Page 55 of Poinsettia Lane

“Let me hear you," he growls. “Don’t hide from me.”

Everly looks down her body and meets his smoldering eyes as he moves to the other breast, then gently bites down. She doesn’t hide this time, she sings her pleasure to the stars above.

~~~

His fingers are magic. His tongue and mouth are divine. Everly can only imagine what it will feel like to finally have all of him, but before she can move things in that direction, Asim puts a stop to it.

“Not here," he says, stilling her hands as she reaches for his zipper. “When I finally have you, it won’t be on the side of a road. It’ll be in a bed where I can take my time, and not worry about you being cold, or uncomfortable, or anxious. Where I can easily get anything you might need or want, and you won’t have to think about one single thing except the pleasure I wring from your tight little body.”

Everly’s eyes widen, her skin flushes hot from her ears to her curling toes, and her head stutters a nod up at him.

“Can we do that now?” she says, her voice husky withwant, lower than she has ever heard it.

Asim chuckles. “Let’s get this picked up and we can head back, then you let me know how you feel.”

He doesn’t move off of her yet though. Instead, he strokes his fingers down her lightly, almost like he’s petting her. He touches her face, her hair, down her neck and across her breasts, memorizing every inch he can reach through touch. Everly’s skin breaks out in goosebumps all over again and she groans dramatically.

“You have to stop touching me if you’re going to make me wait," she complains, and one side of his mouth quirks up.

“You’re just so touchable, I can’t help it.” His voice is soft and tender, bathing her in warmth. “Let’s go then.”

Asim rises fluidly to his feet and Everly gapes at him. She has no idea how he can be so graceful and move that easily after lying on the desert ground for what felt like an entire lifetime. She holds both hands up and waves them at him in a silent request for assistance. He obliges, grasping her forearms and effortlessly lifting her to her feet. His eyes twinkle at her beneath thick lashes and it takes every ounce of willpower she possesses not to lean into him for another kiss.

She steps back and looks around, taking stock of the situation, then starts collecting their trash. Before she knows it, everything is back on the bike, she has her helmet on, and her arms are wrapped around Asim’s waist again.

Everly eagerly presses her body into his this time, wiggling to get as close as she can and hugging his legs with hers in anticipation. Asim smiles at her over his shoulder before pulling his helmet on, then he checks her feet, squeezing each calf in turn, and finally taps her hands again in warning before they take off into the night.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

THEY GET BACK later than she expects, and as much as she wants to finish what they started in the desert, Everly can’t stop the massive yawn that threatens to unhinge her jaw right as she takes her helmet off. Asim catches it, of course, and quirks a tender smile.

“I think maybe we should call it a night here," he says.

Everly frowns, and he glides his hand down her hair to her waist, tugging her into him.

“Remember what I said?” He breathes the words into her ear, and the skin on her neck breaks out in goose-bumps. “I want to take my time with you. I promise to make it worth the wait.”

Asim cups her face in his hands as he pulls back, a moment and an eternity passing as they get lost in each other’s eyes. When Everly blinks, slow and lazy, he seems to pull out of whatever haze they’ve fallen into. Asim leans forward and softly kisses her forehead, then pulls her into the coziest hug she has ever received, tucking her head under his chin and holding her close.

“I had an amazing night, Ever.” His voice rumbles under her ear.

She smiles and closes her eyes, nuzzling her face into his chest and trying not to be too obvious as she inhales his earthy scent.

“Thank you for coercing me into a second date," he says.

“Hey!” she protests, her eyes popping open as she smacks the middle of his back lightly.

He chuckles and places a quick kiss on her nose.

“I’m kidding. If you hadn’t asked, I would have. I’m glad you feel safe enough to tell me what you want though, that feels really good, having your trust in that way," Asim reassures her.

He’s giving more weight to the vowels again, drawing them out so they dance like a caress across her skin as he speaks.

Everly feels like a helium balloon. So full of light and happiness that she might pop or float away at any moment as they say their goodnights.

She drifts up the stairs to the shower after watching Asim drive away, her heart fluttering in her chest.

~~~

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