The Day After
Trapped in a Sophie-cage of arms, legs, and her wild blondish hair, Asher tried to roll out of bed the next morning. Limb by limb, he attempted to free himself, but she just gripped more tightly. Those long limbs were incredibly nimble.
“Wake up. Let’s go for a run,” he pleaded, his voice raspy from too many sleepless nights. Although, as long nights went, he would happily repeat last night as often as possible.
Sophie had been worth the wait. Not that most would consider three weeks waiting, but for him, it had felt like an eternity. Hell, his longest wait before Sophie had been about three hours. All that pent-up sexual frustration for both had led to a fucking amazing night.
Brushing her hair out of her face, she squinted at the sun shining in the window. She pouted, “Didn’t you get enough exercise last night?”
Grinning, he dragged her out of bed with him. “Yeah, but if we move along, we can do it in the shower before anyone else wakes up.”
By eight o’clock, they’d run, enjoyed a spectacularly erotic shower, and were downstairs to enjoy the quiet of the morning. As usual, his parents either slept in late or had taken their coffee to bed to watch the morning news.
Asher carried his coffee out to the front patio and held the door open for Sophie. “I think I’ll go shopping for a new truck today. Wanna come?”
Bundled in his sweatshirt to combat the cool breeze that had blown in overnight, Sophie curled up in her usual chair. “Fun as that sounds, we have to go to the station today.”
Shaking his head, he scowled as he settled into his chair. “Shit. I forgot. After?”
Sophie nudged him playfully with her foot. “How about I drop you off at the dealership while I go look at some rental houses? As much as I appreciate your parents letting me crash here, it’s time.”
“Fine. I’ll shop alone. I hate dickering. If they give me the runaround, mind coming down to make sure I’m not getting fleeced?” He waggled his eyebrows at her.
“I can do that. I’ll play dumb, then tear apart the crappy deal they’ve proposed.”
Nodding, he was already turned on by her brain. When had he found math skills so damn sexy? “It’s a date.”
She rolled her eyes playfully. “I’m starving.” Pleasantly sore from head to toe, she stretched like a sleepy cat as she rose from the chair. Asher liked seeing her wear his sweatshirt; although she swam in it, she looked adorable.
If he played his cards right, maybe she’d take pity on him and cook a real breakfast rather than the toast he’d likely stuff down out of laziness and culinary ineptitude. “Eggs? Bacon?”
“Only if you’re cooking. I was thinking yogurt.” Her accusatory glare was comical.
Moping, Asher followed her into the kitchen and stared desperately into the fridge. “You don’t want to suffer my cooking.” He could cook some basics, but nothing anyone wanted to actually eat. Alone, he could survive off of rubbery eggs for breakfast, bagged salads and PB&J for lunch, then an overcooked steak for dinner. Didn’t enjoy it, but it was something.
“I know. Your mom implied you may be looking for a sweet little wife to cook all of your meals for you.” Reaching around him to grab herself a yogurt, she leaned against the opposite counter and opened the container.
“Looking to help me with that?” He shut the fridge, no longer interested in breakfast, and stepped up to her. Pressing his body against hers, he nibbled along her neck, her jaw.
“Fifty-fifty, pal,” she teased as he traced his hands up her sides, gently pulling up her shirt. Laughing, she set the yogurt down so she could tug her shirt back down.
He nipped her ear. “How about we work out a mutually satisfying system. You cook and I find other ways to balance our relationship.” Skimming his hand along her skin until he reached her pert breast, he left the shirt in place this time as a compromise. See? He could be fair.
A soft, breathless sigh escaped her lips. Continuing his exploration of her body under her clothes with his hands, his mouth explored hers, plundering in hasty urgency. Increasingly desperate for her, he scooped her up and set her on the counter. He pulled her against him, and she wrapped her legs around him, holding him securely.
Realizing the kitchen was a stupid place to start this, he tried to pull away. Sophie gripped the waistband of his jeans and pulled him close again. “Let’s go upstairs,” she whispered breathlessly.
Before they could release each other, he suddenly became very aware they were not alone. Pippa stood in the doorway, her eyes wide with horror. Biting her lip to keep from screaming out, she fled, slamming the door shut behind her.
“Shit.” Asher raced full speed for the door. Sophie tried to follow. Holding up his hand, he pleaded, “Give me a minute.” Shit. Shit. Shit. She’d never forgive them, finding out like this.
Tearing out the front door, Asher ran and caught Pippa before she could climb back in the car. He leaned against the passenger door to block her from running away. Lincoln was just getting out of the driver’s door and knew immediately what was up.
“Please, Pip. Let me explain.” Asher’s chest throbbed with a deep, gnawing ache, hating that he’d hurt his sister. Knowing she’d understand and maybe even be happy if she could just hear him out. Folding his arms across his chest protectively, he braced himself for her disapproval.
“Explain what? That you needed a little something last night and slept with my best friend? Again?” She was furious, pacing and kicking dirt. He’d never seen her quite this angry before.
From across the car, Lincoln tried to speak, but she shot shut-up arrows out her eyes at him.
Asher clenched his jaw in rapid fire, panic rising. “Yes.”
As anticipated, she had not expected an admission of guilt. Simple wording. She’d expected defensiveness and long explanations. Spinning on her heel, she stepped a few paces closer and stood stiffly with her hands gripped at her sides. At least she was listening for a moment.
“Yes, I slept with her last night. And I plan to again. Every night for the rest of my life, if she’ll have me.” He paused, allowing for the inevitable retort. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Sophie coming out and waiting at the front door looking worried. He didn’t dare break eye contact with Pippa.
“How could you do that to me? You’re not driving away another one of my friends because you’re so damn impulsive you can’t think about how it affects me.”
She stomped her foot and stalked a few feet closer to Sophie, but didn’t get too close. “And you? You knew how I felt. You. Knew.”
Tears flooding her eyes, she stalked back to the car before Sophie could respond and shoved Asher out of her way. Broken hearted for his sister, he didn’t try to block her this time.
“Lincoln, let’s go. I’ll buy a new hair dryer on the way. Mine was old anyway.” Sliding into the car, she refused to hear anymore.
Before getting back in the car, Lincoln looked to Asher. “Sorry, man. She’ll come around. Give her time.”
Asher stood in place, watching as they pulled away. Dammit. Absolutely not how he wanted this to go. When Pippa got into a rage, she couldn’t see or hear anything. Missed the whole rest of my life comment.
Walking to his side, Sophie was teary-eyed. “Let’s go to the station.” She clearly didn’t want to dwell any more than he did. Subject change approved.
Nodding, Asher ran back in and grabbed his wallet and phone. Behind him, Sophie grabbed her purse, and shot a quick text to Grady that they would meet him at the police station. Neither said a word the whole way into town.
It didn’t take long. Jonah took their statements and reassured her he’d do what he could to help sort things out with Yvette. Grady had met them there and helped with all the necessary paperwork, promised to follow up on everything.
At this point, Sophie didn’t give a flying fuck what happened to Yvette. She could threaten all she wanted, spread all the rumors she could come up with and even try framing Sophie for something. Sophie was done with her. And, she had good legal support.
“Do you still need a ride to the dealership?” She wasn’t in the mood to look for a rental but needed something to focus on.
Nodding grimly, Asher responded, “If you don’t mind.”
Sophie dropped him at the dealership and started driving. She’d compiled a list of places to check out. Maybe it was her mood, but none of the houses appealed in the least so far.
Until the last on her list. She pulled up to a stunning three bedroom outside of town. Overlooking the valley, the spot was perfect. Sadly, the place was way outside of her price range, so she’d only been looking to torture herself.
The place could use a little love, but nothing major. Although it was a one-story craftsman-style, it looked surprisingly light and airy. Lots of windows. Could use a new paint job, the trim in particular. In front, the curb appeal was lacking, but nothing some decent landscaping couldn’t fix. She wouldn’t mind learning a little home repair if she could have this house, especially with its expansive view of the valley.
A bit sooner than she’d planned, but maybe worth making an offer to buy it? Flashing to Asher, she considered asking what he thought. If he was ready.
Moving in together… sounded fantastic. She was outrageously, head over heels in love with him. That wasn’t changing. But this was officially his longest relationship.
Freya was moving back into town soon and needed a roommate. She was an artist, maybe she’d agree to cheap rent in exchange for help fixing up the place.
Her phone chirped with an incoming text. Mind bringing your brain? Found a good truck, but the math isn’t adding up.
Smiling weakly, she responded, ETA ten minutes. Taking one last, longing look at the house, she headed back for the dealership.
Everything about Asher was amazing, everything she’d ever wanted. More than she’d dared to hope for. Supportive, generous, fun to visit with. Damn sexy.
But so very new.
Asher ran his hand across the pristine dash of his new truck, admiring the fancy touch screen and buttons with all kinds of alien symbols. Like Sophie, it had been worth the wait. The thing was all shiny and new with all the bells and whistles.
Done with any more bullshit in her life, Sophie hadn’t given the dealer an inch and had gotten him a killer deal. Calculating the interest rate and payments in her head, she hadn’t given them a chance to catch up to her. Fucking knockout. He’d never grow tired of looking at her. But something about that sexy brain of hers. Her quiet calculations, how she formed that cute little crease between her eyebrows when something didn’t add up.
The morning had really messed with her. With both of them. They’d worked so hard to protect her, only to ruin it in one brief second. He had to get Pippa to accept this. How could they build a life together with such strain on the foundation?
Following Sophie back home again, he didn’t know what he was going to say when they got home. If she’d talk to him. She’d hardly said a word all day.
Sophie was already in the house by the time he pulled into the driveway. With his new job starting soon, he hadn’t wanted to risk the embarrassment of a speeding ticket from a future coworker, but she’d had hauled ass to get home.
If Pippa would answer her damn phone, maybe he could talk her down a bit. She’d been ignoring his calls and texts all day. Phone turned off in a big fuck-you gesture.
Paul came out of the house as soon as he arrived. “Nice ride.”
He’d already alienated his sister today, and his unspoken truce with his dad was fragile enough. As much as he wanted to go after Sophie, it was probably better to give her some space and spend a little quality time with his dad. “Thanks. Fancier than I was going for, but Sophie talked them down. Took one look at the deal they’d come up with and tore the poor sales guy a new one.”
Climbing in the driver’s seat as Asher got out, Paul started playing with the buttons, fiddling with the touch screen. Hell, Asher couldn’t figure the dang thing out either. “She’s a smart one. Good choice. I was afraid you’d end up with someone like Pippa’s old friends back in the day, at the rate you were going.”
Utterly confused, Asher raised his eyebrows in question.
Laughing, Paul shook his head at his clueless son. “I figured of anyone, you’d remember some of the halfwits she brought home. Hardly a complete brain between the lot. Flighty, giggly bunch they were. Drove me nuts. Although, you didn’t seem to mind.” He gave him a knowing look.
“I guess I hadn’t thought about it.” He had often wondered about Pippa’s taste in friends. With all of her attentions devoted to Lincoln in high school, then the book nerd she turned out to be in college, she really hadn’t had much in the line of decent girlfriends over the years.
“Sophie came in the house a few minutes ago. Tried to hide the red eyes, but Denise figured things out pretty quick. Once I made sure you hadn’t been the one to make her cry, I was out of there.” Hopping back out of the truck, Paul had the hood popped and was performing his perfunctory paternal inspection.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do if Pippa doesn’t come around.” Running his hands through his hair, still longer than he was used to, even with the recent trim for the wedding, Asher tried to focus on the engine rather than the crappy turn his love life had just taken.
“She’ll be fine. Despite her bitching and moaning, your sister is a romantic at heart. Give her a few days.” Paul fiddled with a few of the nobs and wires before dropping the hood. Asher couldn’t wait to get his hands in there and figure out the mechanics of it. Technology had changed quite a bit. He’d definitely need an updated manual.
“Hey, you tend to know these things. Sophie’s looking for a rental house outside of town. Any of your customers updating their rentals for new tenants?” Asher shoved his hands in his pockets, not sure how to phrase it. He knew it was too soon, but he was sort of hoping Sophie would agree to finding a place together.
Paul considered for a moment, then nodded as his face lit up with a bright idea. “Actually, Grandpa’s place just opened up.”
“You still renting that out? I thought you’d sold it by now.” Grandpa’s place was perfect. The view was to die for. Without a doubt, the house would probably need updates, but Paul would have kept it in adequate repair.
“Sure am. I wanted to keep it in the family, if one of you were interested when the day came. Grandpa built that from the ground up. Needs a lot of work, but that’s all superficial. For Sophie, I could give her a good deal.”
“How much you want for the house?” Both stood a few feet apart, legs spread wide and arms crossed. Scary when one looked so remarkably like one’s father. It was promising that they wouldn’t always be at odds.
Shifting his feet, Paul looked beyond pleased but tried to hide it behind his considering scowl. As he hadn’t mentioned anything in all these years, Asher suspected he didn’t want to pressure anyone. Again, not like him, but the house was a bit of a sensitive topic. “You thinking of buying it?”
“Hell yeah. I need a few paychecks first though. About drained my short-term savings for the down payment on the truck.” The place was gorgeous. Asher had wanted it for years but was never sure if he would be moving back or staying in the navy or who knows what.
“How about this. We’ll lease it to Sophie for a few months while you’re getting settled in the police department. Then, we’ll see about you making an offer.” Paul gave him a wink that almost looked pleased. Maybe even proud.
“Probably a good idea. I…” Asher tried to explain his thoughts; his brain twisted in confusion as he struggled to say something emotional to his inflexible father.
Suddenly, he felt full sympathy for when Paul had attempted to give him the sex talk. When a man and a woman fall in love… babies… and… diseases… just use a damn condom. Little did Paul know–or maybe he had but realized he’d better get his butt in gear–he’d been about two years late on that topic.
It was so new to talk openly with his dad, but he was finding him helpful and supportive so far today. “I love her. We’ve only known each other a few weeks. As much as I’m in a big old hurry to move in with her, get married… I know I tend to rush into things. Maybe we should slow things down a bit.”
Paul patted him roughly on the shoulder. “You just might be growing up after all. Keep following those instincts as they tend to lead you in the right direction, but probably good to slow things down a bit. Leave them wanting more; worked for me and your mom.” He flashed a clever wink.
He was about to walk away when Asher stopped him for one last question. “What about the apartment over Grandpa’s garage? I have a buddy that needs a place.”
Kicking a rock absent-mindedly, Paul pondered the situation. “The current tenant actually just moved out. Should be ready in a week or two. Zane?”
Asher nodded. He’d wanted the place for himself, but knew if he lived right next door to Sophie, he may as well move in with her. No, he wanted to be the man she deserved, not a can’t cook, can’t do his own laundry freeloader.
“Sure thing. I’ll write it up; start with six months while he settles in.”
Pulling out his phone, Asher shot a quick message to Zane. Found you some pretty great digs. He sent the address and Paul’s number.
His phone buzzed in response. Acknowledged. See you next week.
“Where are you going to live?” His dad asked, eyebrows raised in his traditional expression of, didn’t think this through, did you son? Phew, and here Asher was thinking his dad just might respect him as an adult. Nah, not there yet. Maybe give it another decade and try again.
A bubble of laughter filled from his diaphragm and moved upward into a bemused chuckle. “Grady’s going to have a spare bedroom.” He could bum some life skill lessons off of his new friend and irritate the crap out of him while he was at it. Win-win.
Madly, Sophie fired off another text that bounced right back. Pippa was completely off the grid.
If she could just explain. Tearing her fingernails out of her teeth, she stood from the foot of her bed and paced some more. She pulled her phone back out and dialed a different number.
“What up?” Freya answered in delightfully unnatural slang.
“When are you moving back to town?” Sophie cut right to the chase. She wasn’t in the mood to mess around.
“Actually, now. I need to fly back to wrap a few things up, but I should be back in a few weeks with my wee worldly possessions.”
“I’m thinking of buying a house. Want to be roomies for a few months? I can offer you cheap rent while you settle back into town and use your artist brain to make the place beautiful?” Sophie described the gorgeous house she’d fallen in love with.
Freya’s laugh was superb, full and rich from deep in her gut. “I can’t believe that place is available. Ask Uncle Paul about it. It was our grandpa’s.”
“So that’s a no?” Sad butterflies flapped their pitiful wings in her gut. Now what? She really wanted that house.
“That’s actually a well disguised yes. I would have thought you’d ask Asher rather than me?”
“I want to. But, we’re so new. I kind of want to let him romance me a bit first. You know, before we start forever.” Smiling to herself, Sophie felt relieved with her plan. That’s what she needed. What would make it all okay. Some good old-fashioned courting.
“Let’s do it. If Uncle Paul won’t sell, see if you can talk him into a six-month lease. I anticipate Asher will have moved in full time by then anyway. I think Uncle Paul was hoping to keep the place in the family.” She was quickly discovering that Freya was quite sensible despite her free-spirited ways and was proving to be a pretty great friend.
Sophie wanted to jump for joy but was still too jaded after the day she’d had. Maybe a happy dance once things were sorted out with Pippa. Actually, Pippa had pretty much taught her the happy dance, so it was tough to even consider without her.
Disconnecting the call, Sophie headed straight out to find Paul. He wasn’t surprised at her inquiry. Apparently, he had a potential buyer that needed six months anyway, so the timing was perfect. When the time came, she’d give him a better offer than the buyer he had in the wings.
Asher didn’t take the news quite so well. Despite the awful morning, or maybe because of it, she needed to be close to him. He was already self-medicating with a swim, so she joined him in the pool. Surfacing in the middle, she waited for him to finish his laps and join her.
“Hey. Didn’t expect to see you. Thought you were mad at me.” He looked adorable, hair spiked on end as he shook his head and treaded water in front of her. The sadness, the fear in his eyes broke her heart. Had she made him worry that she was bailing?
“Hey. I found a place to rent. Your grandpa’s old place. Freya agreed to move in with me for six months.” She gaged his reaction.
“Great,” he tried to look pleased for her, but his eyes were heavy, the honey in them downright blue.
Treading water a few feet away, she tried to explain her plan. How to make him understand? “I have this amazingly sweet, sexy boyfriend I wanted to ask. But I think he needs a few cooking lessons first.” She grinned at him.
He sighed, looking less dejected as he processed what she’d said. “You’re not wrong. How about we have tons of sex, of course, and I get to be your boyfriend while I show you just how much I need you forever. Six months. That’s it; you know I’m too damn impatient to wait any longer than that. Then, your landlord is selling that place out from under you,” he winked.
She sent a huge splash his way. “So, you’re the potential buyer? You’ll have to fight me for it.”
Sleekly moving through the water, she shrieked when he caught up to her and dragged her to him. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him with all the love she possessed. Holding her up against him as he kept them both afloat, he whispered words of adoration in her ears. Melting, she knew this was right.