Ruthless Heir (Ruthless Billionaires #5)

Chapter 26

Chapter Twenty-Six

Harper

“Oh my God, my heart .” Beth stares back at me from across the park bench, looking utterly mesmerized.

I've just told her about what happened between Asher and me last night.

I've only ever seen my best friend look that way when watching one of her classic chick flicks, like Only You or When Harry Met Sally .

Honestly, I feel like I've been walking around in a romantic movie. Things seem to have flipped around for me to get the guy—even for one night.

I've had a busy day but I couldn't wait to see Beth to talk to her.

“So, what happens now?” Beth squeaks.

My shoulders slump and I gaze out to the swans swimming in the river. In the waning afternoon sun they look like sailboats sailing on the open sea.

I shake my head and look back at her, feeling the doubt I experienced earlier stirring in my heart. “Asher promised to pick up where we left off, but I don’t know if he means it. Of course, that’s exactly what I want but there's a lot to think about.”

The excitement in Beth's eyes dims and she nods. “Like the fact that he has to get married to secure his position in the company.”

“Exactly.” My heart feels just as heavy as it did earlier when I first thought about the marriage thing . The bubble of last night popped the instant the thought slithered into my mind.

“Maybe you could talk to him about it.” Beth bites the inside of her lip.

I laugh without humor. “Really, Beth? We spent one night together and you want me to ask him about marriage?”

“You don’t have to talk to him about it right away. But as this is an unusual circumstance it’s a conversation you’re going to have to have at some point.”

I hate to admit it but she’s right. “Yeah, I guess I should see how everything plays out first.”

“Yes, absolutely. I wish you could have gotten together before.”

“Me too. That’s the other thing that's troubling me. Asher made it sound like he'd always wanted to be with me. So why didn’t he try? He knew how I felt.” I keep hearing his voice telling me that he always wanted me.

“Maybe he had his reasons.”

“Like Josh?”

She narrows her eyes. “I doubt that.”

“There was something Asher said when we first agreed to our arrangement that made me think he believed Josh wouldn’t approve of us being together. I didn’t think too much into it at the time but now I am.”

“But Josh left you in his best friend's care because he trusts him. I'd say he'd be happy if you and Asher got together.”

“I don’t know. Throughout this whole time Asher has been careful to make sure there were no pictures of us that the press could use to confirm we’re dating.”

Outside of when we’re around his family we don’t hold hands, kiss, or anything like that. We do just enough to make sure people don’t ask questions.

“If Josh is the reason then perhaps Asher never tried to be with me because he doesn't want to ruin their friendship.”

“If that’s true would you really step aside for their friendship? I think it would be quite selfish and controlling on Josh's part to stand in the way of you being with the guy you want.”

“It would. While I don't want to upset my brother or disrespect him, I wouldn't allow Josh to stop me from being with Asher. Of course, that’s if we do get together.” Asher could still change his mind.

“Are you going to talk to Josh about this?”

Again I laugh without humor. “I don't know. I guess it depends on what happens when Asher gets back. All I want is for things to work out.” I bring my hands together and set them on my lap.

“You never stopped loving him,” Beth notes with a small smile.

“No. I know that now.”

“Then hang in there and don't worry about what you can't control.” There's her mantra again.

“It’s just hard. I’ve never felt this way about anyone. And I don’t think I ever will for anyone else.”

“I hope it works out for you. But, um… can you just take a moment to be happy about last night?”

I bite back a smile and I know I’m blushing from head to toe just thinking about how Asher and I were with each other. He claimed me over and over, and I can’t wait for him to get back. “Yes. I can definitely be happy about last night.”

“Good.” Beth giggles. “Keep that thought. This is the guy you’ve loved your whole life. You were with him.”

“I was. And he wanted me. Not Miss Perfect Alexis. That part alone will keep me smiling for years.”

“Exactly. When does he get back?”

“Next Thursday.” That’s almost a week away but it feels like forever.

“The time will go quickly. Especially if you agree to go to my party on Saturday.”

It's her birthday. Normally, I wouldn't miss her parties for the world but I told her I’d think about it because this one is at a club and Jack is going to be there. Jack, who is still trying to get with me despite my numerous attempts at turning him down. The last thing I need is for the press to picture us together and create some cheating scandal. Asher specifically warned me about that.

“Come on, Harper. It’ll be fun.” Beth clasps her hands. “I can’t have a party without my best friend at my side. That’s literally never happened.”

She’s right. We’ve always been at each other’s parties. I would feel bad if I didn’t at least make an appearance. “Okay, I'll stay for an hour.”

She pouts and rolls her eyes at me. “Two hours. Harper, no one goes to a club and stays for just an hour.”

“Alright, two hours then.”

“Yay, thank you! We're gonna have a blast. I think you need something like this to take the edge off and keep your mind occupied.”

“I can’t argue with that.”

“Let’s go shopping tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

We spend the rest of the time talking, then head home when night falls.

I keep myself occupied with my violin and play for hours.

When I stop I snuggle on the sofa in the living room and watch reruns of Friends.

I’m two episodes in when I get a text from Asher.

My heart leaps when I read his name on the home screen and I’m so excited I can hardly read the message.

It says: Hope your evening is more exciting than mine.

I smile and type back: I’m watching Friends. What are you doing?

Him: Listening to my father talk about breeding guinea fowl.

I burst out laughing and my heart flutters. We never talk like this. All his previous messages were so businesslike and lacked humanity.

Me:

Your father is a very interesting man.

Him:

He is. But you interest me more.

My breath catches and my toes curl.

Me:

Do I?

Him:

Yes. So much more. What are you wearing?

My entire body heats at the question and I think of taking a walk on the wild side again.

Me:

Nothing.

The blue dots start jumping like they’re going to leap off the screen.

Him :

Fuck.

I laugh, probably sounding crazy because I’m all by myself.

Him:

Send me a picture.

I bite the side of my lip. I’ve never done that before but for him I would.

Me:

Okay, but only if I get a picture, too.

Him:

What kind of picture do you want?

Me:

A dick pic.

Him:

Give me an hour. Now send me yours.

It’s a good thing I do have the house to myself because the next few hours see me sending naked pictures of myself to him.

And he, Mr. Serious Billionaire, does the same.

It’s Saturday night. Time for Beth’s birthday party.

She and I just walked into the Blue Ridge, an underground techno club in Lower Manhattan that seems to have attracted the most eccentric of partygoers.

The club itself is eccentric with its grungy décor, crazy strobe lights and the punk rocker bouncers and staff at the door and bar.

I love dancing the night away but this isn’t the sort of club I’d go to on my own.

It seems like the kind of place where anything goes and anything can happen. Perfect for Beth.

Joining us tonight are Mara and Denise, our friends from high school who are just as zany as Beth. There’s also Jason, Beth’s current boyfriend, a few of his friends, and Jack and his friends. There are twelve of us.

It’s been a while since I hung out with a group this large or since I saw my friends from high school—who I only vaguely remember.

I feel terrible about that because we’ve been friends since junior high. All I remember about them is the last few months of high school after the accident when I was able to return to classes.

As luck would have it Mara and Denise both go to NYU so I’m hoping to reconnect with them there.

As for tonight, I’m struggling to not think about Asher. The last few days have ended with either phone sex or us sending each other naked pictures.

I can’t believe it’s us. I have four more days until he’s back and I’m dying to see him.

Beth leads us to the VIP area and we start the night with a few rounds of drinks while we get to know the new guys and catch up on old times.

When we’re done drinking we head to the dance floor where Jack tries to dance with me. Thankfully I’m saved when Mara slips between us and starts dancing with him. The moment she hooks her arms around his neck and whispers something in his ear all thoughts of trying to hook up with me are forgotten.

Thank God.

Beth and I dance like we used to when we were kids. Like we don’t have a care in the world and like no one is watching. We have a lot of fun until Jason whisks her away.

I finish dancing to the song because it’s a 90’s mix I like, then suddenly I find myself dancing among strangers. Everyone has left me.

I know the drill. When Beth disappears like that it means I won’t see her again for the night. The same for our other friends.

I’ve been here a little over two hours anyway, like I promised, so it’s time to go home.

When I turn to head toward the exit I feel eyes on me. There must be hundreds of people here but these eyes feel different from the crowd.

I look over my shoulder, following the pull of the stare, and find myself gazing straight at the man of my dreams.

Asher Le Blanche is leaning on the balcony of the second floor watching me.

Our eyes lock and I’m instantly trapped within his bright blue gaze.

Oh. My. God. He’s back.

He came back early. And he’s here.

I told him I was going to be here for Beth’s party. Knowing that he flew back and came to find me is the best surprise ever.

I turn around fully to face him and the brightest smile spreads across my face.

His eyes roam down my body, taking in the black bodycon dress molded to me and my red heels. I study him, too.

He’s dressed in a black button-down shirt and black slacks. His hair is ruffled in that just-got-out-of-bed way and the sexy smirk on his face sets me on fire.

Asher straightens, raises a finger and twirls it around slowly, emulating the way I was dancing previously. He wants me to dance.

Dance for him.

My body heats up at the realization but I start moving again with the change in the music.

It’s a slow sexy piece that guides me to move in a more sensual way. I raise my arms into the air and move with the beat.

My hips sway slowly, rhythm and arousal pulsing through my body like a heartbeat.

His eyes are riveted to me and I lap up his attention as though I’ve been starved for centuries.

I trail my fingers lightly down my sides, teasing my movements with deliberate control. Then I tilt my head back, exposing my neck as I wrap my arms around my body.

We’re about twenty feet apart but even from here I can read the lusty look in his eyes.

I keep dancing—for him. He watches me for a little while, then he moves away from the balcony and makes his way through the crowd, heading toward me.

He keeps his eyes on me the whole time and when he’s right in front of me, shivers of desire course through me.

He doesn’t speak. I wouldn’t be able to hear him anyway because the music is so loud. But we don’t need to speak to understand each other.

Asher slips his arm around me and pulls me flush against him. I slip my arms around his neck when he leans down and we sway to the music together.

Our bodies move like they were made for each other. The way his hips move with mine, the way we follow each other’s lead, the way we touch each other.

Asher pulls me closer and his hands wander over my breasts, my stomach, and my ass as if he wants to undress me right here in front of everyone.

I never want him to stop touching me.

On seeing that I’m enjoying his hands on me he lifts my chin and captures my lips for a kiss. The kiss I’ve been starving for since we left his bed mere days ago.

The kiss becomes the kind other people shouldn’t see. But we don’t care.

When he pulls away dangerous heat roils through me as I take in the hunger in his eyes.

Without words he guides me off the dance floor. At first I think we’re leaving, but then he’s ushering me up the stairs and taking me down one of the hallways.

It takes me a moment before I realize he must have been here before.

The music up here is still just as loud as on the dance floor, until we reach a dark empty hallway where the volume is lower.

He continues to a little alcove with an archway and then pulls me back in for another searing kiss.

“I need you. I need to be inside you, now,” he whispers over my lips through kisses.

“Here?”

“I don’t care where I fuck you, just as long as I do.”

We crash into the wall and his kiss becomes consuming.

My God, this is sheer possession. All of it. And I want him to take everything from me.

He pushes my legs wider and rolls my dress up to my hips.

He cups my pussy and slides my panties to the side so he can push his fingers into my already wet passage.

“Good girl, always wet for me.” He smiles.

“Maybe it’s because I’m always happy to see you. Especially… tonight.” I try to talk but I’m restrained by the moan laced beneath my words.

“After seeing those pictures of you I couldn’t stay away for another minute.”

He gives me a savage kiss then turns me to face the wall.

I hear the clink of his belt buckle and look around to watch him undo his pants. The sight is so hot it makes me even wetter.

He takes out his cock and grins back at me as he fists his length, making pre-cum bead at the tip. “This is what you do to me, Harper St. John.”

Asher grabs my hips and I turn back to face the wall.

He bends me over then the head of his cock presses against my entrance.

He eases into me, pushing deeper, an inch at a time, until he fills me up.

My pussy tightens around him and he groans. “Jesus, Harper, you feel so good.”

He thrusts even deeper and I moan out loud, feeling my orgasm rising.

He starts to fuck me and I come instantly, reeling with pleasure.

Every thrust of his cock has me utterly lost in the sensation.

As he fucks me into the wall all I can do is press my hands against the cool surface to take his relentless pounding.

“Oh God,” I cry out, coming again.

Asher hammers into me and I hold my breath, feeling like I’m falling and flying at the same time.

Moments later he comes, too, growling his own finish.

Hot cum floods me and I relish the sensation of heat—his heat—inside me.

We both slump against the wall and when my knees buckle he slips an arm around me.

My mind is spinning from the impact of him.

Asher pulls out of me and turns me to face him. He tucks himself back into his pants then rests his forehead against mine, our breaths mingling as we share the same air space.

“That was worth the long flight,” he mutters, licking my lips.

“You mystify me.”

“Good, you won’t ever be bored.”

I laugh a little. “Asher… we just had sex in a club.”

“Yeah. The only man who gets to fuck you in a club is going to be me.” He kisses me briefly and I smile at the memory of what I said to him weeks ago. “Let’s go home.”

“Home.” It’s the first time I’ve said that word in years and felt like I actually had a home.

I realize it’s because home is wherever he is.

He is my home.