Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 69734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 349(@200wpm)___ 279(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 349(@200wpm)___ 279(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
I climb out of the car.
Asher looks up and down the alleyway then beckons me to the door. He turns the knob when I get there and ushers me in.
I’ve looked in the windows in the past. It looked like old equipment and storage bins. I suck in a breath when I take in the scene now.
The place has been completely cleaned up. Storage bins are stacked neatly at one end, but at the other, drop cloths have been spread, and there’s an easel set up in front of the window.
“I thought you could use this as your studio. You know–if you don’t want to paint at school.” Asher flashes a grin.
His dimples break my heart. Literally split it right in two. I’m a puddle, warm and glowy and completely done-for. Asher has conquered my every resistance.
When I don’t say anything, he says, “Or no big deal if you prefer working at school.”
“No,” I say quickly, running to throw my arms around his waist. “I freaking love this. Thank you so much. Are you sure it’s okay? I mean, with Mrs. Angelson?”
“Totally sure. She’s happy to have it used by someone.” His hands slide down my back and grab my ass. “And it gives us another safe place to meet until the end of the school year.”
“Oh yeah?” I purr, sliding my hands under his shirt to get to bare skin. “Are you going to put a mattress in here?”
“I’ll figure something out.” His voice is a low growl as he picks me up by the waist and carries me toward the storeroom. “I need to taste that pussy of yours right now.”
“Uh uh,” I disagree. “I’m tasting you first tonight. Put me down, big guy. I’m going to show you my thanks.”
Chapter Nineteen
Asher
For the second night in a row, I sleep at Lotta’s. This time it wasn’t an accident.
She didn’t kick up a fuss yesterday, so I figure it’s now allowed. It’s way hard to leave her bed when she’s naked and warm and coated in my fluids. I set an alarm, so I’m up before dawn.
“Asher…” Lotta rolls over to face me. I brush the black hair back from her smooth skin. She’s so fucking beautiful. “What do you want to do after high school?”
“This,” I answer immediately. Because this is it for me. I’ve arrived. Sleeping in Lotta James’ bed is more of a future than I ever imagined for myself.
I sense a touch of worry in her, though, so I sober. She wants out of this town, I know that.
“Coach thinks I might get a football scholarship somewhere.” I shrug. “It’s not like college is a dream for me or anything, but I’m also not tied to Wolf Ridge, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“You should take a scholarship if you can get one. Get out of this town.”
“Yeah. Okay.” I sure as fuck hope she means with her.
I roll out of bed. “I have something for you.” I pick up my backpack and pull out the canvas I used to make my “self-portrait.” They’re due today in class, but I wanted to give it to her personally.
I hand her the little canvas, and she takes it with shaky fingers. It’s a multi-media collage. I covered the canvas with cut out pictures of things that remind me of us. I study her face as she takes in the piece.
She sucks in a sharp breath when she sees the gold moon pendant glued across the center. It hits me like a slap to the face.
The blood drains from her face. “H-how did you get that?” Her voice shakes. “Did your dad give that to you?” she’s panting, like she can’t catch her breath. “Or… your mom?”
“What are you talking about?”
Her gaze is unfocused, like she’s searching for a memory. Then she drops the canvas on the floor and scrambles to her feet like we’re about to have a fight. “Did you…did you know?”
Something is terribly wrong. Lotta’s upset, and my wolf would do anything to fix it.
I spread my hands to show her wolf I’m no threat. “Know what?”
Her eyes are wild. There’s fear and trauma in her scent. What the fuck is going on?
“Have you known this whole time?” She looks at me in horror.
I take a step closer, but she backs away. “Lotta, what are you talking about?”
She searches my face. Blinks. Then exhales. “Oh.” She shakes her head, looking to the floor. She stoops to pick up the canvas, but I have a feeling it’s just to hide her face from me. I know I’m right when she comes up completely composed.
“I was just confused for a minute. Did I–Where did you, um, find my necklace?”
I stare at the necklace trying to decode what just happened. She freaked out when she saw it.
Asked if my dad gave it to me.