Spiked by Love (Bellevue Bullies #6) - Toni Aleo Page 0,42
cuddles deeper in the bed. Each movement he makes shakes the whole bed, reminding me that he is very much beside me in his boxers. This isn’t new for me; I’ve shared a bed plenty of times and even a few nights beside him, but it was always with our parents in the house or our siblings or friends. Also, my feelings weren’t firing like crazy for him back then.
Back then, I didn’t know what I wanted in a guy. Now that I know, it’s a whole different story. I squeeze my eyes shut as I bury my face in my pillow. I’m forcing myself to ignore the man beside me and go to sleep.
Right before I drift off, the soft timbre of his voice runs down my spine. “Hey, Ally T?”
I swallow past the lump in my throat as my pussy clenches. “Yeah?”
“Break up with Taco.”
“Ash—”
“Hear me out,” he says, and I snap my mouth shut. “He isn’t good for you. You need someone who worships you. Who knows your worth and wants to make you smile. Who wouldn’t have given you a chance to leave the party without them knowing. Someone who gives you their full attention because they can’t think of anything but making sure you’re good. You need a man who sees you for you, not just how hot you are.”
His words surprise me, and I know I have to see his face. I turn to my stomach and prop myself up on my forearms as I look over at him. His eyes are shut, and he looks blissful and perfect. “Why does it bother you so much?”
His eyes open slowly, his gray gaze capturing mine in the dark. “Because it does.”
“Why? Why can’t I be with Taco? Why do you care?”
His eyes search mine. “Ally, that asshole doesn’t look at you and see your worth. He looks at you for ass and nothing else. He isn’t good for you. I want nothing more than for you to be completely and utterly happy.”
“What if I am happy?”
“You’re not,” he says simply. “I know you, just as you know me. I love you, and you deserve the world.”
I swallow as I turn my face back toward the wall, and I squeeze my eyes shut once more, holding back the tears. Everything he said could be true. Is true if I really accept it, but I allow myself to stay in this cycle with Taco, and it isn’t helping me grow. I know Taco is bad for me, and I know I shouldn’t be with him. I allow myself to be with him because I don’t want to feel what I feel for Asher. I don’t want to be a prisoner to my own feelings, and if I’m with someone else, I kind of convince myself I can get over him.
But then he says something like that, and it’s like being slapped in the face with my feelings.
Because all I want, all I need, is for Asher to love me the way I love him, and then I’ll be happy.
Chapter Twelve
Asher
Elli wraps her arms around my waist and squeezes me tight.
Even in her heels, she doesn’t reach my height. Her long, flowy dress hides the heels well, but I know Elli Adler doesn’t leave the house without her ass-kicking red-bottomed heels. She’s known for them, rocks the world with them, and everyone respects her, no matter what. As she beams up at me, she cups my jaw, and her green gaze says it all: She loves me, she’s happy I’m back, and of course, the job was mine before I even showed up.
“Artie is a good guy. He’ll take good care of you,” she says, speaking of the jumbotron supervisor. He’s a cool dude, been with the Assassins as long as I’ve been alive, I think.
I nod as I wrap my arms around her shoulders. “I know. I’ve met him a few times.”
“Good. I’m very excited to have another Brooks in the organization. I’ve got my scorer, my scout, and now my jumbotron guy. I just have to think of something for Stella and Emery. Make it a family affair.”
She says it so animatedly that I grin. “Stella could do marketing all day, but there is no job for Emery, unless it’s as a hired hit woman against the opponent.”
She snorts. “Leave her be. I love that feisty girl.”
“Feisty…that’s putting it kindly.”
She beams at me. “Are you happy to be home? Adjusting?”