Page 83 of From Asher, With Love

Turns out, I did end up having to carry Charleigh home. I carried her from Julianna’s party to the car, then again from the car to the elevator.

She’s still conscious, her three glasses of champagne not completely knocking her out. I wouldn’t exactly call her drunk but definitely teetering on the line. While unsteady on her feet, though, I decided to carry her the rest of the way. It just gave me another excuse to hold her, anyway.

“You didn’t have to carry meallthe way home,” Charleigh mutters against my chest. “I could have walked from the car to the elevator. I’m not drunk.” With her legs over my right arm, and her back resting against my left, I maneuver my arm to reach inside my front pocket to tug my keycard free.

I remind myself to grab the spare keycard I keep in my office next time I’m there to give to Charleigh. Holding her in my arms makes me want to never let her go. I want her in my life. I want her in my space. I want her home.

The light on the black box turns from red to green, automatically taking us up to my level.

“I know I didn’t have to carry you,” I grunt, adjusting her inmy arms. I look down as she looks up at me with her gorgeous, hooded eyes and whisper, “I wanted to.”

Her cheeks blush red. Or it could be the alcohol swimming in her bloodstream keeping her warm.

“Did you enjoy Julianna’s party?” I ask.

“I did.” She grins.

“I hope she had a good time. I know she was probably looking forward to tonight since her last birthday.”

Charleigh laughs, tilting her head back. “She was, and I think she did.” Her laughter wanes. “But I think the encounter with Rome threw her for a loop.”

“I wish I had been there.” I can’t help chuckling. “I’m sure Holt regrets his decision to invite him.”

“You’ve never met Rome?”

“No.” I shake my head, sighing. “Holt’s mentioned him a few times but never in a good way. I’m just as surprised he invited him.”

“I wonder why he would do that when he knows the history with Rome’s family and his own. Not to mention Julianna’s.”

“I don’t know.” I press a kiss to Charleigh’s forehead.

A slow, wide grin spreads across her face.

“What?” I ask her.

She lifts her chin and looks up at me, never allowing her smile to falter. “I’m kind of disappointed.”

I chuckle. “For someone who is disappointed, you certainly don’t look it.”

She lays her head on my chest, the numbers above climbing with every level. We’re almost to my apartment. My scent mingles with hers while she wears my suit jacket. The sleeves are entirely too big on her, and it’s practically swallowing her whole, but she looks sexy as hell wearing what’s mine.

“I’m disappointed because I didn’t make you.”

“Make me?” I look at her quizzically.

“Carry me.” She shrugs her shoulder, looking back up. “If Imadeyou carry me, I thought that meant you would punish me for it. But you’re doing this out of the kindness of your own heart.”

I bite back my grin. Electricity shoots across my chest.

Fuck, this woman has me. All of me.

“Who said I still wasn’t going to punish you?”

Wrapping her arms around my neck, she lifts herself up a little closer to bring her face to mine. Her lips brush my mouth.

“That’s more like it, Mr. Egan.”

“I’m glad we have an understanding, then, Little Flower.”

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