Page 68 of From Asher, With Love

I think back to my conversation with Selene and Julianna.

Love doesn’t have an expiration date.

Is what I’m feeling for Asher still love, or is it something new? It feels a lot like the love I had for him back then, but there’s an undercurrent of grief and pain in there, too. There are layers to what we once had now. It’s complicated in a new way that’s both exhilarating and terrifying.

“Charleigh.” He sighs, then inhales a nervous breath. “What I did today doesn’t even make up for the pain and heartache I’ve caused you, and I’m not just talking about ten years ago.”

“Asher.” I rise up on my toes and wrap both hands around his, holding them between us.

“I was an asshole and I’m not afraid to admit it.” He hooks two fingers under my chin.

“You know…” I smile. “I never thought I’d hear you admit to being an asshole out loud.”

“Well.” He slinks his arms around me and down my backside. Slipping his hands under the back of my short leather skirt, he grips onto both of my cheeks and lifts me back onto the prep table. “I’m a changed man, remember?”

After opening my legs, he stands between them. I slip his suit jacket off his broad shoulders and wrap his tie around my hand like I did this morning to pull his face down to mine. “Why don’t you remind me again?”

Asher crashes his mouth against mine and rolls his hips forward. His erection is clear, straining against the zipper of his black slacks. He presses his length to my wetness. I know I’m soaking and ruining what is probably thousands of dollars’ worth of designer pants, but Asher doesn’t seem to care. He parts my lips with his tongue, sliding it against mine. He tastes me and sucks on my bottom lip as if he can’t get enough. I whimper against him, my heart expanding with every kiss and touch.

I move to undo his belt and tug his zipper down. His cock springs free, and I immediately wrap my hands around it and rub my thumb over the tip.

Hissing, Asher tilts his head back and closes his eyes. “Fuck, that feels good,” he says between clenched teeth.

I tug him closer, rubbing the end of his cock along my wet pussy. “Do you feel that? Do you feel how wet I get for you at even the slightest touch?” My thighs are shaking, and my pulse quickens.

“Yes.” He hisses, rolling his head back and looking down atme. He traces his finger down my face before letting it fall to my sweater. I lift my arms as he removes it, then reaches behind and unsnaps my bra. The cool air hits my skin, and my nipples harden. I’m left in nothing except my knee-high boots, with my leather skirt bunched around my waist. “How about we make your fantasy a reality?” He looks at the mess of flowers and stems surrounding me. “This is the prep table you were talking about, correct?”

“It is.” I’m forcing myself to even out my breathing. I lift my left hip and start to roll to the side, bending my leg. I hold my knee against Asher’s sculpted abs, twisted at the waist. Leaning back on the table, I prop myself up with my arm and with my other hand, run my palm against my exposed bare ass. I didn’t wear any panties today, and I can tell Asher’s pleased. “But you had a different view of me.”

His eyes darken, and his hand smooths over my ass.

“No.” He growls. “I want to watch you as my cock fills you. I want to watch you come.” He brings his other hand to my mouth and pushes his thumb to my bottom lip, prying my mouth open. “I want to watch your pretty mouth gasping for air when you orgasm.”

A yelp climbs up my throat, and I jump when he smacks my ass. A jolt of electricity shoots down my leg before his hand moves to my knee, parting my legs for him, once again. I lie flat on my back and press both of my knees to his frame.

My gaze rises to his face, and I see the change in him. He’s looking at me differently. He’s looking at me as if I’m his lifeline. He’s looking at me as though if I weren’t here, he wouldn’t be breathing.

The gold flecks in his eyes intensify, and my mouth falls open as soon as he slips himself inside me. He fills me up, pushing in as far as he can. His body meets mine, and I arch my back off the table, not caring how many flowers are beneathme. We’re surrounded by them, and the scent fills every one of my senses. I breathe it in as I gasp for air. The table rocks and shifts with every thrust, but I welcome it.

It's true, I had a dream about being with Asher in my flower shop, and now I wonder how many dreams we can make a reality. The future is terrifying when it’s let you down in the past.

Asher grips onto my breast, flicking my nipple with his fingers. He keeps his eyes on me as he moves above me – inside me. There’s nothing but the sounds of our heavy breathing, the creaking wooden of the table, and the setting sun pouring through the tiny window.

We don’t speak. There’s no dirty talk, despite earlier, or Asher wanting to fulfill my dream. We’ve transitioned into something else. He’s fierce and commanding, but there’s also vulnerability in his movements. He’s quick yet measured. Hard yet soft. He grips my shoulder, holding me in place. Heat pools in my belly, and my thighs shake, nearing my release. I chase it, not wanting to drag it out. I want to feel every bit of what I’m feeling with Asher. I want to jump off the cliff without hesitation. And I do. My body quakes as my body hums with my orgasm. My mouth falls open as I gasp for air, my eyes pinned on Asher.

And he’s watching me, just as he said he wanted to. Four more thrusts, and he’s falling apart too, and I feel myself tighten around his cock. He stiffens, holding onto me as he vibrates with his orgasm. His cum spills into me, and I inhale a breath at the sensation.

He falls to my chest, pressing his face to my flesh, turning until his ear presses against my beating heart. I bring my hand to the back of his head, threading my fingers through his brown strands. I hold my breath, and I can’t explain it, but tears build behind my eyes. Not from being with Asher now. Not from being heartbroken. Tears threaten to spill realizing we aren’twho we were before. Our feelings for each other may have stemmed from who we were then, but the flower has bloomed into something else.

Then the reality hits when he lifts his hand and traces his invisible line across my collarbone. I hold my breath until my lungs burn.

Because despite how beautiful this feels with Asher now, the ugliness of the past will always remain.

TWENTY-TWO

ASHER

February 12, 2015

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