Page 52 of For Your Consideration

“That didn’t apply to you.”

I could feel the blush on my cheeks. “Oh.”

“Most of my rules don’t apply to you, Sutton.”

His eyes were so intense but I was locked in them all the same. I could feel a tingling over my skin. My body hadn’t reacted to a man in a long time, yet his eyes and deep accented voice were getting me hot.

But those were inappropriate thoughts to have about your friend.

Clearing my throat, I scooped more ice cream into my mouth, the coolness dousing some of the fire.

“Why was Sophie so grumpy?”

I held back a relieved sigh as he let us move on. “It just happens sometimes. I don’t know what caused it today. She could be getting sick, she’s usually extra fussy then, but I checked her temperature a few times and it was normal.”

He grunted in reply and we moved back to silence. I finished my ice cream and before I could protest, Asher took my bowl from me and loaded both in the dishwasher.

“Wine?” he asked after briefly glaring at the sink.

“No,” I sighed. “I haven’t had any water today. The wine was just a momentary thing.” He nodded and grabbed two glasses. “I can do it,” I said, stepping in his way.

He held the glasses above his head. “No.”

I jumped, trying to reach them, but there was no chance. “How freaking tall are you?”

“Six-four. Now move.”

I rolled my eyes but let him pass and he went to my bathroom to fill the glasses. I plopped down on the couch and rested my head on the back. I felt a lot calmer than before, my brain less scattered and chaotic. I felt the couch shift next to me as Asher took a seat. I turned my head and opened my eyes to look at him.

“Thanks,” I said as I took the glass he passed me.

“Now, are you going to show me this creek show?”

A smile broke out over my face as I grabbed the remote. “We’re going to start on episode one but we have to watch at least three because the characters grow on you and I don’t want you to give up.”

15

Asher

Sutton laughed, shaking her head beside me as I shifted to try and get comfortable on her small couch, actively working not to touch her. Because touching her got me hard and I’d already been jerking off more in the shower than I’d ever done before. I didn’t need more material.

“Okay, we need to stop.” Sutton yawned as she paused the show. It had actually been pretty funny, and I enjoyed it. But I enjoyed watching Sutton more. The way she laughed, the sounds she made, how she’d tap my arm and make sure I was paying attention when one of her favorite parts started. We’d watched six episodes instead of three. It was late and I should let her get to bed.

Except I didn’t want to.

Did I like her? Was that what was going on here?

I’d never liked someone like this. I’d never really understood those kinds of emotions, and now that I might be having them, I didn’t even know what to do with them.

“Can I sleep on your couch?” The words were out of my mouth before I’d really thought them through.

She looked over at me, surprised. “My couch?”

“It’s late.” Which it was, it was almost midnight, but that wasn’t late for me. I’d been a light sleeper since I learned my sperm donor drank well into the night and would come home looking for a fight.

“You want to sleep on this couch?” She looked it over and then did the same to me. It wasn’t sexual in any way and yet heat spread through my body.

“Yeah.” It would be a shit sleep, the couch didn’t even look like it would fit half of me, but no way in hell was I going to leave. I liked being around her.