Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 76541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Michelle and I were never big cuddlers, in or out of the bed. I wonder why that was. Was it me? Her? The way we were raised? Were we just too damn superficial? Something about that last question resonates with me.
Michelle was a good match on paper. We ran in the same wealthy circles. Both loved to discuss politics and world affairs. She made me laugh, and I did the same for her. The sex was good and plentiful. I was satisfied.
But I can’t deny that it wasn’t passion charged. Not the way it is with Hannah. Whether at the club, my apartment, or her house, I lust after her equally. Doesn’t matter if I’m riding her from behind while people watch us at The Wicked Horse or if I’m slowly giving her a morning fuck after we wake up in her bed. It’s all fucking better than anything that ever came before it.
Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to stay at her house.
Or have sex in my apartment.
Maybe I just need to keep my contact with her limited to The Wicked Horse, so the boundaries stay respected. I can’t let myself be drawn into something that could cause me pain. Hannah, I’m fairly sure, could cause a world of hurt on me if I ever admitted to a very small truth.
I like what she makes me feel just a little too much.
CHAPTER 16
Hannah
“Want to have a drink first?” Asher inquires as we step out of the elevator into The Wicked Horse.
“Sure,” I tell him, and he leads me over to the bar. After he has accepted a bourbon for himself and glass of wine for me, we head to a tall table in a quiet corner. The Social Room serves alcohol, but it doesn’t supply much seating as the goal is to encourage people to mingle and get to know one another.
“So what did you and Hope end up doing this weekend?” he asks, and another jolt of surprise hits me. I hadn’t thought Asher was interested in much other than my body.
“We went to the movies. Afterward, she convinced me into taking her to a pet store just to visit the animals, but then tried to talk me into getting a cat.”
Asher laughs, leaning an elbow on the table. “I’m assuming you stood strong?”
“I’m allergic to them,” I reply with a smirk. “It was an emphatic no.”
“Way to hang tough, Hannah.”
I give a wistful sigh. “Maybe a dog one day. If I get Hope back, I think a dog would be good for us.”
“What’s going on with that?” he asks, and it still seems like he’s genuinely interested.
I narrow my eyes at him. “You know you don’t have to do this, right?”
Asher frowns. “Do what?”
“Wine and dine me,” I say. “Well, wine me anyway. You know I’m a sure bet.”
He’s not offended, only laughs at me. Leaning in, he murmurs, “Trust me, Hannah. I know the terms of our agreement exactly. But I feel like relaxing a bit with a drink, so how about you indulge me and answer my question?”
It seems legit, so I try to ignore the uncomfortable feeling that gathers in my chest at the thought he’s interested in something other than my body. I give a frustrated sigh. “I can’t get the attorney to call me back. I mean, he said he’d file the motion after thirty days of consistent employment, which would be the end of this week. I’ve left a few messages for him over the last few days, but he won’t call me back.”
“That’s bullshit,” Asher growls as he straightens slightly.
I shrug. “I’ll call again tomorrow.”
“Let me call my attorney tomorrow.”
“What?” I exclaim. Taking in the solid set of his shoulders, I realize he’s not joking. “No. You don’t need to do that. Besides, I already paid a retainer to this guy and—”
“I’m calling my attorney tomorrow,” he says, completely talking right over me. “I’ll see what can be done.”
“Asher…” I’m stuck between wanting to repel his help because I don’t want any reasons to like him more than I already do… and dancing a jig for joy because I’m desperate to get Hope back and I’m tired of waiting.
He smiles at me, but then his gaze moves over my shoulder. I turn to see a very handsome man coming our way, his eyes locked onto Asher, who steps around the table to meet him.
They shake hands, and the man claps Asher on the shoulder. “Good to see you, man. You haven’t been coming in as much.”
That’s interesting. We haven’t been coming here together as much during the weekdays. I’d say about half the time, Asher seems to prefer me in his bed. If it’s not in the morning, then he comes home from work before I leave and drags me in there. And for the last two weeks, he’s taken to staying at my house so he can have his way with me on the weekend.