Free White by Aria Cole Page A

lot. You can tell me anything. I’m always here.” He licked his lips and continued when I didn’t reply. “I’ve been thinking…” His head turned away and back again. “I think we should shorten the contract to a year,” he said stoically.  
    My heart dropped down into my stomach. But why? Had I done something wrong already? Had I already blown it, my chance for financial peace of mind that he’d dangled in front of me gone before it’d ever even had a chance to materialize? “I don’t understand,” I choked out as fear and frustration invaded my throat.  
    “Allie, no, no, no. I just don’t think it’s fair to require you to stay locked up here. You’ve gone through enough in life. Let’s just say we shorten the contract, but keep all the same terms. Come on, you shouldn’t be complaining, this works to your benefit,” he said breathlessly.  
    “But what about the money?” I blurted out, thinking only of the boys and what that money could provide us.  
    Asher’s eyebrows rose for a long moment before he turned away and dropped my hand again.  
    “You’ll still get the money,” he uttered quietly, his jaw tightening for a moment, and I knew instantly it hadn’t been about that for him. I’d stuck my damn foot in my mouth and now I’d hurt his feelings.  
      But what about my feelings? He left me feeling like I was riding a damn roller coaster. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to sound rude or ungrateful, but I’ve never had this sort of kindness before. It just takes some time adjusting to the idea that someone cares for you and not just what you can give them.” I stopped, thinking in some way I was here for him, too. We needed each other. Was it so bad that I actually enjoyed his company, too?
    “Just so I make myself clear, Allie, I’ll take care of you as long as you’ll have me. I have more than enough money to last me multiple lifetimes. I would love for you to stay with me forever. This house is so big and rambling alone, and Peggy is wonderful, but she’s not exactly the kind of company I’m looking for.”
    “What, company that you pay?” I snarked before kicking myself again.  
    His eyebrows rose in surprise. “You’ve got quite a mouth on you. That I didn’t expect.” He shook his head with an amused grin, then continued. “And rest assured, I will pay you for your time here. I’ll pay you in the form of extended trips, fancy dresses, all the things a woman could ever desire. You’ll be provided for.” He caught my eye. “And outside of your monetary compensation, of course.”
    My cheeks flushed red. I didn’t want him to think I was here using him for his cash. I mean, it was part of it, but I would be here having this conversation on this bench with him without the cash. I enjoyed Asher Strong.  
    “Thank you for saying that.” I reached out for his hands again, feeling relaxed and at ease in the spring sunlight. “I have been through a lot.” I looked down at my bare feet in the grass, something inside me telling me to open up, to spill my soul to him like I’d never done with anyone else. “I don’t mean to sound ungrateful. I’m not here for the money. I like you.” I peered up at him, gaze trained on his eyes so he could see that I meant it, that I liked him really.
      “But you’re right. I have gone through a lot of hard stuff, and I left my three brothers in foster care. I can't stop worrying about them. They're younger than me, and all I can think about is earning enough money to get them out of there, to provide for all of us so they can go to public school and focus on an education. Maybe I could even send them to college someday…” I trailed off as tears wet my eyelids.  
    “Allie.” Asher pulled me into his strong arms then, and I tucked myself against his barrel chest. He felt so warm, so right, so welcoming. “I’ll do anything I can to help you. I can’t imagine the horrors you saw where you came from. No one should be