Chapter 123 Loud Knock
Ava could not believe what she was hearing.
Finished
Before she could say anything else, the door took a pounding. Louder than before, way more aggressive, and definitely urgent.
She bolted to the security panel. Asher’s face popped up, and he looked pissed.
Ava muttered under her breath, “I’m so screwed.”
She had no idea why Asher had shown up. But if he walked in and saw this lineup of guys in her room, the whole thing would blow up. She didn’t even want to imagine it.
She rushed to Mason and whispered, “Hide. Now. Asher’s here.”
Mason didn’t even flinch. He looked calm, like this didn’t concern him at all.
Ava yanked on his arm. “Please. Just hide. Anywhere.”
He stared at her. “Kiss me first.”
“You’re insane! Get moving!” she hissed through her teeth.
Still nothing. So, she grabbed a rose off the coffee table and smacked it against his lips. “Boom. Rose kissed you.”
Mason chuckled like it was the most ridiculous thing he’d ever heard. “That actually counts?”
“Yup. You didn’t say what I had to kiss you
with.”
He gave her a slow, loaded look but finally got up.
She scanned the room. No decent hiding spots. With no better plan, she yanked the blanket off her bed, shoved him down, and tossed it over him. “Not a single sound. If he finds you here, you’re dead.”
Mason looked like a human–sized burrito. His face said he had no idea what just happened. But he also grinned when she shot him a mock–glare like she was about to kill him.
Ava slammed the bedroom door and darted to the front. She opened it with a smile that screamed fake. “Hey, Asher. What’s going on?”
Asher stepped right in and looked around like he was about to interrogate someone. The room looked clean, but his vibe said he wasn’t buying it. “What took you so long to answer?”
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Chapter 123 Loud Knock
“I was sleeping. Didn’t hear you.”
:
He eyed her up and down. “You’re alone? None of those five guys came by?”
She shook her head hard. “Nope! Didn’t see anyone!”
ชลต
Finished
“Seriously? I’ve been downstairs this whole time and didn’t see a single one of them. Figured they came up.” He scratched his head. The moment Jane mentioned Ava was asleep, and those guys were suddenly gone, he’d gotten suspicious.
He knew how dudes thought. He’d rushed up here just in case.
Ava looked away fast. “Maybe they’re off doing something dumb.”
Asher’s expression finally started to ease—until his eyes caught the glass sitting on the coffee table. “Maybe I was overthinking. Alright, get some rest.”
11
Ava let out a breath. Relief washed over her. Then Asher spun and grabbed the bedroom door handle.
Ava’s heart nearly stopped.
There was Mason. On the bed. Fully visible. Staring right at Asher… with a cocky grin that screamed, ‘I don’t care.‘
Asher’s face went dark. It looked like every nerve in his body lit up. This was her coming–of–age party. And this guy had the balls to-
Ava stood frozen. Her hands shook. “He was just… testing out how soft the mattress is.”
Asher said nothing. The silence pressed down on the room like a brick wall.
Then, he exploded. “Get the hell out! Now!” His voice shook with fury as he glared at Mason.
Mason casually peeled off the blanket like he was getting up from a spa treatment. “Dude. You ever heard of knocking?”
A vein in Asher’s forehead twitched. “Who the hell do you think you’re talking to? Don’t act like we’re buddies!”
They locked eyes, neither one backing down. Then a thump came from the storage cabinet. Both of them snapped their heads toward it.
Ava’s stomach sank. Her vision went dark. Asher stormed to the cabinet, ripped the door open. Ryan stared straight at him. Not a hint of shame. He stepped out, cracked his neck, and groaned, “Ava, next time I’m not hiding in that d*mn box. I couldn’t even stretch my legs.”
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Chapter 123 Loud Knock
A
69
Finished
Ava wanted lightning to come through the ceiling and strike him down on the spot.
Asher looked ready to tear something apart. “What are you doing in here?!”
Ryan glanced sideways. “It’s Ava’s room. Why wouldn’t I be here? Why are you freaking out?”
Asher ignored him completely and turned to Ava. “This is what you meant by ‘no one came up‘?”
Her face turned bright red. She had nothing. No words. No excuse. Nothing.
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合
B
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