Marley

When I arrive home later that night, my heart is not prepared for the sight I’m met with. The sound of Lyla’s favorite movie playing on the TV. No doubt it’s been on repeat since they arrived home. A pizza delivery box is on the counter with two plates of half eaten slices still sitting on the table.

With a smile, I set down my things and walk farther into the living room to get a better look at Asher lying on the couch with Lyla tucked in next him. A plastic tiara rests haphazardly on top of his head, a sparkly boa wrapped around his neck, and his short nails are painted a stunning shade of hot pink.

I snicker, my chest expanding then cinching tight at the sight of them together like this.

His eyes fix on mine and he’s not the least bit embarrassed or put out at all. He looks almost...

Content.

I want to capture this moment forever. Memorize every angle and line of his stubbly face but it’s when he gives me that lazy, warm smile that I nearly melt on the spot.

“Hey,” he greets, his deep voice gravely from sleep.

“Hey.” I nod toward my sleeping beauty, wearing her full-on princess regalia, dress, crown, shoes and all. “How’d it go?”

I had been a little worried about whether he would be able to handle her on his own. Lord knows she can be a handful, but I needn’t worry at all it seems. Because there’s absolutely nothing this man can’t handle, including my tenacious four-year-old little girl.

He looks down at her, his eyes full of adoration. “We had the best time.” His eyes return to mine. “But Princess Lyla can be bossy, yeah?”

I laugh. “Guess I should have warned you about that.”

I walk around the couch, bending down to gently scoop her up in my arms, trying not to wake her, but her big green eyes pop open anyway.

“Mommy,” she murmurs.

I kiss the top of her head. “Did you two have fun?”

She nods against my chest.

“I’m just going to go tuck her in right quick.”

“Can Asher tuck me in, too?”

My throat tightens. “Of course.”

Asher smiles, getting up from the couch and placing his tiara on the coffee table before following us into her bedroom. He pulls back the covers while I lay her down in the bed, slipping off her shoes and dropping them to the floor, but I leave the princess dress on because we should all be able to sleep in a princess dress at least a few times in our lives. I tuck the comforter in around her, making sure to keep her arms free just the way she likes it, then I lean down and kiss both of her cheeks like I do every night. “Sweet dreams, my Lyla Jo.”

“Sweet dreams, Mommy,” she replies, squeezing my neck tight.

Asher kneels down on the other side of her bed. Her tiny hands framing his masculine face. “Will you come back and play with me tomorrow so we can build the fort?”

Asher’s eyes shift up to mine, seeking permission. I nod my approval. How could I say no to either one of them?

He returns his gaze to Lyla, giving her a warm smile. “I promise.”

After kissing both of her cheeks, he stands. “Sweet dreams, Princess Lyla,” he says, tapping her small nose with the tip of his finger.

Lyla yawns, her eyes drifting shut as she flips to her side, tucking her hands beneath her chin. “Sweet dreams, Princess Ashland.”

I smirk at him as I shut off the light, leaving her door cracked a little.

“Princess Ashland, I like that,” I say once we’re out in the hall.

One hand grasps my waist, making me spin around to face him, my hands landing on his solid chest. He slowly walks me into the wall, angling his face to mine. I can feel his warm breath on my skin and I suck in a sharp breath at the look in his eyes. The look that tells me he’s just as surprised by all of this as I am. By how much we want each other. By how right it feels.

And how fast it’s all happening.

His lips touch mine.

Savage.

Raw.

The possessiveness I’ve grown to crave seeping all the way down to my bones. I sag against him, my hands reaching up to clutch the back of his neck while his hold my head in place, his mouth devouring mine as if he can’t get enough.

And neither can I.

I think that’s what scares me the most. How much I want this with him. And how much I’m willing to risk in order to get it. But I’ve never felt this way before. Not ever. Not this deep sinking feeling I get every time I think about not seeing him again. Or what I would do if he suddenly got bored and found himself with someone else.

The thought is devastating to even think about. Especially with the way we started out. What woman in her right mind would trust this?

But I can’t resist him or the way he makes me feel.

His hands roam my body, but not in a sexual way, in a comforting way that I so desperately need right now. A reassurance that he’s not in this for just the sex, even though that part is beyond amazing. I need to know he wants me for me and not just a warm body.

He slows the kiss, taking lazy licks and tiny sucks from my lips.

“I missed you today.”

“I missed you, too.”

“Can I stay?” he asks, a soft plea in his rough voice.

I kiss his mouth again. “I was kind of hoping you would.”

His lips press against my forehead before he takes my hand and leads me over to the couch. He lifts my feet onto his lap, removing my heels one by one and dropping them to the floor.

His strong, polished fingers begin working over the soles of my feet, and I let go of a moan, closing my eyes in relief.

“You’re really good at that.”

“Haven’t you learned by now, I’m good at everything.”

I lift one eyelid and cock my brow. “Cocky ass.”

He just smirks, switching feet to start on the other.

He is so, so good.

“How’s your patient?” he asks.

“She’s going to be all right for now, at least physically anyway. Emotionally? That’s a whole other issue.”

“And you?”

“Exhausted.”

He frowns, pressing his thumbs against the pads of my feet. I close my eyes once more, lost in his relaxing touch when I feel his hand drifting up my calf. My body stirs with desire but I’m too tired to even move right now.

I open my eyes. “Would you be upset if I told you I didn’t want to have sex tonight?”

He doesn’t even look the least bit disappointed when he says, “Whatever you need, baby. All I want to do is take care of you.”

He pats my leg before moving my feet off his lap to stand up. “Why don’t you go get ready for bed and I’ll lock up.”

I do as he says, going into my bedroom to put on my pajamas and wash my face. A few minutes later, Asher comes back into the room, pulling his shirt over his head and taking off his jeans, leaving his briefs in place. I will never get over how magnificent his body is. Not a single ounce of skin is left without definition and nearly every inch of him is covered in ink, and that lion, always savage and cruel, nothing like the man before me.

I catch a glimpse of his pink fingernails again and smile, walking into the bathroom to retrieve a bottle of fingernail polish remover and a few cotton balls. I pause, glancing around the space, spotting his Irish Spring body wash in the shower and his razor lying on the counter. I smile to myself, loving that he’s invaded my life so effortlessly.

He climbs in bed, positioning himself so his back is resting against the headboard, stuffing a few pillows behind him.

I swallow thickly.

“What is it?”

I climb up on the bed next to him. “I like you in my bed, that’s all,” I say, sitting cross-legged before bringing his hand to my lap to remove the hot pink polish. “You’re a good sport for letting her do this.”

Asher chuckles. “She can be very persistent.”

I smile, moving on to the other hand. “What else did you two do today?”

“Took her to the gym to meet my friend Danny and let her play on the new ninja course. She loved it. Says she wants to become a ninja warrior. You know, when she’s not being queen of the world.”

I laugh but Asher’s face turns serious.

“There’s something I need to talk to you about,” he says. “After I picked up Lyla from daycare, we went for ice cream. We got to talking and I asked her what she and her dad like to do for fun. She told me that he takes her to a lot of toy stores and buys her whatever she wants, but she has to keep it a secret from you.”

My blood boils with anger. “What?” I know Steven is manipulative and conniving but I never thought he would stoop this low. “I can’t believe he’s having her keep secrets from me. Then again, this is Steven we’re talking about. I don’t think anything is off limits for him.”

“I want to meet him,” Asher demands.

I shake my head, putting the cap back on the remover and setting it on the bedside table. “We’ve talked about this.”

I walk into the bathroom to throw away the cotton balls.

Asher continues speaking, “I know, and I’m trying to be respectful here, but I also need him to know that we’re together, and if he fucks with you in any way, he’s going to be dealing with me. That means his threats and shit stop,” he says as I walk back into the bedroom. “I also want him to know that I’m not trying to take his place as Lyla’s father, but as your man, it’s my job to protect her, too.”

I let go of a ragged sigh, knowing exactly how Steven will react to Asher. I plop down on the bed, and turn my head to face him. “If he knows I’m seeing someone, he’ll do everything he can to make my life hell.”

Asher scoots down, bringing his face to mine, his tattooed arm banding across my stomach. “He can try but he won’t succeed.”

The resolve in his dark blue eyes has me pressing my lips to his. I trust this man. More than I’ve ever trusted anyone before. He makes me feel safe and protected, and deep down I know no matter what Steven says or does, Asher will be there to back me up, and there’s a deep sense of comfort in that.

“Okay,” I agree.

One hand cradles the side of my face as he brings his smiling lips to mine. “Damn, if only you were always this agreeable.”

He gathers me in his arms as we settle in the center of the mattress. I rest my head down on his chest, the warmth and safety of his body lulling me into a deep sleep.