I’m out of breath when he finally breaks free. “What was that for?”
“Missed you.” He says it so softly I barely register the words.
Before I have the chance to speak—not that I have any clue how to respond—he’s kissing me again.
Thunder sounds with a jarring crack, and the sky splits open and rain pelts down in fat drops, but when I pull back from Asher, he heedlessly yanks me in tight against him.
“Just a little longer,” he says, nipping at my lower lip. “Mmm. I love kissing you, Claire.”
“I love kissing you too,” I breathe into him.
A dramatic bolt of lightning slashes through the steely sky, warning us to move on, and we hurry out of the water, my pulse racing.
But it’s not the weather frightening me. It’s the torrential storm in my heart.
28
Asher
After getting caughtin the rain, I threw Claire into my shower and had my way with her. Or maybe she had her way with me. All that matters is that we were both satisfied in the end. I assumed she’d want to have dinner with me and the guys, but she said she had a headache and went to bed early.
She flitted in and out of work all week, meeting up with us a few times during the day but never for long, and she always had an excuse about why she couldn’t join us for dinner.
The guys are only here for a couple more nights, and the closer we get to their checkout date, the more apprehensive I am about the way Claire is avoiding them. I really want her to spend more time with them. I’ve never introduced them to a woman, but my buddies knowing Claire feels right.
When she comes out of her bedroom dressed in ripped jeans and a light pink shirt that shows off her delicious midriff, I corner her in the hallway and drop a hand to her waist.
She sucks in a breath at the contact against her bare skin.
“Have dinner with us tonight.”
“Hmm?” Her gaze flits away, but only for a second. “Oh. No. That’s okay. I wouldn’t want to intrude.”
“I’m not asking, Claire.” My tone is firm but not fierce.
Rather than agree, she bites her bottom lip.
I tug it free and grip the side of her throat tightly, though I rub my thumb delicately along her jaw.
She swallows against my palm, searching my face.
“You’re not intruding. I want you there. Do you understand?”
She nods timidly but doesn’t speak.
“Good girl.” I kiss her on the forehead, then release her.
The guys insisted on cooking for us this evening, and Jessica was happy to cover for Claire for the night, so if she had excused herself yet again, I would have been disappointed.
Normally, we eat all our meals either at the cafeteria or at the kitchen island, but this evening we’re gathered around the dining table, ignoring the bits of dried Play-Doh plastered to the surface. Zion is seated at the head, Raymond and Benji across from me, and Claire to my right.
“A kid-free week looks good on you, man,” Zion says as we’re digging in.
“It’s just what the doctor ordered.” I wink, my gaze swinging to Claire.
“Hey, I did no such thing,” she mumbles around a mouthful of chicken.
“Maybe it’s all the se—” Benji’s words cut off abruptly.
