The next couple of weeks passed by quickly for Asher. After that altercation in his bedroom with Miya, the air between them has been thick with tension. He made sure to skirt around her as they passed each other in the hallway, kitchen, and living room. He couldn't deny his sudden attraction towards her. He knew what family she came from and possibly the men she had murdered, but that still didn't stop his curiosity about her.

She was his.

It has been at least a week since he last heard from Ezra. Ezra had told them there hadn't been any movement from the Moore family since Miya arrived at Asher's front door. He doesn't know what they have planned, but he will let them know when he figures it out. Ezra had placed men around the Moore's estate, watching them closely.

Asher sat in the living room, scrolling through the channels on the television, when he heard movement beside him. He turned to see Miya taking the empty seat beside him.

"You've been avoiding me, Asher," Miya scolded him as she leaned back and crossed her arms. "Did I do something wrong?"

Asher didn't know what was wrong with him. He hadn't been with anyone since his late wife passed away. He hadn't been attracted to anyone since his late wife. Looking at her now, it took everything in him not to touch her in any way. He shook his head and focused back on the television. Is this what Ezra was going through with Aubrey? he thought. "No," he answered her quickly.

"Then why have you been avoiding me?" Miya pressured him again. Her voice sounded annoyed.

Asher looked over at her and shifted his body, facing her. "You haven't done anything wrong, Miya," he answered slowly. "It's - uh - my problem."

Miya's body relaxed slightly, but she rolled her eyes. "Are you going to tell me your problem?"

Asher chuckled. "Nope." His eyes roamed over her body. She was tempted, sitting in front of him. She wore a cropped hoodie and shorts, showing off her long legs.

"That's rude," she snapped at him. "You can't keep avoiding me all day."

"Yes, I can," he answered, his eyes snapping back to hers. "I've been doing it quite well the past couple of days."

Miya rolled her eyes again and turned her attention back to the television. "This is ridiculous, Asher." She shuffled her body closer to him. "You can't keep ignoring me."

Asher clenched his teeth. "Miya," he forced himself to stand up. "I'm not repeating myself." He moved quickly towards the bathroom. It was getting dark outside, and he hoped she would go to bed soon. He stepped through the bathroom door and closed it behind him. He took a long, cold shower before leaving the bathroom and stopping short.

Miya was lying on his bed, reading another one of his books. All she had on was an oversized T-shirt. His imagination started to picture what was underneath that shirt. He quickly shook his head and moved quickly to the kitchen. Taking out his phone, he dialed Ezra's number and waited for him to answer.

"Hello?" Ezra's voice piped up from the other end.

Asher took a deep breath. "I need to get out of this house, boss." Ezra chuckled in response. "I'm not joking here, boss. I need out of this house."

"Asher," Ezra started slowly. "Are you having trouble keeping your hands to yourself?"

Asher huffed as he poked his head around the corner. "I haven't done anything."

"Yet," Ezra added quickly. He laughed before continuing, "You'll be fine, Asher. Trust me; there would be nothing wrong with your urges. I had those same urges, but they led me to a wife and son. A family to fight for every day." He paused, and Asher knew that he was looking at Aubrey. "I know what you went through, brother, but don't let that stop you from finding happiness."

Asher took a deep breath. "Yes, boss."

"Stop calling me 'boss' so much," Ezra huffed. "You're older than me. I'll call you soon, Asher, to give you updates."

"I'll look forward to it," Asher responded before Ezra hung up the call. Asher leaned back against the wall and ran a hand through his hair. There was a hole in his heart and life, but he had thought he could fill it with his new family. Although, Ezra was right. He shouldn't let his past mess with what he could have. He suddenly found himself standing in the open doorway of his room, leaning against the frame. "Which one are you reading?"

Miya jumped and sat up quickly, shoving the book close. "I'm sorry. I know you said not to read them, but," she looked down at the book.

"But what?" Asher stepped into the room and sat down on the bed beside her.

Miya rolled her eyes at him as she handed him the book. "You're not giving me attention, so I went to the books." She shrugged her shoulders. "While I don't have any memories of my family or what I did, I know that books bring me comfort. I'm able to get away from this world and hop into another. I can pause the world if I'm uncomfortable or stressed about a situation in the book, but I can't do that with real life." She crossed her arms over her chest. "I know I probably sound silly."

Asher shook his head quickly. "You don't. I read them for the same reason. They're therapeutic for me."

Miya looked up at him, and he swore that her blue eyes were brighter than before. "Why were you ignoring me?"

Asher chuckled slightly as he shook his head. "I'm going to make a deal with you. There will be no more hiding anything in this house." He gave her a sharp look. "If you remember anything-"

"I will tell you in a heartbeat," Miya interrupted him. "The same goes for you."

Asher nodded. "Yes." He took a deep breath and leaned back onto his elbows, looking up at the ceiling. "You've been in my head a lot."

Miya hesitated before replying, "What do you mean?"

"You messed up my head when you found my books and told me I would know how to please a woman."

"Oh." Her voice was soft. "I'm sorry, I -"

"No," Asher interrupted her. "Don't apologize. You have to understand. I've been alone for years, Miya. My wife was taken from me years ago, and I haven't been with or thought of another woman in that way for years." He took a deep breath. "I don't know if it's just the proximity or something deeper, but you won't leave my mind." He chuckled. "I don't even know if it's appropriate."

"Why?"

"I'm older than you."

Miya scoffed as she chuckled. "By at least ten years."

Asher's head snapped up to give her a look. "Why do you say at least?"

Miya smirked at him as she shrugged her shoulders. "There's nothing wrong with you being older, Asher." She pointed to the book that was in his lap. "That one has an age gap of at least ten years."

Asher rolled his eyes and shook his head. "I don't know what I could offer you, Miya."

Miya's eyes bore into his, and she sat up straighter. "Asher May, are you offering a fun time?"

Asher chuckled. "We'll see." He pushed himself off of the bed and walked out of the room. "Get some sleep, Miya. I'll see you in the morning."

"Fucking tease," he heard Miya grumble as he walked away.