23. Leilani

Asher must have brought girls here before, because the bed of his truck is stuffed with pillows and blankets. When he lifted the cover and I saw them all piled there, I had to ask, “Do you do this often?”

His moonlit blush tells me enough, and I throw him a little side-eye before jumping into the back. He goes to help me but isn”t fast enough, and I manage to scramble up to my knees and waddle to the back of the truck.

Throwing pillows and blankets down, we get set up. Asher lies back, casually resting against the cab, and I can”t resist finding a home against his chest. He”s comfortable and warm.

Tucking the blanket around my shoulders, he shifts so my head”s at a better angle, and I can”t help a soft smile.

All that stuff he said to me in the truck was unbelievably sweet and vulnerable. I wanted to tell him that he”s my first thought every morning, too, but my throat had swelled so thick with emotion that I couldn”t get one word out.

He went quiet after that, and I worried that I”d ruined everything, but he”s letting me snuggle against him, so it can”t be all that bad.

“So… inane facts…” He points up at the sky while I stifle a giggle. “Did you know that Orion is that constellation up there?”

I spot it immediately because I already know what it looks like. My dad is an avid stargazer, and I’ve lost count of the number of times we had to trundle out after dark to look through his telescope.

“It was named after a supernaturally gifted hunter. He was a bit of an arrogant douche, claiming that he was the greatest hunter in the world.” Asher shakes his head. “See, it”s okay to be confident, but don”t go saying shit like you”re the best, you know? Not only does it make you incredibly unlikable, but then fate proves you wrong. The guy got killed by a scorpion.”

“Which is also honored,” I continue for him, “with the constellation Scorpius. Which will be easier to find over the summer.”

Asher turns to look at me. “How do you know that?”

I grin. “My dad. I”ve done a lot of stargazing in my time.”

“Right.” His voice goes dry as he shakes his head. “So me trying to impress you with my awesome constellation knowledge has gone down like a lead balloon.”

I laugh at his expression. “No, it hasn”t it. I love that you know all this stuff.”

“Knowledgeable and boring,” he mutters.

It”s hard not to snort at his tone. “Don”t be like that. It”s nice to hang with someone who”s as dorky as me.”

“Who are you calling a dork?”

Oh crap, I”ve just gone and offended him again. I seriously should just stop talking.

“Why do I like you so much?” he murmurs, shaking his head.

I shift so I can see his face more easily. Resting my arm across his chest, I gaze into his eyes, my lips twitching. “I”ve asked myself that so many times.” Running my finger from his bottom lip to his chin, I whisper, “There”s just something about you that I can”t resist. It”s like this cosmic energy. I can”t seem to fight it.”

My words soften his expression, his lips curling up at the edges.

I smile back, then lean close, brushing my lips against his. He lets out a pleasant moan, cupping the back of my head when I deepen the kiss. I can”t help myself. My body won”t let me behave any other way.

He tastes so good, smells so amazing… and his hands on my body do things to me that feel new and exciting.

Pulling back with a soft breath, I stare into his eyes. He”s searching my expression, obviously preparing for me to pull away. He won”t get mad because he understands why now. I can see that he”ll do anything for me, play it any way so I”ll feel safe and secure.

But that”s the thing.

I do feel safe and secure with him.

I felt it in his bedroom the other night. I just…

“Can I tell you something?” I reach for his face again, brushing my fingers down his cheek this time. His stubble is just long enough to be scratchy. I glide the pads of my fingers over his whiskers and feel the tingles run right down to my elbow.

“Anything.” His voice is husky, the deep sound sending tendrils of desire flittering through me.

“Okay, well…” I lick my lips. “The other day, when we were in your room…”

“Yeah.” His hand runs up my arm—a feather-soft touch that tickles in the best way.

I swallow past the lump in my throat. “I, uh… I didn”t actually want you to stop.” Biting my bottom lip, I wince. “I just needed to know that you would.”

His lips part, his face the picture of such sweet sincerity that I have to take a mental picture of it. “I”ll always stop if you need me to. I”d never push you into something like that if you didn”t want to.”

“I know. And I knew it then, too, but once I said it, I got hit with this flashback… and then you looked so worried, I had to tell you.”

“Thank you,” he croaks, then works his jaw to the side, obviously still feeling some of the emotion from that moment. “Thank you for letting me in.”

“I”m glad I did.” I take a breath, feeling myself relax a little, which gives me the courage to ask… “So, do you think we could try again?”

His eyebrows rise like he wasn”t expecting me to say that.

I fidget with the collar of his T-shirt. “I really want you. My body is desperate to finish what we started, and I… I want to try. Can we try?”

“Here?” He looks around us. “Now?”

I nod, anticipation quaking my stomach… until he winces and shakes his head.

“I didn”t bring any rubbers. I mean, I might have some in the truck, but?—”

“That”s okay.” I grin, reaching into my purse, which of course I brought into the back with me. I had to hope for the best, right? The zipper sounds loud in the cool night air as I whip it open and pull out the condoms I stole from Caroline”s nightstand. What? It”s not like I left her none. I”ll replace them this week, and she”ll totally understand.

If anything, she”ll be stoked for me, because it means I”m making it over this hurdle.

If I can.

Dammit, you can! You can do this! You want this!

Sucking in a breath, I bite the edge of the condom wrapper with my teeth and reach for Asher”s waistband.

Any delays are not going to help me. I just need to?—

“Wait.” Asher grabs my wrists, stopping my frantic movements to pull his pants down.

“What?” My shoulders deflate. “You don”t want to do this?”

“Of course I do.” He grins, pulling the condom packet from between my teeth. “I just don”t want to rush it.” Lightly cupping my cheek, he pulls me toward him, skimming his lips over mine before trailing a sweet path across my cheek. “If it”s all right with you, I want to draw this thing out. I want to taste every inch of you. I want to make you come. I want to give you all the pleasure I can, because this right here needs to be the best sex you”ve ever had.”