She muffles her screams by burying her head in the crook of my neck, but I couldn't care less if the whole studio hears us. I’m finally home where I belong, inside the woman I love.
Thirty-Five
Linda
I flush every time someone makes eye contact with me, convinced they know what we were just doing in the janitor’s closet. Thankfully, I had enough awareness about me after my mind-blowing orgasm to convince Asher to let me finish him off with my mouth because the tiny hanky I had used to clean up with would have been woefully inadequate.
And, let's be honest, there are no secrets when wearing a silk dress and no underwear. He might have loved the idea of me walking around with his essence on the inside of my thighs, but me, not so much.
“Stop fidgeting. You look stunning. Every guy in here wishes he was me,” Asher whispers into my hair, giving the hand he’s holding a reassuring squeeze.
“Well, yeah, because they think I’ll put out in the closet,” I grumble, making him laugh.
“They can think what they want, but I’m the only lucky fuck that gets to slide inside your hot little pussy.”
“Asher!” I scold with a gasp, scanning the room to make sure nobody is listening.
He turns a little to look down at me, his free hand cupping my jaw. “I love you,” he tells me softly.
My heart swells at his words. I don't think I’ll ever get tired of hearing it. “I love you too.”
“Linda?” I look to the left and see my stepfather staring at me in shock.
“Dad?” I splutter, pulling away from Asher a little. “What are you doing here?”
“Dad?” Asher questions in shock. “Peterson is your father?”
I look up at him, wondering what's going on.
“I followed Asher here after he left our meeting like a bat out of hell. Now imagine my surprise at finding him here when he was meant to be meeting his wife. I guess my first impression of you was correct,” he spits at Asher.
Asher ignores him completely, focusing solely on me. “I didn’t know, I swear. You don’t have the same last name, hell, I didn’t even know Peterson had a daughter,” he assures me, willing me to believe him and, surprisingly enough, I do.
“I have my birth dad's name. Jack’s my stepfather, and I believe you had no clue who I was or the whole Vegas wedding then being separated for a year would have likely played out differently.”
His shoulders sag in relief before he wraps his arm around me and tucks me into his side.
“Does anyone want to explain to me what the fuck is going on?” my father splutters. I wonder how he even got in without an invite because lord knows I didn’t send him one. I’m about to ask when Molly steps up to me.
“I’m so sorry to interrupt, Mrs. Sloan, but I just wanted to let you know that we’ve sold all but the one piece you asked us not to. Congratulations.” She gives my arm a squeeze, ignoring the tension surrounding us, leaving me in shock as she walks away and Graham takes her place.
“Asshole,” I greet him with a sweet smile.
“Laura.” He smirks back.
“Did she just call you, Mrs. Sloan?” my dad whispers loudly, making me turn to face him as his face pales.
I swallow hard and burrow closer to Asher. “Yeah. I believe you know my husband, Asher.”
“So let me get this straight, you got fired from your job, got married in secret, and now you’re working at a gallery?” he says with distaste coating his words, making me shrink in on myself a little. I guess some things never change.
Asher’s arm tightens around me as I speak. “Actually, I work in a bar,” I snap, but my father talks over me.
“This is exactly the reckless kind of behavior I was talking about. I was trying to protect you from men like him, and now you are… you’re, you’re…” he flounders, so I answer for him.
“I’m happy,” I answer for him.
He scoffs, but Asher has had enough. “Excuse me, Peterson, but I don't think you are in any position to judge us. It seems to me your daughter didn’t fit the mold you tried to shove her into, so she left to be free. That’s on you, not her. You should be fucking proud of who she is, Christ knows I am. I’m the luckiest person in this room because I get to wake up every day knowing Linda is in my life. What kind of idiot would throw that away? Look around you. All these people are here to celebrate your daughter's success. The only person who can’t seem to see how amazing she is, is you.”
My father looks around the room as my heart beats out of control at Asher's speech. I focus on my father’s face as he freezes and his lips part as he stares at something across the room. I turn and see the picture of my mother.
“Ella,” he breathes, walking toward it, almost like he’s in a trance.
“Are you all right?” Asher asks softly.
I lift my head to look at him and nod. “I am now.”
“I feel like I deserve some credit for this,” Graham announces, breaking the moment, making me look at him in confusion.
“Credit for what? What are you even doing here?” Asher voices my question.
“Peterson was impressed you were so devoted to your wife. He insisted we join you. Of course, I didn’t know he was your father, Laura. Thanks for the heads up,” Graham mocks, and the desire to punch him surges.
“You must have a really big dick,” I muse, making him look at me in surprise.
“Skittle,” Asher warns from beside me, but I ignore him.
“Not that it's any of your business, but I really do,” Graham answers magnanimously.
I nod. “I figured as much because, for the life of me, I can’t see what else your fiancée could see in you,” I tell him, and if I weren’t watching him so closely, I would have missed the twitch of his lips.
“I want it.”
I turn to face my father when he speaks. I hadn’t even noticed he had returned. “You want what?” I ask in confusion.
“The picture of Ella. I’ll pay you whatever you want.”
I can feel the depth of love he has for my mother in the cadence of his voice. Even after all this time, she is still the love of his life.
Stepping forward until we are toe to toe, I look up into the haunted eyes of the man who taught me to ride a bike and who read me bedtime stories.
“I don't want your money, Dad. That picture was never for sale. Take it. It's yours,” I say softly, and he swallows hard.
“It's beautiful, all your pieces are. I’m sorry I ever made you doubt that.” He leans down and places a kiss against my forehead before whispering lightly, “You love him?”
“More than I ever thought possible,” I answer him honestly.
He stands back up, tucking a strand of multicolored hair behind my ear with a smile. “Then hold on tight to him and don’t let go.”
He looks over my shoulder at Asher. “Be at my office at ten on Monday morning, and we’ll finalize the deal then. Spend the weekend with your beautiful wife,” he adds before turning and walking away.
I stand there and watch him leave and blink back tears.