Landlady: A New Adult Romance (Northbridge Nights Book 1) (21 page)

“I'm driving, Vicky. And you're drunk.”

“I'm not drunk.”

“Yes, you are. Now please, sit tight. I should be coming up to your
house in about five minutes.”

When I finally reached her house and shut off the engine, Vicky had
already passed out. Sighing, I went around, opened the door and
picked her and her sleeping Chihuahua, up into my arms.

I brought her up to her front door and with one hand, dug into her
purse to find her keys. After pushing past a few compacts and
lipsticks, I found her keychain.

Her home was cozy but modern. A revamped Victorian house, not unlike
my own place. The place I shared with Sierra. God, if Sierra could
see me now. Lugging my fake ex-fiancée — my
drunk,
fake
ex-fiancée up the stairs...and I was still wearing that goddamn
pinstripe suit.

I assumed her bedroom was upstairs, so I carried her up two flights
of stairs. I was a bit out of breath at that point and completely
tuckered out.

When I finally found her bedroom at the end of the hall, I was about
to pass out. Her bed looked so inviting; the sheets felt so soft...

“Stay, Asher. Just stay the night,” Vicky whispered.

It would be nice to crash for the night, instead of driving a half
hour more to get home. Besides, it'd cut travel time by half the next
morning, when I went to go see Sierra and get the dog.

“I'll sleep on the couch then, if you don't mind,” I said. But
Vicky was already asleep.

I pulled her covers up to her chin and brushed some hair away from
her eyes. Then I removed her stilettos and shut her door.

I was a little surprised I didn't feel anything more than friendship
towards Vicky. After all, she'd been the object of my fantasies for
nearly a decade. We'd been involved, intimately, only three short
months ago. But now, watching her sleep, all I could think about was
how much I wanted to hold Sierra in my arms again.

I trudged downstairs, found Vicky's soft, pull-out couch, and fell
asleep on it.

CHAPTER 19

SIERRA

“I'M TELLING YOU, HE said he'd come back in the morning,” I told
Callista.

Callista had finally gotten a day off, and she decided to surprise me
with a visit. Mom was plying her with fluffy pancakes, and Callista
was eagerly stuffing her face.

“Okay, okay. You don't need to beat me over the head with it,”
Callista said. “Are you telling this to reassure me, or yourself?”

“Sorry,” I apologized.

“Are you in love with him or something? You get this glazed look
every time I mention his name.”

“No! Why does everyone keep asking me that?” I glanced at the
clock. It was almost noon. I wish I didn't feel so irked that he
hadn't answered any of my texts or calls all night or this morning.
I'd wanted to make sure he got home safe, but he never replied, which
kept me up all night. If my leg had been working properly, I'd have
taken Dad's truck and went to find him myself.

Of course, my parents thought I was overreacting. “His phone
probably ran out of batteries,” Mom said.

“No, he definitely got eaten by a coyote,” Dad teased.

“More like mauled by a bear,” Callista added.

“It's not funny. He could've gotten into a car accident. He hit a
dog, and he was taking him to the vet. Then I didn't hear back from
him.”

“He was probably just too tired,” Callista reasoned. “Can you
just calm down and eat some food? Geez. I drive all this way to see
you, and you can't shut up about your new boy toy.”

I tried to swallow my anxiety by telling Callista about Asher riding
the horse yesterday. But once I'd finished that story, I realized I
didn't have anything else to say. Everything I'd done during the past
few days involved Asher Morgan. He was becoming an important part of
my life. A part I couldn't be without.

“Well, I have some news,” Callista said, putting down her fork.
“I broke up with Brandon.”

I arched my brow. “Oh, what happened? When?”

“He said some shitty things about you two days ago. I lost it.”

“You broke up because of me? That's not right,” I said.

“It wasn't just because of you. My heart wasn't in it either. I
think a part of me knew all along him and I weren't going to make
it,” Callista said. “I'm not upset or anything.”

I leaned over and gave Callista a hug. I looked over to make sure my
parents weren't looking. Then in a low whisper, I said, “Asher said
he was bringing me home today. So we can have a breakup sobfest slash
sleepover at my place tomorrow.”

“If he brings you home, who's going to look after you?” Callista
asked.

“He said he would.”

“When he's at work?”

“He got fired,” I said, eyes peering over in my parents'
direction. They were in the kitchen, watching TV. “So he's got a
lot more free time on his hands now.”

“Um, how did he get fired?”

“His dad was being a real asshole and fired him because he fudged
this contract. It's a long story.”

“Is he going to get another job?” Callista asked.

“Probably. But in the meantime, he says he's going to take care of
me. We became official last night, you know. He asked me to be his
girlfriend.”

Callista squealed. “You waited all this time to tell me? God, I'm
happy for you, Sisi, I am. But you two have never even gone on a date
before. You sure you want to be exclusive this soon?”

“I just have this gut feeling about him,” I said. “My instincts
tell me he's one-hundred percent trustworthy. He's been looking after
me every chance he's had since the accident.” After a pause I
added, “I'm really falling for him, Cally.”

“Just don't get blindsided by the money and good looks, Sisi,”
Cally said. “Are you sure he likes you for you? What if he's just
doing it out of guilt? I know, I might just be jaded from my recent
break-up but still, just don't dive in too deep. Leave an exit for
yourself.”

“I know you're looking out for me, Cally, but I know what I'm
doing.”

But honestly, my words hinted at more confidence than I actually
felt.

Finally after lunch, I got a text from Asher.

About damn time.

ASHER:
Sorry, Sierra, I won't be able to make it today. Raincheck?

I wanted to ask
—
no
—
demand
why he couldn't come visit. But I didn't want to seem clingy already.
He was a busy, important man. He probably had good reasons.

SIERRA:
No problem. Miss you already. Xoxo.

ASHER:
Me too.

I was a little miffed by how...dull he sounded this morning. If
'dull' could even be conveyed through two texts. He just didn't seem
peppy or energetic at all. I wanted to call him and ask about the
stray dog he'd hit, but if he wanted to talk to me, he would've
called instead of texted.

“Was that loverboy?” Cally asked, sidling up to me with a bowl
full of popcorn.

“Yeah, he can't make it today,” I said, looking down at my cast
and hating myself for having it. I was trapped here. Imprisoned by
overly-loving parents until my knight got around to rescuing me.

“That's fine. We can watch Gilmore Girls reruns all day.” Cally
smiled. “I mean, if you're up for it.”

I mustered up a smile. “Of course, I am. Where's the remote?”

CHAPTER 20

ASHER

“WHAT THE FUCK ARE you doing Victoria?” I yelled, rubbing my
eyes.

Victoria's fingers were working on my zipper. “What does it look
like, Asher?”

I sat up on her couch and pried her hands off of me. “I am not
doing this right now. You make me sick.”

“I thought you'd like a little morning surprise.” Victoria
pouted. “No need to get all flustered about it.
She
doesn't
have to know.”

I pulled up my zipper and hooked my belt through the buckle. “I
should never have stayed the night. This was a mistake. Helping you
out was a fucking mistake.”

Vicky took a step towards me, reaching for my arm. “Asher, we could
be good together. Come on, don't tell me you haven't been fantasizing
about me for the past eight years.”

“That's in the past now, Vicky. I've met someone. I told you so
last night.”

“You said it wasn't serious.” She grabbed my wrist, and I
shrugged her off.
Where were my damn car keys?
I patted my
pants and jacket pockets but came up empty.

“Looking for these?” Vicky said, swinging my keys around her
index finger.

I lunged for them, but she darted back. “Come and get 'em,” she
said.

Goddamn it. I could barely get my pants on my cock was so hard.
Morning wood. It didn't help she was practically running upstairs
naked, wearing only a lacy red bra and flimsy g-string.

Fucking lingerie model.

I was only a man after all, and I couldn't help but react to Vicky's
body.

I waited at the bottom of the stairs. “Vicky, I don't want to play
this game. Please act like an adult and give me my keys back.”

“Come and get them,” she repeated.

I waited a few more seconds before storming upstairs to give her a
piece of my mind.

When I reached the final landing, there she was, in all her naked
glory.

Of course, I'd fantasized about her creamy golden body for years. I'd
imagined stroking every hill and valley. But nothing prepared me for
this. Her proportions were nothing short of perfect, her perky
nipples kissing the still air. I couldn't help but let my eyes trail
down to the apex of her thighs, where a rectangular strip of black
hair covered her most intimate area.

“Like what you see?” she asked.

I looked away at the wall and held out my hand. “Please, give me my
keys. I need to go. Now.”

I heard her feet shuffling closer. “Stand back, Vicky.” I held
out my hand in a 'stop' gesture. But instead of air, my palm brushed
against one of her silky breasts. Her hard nipple dug into the center
of my hand, and I groaned. I wanted to squeeze it. Roll her nipple
and suck on it. I wanted to just pin her against the wall and shove
my erection straight inside her. Give her slutty self what she so
desperately wanted.

This woman was tempting me within an inch of my life. My self-control
was a thread away from snapping into oblivion. But I held onto that
thread with everything I had. Nothing was worth risking my
relationship with Sierra. Not even Victoria Amari, supermodel
extraordinaire. Object of my every dirty fantasy for nearly a decade.

“I know you want me,” Vicky whispered. “So come and get me.”

I dropped my hand and clenched it into a fist. “I'm not asking
again, Victoria. Give me my fucking keys. I'm not interested in your
games.”

“It's not a game, Asher. I want you back in my life.”

“It's too late, I'm in love with someone else.” The words tumbled
out of my mouth before I'd given them any thought. They took me by
surprise.

“You said you weren't serious,” Vicky said.

“I'm dead serious about Sierra. More serious than I ever was about
you. I fucking love that woman. I want to marry that woman and make
babies with her. I want to protect her and cherish her and love her
with every fiber of my being. But I can't do any of that because
there's a slut standing in my way, holding my fucking car keys
hostage.”

Vicky's breath came fast and choppy. “I see.”

“Now give me my goddamn keys. NOW.”

This time, Vicky didn't toy with me anymore. I felt cool metal drop
into my hands. Without even taking another look, I ran down the
stairs and slammed the door on the way out.

I finally saw Victoria Amari for who she truly was: a vapid, hollow
woman with zero self-esteem. I had no clue what I’d seen in her all
these years.

But I did realize something else.

I was in love.

Not just lust or infatuation. I was in
love
.

With Sierra.

Once I was almost at Maywood Farm, my phone exploded with messages.
For some reason, I hadn't received any of them until now. They were
all from Sierra, asking if I'd gotten home safely and whether or not
I was still coming.

I was about to tell her I would be coming to pick her up when I
realized I needed to get the stray dog from the vets.

I texted instead,
Sorry Sierra, I won't be able to make it today.
Raincheck?

There were too many things I wanted to say to her, in person. Not
over text or over the phone, but in person. I wanted to see her eyes
twinkle when I told her I loved her. I wanted to see her face light
up the room. But before I could do any of that, I needed to run a few
errands.

A) I needed to pick up the stray and find him a new home.

B) I reeked and needed a shower. Badly.

C) I needed to get my shit together and get my job back.

D) I needed to clean up the house and decorate it with candles and
flowers or something before Sierra came home.

I resolved not to bring her home until I'd accomplished all those
things first.

When I arrived at the vet's, it was almost two. Dr. Hadras handed me
the stray and said that with some TLC, he'd be fine within two weeks.
She gave me some meds and her card, said I could call her anytime. I
thanked her and paid the bill.

I placed the dozing German Shephard in the backseat before making my
way home.

Bowser was jumping up and down when I arrived. I ruffled his fur and
squeezed him tight. “Bowser, this is your temporary roommate,
umm...Max.”

I couldn't think of a better name at the moment so Max would have to
do. I lugged out a bag of dog food and filled two bowls, one for each
dog.

They bonded instantly over kibble.

After taking a shower and tossing that God-awful pinstripe suit in
the trash, I was glad to put on a t-shirt and sweats.

Max was limping a little, and I wondered what I should do with him.
Obviously, I couldn't put him in the SPCA, especially since he was
still recovering from the wound. He was pretty old and in bad shape;
they might put him down. On the other hand, I wasn't sure if I was
ready to take on another dog. I barely had time to take care of
Bowser.