Chapter 36

Third Person POV

Sienna had just left the house when a knock sounded at the door.

Asher already knew exactly who it would be. Mia was quickly becoming a parasite who had latched onto him, slowly sucking away at his sanity.

What he hated to admit was that he still had feelings for her despite all of those things.

He opened the door, prepared for her beauty, and for once it didn’t strike him as intensely as it usually did. She was definitely starting to taint herself with her attitude, which was absolutely for the best.

“Mia,” he sighed, not inviting her in.

“I’d like to talk,” she hummed, stepping closer and brushing past him into the house, like she owned it.

“Uh,” he frowned, surprised at the way she forced herself in.

She strolled around the house, peeking over her shoulder at him as she did. “I saw Sienna left.”

“She’s tending to her responsibilities after the tragedy of the fire.” Asher wasn’t amused at all, more uneasy than anything. Mia was starting to make him very uncomfortable.

“Perfect time for us to chat.” She skimmed through the kitchen, running her hands along the countertop. “I really think you’re settling when it comes to her.”

“Why is that any of your business?” Asher balked, annoyance prickling at the back of his neck. She was outrageous, butting her nose into his personal life.

“Everything in Nightwind is my business. Especially when it comes to naïve little Sienna.”

“That’s a bit harsh,” Asher shot back, keeping his distance from her. “Have you noticed that all you do is criticize her?”

“I’m simply observing.” Mia peeked into the cabinets, the fridge, a bored look on her face.

“I get the feeling you might be jealous, actually.” Asher dropped the bait, hoping she’d bite.

Her eyes darted up to his from across the kitchen, a chilly look in her eyes.

“Of her?” She laughed out loud, her head tossing back.

“You’re just a simple inspector. Maybe you want more.” Asher shrugged, knowing he’d hit a nerve with her.

She closed the space between them, her eyes narrowing.

“Bold of you to say such a thing when you’re married to someone that’s going to crash and burn.”

Her proximity startled and aroused him all at once. He could never deny his attraction to Mia — she was magnetic, so unafraid to speak her mind.

Now, though, she spoke her mind a little too much.

“I made this decision for myself. And I can take care of myself.” Asher took a step back from her, needing her scent further away.

“How about you show me around?” Mia grinned, skipping down the hall towards Sienna’s room.

“Sienna’s room is down there,” Asher called out, refusing to let her snoop. “My room is this way.” He motioned to his right, fully aware that she’d forget all thoughts of Sienna’s room in place of his own.

“Your room, hmm? I’d love to see.” She turned on her heel, prancing towards his room. She flung the door open, taking in the very undecorated space.

When she stepped in, she turned around, and he realized his mistake.

“Hold on a minute. You’re married. You don’t sleep together?” She’d locked in on his slip up, and she wasn’t going to let it go.

He had to think fast.

“A lot of married couples don’t always sleep together. I snore.” His excuse seemed so lame, yet she laughed aloud.

“Aren’t you such a gentleman to sleep in the guest room.” She sat at the edge of the bed, fluttering her lashes.

“Sometimes our schedules just don’t align, so it’s easier to sleep apart.” He didn’t know why he kept going. “Doesn’t mean we don’t sleep together some nights.”

“Must be so wonderful,” Mia said sarcastically, and his jaw clenched in irritation.

Asher realized then that Mia really was jealous — perhaps not of Sienna herself, but the companionship she had. Was Mia all alone, fighting to keep afloat in this cruel world?

“I get this feeling you might be lonely.” Asher sat beside her on the bed, a few inches between their bodies.

Inches she quickly closed, pressing her leg all the way against his.

“I’m not lonely at all. You’re right here.” She fluttered her lashes again, her arousal scenting the air around them.

Oh no, he groaned to himself, feeling the heat building in his groin. There had always been such high sexual tension between him and Mia, and clearly that hadn’t gone away.

“I think you should see what the real deal really is,” she purred against his ear, tugging at the hem of his pants.

The wolf in him snarled, rejecting Mia’s touch, but Asher smothered it, confused and revolted all at once.

Mia’s hand ran down his thigh, her electric touch sending waves of arousal through him that he wished weren’t happening.

Mia had changed. She was so cold, no longer the warm, loving girl he’d fallen for.

Even then, the primal side of him wanted to shred her clothes and take her right here on this bed, releasing all his pent up feelings for her.

“You think I’m beautiful,” Mia murmured in his ear, the sexiness in her tone making his toes curl. “I can see it in your eyes. Smell it in the way you behave around me.”

“You are a beautiful girl, but I’m happily married.”

Are you happy though? Be honest with yourself, Asher.

Mia had once made him so happy, even if he’d been so much younger. He’d always believed their connection was undeniable, irreplaceable.

Looking at her now, even as beautiful and independent as she was, he couldn’t see her in that light anymore. That particular light had faded now, replaced with the warm glow of Sienna’s light.

“What’s one little night?” Mia pouted, her fingers brushing against his hardness beneath his pants. Teasing, tickling him.

“No,” Asher forced out, demolishing the thoughts of their bodies tangled together on his bed. “I want you to leave.”

“Why?” She whined, and suddenly, any light that had been left glowing in her was doused. He saw her for the monster she was becoming, the wedge between he and Sienna’s relationship.

“I’m married,” he said through gritted teeth, pushing her off him to stand up. He hovered at his open door, trying to catch his breath.

“Fine,” she mumbled, standing up with her fierce confidence, not beat down at all from his rejection.

“If you keep this up, I’ll report you.” He delivered the threat a lot less menacingly than he’d planned, the tiny spark of softness left in him for her pushing through.

“That doesn’t scare me,” she laughed, strolling by him towards the front door. “See you soon, Asher Blake.”

And then she was gone.

Asher stood in silence for a long moment, readjusting himself in his pants, and stepped outside. Sienna had said she was going to the main square to meet with Lucius, and he needed to see her.

He needed to remind himself that she was becoming the new light of his life.

But when he walked down to the square and saw Lucius and Sienna laughing like they’d been friends for a lifetime, something in him broke, and he turned around and walked home, aching inside.