Igniting Ash (15 page)

Asher took the hint, easing the tension with a small chuckle and pulling them down her legs. Her sigh was met with a hum of approval from him. The look of greed in his eyes causing her to blush.

“I want you, Em. I really want you.”

Propping herself up on her elbows, she swallowed her nerves and reached out, taking his erection in her hand. “You have me, Asher. I’m here and thanks to you, I’m now kind of naked.”

A dark brow rose up his forehead. “Kind of?”

“Okay, so very naked. Stop stalling.” She pumped his hard-on, enjoying the sight of him as he tossed his head back and grunted. “And have me.”

He kissed her, a hot, passionate kiss that left her reeling. While his mouth made love to hers, she heard him open the drawer next to bed, and he broke the kiss to tear a foil packet open. She still grasped him and had begun to pump his erection, but on seeing the condom, she let go and rested back on the bed.

Lust bloomed bright within her belly, her bloodstream flowing with fire. Her lazy gaze drifted over his defined torso. He was more muscled than she’d expected, but still pulled off lean, rather than buff. Emma liked what she saw. His running kept him fit, but the man must do some weights too. Lifting boxfuls of books probably helped though.

She touched his stomach when he came forward, careful to avoid the scars. This wasn’t the time to talk about those. His muscles bunched against her fingertips. Nerves rose again, and she dropped her hand when he lifted her leg. Asher brought his lips to her ankle, and he began kissing a slow, sensual path toward her core.

She giggled.

“Ticklish?” he asked, though he didn’t stop.

“A little. Asher?” He hummed and kissed the inside of her knee. “I’m loving your seduction. I really am, but I’m getting rather…hot here. I need you.”

He flashed her a grin that would have melted her underwear if she’d still been wearing them. He dropped her leg and prowled up her body, leaving her in no doubt that Asher felt exactly the same. His kiss sealed the deal, his tongue caressing hers while his hand massaged her breast. With each flick he delivered to her nipple she squirmed a bit more. Urging him closer, she wrapped her legs around his hips, exhaling as his skin pressed deliciously against hers.

Emma’s eyes fluttered closed, the feel of his erection nestled against her heated sex was intense, enough to take her breath away. If that alone caused such a reaction, how was she going to cope when he entered her?

That question didn’t hover in her mind very long, because on another deep kiss Asher rolled his hips and thrust into her heat.

“Oh fuck,” he exclaimed, his hips rocking again.

Arching her back, Emma met him, thrust for gentle thrust. It was a languid, tender coupling, where each touch, kiss, and exhale revealed so much and delivered a balm to their anxiety. Emma held him close, allowing him to set the pace and carry her away on the most intense experience she’d ever felt. Her nails dug into his shoulder, her teeth nipping at his bottom lip. Her thighs shuddered, her muscles tightening in a slow, divine build up.

His thrusts grew quicker, more intense, as his breathing grew heavy and laboured.

Emma rolled them over, laughing at Asher’s widening eyes. She rode him, trying to keep his rhythm. Straddling his hips this way let her catch her breath. Asher was so deep inside her—the sensation overwhelming. She tossed her head back, covering Asher’s hand where it palmed her breast. His hips were bucking to match hers, and the small sparks of her orgasm coiled low in her belly.

Asher grunted, exposing the column of his throat when he lifted his jaw and cried out.

Emma gasped, feeling him thicken inside her as he came. She looked down at him as her vision started to blur. The man was amazing, all sinew and sex. Utterly lost in the feelings coursing through him. He gripped her thighs, bucking his hips against her and sending her tumbling into ecstasy. Her toes curled, the hot, dreamy waves of orgasm lapping over her body.

Emma dropped forward, pressing her ear to his heaving chest. Asher’s arms banded around her and he kissed the top of her head. She closed her eyes, too amazed to speak. Her last thought before she was lulled to sleep was of how safe she felt in Asher’s arms.

Chapter 15

Asher

“Excuse me? Hello?”

Startled, Asher blinked and hissed when the hot coffee spilled over the edge of the mug he held. He’d been thinking, remembering last night. Recalling how Emma felt in his arms. He should be working but just couldn’t focus.

He wiped the sleeve of his top on his jeans. “Sorry,” he said, glancing up at his customer. “What can I do for you?”

The man’s eyes thinned, his gaze sweeping over Asher before he grimaced while speaking. “Kincaid. Alu Kincaid. I’m looking for early work. Hopefully first editions.”

Asher thought, racking his brains. Recalling most authors wasn’t a problem, but this one in particular wasn’t one he’d been asked for before. He lifted a finger. “Let me check. I’m not sure what I have.”

He moved across to his laptop, scrolling through the index of books he held until he hit upon Alu Kincaid. “I’ve got a first of Feathered Isolation, a signed copy of Lace in Blue, though it’s not a first. Oh, and I have a copy of Floated.”

The customer hummed and pushed his wire-rimmed glasses back up his nose. “I was hoping for a first of Floated, or Cascades.”

Asher rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry. Um, I could phone around a bit. I have a few contacts. Can’t promise anything though.”

“Okay.”

“Any urgency for them?” Picking up a notepad, he began jotting down the titles of the books.

“No. They’re for my own collection. They obviously have to be good condition. And just because you locate them doesn’t mean I will purchase them.”

Asher flushed, disliking the man’s abruptness. “Understood. How about you leave your number, and I’ll call you with any news. I’m sure I can get you something. My contacts are pretty good.” He waited while the man scribbled his name and number on the paper before he spoke again. “Is there a limit on the price?”

He chuckled, but Asher suspected it wasn’t from amusement. “We’ll talk when you have the books to offer.”

The sound of a stair creaking had his blood pressure soaring. He spun to face the stairs leading to his flat, expecting to see Emma on them. However, she wasn’t there. He must have been imagining the noise.

Turning his attention back the customer, Asher blinked toward the empty space. The tinkle of the bell above the door told him the man had gone. So much for pleasantries.

“Are we alone?”

A tickle of lust whispered up his spine at the sound of Emma’s voice. The tickle became a full on tremble when her hand rested at the base of his spine. The woman floored him.

“If you’re asking if I have any customers then the answer is no.”

“Then it’s okay for me to be down here in just your shirt?”

Asher growled, twisting so that he could loop his arms around her waist and press her against the wall. His dick began to harden immediately. “I was waiting for you to wake, but I had to open the shop. I’m sorry you woke alone.”

Her smile had his knees buckling. “That’s so cute.”

“What is?” He started to kiss along her jaw, needing the extra connection. His finger trailed up her thigh, the softness of her skin sending his hormones crazy.

“You apologising for leaving me in bed. I’m positive that’s a first for me. I like it.”

Asher placed his lips just under her earlobe. “I like
you
.”

“Again, cute.”

Unsure how to respond, his pressed his lips to hers and kissed her deep. He moved his hand to cup her buttock, thrilled to feel she still wasn’t wearing any underwear.

The bell above the door rang, and to hide Emma’s current state of dress, he moved them into the corridor that lead to his flat as he continued to kiss her. She was becoming his addiction.

“I shouldn’t be distracting you. You’re working.”

Lifting a finger, he whispered, “One minute,” and popped his head around the door. “I’m just out back. If you need me, yell, okay?” He didn’t wait for the customer to respond before returning to Emma. “All sorted. Would you like some coffee?”

She looked at him through hooded eyes. Eyes that were causing his groin to tighten with desire. She was using some sort of girlie voodoo on him. She had to be.

“It’s a little late. I should go home and clean up. I have to work this afternoon.”

“Your dad or the shelter?”

“Both. An hour or so at Dad’s firm, then onto the shelter for the afternoon. Though I think my dad will be more interested in asking about you than leaving me to work.”

“Ouch,” Asher said, scrunching up his nose. “I’m glad I don’t have to deal with the parental chat.”

“Ike would have been interested.”

Letting her statement absorb, Asher tilted his head to the side and asked, “How do you know that?”

“The way you speak about him tells me how close you two were. He was your dad really, wasn’t he?”

“Yes. Yes, he was.” He still felt Ike’s loss so hard. It was like a blow to his gut whenever he thought about him. Earlier in the morning he’d been wishing he could have a few minutes to talk to Ike about Emma; to share his confusion and gain clarity. Confessing all to Ben wouldn’t be the same.

“I didn’t mean to upset you.” Emma pressed her palm flat against his chest. “But he was important to you. I like watching your face light up when you remember him.”

“I try not to be upset, but he’s the only one who was there. And now he isn’t.” Damn, he was choking up.

“But I am.” She raised a hand and gestured out toward the shop. “And so is his legacy. He trusted it with you.”

“He had no one either.”

Placing her hand on his stubbled cheek, she placed a quick kiss on his lips. “One day, Asher Harris, you really will trust me enough to tell me the whole story. And explain those scars across your torso.”

His muscles grew taut. He hadn’t expected her to ignore them, though he wasn’t ready to confess all. “I trust you now.”

“Oh, I know you do. But we’re not there yet. I know that.” She kissed him again and patted him on the cheek. “I’m liking our journey though.”

Asher opened his mouth, however he had no idea what he was about to say. A protest would have been feeble. Lucky for him his customer chose that moment to interrupt.

“Hello? You still back there?”

Asher groaned and gritted his teeth. He took a deep breath before answering. “Yeah, coming now, mate.” His whispered an apology to Emma.

She shrugged. “I have to go anyway. Don’t be sorry.”

Pressing his body against her, he raised her arms and cuffed her wrists with his hands. Her soft sigh shot straight to his dick. It was going to be difficult tearing himself away from her.

“Thank you for last night,” she said, smiling. “Can we…?”

Crushing his mouth to hers, Asher kissed her with all that he had. He was determined to make her remember him—make her
feel
him, for the rest of the day. He was stunned to admit, even to himself, that he wanted to leave his mark on her. He was claiming her as his.

“Wow.”

Asher smirked, revelling in the happiness bursting inside of him. “Yeah, wow. And, yeah, we so can. Tonight? Will you come to me, Emma? At the end of your day will you come here to be with me?”

She nodded, her smile never faltering. “I thought you’d never ask.”

He hung his head. “I thought maybe you wouldn’t want to.”

“Oh, Asher. Last night was something very special to me.
You
are someone special. Please don’t doubt that.”

“I’m trying,” he replied, pressing his forehead to hers. “I am.”

“Good. Then I have another question…Can I wear your shirt, Asher?” She giggled. “I can’t find my top.”

Laughter burst free from his mouth, and his customer shouted for his attention again. “I’ve got to go,” he chuckled. “Damn, I have to bloody go.”

“You need help here.”

“Agreed. I keep looking for someone, but everyone I see is wrong. I’ll keep looking. Now I really, really have to go.”

“I know.” She fisted the front of his top. “Kiss me, Ash. Kiss me goodbye.”

There wasn’t a cell in his body that could have declined her, so he didn’t even try. His customer could wait a little longer.

***

Emma

“So, Gabe, talk to me. How’ve you been?”

Running his hand over his spiked, blond hair, he fidgeted in the chair. Emma took the time to check out how his wounds had healed, noting the scar that would never go away. She doubted it was the only one Gabe had from whomever caused them. The more she thought about what he was going through the more frustrated she became, and her thoughts would always shift to Asher. Their lives were far too alike.

“Yeah, I’m okay. Doing good here.”

“Bolt told me you’ve been helping him in the kitchen. Are you enjoying that?”

“S’ok.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Gotta keep looking for something that pays though. I need out.”

“It’s not so bad here, Gabe. We’re keeping you safe. Your social worker felt this was the best place for you.”

“Yeah, until she decides to sling me into a kid’s home, or gives up completely.” He finally lifted his gaze to meet hers. “It happens.”

“Not here it doesn’t.” She understood his negativity, but it didn’t halt her annoyance. “Going back…home isn’t an option for you. I know your social worker told you about the investigation.”

“Maybe.” He toed the floor with his scuffed trainer.

“It would help if you spoke to someone about what happened that night. Or what has happened in the past. Your medical records have been requested. Gabe, you could tell us. Before they read it.”

His top lip curled, another scar pulling tight white. His heart clenched. “Nothing to tell.”

“We both know that’s a lie. Who are you covering for? And why are you doing that?”

He scowled, his lips pursing. She could only hope he was debating whether to spill or not. It was clear to everyone that his abuser was probably a parent; however she refused to barge in and accuse. Instead, she was determined to tread lightly. It seemed like she had to treat Asher and Gabe the same, no matter how much it frustrated her. With both of them.

“It don’t matter anymore. If I stay here then none of that shit will happen again. So you can all drop your
investigation
. You have nothing to investigate if I keep my mouth shut.”

Reaching out, Emma placed her hand on Gabe’s knee. “It will carry on whether or not you talk about the person who made you come here for help. None of us will stand by and allow a child to be abused. You were in such a terrible state. I thought…I thought you weren’t going to make it.”

“I’m okay now,” he responded with a bite to his tone. She’d faced the wall before, usually when she got too close while speaking to Asher. She could see that now with Gabe. He didn’t want to talk about it, but she wasn’t going to give him much choice. She would still tread carefully. Gentle questioning always worked best.

“You are now. You came here because you needed us. I suspect you’ll be back here, still needing us, if you’re allowed back to the person who hurt you.”

“I can avoid him.”

She’d heard that declaration before, and not just from Gabe. Asher had said the very same thing. Not for the first time, she thought of how good they could be for one another if they would both allow it. And that’s when an idea struck her. Removing her hand from his knee, she paused and studied him. His skin was clearer than it had been when he first arrived, and there was much more colour to his cheeks. His short stay at the shelter had already started to change him. For the better.

“I looked into that programme we were talking about. I talked to a few people. You’d be perfect for it, and they would subsidise, or even cover the cost of your accommodation.”

He sat forward in his chair. “But you said I needed a job.”

“You do. And you’ll have to complete an application after you gain employment. I have to make it clear that should you stop work the help from them stops too. You have to be serious about this.”

“I am.” Gabe started to rub his hands together. “But I still need a job.”

Emma let a slow smile spread across her face. “I think I’ve sorted that out for you as well.”

Gabe’s eyes grew wide. “What? You got me a job? Where?”

Encouraged by his excitement, she continued. “My friend, Asher Harris, owns a bookshop, Hidden Treasures. It’s just off the high street. Anyway, he needs help. I have to talk to him first, and he’ll want to meet you. But I think you’d work well together. Also, if I explain to him the importance of the job.”

“No!” he interrupted. “Don’t tell him that. I don’t want anyone’s pity.”

“Gabe, Asher would understand more than you know about what the job means to you. He wouldn’t give you pity. Just help.”