“I know you. I’m so goddamn sorry about your brother. I would love to have met him. But the man you were then did the best he could. You need to forgive yourself.”
“I don’t know if I can.”
She sighed. “I can understand that. But try. Please try.”
Asher swallowed. He blinked hard, but his eyes still stung. “I miss him so much, Eden.”
“I know.”
She twined her arms around his neck and pulled his head downwards. “You’re a good man, Asher Thorne, and I just have to do this one thing.”
Thank God. He wasn’t resisting. Eden had been worried she might have a fight on her hands. Instead, he readily bowed his head and allowed his lips to hover over hers.
“Are you sure?” he questioned quietly.
She tugged harder.
Eden watched as a slow smile spread across his face. She shoved up on her toes and touched her lips to his.
Perfect.
Asher took over the kiss, brushing his lips over hers in a tantalizing slow rhythm that coaxed her into following. Slowly his lips parted hers, and his tongue stole into her mouth, seducing hers into a dance. She felt the sensations flow down her neck, into her chest, and tighten her nipples. She rubbed her breasts against his chest, trying to find relief.
Is that me whining?
Ash’s fingers tangled in her hair, tipping her head in a way that allowed for a deeper kiss. She felt his heartbeat against her chest and beneath her fingers at his neck. He nipped at her lips, forcing her to open wider so that their breaths could mingle, and he could tempt her with a thrusting tempo, one that would be even more satisfying if it wasn’t just his tongue and a kiss.
She moved her hands and scrabbled for the hem of his t-shirt.
“Shhhh, slow down,” he soothed.
“No.” She thrust her palms under his shirt and sighed with pleasure when she met with the hot hard planes of his stomach. It was like touching hot velvet steel, only better, because it was Asher. She needed more. She pushed up higher and then groaned as her fingers delved into his chest hair.
“God, Asher.”
“Eden, you don’t mean this, Honey.”
She tugged at his chest hair to punish him for denying her. “I do.”
“Eden,” he protested.
“I need to get close. Just let me get closer to you.” She heard the need in her voice and winced. “Please, Asher?”
As if he knew exactly how much it took for her to ask, he whipped the shirt over his head. It ended up somewhere, she didn’t care where. Then she was lifted and gently lowered down onto the carpet, her head resting onto the makeshift pillow.
“I need to be close to you too, Eden. You, Eden York. No other woman would ever do.”
How does he know the right words to say?
Asher looked her right in the eyes, then slowly, ever so slowly, unbuttoned the first button of her blouse. He placed a kiss on the upper swell of her breast. “So beautiful.”
He trailed kisses upwards, until soon their lips met again, and she was lost in a maelstrom of heat, hunger, and passion. She tried to spread her legs wide so she could wrap them around Asher, but the skirt was too tight, so she had to suffice herself with squeezing his thigh. She pushed up against him, trying to ease her ache.
“Eden—” he started.
“I need more,” she sobbed. After hearing his story. After seeing this man’s soul, she needed him. It felt like the world was crashing in around them, and she wanted him! Was he going to make her beg?
“Shhhhh, I’m here.” He cupped her head tightly to his chest. She started to relax. It was like she could breathe. “It’s okay, Baby, I’ve got you. I won’t let you down.”
Is he talking to me or himself?
When he moved one hand and started undoing the buttons of her blouse, she stopped caring. Just this, the feel of his warm, calloused fingers touching her heated flesh. This is what she needed, to feel his touch and care as he caressed her nipples over the top of her lacy bra. She wiggled, trying to move her arms so she could take off her bra.
“I’ve got it handled,” he whispered. “Relax.”
How am I supposed to relax?
He pressed the joints in the backs of her shoulders, and she melted. Her arms turned to noodles, and he took the opportunity to divest her of her blouse. Soon he had the front clasp of her bra opened, and each breast was covered with his hot hands. Glorious.
“Do you like this?” She heard the confident tease in his voice. She liked it after the man had shared his nightmares with her.
“I love your touch, Asher. The only thing better would be the touch of your lips.”
He laughed out loud, and so did she.
He didn’t start with a kiss. No. Not Asher. His broad tongue licked her nipple and she nearly screamed. The silky, rough touch was earthshattering, and he did it again and again, and again. She couldn’t stand it a second longer.
“Suck me!”
He laughed again.
“I like a woman who knows what she wants.”
“Shut up and do it.”
He blew on her wet nipples. She was in hell. She was in heaven. He licked.
“Asher, please. Baby, please.”
He took her nipple into the hot cavern of his mouth and suckled hard. At the same time, his hand shot under her skirt and pushed away the crotch of her panties so
