Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 14267 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 71(@200wpm)___ 57(@250wpm)___ 48(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14267 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 71(@200wpm)___ 57(@250wpm)___ 48(@300wpm)
I’m drawing on all my reserves, attempting to pull back from his toe-curling kiss, when a loud buzzing echoes through the elevator. Asher ignores it the first two times the noise comes through but not the third.
He ends the kiss and lays his forehead against mine. “Fucking hell,” he grumbles and reaches into his pocket for his cell phone. “This had better be life or death.”
I hear someone speaking on the other end but can’t make out what they’re saying. “Fucking hell,” Asher growls again. “Asshole, you don’t have to remind me. I know I already said that.” It’s hard to understand what’s going on with only one side of the conversation. “Okay,” he barks and hangs up the phone before glancing down into my eyes. “I guess pushing the stop button was a mistake.” He smirks ruefully. “Security called my bodyguard to let him know we’re stuck in the elevator.”
“Wow. That really happened fast.” I mean, we can’t have been stuck for more than a few minutes. Right? Or did Asher Forbes’ kiss just fry all my brain circuits?
“Too fucking fast,” he agrees and presses a button, which sends us moving steadily up.
I step away from him and hastily try to make myself look a little less kiss-rumpled or something to that effect.
When the doors open, I’m completely mortified to find Shelby, Xander, Crue, and a massive scowling dude I assume is a bodyguard. “Why is the welcoming committee here?” Asher wraps his massive hand around mine and leads me out of the elevator.
“Brielle, are you okay?” Shelby attempts to step between me and Asher, but he isn’t having it.
As I smile and nod my head to reassure my friend, he pulls me closer to his side before leaning over to whisper, “Brielle is a beautiful name for a stunning goddess.” And just like that, my heart and my virgin girly parts melt into a puddle of goo. I forget all about everyone else in the hallway as an Asher fog wraps around me.
The angry head of security interrupts my moment to growl at Asher. “You’re a dick.” Xander doesn’t mince his words. “If ditching your bodyguard and spending the day out unprotected wasn’t enough, you had to cause a near riot when you started making out in front of the group of rabid fans before closing the elevator in their faces.”
I snap out of my fog, realizing I can’t let Asher take all the blame for the kiss. “The kiss was all my fault. I thought I could rescue him from the crowd if I acted like we were in the elevator together. I kissed him.”
Four sets of shocked eyes turn toward me before Asher steps between me and them. “I shut the goddamn door in their faces to protect my woman,” he growls and tugs me close before turning to glare at Xander. “I thought your bodyguards were supposed to make sure the fans couldn’t accost us in the elevator.”
“My fucking bodyguards can’t do their job if assholes like you throw up roadblocks at every goddamn turn.” As Xander’s eyes flash, I’m about to jump back into the conversation to defend Asher when Shelby steps in.
“Xander is right.” She stares at Asher with narrowed eyes. “You need to stop acting like a spoiled brat and let your bodyguard do his job. I know this tour is the last thing you want to do right now, but you agreed to do it. It’s time to man up and stop being a pain in the rear.”
Asher’s eyes narrow for a few seconds before he slowly blows out his breath. “You’re right. I’m being an asshole. I’ll stop being difficult.”
“I’m not joking.” Shelby isn’t ready to take him at his word. “Today was a wake-up call that you have to take security seriously.”
“I promise to keep Evan in the loop of everything I do.”
“That’s better.” Shelby sighs before turning her attention to Xander. “We need to figure out how the group of women not only found out what hotel we’re in but managed to get onto one of our floors.”
Chapter 3
Asher
While Shelby and Xander argue back and forth about how they’re going to handle the unexpected visitor situation, I turn to Evan and inform him, “I’m going to spend the rest of the afternoon in my room. I’ll let you know if I need anything.” There. That should make everyone happy. Especially me since I plan to use the time to get to know my girl. Then I’m going to tie her to me for life before she has a chance to escape.
Before anyone finds a way to throw a wrench into my plans, I take Brielle’s soft hand in mine and lead her down the hall to my hotel room. “Uh.” She gives my hand a little tug when we get to the door. “I’m not sure this is a good idea.”