6. Asher

CHAPTER 6

ASHER

She’s goingto drive me crazy.

Or fuck, maybe I’m doing it to myself.

I seriously thought she was going to hate it here. I made a point to stay away from her all afternoon yesterday. I knew Beau would help her get started and so even though I watched—from a distance—I stayed out of the way.

She knows what she’s doing. That’s all I can say.

And she works hard.

All afternoon, she pruned trees, and when she came into the house at dinnertime, she washed up and then helped me finish preparing the meal. I thought it would be awkward since Beau was out and it was just Madelyn and me, but it wasn’t. She talked the whole time about the orchard and everything she saw and did through the day. It was refreshing, and even though I tried to be guarded and keep my distance, it was hard to not share in her excitement.

She helped clean up and then said she needed to get some sleep. I thought I’d finally get a breather, but all my thoughts still surrounded Madelyn. After a sleepless night, I came downstairs to drink my morning coffee and to mentally prepare myself for the day.

It’s an hour before I usually get up, but I knew that sleep was futile. I listen to the sounds of the house. I’m not sure what time Beau came in last night, but he’s young; he can function on very little sleep. Unlike me. I’m going to do my best to not be even more of a bear today.

I’m debating getting up and going to get ready when I hear the squeak of a door opening down the hall. My whole body tenses at the thought that I’m about to see Madelyn again.

She comes into the kitchen and jumps, startled to see me sitting here. All I can do is stare at her. Her hair is still mussed from sleep. She has on a white T-shirt that comes to the tops of her thighs. It’s obvious from where I’m sitting that she doesn’t have a bra on and her pebbled nipples are pressed against her tight shirt.

My mouth gapes open, and I unashamedly stare at her knowing she’s going to disappear. I’m waiting for her to run and hide her body from me, but she surprises me when she gasps and claps her hands together. “Coffee!”

She walks toward the coffee machine, and I watch as she leans up on her tiptoes to reach for a mug. Her shirt lifts, showing me the panty-covered globes of her ass, and something animalistic comes over me. I grip the edge of the counter I’m sitting at, and I fight with myself to do the right thing when all I want to do is go to her, lean her over the counter, and take her from behind.

A groan escapes me before I can stop it, and she looks at me over her shoulder. “What was that?”

Fuck! “Nothing.”

She pours her drink and then turns and leans back against the counter. She has both hands wrapped around her mug, and I watch as she takes a gentle sip and then moans when it hits her tongue. Every muscle in my body is pulled tight just watching her. I’ve never felt this strong of an attraction to anyone, and I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to keep it under wraps.

My cock is hard, and I’m wishing I’d put on blue jeans before coming down here instead of wearing my sweats. My sweats do nothing to hide the condition I’m in.

I try to force my eyes off her, but it’s impossible.

She’s talking about what she’s going to do today, and she’s completely oblivious to the effect she’s having on me.

I should walk away instead of sitting here gawking at her, but if I get up she’s going to see the evidence of my arousal.

The clock chimes, and I know that Beau is going to be coming downstairs soon. The thought of him seeing her like this has me asking her, “Madelyn, don’t you think you should put some clothes on?”

She looks down at herself as if she doesn’t even realize what she’s wearing. She shrugs. “I mean, I’ll get dressed before Beau comes down.”

“Uh—” I mutter. I’m not sure what to make of it. She seems so innocent, but is she wanting me to see her like this? Is she trying to tell me something?

She starts walking toward me, and my heart constricts in my chest. When she stops right next to me, my knuckles turn white from holding onto the counter so hard.

She shimmies her hips and playfully hits my side. Even her scent is intoxicating, and I can barely focus on what she’s saying.

“Beau told me.”

I draw my hands off the countertop and grab my mug. It’s either that or I’m going to put them on her hips. “Told you what?”

She giggles and leans against my side. My whole body reacts to her nearness, and I feel as if I’m panting from everything I’m feeling.

She sing-songs, “I know you’re… gay.”

Stunned, I look into her big, trusting eyes. “You think I’m gay?”

If anything, her eyes get even bigger, and she gulps. “Well, no… I was surprised… really surprised actually, but Beau said…” Her voice trails off, and she bites on to her lip as if she’s remembering a conversation. “Ugh, you’re not gay, are you?”

Don’t do it. Don’t do it. I repeat it in my head, and you’d think I’d listen, but no, I can’t seem to stop myself. I turn on my stool until she’s standing right in front of me and her body is mere inches from my knees.

Her eyes drop to the “v” of my legs, and she gasps. I grab the mug from her hands before she drops it and set it on the counter. With her hands now free, she covers her open mouth and continues to stare at my hard cock. I expect her to back up or walk away, but I don’t expect her to stay planted where she’s at, staring at my cock that is pressing against my pants.

I put my hands on my knees. “Does it look like I’m gay?”

She squeaks, her eyes flickering up to mine. “Is that—? How… why?”

Staring into her eyes, I shouldn’t say it, but that’s not who I am. Without blinking or looking away, I tell her the truth. “Honey, in that little shirt that barely covers your shapely ass and seeing your long legs.” I let out a soft whistle. “All I can do is wonder how they’d feel wrapped around my waist.” I lean in to whisper the rest. “And that thin shirt doesn’t come close to hiding your hard nipples that are begging to be touched. So yeah, you ask how and why I have a hard-on? Both answers are you.”

I bring my hand up and cup her cheek, and she licks her lips. She wants this, and I want this. There are a thousand reasons why this is a bad idea, but I can’t think of one of them right now. I’m about to kiss her when a door slams upstairs.

Her eyes widen, and she pulls back a little. Her voice sounds shaky. “I uh, should go.” She’s nodding her head, but she’s not moving.

Finally, I let go of her. “Yeah, you should because if my brother sees you like this I’ll have to gouge his eyes out.”

She runs from the room, and as soon as she’s gone, I lean my head over onto the counter and let the cool surface try to calm me down. I need to do something because any minute my little brother is going to come in here, and I have a few choice words for him.