Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Her eyes were wide and shocked in her face. “I see.”
“So, is that a yes?”
Her breath was warm on my skin as I pressed closer.
“Yes.”
I kissed her. “Good answer.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
ROSIE
I checked on AJ when I got home, still high on my evening with Asher. It had been so long since I had been on a real date. I had been nervous about my dress, my borrowed coat, but Asher made me feel beautiful. He refused to let me worry, smoothing all my rough edges with his sweet words and gestures.
I was touched that he’d taken me to a place that meant so much to him, that held such personal memories. I loved the restaurant. The casual way he told me of saving it and giving it back to the family showed me his real heart. I had seen so many glimpses of it since we met, but that showed me his honor.
We’d had dinner, sitting for hours simply talking. I loved hearing his stories. He was an excellent listener, asking questions and showing me that he was actually paying attention to me when I spoke. So many men tended to check out, barely paying attention. Asher truly listened.
I had been equal parts sad and happy when he’d brought me home, walking me to my door, kissing me goodnight, and leaving me.
“You’re not coming in?” I asked.
He drifted his knuckles down my cheek. “No, Rosie. Tonight was to spend time with you. You’re not just a booty call. You’re so much more than that.”
“Coffee?” I asked.
He bent and kissed me again. “We both know I won’t be able to resist, and coffee will become more,” he murmured. “I want tonight to be the first of many wonderful nights.”
“All right,” I agreed.
That didn’t stop him from kissing me until I was a shaking mass of want in his arms. He felt the same way, judging from the erection pressed between us as he held me tight. But he left, trailing his finger over my lips, shaking his head, and muttering about “red-headed sirens.”
I curled up on the sofa, my makeup scrubbed off, dressed in my warm pajamas. I pulled a blanket over me, once again feeling the coolness of the apartment after being warm and cozy beside Asher all evening. I hoped the heating wasn’t failing again. The building was so old, it seemed to happen more and more often.
I was looking forward to the weekend with him at his place. I could only imagine what his condo was like. I asked him if I could cook for him, and he had been enthusiastic, telling me to send him a list of what I needed and he would ensure it was there for me. AJ would love it. He adored Asher, and part of me worried about that, while another part of me knew Asher didn’t take that lightly. He assured me he had no plans on going anywhere.
I sighed as I rubbed my temples. I was falling for him. Fast. Hard.
I let out a small laugh.
Who was I kidding? I had already fallen. I’d fallen for him before Christmas was over. Maybe even the first day. I tried to recall how I lived before him, but everything seemed so black and white. I existed. Since he’d come into our lives, everything felt full of color. Of hope.
I curled up, pulling my blanket around my shoulders. My phone pinged, and I looked at my screen.
You were so beautiful tonight. It hurt to leave you. Looking forward to the weekend.
Good night, Rosie, my love. Asher
Rosie, my love.
He’d never called me that before.
I smiled as I replied.
Looking forward to it.
PS – I hated seeing you walk away, but the weekend is soon!
Sleep well. Yours, Rosie XX
His reply was fast.
Mine. Yes. I like that.
Asher xx
I fell asleep dreaming of Asher, AJ, and a bright future.
Ms. Wells was on a tear the next couple of days, killing the high I had been feeling since my date with Asher. She loved to control everything and everyone around her. It wasn’t only me, but I had the feeling she watched me extra closely. I kept track of all our emails and interactions, as per Asher’s suggestion. She did like to refer to my “single mother status” far too often. It had rarely ever come up with my old boss or any of my coworkers, but she seemed to focus on that fact. I was on time every day, ate lunch at my desk as usual, and didn’t leave before four p.m. Still, I had a feeling she found me lacking. I wasn’t sure why she disliked me, but that feeling lingered.
Friday afternoon, I left work with an extra bounce in my step. I picked up AJ, and when we got home, I helped him pack his knapsack for the weekend.