Page 55 of In Case You Didn't Know

ASHER

I stare at the computer screen long after I’ve switched off the cameras. There’s a still image of her on the screen, staring at me,her eyes hooded, her lips parted. I’m hard as a fucking rock and I can’t look away.

Her hair is a little messy. Her cheeks are flushed. She looks like she’s just whispered my name, and not in thanks.

I reach down to adjust my aching cock, but my hand lingers. The door to the study is closed, I’m all alone.

Just me and an image of the woman I shouldn’t want. I imagine walking toward her, running my thumb over those swollen lips. Pushing it inside to feel the velvety warmth of her mouth.

My groan echoes in the quiet study as I unzip my pants, my need too strong to ignore. I curl my fist around myself, remembering that night I touched her. How soft her lips were against mine, how hot her breath was as I slid my fingers inside of her.

How fucking tight she was as she came around them.

What if she let me in? What if I didn’t have to hide how much I want her?

When I reach my peak, I groan out her name, spilling my desire all over my stomach in long, achingly pleasurable pulses.

I’m not sure how long I can keep doing this. Watching. Waiting. Pretending I don’t care.

I want her.

But I shouldn’t. I know that. That’s what stops me from calling her again. From ruining everything. From telling her the truth – that she’s the only damn thing I want.

sixteen

ASHER

“Please repeat that,” I say, my voice thick. I barely remember the phone ringing, let alone answering it, yet here it is against my ear, Brad’s voice cutting through the fog.

“The police are on their way. It’s a mess. I hate to do this to you, but you should probably come in.”

Agitation claws at my gut. “What’s a mess?”

“The office. The break in. Whoever it was really fucked it over. Half of our equipment is trashed, the stuff they didn’t steal. And your office… it’s not good. Really not good.”

“Is it secure?”

“I called the first team in. They’re all here.”

“Good work.” I’m wide awake now. Ripping the covers off, I sit up and slide my feet to the floor. “I’ll be there as soon as I can. Keep this line open. I want constant updates.”

“Understood.”

Fuck.Any remaining exhaustion is gone, as I storm into the bathroom and turn the shower on, taking less than three minutes to clean myself before I put in my contacts and grab a crisp white shirt and dark suit from my closet. And all the time Ihave my assistant – who I woke up and now owe a huge bonus – on the phone with me, talking through the logistics of getting off this island in the middle of the night.

There are no ferries for at least two more hours. And all the charter owners will be fast asleep. Yes, I could wake them up, but Hudson recently installed a helipad just north of the hotel for the exclusive use of VIP guests, so my assistant manages to track down a pilot willing to fly a chopper from New York to pick me up.

I hate to think how much this is going to cost. Yes, I can afford it, but I’m furious anyway. I grab my phone and wallet, then slide my feet into my leather shoes, taking a second to check myself in the mirror, before I walk out into the hallway, ready to drive to the helipad.

“Asher?” Hudson walks out of the master bedroom. His hair is mussed up, and he’s wearing a pair of sleep shorts and nothing else. If I had more time I’d rib him, but I don’t.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you,” I tell him, my voice low, because I don’t want to wake the rest of his family.

“What’s going on?” he asks, glancing at the smartwatch on his wrist. “It’s the middle of the night.”

“There’s been a break in at my office,” I tell him.

He winces. “Is it bad?”