The Striker (Gods of the Game, #1)

by Ana Huang

Moments like this meant I’d made it and proved my critics wrong—which I had, many times over. After all, I was Asher Fucking Donovan.

I didn’t know much about Scarlett DuBois, but given she was related to Vincent, I knew one thing: I wasn’t going to like her. At all.

“However, I have to commend you on achieving something that I thought was impossible.” “What’s that?” “Making me like someone with the last name DuBois.” I rolled my eyes even as I fought an exasperated laugh. “You are an incorrigible flirt.” “Flirt? Yes. Incorrigible? That’s a matter of opinion.”

screaming about it. “Before you say anything else, this…” I gestured between us. “Ends now.” Amusement slid across his infuriatingly perfect face. “What’s this?” “The flirting. It’s unprofessional.” “I’m afraid flirting is part of my nature, darling.”

“I’m just that type of student.” “You mean a teacher’s pet?” “Darling, if you want to call me pet, I won’t stop you.”

“I’m a ballerina. I live by rules.” “That’s too bad.” The light finally turned green, and I broke eye contact to focus on the road. “You’d have more fun without them.”

“I have other things I could do,” he said. “I wouldn’t say they’re better.”

“Give me a break. It’s been years since I ran like that.” My jelly-like legs confirmed my long break with cardio. The hint of a smile vanished. “Shit. I forgot how high-impact running is. It’s not good for chronic pain, is it?” The warmth in my veins melted into honey. Hell, everything melted. At this rate, they’d have to scrape me off the driveway with a spatula. “You looked up chronic pain?” A wash of dull red colored Asher’s cheekbones. “Out of curiosity, that’s all,” he said. “I didn’t know much about it, so I figured I should learn the basics. Obviously.”

“Every brave act is stupid until it succeeds.”

“Yes, you coward. You can come out from your hiding spot now. And by hiding spot, I mean the area between the seat and my back.”

If her smile was a burglar, her laugh was a fucking thief because I was pretty sure she just stole a piece of my heart from right out under me.

“I think you’re capable of more than you give yourself credit for,” I said. “But at the end of the day, you have to ask yourself what you’d regret more—trying and failing, or not trying at all?”

“Scarlett.” “Hmm?” “I hate to interrupt your ogling, but can you please get up? As much as I love having you on top of me, this tile wasn’t designed for comfort.”

“Speak of the devil.” A mischievous glint entered Carina’s eyes as she raised her arm. “Don’t you dare,” I hissed, but it was too late. “Asher!” She waved, her bangles gleaming beneath the lights. His gaze slid across the room and rested on us. “Over here.”

When his palm reached the nape of my neck, my body instinctively arched, just enough to make his eyes flare with heat. His hand curled, anchoring me in place. “I asked you a question, Scarlett.” A breathless shiver ran from my head to the tips of my toes. Does this feel platonic to you? “No,” I whispered. “It doesn’t.” Another breath shuddered from his chest. That was the last warning I got before he pulled me toward him and slanted his mouth over mine.

I gasped, shocked by the sudden onslaught. Asher used the opportunity to deepen the kiss, sliding his tongue inside and exploring my mouth with such lazy sensuality that any resistance I might’ve had simply floated away.

No one had ever looked at me like that, like they could see past all my shields and pretenses to the imperfections I fought to hide. Like those imperfections didn’t matter, and not only did they not matter, but they were a reason for appreciation instead of an obstacle. It was the first time anyone had seen me for me.

Asher pressed a kiss on my forehead. “How are you feeling?” he murmured. “You need anything?” My chest clenched. It was a casual question, but it was the casualness that made it so intimate. He wasn’t trying to care; he simply did.

“Just because you’re privileged in one way doesn’t mean you can’t struggle in other ways.”

Asher tore his eyes away from mine and faced forward again. But when our hands grazed on the bed, I didn’t pull away, and when I curled my pinky around his, he squeezed mine in return. We didn’t speak. We didn’t need to. Sometimes, actions were enough.

Asher was by my side in an instant, his arms encircling me as I pressed my tear-dampened face into his chest. He didn’t say a word. He just held me, his embrace so strong and steady, I was sure it could withstand even the most devastating of storms.

“Good.” Asher’s smile was as slow and languid as the warmth seeping under my skin. “That’s my girl.”

I’ll always have your back. Always. No matter what happens, there’s nothing in this world that I won’t do for you. Scarlett’s gaze brushed mine. She stilled for a fraction of a second, her lips parting like she’d heard my silent promise loud and clear.

I looked at her, this beautiful, incredible woman whom I never would’ve expected would turn my world upside down, and marveled that she was mine. The universe knew what it was doing after all. “I’ve been here since day one, darling. I was simply waiting for you to join me.”

“Hi, darling.” Asher’s voice flowed over the line. “Miss me already?”

“I’ll always take care of you.” I cupped her cheek, my chest aching. “But promise me you’ll also take care of yourself.”

For Scarlett, I could do anything.

“I love you,” he repeated, his words thick with emotion. “I’m so fucking in love with you, darling, and the only reckless thing I want to do is explore how deep this rabbit hole goes with you. Together.”