Page 16 of Be Your Forever
“I’m embarrassed by the marks on my skin. They’re an ugly reminder of everything that’s happened. So you paying attention to them so closely, it makes me feel gross.” Tears begin to form behind my eyes.
His rough thumbs gently brush the tears off my face. Great. I had to go and vocalize my insecurities, and he’s now going to leave any second now. I brace for the inevitable coldness that comes from his absence. He does, in fact, get up, but it isn’t to leave. He makes his way over to my bed, laying down without any regard to the sweaty sheets. I’m completely dumbfounded, especially when he pats the space next to him.
“What are you doing?”
“You asked me to sleep with you. That’s exactly what I’m doing. So get over here.”
“Y-You don’t want to leave?” I ask.
Asher unknowingly holds my hope within his strong hands. And when he pats the side next to him again, this time with a smile, I crawl over to him. He pulls me in so we’re face to face as he brushes the hair from my face. Our foreheads touch, and that clicking sound from earlier returns. This time, it feels like a piece of my tattered soul clicks into place.
I feel Asher’s fingers trace the jagged lines with the most delicate, loving touch. Our eyes meet, and years of deeply buried yearning rises to the surface.
Safe.
In his arms, I feel safe.
“You may see these lines as a bad thing, but I don’t share that opinion. Your stretch marks are a roadmap to your story, to everything you’ve had to endure. And I find itincrediblysexy,” he growls.
Desire pools between my legs, and I have zero time to hyper-fixate on any negative thoughts with him staring at me so intently.
“Seeing them illuminated beneath the moon? You have no idea how badly I want to trace my tongue along every single line. But we’ll save that for another time. Right now, you need to sleep. You’ve had a long night.”
He presses a chaste kiss to my forehead, but it feels anything but. My toes ache to curl and my heart skips a beat.
“Goodnight, Bri. Close your eyes. I’ve got you.”
“Thank you, Asher.”
“Anything for you, bear. You’ll always be safe in my arms,” he whispers, kissing my forehead again before pulling me even closer to him. With my head nestled against his chest, I fall asleep with a smile etched across my face.
Asher
Addicting. Tempting. All mine.
Lightshimmersthroughthewindows, bathing the room in a kaleidoscope of golds, pinks, and blues reflecting off the butterfly window chime that hangs on her bedroom window. My eyes drift closed as my face stretches into a lazy smile, allowing the morning sun to brush warm strokes against my cheek. Early spring mornings are my favorite. The world is quiet. No one’s rushing around frantically trying to get from place to place.
It’s just calm. Peaceful. Perfect.
Speaking of perfection, I suck in a deep breath, and my senses are overcome with the warm, sweet aroma of vanilla coffee. Sugary notes dance around me as I breathe deeper, filling my lungs with the smell ofher.
Addicting. Tempting. All mine.
Bri.
I shift my body, glancing at the woman next to me. Bri must have shifted in her sleep, as her back is now pressed against my front. My hand that’s sprawled across her stomach is interlocked with hers. Chestnut hair cascades chaotically down her back, rendering me speechless. The sun’s got nothing on her radiant glow. Seriously, she could be dressed ina garbage bag with yesterday's makeup smeared across her face, and I’d still find her incredibly sexy.
The rhythmic rise and fall of her chest might have an outsider believe she’s at peace, but I know her. And if what happened last night is any indication of what's happening beneath the surface, then my girl's pain is multilayered. And how she talked about herself yesterday? It left a gaping hole in my heart. She’s so goddamn breathtaking, always has been. And it’s not just her looks; it never has been.
Bri's beauty is beyond skin deep. Her body houses a heart so pure and generous it warms even the coldest of souls. The aura around her is so powerful, you can't help but be sucked into the orbit. Her love is a force to be reckoned with. She’ll stop at nothing to make sure her loved ones are happy. If only she could turn that outward love inward. But her body? Fuck, I could explore her for hours and it’d never be enough.
My lips brush ever so softly against the nape of her neck, which in turn has her wiggling further into me…into my morning wood.Fuck.That wasn’t so smart. I grip her hip to prevent her from doing it again, but her ass accidently grinds against my painfully hard cock.Now isnotthe time. And definitelynothow I should be thinking about Max’s little sister. Although, if I’m being honest, anytime I’m around Bri, I forget all my reasons why Ishouldstay away. Better to ask forgiveness than ask for permission, right?
I hear the sheets rustle, and I can feel her shift in my arms. But am I looking at her? No. My eyes are glued shut, breathing through my mouth and willing my dick to chill the fuck out.
“Asher?” Bri’s husky voice does little to no favors to my situation. But I’m a sucker for her soulful eyes, so I meet her gaze. When our eyes meet, her smile widens.
I want to take a picture of this moment, blow it up, and put it on my wall. I simply return her stare, and when she squints her eyes at me and purses her lips, I realize I must be hardcore staring.
