Page 18 of Worth the Scandal
My jaw drops, and heat flushes into my cheeks.Oh fuck, Asher?!
Of course, Brendan proceeds to do the dumbest thing imaginable at this present time, grabbing my hand. “These ladies are mine, actually, big boy.”
I swiftly yank my hand away, glaring daggers. “First of all, I’m nobody’s lady. Second, your time here’s officially expired, Brendan.”
I’ve never sobered up so damn fast. Asher’s jaw clenches, gaze glued furiously to Brendan’s offending hand. Shell, sensing imminent disaster, leaps into crisis management. She’s very good at her job and I can tell why; she read that situation like a pro. “It’s okay, Ash, we’re coming with you. Scarlett, move it.”
Shell shoots me an unspoken warning, so like a good girl, I obediently trail behind her and a visibly pissed Asher toward the VIP section. The good news is I’ve got another French martini in hand though, to wash down whatever the hell just happened.
Shell turns and whispers to me “Well, shit. The night just got seriously interesting.”
We cram ourselves into the VIP booth, surrounded by curious, amused stares from the female company giving it all they’ve got on the dance floor for a ticket to these exact seats. Collins decides to poke the bear first. The outwardly large for a centre Danny Collins is wearing a black polo shirt, a pair of faded blue baggy jeans and a smile that says, ‘oh boy I’ve been dieing for this moment.’
“Damn, Asher. You really trying to ride the bench this season, huh?” Collins whistles low, extending his hand toward me. “I’m Danny—but everyone calls me Collins.”
Asher promptly smacks his hand away before I can react. Possessive much?I like it.
“Hi, Collins,” I smirk playfully, feeding into whatever games he’s playing purely for the fact I like this version of Asher it’s bringing out. “And thanks for earlier. We’d have been stuck in line all night without your rescue.” I offer my hand teasingly. Collins grabs it, planting a soft kiss on the back. Asher’s face is priceless.
“You’re welcome, pretty ladies should never wait in lines,” Collins chuckles, fully enjoying Asher’s reaction as much as I am.Take that Asher the morning after dasher.
I toss Asher a defiant grin. “Thanks for playing Prince Charming, but I distinctly remember telling you once before—I don’t need saving.”
He raises an eyebrow skeptically, maybe even a little confused by my defiance “Oh yeah, you two had it totally under control. You’d probably end up duct-taped in Brendan’s car boot. You’re more French martini than blood right now darling.”
Well, that escalated vividly, Cass really was giving creepy.
“I’m perfectly capable, Ash. You know that.” I wink exaggeratedly, earning whistles from the amused peanut gallery.
Yeah, little Miss carefree is here.
“Shit,” Jace laughs loudly. “So, it’s true! Ash wasn’t making it up. How’d this idiot manage to pull a girl like you, Scarlett? Funny and—”
“Don’t finish that sentence Jace or we are running tackle drills tomorrow, just me and you and I’ll take your head off.” Asher points a finger straight at Jace mere inches from his face.
“Vodka,” I reply, and laughter explodes around us.
Asher scoffs, clearly losing this round. “Funny, I thought tequila was more your poison, Scarlett.”
Suddenly, memories flood back—the heat, the intimacy, our one perfect night. Right now, we are being very casual—guarded even—and not all the two souls who bared everything, bodies, and mind, and soul in one anonymous night of serendipity.Great, Scarlett. Way to keep your cool.My cheeks heat at the thought of Asher’s lips all over me in my old Bondi elevator and I sink back a little into the chair avoiding eye contact with Asher.
“Alright ladies, I’m up for a dance, good for the soul helps me relax before coach hands us our ass at a 6am session.” Collins gestures his hand to me with the cheekiest grin on his face, waiting for Asher’s reaction.
“Scarlett, darlin’ you look like a girl who can move” he adds mimicking Asher’s accent.
“Touch her and you won’t make it to the dance floor Danny.” Asher is standing now, grabbing my hand before I can accept Collin’s escape route. Not one single cell in my body is disappointed to miss a dance with Collins.
“If you’re dancing, it’s with me.”
I don’t argue because the thought of having Asher close to me again is short circuiting my brain, and my body and my French martini filled bloodstream is screaming yes!
Asher leads me to the dance floor just outside the VIP section, it’s a small space with a big, burly security guard on watch which I can only assume is for the boy’s safety against all the cougars drooling over them. The ladies in here have absolutely left their dignity at the door for a sneak peek of Dawson’s finest. Most are doused in some form of animal print, taking the cougar nickname quite seriously. Asher places his hands on my waist ever so delicately. I can feel the heat radiating from his fingers and penetrating at my sides as he stares straight into my eyes. Moving in time with the beat, we sway and bounce.He tries to say something, but I can’t hear a word he is saying over the thumps of the music. He must read the blank stare on my face and he leans forward brushing his lips on my ear. “I said so your name is Scarlett, 2 years I’ve been dying to know that.” I yell back in his ear “well if you left your number, you could’ve easily found out” he pulls back now staring at me. His eyes dart between mine soft green rims and a ice blue centre like the waters of one of those crystal-clear tropical beach paradises, I decide right there I’d happily drown in them. His focus quickly retreats to my lips and then straight back to my eyes. He whispers something to Collins and then takes my hand and leads me out to the back of The Golden Sparrow. We weave through the crowd around the doors and slip past the other burly security guard manning the back door. He gives Asher a wink as we pass.Hmm so this is a regular occurrence then.I ignore the weird feeling of jealousy, and the strange feeling my stomach makes in response. Fresh air hits my nostrils, and the sweat, cologne and desperation of the Sparrow evaporates instantly.
“I asked Collins to take Shell home so I can have a moment with you alone to explain myself.” His hand is still in mine his fingers laced around my palm just like they were on that night two years ago.
“You don’t have to explain anything, we both agreed no names, no number” he cuts me off.
“Scarlett, we both know it was more than that. I’ve never had a connection like that with anyone else. So don’t bullshit me right now.”
