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MONTANA

It was hard to crawl out of Asa’s bed this morning, so much harder than when he stays at my rented townhome.

I’m not sure if it’s because his bed is softer and more luxurious or if it’s just him.

The weird part is when Asa leaves my place early in the morning to get to work, him having to start his day entirely too early in my eyes, I can get up and get moving, but when he leaves me in his bed, naked, sated, and with one hell of a kiss, I instantly fall back asleep, only waking up when my fifth alarm goes off on my phone.

“I hate Mondays.” I’ve turned off all of my alarms, now relying on my snooze feature, and even that is probably saying, ‘Hey, dumbass, get out of bed already.’ You’d have thought Asa had me up all night, but he didn’t.

I got to his place before him, parking my car in his garage like I’ve been doing, then heading inside with my bag slung over my shoulder and a smile on my face knowing a night with Asa always leaves me well rested along with completely boneless.

I barely made it to his room, added my clothes that I’d be wearing to the office the next day to his closet when I heard the opening and closing of the garage, which Asa still uses as his main source of entrance, hating using the front door because of the mess his shoes often bring with them.

Then the door leading into the kitchen opened, and I knew he was inside.

Asa’s place is in an older community that sports mature trees and older homes.

It’s the type of neighborhood where they sit on their front porch to watch the cars go by to pass the time.

The bungalow-style house has been lovingly restored.

The only addition was the garage, and even then, it was kept within the same theme in mind.

I should know seeing as I was the lead architect working on it.

Yep, I’m a woman in a man’s world, but I can hold my own.

Though, I know there will come a time when I’ll outgrow the company where I’m working and will either eventually open my own firm or go freelance.

Heck, Tanner offered me a job to work at Hart Construction when I finished school, but there was no way I’d have taken him up on that.

For one, I didn’t have the experience I thought he would need, and boy was that true.

I made errors my first year out of school, even underneath a hard-ass lead boss, where he made me his coffee girl nine times out of ten.

When I finally earned my way to the top, which took two years, I still didn’t think it was my time to leave.

Though, depending on how these next few projects go, things may change.

“Damn it.” I drop my head back on the pillow, surrounded by Asa’s scent while glancing at the emails that are waiting for my response.

I get that the firm I work for, Harrison and Sons Architecture, has no problem with us not working on the weekends.

That doesn’t mean our emails quit. I refuse to look at them, only choosing to do it now to see what my day is going to consist of.

Obviously, it’s going to be hell on earth and a twelve-hour day.

I throw my phone on the bed and toss the covers off my body, a chill overtaking me with the way Asa keeps his house like Antarctica.

I’m only wearing a pajama set. The fabric is silky with a hint of lace on the spaghetti-strap-style top, and the bottoms, well, those have high slits, showing even more leg as I walk.

This set also happens to be one of Asa’s favorites and probably why it didn’t end up on the ground in tatters.

Though, after the intense orgasm at his parents’ house yesterday, the sun, and a few drinks, I was well beyond exhausted.

The second my head hit the pillow beside his, it was lights out.

Asa Calling . My phone tells me who’s calling, something I make sure is muted when I’m around a few certain people. I literally just put my feet to the floor. He’s been at work for two hours, and I still have another hour till I need to be at the office.

“Good morning,” I answer the phone, my voice still laced with sleep.

“Hey, babe, you still in bed?”

“Do you even have to ask such a heinous question?” I retort with a small snort.

“Nope, just making sure you didn’t turn off your alarms and run out the door with nothing but your pajamas on, giving the neighbors one hell of a show that sadly I missed out on.” You sleep through your alarm clock once, and you never live it down.

“Har, har, Mister Perfect Pants.” I stand up, holding the phone between my chin and shoulder so I can stretch.

“Montana, I’d have missed work to watch that, and I’m not perfect, babe, far from it. I’m working late tonight. Wanted to give you a heads-up.”

“I guess that makes two of us,” I grumble my displeasure.

“Alright, we’ll play tonight by ear, but want you in bed with me no matter what.” See what I mean? Asa isn’t perfect, not by a long shot. No one is, not me, not his sister or his brothers. There isn’t one person on this planet who’s perfect, but Asa is perfect for me.

“Works for me. Have a good day and try not to piss anyone off,” I joke because nine times out ten, that’s what happens, and I’m the one busting a gut laughing at his stories.

“That’ll be the day. See you tonight, Montana Rose.” The deep baritone in his voice as he says my name hits me deep and hard.

“Later, Asa.” We hang up. I look at the time and know it’s going to be one of those mornings that will have me scrambling. One day, I’ll get up early. Today clearly isn’t that day, and tomorrow isn’t looking promising either.