick back to hold mine. “Due to the change in … circumstance.”
I swallow down the lump in my throat and nod. “Okay … like what?”
“If you need something, Olivia, from here on out, you come to me.” His jaw is so tense it looks like he’s about to pop a tendon. His dark eyes are bottomless as they drink me in. “There will be no other man for you while you live in my house.Orwhile you carry my baby.”
The pad of his thumb continues to trace lazily along the inside of my wrist. “If you’re hungry, I’ll cook. Thirsty? I’ll bring you water.”
Asher’s pupils are blown wide as he inches even closer, and his big hand slides up to hold my face before his fingers settle through my hair.
“If you need a man to touch you”—his eyes drop to my lips—“you understand, that man isme.”
I nod, unable to speak.
“And it’s time to delete that fucking app, is that clear?”
I swear my heart is about to beat out of my chest. The way he’s looking at me is all-consuming and, as he removes his hand, my body begs for its return.
“Yes,” I manage.
“Good girl.” His voice is gravel as he leans in and kisses my cheek so unexpectedly it takes my breath away. I almost melt at the touch, and I swear I hear him groan against my skinbefore he pulls away.
“Now get some sleep. Tomorrow I’m moving you both in with me.”
Asher moves back across his seat to exit the truck, but I don’t move. I’m a puddle for this man who I’m getting to know more and more with each day. Asher is fucking enticing, sweet, and hot ashell.Even the danger he knew in his old life, the unknown that lingers in the background, turns me on. Hell, I think that little bit of danger might just be what I’ve been searching for this whole time.
When I’m safely inside my cabin, I watch through the window as Asher backs out of the driveway. It’s only when his headlights have disappeared that I finally feel as though I can breathe again.
Padding through the house, I fold some laundry and start to pack a bag of essentials to take to his home tomorrow before hopping in the shower. I take my time as I lather soap over my body and wash my hair; thoughts of his lips on my cheek flood my brain as I will myself not to fall for this man, to remember what we are to each other.
I could lose Asher to his old life, to his job, or to another woman when the novelty of this situation wears off and the reality of being a parent hits. But I don’t have a choice: I have to trust him.
I’m still thinking about this situation we’ve gotten ourselves into when I step out and dry myself off. So much so, my brain almost doesn’t register when I look down to my bathmat and notice something I know I’m not supposed to see for at least another seven months.
Blood.
CHAPTER 34
Asher
P
He doesn’t have long now.
P
I didn’t say goodbye to my father, and I’ve always regretted it. I don’t want that same fate for you. And there’s a lot to go over. Everything will change once he’s gone.
Pete’s father, my grandfather, was a man I don’t remember much—he died when I was young—but from everything I know about him, he was more like Pete. Which means there’s a big fucking difference between his father and mine.
