Page 39 of Proposal Play
Possessively, once more.
Moving me a little farther away from the redheaded man. For a few heavy seconds, he stares at the man with aget the fuck away from my womanlookin his eyes.
My pulse shoots to the moon.
When Asher’s gaze returns to me, I answer him.
“Yes,” I say, and I sound breathless. I feel breathless. Maybe it’s because tonight, the usual friendship rules don’t apply. Maybe we can break them this once and return to normal tomorrow.
When we leave Vegas, we’ll leave this all behind.
He glances around the table, as if he’s sizing up the crowd, and then takes his time tucking a curl of hair behind my ear, like he’s wanted to do that for some time. And like he wants them to know I’m with him. Right now, I am.
“Let’s bet on tonight,” Asher echoes, then plunksdown some chips. In the tone of a man determined to get what he wants, he says to the croupier, “Red.” He turns back to me, staring at my mouth, his voice deep, commanding as he says, “Like your lips after you’ve been kissed.”
Pretty sure my panties melt off.
“Red it is,” the croupier says.
The ball spins, my heart pounding as I watch it circle the wheel. It bounces once, twice, and then lands…
On red.
15
IT’S ALL COMING BACK TO ME
Maeve
When the door to our room shuts, my nerves gallop, but so does my excitement. I catch a glimpse of his duffel bag, with the box of condoms poking out. Kissing is one thing, but sex is entirely another. I don’t think I can have forget-about-it-tomorrow sex with Asher. It’s too intimate. And I’m too needy.
I need boundaries for my own emotional health. I place a hand on his chest. “Just kissing. That’s all.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t let you see the flamingos,” he says.
I laugh, and his comment erases my nerves. He knew what to say. Asher always knows what to say to settle my wild thoughts and my racing heart.
“Besides, there’s a marriage pact loophole where you get free kissing practice on your wedding night,” he adds.
“I had no idea. You’re quite the expert on marriage pacts,” I tease.
“Well, I did strike ours, and look—it paid off. You’re having fun.”
“I am,” I say, but then my nerves resurface. Where do we go? The bed? The couch? Here? Do we stand and make out?
Before I even have time to analyze all the logistics, Asher takes my hand and leads me to the couch. He sinks down on it, and I follow, sitting next to him. Closer than I usually do.
But now what? “This is awkward,” I observe, looking at my hands.
“Doesn’t have to be,” he replies, sounding relaxed, confident. Maybe I need that.
“Yeah?” Is it obvious how eager I am?
Of course it is. I bet him for a kiss.
He takes a beat, his gaze thoughtful, then asks, “Do you trust me?”
He said those words at the auction, and my answer came easily. It flies off my tongue tonight too. “Yes.”