Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 68743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Nikki thought back. “Well, it’s hard to say. We were all together for the show. Hair, makeup, it was crowded. But I don’t recall her slipping away.”
“So it’s possible she took the keys, handed them to someone who had them copied and returned them,” Asher said.
Nikki pulled out of his embrace and leaned back, meeting his gaze. “So you think she had an accomplice?”
“I’ve never met her, but I don’t think she’s smart enough to do it alone. Someone so consumed with hatred that you’d cut ties would be blinded by jealousy. They’d need help to pull off getting into your apartment, hiding a camera, and leaving again,” he said.
“Now you sound like Zach.” She glanced over her shoulder, checking on Lucky, who was still in the water, before turning back to Asher.
“We Dare men think alike, but in this case, I’ll admit we talked before I came to find you. Those are his theories.”
“He gave me that impression, too.” With a lot fewer words.
Asher slid a hand behind her head and pulled her closer. “Stop thinking so hard. Zach will get a handle on the situation. In the meantime, you need other things to focus on.” He dipped his head closer and sealed his lips over hers.
She kissed him back, enjoying the warmth of his kiss, the sensations he effortlessly pulled from her body. He shifted until he was on his knees and pushed her back into the sand and an uncontrollable laugh escaped.
“That’s not the reaction I was looking for.” His eyes twinkled like dark gems.
“I was thinking how hard it was going to be to get the sand out of my hair.”
He smoothed a hand over her cheek, brushing the long strands off her face. “Something else is extremely hard,” he said, rubbing his thick erection against her lower belly.
Sensations raced over her and she moaned, arching her hips to grind against him. Suddenly a spray of water hit them, soaking Asher most because he was on top.
“Shit!” He rolled off her, and she sat up to find Lucky shaking his body, water flying off his fur.
Nikki laughed, something finally breaking the wall of depression that had surrounded her since hearing from Derek. “Lucky, cut that out!”
“Cock blocker,” Asher muttered. He rose to his feet, extending a hand toward Nikki.
She placed her palm in his and let him pull her up.
“Come on. Looks like we all need a shower.” Asher glared at the pup, but she caught the hint of a smile lifting his lips.
The dog had grown on him and she loved it.
“The mutt is going with Maggie, and you are coming with me so we can finish what we started,” Asher said as they trudged to the house in their sand-covered clothes.
A shiver of anticipation slid through her, and she decided she’d let Maggie bathe the dog one more time and make it up to her later.
* * *
The stress of the morning had gotten to Nikki, and after their shared shower, she crawled into Asher’s bed and fell into a deep sleep. Although she said she had trouble sleeping, being in his bed obviously soothed her.
He left her there and spent the day with his brothers, something they didn’t get to do often since they were usually too busy. In the past, they’d tell stories about their one-night stands or rib each other about their shitty choices in women. Today was different.
Asher refused to discuss his situation with Nikki, not until he figured his shit out for himself. Harrison insisted nothing had changed in his attitude about short flings, and there was no one special in his life. But his attitude was unusually curt, making Asher wonder what was really going on with Winter, the reporter. Zach, as always, claimed he got laid often enough and changed the subject to the bar. Which meant they talked about work.
* * *
To Asher’s surprise, his father and Serenity returned early and joined them in the family room, where they laughed and reminisced about vacations they’d taken and stories about the triplets and the trouble they used to get into. And they promised to get everyone back here together sometime soon.
Asher caught sight of Nikki slipping past everyone and heading upstairs. Assuming she still needed time to process and wanted to avoid the family, he didn’t call her back. Maggie was planning a special meal for Michael and Serenity’s anniversary, and he knew she wouldn’t miss it, if only to be polite. For now, she deserved some quiet alone time.
“Asher, can we talk?” his father asked, breaking into his thoughts.
Asher had been waiting for this conversation and rose to his feet. “Study?”
“Sure.” Michael followed him as he walked out of the main area and toward the smaller room where they’d spoken with Derek this morning.
The dark wood floor-to-ceiling shelves held a variety of books for everyone’s taste, from classics to mystery to romance and nonfiction. The chairs and sofa were a neutral-colored leather, and Asher sat beside his father on the soft-cushioned couch.