by Jaymin Eve
His smile grew. “You’re beautiful when you’re mad.” He brushed his thumb across my cheek before he leaned in closer. “You look gorgeous tonight, Maddi.”
I swallowed hard. “Thank you. You look pretty nice yourself.”
Vast. Understatement.
Asher was in a dark gray suit with an open-collared white dress shirt. It was custom made for sure, perfectly molded to his muscles. Asher in normal clothes was hot. Asher in a suit was devastating.
My eyes landed on his lips, and I’d never wanted to kiss anyone like I wanted to kiss Asher. To distract myself, I asked, “What makes you think that this Atlantean library is here in the Academy?”
He tightened his hold, and my chest was now flush against his. Think unsexy thoughts. Think unsexy thoughts.
“My family founded this school. If you want to get very technical, I own the Academy, which is why we’re allowed to have a private residence here. It also gives me some leeway when it comes to bending the rules.”
I raised my eyebrows at him. “Well, well, Mr. Fancy Pants. And that’s why you think the library is here?”
He nodded. “Yep, it was a personal family library, smuggled out of Atlantis before the collapse. It was then passed down through generations of my family, all of them working together to keep the last true history of Atlantis safe. Its location has been lost with my parents. They were killed when I was young.”
My heart ached for him. “I’m sorry to hear that, Asher. It must have been hard to lose them so young.”
Asher shrugged. “I barely knew them, and I wasn’t alone. I had Jesse and his family, and the other guys. We’re a family.”
I’d seen that between the five of them. There were some things about them that were a given: unnatural good looks, Calen’s flirting, Axl’s intelligence, Rone’s scowl and penchant for black clothing, Jesse’s lazy grin and OCD, Asher’s devastating power and presence; and the strongest given of all—they were a team.
I’d never doubted they were a family, not for a second.
The song changed to something fast paced, and Asher paused. “Do you want another drink?”
All I knew was that I didn’t want to step away from him. With the snow and the lights and the music, magic was in the air. Tomorrow he might go back to ignoring me, but tonight I wanted this magic.
“Sure,” I said. “I could use another drink.”
I fell in beside him as he started to walk. Supes called his name as we pushed through the crowd, and he was stuck talking to more than a few of them. The last ones who stopped him looked slightly older and a lot richer than most of the students. “Thank you for your donation,” Asher said to them, and I realized that these were the donors who were invited to the official school holidays. Asher couldn’t ignore them, and I waited near his side as he made polite small talk.
Eventually we made it to the bar, and Asher ran a hand through his hair. “What would you say to us having this drink somewhere a little quieter? I could use a swim…”
My heart rate picked up, and I wondered if he could hear it pounding in my chest. “In the ocean?”
He shook his head. “I was thinking the pool in my house. It’s perfect for laps. Calms the mind.”
It didn’t escape my notice that he’d invited me back to his place, which made me nervous, and when I got nervous, my stupid mouth went rogue. “No sex until the third date,” I said, trying to sound funny, but it came out more like an order.
I bit back a groan at my own awkwardness.
His grin was more pronounced. “And does this count as a first date?”
I pretended to think about it. “I’m going to have to say no. We didn’t arrive together, we argued, and then we only spent ten minutes dancing before deciding to bail.”
I sucked in a deep breath as he yanked me closer, my body pressed to his long hard planes. “We’re leaving together,” he said softly. “That’s date-like.”
“Half a date,” I said breathlessly. “At max, it’s half a date.”
He smiled, and all I got was dimple. Fucked. I was totally fucked.
He didn’t argue though, just straightened and set me back on my feet. He’d been holding my weight, and now I was trying to find traction on the stupid heels. With a huff, I reached down and yanked the uncomfortable things off.
“I love heels,” I said, “but after an hour or two they’re nothing but spiked assholes.”
He laughed, low and husky. “Axl tried a pair on to test a theory once. He has a very detailed thesis on the long-term effect of heels on your calves and feet, if you’d ever like to read it.”
I blinked at him. “Are you serious?”
He slipped his hands into his pockets. “Very. Axl’s brain won’t let him rest until he answers whatever burning question he’s pondering. He needs the answers.”
“I love that about him,” I admitted. “His curiosity. And his kindness.”
Asher nodded. “He’s very much both of those things.” One of his hands extended toward me. “You ready to go?” he asked.
I nodded slowly, trying not to appear eager. “Sure. I just need to let my friends know I’m leaving so they don’t worry.”
Asher inclined his head and I spun to find Larissa and Ilia both waving at me from across the dance floor.
“I think they know,” he said.
I waved back, and then Ilia’s look got very pointed, and as her finger jabbed in my direction, I knew she was telling me get some Atlantean tonight.
Take advantage of the magic.
I might just do that.
Asher stayed close as we walked to the carpet, and there were eyes on us, but this time no one stopped us, at least not until we were about to step onto the white carpet. Three new arrivals blocked our path.
“Asher,” Kate purred, her heavily made-up eyes locked on him as she stuck her chest out. “Where are you going?”
She stepped forward to rub a hand across his biceps, and I resisted the urge to punch her in the face. Asher was not mine, I knew that, but tonight … tonight he was as close as I’d probably ever get.
She’d better not ruin this for me.
“Good evening, Kate,” he said politely before he stepped closer to me, dislodging her groping fingers. “We’re just on our way out. Have a great night.”
Kate was dressed in a silver cocktail dress that was adorned with crystals from top to bottom. She literally shimmered as she moved. Her hair was dead straight, her makeup perfect, and judging by her expression, she was about to scratch my eyes out with her bloodred nails.
“You’re leaving with the human trash?” she said, sounding hurt and incredulous. “I don’t understand.”
He shot her a bored stare. “I’ve told you more than once, I don’t date. You’re wasting your time on me, Kate.”
He doesn’t date.
That thought was more painful than watching Kate dig her claws into him. I shook it off, deciding it was better to know exactly what I was getting myself into. I would not look at this as anything more than one night.
Kate’s eyes went wide as she stared between us. Chellie, who was dressed in a dark green mermaid dress, stepped up to her side, wrapping an arm around her. “I gave you a reprieve, trash,” Chellie snapped at me, “because it looked like you were old news. But that reprieve has come to an—”
“Don’t push me,” Asher said, bite in his voice. “Maddi falls under our protection and that of Princeps Jones. I promise you, you don’t want to fuck with my business.”
They wilted under his stare, but as they slipped around us, I saw the dark expressions on their faces. Asher scared them, but these chicks were used to acting without consequence. They weren’t done with me yet; they’d just be sneakier about it next time.
Asher and I didn’t talk as we started across the long carpet, and when we were halfway there, he shrugged off his jacket, draping it around my shivering shoulders.
“Thanks,” I said. That encounter with Kate had pissed me off and
ruined some of my mood.
Had Asher ever been with her? I mean, it was stupid of me to care, because I was hardly a virgin. Even working seven days a week, there was always opportunity for sex. Hell, I’d even had a six-month casual relationship with my boss at one diner. Nothing serious ever; I moved every twelve months to stay off the radar.
“If any of the Clovers bothers you,” Asher said, startling me from my thoughts, “tell me immediately. I’d like to think they’ll heed my warning, but knowing them like I do, there’s little doubt they’ll need a stronger warning at some point.”
“I can take care of myself,” I said, and that was the truth. I’d been doing it for twenty-two years.
He stopped walking, and I almost stumbled into him.
“I know you can,” he said, no humor in his voice. “I’ve seen you navigate this new world and do it better than most of us that grew up here. But I want you to know that you’re not alone. You don’t have to do it all on your own.”
I snorted. “You do realize that you’ve ignored me for over a month. Relying on you doesn’t sound like the best idea.” Alcohol made me honest, but I didn’t regret saying that.
His jaw tightened, eyes dark and intense. “It might have appeared I was ignoring you, but you were never alone, Maddison. I promise you that.”
What the hell did that mean?
“I did what I thought was the best thing for you. To keep you safe. But clearly it was a stupid decision.”
“The stupidest,” I agreed, still shaken by his previous statement.
Asher chuckled. “Come on, let’s go. I’m in need of that swim more now than ever.”
He wasn’t the only one.
25
Despite his house—aka the mansion—being on the other side of the Academy, it didn’t take us long to arrive. My shoes stayed in my hands, bare feet not bothering me. Asher left his jacket over my shoulders, and my favorite ocean scent kept me company.
It was only as he deactivated his locking system that I realized— “I have no swimsuit,” I said. I was wearing a strapless bra and thong, which I normally wouldn’t swim in, but did it really matter?
Asher paused. “You want to go and get them?”
“I’ll just swim in my underwear,” I decided. “Save us making another trip.”
For a brief second, his gaze dragged across the top of my cleavage, which was still plumped right up by my corset dress. He shook his head, like he was about to say something and then changed his mind. “Sounds good,” he finally said, turning to enter the house.
Trailing after him, I marveled at how pretty the front entrance was. It had a black-and-white patterned wallpaper on one side, and shoe-coat rack on the other. “Come on,” Asher said, “pool is through here.”
We crossed to the back of the house, stepping out onto a huge porch filled with plush outdoor lounges, the sort you could nap for hours on. Half a dozen stairs led down to an open, white pool house that sat beside a massive lap pool.
“How long is that?” I asked, my eyes running the full length.
“Just short of fifty meters,” he said, his eyes on the sparkling water. He shook his head and his mesmerized look disappeared. “I’ll throw on some shorts and be right back.”
I nodded, and when he was gone I realized this was the perfect opportunity for me to get undressed and into the pool before my bare ass flashed him. That brilliant plan went up in smoke, though, when I couldn’t reach the top of my zip. After a few minutes of struggling, I gave up.
“Need a hand?” Asher’s heat pressed into my back.
I nodded, crossing my arms to stop the dress from just falling off. Warm fingers gently dragged across my skin as he slowly slid the zip down, a trail of burning heat following his touch. We might not explode when we touched anymore, but the physical attraction and chemistry between us remained as strong as ever.
Just when I was about to lose my mind, he stepped back, moving around me to walk down the stairs. “See you in the water, Maddi.”
I almost collapsed against the railing, my skin burning, and I knew I’d be covered in a flush to match my hair. All I could see was his broad back, those thick muscles shifting as he walked. The ink I’d caught glimpses of before was now clearly on display. Covering his entire right side, it wrapped over his shoulder and down his back, disappearing into the waistband of his green shorts.
Did those symbols mean something to him? The tattoos looked new, shiny and dark, but maybe it was like my hair. Supernatural ink didn’t fade.
When he reached the edge of the pool, I let the gorgeous dress slip off, draping it carefully across a nearby chair. I was comfortable in my skin, so I didn’t stress as I followed his path down the stairs. Asher’s dark stare never left me; he waited in the pool, hair slicked back as water dripped across his flawless body. The water hid the silver in his hair, turning it pure black. He was rocking a very dark vibe, and I was into it.
When I reached the edge, I dived in smoothly. Most of my makeup was waterproof, but I’d still be a panda-eyed mess when I emerged. I really didn’t care.
Water was life.
I didn’t come up for a long time, swimming the entire length and then tumbling under water to come back again. When I surfaced, gasping in air, my gaze found him. He was in the deepest part of the pool, and he had to be treading water, but there was barely a ripple around him.
Water followed his command; his magic would help him stay afloat. Swimming closer to him, I kept a few feet between us.
“You can hold your breath for a long time,” he observed.
I nodded. “Yeah, I’ve always been able to swim two lengths of a full-sized pool.”
He reached forward and I waited to see what he was going to do. My breath was shallow as his long fingers cupped the back of my head, his thumb brushing gently under my eyes.
“Is it everywhere?” I said with a laugh.
Asher shook his head. “Just a bit under your eyes.”
He let me go.
“Are we going to swim?” I said, needing a distraction.
He drifted closer. “How about a race?”
My competitive streak sprang to life. “What does the winner get?”
His grin was slightly evil. “If I win, you’ll resume private water magic lessons with me. Now that we know your powers won’t be triggered by me, then we should be safe to explore your connection. I’m especially interested in honing your defensive skills using water.”
“And if I win…?” I said slowly.
He tried not to smile. Smug bastard didn’t think I had a chance. “What do you want?”
Well … wasn’t that a loaded question.
“How about, if I win, I’ll let you know.”
Asher’s lips twitched, but he just nodded and waved me toward the end of the pool. I swam smoothly, he glided, and I had a feeling he was going to destroy me in this little competition. He moved almost as one with the water. I’d never seen anyone so comfortable in it … like he was part of the water itself.
“You ready?” he said, and I nodded, pushing myself back against the wall.
“On the count of three,” he said. “One … two…”
I braced myself, focusing the best I could through my alcohol-and-Asher impaired mind.
“Three!”
We both surged forward in the water. Focusing on my own race, I didn’t even glance to the side. Freestyle was my fastest stroke, and I powered along without breathing, determined to show him I was at least competitive. When the wall neared, I chanced a glance to the side, trying to determine where Asher was. I couldn’t see him, which probably meant he was already at the wall.
Slamming my hand on the end, I swiveled to find him. No one was near me. Turning back to look along the pool, I blinked to see him still on the wall where we’d started.
“Uh … what the hell, dude? You didn’t swim,” I shouted.
He pushed off, and before I could yell again, he was swimming. Whoa. He was fast. So fast
that the race would have almost been embarrassing—for me—had he actually participated. When he reached my side, he smoothly popped up next to me, and I gaped at him.
“You swim faster than a dolphin,” I said. “Why didn’t you race me? You’d have won for sure?”
He moved closer, and I swallowed hard. With that slicked-back hair, water dripping across his skin, eyes shimmery silver, he looked like an amazing, mind blowing, very bad decision waiting to happen.
“Tell me what you picked,” he said.
I didn’t think, I just surged forward and kissed him. I wanted Asher. I wanted to taste him. I wanted to know what one night with him would be like. His hands gripped my hips and he immediately pulled me into his hard body. I wrapped my legs around him, and all thought faded away. He tasted as delicious as he smelled, fresh and sweet. His tongue stroked mine, confident, skilled, and a low moan escaped.
I pressed closer as our tongues slid together, his mouth dominating mine with slightly rough, tantalizing kisses. When I was dizzy and breathless, he slowed our kiss, sucking on my bottom lip.
“Holy fuck.” I exhaled, both of us breathing heavily. “I knew we had chemistry, but that was…”
Asher made a low rumbling sound, his eyes blazing silver, and then his lips were on mine again. I barely noticed that he was moving us through the water, heading toward the wide steps that led into the pool. He sank back onto the middle step with me straddling him. I rocked my aching center against him.
His lips moved over mine and down my jaw, his hands sliding over my ass to control my hips. I could feel his hard length beneath me, and it was driving me insane. When his mouth reached the swell of my breast, he ran his tongue across the water beading there, and his hands slid up my back, releasing my bra. Breasts spilled out everywhere, and Asher lifted his head to meet my gaze.
“I’m starting to think your blood is lying,” he murmured, hands cupping my boobs. I leaned back to give him better access, groaning as his thumbs brushed my nipples. “You have to be Atlantean. The women were said to be the most beautiful of all the world. Curves, and silvery gold hair. Eyes somewhere between silver and the blue of the Atlantic Ocean.”