49. Leilani

As soon as the door clicks shut, I feel the tension start to drain out of me. It’s not a fast drain, more like a slow leak, but it eases the pressure a little.

“So, the police, huh?” Asher glides his hands into his pockets, his expression kind of torn.

“I thought it’d be the right thing to do.”

“It is.” He nods, his forehead crinkling.

“I know. I’ve… started the countdown now, haven’t I? The bomb’s gonna go off soon, and it’s all gonna turn to shit.” My voice breaks, and I cover my face with hands.

“Hey, that’s not on you.”

Asher’s arms come around me again. I lean into him, resting my weight on his solid chest. His hand cups the back of my head, and it feels so good. I’m protected here. Sheltered by this man who could so easily hate me.

I’m throwing his cousin into the firepit.

Where he deserves to burn!

But what if I’m wrong?

Or what if I’m right and he still gets away with it?

What if he walks free while his uncle boots Asher and his friends to the curb?

I shudder, and Asher’s arms tighten around me.

“I know it sucks right now. It’s shit.” His deep voice washes over me. “But it’s not always gonna be shit, and we’ll be together.” He leans back, taking my face in his hands. His eyes drink me in and I capture his gaze, transfixed by his affection. “We’ll be together, and that’s what I want.”

“But they’re your family.” I say it yet again because I can’t seem to get over that fact.

He shakes his head. “You think I want to be related to a rapist or a man who is willing to cover that up? You think I want to be connected to people who can’t see past their own bullshit?”

I swallow, my lips parting at the look on his face.

“Boo, I want real. I want to be around people who are good and honest and will fight for the right things. I want to hang with people I respect. People like my hockey bros.” His lips curl into a smile. “People like you.”

My heart melts like a scoop of ice cream in the sunshine. The warmth traveling from my chest to my toes is comforting… and also sensual.

I love this man. I love the way he thinks and talks. I love the look in his eyes right now.

Brushing my thumb over the back of his hand, I tell him without words, rising to my tiptoes and gently pressing my lips to his.

He breathes me in, wrapping his arm around my waist and suctioning me against him as we deepen the kiss. His tongue glides against mine, a slow dance that simmers and heats with each lap of his tongue.

My body starts to sizzle, and I know exactly what’s going to break this tension inside me. I need release. And we need connection.

“I want you,” I murmur against his mouth, fisting his shirt and sucking his tongue into my mouth. “I need you.”

He smiles and starts trailing his lips across my cheek. “Thought you didn’t need me, boo.”

“Don’t want to need you.” I groan as his tongue finds the sweet spot beneath my ear. “But it turns out, on the very odd occasion…” I giggle when he lets out a soft growl, then tip my head back with a moan as his tongue glides a path down my neck. “I need you.”

Gripping his shirt, I give it a firm tug, whipping the fabric over his head and flicking it to the floor. His body is hot and delicious. Running my fingers over his hard muscles, I kiss a trail down his body, dipping my tongue into the ridges of his abs while kneeling on the couch and unbuckling his belt.

“So sexy, boo.” He digs his fingers into my hair, leaning down to kiss me again while sliding the jacket off my shoulders.

I have to let him go in order to slip my clothes off, then raise my hands as he wrestles my shirt free and unclasps my bra. My breasts pop free on a sigh of liberation, but they’re soon covered by his hands, then his lips and tongue. He sucks and nibbles until my body is on fire, sending my lady parts into a frenzy as his hands travel beneath my skirt.

It’s soon bunched around my waist as I frantically shove his pants down, freeing his pulsing cock. It springs out of his boxers and I smile down at it, wrapping my fingers around the shaft and wiping the bead of moisture off his tip.

“So good,” he groans into my mouth, sucking my bottom lip before owning me with his tongue.

I pump him while he kisses me, then lose concentration when his fingers part my folds and dance around my entrance. I’m wet and slippery, his fingers gliding into me easily before ducking out and searching for my clit.

As usual, he finds it without any effort. His panting breaths mingle with my sweet sighs as I rest my head against his shoulder and feel the electricity pulse down my legs.

We’re both kneeling on his couch, pleasuring each other. His jeans are bunched around his knees while my skirt has become a cumbersome belt. But none of that matters as we’re both transported to a higher plane.

My orgasm builds with surprising speed, and my nails are soon sinking into his shoulders as I cling to him and release a lusty cry. He groans with me. I’m still pumping his cock, my hand working in time with my racing heartbeat.

“I really want to come inside you,” he moans. “Is that okay?”

“Of course.” I wouldn’t want it any other way.

I shudder once more, my body still zinging as he kisses my shoulder, then leaps off the couch. He nearly falls over as his jeans slip to his ankles, but he kicks them off, literally running out of them as he darts into his bedroom for a condom.

His naked butt is firm and gorgeous, and I can’t help grinning that I’ll soon be sinking my fingers into it.

I wriggle out of my skirt, dumping it on the floor and lying down just as he races back into the room, all sheathed and ready to go.

Raising my leg over the back of the couch, I boldly open myself right up to him, and he pauses, gazing down at me like I’m the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen.

The depth of his intimate gaze stirs an emotion in me that’s so strong and unexpected, I don’t know what to do with it.

This man.

He’s owning me right now.

Sitting forward, I snatch his wrist and pull him onto the couch. He kneels between my legs, skimming the pads of his fingers over my stomach. My body trembles in response, yearning for him in deep, soulful ways that should scare me, but they don’t.

It’s Asher.

My man.

I smile up at him, reaching for his face and trailing my fingers down his neck as he settles over me.

“I love you.” His husky voice sends tendrils of pleasure curling through my body. Or maybe it’s his words. Or the look that’s still swimming in his eyes.

I nudge my hips toward him, reaching down to part my folds and guide him inside me.

Our eyes stay connected as he slides home, his rigid cock piercing me with a beauty that’s indescribable.

Gripping his shoulders, I urge him with my hips, enjoying his second thrust, loving the way our bodies glide together. We find our rhythm easily and bask in it. My hands travel down to his butt, my fingers sinking into that firm ass as ecstasy glides through me, one wave after another.

His breathing hitches in my ear, his lips dropping kisses from my cheek to my shoulder as he gets lost in the feeling of us.

“Ahh,” he groans, picking up his pace, his arms trembling as he shifts his weight from his elbows to his hands.

Rising above me, he changes the angle, stars scattering before my eyes as he thrusts even deeper, becoming a part of me as only he can.

I tip my head back, soft whimpers spurting from my mouth as he drives into me like a piston.

Yes, yes, yes!

“Asher,” I cry out as I’m blinded by a thrill so fierce, it takes out my senses.

He spasms inside me, choking out a sound that’s all pleasure as he takes his fill and thrusts into me two more times before splintering apart in my arms.

* * *

We couldn’t move for a while after that session. I lay beneath him on the couch, our naked bodies relishing the skin-on-skin contact. There’s seriously nothing better. We could have stayed there all night if someone didn’t tap on the door, letting us know dinner was ready.

I couldn’t bear to get fully dressed, so I borrowed a T-shirt and some sweats off Asher. The pants were way too big and kept sliding off my hips, but I held them when I walked, and once I was sitting at the table, they behaved themselves.

We, of course, got a chorus of wolf whistles and eyebrow wiggles as we entered the room.

“Whatcha been doing?” Casey laughed at us while Fezzik jumped and yipped around his ankles, wanting to know what the fuss was about.

Baxter scooped him up, giving him a kiss before settling him on his knee.

He really does love that dog.

I took the teasing with as much dignity as I could. It was made a little more challenging by the falling-pants situation, but Asher’s grin was filled with pride, like I was the best prize at the table. As much as I hate the thought of being someone’s prize, there’s also something kind of nice about it.

He loves me. I’m his girl.

Dinner went well. We talked about everything but the ugly cloud of uncertainty hanging over all of us, so it was easy to pretend that life was grand and all was well. Asher and Rachel told us about their business idea, and Ethan put them through their paces like he was a judge on Shark Tank or something. But it was probably good for them. Asher rose to the challenge with a grace and dignity that completely turned me on. He’s so smart and capable. He deserves every good thing to swing his way, which is why this situation with his family is killing me.

As nighttime took over and we slipped into bed, the whole thing started weighing on me again. I think it was bothering Asher, too, but we couldn’t talk about it. Instead, we made slow, easy love in the darkness. It was a languid dance—soft and gentle. He came inside me with a murmured grunt, and I clung to his shoulders, never wanting to move from beneath his blanket of warmth and strength.

But that’s not reality, is it?

We can’t play pretend. We can’t not talk about this.

Actions need to be taken.

Because Caroline and Mick are right. I need closure… and Harvey can’t just get away with what he did to me.

Uncertainty rumbles in my chest again. What if it’s not Harvey?

But what if it is?

There has to be a way to know for sure.

Asher’s going through all this shit because of a hunch. I need concrete evidence, irrefutable proof.

As the early morning light dawns, I wake from my restless slumber with an idea that must have brewed in my dreams. As my eyes pop open, a question comes to life that I can’t shake.

The police officer said witnesses won’t remember that far back.

But what if they did?

What if someone saw who I was with that night?

It’s a long shot, but it’s worth taking, right?

I can’t rely on a detective to follow this thing through with the same kind of determination I can throw at it. My foundations may have been shaken by what happened to me, but they didn’t completely crumble. I’m nothing if not tenacious.

If Asher can put his future on the line for me, then I can most definitely find the courage to prove our fight isn’t in vain.

I’m not going to know everyone who was at that party, but I do remember where the party was, and if that’s not a good starting point, then I don’t know what is.

Slipping from the bed as quietly as I can, I creep out of Asher’s room and fumble my clothes on. My skirt is all creased from being bunched around my waist yesterday, but I flatten it out as best I can and tiptoe to the door.

I should probably take Asher with me, but I don’t want to wake him. He’s been under so much pressure, and I know he hasn’t been sleeping well. I can do this without him and then report back as soon as I’m done.

Ordering an Uber, I pull my shoes on and slip outside, walking down the street to the meeting point I selected. Thankfully, I only have to wait at the corner for five minutes. It’s hardly a busy Uber time, so drivers are readily available.

“Good morning.” The driver’s friendly voice is almost jarring.

I give him a polite smile and check to make sure he knows where to go.

He nods and thankfully picks up on my mood pretty quickly. We arrive at the football frat house without a word.

Slipping out of the car with a murmured thanks, I stare at the three-story Victorian-style house and shudder. Memories of strutting up the path in my skimpy black dress haunt me. I walked into that place with an angry determination. I was pissed off with Caroline for moping over Casey, and I didn’t know she was worried that she might be pregnant. I stormed into that party looking for a good time and mindless pleasure… and two hours later, I shuffled out in shock, my mind barely functioning as I somehow made it back to Huxley Hall.

I honestly have no idea how I did. My memory of that part of the evening is a dark spot in my mind.

A nervous breath shudders out of me as I walk to the door.

About eight members of the Nolan U football team live in this place. It’s not actually a fraternity, but people call it the football frat anyway… maybe because of the alliteration? Or maybe this place used to be a fraternity house a really long time ago.

I don’t know the history, but this house is kind of famous around campus. The team hangs here on a regular basis, they have frequent parties, and it’s usually filled with members of Greek Row because this house is less than a block away from it.

I glance down the street, scratching my arm as nerves scatter through me.

“Get to it, Lani.” I order myself forward, and five seconds later, I’m knocking on the old oak door.

It’s only then that I notice the time and mutter under my breath. It’s only just seven o’clock. That’s way too early for a house call.

Social etiquette nearly has me turning away, but then the lock flicks and a handsome guy with a square face, swooshed-back hair, and a panty-melting smile appears.

“Hi, there.” He takes me in, his eyes skimming my body from head to toe before giving me an appreciative grin. “How can I help you?”

“Uh… hi…”

Dammit, this is the worst idea ever! Just leave, Lani!

“Zan the Man!” someone calls from inside the house. “Who is it?”

“I’m not sure. All she’s said is ‘uh’ and ‘hi!’” The guy gives me a teasing smile as I tense at the sound of clomping feet approaching the door.

“Well, hey there, angel.” A blond giant grins down at me, and I’ve never felt so small in my life.

“Don’t go scaring her off, Wily. Come on, man.” The shorter guy whacks the back of his hand against Wily’s chest.

I swallow and try to ease my nerves by guessing which positions they play. Wily has got to be a lineman—he’s too big to be anything else—whereas Mr. Smiles here looks more like a quarterback or wide receiver.

You know you still haven’t said anything, right?

Talk or leave!

My urgent brain snaps me back to focus, and I suddenly blurt, “I was at a party here. Back in February and…” I pause and rally my courage. “Something… unpleasant… happened to me.” I swallow and force the last of the words out. “I’m not sure if you can help me or not, but I’m trying to ID the guy. I mean, I think I know who it is, but I’m trying to find some kind of proof. A witness statement or…” My voice trails off as I finally take in their expressions.

Their flirty smiles have disappeared, both of them staring at me with a serious intensity that’s unnerving.

The big guy looks like my news is causing him some kind of pain while this Zan the Man guy looks ready to throttle something.

“We don’t tolerate that kind of fucked-up shit at our parties.” His voice has dropped to deep and dangerous. “Was it a Cougar?”

I shake my head. “He doesn’t go to Nolan U. If it’s the person I suspect, he’s a student at Lennox.”

They both let out derisive snorts and shake their heads. “We hate those guys.”

“All of them?” I raise my eyebrows.

“Yes,” they growl in unison.

I bite my lips together, then try for a smile. “So, it’s a long shot, but would you mind if I asked you a few questions? I just need to figure out a way to prove he was here that night. To prove I’m not losing my mind. That the person who… did that to me… is the one I think it is.”

The shorter man takes in a long, slow breath, then nods. “I can do you one better.” Stepping back, he beckons me in with a tip of his head. “Come on in.”