Though he was a good friend, he would never be my soulmate. I had a nice guy now, who liked me and was patient with me. And here I was, letting my wayward heart ruin everything by holding onto someone who would never love me. No, I couldn’t allow that. I had to keep trying with Lamar. I could
By the next morning, I had somewhat lowered my panic. I was still nervous, but I called the hospital and moved up my appointment with Nurse Irene to this afternoon. The only other thing I could do in the meantime was not think of Asher. At all. With all Asher-thoughts banned until further notice
Asher would have cupped my cheek or cradled the back of my head. He would have pressed his body against mine. He would have maintained the distance longer, teasing me, stretching out the moment. Lamar’s kiss lacked passion – on both our parts. Maybe he was being respectful, giving me only a simp
That evening, I sat in the library with my textbooks sprawled in front me. Aimee and Nicole were on the other side of my table. Aimee pointed out a key section of the text for me. Nicole highlighted it. I’d failed another practice test, but I’d done at least slightly better than my last attempt.
After running into Asher outside of the library, I decided that Aimee had been right. Boys were complicated and confusing, and it was much easier to focus solely on studying. I avoided both Asher and Lamar, and when not in class, mostly stuck to studying in my room. For a few days, things had be
“Got it.” He mimicked zipping closed his mouth. I offered a small smile of thanks and returned to my work. For the next five or so minutes, I delved into the topics of the text. I began writing a new note. “Hey, Cynthia,” Lamar said. My pen stilled. “Yeah?” “How long are you planning on st
“They don’t know who you are yet, and I’ll do everything I can to protect you,” Nurse Irene said through the phone. “But you have to be extra careful.” Overwhelming fear stirred within me, spreading outwards until my entire body trembled. Nurse Irene continued on. “The official researchers have
Asher “Asher.” Cynthia was saying my name, trying to claim my attention. At any other moment, I would have been more than happy to give it to her. But right now, I was defending her from a threat, and that threat had yet to be neutralized. Cynthia smelled bitter, fearful. It pushed off of her
“Please.” That all sounded so good. I wanted it. I wanted everything. He stood to kick off the rest of his clothes. I watched, my mouth watering as he exposed his dick. He was so big, so hard just for me. Carefully, he moved me how he wanted me, stretching out my legs farther, and then slipped
Asher guided me back into the bedroom. As I stood near the bed, he walked behind me and slowly tugged down the zipper of my dress. His knuckles traced the newly-revealed skin inch by inch, following down the length of my spine. When the zipper had lowered as much as it could go. He spread his hand
I held my breath as Dylan threw the first punch. Asher dodged back and Dylan’s fist flew through the open air. Asher then stepped forward, ready to retaliate. Dylan backpedaled, placing a few feet between them again. In a flash, Dylan moved close again. His speed was lightning-quick. I barely even
“’Might?’” He squeezed me gently. “It will be fine. Trust me.” I did trust him, with my life and more. But… this was my brother. My brother and the love of my life were about to fight a challenge with yet unknown terms that would undoubtedly involve me and my baby. I couldn’t help but be a b
I opened my mouth to begin to explain, but the truth seemed worse than even Dylan’s worst assumptions. No, Asher isn’t the father of my baby. The father is actually a terrible person who is now in prison. But Dylan wasn’t waiting for me to figure out a softer way to explain, and Asher was no hel
On the evening of the Academy’s winter dance, I slipped into my shining purple gown and checked myself out in the bathroom mirror. Gone were the days when I could pass as not pregnant. Now, my bump was a distinctive round bulge, pressing out the front of my gown – which I had bought in the materni
“I… um…” I had no idea how to answer Dylan. Panic set in, sending my heart into overdrive. Should I admit to Asher being beside me? It was getting late at night. Surely Dylan would have follow-up questions. Like, why was Asher in my room after dark. “Oh, shit, I have to go,” Dylan said suddenly.
Asher’s words stole my breath away. For a long moment, I simply stared at him, desire coiling inside of me. He stared back, his blue eyes deep as the ocean. I swallowed thickly. I couldn’t wait to go home with him and see all of his promises in action. Nancy cleared her throat from the doorway.
The real Asher was safely behind the line of fake wolves. He glanced back at me in concern. I understood his worry. Holding this many projections was a strain. But I was done running. I was done standing back. Joseph would lose. And I would help bring him down. In the circle, Joseph started to