Page 81 of Be Your Forever
“I think I really like massages.” Bri grins while pressing a kiss to my cheek. She rolls off me and nestles herself into my arms.
“I will never be able to look at massage oil the same way again.” My response has both of us shaking with laughter.
We sit in comfortable silence, Bri tracing patterns on my chest with her fingers and me combing my fingers through her hair.
“I love you, Asher.” Bri’s whispered confession breaks the silence.
“I love you, too, Bri.”
The room grows heavy with silence, nothing but the sound of even breathing and precious heartbeats between us. As if the world itself is holding its breath, Bri is fast asleep against my chest.
Bri’s soft snores fill the space, so I slip out of her hold to blow out the candles and drain the forgotten water in the tub. I let her nap knowing she needs the rest, so I head downstairs and clean up the mess from breakfast. The smile I’m sporting seems to be a permanent fixture, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Brianna
I thought you were a figment of his imagination
Todayisaxethrowingday, and fear holds my body captive, offering unrealistic demands. My legs shake aggressively as I white knuckle the steering wheel. Asher sits in the passenger seat, a comforting hand on my thigh, offering me the silence I didn’t know I needed. Asher can read me like an open book, often assessing my needs before I even have time to process. At first, it scared the fuck out of me. I’d find any flaw to hyper-fixate on. The moment that seed was planted in my head, I firmly believed Asher saw it, too. Avery called it my self-deprecating prophecy. Now, having someone see me—all of me—and love every inch is exhilarating.
Despite our time slot being at seven and it’s only a fifteen minute drive away, we left at six. When I asked if we could leave early, Asher agreed with a smile before planting a soft kiss on the tip of my nose. I knew this was going to be hard for me, so I planned it out so I’d have enough time to prepare.
I’ve been sitting in my driveway for fifteen minutes, calming music blasting through the speakers. I focus on the slow inhale and exhale of my breath, imagining my heart slowing down with each outbreath.
You will be okay, Bri. Just because it happened once, doesn’t mean it’ll happen again. You have overcome a lot since the accident. You have Asher sitting next to you. You’re safe. Nothing bad will happen to you. You got this.
I press my foot on the brake before throwing the car in reverse. I repeat the mantraI got thisin my head all the way to our destination. When I come acrosstheintersection, Asher reaches for my hand, squeezing it like his life depends on it. He squeezes my hand three times, and on some instinctive level, I know he’s telling me he loves me. I flip my hand over, interlocking our fingers and repeating the gesture back to him.
Like Asher did that one night when the light turned green, I look both ways before sailing through the intersection. I hold onto my breath before I reach the other side where it comes out in awhoosh.
I did it!
I made it through without having a panic attack.
“Pull over,” Asher demands.
I quickly glance at him before returning my attention to the road. “What?”
“Pull over,” he repeats. I look behind me before turning my signal on and pulling off to the side. The moment I put the car in park, Asher is rounding the car and unbuckling my seat.
I’m having a hard time processing what’s happening when I find myself out of the car and pressed up against the cold metal door as Asher leans down to crash his mouth against mine. His lips assault mine with enough force that I’m sure they’ll be permanently swollen. His tongue demands entry into my mouth, tangling with mine in a possessive manner only Asher is capable of. Cars are zooming by, but my head is spinning with the feel of his lips on mine. Asher pulls back only to rest his forehead against mine.
“I’m so fucking proud of you, Bri. You took that intersection and made it your bitch. You did that. Not me. Not Avery. You. You did it, baby, and if we didn’t have anywhere to be, I’d take you in the back seat and eat you out. But knowing my brother and his wife, they’re already in the parking lot waiting. But seeing you conquer your fears like a boss? Hot as fuck.” Asher’s face nuzzles my neck, his stubble tickling my sensitive skin.
Asher opens my door for me, and I climb back into the seat. Once he’s buckled in, we’re back on the road.
“Any questions on how to throw the axe?” Silas, our guide, asks. He’ll be hanging around us, making sure we’re following the rules and that no one gets hurt.
We all shake our heads, so Silas gives us the go ahead. Asher and Xander argue over who’s going first while Amber and I hang back and observe.
“You’re good for him, Bri.”
Amber is a beautiful, curvy woman with long, black hair and the most striking, green cat-like eyes I’ve ever seen. I liked her from the moment I met her. She greeted me with a giant grin on her face and pulled me into a hug. It appears the Larson men like their women curvy, because Amber is very similar to me in size. She oozes confidence, and she has this ability to make anyone within her orbit feel comfortable.
“He’s good for me, too,” I reply, my tone laced with affection.
“I’m glad to finally meet you. I’m not gonna lie, for the longest time I thought you were a figment of his imagination. He’d always talk about this Bri person, and Xander and I always went along with it. He didn’t do your body justice, though. Girl, your curves are banging. If I wasn’t so in love with my husband, I might make a pass at ya.” Amber winks at me.
“I heard that,” Xander and Asher say at the same time.
