Page 45 of Wicked Titan

“I don’t care.”

“Then why are you still hiding from me?” His knuckles brush up my arm, trailing along my shoulder. He slips his finger under the thin spaghetti strap, pulling it to the side as his lips move to my shoulder, his tongue teasing my skin.

My hands instantly slip under his T-shirt, craving the contact of his rock-solid muscles as I’m reminded how effortlessly Asher can influence my body. “Because you’re still playing a game with me. I’ll stop when you tell me how you knew about my dad.”

I feel his body tense under my touch, full-blown rage engulfs his eyes as he slowly backs away from me. His hands drop to his side as he stares at me for a moment before reaching for the door handle, pulling it open swiftly as I jump to the side and out of the way.

Silence envelops me as I stare at the door long after he slams it shut. There’s no understanding Asher or figuring out what motivates any of his actions. But I still long to understand him. Why has he inserted himself into my life at every turn? He claims to hate liars, but withholds answers from me. And from his frenzied reaction, I’m guessing it’s something important that he’s concealing for reasons other than some stupid game.

35

Shielding my eyes from the sun, I look over to Victoria as she stretches out on the lounge chair next to me.

Relaxing at the welcome company, my head falls back against the chair cushion as I close my eyes. “How’d you get in?”

“Gate code.”

“That explains a lot.”

“We’ve had the codes since we were kids.” She lets out a breath. “We’d hide out over here when our dad was having a bad day. I knew the code by heart before I’d memorized my own birthday.”

Sounds like Nathan gave them a safe place to retreat, which seems like the opposite of the glimpse I’m getting from time to time. “You’ve known Nathan your entire life?”

“Yep,” she pops the P. “He’s always been around, even during the years where my dad refused to speak his name.”

“Why?” I look to her as she studies the swimming pool.

“It all happened a long time ago when they separated the companies, so I don’t know much. Thankfully, my dad got over it though.” She tucks her hair behind her ear, turning to face me. “Thank you for not telling him what Allison said, or about Elliot.”

I give her a slight smile, knowing that the Elliot part seems to be more than meets the eye. “It’s not my place.”

“But you still could have.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” She shakes her head in small, rapid movements. “Want to float on a ridiculously large flamingo with me?”

“Yep. I’m gonna run home and change. Be right back.”

“’Kay.” I drape my arm over my face, enjoying the thought of a relaxing afternoon.

36

The day had been perfect. Victoria and I floated on the oversize pink bird until evening. Now, I’m sitting on the balcony off my bedroom that overlooks the backyard pool. After my restless night last night and being out in the sun all day, I’m exhausted. The night sky is covered with clouds, rain begins to sprinkle as thunder sounds in the distance. I should go inside but I’m enjoying the cool night breeze. So I rest my head back on the chair, rain drops falling against my skin.

“You know it’s raining, right?” Asher’s voice sounds as he sits in the chair next to me.

The intrusion should startle me. Or, at the very least, piss me off, but it doesn’t do either, which is annoying. I’m questioning whether I’d hoped he would appear, and that really infuriates me. “Let me guess, not only do you have the gate code, but you also have a house key.” I know I locked the front door, which makes me question why he didn’t just let himself in last night. Knowing his devious way of thinking, he just wanted to prove that I would allow him in. Again.

“Most people go inside when it rains.”

I lift my head, looking at him as the rain grows heavier. “Then go inside.”

He watches me, not moving as I grow frustrated even at the sight of him. There go the good vibes from my relaxing day. He can’t even let me get struck by lightning in peace.

“I’m not in the mood for your games, Asher.” I walk in, grabbing the towel draped over the back of my chair that I’d used to dry off from the shower. I wipe the water off my face and begin drying my hair as he walks through the door, dripping wet.

“Just one game,” he rubs his thumb across my collarbone, trailing it up my neck as his fingers intertwine in my hair. “No, or beg?”

He picks this moment to offer up the only game I want to play. It wouldn’t matter when he decided, I know the decision is out of my hands. I want to feel him again, but not just his mouth. I want to feel him inside me. But I want to make him suffer, twisting his emotions, sending them as hot and cold as he makes me feel.