~ Zoie's POV ~
Zoie was having trouble sleeping. Again.
It was 1 AM and she lay on the bed with her eyes open and her mind racing. Ever since Asher moved back into the neighborhood a week ago, she hasn't had a decent night of sleep. Every morning, her aunt Talia and Asher stopped by to have breakfast with the family. And then later at night, they also had family dinner together. Zoie tried her best to act cool around Asher, but it wasn't easy because everywhere she turned, he always happened to be around. It also didn't help that Asher loves to walk around shirtless around the house during the day because it was so hot out and he was fixing Damon's antique cars.
Like this one time, Zoie was minding her own business, lounging in the backyard by the pool. She was reading and sunbathing, listening to Harry Style's 'As It Was' when suddenly something caught her eye. Asher was working in Damon's garage and the garage door was wide open. He had his back turned to her as he was facing the car's front engine. Zoie couldn't take her eyes off of him like a moth to a flame. Her sunglasses hung low and she instinctively put her book down. Her eyes scanned his body up and down. He was only wearing a pair of jeans and beads of sweat were rolling down his sculpted body.
Hubba-hubba!
Asher then moved to the side of the car, and Zoie got a better look at him. She took note of his perfect abs, the way his muscles flexed when he moved, and how his lower abdomen had that V-shape leading towards---
"You need help with that?"
Asher had, all of a sudden, turned to her and spoke in that low, husky voice of his. His eyes trailed her body and he noticed her hand hiding under her book and it was sitting on her lower stomach. If he didn't know any better, he'd probably think that she was touching herself!
"No!" Zoie exclaimed quickly and defensively. "I'm just putting on sunscreen!"
Thinking fast, she grabbed the bottle of sunscreen from the nearby table and rubbed her thigh as if she was applying them.
"What are you looking at?" she glared at him as he kept staring at her.
Asher let out a smirk. He tossed the dirty towel in his hand to the side and came closer to her. Zoie felt nervous all of a sudden. She was lying on the lounge chair in a pair of red bikinis.
"You're the only one who can watch," he said coolly. Unfazed.
"Huh?" she narrowed her eyes.
"I saw you,"
"You saw me what?"
"You were eye-raping me,"
Zoie's mouth fell open in shock.
"Ugh, g-get over yourself!" she stammered, avoiding eye contact at all costs.
"Hey, it's all good," he chuckled. "I don't mind,"
With that, Asher turned around again and went back into the garage. He gave her a playful wave as she flared up red in embarrassment.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, was just one of the many instances where Asher teased her. He seemed to find it amusing that Zoie was acting nervous around him. He'd purposefully get on her nerves for the hell of it. At dinner, for example, he'd throw her playful looks and smirks when no one was looking. And now, Zoie couldn't sleep as a result. Because even when he wasn't around, she could still feel his presence looming over her.
And yes. Thinking about his half-naked body didn't help either.
Zoie let out a frustrated groan as she turned to her side again. She opened her eyes and checked the time on her phone, it was 2.30 AM. Letting out a long sigh, Zoie sat up from her bed. Her body felt tired, but her brain just won't cooperate.
Hm. Maybe I just need to eat something.
Zoie rolled off the bed and headed straight for the kitchen. It was dark in the house. Everyone was asleep. Wearing only her pink bunny pajamas, she tiptoed down the stairs and into the kitchen. Then she went straight to the kitchen cabinet for her favorite cereal, and she turned to the fridge to find some milk. The Van Zandt household was always fully stocked with all kinds of food and beverages, so when Zoie couldn't find her 2% milk in the fridge, she was confused. She started raiding the fridge haphazardly, growing irritated and hangry.
Where the hell is my milk!?
"Looking for something?"
Zoie's heart almost dropped to her feet. She turned around instantly and saw a tall figure standing right behind her. Asher was shirtless, as always, and he was holding a carton of 2% milk in his hand.
"Asher!" she gaped.
"Ssshh," he put a finger to his mouth, telling her to calm down. "Not too loud, or you're gonna wake everyone,"
He gave her that signature smirk before proceeding to drink her milk. Straight from the carton.
"W-what are you doing here?!" she hissed.
"Same as you. Looking for a snack," he shrugged and grabbed the cereal box from her hand. Setting down the cereal and milk on the counter, he turned to her again and said, "And now I found it,"
"What are you talking about?"
"Aw, don't play dumb," he said with his head cocked to the side. "I've seen the way you look at me. You can't get me out of your head, can't you?"
Asher took a step closer and Zoie stepped back in response.
"Psh! You're so full of yourself, you know that?"
"I know what you want, Zoie. Stop fighting it," he said as he closed the distance between them again. He put his hands on the counter behind Zoie, trapping her in place. "I want it too,"
Zoie swallowed hard. She saw Asher's two strong arms perched on both sides of her body. Then she looked up to see his fiery hazel eyes boring into hers. Staring into his eyes felt like she was in a trance. She couldn't look away. And slowly, Asher leaned closer. His mouth was only inches away. Zoie felt her lips shudder.
"A-Asher... I can't..."
"Why not?"
"You're the bodyguard... You're my dad's godson!"
"So?"
"So?" she gaped. "I thought we agreed that night can never happen again?!"
Asher didn't say anything, but he was unfazed. He just kept staring at her, his gaze darkened. Zoie's heart was racing a million miles a minute. It felt dangerous, yet exhilarating. She knew this was wrong, but she didn't have the willpower to stop it.
Suddenly and without warning, Asher leaned in and planted a slow deep kiss on her soft lips. Zoie's mind thought of all the scenarios. She could push him away and slap him in the face, or she could even kick him in the nuts. But she didn't do any of these things. Instead, her body responded by kissing him back.
Letting out a muffled groan, Asher pulled her tighter as he deepened the kiss. Zoie's body melted into him and she let out a small, shy moan. His one hand was now holding her waist, and the other was holding her soft face. Zoie let her hand travel to the back of his head and started stroking his hair. And as the kiss grew deeper, she started gripping his hair and pulling on it gently. Asher let out another groan. He was lost in her taste as his tongue grazed on her bottom lip, searching for access. Zoie responded by letting out another moan. And that was when he lost it.
Asher grabbed her entire body and lifted her up on the counter, knocking down the milk and cereal in the process. Zoie gasped in shock, and he used that moment to slip his tongue into her mouth. Asher continued claiming her lips hungrily, ignoring the milk pouring out onto the floor.
Meanwhile, Zoie's mind went blank as their tongues met and danced. He explored her mouth greedily, hungry to taste every inch of her. Zoie moaned again, which made him smile because that must mean that she was enjoying this. Taking it as a good sign, Asher moved on to start kissing her neck. She let out another moan again and he had to put his hand over her mouth so she wouldn't get too loud.
"Fúck it..." he murmured to her skin. "I want you so bad,"
Zoie didn't respond in words, but her body was giving all the answers. She tipped her neck back to give him more access and Asher gladly took it. His hand started traveling underneath her pajamas and he was massaging her breasts. Zoie squirmed and writhed, but Asher kept a firm hold on her. Her breast fitted the palm of his hand perfectly, and he rolled his finger over her sensitive nipple. The moment he did that, she began to squirm harder. Her moans were becoming too loud and he had to press his hand on her mouth harder.
Oh my God, I'm losing it!
Zoie's eyes snapped open as she felt a knot in her stomach. She was so hungry for him, her entire body was writhing in need. Asher caught that look in her eye and let out a smirk. His eyes were just as hungry as hers, if not more. He stared at her for a second longer, and then he kissed her again. Hot and passionate. Full of wants and needs.
His hands were now holding her waist, pulling her closer and closer even though there was no more distance between them. Asher felt himself hardening, hard, and she felt it too as she flinched at the contact. Now would be a good time to stop this before things really get out of hand, Zoie thought to herself. But the thought of pulling away from him was the last thing she wanted. So against all logic and decency, Zoie decided to put her hand on his lower back, pulling him closer to her. Asher responded by arching her thighs so that he was positioned right in front of her opening, and he grinded himself against her. They were both still in full clothing, but he could tell that she was wet there. Soaking wet for him.
Zoie let out a sigh as he started grinding onto her, slow at first, and he started to pick up the pace. As he was getting rougher, Zoie couldn't help but moan and groan harder. Her nails dug deep into his shoulders. Without breaking off the kiss, Asher then slipped his hand under her pants. He pushed her panties to the side and his finger met with her wet opening. Zoie was frozen still, waiting in anticipation. The feeling of his finger gently rubbing her clit sent shivers up and down her spine. She wanted more of that, so she arched her body closer. Asher knew what she wanted and he pressed his finger harder. Then he circled around her opening, collecting her juices, and very slowly and tantalizingly, he started moving closer into her core and...
* RING! RING! RING! *
Zoie's entire body jerked up in response to her loud alarm clock's ringing. She looked around and saw that she was in her room. It was 7 in the morning and the sunlight was streaming through the window.
Dang! That was just a dream!
Flustered, Zoie let out an angry groan as she threw her body back on the bed, burying her eyes into the pillow. Her hand then slipped into her underwear and she felt the wetness there. She was completely soaked.
Oh damnit!!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Needless to say, having Asher around the house was challenging for Zoie. She knew she had to nip this in the bud, whatever this weird attraction she has for him. Especially that they were going away to Stanford in a few weeks, she needed to get things under control. So that morning, Zoie went down to breakfast determined not to let Asher get into her head again.
"Good morning," Zoie said curtly as she entered the kitchen. Her parents and Aunt Talia were at the dining table, and Asher was sitting at the counter, sipping his morning coffee.
"Good morning, sweetheart," Zoie's mom responded in that calming voice of hers.
"How was your sleep?" Damon added, but his eyes were glued to the newspaper in his hand.
"It's alright," she muttered quickly, avoiding eye contact.
Zoie went straight for the cabinet to get her favorite cereal. Then she went to the fridge to get her milk, and she stopped at the familiar déjà vu.
"Looking for something?" Asher said over her shoulder.
Zoie gulped and grabbed the carton of milk in front of her.
"Found it," she said as she closed the fridge door shut.
Zoie went around Asher to get a bowl from another cabinet, and she purposefully took the longer route so she didn't have to get too close to him.
"Geez. Why are you so tense around me?" Asher commented, stopping Zoie in her tracks.
Zoie looked over her shoulder. Her aunt and parents weren't listening to this conversation.
"Who says I'm tense?" she spat back, keeping her voice down.
"I can see your body language," he replied.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she scoffed. "I'm chill. I'm not tense at all,"
"Alright, if you say so,"
"What's that supposed to mean?" she narrowed her eyes at him.
Asher just shrugged and walked away, putting his empty coffee cup in the sink. Then he turned on the faucet and let the sound of the water drown their voices.
"I happen to know you, Zoie. I know how your body speaks," he said, and the sound of her name coming from his lips made Zoie's heart skip a beat. "I know when you feel stressed about something, and I know how to make you feel better,"
Asher was smirking that smirk again, coming closer toward her. Zoie's knees suddenly turned into jelly, but she held her ground.
"Okay. You need to stop this," she said firmly, acting unfazed.
"Stop what?"
"This! Being... overly friendly toward me!" she hissed under her breath, making sure no one was listening.
"Overly friendly, huh?" Asher narrowed his eyes, finding her choice of words amusing.
"I don't know why you think this is funny, it's not! If you wanna be in my dad's good graces, I suggest you stop whatever it is you're trying to do to me!"
"I'm not trying to do anything," he chuckled, putting his hands up in an act of surrender.
Yeah right.
Zoie rolled her eyes in response. Asher then took a step closer, standing only inches away from her.
"...Not unless you want me to," he said under his breath.
"There it is, again!" she squeaked, pushing him back in response.
Asher let out a laugh and put his hands up again.
"Alright, alright, I'll stop," he said as he stretched his hand out. "Truce?"
Zoie scoffed and took his hand half-heartedly. But just as she was about to pull away, she felt his grip tightening on her hand. He wasn't letting her go. Zoie shot a deadly glare at him, but Asher just smiled like it was nothing. Zoie tried her hardest to pull away, but his grip was too strong. He was standing so close to her and his face was directly in front of her. Zoie found herself staring up at him, and she was caught in a trance. His eyes were dark, his jawline sharp, and his lips looked so inviting. And just for a moment, her lips began to part without her consent...
*
*
*
- - - - - - To Be Continued - - - - - -