Page 113

“I’m yours,” I moan, as if giving the final words to a spell to complete it.
I arch into him as the pleasure builds. The orgasm puts me in a choke hold, my body tensing tighter and tighter until my control snaps. The orgasm rushes through me, my body shudders as I come hard around his cock. My cries are muffled against his chest.
Asher follows me over the edge with a groan, his cock pulsing inside me as he spills himself deep, filling me with his warmth.
We collapse together, a tangle of limbs and sweat, and for a moment, it’s perfect. But then reality creeps back in, and I can feel the ache in my chest grow as he pulls away, his body leaving me cold.
Asher helps me clean up and then sits on the bed’s edge.
“Before this, you made a promise,” he reminds me, his voice soft but firm. He runs a hand through his messy hair. “You have to hate me. I know it’s hard as hell. Try your very best.”
I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat as I sit up, too, the sheet pooling around my waist. “I will.”
He searches my eyes. “Billie, I will have to do and say things that will not make sense to you. I will be an asshole. I will be rude. Please know that I don’t mean anything I say unless it’s just us, okay? Everything else is bullshit.”
“Okay,” I tell him.
“To make it up to you, I will make another promise. Anytime I cause you any amount of pain or frustration, I will replace it with pleasure.”
“How? We won’t be able to see each other.” I search his face.
He nods. “I’ve decided I’m moving back into my loft. I’ll meet you at sunset each day, unless I absolutely can’t.”
My brow lifts. “Okay, so back to this pain-payback plan. Should I keep a tally? I mean, at your current rate, you’ll keep me coming until the end of next year.”
He smirks. “That’s the point, princess. One day, it will all make sense. I promise, one day, I’ll tell you everything. But right now, I have to protect you. Everything I say or do is for that reason.”
My heart skips a beat at his words, and I can’t stop myself from reaching for him, my fingers brushing his cheek.
“I trust you,” I whisper.
He leans in, capturing my lips in a kiss that’s soft and sweet and full of promises I know he’ll keep.
“Now, how about you make it look like you’re trying to save your company?”
I roll my eyes. “You have no idea what I’m working on.”
Asher smirks. “I can’t wait for you to tell me.”
When we finally pull away, the room feels too quiet. He gets up first, pulling on his clothes.
“Who wins this?” I ask, getting dressed too. My hands tremble as I button my shirt.
“The queen. She’s the most powerful piece in this game,” he takes two steps toward me, removing the space, and kisses me.
We don’t speak as we leave the room, the silence heavy between us, but when we reach the door, he pauses, his hand on the knob. I slide on my riding gear, stuff my clothes into my backpack, and pop on my helmet.
“Fuck, you look sexy,” Asher says.
I give him a smirk and climb onto the bike, cranking it. He walks to his car.
“Banks,” I yell out to him.
He turns and glances at me. “Yes?”
“Fuck off.”
He smiles, crossing his arms over his chest, easily turning on the asshole version of himself. “Nice to see you again,Ice Queen. Enjoy your ride back to hell.”