Page 601 of One More Kiss

She stops me as I begin to walk with a slight pull on my hand. I pause, looking down at her introspectively, waiting to see if she’s changed her mind. She smiles again before wrapping her other arm around my neck, arching her body against mine. She stands on her tiptoes to press her lips against mine.

This is the first kiss she’s initiated. Her full lips are slightly moist from her gnawing on them as they meet mine. Mine instantly soften and part as her tongue hesitantly traces the seam. I’m giving her the reins.

Her tongue slides past my teeth to meet mine, slowly and sensuously tracing its length before circling it. Need floods through me and I kiss her back. Our tongues are dancing, circling, sliding, and departing in a waltz as old as time itself.

I have no idea of the length of time we’re lost in each other, nor do I care.

Finally, she ends the kiss, pressing her lips against my parted ones as I gasp for breath. Sliding down my body slowly, her hands trail down my chest and she stands in front of me. Gazing at me through her lashes, she breathlessly says, “Your place… Let’s go.”

I need no further motivation.

We make the trek to my building in minutes, both of us giddy with anticipation of what’s to come. As we reach the stately structure, the doorman greets me. “Mr. Asher. Hello, ma’am. I hope you two are enjoying the night. The rain appears to be finished.”

I respond to him politely, though I’m anxious to get to my apartment. He seems to understand. He smiles at us as he waves us through the door. Kristee snickers as we enter the lobby, but it ends quickly as she gazes around in wonderment. “Holy shit… I had no idea this place existed. This looks like something from upscale New York, not freaking Baton Rouge. You have a doorman and there’s a freaking crystal chandelier.”

I chortle. “Indeed. My grandfather owns it. There are very few long-term residents. It’s mostly used for celebrities, and shit, when they’re filming here. Or for executives, and the like, when they have extended stay trips. For when they want the comforts of home without actually having to buy something here. My apartment is on the tenth floor.”

She still looks dazed as she mutters, “You really are rich, huh? How many floors are there?”

I smirk. “Ten.”

Her eyes widen even more if possible. “So, you live in like the penthouse? Does this building have that?”

I nod. “Yeah, it does. And I do. Just come see. It’s not what you’re expecting, I’m sure. I want to show you.”

Her hand tightens in mine as I lead her to the elevators. As I press the button for the penthouse, it scans my finger, granting me access. Not that we have a lot of need for heightened security in here. But it stops the buildings visitors from being able to get to my home if they get curious.

We don’t speak as the elevator climbs. I watch Kristee in the mirrored walls of the elevator. She’s nervous.

Because I’m rich? Or because she’s going to my apartment?

Both?

Kristee

Is this really happening? Am I really going to the penthouse of this building? Where Asher lives? Because he’s insanely rich?

The elevator stops, and I look up from the wall of buttons I’ve been staring at while I was lost in my head.

I see Asher staring at me from the mirrors surrounding us. The spotless mirrors. His brow rises with a question, the silver of his brow piercing sparkling in the lights, silently asking me if I’m okay with accompanying him. Smiling shyly, I nod. He smiles broadly, his hand tightening around mine.

The doors open and we’re in a small sitting area facing another door. There’s a couch, and a couple of chairs, along with potted plants. It looks like the lobby of a posh hotel, just smaller. “You have your own lobby?” I didn’t mean to say that out loud.

He laughs loudly and boisterously while shaking his head. “Yeah. But I never use it. I just walk through it to get to my place. And I never have visitors. Like ever. So, it’s just wasted space.” He shrugs while gesturing to his door. “Shall we?” My chin jerks in agreement. Crossing the small space, he unlocks the door, before pushing it open. Reaching around the doorframe, he turns on the lights. “After you, Kristee.” Holding out his hand, he indicates I should walk past him.

I do and my jaw drops at what I see. It’s nothing like I expected. It’s almost completely open. The entire room is all one big room separated into different spaces. The wall across from the door, way across the room, is nothing but windows. I can see the opposite side of the river from here. The kitchen area is off to the left of the door. The dining room is in front of it. The rest of the room is one massive living area. There are couches and chairs set up as a sitting area in the middle of the room. The floor is all stained concrete but there are bright colored rugs also helping to set up the areas within the room. Bright, colorful art, and massive framed stills, decorate the other three walls of the room. Everything is so bright and cheery. It resembles a chic show art gallery in here. But it’s so welcoming, so homey… so Asher.

Walking across the gleaming floor, I cross to the windows, only stopping when I’m directly in front of them. From here, Downtown Baton Rouge, the Mississippi River, and the west bank are all visible. The river looks like its own painting, further adding to the art as the lights, the moon, and the stars all gleam and reflect on the surface. To the left is the Mississippi River Bridge. It’s alight and looks almost magical.

A piano is to the right of the windows, against the other wall. A wall that has two doors. “My bedroom and the bathroom are through there.” I jump slightly at the sound of Asher’s voice behind me. My eyes raise and I see his reflection in the window.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

This is perfect. Absolutely perfect. From all I’ve learned about Asher, this is the perfect place to call home.

It’s so beautiful it takes my breath. But not as much as the man standing behind me does.

With his vivid tattoos, and piercings, reflecting in the window, I can’t breathe at his beauty.

He literally steals my breath.

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