Landlady: A New Adult Romance (Northbridge Nights Book 1) (22 page)

Max barked a little before curling up on my couch. The look in his
eyes tugged at my heartstrings. Had taking care of Sierra made me
soft? The old me would never take in a stray and let it run all over
my pristine home.

I walked back into the living room a few minutes later to find a
puddle of piss in the middle of the floor.

I sighed. I had a lot of work ahead of me. I spent the rest of the
day cleaning the house from top to bottom. It needed to be spic and
span for Sierra's homecoming.

By the end of the day, I needed to hear Sierra's voice. Especially
after what had happened this morning, I needed to hear something
comforting. Reassuring.

“Hello?”

“Hey, babe.”

“I was wondering when you'd call,” Sierra said. I wish I could
see the look on her face. I wondered if she was smiling. “I was
worried about you,” she added.

“Sorry, I had a lot to do this morning,” I said. “But I miss
you. Really.”

“You're still more than welcome to come over,” Sierra offered.
“Mom's making BBQ ribs. Cally's here too. We're watching TV.”

“No, I don't think I'll interrupt your girl time. I just wanted to
hear your voice, that's all.”

“So what did you do today?” she asked.

I didn't want to lie to her, but I didn't want to tell her what
happened over the phone either. “I picked up Max. I named him
Max
—
he's the stray I ran over last
night. He's home with me and Bowser now.”

“So when are you coming over?” Sierra asked.

I bit my lip. “I'm not sure. I need to figure out what to do with
Max first. And I need to sort things out with my Dad.”

“I see,” Sierra said. Her voice fell.

“I really want to see you. Hold you. Kiss you,” I said. “Among
other things. But I also hate the way I left things with my dad. You
understand, don't you?”

“Of course,” Sierra said. “Go do what you have to do. I'm not
going anywhere.”

“What she means is come get her ASAP, she's dying to go home,”
Cally interrupted.

I laughed. “Yes, ma'am. I'll try to swing by tomorrow.”

“Can't wait,” Sierra said.

“Sweet dreams, princess.”

“You too, trespasser.”

After I hung up, I decided I'd keep Max. At least until I could
personally find him a new home. I posted an ad online and also called
up a few buddies to ask them to spread the word. Around nine-thirty,
I ordered in some Pad Thai and crashed shortly after.

The next morning, I headed straight to the firm.

I knew Dad told me to piss off but he'd always been short-tempered,
and I knew he'd probably cooled down somewhat since two days ago.

When I strode in, Rachelle smiled. “Did you patch things up with
your father?”

“No, not yet. But I will,” I replied. “Wish me luck.” I made
a move to go to Dad's office, but Rachelle held me back.

“Sorry, Asher, but you don't technically work here anymore. And you
don't have an appointment. Your dad's in a meeting.”

“You're right. Okay, I can wait.”

“He's got meetings all day, Asher.”

“I'll wait all day then. He'll need a lunch or bathroom break at
some point.”

“Should I let him know you're here?” she asked.

“No, it's okay. I'll wait until he has a moment.”

I received many stares and a few whispers over the next hour. One
hour stretched into two. Then four. I stretched, paced, played on my
phone. But still no sight of Dad.

When Dad finally emerged from his office, he was laughing at
something Klassen had said. After Klassen had disappeared into his
office, I seized the opportunity to speak to Dad.

“What are you doing here?” Dad snapped. He made his way toward
the elevators, so I chased after him. “Can we talk, in private?”

“There's nothing left to say,” Dad said. “Now, if you'll excuse
me.”

“Tell me what I have to do to win back your trust. Anything,” I
said. I ran after him just as the elevator doors closed.

“Anything? Are you sure about that?”

“Yes.” I looked him square in the eye. “Tell me what I need to
do.”

“Ditch the girl. She's a trivial distraction,” Dad said, staring
straight ahead.

“Anything but that,” I said. “Please, there must be another
case
—
”

“That's my condition,” Dad said. “Your job or her. You decide.
You have three days. Then I'm hiring a new junior associate to
replace you.”

“Dad
—
”

“
—
You may leave now, Asher. Let me
know what you decide.”

I felt abysmal. Not only had I not accomplished anything after my
four-hour wait, but now Dad had put an ultimatum in front of me. My
career or Sierra.

It wasn't fair.

He was being heartless and savage, and we both knew it. Sierra wasn't
just a simple distraction. Not anymore. She really meant something to
me.
I fucking loved her.
Couldn't he see that?

What the hell was I doing here, begging for my job when I should’ve
been kissing the hell out of my new girlfriend? When I should’ve
been telling her how much I loved and adored and cherished her?
Because despite our unconventional beginnings, I was more crazy about
that girl than any other woman I'd ever been with. And Sierra Maywood
needed to know that. Right now.

CHAPTER 21

SIERRA

“ASHER
—
I THOUGHT YOU weren't coming
over until tomorrow.”

“I was going stir-crazy,” Asher said. “I need you to come home
with me. Tonight.”

“Tonight? It's like nine o' clock already. I was planning to go to
bed soon,” I replied.

“You can go to sleep...in my bed,” Asher said. “I won't take no
for an answer,” he added.

“What will I tell my parents?” I asked. “They'll think I'm
crazy for leaving in the middle of the night.”

“I'll talk to them,” Asher said. “Just tell me you want to come
home with me.”

“Of course, I do. I've been dying to leave since yesterday,” I
said.

“Where's your stuff?” Asher asked. “I'll take it to the car.”

“I think you'd better talk to my parents first. They're out on the
back deck having a glass of wine.”

“Okay. But grab your things because nothing is going to stop me
from taking you home tonight.”

The urgency in Asher's voice sent a thrill through me. I'd never seen
him in such a frenzy. I wondered what had incited him to come down at
this hour and what we'd do once we returned to Northbridge. I made my
way toward the sofa and started folding up clothes and putting them
in my suitcase. My fingers quivered with nervous energy and I could
hardly concentrate.

I heard Asher talking to my parents outside, but the conversation was
muted. No one was yelling or crying, so that was a good sign. I
grabbed my crutches and tried to sneak up on them and eavesdrop, but
the conversation was over within minutes.

Asher returned, lifted me off my feet and didn't put me down until I
was buckled into his front seat. He was fiercely determined and so
damn hot. His tousled hair and firm lips and that glint in his eyes.
What happened while he was gone?

Five minutes later, he was lugging my suitcase down the stairs and
tossing it in the trunk. He slammed it shut and asked, “Do you have
anything else other than this suitcase?”

“Nope.”

“Good. Let's hit the road then.”

“Shouldn't I say goodbye to my parents?” I asked.

“We'll be back in a couple days to visit. They said they
understood.”

“What in the bloody hell did you tell them?”

My parents were just as bull-headed as I was. How did he convince
them to let me leave?

“Just the truth. About how I felt towards you.”

“That's it?”

“Yup, that's it. Easy-peasy,” Asher said, grinning.

“I don't believe you. Did you bribe them?”

“No. No bribes necessary. I just said the magic words and they
nearly fainted with joy.”

“Oh? What were the magic words?”

Asher pulled out onto the side of the road. In the dead silence, he
turned to me and said, “I told them that I was madly in love with
their daughter. That I couldn't bear spending another day or night
without her by my side.”

“Asher
—
”

“I told them that I was prepared to take care of you 24/7 until
your leg was healed, and continue to look after you for as long as
you'd have me.”

“Asher
—
”

“
—
I love you, Sierra Maywood. Don't
say a word unless it's to return the sentiment.”

I wrapped my arms around Asher's neck and pulled him in for a deep
kiss. “I love you too, Asher Morgan.”

In the fading sunset, his radiant, boyish smile was swoon-worthy.
“Now that's what I wanted to hear.”

“Should we head home now?” I asked, buckling in the seatbelt. “Or
are we going to just sit here making googly eyes at one another?” I
laughed, and Asher stepped on the gas again.

When we got home, Asher didn't even bother taking my suitcase out of
the car. He was too busy carrying me up the stairs and into our
house.

He stopped to unlock the front door, then brought me straight into
his bedroom, lay me down on his comfortable bed (a hundred times
softer than the lumpy mattress at my parents' place) and kissed me
tenderly.

I couldn't believe it was happening. A riot of fireworks blazed
through me, and I gasped as Asher nibbled on the soft flesh of my
neck.

“I can't wait a second longer, Sierra,” Asher moaned. “I need
to make you mine.”

“That's good because I'm dying to be yours,” I replied, tugging
at his shirt collar and working his buttons free.

“God, Sierra, you sweet, sexy woman.” Asher sucked on my neck and
then planted kisses all the way up to my chin. His lips roamed over
the contours of my face, feather light and sweeter than sugar.
Shooting stars erupted inside my stomach, causing me to twist and
turn with uncontainable excitement.

Every one of his kisses pulsed through me, licked my skin like
delicious little flames. And I wanted more. All over my body.
Everywhere, all at once. I unhooked the final button and pulled his
shirt off. Cupping my hands around his shoulder blades, I brought his
chest down on top of mine, taking in his spicy scent and tantalizing
musk.

Asher parted the seam of my lips with his relentless tongue. He
explored my mouth, danced with my tongue and then bit my bottom lip
until it was swollen. I was trapped inside a delirious inferno of
lust, and I could already feel wetness pooling between my thighs.

My panties were soaked.

Because of him.

Sexy, sweet, irresistible Asher.

But I also couldn't help but realize that this might not happen
thanks to the ginormous cast on my leg. It weighed a ton and any
pressure on it sent shockwaves of pain through my entire body.

Thankfully, Asher was incredibly gentle. He lifted my t-shirt over my
head, pulling my hair to one side and straightening it again.

“You look magnificent,” he said. “Good enough to eat.” His
large hands found my breasts and squeezed them through my bra. “I've
wanted to taste these since the first time I saw them.”

“Well now's your chance,” I said, pushing my chest towards him.
“Taste me.”

“I almost died when I saw you in that tiny bikini at the pool.”
Asher reached around and unhooked my bra, peeling it off until my
alabaster globes met with the cool night air and my nipples peaked.

Asher's hands warmed up my erect buds as he massaged my breasts,
squeezing them together and then pulling them apart. “You're my
fucking addiction, Sierra. My drug,” he said in that gravelly voice
of his. “My weakness and my strength. My everything.” The most
sinful groans escaped from him as he studied my body like a fine art
connoisseur.

His face sank between my cleavage and kissed my sternum. Then he made
his way from my left nipple to the right one.

“God, you're driving me insane,” I groaned. “Asher,
please.
”

Asher scraped his teeth along my right nipple, teasing it until it
hurt. Then he made circles around my puffy areola with the tip of his
tongue until I was arching my back and writhing with desire.

“Please, Asher.”

Asher dragged my palm over his manhood, and I could feel him
practically bursting out of his pants. “Feel how hard I am for you.
Just for you, Sierra. Only you can make me feel this way.”

I swallowed hard. I could see the outline of his cock against his
pants.

“I'm not sure if we can
—
” I
started, “
—
You know because of my
leg
—
”

“Tonight's not about me, baby, it's all about you,” Asher
whispered. He sank lower onto the bed and started easing my skirt
off. When he reached my underwear, he pulled it down with his teeth.
After he'd removed it all, I suddenly felt exposed and extremely
conscious of my nudity. After all, he still had his pants on.

“Asher, it's not fair that I'm naked and you're not.”

“You're not ready for this yet,” Asher said, gesturing to his
arousal. “But I think you are ready for this...” He pushed my
legs apart and dove between my legs, his mouth expertly locating my
clit and closing over it.

I let out a gasp, but before I could even exhale, he'd pulled back
already, leaving me tingling and wanting more. When Asher dove back
down again, he teased my labia with his tongue, only licking the very
edge, but not taking in more than that.

“This isn't fair, Asher.”

“I know.”

Asher's tongue lapped at my outer folds, up and down, up and down
until I felt my wetness leaking onto the bedsheets. I was slick and
ready for him, dying for him to fill me, but he wouldn't grant my
wish. Instead, he used his tongue to probe deeper into me, shooting
it up inside me and pistoning in and out, driving me to the very
edge, only to pull out again.