"Now there's a big surprise," Asher said, his tone flat and sardonic, the furthest thing from surprised. It was more than obvious by now that Stephen didn't see a whole heck of a lot. That kind of ignorance had to blaze right on past bliss and straight on to full on orgasmic.

Asher was tempted to send the damn apple sailing in the same fashion the pen had made its exit, but he managed to restrain himself. He wasn't sure how long that would hold with Stephen acting like he was, though, and what the hell would he have left to throw after the apple was gone but a fist?

He nodded to himself, having come to some silent conclusion about something or another in his mind, then slid off of the dresser. "From you? Not a damn thing," he answered, almost scoffing, but not quite, before he decided he'd had his fill of present company. He'd leave Stephen to his apple, to choke on for all he cared.