Alethea
I look up at him as he slowly nods as if confirming what he just said.
“Yes, Ally. I want you to come to work for me. You were efficient when you worked as my assistant, I can’t deny that.”
His words catch me off guard. I’ve been thinking about how I don’t want to stay idle. I even considered working at the daycare. But working with Asher? That’s something I never imagined.
Slowly, I shake my head. “No, Asher. I can’t work with you.”
His expression tenses. I see the frustration in his eyes as he searches mine, looking for something, some kind of answer.
“Is it because you still haven’t forgiven me?” he asks quietly.
I take a deep breath, forcing the words out. “It takes time, Asher.”
He exhales, rubbing the back of his neck, then meets my gaze with determination. “I want you with me in all my meetings, with the council elders, with every important person I have dealings with. I need you, Ally.”
I hesitate, but deep down, I know there’s nothing to think about. I want him close. I want to be by his side, not just for myself but to put Shirley in her place once and for all.
Instead of answering, I tug on his hand, offering him a small smile. “I think I’ll need that cuddling tonight just as much as you do.”
His face lights up with the most radiant smile I’ve seen in a long time. That sight alone makes my heart ache in ways I can’t describe.
As we move toward my bed, his large frame sinks into the mattress, pulling me close as I turn my back to him.
His strong arms wrap around me, spooning me into his warmth.
Everything feels right in that moment, the steady rise and fall of his chest, the calming scent of him surrounding me.
He nuzzles his nose against my neck, and I can feel his smile against my skin. I shift slightly, turning to look at him. His beauty is ethereal, almost unreal. He’s everything I’ve ever craved in a man.
His smile deepens, crinkling the corners of his eyes. The sight makes my own eyes grow heavy with exhaustion, but for the first time in weeks, I feel safe. I feel at peace.
“Sleep, my love,” he murmurs.
The words wrap around me like a lullaby. Maybe I imagined them. Maybe I didn’t. But it doesn’t matter.
What matters is that he’s here, holding me like I’m the most important thing in the world.
And with that, I finally drifted into sleep.
***
The sunlight streaming through the window tells me it’s morning. I try to lift my hand, but I can’t; someone is holding me in a place like they don’t want me to disappear.
Slowly, I look down and see Asher’s face, peaceful in sleep. He looks even more beautiful like this, his dark lashes resting against his cheek, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm.
I didn’t realize how long I had been staring at him, memorizing every perfect feature, until I heard a throaty chuckle.
“Take a picture, Ally. That way, I can stay right in your face,” he murmurs, his voice husky with sleep as he slowly opens his eyes.
I rolled my eyes, pretending I wasn’t just ogling him. “How long have you been awake?” I ask, ignoring the way Xena purrs loudly in my head.
His lips curl into a lazy smirk. “Good morning, beautiful. I love waking up like this, with you in my bed.”
My heart flips at his words, and I quickly try to make light of the moment. “This is my bed, silly,” I tease, shifting slightly.
“Don’t you have pack matters to attend to?” I ask, trying to put some space between us.
But before I can move away, he tugs me back, his grip firm yet gentle. “Not so fast, my mate,” he murmurs, his golden-green eyes locking onto mine. “You haven’t given me my morning kiss.”
I let out a soft laugh. “Morning kiss? That’s meant for couples, Asher.”
“Stop stalling and come kiss me,” he demands, his voice low and rough. “Goddess knows how hard I had to refrain from taking you all night.”
I shudder at his words, my pulse racing as heat spreads through me. His fingers brush against my jaw as he tilts my face closer, his lips hovering just above mine. My breath catches, and without thinking, my lips part in silent invitation.
He finally closes the distance, kissing me slowly, gently, like he’s making a promise he’s too afraid to say out loud. I melt into him, responding with everything I can’t bring myself to voice.
Asher deepens the kiss, tugging me closer, his grip possessive yet full of longing.
My hands find their way to his chest, my fingers grazing over his skin, teasing the hard muscles beneath. He lets out a low growl, his restraint evident, but I don’t stop.
Somehow, my body moves on its own, and before I realize it, I’m straddling him. His thick, hard length presses against me, sending a jolt of pleasure straight through my core.
I gasp into his mouth, my body already dripping with need as we move against each other, lost in the kiss, lost in the moment, where nothing else matters but us.
Asher moves his hand to my T-shirt and tugs it up, his touch sending a shiver down my spine. I lift my arms, letting him pull it over my head, and as soon as the fabric is gone, the kiss breaks.
My breath catches as his gaze drops to my bare chest. My breasts rise and fall with each shaky inhale, and he stares at them with such raw hunger that my entire body trembles with desire.
Sparks dance across my skin, igniting a fire deep within me, even though he hasn’t even touched me yet.
“I remember when we made love during your heat,” he murmurs, his voice thick with emotion.
“I noticed how your breasts were fuller, how your body had changed… but I never realized it was because you had given birth to our son.” His eyes darken with regret, his fingers tracing along my side.
“I wish I had done better. I wish I hadn’t missed three years of my life with him… with you.”
The pain in his voice is almost unbearable, but I don’t want to dwell on the past. I grab his face and press my lips to his, cutting off his words. “Shut up, Asher, and kiss me already,” I whisper against his mouth.
He growls low in his throat, his control slipping as he kisses me back with renewed urgency. His lips move against mine, hot and demanding, but just when I think I have him right where I want him, he suddenly pulls away.
And then, he does something that sends liquid fire coursing through my veins. Something that makes my entire body quake with desperation.
I gasp, tugging him closer, needing more, needing all of him.