Page 45 of Because You Loved Me

And had yet to address any of those particular details.

“We don’t have a star.” He gazed up to the top of the tree. “What could we use?”

“The tree topper should be something that finds you,” Noa said.

“What does that even mean?” He tried not to chuckle when he saw how serious she was.

“What it means is that you’ll know the topper when you see it. It can’t be rushed.”

Asher assessed the tree with the bare top and shrugged. “I’ll have to take your word for it. I’ve honestly never given much thought to the Christmas tree. But I have to admit, this was pretty fun. And even without a topper, I think it looks pretty great. But it’s still missing something.” He spun her out of his arms and looked her up and down knowingly. “You’re wearing far too many clothes to be unwrapped under the tree.”

Noa laughed and spun herself right into the kitchen. “Maybe we should have dinner first?”

Right on cue, his stomach growled, and he followed her into the kitchen. “Have I told you that you’re such a tease?”

Her laughter filled the room. “I don’t know if that’s the right way to describe what’s going on between us.” She opened the freezer. “Pizza or tortellini?”

Avoidance was one of his favorite techniques, too. “Pizza.”

“Perfect. I’ll make a salad to go with it.”

* * *

The fire burned low, and Noa rolled to her side with the Christmas tree and Asher at her back so she could watch the glowing embers.

“I should put some wood on,” Asher murmured in her ear, but made no move to get up.

They’d eaten their dinner on the floor next to the tree before, true to her word, Noa had unwrapped herself. If she were being truthful, it was a gift to both of them. Asher was a skillful lover and her body responded easily to his touch.

Now, satiated and warmed by the fire and their lovemaking, Noa stretched her arms over her head and rolled to her back. “Let’s play a game.”

“A game?” His fingers trailed down her side to her bottom. “I like games.” His hand slipped over her hip, and she swatted it away.

“Not that kind of game, you horn dog.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Pot. Meet Kettle.”

“Fair.” She laughed. “But I’m serious. Let’s play twenty questions. You can only answer with a yes or no.”

When Asher didn’t respond right away, Noa was afraid she’d made a mistake. Everything between them had been light and easy up until now. Besides that first night when she’d reassured him that she hadn’t made a mistake and wasn’t hung up on her fiancé, they hadn’t spoken about their personal lives. It had been easy and simple. And…not real.

“Okay,” he said after a few minutes. “If you think you’re ready for it.”

Noa swallowed hard. She didn’t know whether she was or not, but what she did know was that whatever it was between them, she was enjoying it and there only seemed to be one way forward. They were either going to like what they found out about each other…or not.

“You can go first.”

His eyes widened with surprise but he was ready. “Once and for all, I need to know. Are youinlove with your fiancé?”

She’d been expecting that one. “His name is Ryan. And no. Like I said before, I will always love him, but I’m not, nor have I ever beeninlove with him.”

Noa rolled onto her other side so they faced each other. Asher was incredibly sexy with one arm propping up his head, the fire glowing enticingly on his hard, naked chest.

She was ready with her own question. “Are you dating anyone?” Noa was pretty sure the answer was no, but given her own recent history, she needed to know for sure.

“No. I don’t date.”

Her mouth fell open before she could stop it. “You don’t?—”

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