Chapter 3: Why

Asher's POV

That night Asher lay in bed staring at his ceiling.  Thoughts of Summer bombarded his mind not allowing him to sleep.  Despite trying his best to push them away he lost in the end, succumbing to the torrent of images that drove him madder and madder by the minute. 

He knew he should be happy enough seeing that she was alive and well, but he just couldn't help feeling slightly betrayed. 

Why hadn't she contacted him this whole time?  Why didn't she at least let him know she was OK?  She should have known how distressed he was.  He had thought they were close enough for her to have given him that much.

His phone that had laid silent beside him suddenly lit up drawing his attention.  Heart pounding he grabbed it with the ridiculous notion it would be her.

With a frown he let out a breath and answered.

"Why are you calling me so late?" He couldn't hide the disappointment and agitation that laced his words.

"I missed you." Came Amanda's seductive voice from the other end of the phone. 

Sighing Asher pinched the bridge of his nose.  "Then why don't you come keep me company."

"Anything for you." Amanda purred before hanging up.

Huffing Asher hung up and slammed his phone back down.  Deep down he knew that using Amanda to comfort him was a bad idea, but he was at his wits end and needed a distraction before he went mad.  It wasn't like she would know he was picturing her as someone else while he had his way with her anyway.

Over his mental struggle Asher got out of bed and took a quick shower.  Throwing on only a robe he headed downstairs grabbing himself a drink before Amanda arrived.  He hoped the alcohol would take some of the edge off so he could enjoy himself as much as possible as he used another woman to drown his sorrows over his long lost love.

Asher was on drink three when his doorbell rang.  

"Come on in." Asher called not bothering to get up.

Amanda didn't take any time sauntering in.  Giving Asher a mischievous grin she removed her jacket revealing the black lace lingerie she had on underneath.  

Smirking Asher stood and walked to her. "You don't waste any time do you?"

Eyes flashing greedily Amanda wrapped her arms around Asher's neck.  

"I figured by the sound of urgency in your voice you didn't want to waste any time." She murmured kissing his throat temptingly.

"Smart woman." Asher growled lifting Amanda and heading upstairs. 

Throwing her down roughly he wasted no time releasing all his pent up frustration and anger until finally falling into a dreamless sleep. 

"Good morning!"

The sound of a door banging open and David's much too loud voice woke Asher the next morning.  

Opening his eyes Asher looked to his friend who was frozen in place eyes wide.  Confused he looked to where David's eyes were fixed.  Laying completely naked beside him was Amanda still sound asleep.

"Shit." Asher huffed running a hand through his Auburn locks.

"I came at a bad time." David said already backing towards the door.  "I will give you two some privacy and wait downstairs."

"Wait!" Asher yelled reaching out a hand but David had already escaped, he could hear the faint sound of his footsteps already heading downstairs. 

Irritation flaring Asher shook Amanda.  With the first shake she didn't wake, with the second she stirred ever so slightly.   

"Get up!" Asher snapped shaking her much harder.

Finally waking Amanda opened one eye to look at Asher.  "Let me sleep a bit more." She muttered.

"No," jumping up Asher pulled the blanket from her.  "Get up, get your things, and leave."

Both eyes wide open now Amanda sat up in the bed and watched Asher with a slight pout on her lips.

"But baby you tore my clothes." She said smiling. "How on earth am I to go anywhere without clothes?"

Using all his strength to keep his last remaining thread of sanity Asher glared at Amanda. "Grab one of my shirts and put that on to wear home under your coat."

Frowning Amanda fixed her green gaze with Asher's golden one,  within her eyes Asher could see the wheels turning.  He was sure she was debating on whether or not she should continue to push or not.  When she let out an annoyed breath he knew she had decided to not argue. 

"Use me and leave me." She whined grabbing a shirt from Asher's closet.  "Why can't you just admit you like me."

'Admit you like me.'  The words clawed at Ashers mind.  

Jaw clenched and eyes narrowed Asher watched the woman who was now pulling on one of his shirts.

"What was our agreement before this started?" He asked slowly trying to remain composed.

Startled at how cold Asher's words were Amanda's eyes widened. 

"No feelings," She responded voice wavering.

"And?" Asher pushed. 

"No sticking around come morning." Amanda finished deflating.  "But Asher..."

"Get dressed and leave."

Tears brimming in her eyes Amanda hurriedly collected her things and quickly exited the room. 

Pulling on a pair of sweat pants Asher followed.  Stopping at the top of the stairs he watched a now crying Amanda run out the door and a confused David watching the whole ordeal.

Clearing his throat to make his presence known Asher headed down to join his friend. 

Turning his head David gave Asher a look, to which Asher simply shrugged then headed to the kitchen to brew some coffee.

"Why are you here?" He asked not turning around as David walked in after smelling the pungent aroma of coffee wafting throughout Asher's home.

"About that." David began slowly.  "I got a message from Michael, he asked us to join him at La Fiet."

"That's a club right?" Asher asked full cup in hand.  "Why would he invite us out of the blue?"

Something wasn't sitting right with him.  They had only met Michael yesterday to discuss cooperation. There was no reason to meet again until Monday to sign the contracts.  So, why was he now inviting them to an upscale club? 

None of it made sense.

"Did he mention a reason?" Asher pushed now.

David shook his head.  "He simply said to meet him there at eight PM sharp."

Nodding Asher took a sip of his coffee while tossing around reasons Michael would want this sudden meeting in his head.  

Giving up on trying to figure it out he accepted he would have to wait til later that evening when they headed to La Fiet.

The Previous Night

Summer's POV

Summer stepped out of the shower wrapping a towel around herself.  Sighing she placed her hands on the edge of the sink and stared at her reflection in the mirror studying her pale, haggard face.  A slightly raised handprint lay on her left cheek, a gift from Michael for her insubordinate behavior at dinner.   

She thought she had remained discreet about her recognizing the man that had plagued her mind for so many years, but nothing ever got past Michael.  In the end he had noticed right away that she paid particular attention to Asher.

"What's taking so long?" Michael growled entering the bathroom without a knock.

Plastering an innocent smile Summer faced him.  "I was just about done here."

Gazing slowly from Summer's face to her towel covered body Michael's eyes flashed and a slow smile formed on his face.

"Are you trying to seduce me?" He asked stepping forward and wrapping his arms around Summer's waist.

"Your wish is my command." Summer responded automatically.

Without warning Michael roughly grabbed Summer's chin while pressing his mouth to hers.  Robotically Summer opened her mouth allowing the kiss to deepen and when he lifted her up she easily wrapped her legs around his waist allowing herself to be carried to the bed.

"Are you trying to gain favor now after blatantly staring at another man in front of me?" Michael murmured against Summer's neck.

Summer opened her mouth to respond as Michael dropped her on the bed and leaned over her placing his hands at each of her sides.  

"You're mine."  Michael snarled possessively while biting Summer's lips hard.

Summer could taste something metallic in her mouth and knew that Michael had broken skin.  When he was in one of his jealous stupors he would become rough and nothing she said or did would change that.  

Gritting her teeth and squeezing her eyes shut she allowed Michael to take her, responding accordingly every time he asked her who she belonged to.

When he flipped them over so she was on top she moved her hips the way she knew he liked it.  Only after Michael was fully satisfied and calmed did he become gentle towards her, kissing her sweetly on the lips before rolling over and pulling her towards his broad chest.

"Don't piss me off again Summer." He murmured against her hair giving her a gentle squeeze.

"I won't baby." Summer responded as a silent tear made its way down her cheek.

"We will be meeting Mr. Roth and Mr. Johnson again tomorrow."  He continued shocking Summer.

"Why?"  She asked keeping her voice calm.

"Of course to see your lover boy again."  Michael mocked sending Summer's heart racing.

Taking Summer's silence as confirmation of his words Michael pulled her to him and bit down hard on her shoulder as he chuckled.

"Seems you weren't punished enough."

Turning Summer to lay on her stomach Michael began another onslaught of 'punishment' until he was too exhausted to continue.

It was only when Michael was fully asleep that Summer allowed herself to cry.  

"Why?" She whispered staring straight ahead at the glass doors the balcony that attached to hers and Michael's room.  "Why?" She asked again taking a shaky breath.

Completely exhausted from crying and Michael's punishment Summer finally fell into a nightmare filled sleep.