T-Minus 8 Days
Floating on the drive to the clothing shop, Asher tried to lose the smitten grin that just wasn’t going anywhere. He’d slept with Sophie pasted to him all night again. No sex, just some good old fashioned making out.
And cuddling. Fuck, when had he ever cuddled? Even the word was scary. A little too teddy-bear. With Sophie, it was critical; made the air fresher and the blankets warmer.
This time, they’d ensured his bedroom door was locked and the bathroom door unlocked. They’d wedged shoes under both doors to ensure one stayed closed and the other open.
He’d managed to hide her birthday presents in his closet and couldn’t wait to surprise her tonight. His mother hadn’t been at all surprised by the fact that it was Sophie’s birthday.
“I know,” she’d said. “Sophie’s been dreading this birthday for years, knowing her aunt will come, manipulating as she does.”
“Shouldn’t we celebrate anyway? Something lowkey? She’s been a trooper with all the crazy wedding business.”
Denise flashed him a sly grin. “Of course we’re celebrating. I was going to say something sooner, in case you wanted to pick up a gift or something, but I actually haven’t seen you without her around in a while. Just us, plus I invited Freya and Grady to join us. Lincoln too, of course.”
Why was he surprised? Denise didn’t miss a trick. “I was at Larissa’s yesterday and ordered a few pies for today; thought I’d pick them up after the fittings are done. Sophie mentioned she likes a seasonal fruit pie.”
With no more than a whisper of a questioning eyebrow raise, Denise quickly covered her reaction. “That was very thoughtful. I was just going to pick up a cake from the grocery store later.”
He sighed, not quite sure what to make of her response. Was she surprised that he was being considerate or that he had done something special specifically for Sophie? “I’m a thoughtful guy.”
Was he a thoughtful guy? It could rarely be said that Asher Sutherland performed acts of selflessness. Making for the door, he started to leave for the damn fittings, but paused at the doorknob. Turning, he added, “Mom, I’m sorry about all the shit I put you through.”
Her expression unreadable, she managed a half-smile that only puzzled him more, “I won’t say you were an easy kid. Too smart for your own good, but too foolish to do anything useful with that brain. The more your dad tried to reign you in with structure, the more you pushed away. So, I compensated by babying you, which didn’t help you build up much resilience, I suppose. Somehow, despite us, you turned out pretty darn great.” By the time she finished, her eyes were glossy, and she bit her upper lip until it turned white.
Closing the distance between them, he pulled his mom in for a bear hug, and rested his chin on her head. “It took me a while to figure it all out. Thanks for always letting me just be me.” He kissed the top of her head and pulled away again. “My ducks are finally starting to line up, so hang in there with me a little longer.”
She winked at him. “I know it, honey. As soon as you figure out how to make your own dinner, I think you’ll be just fine.”
Opening the front door, he winked back, “What fun would that be?” Heart a little fuller than it had been an hour ago, he sauntered out to his truck.
Until he saw his watch. Shit. He hoped he made it in time. He had to reschedule therapy for the stupid fitting today but hoped to report good news to his therapist next time.
Last week had been intense. He’d been encouraged set a goal to tell his dad his career plans by the end of the week. That prospect was stressful enough. He could broach the Sophie topic with Pippa later. Despite her fury, she scared him a little less than Paul.
Pulling into the last parking spot on the block, Asher dove out of the truck and headed for Tracey’s. The shop was pretty typical, he supposed, for the sole clothing shop in town. Foothills had been pretty stubborn in resisting big box stores, so they were lucky to still have locally owned shops like Tracey’s and Sutherland’s and the diner.
A limited, but diverse selection of dresses, bridal, and other event wear was tastefully displayed on the back wall, and the right half of the store was dedicated to men’s ware, including the dreaded tuxedo and suit options. Not his style, but it was perfect for what they needed.
As soon as he entered, Tracey made straight for him before he could head to the fitting rooms. Setting down the dress she’d straightened on the hanger, she smiled as she stopped his beeline for the back. “Asher Sutherland. I heard what you did at the bank. Lorna Stephens tells me you saved her life; all of their lives. The whole town is talking about it. I already wrote off the price of your tuxedo. It’s the least I can do to thank you.”
Tracey perhaps should have retired a decade ago, the tremor in her hands was a terrifying prospect for anyone needing alterations. He tried not to stare as he imagined the potential injury in his near future. “That’s generous of you. You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to. It’s good to have good men like you in town.” She shrugged with a slight blush in her cheeks. “That maid of honor is running a tight ship. Kicked out the bride when she panicked that the bridesmaid dresses were slightly more peach than pink. Apparently, Pippa is now relaxing and getting a massage. Much calmer back there now, but Sophie sure is keeping Lucy busy.”
She paused, realizing Asher hadn’t been back in town long enough to catch up on all the gossip. “Lucy’s my granddaughter. Just moved here from Anchorage, and I’m hoping she’ll let me retire soon. She’ll be seeing if we need any adjustments and should have everything ready to be picked up the day before the wedding.”
Suddenly all business, she led him by the arm and sent him to the back like she was launching a paper airplane. “And remind that maid of honor she needs to try her dress on still.”
He masked his sigh of relief that tremoring Tracey wasn’t going to use him as an oversized pincushion. Sophie caught him at the door to the fitting rooms and wordlessly directed him straight toward the rack, with more determination and accuracy than her inept dart throwing.
The back was actually pretty cool. Sort of a private gathering space. An oversized trifold mirror with a pedestal in the middle for standing took up one section, with two couches and a chair forming a U around it. Greenery warmed up the room, and along the wall there were glamourous black and white photographs from past events. There were four fitting rooms along the wall, each with full length plantation-style doors.
“Three down, three to go.” Sophie had an official wedding tablet with a running list of notes from today’s fittings. She looked quite official, albeit not the prim looking wedding planner, in her distressed skinny jeans, flip flops and strappy tank.
All work and no play, she directed him to fitting room four. “Alright Sutherland, you’re up next.”
Grabbing her by the waistband, he dragged her into the fitting room, stole a quick kiss, and patted her on the ass as she escaped back to her duties. Laughing, she went to check on Lincoln. Asher quickly changed into the tux, having no idea how to tie the… was it a tie? A cravat? What the hell was this excessive piece of fabric?
Coming out in the pants, shoes, and unbuttoned dress shirt, he held up the rest and begged for help. Lincoln came out of number two at the same time, back in his street clothes with the tux neatly hung on the hanger.
Lincoln laughed out loud, slapping his leg when he saw Asher. “Need a little help there?”
“Shut it,” Asher growled affably.
Putting his hands up in defense, Lincoln backed out of the room. “I didn’t pick it out. Speaking of, I’d better go check on Pippa. Poor thing was hyperventilating until Sophie made her an emergency appointment for a massage.”
Lucy flitted into the room with refreshed supplies. “Oh my. Let’s get you started.” Although fifty years her grandmother’s junior, she was remarkably alike in mannerisms… and the tremor. Cringing, he recalled all the acts of bravery in the last eight years of his life to muster his courage.
Humbly, Asher let Lucy poke and prod until she was satisfied. Standing isolated, feeling oddly vulnerable on the pedestal, his reflection all around, he felt like a fucking Ken doll on display. All with a tremulous hand holding a needle frighteningly close to a rather sensitive area.
The humiliation was complete as Lucy then awkwardly tied his stupid neck-thing. Humming while she worked, likely to distract herself, she finally nodded in satisfaction and set him free. Thankfully, he hadn’t needed many pins.
Finally able to turn around, Asher’s breath caught in his throat as he saw Sophie waiting patiently in her bridesmaid gown. Fucking knockout. The slip-style silk dress clung in all the right places, accenting the subtle curves of her long, lean frame. It flowed like water as she walked, the slit revealing her spectacular legs.
Shyly, she bit her lower lip as his eyes explored every inch of her appreciatively when she was on full display standing on the pedestal. As quickly as he could muster, he changed out of the ridiculous penguin suit and back into his jeans so he could watch the action.
Tsk’ing, Lucy shook her head at Sophie in disappointment. “Do you have another bra?” She whispered so Asher wouldn’t hear such naughty talk.
In an ordinary speaking voice, Sophie shrugged. “No. What’s wrong with this one?”
Scowling, Lucy walked around her a few times. “It’s just not quite right. Why don’t you go slip that one off and hang on a minute? I have another one that might work better.”
Sophie slipped out of the bra while remaining on the pedestal. Sighing with pure satisfaction, Asher tried to not let Lucy see his response as the silk draped low, the details the bra had been hiding now nicely visible through the silk. She’d clearly been cautious of his lecherous ways as she hadn’t wanted him to even hear the word bra.
Blushing, Lucy skittered to the front of the store.
Joining Sophie on the pedestal, Asher approached and stood almost close enough to feel the smooth silk of her dress. “You embarrassed her,” he admonished with a teasing lilt in his voice, his eyebrow raised in challenge.
Rolling her eyes with a goofy grin, Sophie teased him back. “You embarrassed her more. Besides, I think she has a crush on you. Your tailoring was quite meticulous.”
Shuffling in her homely steps, Lucy hurried back as fast as she could muster. Out of breath, she shot Asher a glare until he moved off the pedestal. Holding up a strapless, well-padded pushup bra, she handed it to Sophie. “Try this.”
She unzipped the back of her dress and looped the bra through her top, just managing to keep covered. Lucy tried to hide her blush this time but failed miserably.
“That looks awfully difficult to secure. I’m good with my hands; I can help,” Asher offered quite magnanimously. Poor Lucy’s cheeks turned a fiery red.
Working a few contortions, Sophie finally managed to secure the bra herself. Pulling and tucking, she figured it out better than he had his tie. Zipping up the dress, she turned to show off her new look. Breasts fully on display now, like a busty barmaid from the good old days, she flashed Asher a come-hither wink.
Voice downright shrill now, Lucy backed away. “That bra works much better with the dress. You’re all set then. I’m going to take a lunch break. I’ll have my grandmother notify me when that other groomsman arrives.”
Watching the mousy little thing run out of the fitting area, Sophie stifled her laugh. “I’m told she’s an excellent seamstress. Don’t scare her away.”
“Hey, you’re the one that winked at me with those spectacular breasts on display.” Lucy actually was pretty under all the shyness with her big, expressive chocolate eyes; she just didn’t quite seem to have a comfort with people.
With a final show-off turn on the pedestal, Sophie stepped down to go change. Without waiting for permission, Asher followed her into the dressing room, closing the door behind them.
Facing away from him, Sophie pulled her hair up and out of the way. “Mind getting my zipper for me?”
Leaning against the door, he folded his arms across his chest. “I liked watching you do it better.”
“If you’re not going to be helpful, then get out.” She sounded like she wanted to be serious, but her heart just wasn’t in it.
“Fine. If you insist.” Stepping up close, Asher gently pressed his body against her backside. Painstakingly slowly, he lowered the zipper, grazing his hand along her skin as he went. Lowering each thin strap separately, he kissed her shoulders in turn. “Happy birthday,” he whispered against her skin.
The silky dress slid down and draped delicately at her feet. Reaching around, he ran his hand along the tops of her breasts, still extraordinarily ample in the pushup bra. Slipping his hand into the bra, he teased her tight bud. Sophie let out a soft whimper before she caught herself and quieted.
With a quick flick of his wrist, Asher had the bra off and flipped it across the room in a flash. Breasts free, standing in nothing but strappy heels and a whisper of a pink satin thong, Asher watched her reflection in the mirror. Caressing, grazing his hand along the side of her breasts, then grasping her perfectly shaped breasts with both hands from behind, he watched as her head tilted back in erotic response.
“Open your eyes,” he whispered in her ear. “You are so beautiful.” Sliding his hand into her thin panties, he rubbed her center.
Her skin heated against him. Listening to her breaths coming quicker, he increased his pace and firmly circled, driving her wild until she panted faster and faster as her climax approached.
Loving how he could make her feel, he broke contact for the briefest of moments, turned and backed her against the wall. “Keep watching,” he insisted.
“Hurry.”
Not a sound from outside the dressing room, he continued his exploration. Dammit, he should have waited until they were at home, where he could draw this out. When he could truly let her know how beautiful she was.
Slipping the scrap of satin she wore out of his way, he dropped to his knees in front of her. As she stood there wearing nothing but stiletto heels, he about came at the sight. Warm velvet against her slick petals, he ran his tongue across her core. She moaned before remembering where they were and bit her tongue.
Spreading her legs apart at his silent urging, she held his head for support, and pulled his mouth against her in desperate need. Flicking, vibrating, sucking, he drove her rapidly into overwhelming, triumphant orgasm.
The sensation coming so quickly, she shuddered and clung to him before she collapsed. Pleased with himself, Asher kissed her inner thigh before pulling away.
Catching her breath, Sophie suddenly remembered where they were, blinked away the moment and abruptly searched for her underwear. Asher grabbed it off the floor and returned it reluctantly. Fuck, she’d tasted so good.
It had taken every last scrap of willpower to not beg for more. “I don't think that counts as sex, right?”
Sophie laughed as she pulled on her jeans, “I’m really not sure that’s true, but let's not argue semantics and just go with it.”
“Thank god. Me too.”
Sophie fastened her pants and slipped on her shoes, but looked frantically for her own bra.
She didn’t need to say anything, he offered, “You left it out there.”
“I’m a little naked here still; mind grabbing it for me?” She gave him a winning smile he couldn’t refuse. Glancing down at his raging erection, she added, “Although, you may want to deal with that, or poor Lucy will have a heart attack.”
He managed to pull his gaze away from her topless with jeans look. Damn. Wasn’t easy. Her expression hazy, she was as lost as he was.
After a stern talking to, looking away from her gorgeous body, his erection was mostly calmed down. Asher dashed out to grab her bra from the pedestal. Tossing it in the air, he juggled it a bit on his way to return it to Sophie.
“Something I should know?” Grady stood in the doorway where he’d clearly just come in.
Or hopefully just come in. Shit, if he’d heard anything… Asher may know he was in it for the long haul with Sophie already, but others wouldn’t know that yet. Or would believe it of him.
“What?” Asher blinked and played dumb while he figured out exactly how much Grady had observed. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Sophie pull closed the dressing room door. “Oh, this. Lucy, the seamstress, she helped Sophie change her bra out to one that fit the dress better. I’m just grabbing it for her so she can get changed.”
Daggers coming out of his eyes, it was clear Grady wasn’t born yesterday. Glancing down, he saw the lingering tenting action going on. Gritting his teeth, Grady went to the rack to grab his tux. He opened his mouth to say something but managed to hold it back.
For now.
A disembodied arm shot into the dressing room, her bra dangling from the hand.
“Thanks,” she said in a shaky breath. Shit. Grady totally knew.
Dressing as quickly as possible, Sophie hung up her dress with the new bra and added it to the rack. Asher was gone by the time she got out. Guilt left a nasty taste in her mouth, but not because of what they’d just done. That she wouldn’t, couldn’t regret.
Despite some of her rebellion on escaping from her aunt, she’d never been excessively promiscuous. Never would have had the gall to do something like that in a dressing room. Not that she planned to make a habit of it, but around Asher, she was overwhelmed with exciting sensations of lust and thrill and… a deep-seated happiness.
Lucy shuffled back in a few minutes later. Wordlessly, she grabbed her tailoring gear and waited at the pedestal for the final groomsman.
Looking dashing in a perfectly completed tuxedo, Grady came out of dressing room number one a moment later. He barely spared Sophie a glance. Good thing, as Sophie had no idea what to say. Knew the word GUILTY was pasted across her forehead in big, bold red ink.
Lucy was well into her inspection when Grady couldn’t stay silent any longer. “How long?” He glanced at Sophie through the mirror. His expression dark, lips drawn tight.
She wanted to act like she didn’t know what he was asking but was never one to lie. Omitting the truth was bad enough. “It’s not what you think.”
“So, you weren’t just fucking Asher?” Acid spit from his mouth, somehow his tone even more callous than the harsh words he spoke. Lucy’s hand shook as she pinned the cuffs. Too bad she wasn’t working on the crotch area and pricked the prick.
“I said, it’s not what you think. I… Asher… Yes, we’ve been sort of seeing each other. Yes, we had a… moment in the dressing room.” Why was she answering to him? She didn’t owe him anything. Pippa and Lincoln had certainly been trying to push them together, but she didn’t think she’d ever led him to think they were an item.
“Hey, if you’re looking to be another bedpost notch, I’ll accommodate you. Likely with a little more finesse.” His words were still acid, but his expression was rapidly revealing more hurt than anger.
Hoping she hadn’t hurt him, hadn’t led him on, she didn’t know whether to smack him upside the head for being an asshole or let him down easy. She settled for somewhere in between. “So far your finesse is seriously lacking. I like you Grady. I did, anyway. It’s none of your damn business what goes on between Asher and me. But… I’m happy.”
Expression pained, his brow scrunched, he glanced again at her through the mirror. Lucy continued her pinning, feigning disinterest and thankfully not acknowledging the conversation. In this business, she might as well get used to dressing room talk.
Sophie fought the threatening tears, terrified she’d lose her best friend, Asher, or both. “With the wedding coming up and Pippa already stressed out, we don’t want anyone to know just yet. Please. Whatever your feelings, for Pippa’s sake, and by extension Lincoln’s, please don’t say anything.”
Inhaling deeply, exhaling slowly, Grady nodded. “I won’t say anything. But, when he does exactly what everyone expects him to do, I’m not taking sloppy seconds.” Poor Lucy’s hands were quivering uncontrollably.
“I think you can finish up here by yourself.” Shoving Pippa’s wedding tablet into her purse, she stormed out of the building.
Sophie slammed the CR-V door, furious with Grady. Furious with Pippa. She didn’t regret one minute with Asher. If she’d just brought her stupid bra to the fitting room. None of Grady’s business, that was for damn sure.
Trying her best to not exceed the speed limit or run any stop signs in her fury, Sophie drove home overly cautiously. She did let herself kick up a bit too much dust on the driveway in her anger. Asher’s truck was in the garage, his legs sticking out from under it again.
Calming herself as best she could, she walked over and hunched down to get his attention. “Hey,” she said.
Wheeling out from under the truck, he smiled sadly when he saw her. “Hey.” Rising to stand in front of her, Asher brushed a stray lock of hair out of her eyes but didn’t linger.
“Grady’s pissed, but he won’t say anything.” She stood inches away, afraid to touch him or she’d fall apart.
“What did he say?” Asher raised his hand to touch her again, but pulled away before he made the contact they both craved.
“Nothing that would surprise you. Comments about bedpost notches, sloppy seconds.” Before she knew it, her fingernails were right in her mouth. Dammit, not again. After getting that one last bit that she just couldn’t resist, she shoved her hands in her pockets.
Clenching his jaw so tight she was afraid he may break a tooth, he seethed. “I’ve said it before, but maybe we really should hold off for a bit. Everyone’s tense, ready to pounce on anyone for just about anything.”
A stray tear rolled down her cheek. Stupid emotions. Sniffling before any other emotion tried to trickle down her face, Sophie nodded.
She liked angry better. Unleashing a taste of the resentment she’d been holding back, she stomped her foot. “No. I like you. Even if this fizzles,” she gestured between the two of them, “I’m not going anywhere. This is my life, and I get to decide who I date. I’ve given up enough on behalf of others. No matter how much I love your sister, this is my life and my decision.”
She paused, briefly, but clearly was on a roll. “I’m a grownup. I’m not going to stop being Pippa’s friend if I get mad at you. Decent people don’t judge others based on the behavior of others.”
Still standing back, hands shoved deeply in his pockets, Asher looked torn. “I haven’t given up enough for others. Certainly not my family. For that, I should give you up–”
Heart already breaking, she turned to leave. Not wanting to hear the rest.
Running to catch her, Asher didn’t touch her but stopped in front to slow her progress. “Wait, I wasn’t finished, dammit. You’re so certain of rejection… I’m not giving up on this,” like she had, he gestured between the two of them. “As much as I’ve always come off as a selfish bastard, I’ve also spent my entire life floundering, not finding anything that mattered enough to stand up for.”
Shaking his head, he searched the cluttered garage for the right words. Satisfied with his next words, his gazed bored into her. “I want you. I’m going to fight for you. Whatever it takes.”
Asher, someone she was attracted to beyond reason, a man she enjoyed even just coexisting with, was pledging to fight for her. There wasn’t anyone she trusted to truly fight for her in a really, really long time, and he had a hell of a reputation working against him. Despite all that, she believed him.
Brushing away her tear with his thumb, his tone became less strained, his tense muscles easing. “You’re gorgeous, thoughtful, intelligent. Stubborn, fierce. Sexy as fuck.” He grinned at her, gulping down the final lump of uncertainty. “It was clear Pippa and Lincoln had wanted you and Grady to hit it off. He wanted it, too. Looked at you longer than I like. Checked out your tits enough I wanted to sock him.”
With a small, teary chuckle, she teased, “My tits?”
“Hey, when an opponent is staring at your girl’s magnificent breasts, it’s easy to get a little crass. He was making some pretty obvious moves in your direction. You just weren’t paying attention.” Asher pulled her against him and wrapped his arms around her. His cheek rested on the top of her head.
“I was too busy noticing someone else’s moves,” she chuckled as she burrowed in.
“I do have some good moves.” His chest expanded as he inhaled deeply. “As usual, I fucked up everyone’s plans. I’m having trouble regretting it this time.”
Her face nuzzled against him, she nodded. “We’ll figure it out.” Feeling so remarkably at home in his arms, she knew it was true.