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“I didn’t mean here, but if that’s what you’re into.” My eyes widened, and I pushed his face away from mine. He grabbed my hand and pressed a soft kiss onto my wrist. Oh no, why did that feel so sensual?
He kept my hand in his as the teacher came on stage and welcomed everyone. His thumb gently rubbed my skin, and I crossed my legs as I sat up, trying to find a comfortable position because this man was literally seducing me in a room full of people.
The recitals finally began, and I could forget all about Asher’s soft teases. Recitals were kind of boring, especially when you were watching people you didn’t come to see. After about three classes, it was finally time for Anne to sing with her class, according to the program.
Asher’s hand squeezed mine gently, and I saw just how beautiful his real smile was when Anne walked onto the stage; her ballgown was so cute, and I smiled widely as I saw her searching for her father in the crowd.
The moment her blue eyes found him, her grin widened, and she stood in the middle of the group, and they began singing their song. Harmony always made everything sound and look beautiful.
Once they were done, Asher got up from his chair and cheered for his daughter proudly. I joined him because she had done so well with all the singing and dancing.
She was beautiful, and Asher loved her so much. It almost made me cry; it was just the two of them in each other’s lives. They reminded me so much of my brother and me.
Oh, I missed him so much!
After the recital, Asher went to fetch his child from backstage rather than waiting for her to find us. He instructed me to wait in the hallway and not wander off alone, as if I were a kid.
They soon turned up, and she was in his arms, smiling brightly as he complimented her.
“Well done, Anne! You were amazing, sweetie,” I gushed as I passed her the flowers. She looked embarrassed as she accepted them.
“Thank you, Brooke,” she mumbled, trying to hide her smile.
“You should tell me where you bought that dress; I need to get one for myself, as well,” I said as I touched the skirt of her dress, and she nodded, probably thinking of matching, since that was all we talked about.
“Oh, you guys are such a beautiful family. Let me take a picture of you,” one of the photographers said, and Asher nodded instead of correcting him. He pulled me close to him by my waist while Anne argued to be put down so that her dress could be seen in the picture.
“Got it, thank you!” the photographer said, and we thanked him as he walked away to ask another real family if he could take pictures of them.
“Let’s go out for dinner to celebrate,” Asher said as he took ahold of Anne’s hand, and she grabbed mine as well.
“Oh, I’m included?” I asked, surprised, and Anne giggled as she rolled her eyes.
“Yes, silly, you’re family!”
Chapter 16
Asher
Everything was going well so far between Brooke and I; she had stopped avoiding me for the most part, and we spent a lot of time together whenever we were free. Anne was obsessed with our park picnics, which Brooke suggested we should do every week.
The relationship that Brooke and I had formed seemed to work for us because we were no longer stepping on each other’s toes as much as we used to; instead, now we were much more civil toward each other and a whole lot more sexual, but who was complaining?
Brady looked up at me when he noticed that I was carrying his leash in my hands. Ever since I adopted him, it felt like I had a new family member who understood me and all the trauma I had been dealing with. I could see that he had just been through about as much as I had been; that was what attracted me to the shepherd.
I clipped the leash onto his collar and grabbed a packet of his favorite treats, sliding them in my pocket as we headed out. I hadn’t heard from Brooke today; she had probably gone to work early.
Anne had gone on a playdate at her friend’s house, and I was left alone for the day. I couldn’t even remember the last time that I was completely alone with no one around.
It has always been Anne and I for as long as I could remember.
Brady and I walked down the road, enjoying the warm morning sun against our backs as we took in the streets of Chicago. As busy as they were, and even though there were buildings surrounding us, the city was oddly calm today.
I fell into step with Brady’s leisurely pace, and at this point I wasn’t sure who was walking who because Brady had already memorized our morning routine, and he knew exactly where we were going.
My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I groaned; there was only one person who would call me in the morning.
“Jax,” I answered, and from his light-hearted laughter, I knew that the call would be agonizing for me.
