His Secret Obsession
Chapter 9

The next morning I woke up groaning, my hand falling over my eyes as I felt the worst headache I had ever had in my life. I sat up, holding the side of my head as I stumbled into the bathroom. I quickly splashed water on my face and drank a few palm fulls, trying to rehydrate myself in any way possible. Tiptoeing back into the room, I then chugged the bottle of water Carson gave me last night and walked over to the bed. I grabbed my phone and looked at the time. 8:24 am.. Well, I wonder if anyone is even awake. I soon realized all my stuff was in MacKenzie's room so I slipped on the leather pants and kept on Carson's hoodie that I slept in. Maybe MacKenzie is awake downstairs. I pulled on my Converse and slowly opened the door. Looking down the hallway I saw the coast was clear and began creeping downstairs to see who was awake..if anyone.

When I reached the first floor, the sight before me was something else...scattered around were people sleeping on the couch, some on the floor. There were beer bottles and red solo cups strewn about. I quickly walked to the kitchen, grabbing another water bottle, and chugged it.

I glanced around the kitchen noticing this was definitely the worst of it, old food was sitting out on the counters and empty jello shots on the floor. I opened under the sink and grabbed a large black trash bag. The least I could do is help out, I would feel bad if Carson had to clean everything up by himself.

I quickly dumped the old food and put the pizza boxes in the recycling. I threw out all of the beer cans and plastic cups then organized the glass bottles of alcohol, trying to replace which cap belonged to which. After that, I quickly wiped down the counters and swept up the rest of the trash on the floor. It took about thirty minutes to do everything and I thought that was good enough for now. Just as I was taking the trash out I went to check my phone again and realized it was now dead...crap..I should have texted my dad sooner. After taking care of the recycling and trash I knew I needed to get out of here, people would probably be sleeping in for hours. I slowly walked back into the kitchen and froze in my tracks.

The refrigerator was now open and Asher was standing there, drinking out of the orange juice carton with no shirt on. I quickly noted that his hair was a disheveled wavy mess and my eyes began to drift lower, focusing on his hard-toned muscles..I'm talking six-pack and lean.. Then I finally reached his black pajama bottoms that hung low on his hips and I couldn't stop my jaw from dropping..why was he so beautiful..why god.

I quickly averted my gaze and quietly walked in, trying to compose myself and hoping he wouldn't notice me.

"Did you clean the kitchen?" He asked bluntly, his head turning towards me as his silver eyes locked onto mine.

"Oh..yeah I just wanted to help out before I left." I managed to sputter out, my hand rising up and brushing a stray lock of hair behind my ear nervously. Why was he even talking to me? I thought he would be back to forgetting who I was honestly.

"Why, you didn't make the mess..so why clean it?" He asked me cooly and fought the urge to roll my eyes.

"Why not?" I responded, walking through the kitchen as I was ready to get the hell out of here.

Suddenly he stepped in front of me, his tall muscular body blocking my path as I blinked up at him.

"Where's your phone?" He quickly asked me, confusing me as I pulled it out of my pocket.

"Right here? Why?" I wondered, his question seeming odd to me.

"Just wondering, I found a lost phone last night and thought it could be yours." He said nonchalantly as I nodded my head.

"Oh no, mine is here, it just died." I said, sticking it back in my pocket as Asher held his hand out.

"Give it to me, I will charge it." He said, his hand sticking out palm up in front of me.

"It's okay, I am going home so I can charge it there." I said politely, trying not to be stuck here any longer. Suddenly he narrowed his eyes, and continued to hold his hand out.

"Better to charge it now, that way your dad doesn't get worried." He quipped and quickly reached into my front pocket, grabbing the phone as I frowned.

"It's okay, really.." I muttered, his close proximity making me anxious.

"Plus Carson wanted to do brunch with everyone. We are leaving at ten to eat at Sandy's." He walked over and plopped my phone on a charging port I didn't even notice.

Parts of last night that I tried to forget suddenly began to flood my mind. How Asher danced with me and touched me. My cheeks turned red just from the thought..that was so embarrassing. Then when he and Ethan got into a fight. What was that even about? I peeked over at Asher, studying his face as he glanced over at me.

"What is it?" He asked, his silver eyes burning into me.

"Just..are you okay? After last night?" I asked quickly, and instantly noticed him flexing his hand. I peered down at it, my eyes widened as there was a gaping cut on his knuckles.

"Asher..you're hurt." I gasped, walking over towards him and taking his hand. I peered down at the wound and studied the cut closely. I have already been through a few first aid classes and knew his wound needed to be cleaned.

"I'm fine." He spoke softly, not moving away from me as I glanced up into his eyes. He was watching my every move intently, his breathing deepening as I looked back down at his hand.

"Let me clean it please, you can't afford an infection with the season coming up." I let his hand go gently, walking towards the refrigerator, where I knew they kept the first aid kit up there. I frowned, looking up as I quickly pulled myself onto the counter. "what are you doing?" He questioned, amusement clear in his voice.

"Getting the first aid kit." I responded, slowly rising on my feet as I gripped the refrigerator, and grabbed the kit, setting it down on the counter as I smirked at Asher. See..I might be short but I'm self-sufficient.

"Okay stop, before you hurt yourself." He frowned, walking in front of me as I now towered above him..barely.

"Oh, how the tables have turned..I feel..powerful." I teased, making him roll his eyes as he placed his hands on my waist.

"What are you doing?" I gasped, and before I could protest he pulled me off the counter, wrapping his arms around me and holding me against his chest. Suddenly he leaned into me, his mouth mere inches from my ear as he spoke. "Just helping you down, that's all." He whispered, his head pulling back as he looked into my eyes.

Something in the air changed, a thick tension surrounded us, causing my body to tingle as my breathing grew heavier. The feel of Asher beneath me made my heart beat erratically. I hesitantly reached my arms up slowly, wrapping them around Asher's neck as he slid his hands down my outer thighs, wrapping my legs around his waist.

I let out a shuddering breath, being this close to him, feeling his bare chest pressed up against me was doing things to me that I didn't know were possible. Asher's head bent down as he slowly inched closer to my lips.

"Do you still feel powerful now Emery?" He whispered against my lips, causing me to flutter my eyes as reality hit me. What the hell was I doing?

I turned my head away, pulling my arms away from him as I cleared my throat.

"I better clean your wound before anyone else wakes up." I spoke softly, causing him to nod his head and set me down.

What was going on with him and why the hell was I acting this way? Especially after last night and what I did with Ronan..oh god, I feel horrible now.

I walked over to the first aid kit and grabbed a couple of cleansing wipes, some suture tape, and a wrap to make sure it stays clean.

"So..I take it the guy said he likes you back?" Asher blurted randomly, making me blink my eyes in confusion.

"The one you said you liked last night." He added, seeing my clear confusion.

"Oh..yeah..well, I think so anyways." I shrugged, furrowing my eyebrows as I pulled Asher over towards the counter. Why was he even bringing this up?

"What makes you think he doesn't?" He continued as I began cleaning his cut. I bit my lip softly, not sure why he was putting me through this new hell.

"I don't know..I guess I'm not really well versed in knowing when guys like me." I laughed nervously, now applying the suture tape to close the wound. I felt Asher studying my every move, his eyes watching me intently.

"It's funny though..I can tell whenever a guy is interested in Mack in a matter of seconds but when it comes to me, I always get it wrong. I guess I miss the middle school days when you just wrote a note and had the answers right there for you..do you like me..yes..or no..there, simple." I smiled, looking up at Asher as he seemed to be deep in thought.

I glanced back down, grabbing the wrap as I slowly began to circle it around his knuckles.

"I'm sure you have no issues in that department..considering you have a group of girls following you around with your jersey number on their chests. It's as easy as pointing for you." I said mindlessly, taping up the wrap as I glanced up. Asher was looking at me and frowning.

"You really think of me like that? That I just point at a random chick and pick whoever I want for the night?" He asked me, hurt clearly in his voice as I shook my head.

"No, I'm sorry..I was just trying to be funny. Honestly..I know you're not like that. You take your responsibilities very seriously..and I know Basketball means everything to you and you don't want any form of distraction..not saying sleeping with a girl is a distraction..it's probably more of a stress reliever but that's really none of my business.." I rambled on until Asher placed his hand over my mouth, covering it as he laughed.

"Okay, you are forgiven." He smiled, his hand still on my mouth as he slowly moved it, cupping my cheek and sliding his thumb out, gliding against my bottom lip gently. His gaze dropped to my lips as that thick silence surrounded us once more.

"What would you do if I kissed you?" He whispered, his words making me swallow hard as I searched his expression. He suddenly leaned down, his lips hovering above mine gently as I closed my eyes. Holy shit..Asher wants to kiss me? Asher McNeal was going to be my first kiss..

I couldn't think..all rational thoughts fleeing my mind as I knew I should pull away..that I should walk out of this kitchen and never look back..but another part of me couldn't...that part was gluing me to this spot, making my hands reach up and rest on his muscular bicep.

He slowly leaned in closer, his full lips gliding against mine as he finally pressed into me. His tongue slid out and traced my bottom lip as he settled on the crook of my mouth, peppering soft kisses all the way to the other side. My heart was beating so fast I thought it might just burst. I let out a gasp as he pulled me into him closer, his mouth deepening the kiss as his hands slid up, weaving their way into my hair.

Just then Ronan popped into my mind..the guilt of betrayal filling me as I pulled away, causing Asher's eyes to widen. His hands still gripping my hair as I gasped for air.

"I..I'm sorry. I can't.." I breathed out, feeling like an idiot as my stomach fluttered and my heart ached.

"Why?" He asked me, leaning back down as he threatened to kiss me once more.

"I don't think this means as much to you as it does to me..and I finally met someone..someone who seems to care..who wants to know me." I whispered, feeling guilty for being so blunt..but it was the truth. After last time...with the whole Ethan thing, I don't know what games Asher was playing.

"You think that I don't?" He asked, his body tensing. Why was he doing this..I'm really confused and can't quite understand what is going on.

"...I thought maybe..but I was wrong." I said looking away as I loosed from his hold and quickly fumbled with the first aid kit feeling completely flustered.

"Is this because of last night? With Carson and what he asked me to do?" He blurted, grabbing my arm as he gripped me firmly.

"Yes and no.." I said quickly, trying to walk towards the trash to throw the garbage away.

"Emery stop..look at me." He spoke firmly, his hand gripping mine as he stepped closer to me.

"Everything I said last night..I meant." He whispered, making my mouth drop open. Full-blown confusion set in as I tried to wrap my head around everything.

Just then the sound of footsteps approaching made me jump. I quickly walked over towards the counter, putting away all the supplies as I felt Asher staring into my back. What the hell just happened..