Endless Obsession (31 page)

Asher chuckles behind me. I shoot him a glare over my shoulder.

“Need help?” he asks, placing his hands on my hips again, like he’s going to hoist me up.

“No,” I mutter. “I’m going to do this.”

He snickers again, but I ignore it. I breathe in deep through my nose and place my foot back in the stirrup—more securely this time—get a good grip on the horn, grab leather, and try again, making sure to use my leg muscles to keep the stirrup in place. I make it this time, barely, but I’m sure I probably looked like an idiot.

I smile down at Asher triumphantly once I’m seated on the horse. I feel so proud of myself. Asher laughs and walks over to Charlie and easily lifts himself up. I scowl at him.

“Okay,” he says, walking Charlie over to me. “Basics. Always keep hold of the reins. That’s what you use to guide and control the horse. To get the horse to move forward, gently tap the back of her flanks with your heels.” He shows me by bringing his legs back and setting his feet at Charlie’s back legs. “To go right, pull on the right side of the rein. To go left, pull the left. To stop, pull them both. Got it?”

“I think so,” I tell him, a little nervous. Nina may be a girl, but she’s a big girl.

“I’ll be right beside you the entire time. You get scared, let me know. And one more thing, don’t jam your boot too far in the stirrup. You want to be able to release your foot should you fall.”

My eyes widen frightfully at that, and I grip the reins tighter and loosen my foot in the stirrup. I’ve seen videos where a rider falls and gets dragged around by the horse. Some have even died, being trampled by the horse.

Asher must sense my fear because he leans over and plants a kiss against my lips. They linger only a minute, but it’s enough to calm my racing heart, or rather, it makes it race for another reason.

He pulls back, gives me a wink, and ushers with his hand. “Ladies first.”

We’ve been riding for over an hour. I’m still no expert by any means, but I feel more comfortable now. We started out slow, just walking the horses around the paddock, then moved onto a slow gallop. It’s been one of the most thrilling experiences of my life. Asher’s been by my side, literally, just as he said he would be, the whole time. I’ve laughed and giggled so much my sides hurt. I think I may become addicted. I wonder if there are any stables close to home, and if Asher would be willing to take me.

I glance over to my left where Asher is riding Charlie and see him watching me.

“Why are you always watching me?”

His gorgeous green eyes are serious, and he wastes no time answering my question.

“Because I can’t
not
look at you. You mesmerize me more than anything has before.”

“Oh,” I whisper, and hold his eyes for a second more before looking away.

His words have my stomach filling with butterflies. I’ve never had anyone’s complete focus and attention like this. I wouldn’t say it makes me uncomfortable… actually, I feel immense pleasure. It’s just new and unexpected.

We ride in silence for a while. Asher pulls to a stop beside a tree, so I stop beside him.

“Let’s do lunch.”

He dismounts and walks over to help me down. Yeah, I don’t think I could have done that myself, especially without the aid of a step stool.

“With what?” I ask. We’re in a flat field with short grass. Luckily, there’s a breeze, or I’d be sweating profusely.

Asher walks back to Charlie and unsnaps a leather bag I hadn’t seen hanging from the saddle. Taking both Nina and Charlie’s reins, he leads them to a smaller tree close by and tethers them to it, the rope long enough for them to graze and walk around a bit.

“I brought a picnic,” he informs me, grinning.

I grin back and help him lay out the small red blanket he pulled from the bag underneath a tree to give us shade. After setting down several plastic containers from the bag, Asher takes a seat, leaning back against the tree, then pulls me down between his bent legs. He takes the hat from my head and lays it down beside us, then grabs one of the bigger containers and flips the lid off, revealing two sandwiches. He hands me one and takes the other for himself before grabbing two water bottles. I lean slightly to the side and back against his shoulder, giving him room so he can still eat.

“It’s peaceful out here,” I remark, watching the wind blow the taller grass further out in the field.

“It is. My family has a house in the country. We used to vacation there every summer. I always loved going out by myself to the huge field we had in the back. I’d lie there for hours, watching the clouds pass by.”

“That sounds nice. I’ve always wanted a place like this. Not a farm, but somewhere out in the country where it’s quiet. A place I could relax and just sit and enjoy nature.”

I take a bite of my sandwich and chase it down with some water.

I feel Asher’s lips at my cheek as he lays a kiss there. I smile a small smile and sigh.

“Do you think they have stables close to home?”

“They do. Several, in fact.”

“Do you think…” I stop, wondering if I’m asking more than Asher is willing to give. He’s made it sound like he wants more than just sex, but I can’t be for sure. I decide to take a chance. “Do you think you could take me there sometime? I’ve had so much fun. I’d love to… I don’t know, take riding lessons?”

Asher sets his half-eaten sandwich to the side and wraps his arms around me, one over my stomach, one over my upper chest. His breath is at my ear when he whispers, “I’ll take you anywhere you want to go, Poppy.”

My insides quiver and my heart jumps with his whispered words. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say I was falling for this man. But that can’t be possible. It’s way too soon. Then again, I’ve known him for a year, just not in this capacity.

He grabs another container and pulls the lid off, and I see strawberries inside. He picks one out and brings it to my lips. I open my mouth and he slips it inside. My tongue meets the tips of his fingers, and I let it run across them. He groans in my ear. He picks up another one and does the same, but this time, I grab his wrist and slip more of his finger into my mouth. I swirl it around the digit before nibbling on it.

“You drive me fucking mad, woman,” he growls in my ear, emphasizing his words with a lift of his hips. His cock is hard behind me, making me want to turn around, shed our clothes, and ride us both to heaven and back. One of his hands slip beneath my shirt and he plays with the skin there, causing an ache between my legs.

I pinch one of the strawberries and turn a little, bringing it to his lips. He bites down, and I lean up to take the other half between my teeth, then lick the fruit’s juice off his lips. I’m just about to turn and straddle him when a chirp comes from my pocket.

I groan when I realize it’s my phone. I think about ignoring it, but know that I can’t. I’m waiting on Liv to call me back. She called while we were on our way out here, freaking out because she thought she might be pregnant. I convinced her to go to the store to buy some pregnancy tests and made her promise she would call when she took them.

With an apologetic look to Asher, who is still breathing heavily and has sex in his eyes, I pull my phone from my pocket and lean back against his chest again. She didn’t call, but she did send a text.

Liv:
False alarm after five tests. Give me something good to think about. Please tell me you’ve bumped uglies with Mr. Knight.

I suck in air, which causes me to choke, and bring the phone to my chest to hide the screen. I wheeze and cough while Asher thumps my back.

I’m going to freaking kill her!

Once my coughing fit is over, he asks, “Everything okay?

“Yes,” I say quickly, trying to put the phone back in my pocket. I know my face has to be beet red.

“I don’t think so. Give me that.” He tries to take the phone from me, but I grip it tightly and try to get up. No way am I letting him see Liv’s message. I would die of mortification.

He grabs my hips and pulls me back down, throwing one of his legs over mine. I slip the phone between my legs, close them, and push them down on the ground, hard.

“Please, Asher, let me up,” I beg.

“Not until you show me what has you so embarrassed.” He laughs and digs his fingers between my legs before yanking them apart. I try in vain to grab the phone before he does, but it’s no use. He has it in his hand and holding it over his head. I frantically try to bring his arm back down, but he’s much stronger than I am. Giving in, because I really don’t have a choice, I bury my face in my hands. This is going to suck.

I wait, holding my breath. When I get home, Liv is going to get it. I’m reneging on my acceptance to be her Matron of Honor. Okay, I’m not doing that, but damn it, she’s still going to have to do some hefty begging for me to forgive her.

I hear Asher laughing, and I cringe behind my hands. He adjusts behind me and the next thing I know, I’m on my back with him lying on top of me between my legs. I try to keep my hands glued to my face, but he pries them away. I reluctantly peek at him through my lashes, only to see his smug face looking down at me.

“You should put her out of her misery and tell her I’ve had you five ways to Sunday,” he says, laughter dancing in his eyes.

“You’re not nice,” I mutter, glaring up at him. “This is not funny.”

“Actually, I think it’s quite funny.” He frames my face with his hands and kisses the tip of my nose before leaning back. “So, tell me,” he says, wiggling his eyebrows. “How long have you and her been discussing me fucking you?”

My face heats more, and I try to cover my face again. He stops me by grabbing my hands with one hand and putting them over my head. I turn my head to the side, only for him to dip his and run his nose up my neck, stopping at my ear to nibble.

“I think it’s sexy as fuck you talk to her about me,” he whispers in my ear. “And you have no idea how happy it makes me to know you’ve thought about me like that.” I moan as goosebumps appear on my arms.

He uses his other hand to turn my head back to him. “Don’t ever be embarrassed, Poppy. I’ve waited a long time to have you like this. There’s nothing you can do that would make me not want you. I meant it when I told you last night, I’m never letting you go.”

I look up at him and my heart nearly stops at the look on his face. He’s telling the truth. There’s no way I can deny it. His eyes are soft as he gazes down at me, and I get the sense he’s trying to drill the words into my brain. He doesn’t need to; I believe him. I just wish I knew why it took him so long to make a move.

He releases my hands and they immediately go to the back of his head to pull him down for a kiss. He groans against my mouth and slips his tongue against mine. I taste strawberries and man. It’s a lovely combination that leaves me ravenous for more.

He grinds his hips down on me, sending bolts of delicious pleasure spiraling through me. I want him—I’m desperate for him. I wrap my legs around his waist, locking them behind his back, and lift my hips to meet his thrusts. His jean covered cock hits just the right spot, and I cry out. His hand goes to my breast, palming it through my silk shirt. When that isn’t good enough, he starts working on the buttons. His fingers fumble and he curses under his breath.

“Fucking buttons.”

I laugh and lean my head down to watch him.

He glances up at me with narrowed eyes. “You could help,” he grumbles, still trying to get the buttons loose.

“But I’m enjoying watching you struggle,” I tell him, not able to hold back my giggle.

His look turns smoldering, then he cocks a brow and smirks, right before he yanks the material and buttons fly everywhere. I gasp, but I can’t help the excited thrill that washes over me at him being so far gone that he tore my shirt to get to me. Thank goodness I’m wearing a cami beneath it. He lifts said cami, tugs my bra down, and the next second his mouth is engulfing my nipple, pulling it between his teeth. I whimper and fist his hair, needing more. He palms my other breast, tweaking that nipple with his fingers.

Tipping my head back, a long moan escapes my lips. When I open my eyes, I see the trees and leaves falling all around us, reminding me of where we are.

“Asher,” I pant through the sexually induced fog he’s caused.

“Hmm…” he hums around a mouthful of nipple. I give his hair a tug and he lifts his head. The look he gives me almost has me forgetting what I was going to say.