“Is that so?” Smiling, he juts his chin toward my phone. “What was that question for anyway?”
“I’m going to assume it has to do with Joey’s next book, but I can never tell with those two.”
“Is sharing about your sex life something you do often?” he asks.
“What sex life?” I admit under my breath.
“Oh, come on. You’re gorgeous. I bet there’s no shortage of men lining up to be with you.”
“You think I’m gorgeous?” I bat my lashes playfully.
Asher eyes my bare shoulder, where my sleeve has slipped off, then drags his focus to my lips. “Mmm.”
“Mmm?” I echo. “That’s all I get?”
He sets his glass on the table. “What do you want me to say?”
“Never mind.” I take a long swig of my wine and set my glass next to his. I feel silly now. I’ve never been the type to fish for compliments.
When I reach for my phone as a distraction, he rests a hand on top of my wrist. Silently, he scoots in closer, his leg flush against mine. Then he takes my chin between his thumb and forefinger, forcing me to meet his eyes. The silence between us is deafening.
“You’re so gorgeous, it takes my breath away. Is that what you wanted to hear?”
I nod, suddenly at a loss for words. No man has ever called me gorgeous.
He slips a hand around to my nape and pulls me in for a chaste kiss. “So. Fucking. Gorgeous,” he whispers, his mustache tickling just under my nose.
I’m a little lightheaded. Whether from the wine or his intoxicating words, I’m not sure.
Clearing my throat, I inch back. “We should play a game.”
He pulls away, a look of confusion flashing across his face.I know, man. I’m surprised too.But as badly as I wanted it, such a direct compliment is overwhelming, and I need a moment to process.
“Sure,” he says, probably attempting but very clearly failing to hide the disappointment in his tone.
“Uno was a flop. What else is in that box?” I rise from the couch and pad to the hall closet to rifle through the games.
“Will you shut the door, please?” Asher calls out.
I pluck Jenga from the pile, then I slide the pocket door in the hallway closed.
“Bea’s sound machine is on, and I doubt she’ll wake up, but just in case.”
I set the box on the table and begin unpacking the wooden pieces. The third or fourth catches my eye, and my breath stalls out.
“Uh, Ash? Where did you say you got these?”
“Sometimes guests purchase pool toys and games out in town, then leave them behind because they don’t want to travel home with them. We have so many games already, so Brenner passed these along. Why?”
“You’ve got some kinky guests.” I hold out a block. “Look.”
He accepts the rectangular piece and examines it, his eyes going wide.
“Tease your partner’s nip—what the fuck?”
A snort escapes me before I can smack a hand across my face to stifle it. “Did you check the box before you brought them home?”
“No. I didn’t think I had to.” He creeps back to the hallway, fetching the cardboard box of games, then sets it on the table. After a quick examination, we determine that Jenga is the only X-rated game in the collection. Though we both freeze in shock when a buzzing noise sounds from the bottom. Turns out it’s just a rogue plastic wind-up toy.
