Decisions of Desire 2: Love or Lust

Book 2: Love or Lust

ASHER

The Donovan reception was mind-blowing. The venue was a grand hall, so it didn’t seem as crowded as one might expect, given the guest list.

There were a couple of bars, a rotating food selection, and a band playing. Twinkly lights were scattered everywhere.

I may not be into all that girly stuff, but I can appreciate a good twinkle light.

I positioned myself at a corner bar, which provided an excellent view for people-watching. I didn’t bring a date, so I was somewhat on my own.

A few lovely ladies introduced themselves to me, so I wouldn’t say I was completely alone.

I didn’t have the best reputation when it came to women. While I acknowledge the truth in it, the media had a major influence.

That’s why finding a real girlfriend was such a challenge. Many women either want to sleep with me or aim to change me.

Despite how hard it may be to believe, I actually wanted a relationship. My lifestyle hadn’t really allowed it.

Plus, it was hard to trust anyone. Were they truly interested in me, or were they after Asher Anderson, the notorious womanizer?

“Scare off all the women so soon, Asher?”

The beautiful Lexi Johnson leaned against the bar and faced me.

I gave her an arrogant smile. “Just weighing my options.”

I inwardly rolled my eyes at myself. Comments like that didn’t help anything either.

She laughed, though. So, I’d call that a win.

“What about you? I didn’t see you here with anyone.”

She shrugged as she took a sip of wine and looked around. “I guess I just didn’t have anyone I wanted to bring.”

“Great! You can sit back and people-watch with me.”

She huffed. “And have people think we are sleeping together?”

“Well, I’ve already slept with the bride.”

I winked at her, and she smiled. We both knew that the rumor wasn’t true.

“Let’s take a shot.” I gestured toward the bartender.

Lexi looked hesitant. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”

Her response surprised me. Lexi loved to party, drink, and go clubbing. Why would this be any different?

“Come on. It’s a wedding!”

I pushed the full shot glass toward her as I held mine up. “To a fun night.”

She didn’t say anything but kept eye contact as she downed the shot.

LEXI

Two shots and a glass of wine later, I was giggling like a schoolgirl listening to Asher talk about the guests.

Apparently, he liked to play a game that involved making up stories about each person. Mostly with people we didn’t know.

So the stories he came up with were outrageous and hilarious.

“What about them?” I asked as I slightly tipped my glass toward an older couple.

“Hmmm. Let’s see…”

He paused for a minute. “They are married. Had three children, who are all grown and have families of their own. They are using this time to get to know each other again. Maybe travel and enjoy life.”

I watched Asher talk with a longing in his eyes. When he caught me staring, he cleared his throat.

“They are also part of an underground sex club. No…they own one!”

I pretended to laugh, but I knew he added that to hide whatever emotion was written all over his face.

The walls that he built started to crumble, but as soon as he realized it, he built them right back up.

“Asher?”

We both turned to see a woman with a surprised look on her face. And holy shit, she was gorgeous.

She had red hair and beautiful green eyes. She looked exotic.

I have never had low self-esteem. I know who I am and what I’m worth.

Looking at this woman made me question myself, and I didn’t like it.

“Avery?”

Asher jumped up. “What are you doing here?”

“I came with a friend of mine.”

She stopped and stared at him. “I can’t believe you are here!”

“I can’t believe you are here! It’s been a long time.”

I started to feel both awkward and jealous for no reason. I had to get out of there.

I reached in between them to grab my glass off the bar.

“Excuse me. Asher, it was nice talking to you.”

I turned to the beautiful woman and gave a polite smile before walking away. I had no reason to be rude.

I was a few steps away before I heard him call out. “Lexi. Lexi. Wait.”

I didn’t wait or turn around. The emotions building up inside me were completely unnecessary.

I had no idea where they came from. I tried to shake it off and put on my best fake smile.

“Asher and Avery.” Even their names belonged together.

Stop! I yelled at myself. ~You are being absurd.~

I stayed a bit longer. The wedding was a blast. Harper and I took some more shots.

I danced and socialized. It was what I did best, but I still couldn’t get him out of my head.

When I was finally ready to call it a night, Walker graciously called a car for me.

The hotel wasn’t far, but he said he’d feel better if I wasn’t walking alone.

I stood outside to wait for the car. It was one of those beautiful summer nights.

There was a pleasant breeze, and the temperature wasn’t too hot.

“Lexi.”

Fuck.

I put on my fake smile before I turned around. “Hey. Great wedding, wasn’t it?”

He nodded, squinting his eyes. “Yes. It was. Why did you leave before?”

I thought for a minute, as if I forgot. I don’t know why I needed to play these games.

That’s not true, I did know. The same reason everyone plays games, so they wouldn’t get hurt.

“Oh. I didn’t want to get in the way. It seemed like you two had some catching up to do.”

I patted myself on the back. In my mind, of course, because that would have been weird.

I sounded pretty believable. At least I thought so until I saw Asher’s expression.

I felt my whole body tingle when he took a step forward. I stood my ground, mostly because I had to.

I was already leaning against the building.

“You are never in the way.”

He stared straight into my eyes.

Before I could respond with a sarcastic comment, his head shot up.

Without a word, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me to the side of the building.

He pushed me flat against the brick wall, covering my body with his.

I was about to ask what he was doing when he put a finger to his lips.

I closed my mouth and stilled.

Seconds later, a group of people with cameras ran past us.

He looked down at me and smiled.

I started to laugh and quickly covered my mouth with my hand.

We stood like that for a couple of minutes. His hard body and his scent had my head spinning. I told myself it was the alcohol, but I knew it wasn’t.

It was him.

ASHER

“I think we lost them,” I said, making no attempt to move away.

“How did you even know they were there? I didn’t see anyone.”

I shrugged. “I think it’s a sixth sense now.”

I tried to play it off as a joke. The sad part was that it wasn’t a joke. I could just feel when the paparazzi were around.

I knew I needed to take a step back. I didn’t want to. I wanted to find out why she ran off before. Plus, her scent of strawberries and wine was intoxicating.

I backed up a little, putting my hands on the wall, blocking her in from each side. She was nervous, and I loved it.

She cleared her throat. “Well, they seem to be gone now.”

I knew she meant it as a reason to walk away. She didn’t move though, so neither did I. “Why did you run off before?”

She shook her head and looked down. “Asher…”

I grabbed her chin and made her face me. “Why?”

I had a pretty good idea what the answer was, but I wanted to hear her say it.

“I told you.”

I shook my head. “You’re lying.”

“If you know, why are you even asking?”

I smiled. There she was. My little spitfire. Lexi Johnson had always been outgoing and spoke her mind. The fact that she was holding back told me more than if she’d just come out and say it.

And fuck, I loved having that power over her. “Because I want to hear you say it.”

My lips were practically on hers. It took everything I had not to inch forward and kiss her.

She didn’t say anything, though. Instead, she kissed me, which took me completely by surprise.

I immediately moaned into her mouth. She tasted just as she smelled, like strawberries and wine. I knew I’d never be able to get enough.

I wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her tightly to me. She gasped when my hard cock pushed against her stomach. I gripped her hair, holding her head where I wanted it. Then I devoured her.

She felt and tasted so fucking good. I stopped the kiss and moved my lips along her jaw until I reached her ear. She let out another small gasp as I took her ear between my teeth.

“Do you want me to fuck you, Lexi? Right here against this wall?”

“Yes.” Her voice was breathless. I doubt I would have heard her if I wasn’t so close.

I could feel the evil smile spread across my face. “Then you are going to have to tell me why you ran off.”

Her whole body froze, and she looked at me. I raised my eyebrows and waited.

“You are an asshole.” She pushed me off her.

I grabbed her wrist before she could walk away. She looked down at it, then back at me. “I already told you.”

“I don’t believe you. I think you were jealous. I think you wanted to spend the rest of the evening with me.”

She ripped her arm away. “I don’t get jealous. And you just lost your chance at having this.”

She gestured to herself before she stomped off. She was already too far away before I could reply. So I responded to myself.

I highly doubt that, Lexi Johnson. I am going to have you in my bed. And I am going to fucking love it.