Cupid (12 page)

D
iana opened
her eyes and was face to face with Asher. She let out a yelp before hugging the covers to her chest. "What the—"

“Sorry.” He sat on the bed right next to her with the oddest look on his face, part madness, part pure enjoyment.

A shiver of fear and. . .even weirder, lust shot to her veins. She formed her mouth to speak, and couldn’t gather her words.

"It's eight o'clock.” He showed her his watch. “I figured you for an early riser. I was worried."

“You were worried?” Diana scrunched her face together. Every minute she spent in Asher's presence got stranger and stranger.

“Yes, I was worried.” He ran his fingers through his already disheveled hair. It looked like he’d been disturbing those curls all night, just messing with his head due to worry or whatever obsession he had.

“So. . .” She made note of how close he was too her on the bed.

How long has he been sitting here? How long was he watching me sleep? Was he watching me, or did I wake up, right as he sat down?

He cleared his throat. “I should probably go.”

She looked at what he had on.

Wasn’t he wearing that yesterday?

“How was your sleep?” he asked, without getting up or moving away.

“More important,” she gestured to his day old outfit. “How was your sleep?”

“I didn’t go to bed.”

“Clearly.” She let out a nervous giggle. “Hopefully, you didn’t stay up all night, sitting in here, and watching me.”

“Yes. Hopefully.” Heat lingered in his gaze. “That would just be crazy.”

“Yes,” she muttered.

“Regardless, I didn’t get much sleep last night, but then, as they say, who needs rest anyway. I can sleep when I die."

Something imperceptible fell over his face as if he wanted to both cringe and laugh. Diana thought she knew everything Asher was about, but she was figuring out how very wrong she was.

“So. . .” She took her time, sitting up. She’d worn nothing to bed and only slept under a thin sheet. It barely concealed anything—providing a lovely view to Asher of her shape and so much more. Even worse, her dark nipples had stiffened with hunger and were presently poking at the thin material over her chest.

She cleared her throat. “So.”

Asher stared down at her breast and inhaled the air in front of him. “So?”

"I’ll just get ready and meet you downstairs?"

“Okay.” He didn't move. His gaze stayed glued to Diana's chest. She felt stuck, naked under the covers with Asher staring at her like he wanted to devour her.

"Asher?"

"You are a very beautiful woman. Did you know that?"

Diana pursed her lips together.

His behavior was odd, but he was being nice—more than nice—but it also made her squirm to be under his watchful, judging eye. Plus, she probably had bad breath and morning hair. She didn't think beautiful was the right term for him to use.

"Um, thank you."

"You're aware of what you do to men like me, yes?"

Diana shifted beneath the covers and held them closer to her skin. "Are you referring to the intimidation men like you feel in my presence?"

Asher laughed and it shook the bed. "I'm sure you intimidate many men, but no, Diana, you don't intimidate me. You fascinate me."

"How so?" She asked, a small but recognizable desire expanding in her belly.

"Your eyes light up when you talk about hunting Cupid. You’re dedicated to your job. And those lips appear to be deliciously kissable and yet. . ." His voice trailed off making Diana wonder what he meant to say.

She needed to hear the rest of his words. The burning desire was beginning to work its way up her limbs. "Yes?"

"Let's just say, you should be kissed and by someone who knows how.”

Diana arched her eyebrows. "Why, Mr. Bishop, you couldn't come up with anything more exciting than a well-used line from Rhett Butler?"

Asher didn't laugh or smile, he just looked at her with intensity raging in his eyes. "Although a fictional character, Rhett’s words don't mean any less hundreds of years later, Diana. He meant them to Scarlett and I mean them to you. You're a woman who deserves more than . . .what you've been given."

"You barely know me.”

"I know enough.” He leaned his head toward hers and captured her mouth.

Oh my God.

Diana's body waged a war inside of her. Her brain told her to stop him. To remember the craziness of him being in her room like he was. She wanted to pull away before their lips became forever intertwined, but the

And he did.

His lips smashed into hers and every vein inside of Diana thrummed.

Asher traced her jawline with his thumb. Like a thirsty man, he yanked away her sheet and cupped her right breast with his other. Jesus, he was fast.

He knew what he was doing.

He knew how to rile Diana up without even fucking her.

He’d been right when he made the statement at The Cove.

She had never been taken care of properly by a real man,

never experienced a kiss like his before.

An all-consuming hunger filled her stomach, lungs, and heart.

She starved for him, desired more and more.

Asher pulled back and Diana's sheet lay in her lap, exposing the top half of her body to him. Those perky brown breasts greeted his eyes.

Diana didn’t reach to cover herself back up. Her nipples and everything else were his for the taking, in that moment and he seemed to consider it.

But instead of taking her right there, he reared back, a scowl lining his face. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have."

“What?”

“I’m sorry.” He jumped up, his hard dick pushed against his pants and caught all of Diana’s attention.

She wanted to touch it, see his cock in real time, instead of imagining it over and over in her head. “What do you mean, you’re sorry?”

He edged away from the bed.

“What’s wrong?”

And then he raced from the room.

Diana opened her mouth, and for the second time that morning, had nothing to say.

In one second, Asher had been on her bed, devouring her lips.

In the next second, he ran out of there like his cock was on fire and he needed to plunge in a tub of water.

He was there and then he wasn't, and Diana wondered if it had all been a dream. A sick, twisted dream that she suddenly wanted to be reality.

She pinched herself hard, and yelped, “Okay. So that crazy shit really just happened.”

No, it had not been a dream. Asher Bishop had just woken her up, kissed her as no man had done before, and then ran away like a creepy person.

She fell onto the bed.

This situation with Asher gets crazier and crazier.

H
e ran away
, because he was scared.

It didn’t matter that there was no logic in his reasoning.

It didn’t matter that she probably thought he should be committed to a mental facility.

He just knew that he couldn’t touch Diana anymore, without giving up a part of himself.

That morning hadn’t start like he’d planned. He’d hoped to seduce Diana, not kiss her like a teenager, and then run out the room like some virginal jerk.

That wasn’t how it was supposed to be.

Asher avoided Diana the rest of the day, skipped breakfast, and headed to the office without leaving her a message.

I’ll come up with some explanation later. She probably thinks I’m crazy. And what about her saying that she’ll only stay for a few days. No. That can’t happen. I need to know what she’s doing to me.

The kiss changed things, made his heart beat faster and his hands tighten around her body as he held her. Asher hadn’t wanted to let go, and that scared him the most. All of his life a treacherous woman ruled his days and ordered him to do horrific things. Well, not anymore.

He wouldn’t have another woman with that much power over him.

All I want to do is taste her tongue again, just one more time. I just have to be more in control, next time I touch her.

Yet, Asher hid in his office and piled himself under work all day. He couldn’t sit in the mansion with Diana, walking around and spreading her presence all over the place.

She smelled so good, I sat by her side all night, breathing her in the whole time. That can’t be one of the twelve steps of intimacy, the step where the man hovers over the sleeping women and sniffs.

Last night, he’d been unable to get control of himself. Her scent alone had him stroking himself.

While she slept, she had no idea what danger lay next to her. The things that played in his mind, scared even him. He’d thought that killing had made him hungry, that the smell of blood was an adrenaline rush.

He was wrong.

Diana called to another craving inside of him that he’d ignored for far too long. For the rest of the day in his office, he was famished, and couldn’t pin point why.

How many women had he brought to his bed? How many faceless rich girls had he stuffed his cock into and smeared his cum all over their happy, welcoming lips? He fucked and moved on to more interesting things like his bow and his arrow, and the thirst to cover them both in blood.

Then Diana came.

She walked upon him, late in the night, shielded in darkness, and stepping right onto his own beautifully orchestrated death scene.

He’d been intrigued by her that first night.

Once he read her article on the deaths, he knew that she was smart, someone he could have fun with. Make a game of it, he thought.

No. This isn’t going like a game should. I’m not winning, and I’m not sure she is either. We’re both just wandering crazily around the board.

The phone rang in his office and brought Asher back to the reality of his day. Without thinking, he picked it up. “Hello?”

Diana’s sexy voice traveled over the line. “You’ve been hard to contact today.”

He tensed in his seat. All the words he’d considered saying, left him. Imagine that. A killer scared of some tiny woman on the phone.

Why do I care so much about looking like a fool in front of this woman? Why would it matter?

He cleared his throat. “How are you doing, Diana?”

Maybe, she won’t even bring it up.

“I’m fine, but a bit confused.”

He gritted his teeth. “Is the spiral staircase giving you trouble?”

“No.”

“What about my chef Grace? Has she prepared—”

“Grace has been amazing. Although she seemed a bit shocked that I was there. I don’t think she thought I really existed.”

He sighed. “Grace knew you would be coming. I don’t know what’s going on with her these days. She’s been weird.”

“She’s not the only one in this house that’s being weird.”

Diana is not going to let this morning go. Why can’t she just ignore it?

Asher feigned ignorance. “Are there other people on my staff that have been giving you problems?”

“Why did you leave, after you kissed me?”

He covered his face with one hand. “I. . .”

“Yes?”

“I. . .”

“Okay?”

He shrugged. “I haven’t exactly come up with a good reason for why I left like that.”

“Then what is the truth?”

“I prefer a well-thought out lie.”

“I like honesty.”

He took his hand away and leaned back in his chair. “No, you like facts.”

“Aren’t facts and honesty the same thing?”

“Never. Especially not in our world.”

“Our world?” she asked.

“The land of the rich.”

“You’re avoiding my question.”

“I’m really good at that.”

The line went silent for a few seconds before she finally replied, “Would you like me to return to my house? I was only going to be here for two days anyway and it’s clear that—

He jumped up, accidentally knocking over one of the many pictures of his mom that sat on his desk. “You don’t leave.”

“Excuse me?”

“I mean.” He calmed himself down. “I want you to stay. This morning was awkward because of me. You did nothing wrong.”

“I thought maybe—”

“Trust me. Whatever you’re thinking is wrong. I’m much more complicated than you could ever dream of. If you can remember that, then. . .we’ll do just fine.”

“I’m still only staying for two days.”

“I need more time.”

“What?”

“I mean. Cupid is out there.”

“Asher, you have more to be worried about than me. You fit Cupid’s profile more than I do. Remember. He likes to kill rich men that break female’s hearts.”

“Well, I haven’t broken anyone’s heart yet.”

“Let’s hope that you don’t in these next couple of weeks.”

Asher didn’t like the worry in Diana’s tone.

Did she think that he could hurt her? Never. He could hurt others for her. He knew that was possible inside of him. Part of him wished another man was out there named Cupid and stalking her. He’d love to search him out and slice the deranged guy’s throat.

Without thinking, he blurted out, “I won’t hurt you.”

She made a sound that traveled over the phone, sort of between a sigh and gasp. It was as if she’d been holding in air the whole time and finally let it go.

“Will I see you tonight or are you going to be hiding from me all day?” she asked.

“I plan to only hide until dinner, so yes, you’ll see me tonight.”

“Good.”

“And. . .as far as your stay at my house—”

“It’s only going to be two days, Asher.”

“Okay. I won’t push it.”

“I’ll see you tonight.”

“Yes,” Asher said. “I’ll see you later.”

He sat on the line for the last few seconds, until she hung up. In that moment, he exhaled, and hadn’t realized he’d been holding in his breath.

What is she doing to me?

A
s day shifted
into the evening, the moon replaced the sun and the island came alive.

Workers crowded transport boats and headed home to Miami’s mainland with dreary eyes. They left in hoards—painters, day maids, masseuse, nannies, and on and on.

The rest of the island remained in a constant buzz of excitement. Warm air shifted to a cool breeze that rustled all the palm trees. Sweet smells filled the air, from designer perfume to the savory aroma of roasted meats. Giggling sounds rode the wind. Men headed out on the streets with heavy pockets and sexy women on their arms. Tennis rackets and golf clubs also got good use that evening, clacking and booing at they slammed against balls. Champagne glasses clinked at country clubs and high-end restaurants. The theater sparked alive and enjoyed packed seats. Some of the hottest celebrities came to perform each evening, and that night was no different.

Asher should’ve gone straight home that night. Surely, a beautiful women sat at his table, waiting for his company.

I need more than two days with Diana. I’ll fix that first, then I’ll fix that kiss that I messed up this morning.

Diana believed she was safe. It didn’t matter that she was right. What he had to do was guarantee at least a week with her. There were too many questions rising in his skull, too many things happening within his chest.

It had started after that kiss.

No, it had started long before that. The moment she walked into that kitchen, she meant something to Asher.

In his head, a blackness had spiraled over and over just like the huge staircase in his mansion. After the kiss, the steps broke in some places. Things warmed where it should have been frigid, cold. The gloom in his core vibrated. That had never happened before.

He pressed his mouth against hers, and he changed.

If just a kiss could do that, then what would her body do to me?

In his limo, he sat in the back. He’d ordered the driver to take him to a secret address, one that only a few men knew.

I need more than two days.

What he was about to do would be dangerous. He hadn’t thought it all out, and had planned on going straight to his house.

But, Diana believed that she only had two days with him, that there was no threat. Asher decided to change that.

She needs to be scared, and in my house for a little bit longer.

None of this made sense. Even as the driver parked him in front of the concealed brothel, he still wasn’t so sure he was doing the right thing.

I have to do something.

His driver got out, walked over to his side, and opened the back door.

“Thank you.” Asher nodded at him. “I’ll be back in an hour or so.”

The driver said nothing and returned to his post.

What am I doing?

To any wanderer, the property that sat in front of him appeared to be a normal three-story house. Multi-colored tulips bordered the whole place. A swing hung from a tree. It even had a white picket fence around it.

Asher put his leather gloves on his hands, placed the black mask on his face, and headed down the lit path where music wandered out to him and mixed with feminine laughter.

Only a few knew what happened in this place.

It had taken him several months to be invited himself. After playing a long round of golf with some other CEOs that lived on the island, one fat meat head out of the group slipped him a black square of paper with the address written in gold.

“What’s this?” Asher asked Len Gibson, the meat head who sat right next to him at Ovid Country Club’s bar.

“You’re a pretty quiet man, Asher.” Len waved for the bartender

“I am.”

Len turned to Asher and winked at him. “I know why you’re quiet.”

Asher grinned. “I doubt that.”

“Men like us have pleasures that others. . .” Len leaned in closer and whispered. “Basically, other men might not be able to stomach the things we like.”

The bartender didn’t even ask for Len’s order as she placed a tiny glass with brown liquid in it, right in front of the fat man. Len grabbed it and took a long gulp.

Asher had no idea what the man was talking about as he rubbed the gold numbers and letters with the pad of his thumb. “So this place provides these. . .pleasures that most men couldn’t stomach?”

“Yes.”

“And how do you know I like these things?”

“I saw the way you were looking at Thomas and his daughter.” Len took another gulp of his drink and chuckled.

“What do you mean?”

“You know what I’m saying.” Len nudged Asher’s arm.

Asher held back the bile in his throat. “I think Thomas may be a bit too friendly with his daughter. That’s why I was looking.”

“Is that the only reason?” Len nudged him again.

It took everything in Asher to not break the man’s arm. Instead, he directed all of his attention back to the address on the paper. “So this place, provides those type of services?”

“I might have taken Thomas there a few times, but the girls aren’t you know. . .young enough for him.”

Darkness hit Asher’s chest. Haunting images ran through his mind. He could see himself killing Thomas, even though hadn’t planned on hurting anybody else that year. He’d already killed two men prior, but then he spotted Thomas placing his hand in the corner of his daughter’s back. Although the action seemed simple, there was something wrong in the way the man looked at his little girl and smiled.

And her eyes. . .

He’d never forget the terror that lay beneath those lids.

It was why Asher sat at the bar in that moment. He’d been trying to decide if he would kill Thomas, and maybe Thomas’s death would get that terror out of his little girl’s eyes.

“Yes, buddy.” Len got up from the bar and tapped Asher’s back. “This is the place to have a little fun with a younger grew of women. They’re still mature, of course, just not by society’s ridged standards. I hope you’ll see me there one night.”

Asher knew exactly where he would place the bow in Len’s chest, could see the sharp object slicing through the air, slamming into the fat man’s flesh, and bursting through to bone and blood.

“Thanks.” Asher formed his lips into a huge smile and shook the man’s hand. “I really hope I catch you there too, Len.”

He’d never got down to killing Len. There were too many others that snared his attention—too many piece of shit men to kill.

Asher decided to kill Len, when the urge just couldn’t be stopped.

That night, it was a full moon.

Asher hadn’t realized it until he stepped onto the brothel’s porch and gazed out into the sky. The stars shimmered around that huge, glowing object. Power rained down and bathed Asher in it.

I need two more days with Diana, and, besides, Len should die.

He placed his club membership key into the door, twisted it, turned the knob, and stepped into the brothel. Inside, two bodyguards glanced at his mask, and then returned to their conversation.