Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 68743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
She slid her palm over Asher’s chest and rubbed the skin above his heart in an obvious attempt to soften him up.
He glanced at the dog, who now lay on his other side, the two of them making a sandwich of his body. “But he’s in my bed.”
“Lucky had a bath, remember? And he’s such a good boy, you had no idea he even spent the night here.” Nikki popped her head up and met his gaze, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “I notice you haven’t moved your hand.”
She wiggled her butt against his palm. What could he say? He enjoyed cupping one perfect ass cheek. “I like it there.”
But he released her and rose, causing the dog to hop to the floor. “I’m going to walk him and I’ll be right back.” He gave her ass a light slap.
She squealed. “Asher!”
Chuckling, he slipped on a pair of shorts and led the dog to the bedroom door. A glance back showed him Nikki, head on the pillow, blanket half off, one long leg sticking out. She looked good there, and he could get used to having her naked, in his personal space. There it was. Those unnerving thoughts again.
What was he doing? His friend would murder him and there was no doubt things between Asher and Nikki were already messy. He never let emotion into his sex life but he’d wanted to see her eyes when he was inside her, when he made her come. If it meant something to him, he had no doubt Nikki would get invested as well.
And then what? He didn’t fucking know. But no matter what, he needed to treat her with care and think about her feelings before his own.
Shaking off questions he had no answers for, he opened the door and Lucky trotted out ahead of him. He planned to let the dog out the side door and wait for him to do his thing and come back. He wasn’t stupid enough to let Nikki’s new pet disappear.
“There you are!” Maggie exclaimed. Ignoring Asher, she bent down to rub the dog’s head. “Come. Let’s go out and then get you something to eat.”
She rose and started for the kitchen. “Oh!” She turned to face Asher. “Why do I have the feeling you forgot your family is arriving today?”
“What?” He blinked at her words.
“Yes, I had a hint when you weren’t up early that they were the last thing on your mind. And yesterday was so busy with the dog…” Her voice trailed off. “Anyway, it’s your parents’ anniversary? Everyone is coming… well, whoever isn’t pregnant or away at school.” She chuckled at that. “You’re distracted. I wonder why?” she mused knowingly.
They both knew why.
Dammit. He’d been so consumed with first avoiding Nikki, then watching and hanging out with her, always wanting her, he’d forgotten everything else.
At least it was a small group arriving. Jade was in the early stages of her pregnancy and preferred to stay close to home. Nick’s wife was also pregnant, and they’d decided not to pack up their six-year-old daughter and travel for the short weekend. In a family as large as theirs, it was rare to get everyone in one place at the same time.
“I’ll go tell Nikki,” he said, mentally preparing himself for the onslaught.
“Don’t worry. You have some time before they descend on you,” Maggie reassured him before she strode off, talking to Lucky as she headed for the kitchen.
He groaned and ran his fingers through his hair, walking back into the bedroom and closing the door.
Nikki appeared more awake than she had earlier. She’d put her sleep shirt back on and sat up in bed. “Where’s Lucky?”
Asher slid in beside her. “Maggie’s walking and feeding him.”
“She’s such an easygoing, sweet woman. While we were giving Lucky his bath, she mentioned she used to work for your family?”
Wanting her close and refusing to question why, Asher pulled Nikki against him. He liked their cocoon and decided to steal more time before telling her they were having company. Once his parents and siblings arrived, there’d be no more alone time, and he’d have to deal with a reality that would be just like their return to the city.
His stomach twisted at the thought of their time being over. Fuck, he’d done a one-eighty on his feelings.
“Asher? Are you okay?” Nikki asked.
He nodded, forcing himself to focus on her question. It was better for her to have the Dare family history before she met everyone. “Maggie is amazing,” he agreed. “She held down the fort along with my stepmother, Serenity. My family is… large.” Bigger than the Brady Bunch. “Did Derek ever tell you about us?”
Nikki shook her head.
“Where should I start?” he asked aloud.
“The beginning always makes the most sense.” She curled her legs beneath her.
Asher didn’t tell many people about his childhood. He definitely had never confided in the women he dated. Sure, he’d explained to both Mara and Christy because he’d believed he could trust them. He’d been wrong in his assessment, but he’d grown since then and trusted his judgment. He’d jumped to conclusions about Nikki before getting to know her. Now he did. And Asher was no longer wrong about her.