Another laugh, but I can tell it’s forced. I put my arms around myself, ignoring the part of my mind that tells me this is a mistake… if Asher threatens Declan, it will only make him more persistent.
But he’s already so freaking persistent.
How much worse can it get?
Asher is protecting me like I’ve dreamed he would for three years.
“Is that supposed to scare me?”
“I mean it,” Asher snaps. “If you ever call her again, if you show up at her apartment, I’m going to find you, Declan. I’m going to make you sorry. What you’re doing is goddamn pathetic. You broke up over a year ago. She escaped you. And yet you still feel the need to try and make her miserable.”
“Who exactly am I speaking with?”
“Asher Alexander. I’m a historian. But I’m also trained in martial arts. I’ve been in a fair number of fights in my life. I’m also very, very, very fucking certain I could make your life miserable, the same way you’re trying to make Autumn’s. This is it, Declan. Time to back off. Autumn is off-limits.”
My chest fills with warmth, my belly tingling.
It’s like all my fantasies are coming true.
But I need to slow down, remember that just because he’s protecting me in this instance, it doesn’t mean he wants to protect me for the rest of our lives.
“What if I like my chances with you, eh?”
“I’m happy to meet you right now,” Asher snarls.
“Asher,” I whisper, a note of panic in my voice.
I’ve got no doubt Asher could put Declan in his place in a fair fight, but I’m also sure that Declan wouldn’t fight fair.
He looks at me, shaking his head softly, the glint in his eyes telling me to trust him. And I do, way more than I have any right to.
“I think I’ll pass on that,” Declan says, still trying his tough-guy voice. But it’s faltering.
“You’re only a tough guy when you’re bothering women, is that it? Listen to me, Declan, and listen fucking closely. You are going to leave Autumn alone. You are never to call her again. Do you understand?”
“She’s my ex-girlfriend—”
“Exactly. Your ex. She left you. You were a mean little motherfucker and it took a lot of courage for her to escape your relationship. She’s done with it now. She wants to move on with her life.”
“You can’t—”
“I can. I normally hate talking about money, but since you’re struggling to get the point, let me make it even clearer for you. I have money, meaning I’ve got plenty of cash to throw at private detectives. Make your life not worth living.”
“Autumn, are you there?”
“Declan, please, just do what he says.”
“Who is he? Your knight in shining armor?”
“He’s…”
I trail off when I’m not sure how to describe him. I can’t exactly tell Declan the truth, that he’s a man I met three years ago who has lingered in my dreams ever since. A man I’ll never be able to forget.
“I’m her boyfriend,” Asher growls.
I gasp, looking into his eyes, wondering if he really means it or if he’s just trying to scare Declan away.
“H-Her boyfriend?” Declan sputters.
“That’s right,” Asher says firmly. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll delete her number. Goodbye, motherfucker.”
Asher hangs up the phone and then leaps to his feet, pacing over to the window. He walks around the room, fists clenched, his chest heaving.
“He’s lucky he’s not here,” Asher snaps. “That bastard… who does he think he is?”
I go to him instinctively, sensing he’s going to erupt if I don’t intervene. Placing my hand on his arm, I feel the heat radiating from his body.
“I didn’t mean to overstep.” Asher places his hand atop mine, pressing it against his arm. “I just can’t stand the idea of that bastard thinking you’re not protected, thinking you haven’t got somebody watching your back.”
“I’m glad you stood up for me,” I whisper. “Honestly. I was a little shocked when you said you were my boyfriend, though. I guess you wanted to scare him off?”
“Not just that.”
He sweeps his arms around me and pulls me to him. I collapse into his embrace, gripping him tight.
“I want to be with you, Autumn. I don’t care if it’s fast. I meant it. I’m ready to be your boyfriend. And don’t even think about mentioning your virginity like it’s a bad thing. I don’t care about that. I’m ready to go at your pace.”
I tighten my grip, my heart fluttering so fast I can hardly take it. “You want us to be together, boyfriend and girlfriend?”
“Yes.”
“But it’s…”
“I know. It’s fast. But the truth is…” He pauses, eyes staring into the distance, and then goes on. “The truth is I think you’re the most beautiful, interesting, exciting, intelligent, kind, and caring woman I’ve ever met. And I need to be with you.”