Page 78 of Decoding Emma

He was right.

“Okay.I don’t relish the drive home.”

“Good thing we don’t have to.”

“What?”Were we supposed to sleep on the floor?Ahh, the heady university days and studying for finals.

“Knowing how critical this is, John’s putting us up in the hotel down the street.On the executive floor, no less.This way, we can get some sleep and not worry about driving.”

“I’m too tired to enjoy any of the perks.Good thing I restocked my overnight bag.”

We walked side by side and linked pinkie fingers.What the security cameras couldn’t discern wouldn’t end up in the gossip pipeline.In the elevator, we leaned against the back wall, and Asher slipped his hand behind me and rested it at my waist.As soon as the car stopped, we were all business before the doors opened…just in case.At the door, a lifted eyebrow and a wink.

While Asher gave the rest of the team the news about the hotel, I shut down my laptop and shouldered my purse.

“Let’s plan on getting back here by nine at the latest.John has to notify the feds, and he’ll probably do that later this morning, depending on what we’ve found.In any case, when those guys get here, I want to make sure we’ve gathered as much information as possible.We definitely don’t need the cyberspooks underfoot.”

Ben and Asher exchanged a look that clearly telegraphed:That’sthe last thing we need.

Asher, Ben, and I brought up the rear, shut off the lights, and threw the locks.

The cool air brushed against my skin as we walked through the parking lot to our vehicles.I grabbed my bag out of the trunk, and Asher got one out of his.

“I should’ve asked if you wanted to drive?”Asher said as we walked into the hotel.

“The walk was nice.Drive for three blocks?Why?I’ve been sitting most of the day and night; I need the exercise.Besides, the fresh air felt good.”

We strode to the reception desk.The minute Asher gave his name, we were given keys and told how to get to our rooms.Our connecting rooms.

Once we got to our rooms, I inserted my key into the lock and looked over at Asher.

“Sleep well,” he whispered.

“You too.”I slipped inside and closed the door.A second later, I heard his door close.

I slung my bag onto the entertainment center, yawned, unzipped it and pulled out a small cosmetic bag, nightshirt, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a hairbrush.Exhaustion weighed down every move.Everything was beginning to run together.

Once I finished in the bathroom, I changed into a nightshirt and climbed into bed.I glanced at the trail of my clothes from the bathroom to the bed.Nope.Later.

Thirty minutes later, I was still wide awake.My mind wouldn’t settle down.Not unusual when I was working on something complex, but I needed sleep.Was Asher awake?

A knock on the door startled me.Climbing out of bed, I realized the knock was coming from the connecting door.I unlocked it and pulled it open.

“Asher.”He looked as exhausted as I felt.

“Did I wake you?”

“No.My brain won’t stop working.”

“I know the feeling.May I?”He gestured to my room.

Stepping back, he walked in.Damn, I’d seen this man naked, but in a pair of pajama pants and no shirt, he was sexy as hell.He yawned.We both needed sleep.I hesitated.

“You’re biting your lip.”

“I’m not sure how to say this.”I was just beginning to get comfortable with speaking my mind to Asher, but this was different.This was more intimate.Get over yourself, Emma.You’ve had sex with the man.

“Do you want me to go?”