Page 111 of Second Sets Omnibus

“You guys can't give up your dreams because of me. I can finish school anywhere,” I say with a shrug. “It's basically all online, anyways.” At least, that's what I planned to do on our trip. All my professors agreed to send me online material to complete while I was gone.

“But your mom,” Rad says with a frown, running a hand across his neck. “You'd leave her?”

The realization smacks me square in the face, and my stomach sinks into the depths of my churning stomach. Could I leave my mother, who is so ill amid a flare-up that she’s barely functioning? Could I leave her while she’s hobbling around on her broken ankle with no income? Shit. Sweat breaks out on my brow as the worry slams into me and knocks the breaths from my lungs.

“I don't know,” I say, swallowing the cold, hard truth.

“Don't you dare worry about me, River. My health is on the rise. My medicine is getting squared away, and I can move more. Enjoy this tiny vacation, okay? You're nineteen. You shouldn't have to worry about your mother,” she says, cradling my face with a sad smile.

“But, Ma. I'll be away in another state for like a week. I can't just…”

“You can and you will. This is my illness to carry. Besides, the nurse is coming over again to help me get around and help with showers and meds. Even she says I'm on my way to coming out of this flare-up.” She cringes when she holds a hand to her side and shakes her head. “It's just a pesky bladder infection. I've got antibiotics to help and all the pain meds I need. I have a neighbor and a nurse on speed dial. Please, be a kid for once,” she pleads with me, and my eyes well up, burning with unshed tears.

“Okay,” I say as a tear slips down my cheek.

The responsibility I hold for my mother sits heavily on my chest. Her well-being is something that goes through my mind on several occasions. All I can think about when I'm away is, is she okay? Did she fall? Can she walk without feeling dizzy and make it to the bathroom, okay? Can she get to the store? So many damn worries rest on my shoulders when I'm running around working two jobs and trying to balance it with some fun with Whispered Words.

“Go have fun. Don't worry about me. Come back refreshed and renewed.” Her smile lights up the room, and she looks healthier than ever when she kisses my cheek and returns to her recliner. That night we had dinner together in front of the television, watching some murder mystery she loves. We laugh for the first time in a long time together and enjoy each other’s company.

“Enough of that,” Asher barks, raising a brow when he pulls out an entire bottle of fancy tequila, staring at it. A wrinkle forms on his brow, and he scoffs. “Seriously? We send you for food, and you come back with seven bottles of tequila?” he asks with a grunt, pulling out multiple bottles of booze and setting them down on the countertop.

“Tequila makes her panties drop,” Rad says with a scoff, taking the bottle from him and cradling it in his arms like a baby. “And the lube makes the booty pop,” he says, nodding to the large bottle of lube Asher places on the counter with twisted lips.

“Pretty sure you don't need tequila to make Little Brat’s panties drop. She does that all on her own,” he quips with a cocky smirk. “But the booty pop? Well, we can make that happen tonight.” He shrugs when I blanch, and my butt cheeks instinctively clench together at his unsaid promise.

“I think I need to sleep with a salt circle around me tonight,” I grumble, flipping him off. A glorious smile spreads across Asher's lips when he barks out a laugh, grabs the bottle of booze, uncaps it, and gulps down a few swigs.

“Ah, the return of Evil Ash!” Rad proclaims, thumping Asher on the back several times until he chokes and rights himself, swiping a hand across his wet lips. Asher promptly shoves him away with a grunt, cursing him under his breath.

“All right,” Callum says, stepping up to the bags. “Let's grill some steaks, drink some tequila, and maybe utilize the hot tub?” At that, his eyes turn to me, and I grin.

“Sounds like a good plan,” I say as we get to work seasoning the steaks.

We drink mixed drinks and watch a few movies for the rest of the night. Once we're good and sloshed, we head out to the hot tub and take advantage of the warm bubbles and jetted sides.

The same happens every night we're locked away in this glorious house. We even convince Rad to skinny-dip in the freezing lake on a dare. Let's say little Rad didn't fare well when he jumped out of the water and ran for the house, screaming bloody murder. We laughed our asses off that night, getting sloppy drunk, and fucking on almost every surface of the house.

When Rad saidhe wanted to defile it, he meant it. The couch. The kitchen. Every bed in the house. Against the railing and on the stairs. Up against the fridge and in the shower. No surface went untouched as we went rounds and rounds every night since we’d stepped foot into the castle house of fucking.

The only person who didn't take the bait was Asher. It's been six nights of him on the sidelines with those hazel eyes flaring with lust as the guys take turns railing me over and over again. I was the fruit for the taking right in reach, but he never caved. He sat in the corner of the room, stroking himself to oblivion, coming hard with my silent name on his lips. But there's always something holding him back from taking what he wants—me.

So, tonight is our last night at the house, and I promised myself I’d seduce the ever-living fuck out of the man standing on the sidelines. Operation get Asher to fuck me is in full effect, and boy, is he taking the bait at every turn. The more alcohol he drinks, the fierier the looks he tosses in my direction, heating my entire being. Asher rests on the edge with his toes testing thewaters. But what will it take for him to dive headfirst and take the leap? Only time will tell, but I'll try my hardest to convince him.

“Who's ready for the hot tub? One last time?” Rad asks, looking around the eight-seater, oak dining room table with massive, hopeful eyes. Without answering, he throws his shirt off and tosses it aside, revealing his gorgeous, tattooed chest and slim waist. “We'll all go naked this time. No more boxers or hiding your heinie! Time to let it all hang out.” He emphasizes his words by wiggling his hips and brows simultaneously, giving me a slow, seductive smirk.

Asher drunkenly frowns, takes a swig of the last bottle of straight tequila, and shakes his head. “I'm not getting naked with you,” he scoffs, wrinkling his nose.

“Aw! Come on, man! Live a little. Those who get naked together get pussy together! You need to loosen up and get some,” Rad whines, leaning his elbows on the table and puffing out his bottom lip.

I snort into my now empty glass and set it down. “Maybe I don't want to get naked with you either,” I quip, raising a brow when Asher's gaze sears through me, and I fucking melt under his stare, heating me from one to a boiling one hundred. My face flushes when I reach for the bottle of tequila and take a large gulp, hating the burn running down my throat.

“Why wouldn't you, Little Brat?” Asher asks, furrowing his brows. “Stand up,” he gestures calmly, waving his wrist.

I cross my arms over my chest, running my tongue along my bottom lip. “Why?” I ask in defiance, earning a chuckle from Kieran.

“I'll get the hot tub going. Then, we're getting naked,” Kieran says, giving Asher a pointed stare before walking out of the room toward the hot tub resting on the deck outside in the frigid air.

“Stand up,” Asher directs, leisurely taking a drink and gulping it down. His red-glazed eyes stare holes through me, lighting me on fire without saying more words. “And come here,” he demands with a feral growl, pointing to the table in front of him.