Tip Three; don't be afraid to ask for what you want.

• • •

Sunlight filters into my room from the bay window to my right, coasting over my covers and the tips of my toes.

I pull my eyes away from the glow and back to the computer in front of me, forcing my mind to focus on what it needs to.

My assignment.

Yet, even as I try to pay attention, my mind keeps drifting, falling into fantastical lands far away, to lords and ladies, to dragons, to Fae magic, to more than just this life I live.

And that's all my mind needs, I can no longer focus on the assignment in front of me, instead I need to read like I need oxygen.

I'm sure if you asked a psychologist why I feel compelled to do something as soon as I think it, so that I'm no longer indebted to the carousel of my thoughts and the what's ifs, they'd tell you there's a label for it.

But I'm doing fine so it's fine.

• • •

I'm not even two pages into the book when there's a knock at my door and I look up, narrowing my eyes at the wood as if I can see through it.

"Come in." I yell, closing my book halfway as the door is pushed open.

My brow furrows, seeing Asher's unmistakeable smirk as he walks in, shutting the door with a resounding click.

I hadn't seen him since the party, and my stomach swoops with a riot of nerves.

I scowl inwardly, swallowing back my nerves and sitting up straighter.

"Hi?" The word was meant to come out strong, questioning why he was here but instead it just came out soft, like I wasn't sure why he wasn't here earlier.

I really need to get my shit together.

Asher grins, "You busy?"

I look down at the book in my hands and then back at him, "yes."

"Doing what?"

"Reading."

He rolls his eyes, laughing softly under his breath. "I need help with an assignment I have to hand in next week, can you help?"

I almost want to turn him down, too engrossed in my book to want to do much else but with a soft groan I close my book and shift over, crossing my legs under me.

We had a deal, he helps me and I help him. I wasn't the type of girl to pull back on her words.

I nod to the corner of my bed, and Asher moves, taking the spot, his eyes jumping from one corner of my room to the other, taking everything in.

It's the first time, I realise, he'd ever been in here.

I ignore his perusal, focusing on not focusing on him and how he's sitting on my bed right now - especially after last night. My body still feels hot from having his hands on me, and his voice in my ears telling me how to kiss - how he would kiss.

It was torture and now the man was sitting in my room, on my bed, in my space. I don't know how to feel about that.

That's a lie, I'm not mad about it.

Leaving my book behind, I scoot further up the bed, getting comfortable before even looking his way and then finally, with a soft sigh I hope he can't hear I turn to look at him only to find his eyes pinned straight on me.

I glance away, clearing my throat. "So, what's the assignment?"

Its silent for a moment and I lift my head, raising a brow when I find his eyes still on me, "Asher?"

He blinks, shaking his head slightly, "Uh, English or something."

"Or something?"

He clears his throat, the rough growl doing something to me I refuse to name. "English."

"Okay?" I question, "What's it on?"

"I'll get the email up," He says with a resigned sigh and I nod, laughing lowly under my breath.

"You haven't even looked at it have you?"

He looks up sheepish, "Would it alter your opinion of me if I said no?"

I shake my head, a grin taking over my face. "No."

"I haven't even clicked on the email yet."

"You're horrible."

He shrugs but doesn't dispute the claim, passing his phone over. 

I read over the assignment details, locking the information away as I reach for my forgotten laptop, powering it up.

I'm only seconds into starting the assignment when Asher clears his throat, causing my eyes to shift to meet his.

I raise a brow, "yes?"

"Have you ever watched porn?"

"You're supposed to be focusing on the assignment."

He shrugs, shifting so his arms are curled around his folded knees.

"I am, I'm multitasking." He shrugs with that devilish grin and asks again. "So have you ever watched porn?"

I narrow my eyes at the demand even when he only grins back, "Of course I have, it's just not my preferred vice."

"Not your preferred vice? What does that even mean?"

"I don't really like watching it." I mumble, trying to focus back on the task at hand - the assignment.

And not the man asking inappropriate questions in my bed.

I flick a hand towards my bookshelf, hoping to distract him, "reading is so much better." I regret it straight away as I see his eyes widen at the books and the possibilities.

"What?"

"What?" I question, ignoring my flaming cheeks and my no filter.

"What the hell are you reading?" His voice is low, but full of curiosity, and I can hear the smile in his voice.

I look away from his probing stare, clicking away on the keyboard although I'm sure if you looked at what I was typing it would be gibberish.

"Ivy?"

I huff and glance up, "Faeries." I mumble, but he only looks confused. "Sports romance, billionaires, brother best friend."

"Brother's best friend?" He quips.

I narrow my eyes at his ego, "not my favourite trope."

"Ouch, baby, Ouch."

"Did you just call me baby?"

"Yes I did."

"Why?"

"Because I have control over my automotive functions and decided to say it. So what are you reading now?"

"Reverse harem."

"What?"

"You know what a harem is?"

He shrugs, "yes."

"Reverse it. Many men, one woman they idolise."

But still he only looks lost so I grab the book I'd been reading and throw it towards him. He catches it with one hand, his t-shirt lifting up slightly on his stomach, showcasing the hard muscles beneath.

I look away. "Read that and you'll know what I mean."

And he does, he settles into the book quietly while I continue with his assignment.

I know he asked for help but honestly, doing the work just seemed easier.

My eyes swing between the email, the words I'm typing and the boy sitting beside me in rapid succession.

"What the fuck, you read this?" It only feels like minutes later but it's been at least ten when Asher's voice pierces my concentration.

I look up, keeping a straight face at the slight flush on his cheeks even if I do want to grin like a loon and tease him for it.

"How the fuck do you not get turned on?"

I tilt my head at him, the words slipping free with no thought behind them. "That's the point."

He drops the book, letting the pages all flutter together as he climbs further up the bed, and removes the laptop from my lap, placing it on my bedside table.

"What are you doing?" I ask, sinking further into the pillows surrounding me, wanting to disappear as I feel the heat of his body surrounding mine.

"We're done with my study for the day, now it's time for yours."

I rise a brow, "Mine?"

"Yep." He nods, settling in front of me, too close for comfort.

"What are we learning?"

"What do you want to learn?" Asher says, his words slow and deliberate, his eyes on me and it almost feels as if he's undressing me with his gaze.

"You said you got some tips from the boys on the team, let's start with one of those."

He shakes his head slightly, lips lifting in a surprised smirk. "Going straight for the hard yards I see."

I nod, and he pulls back and finally I feel like I can breathe.

Pulling his phone from his back pocket, he taps away before a chuckle exits his mouth. "We'll start with the first one."

"And that is?" I ask when he stays silent, his face betraying nothing but his amusement.

"Dirty talk." He throws his phone off the side of the bed, the thump of it hitting the carpet the only noise in the room besides our breathing.

"Dirty talk?" I repeat, swallowing.

"Yes, baby, dirty talk." He says low and slow and it does something to my insides.

I push myself up from the mattress, making myself level with him.

"Okay, let's go."

"How are you with dirty talk?"

I blink, "I mean, I don't know, not that good - I'm usually very quiet."

"Why?"

"Well, I just learnt to be quiet."

I shrug, not wanting to say why I think.

"Yes you do, tell me Ivy."

"I think-" I pause, "I think because I had to be quiet when I was living at home whenever I was-" I look up and lift my brows, "you know and so now I'm just always quiet."

His eyes seem to darken a bit, "when you were what?"

"You know-"

"No I don't."

I huff at the insufferable man. "Masturbating. When I was masturbating I had to be quiet so nobody knew what I was doing, happy?"

He grins, "You have no idea."

I roll my eyes.

"So you're not too good at the dirty talk." He says, shifting on the bed and my stomach swoops.

"I don't know what to say."

"Don't you read?" He says with a smirk.

"Yeah but how do I know that's what men want to hear? What if I sound like an idiot."

"Do you think I sound like an idiot when I say something like," he pauses, and my curiosity rises but he doesn't say anything, moving so he's closer to me. "I'm just moving closer cause otherwise I will look like an idiot - I need to set the mood."

I don't know what he means but one seconds I'm face to face with him and the next I'm under him, the pillows fanned out beside me and his kneels between my open legs.

"Is this okay?"

I nod slowly, heart thumping.

He leans over me, his hand resting against the mattress at my head, the veins and muscles the only thing I can focus on right now before he leans forward and brings his lips to my ear.

A shiver rushes through me.

His hot breathe brushes the shell of my ear, and then seconds later he's talking, his voice a low growl.

"Are you going to take it like a good girl."

I almost let the moan out that wants to slip past but I seal my lips shut, even when I feel his hand snake its way up the side of my body to rest at the nape of my neck, not tightening, just resting there, like a warning - or a promise.

"You like that? Use your words, tell me how you like it?"

My body heats up, my head swimming as he lifts up, looking down into my eyes, "Did I sound like an idiot?"

I shake my head but he only grins, "Use your words, baby."

"No." I swallow and sit up, forcing Asher to sit back. "You didn't sound like an idiot."

He nods, "Your turn."

"What?"

"Your turn." He says again, though he can't hide the amusement in his tone. "What would you say?"

I choke up, my mind blanking on everything but one sentence, yet I'm too embarrassed to say it.

He raises a brow, waiting and I close my eyes, whispering the words.

"What?"

My eyes snap open and I glare at the saucy grin on his face, knowing he heard what I said but wants me to be louder.

"I want you to fuck me."

"Tame, what else have you got?"

"I want you to fuck me so hard I feel you between my legs for days." I mumble it quickly but he still hears the words, his eyes widening slightly.

"What else Ivy?"

"I want to feel your cock in my mouth, I want you to fill me up."

The smallest groan exits his mouth and he shifts, his face coming closer to mine, elbows resting on either side of my face.

"What else?"

"I want you on your knees with your head between my legs, tell me how much you like how I taste."

"I don't think you need any help with dirty talk, you just need to stop being quiet." He says softly, his eyes focused on mine.

I nod, feeling the tension slip between us. "Okay." I say softly.

"Ivy-"

There's a knock at my door, and I rear up, pushing Asher to the floor with a heavy thud.

My bedroom door opens and Leon stands there, looking around my room. "What was that?"

"What was what?" I ask, my heart racing beneath my chest.

"I thought I heard a noise."

"I didn't hear anything."

He shrugs, turning back to me, "I'm going to go grab dinner, you want anything?"

"No, I'm good." I say, needing him to leave as fast as possible.

"Cool, be back soon."

He turns and races down the stairs. 

"Leon, my door!"

"Shut it yourself."

I grunt under my breath as I push from the bed and speed walk to the door, shutting it with a resounding click before resting my head against it for a breather.

Seconds later I turn, meeting Asher's eyes from where he stands on the other side of the bed, avoiding eye contact.

"I'm gonna get going."

"Good idea." I say, stepping away from the door as he approaches.

His hand curls around the handle of my bedroom door, pulling it open and I find my mouth opening before I even know what I'm going to say.

"Thanks-" I pause, "for the tips." The sentence is awkward and jilted and I cringe but refuse to look up at him.

"All good, that's what I'm here for."

The atmosphere is awkward and I look around my room to distract myself before Asher clears his throat, "oh I have homework for you." He reaches for his back pocket, retrieving a small notepad.

"Homework?"

"This," he says, tapping the book lightly with his finger, "is your homework for the week." His tone is as calm as if he's assigning reading for a class. Meanwhile, my heart feels like it's about to burst out of my chest.

He steps forward, handing me the book, and our fingertips brush for the briefest moment. My skin tingles from the contact, but I focus on the book in my hand. It's stupid to react to something so small. It's Asher. My best friend's brother. He's just helping me. There's nothing more to it.

Even if his voice doesn't things yo my body I'm not ready to look into.

"What exactly am I supposed to learn from this?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady, even though it feels like the floor is about to drop from under me.

"Start with the basics. Understand your own body first. Once you're comfortable with that, we'll move on to..." He pauses, and I can feel his eyes on me, waiting for me to finish the thought.

"Other people?" I blurt, cringing at how breathless I sound.

He nods slowly, his expression softening in a way that makes my stomach twist. "Yeah. Other people. You don't need to rush this. We're taking it step by step."

Step by step. That's what this is. A lesson. He's not doing this to torture me. He's not... enjoying this. Right?

I swallow, my throat suddenly dry. "And after I've read it, what then?"

"Then we'll talk about how pleasure works for a guy. If you're curious." He says it so matter-of-factly, but I can't help but feel the heat creep up my neck. We were just on my bed, with him over me and whispering dirty things and now we're - discussing this like we're talking about the weather.

I look down at the book in my lap. I'm supposed to read this and learn about... myself. I feel like an idiot.

But then I hear myself asking, "What does it feel like? For a guy?"

My heart immediately jumps into my throat. I didn't mean to ask that. Oh God.

Asher stops and turns to look at me, his expression unreadable for a moment. I want to disappear, but instead, I stand there, waiting for him to say something, anything.

He steps closer, his voice lower than usual. "It's hard to explain. It's like everything builds, everything tightens, and then it all... releases. It's intense. You stop thinking, you just feel." His eyes are steady on mine, his voice seeming to deepen. "Have you ever-" he cuts himself off with a shake of his head.

"But that's a conversation for another time. Right now, you've got homework."

I blink, trying to process everything he just said, but all I manage is a shaky, "yes, homework?"

His grin widens, and I swear he's enjoying this more than he should. "Yep. Read up, and I expect questions next time."

And then he's gone, leaving me alone with a book and a heart that's beating way too fast.