Page 71 of The Harder You Fall (Rixon Raiders 3)

“I know,” I whispered, curling my hands around the stool.

If I’d learned anything about Asher in my short time at Rixon, it was that he wore his heart on his sleeve. Sure, it was usually wrapped up in layers of jokes and humor, but if you looked hard enough, you’d find it right there. Vulnerable and defenseless.

I knew what he felt for me was more than just some crush. Because I felt it too.

“Just do me a solid and make sure you’re there to catch him, yeah?”

Covering my mouth, I smothered a soft laugh.

“What?” Jason asked.

“Nothing.” Everyone seemed so certain it would be me who hurt him.

I didn’t know what to think about that.

“I’m glad he found you, Mya.”

“What are you two talking about?” Asher appeared at my side. He spun the stool and took my hand, pulling me up, letting his hand drift down over the curve of my ass.

“Oh, you know… life, the universe, all that other boring shit,” Jason grunted, giving me one final pointed look. “I’ll catch the two of you later.”

The guys exchanged a nod before Asher anchored his hands at my waist. “Having fun?”

“Surprisingly, yes.”

“You’d tell me, right? If anyone said anything to you.”

“Stop.” I kissed him. “Worrying. I’m fine, everything’s fine. In fact, I was hoping we could go somewhere…”

“Somewhere?” Confusion crinkled his eyes, but they quickly widened. “Oh, you mean…” He swallowed hard. “Fuck, Mya.” Asher pulled me closer, brushing the stray curls from my face and letting his lips linger near my ear. “You’re serious?”

“I know I said I want to go slow, but this isn’t about taking it slow or moving too fast, it’s about what I feel. What we feel.” I eased back to look at him. “I want you, Asher.”

Awe glittered in his eyes as he dipped his head and kissed me softly. “I can’t believe I’m saying this,” he groaned. “But we need to wait. At least until the adults have drained the bar.”

“Oh, okay.” Dejection cinched my chest, and I dropped my eyes to the floor.

“Hey, hey.” Asher tilted my face back to his. “I want you. I want you so fucking much it hurts. But the things I want to do to you, with you, require time. I don’t want to screw this up.”

“Has anyone ever told you, you’re a sweet talker, Asher Bennet?”

“It may have been said before.” He kissed me again, hard and long, making a total scene of it. I heard a couple of gasps of astonishment but refused to give them credence. I wasn’t here for them, I was here for Asher.

For us.

“So, Mya Hernandez,” Asher lifted his head, grinning at me. “Do you think you can wait a little longer for me?”

I gave him a salacious smile. “If you promise to make it worth my while.”

“Fuck, I deserve a medal for this.” His gaze raked over me for the hundredth time tonight. I loved the way he looked at me. His heated gaze made me stand taller.

Leaning up, I nipped his earlobe. “Maybe we should spike their drinks, speed things up?”

Asher laughed at that, letting his gaze drift past me to the party going on behind us. He went rigid and I knew he’d spotted them, our small audience. “Or maybe I should just fuck you right here against the counter and give them something to really lose their shit over.”

I pulled out of his arms, wrapping my arms around my waist, staring at the floor. Asher let out a heavy sigh, sliding his fingers underneath my chin and angling my face back to his. “Crap, Mya, I didn’t mean… I see them, you know. I’ve seen them all fucking night.”

“Ignore them.” I pressed a hand to his cheek. “I am.” He remained still, his hard eyes still staring past me. “Ash, look at me. No one else matters but us.”