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Chapter Nineteen

SUNNY

T he sound of Asher outside hammering something filtered in with the breeze as Sunny sat to go through the stacks of her father’s papers.

Although these papers did seem to be organized, it looked like he had newspapers from every day from around the year of the accident. A few were in another box dated with circled stories, the same ones he’d cut out and taped up on the far wall across from the board.

She kept finding herself looking at the name in the middle, Bradford Wilkes.

Why is that name familiar?

It was like she should have known the name, but she just couldn’t place it.

But all there was to do was keep organizing.

As she slid the last box of organized newspapers on the shelf, a picture slid out. It was probably the last picture ever taken of her parents together.

It was out in their yard. Her mother and Ruth Black looked like they had been either gardening or foraging, with dirt-smudged pants and her messy blond hair pulled back into a ponytail.

Her father was standing next to her with his arms around her, smiling down at her, while Ruth and her mother smiled at the camera.

Then she saw it. Deep in the woods behind them. Red eyes.

The office chair scraped the floor as she quickly stood to make her way downstairs.

“Asher,” she called.

She stepped out onto the porch as the screen door slammed shut behind her.

“Asher,” she called again.

“What’s up?” he said from around the corner.

She descended the stairs to find Asher, who had trimmed the overgrown bushes and repainted shutters, on a ladder. “I’m going to get the flower boxes back up tomorrow.”

“Wow,” she said, taking in the work. “It looks almost like it did when I was a girl... You, on the other hand... look ever better.”

His dark curls were pulled back, and it looked like his shirt had been discarded in the head of the late spring sun. He bent down, picked up his shirt, and wiped the sweat from his brow.

Damn. Why did I ever leave this man?

Not only had she always been hopelessly in love with him, but he was the most attractive man to have ever existed.

“Maybe you could paint the boxes with a design?”

“Yeah, I could do that.” She walked over to him and slid her arm around him.

“I wouldn’t get too close if I were you. I was going to come in and shower after I got the last shutter up,” he said before pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

“I like you a little stinky.” She reached on her toes to kiss him.

The feel of his lips on her was almost enough to make her forget why she came out here in the first place. And as his arms slid around her waist and her arms folded around him, she realized the photo was still clutched in her hand.

“Oh,” she said, pushing him away. “I almost forgot why I came out here.”

“Distracted by my handsome face?”

“Not only your handsome face.” She raised an eyebrow. “No! Don’t distract me again. Look at what I found.”

She handed the picture to Asher.

He wiped his hand on his jeans. “What’s this?” A smile pulled at the corner of his mouth as a wistful gaze filled his eyes. “When was this taken?”

“I think it was the day before the accident,” she said, pointing to the date on the back.

“Do you see anything strange?”

He flipped the photo back over and examined it. “What am I looking for?”

“In the back by the wood line. Do you see anything?”

He squinted and pulled the photo closer to his face. “I do... What is that?”

“You see the two glowing red eyes?”

He cocked his head, examining the picture. “Maybe? Is that what you think it is? I mean, I can see something like that.”

“I just keep seeing these two red eyes everywhere, it seems. What does it mean?”

“That sounds like a question for?—”

“Bridget,” they said in unison.

“Do you want to go find her?” Asher asked.

“No, I think I want to spend a night in... with you... out of these,” she said, letting her fingers dip below the waist of his jeans before yanking him close to her.

“I like how you think, Sunshine,” he said before pulling her in for a kiss.

As she opened to him, his tongue swept into her mouth.

The phone started ringing in her house.

“Hold that thought,” she said, giving him another quick kiss.

She turned to bound up the stairs to answer the phone but couldn’t seem to stop herself from whipping around for one last look at Asher.

When he grinned and wagged his eyebrows, she swooned.

“Hello?” she said, out of breath.

“Hey, Sunny, I was just making sure you were coming in tonight. I have you down for your first shift.”

“Oh my god, I’m so glad you called. I totally forgot. What time do you want me there?”

“If you want to head in at seven, I can show you around.”

“Okay, I’ll see you then.”

She hung up the phone and looked at the clock on the wall. It was already 5:45. She had enough time to shower and get ready... Sadly, the ideas for Asher would have to wait.

The screen door opened, and Asher entered the kitchen, looking better than anyone had the right to. Her face fell at the thought of not getting to follow through on their plans.

“What’s the matter?” he asked as he crossed over to the sink to wash his hands.

“I totally forgot I start bartending at Corner Tap tonight... So, my plans for you might have to wait,” she said before walking over and smacking his ass.

He turned his head over his shoulder, giving her a look that told her she was in for it.

“You do know I’m older.”

He reached for the towel and dried his hand as he turned and rested his hip against the counter, taking her in with his gaze that lit her on fire.

“Are you still pulling that? You are eight months older than me, Sunny... and we both know who’s in charge here.”

She crossed her arms, fixing to protest, but she loved it.

“The moon is full on Tuesday...” he said in almost a growl before stalking over to her. With his face mere inches from her, he said, “Maybe you need a reminder of who’s in charge.”

Holy fuck. How had she forgotten how easily he could undo her.

.. and while he was a shifter, sex with Asher in the full moon was something else.

His wolf was so close to the surface. And there were the changes in his anatomy that happened on that night.

Just thinking about it had desire pooling deep inside of her.

Asher cocked an eyebrow and took a deep sniff. “You like the thought of that.”

She bit back a smile. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Sunny went to kiss him, only for him to stand out of her reach.

Pulling back, she scoffed at him. Only then did he lower his head and kiss her. And when he kissed her, he fucking kissed her .

She pulled away, dazed, breathless, and dreamy-eyed.

“Go get ready. I’ll drive you in and be there to pick you up.”

“Asher, that’s not necessary?—”

“Sunny, I’m going to be there, keeping you company, until you get off. Then we’re coming back here, and I’m going to take you up on that offer from outside.”

“Oh,” she said, waiting for her brain to catch up, but it was struggling to do anything but want to rip off his clothes.

He smiled at her.

* * *

Before long, Asher was driving her into town in the direction of the Corner Tap. “I’m going to go home and get cleaned up and make some plans with Abe, but I’ll be back in a couple hours.” He pulled into the parking lot.

Sunny made her way into the bar.

“What got you grinning like a cat who just found the cream?” asked Dusty.

“Just ready for my first shift,” Sunny said with a smile.

She just raised a doubtful eyebrow. “Well, get back here. Let me show you the ropes.”