Page 80 of Burning Deceptions
I escorted Asher inside with my hand at the small of his back. A few men, the host included, checked him out as we were shown to a secluded table, then nodded at me as if I somehow gained their respect for having a pretty woman beside me. The host moved to hold Asher’s chair for him, but with a practiced air, I moved him out of the way and did it myself. I’d done so a dozen times before for the women Mother set me up with. For the first time, I enjoyed it.
“Did you shave your legs for this?” I whispered by his ear before nuzzling it, then taking my own seat next to his.
He blushed and laughed softly. “Actually …”
“Oh God, why do I get the feeling there’s a story coming about a cousin being an esthetician?”
He didn’t answer right away since the staff came to offer the wine menu. I chose something light for the main course, but stayed with water for everything else. We were driving tonight, so no heavy alcohol. What would a tipsy Asher be like when he was already naturally uninhibited?
Wait, fuck, he couldn’t legally drink for another two years.
“Not my cousin, but Percy’s aunt,” Asher said when we were alone again.
I groaned. “Exactly how many people know what you’re up to tonight?”
“A fair few.” He lifted his elbows and waved down his body. “It takes a village to look like this. I’ve been waxed, lasered, and exfoliated. Percy helped pick out the dress and shoes from the theatre club. I already had the”—he lowered his voice—“panties. Savannah spent hours on my hair and makeup, then Aunt Penny insisted I take her car, because she hated the thought of the Civic not makin’ it and me stranded lookin’ this good.”
“Mhmm.” I drew out the hum and snaked my hand inside the slit of his dress. The skirt had fallen open, proving too temptingto not take advantage of. The smooth skin of inner thigh greeted my fingertips.
Eyes on his, I traveled higher and higher, my brows rising with it.
Asher leaned closer. “You can keep going, but you’ll only find skin and lace.”
I snatched my hand back and used it to wipe over my lower jaw. His skin smelled like sugar cookies. “Fuck,” I whispered and readjusted my thickening cock.
“Just so you know, it will be very hard to hide an erection in this dress. Keep that in mind.”
I straightened and cleared my throat. “Then how about I douse the mood by telling you about the insufferable New Year’s Eve dinner party I have to attend tomorrow night?”
This close to the holiday, I banked on the restaurants being less crowded and rushed for the date to happen sooner rather than later. He said he could make it happen quickly, so why wait? Honestly, I could see Asher every day and never tire of the endless ways he made me happy.
“If you think you’ll bore me with the rich-ass elbows you’ll be rubbin’, think again. Ashley’s a gold digger in search of a sugar daddy.”
“Jesus, you have a backstory?”
Asher’s laughter turned heads, and their eyes lingered with jealousy.
“I’m messin’, but you should see your face.”
I snorted and let him have his fun.
“Did you have much work to do today?” he asked. “Isn’t everyone kind of on vacation around this time of year?”
“Not as much work as I’d like. I spent half the morning dodging calls from my mother until she showed up at my office, with fucking Georgina Barnett-Thompson.”
“That ‘fucking’ better be an adjective and not a verb.”
“Please. The woman is so far from my type, even a dick between her legs wouldn’t help.”
“Tell that to your momma, who’s practically stealin’ your sperm to knock her up.”
I choked on my water just as the first course was served. Asher politely patted my back and smiled for the staff, who traded worried glances.
“I’m fine,” I rasped before coughing a few more times.
With the plates set and the waiters gone again, Asher turned to me. “When did we order? Did I miss somethin’?”
I shook my head and stared hard at him while I took a cautious sip of water. “No. The menu is preplanned. The chef chooses the dishes that will most complement each other.”
