Asher

I glance down at Briar’s sleeping form. She’s so tiny that she’s curled right up on the bench of my truck with her head on my lap, living up to her namesake. When I asked her if she wanted to go somewhere, she wasn’t prepared for a twelve-hour drive. I’ve done it so many times that it’s nothing to me. Once we left my dad’s house, we stopped at Briar’s to pack a bag and change our clothes, then we were off.

After spending time with her at my dad’s, without fear of anyone seeing us, I decided I needed more of that feeling. We wouldn’t have to sneak around, I wouldn’t have to share her with other people, and most of all, I’d get to fuck her whenever I wanted.

I shoot Dare a text, informing him that we’re close. The air has turned crisp, the roads windy, and the pine trees outnumber the people.

“Wake up, Sleeping Beauty,” I say, tucking her hair behind her ear. She lets out a sleepy moan, and the sound goes straight to my cock.

“Where are we?” she asks, rubbing her eyes.

“Almost there. I didn’t want you to miss this,” I say, gesturing to the scenery that’s vastly different from Arizona. Everything is green, and there’s nothing but mountains and pine trees, as far as the eye can see.

“It’s beautiful,” she says. “I can see why you stayed so long.”

“It’s a lot better than the alternative.”

“Arizona isn’t that bad.” She laughs.

“Not Arizona,” I surprise myself by admitting.

“Then what do you mean? Where else did you go?”

“With my uncle in Southern California, at first.”

“You have an uncle?” she asks, her nose crinkling in confusion.

“I didn’t really know him until recently.”

“Then why would you stay with him?”

I blow out a breath and decide to tell her everything. I know her well enough to know she’ll get it out of me sooner or later. From the drugs and the cars to the stealing and the fights, I tell her all of it, including the day my uncle left me for dead, and how Dare came into the picture, bailing me out in more ways than one.

“Jesus,” she says quietly, eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I had no idea.”

“Well.” I shrug. “Now you do.”

We sit in silence as she takes in the trees and the lake along with the information I just dumped on her. The thing I love about Briar is that she didn’t even bat an eye when I told her about stealing the cars or snorting the coke. She doesn’t judge me. She’s probably the only one who never has.

Finally, I pull onto Dare’s street. His house is secluded, far away from town, and the roads are so narrow that you have to pull over for oncoming cars to be able to fit. I thought I was anti-social, but Dare makes me look like the freaking prom queen in comparison.

“We’re here,” I say, cutting the engine. Briar’s wide eyes take in the luxury cabin before us.

“This is where you lived?”

“Yup.”

“Why the hell did you ever leave?” she asks, incredulous. The cabin itself isn’t very glamorous, but it’s right on the water, and people pay millions for that. Literally.

“I had something prettier waiting for me in Cactus Heights,” I tease.

“That’s sweet, Ash, but your dad really isn’t that cute.”

I snort, hopping out of my truck before walking around to the other side to help her down, too. Instead of stepping down, she launches herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck. I squeeze her ass as she brings her lips to mine, her tongue seeking entrance.

“Are you guys going to come in, or are you just going to fuck in my driveway all night?” Dare asks from his open door. Briar jumps at the sound of his voice and sheepishly slides down my body.

“Briar, this is Dare. Dare, Briar,” I say as we make our way inside. Bry surprises me by hugging his middle. And Dare looks even more shocked, arms held out to his side, not knowing what to do.

“Is she always this friendly?” he asks, cocking a brow and pointing a finger at her arms wrapped around his tattooed torso.

“Thank you for helping him,” she says, and once he understands, he returns her hug, even if it is one-handed. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the way she cares about me. It never fails to surprise me.

“Kelleyyy!” someone slurs from far away.

“Cordell or Camden?” I ask.

“I have no fucking clue.” Dare laughs. “But it’s one of them. They’re all out back.”

Remember how I said Dare was anti-social? Our friends, who happen to be brothers, don’t seem to realize it. Or more accurately, they just don’t care. They’re the complete opposite of Dare, and myself for that matter.

Briar takes in everything from the high ceilings to the old wooden floors, and everything in between as Dare leads us through the house and into the backyard.

“I can’t believe we’re only in the next state over. It feels like we’re in another world.”

“You should see it during the winter. It’s like living in an actual snow globe.”

“I’d love to live somewhere like this. You know, with actual seasons.”

I nod, because that’s my favorite part about being here, too.

We make our way toward the rowdy voices in the backyard, finding Camden and Cordell in the hot tub with three chicks. They’re randoms. Tourists. I’d bet my life on it.

“Well, if it isn’t the fucking King of the Mountain,” I say to Camden. He and Cordell both snowboard, like everyone else who lives here, but Camden went pro, and he’s achieved somewhat celebrity status around here.

“What’s up, motherfucker? Who’s that fine ass looking female?”

“You’re not going to be very good at snowboarding with two broken legs,” I warn, and he holds his palms up, laughing. “This is Briar.”

“Oh, shit, you found someone to deal with your brooding ass?”

“Seems that way,” I grumble, but fuck, it feels good to be with her like this. I link my fingers with hers, just because we can, and she smiles up at me.

“This is Serena and Sasha,” Camden says, referring to the two blondes next to him. “They’re from Canada. And this is beautiful creature is Mila. I’m not really sure where the fuck she came from, to be honest.” The girls giggle, thinking he’s joking, but I can tell by his expression that he genuinely has no clue.

“You guys coming in?” Cordell asks. “There’s beer in the cooler.”

Usually, that would be a hard pass. But the Jacuzzi is big, and they’re only taking up one side. Plus, any excuse to see Briar in a bikini has my vote. I look at her to see what she thinks, and she shrugs, as if to say might as well.

I lead her up to my room, tossing our bags onto my bed.

“I really love it here,” she says, taking in the plain walls and minimal furniture. Just a bed, a dresser, and a TV.

“It’s not much, but living in this environment, you don’t need much else.”

“I can see that,” she says, plucking her bathing suit out of her bag. This time, it’s plain black.

“Well?” she asks, lifting a brow.

“Well, what?”

“Aren’t you going to turn around?”

“Fuck no.”

Briar giggles, and surprises me by dropping her shorts and underwear. Next is her tank top and her bra. She’s standing in front of me, completely naked, and I gulp at the sight. Tiny waist, curvy hips, flat stomach. Her light blonde hair falls over her perfect little tits.

I take a step toward her, but she holds up a palm.

“Nuh-uh,” she says, already reading my intentions. “That can wait. Your friends are waiting.”

“Fuck my friends. You’re naked.”

“I told you to turn around,” she teases, pulling her bottoms up her toned legs. “Later.”

“Fine.”

We both finish getting dressed and join everyone in the hot tub. They all love Briar, and I’m not surprised. The girl could make friends with a brick wall. Even Dare seems to like her, which is saying a lot. He only tolerates most people.

Eventually, they move the party to the fire pit a few feet away. Briar’s on my lap, and I squeeze her thigh, letting her know I want to hang back. Once we’re alone, she turns to straddle my lap.

“Thanks for bringing me here.”

I nip at her lip and grip her ass, pulling her into me. I’m hard as a fucking rock, and I know she feels it when she flexes her hips toward me on a gasp.

“Can you be quiet?” I ask, tossing a look over my shoulder to make sure no one else is watching.

“Asher…”

“Yes or no?” I ask, pulling my cock out of my swim shorts, and it bobs between us.

Briar reaches down to pull her bikini bottoms to the side before sinking down onto me.

“I can try.”

“That’s my girl.”