The alarm went off at four in the morning and I nearly jumped out of my skin. For a split second I didn’t know where I was. Then I felt the warmth beside me. The heavy comforter. The faint scent of cedar and soap. Asher. My heart skipped as reality hit.
“OMG,” I whispered, sitting upright. “What time is it?”
“Three,” Asher mumbled, reaching to silence the alarm.
“Three?” I hissed. “Why is it three?”
“Because we start work at four,” he said, pushing himself up on one elbow.
Panic flooded me. “What if someone sees me leaving your cabin?”
He blinked at me, still half asleep. “They will.”
“That’s not funny.”
He rubbed a hand over his face, then looked at me properly. His gaze softened slightly when he took in my expression.
“I set it early,” he said. “I’m going to the main house to grab the spare key. You can get dressed in the clothes I gave you since yours are probably still wet.”
He sat up fully now, the sheet sliding down his chest. I forced myself not to stare.
“You’re spiraling,” he said.
“I’m not spiraling,” I insisted.
“You’re definitely spiraling.”
I crossed my arms over my bare chest. “They’re going to think I slept with you.”
“They’re going to think two adults spent the night together,” he countered. “And it’s really no one’s business. But I get how it is around here. We’re all friends, not just coworkers.”
Asher leaned in suddenly and kissed me. I froze for half a second before kissing him back. When he pulled away, I blinked at him.
“I’ll be back soon, beautiful,” he said and that melted something inside me. “The longer it takes me, the more chances we have that someone will see you leaving my place.”
“Very true,” I replied.
He got out of bed, and I took in his toned backside. I watched him put on a pair of boxers, and my mouth watered as I took in his abs. I was staring, so I got out of bed and put on the sweatshirt and sweatpants he loaned me.
“They’re huge on you,” he laughed.
“You’re a big guy,” I stated the obvious.
He went to the bathroom to brush his teeth. When he got out, he told me there were new toothbrushes under the sink in the cabinet.
That comment reminded me of who I was dealing with. The kind of guy who hadn’t planned on settling down.
“Thanks.”
He watched me for a beat, and I went into the bathroom. I did what I had to do, and I heard him call out from the other room that he was heading over to the main house. I looked at myself in the mirror. My hair was messy, my lips were swollen. Ihad never given a guy a blow job before. I hoped I’d done it right. He seemed to have enjoyed himself. A guy like him had a lot of experience. I was out of my element. I brushed my teeth and wet my hair, then I used his brush to comb through it. By the time I was done, he returned with the key.
“Mission accomplished,” he said, setting it on the counter. He turned on the kettle.
“You’re making coffee?” I asked.
“I always make coffee,” he replied. “Can’t start the day without caffeine.”
I sat at the small table, tugging at the sleeves of his sweatshirt. “I’m not ready to walk out that door.”