The sleek elevator glided to a smooth stop, its polished chrome doors parting with a soft chime. Vera stepped out first, her boots clicking gently against the glossy marble floor as she followed Asher into his penthouse for the very first time.The moment she entered, her breath caught in her throat.She’d seen wealth before. Been surrounded by it ever since the day her real parents found her. She’d attended banquets, stayed in mansions, worn designer clothes and diamonds that would make the average girl gasp.But this?This was different.This was Asher.Floor to ceiling windows stretched across the entire length of the living room, giving way to an endless view of the city skyline.It was breathtaking, sharp lines of glass towers glittering under the afternoon sun, with a soft haze hanging like a silk veil over the city.The walls were done in deep, warm tones, matte blacks and earthy taupes, softened by scattered art pieces and shelves lined with books. Not cold, not sterile like m
“Did I hire a chef while I wasn’t looking?” he asked, arms crossed as he leaned against the doorframe.Vera turned around, stirring spoon still in hand. “If you did, she’s underpaid.”Asher chuckled, stepping closer. “I didn’t even know I had real food in here. I thought my assistant just stocked it for display.”“Well, it’s not just for display anymore.” She tilted her head with a teasing smile. “I’m officially christening your kitchen.”“You look good in here,” he said simply, his eyes warm.She blinked. “In the kitchen?”“In my space.”Her breath caught.There was something about the way he said my space that made her feel like he wasn’t just talking about his home. He was talking about his life. About her fitting into it. Being part of it.She turned back to stir the pasta, hiding the smile tugging at her lips. “Well, lucky for you, I plan on feeding you while I’m here.”Asher moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, chin resting on her shoulder. “Mmm, dangerous off
They sat down at the kitchen island instead of the formal dining area, something casual and intimate.The late afternoon sun streamed through the wide floor to ceiling windows, casting a golden hue across the space.Vera moved quietly, still lost in the storm of emotions she’d bottled up since overhearing the conversation.Asher pulled out her chair before taking his own, clearly noticing the shift in her demeanor but choosing not to push, at least not yet.“Wow,” he murmured, looking at the spread she’d laid out. “You really went all out.”“I figured I’d cook for you this time,” she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’ve been practically feeding me for weeks.”Asher chuckled, his eyes twinkling. “Well, I’ve just been ordering the food. You actually made it. So you win.”Vera offered a shy smile, finally taking her seat.There was freshly made penne in a creamy garlic parmesan sauce, oven roasted vegetables tossed in olive oil and herbs, and warm slices of sourdough wi
Asher groaned under his breath, one hand tightening around her waist. “You don’t fight fair.”“And you love it,” she whispered, leaning forward to brush her nose against his.He tilted his head, eyes locked with hers. “You’re dangerous like this.”“I know,” she smiled, brushing her lips over his, just barely, a tease that made his grip falter.“I mean it,” he said, voice low and thick. “You don’t know what you do to me.”“Maybe I do,” she breathed, eyes hooded, lips parting just enough..And then she yawned.Long. Loud. Incredibly unsexy.Asher blinked. Vera blinked too, like she didn’t believe it happened.“…Okay,” she said, half laughing, half embarrassed. “Maybe I am drunk.”Asher laughed, pulling her close against his chest and kissing the top of her head. “Yeah. You are.”She curled up in his arms, letting out a soft sigh. “Still serious though… you’re mine.”He looked down at her, her eyes fluttering shut, her lips curved in a sleepy smile.“Yeah,” he murmured. “I’m yours.”Vera
They moved together like a slow burning fire, building, rising, until the world around them disappeared completely. The only thing left was this: his mouth on her skin, her whispered pleas, the sound of their names breathed into the dark like prayers.When Vera shattered beneath him, Asher followed her, losing himself so completely that for a moment, there was nothing left of the man he’d been before her.Only them.Only this.He held her through it, their bodies tangled, his heart pounding against hers as the aftershocks shuddered through them both. Neither of them spoke. They didn’t need to. Every touch, every look said enough.Finally, when the world started to drift back in, the faint hum of the city beyond the windows, the cool air brushing over sweat slicked skin, Asher shifted just enough to pull the covers over them, tucking her against his chest.Vera’s head rested in the crook of his neck, her breathing soft and even. But she wasn’t asleep.He could feel it, the way her fing
The moment Vera Sinclair walked into the lavish restaurant, she knew something was off.The low hum of conversation, the clinking of crystal glasses, and the rich aroma of gourmet dishes did nothing to settle the unease crawling up her spine.Across the table, her boyfriend of four years, Lucas Whitmore, wore an expression she had never seen before, distant, cold, and unreadable.She set her purse on the chair beside her and smiled, ignoring the warning bells in her head. "You’re quiet tonight. Long day?"Lucas exhaled sharply, adjusting the cuffs of his expensive suit. "Vera, we need to talk."Her stomach twisted.No conversation that began with those words ever ended well.Still, she forced herself to remain calm. "Okay. What’s on your mind?"He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he picked up his wine glass, swirled the liquid, and watched it as if searching for words in the deep red color.When he finally spoke, his voice carried a sharp edge. "I think we should break up."For a m
Asher swirled the dark liquid in his glass, his gaze never leaving hers. "Something far better than a man who treated you like a substitute."Vera studied Asher Donovan’s face, trying to decipher his intentions.He was a man known for calculated moves, never saying or doing anything without a purpose. But what purpose did she serve to him?She took another slow sip of her drink, letting the heat settle inside her before meeting his gaze. "You seem awfully invested in my business, Mr. Donovan."Asher chuckled, the deep sound vibrating in the space between them. "Call it an observation. A woman like you shouldn’t waste her time on a man who couldn’t see her worth."His words struck a nerve, and for a moment, Vera wavered. But she quickly masked it with a smirk. "And I suppose you’re here to enlighten me on what I’m worth?"Asher leaned forward, his presence overwhelming in a way that made it impossible to ignore him. "Perhaps," he murmured. "But I have a more interesting proposition for
The grand ballroom was filled with the city’s most influential people, but Vera barely noticed them. Her eyes found Lucas almost instantly.He was standing near the bar, a drink in hand, dressed in a navy suit that matched Camilla’s gown.They looked perfect together, just as he had always wanted.But the moment he saw Vera, the color drained from his face.Camilla, standing beside him, followed his gaze and stiffened. Her grip tightened around his arm, her eyes narrowing.Vera smiled. A slow, knowing smile.I’m not broken. I’m not forgotten. And I’m not the woman you left behind.Asher leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. "He’s looking at you like he’s just realized what he lost."Vera let out a soft laugh. "Good. Let him."Lucas Whitmore had always been a man who prided himself on control, but as he stared at Vera across the ballroom, his grip on his drink tightened, his knuckles turning white.Vera didn’t falter. She let the moment hang, let him soak in the reality of what h
They moved together like a slow burning fire, building, rising, until the world around them disappeared completely. The only thing left was this: his mouth on her skin, her whispered pleas, the sound of their names breathed into the dark like prayers.When Vera shattered beneath him, Asher followed her, losing himself so completely that for a moment, there was nothing left of the man he’d been before her.Only them.Only this.He held her through it, their bodies tangled, his heart pounding against hers as the aftershocks shuddered through them both. Neither of them spoke. They didn’t need to. Every touch, every look said enough.Finally, when the world started to drift back in, the faint hum of the city beyond the windows, the cool air brushing over sweat slicked skin, Asher shifted just enough to pull the covers over them, tucking her against his chest.Vera’s head rested in the crook of his neck, her breathing soft and even. But she wasn’t asleep.He could feel it, the way her fing
Asher groaned under his breath, one hand tightening around her waist. “You don’t fight fair.”“And you love it,” she whispered, leaning forward to brush her nose against his.He tilted his head, eyes locked with hers. “You’re dangerous like this.”“I know,” she smiled, brushing her lips over his, just barely, a tease that made his grip falter.“I mean it,” he said, voice low and thick. “You don’t know what you do to me.”“Maybe I do,” she breathed, eyes hooded, lips parting just enough..And then she yawned.Long. Loud. Incredibly unsexy.Asher blinked. Vera blinked too, like she didn’t believe it happened.“…Okay,” she said, half laughing, half embarrassed. “Maybe I am drunk.”Asher laughed, pulling her close against his chest and kissing the top of her head. “Yeah. You are.”She curled up in his arms, letting out a soft sigh. “Still serious though… you’re mine.”He looked down at her, her eyes fluttering shut, her lips curved in a sleepy smile.“Yeah,” he murmured. “I’m yours.”Vera
They sat down at the kitchen island instead of the formal dining area, something casual and intimate.The late afternoon sun streamed through the wide floor to ceiling windows, casting a golden hue across the space.Vera moved quietly, still lost in the storm of emotions she’d bottled up since overhearing the conversation.Asher pulled out her chair before taking his own, clearly noticing the shift in her demeanor but choosing not to push, at least not yet.“Wow,” he murmured, looking at the spread she’d laid out. “You really went all out.”“I figured I’d cook for you this time,” she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’ve been practically feeding me for weeks.”Asher chuckled, his eyes twinkling. “Well, I’ve just been ordering the food. You actually made it. So you win.”Vera offered a shy smile, finally taking her seat.There was freshly made penne in a creamy garlic parmesan sauce, oven roasted vegetables tossed in olive oil and herbs, and warm slices of sourdough wi
“Did I hire a chef while I wasn’t looking?” he asked, arms crossed as he leaned against the doorframe.Vera turned around, stirring spoon still in hand. “If you did, she’s underpaid.”Asher chuckled, stepping closer. “I didn’t even know I had real food in here. I thought my assistant just stocked it for display.”“Well, it’s not just for display anymore.” She tilted her head with a teasing smile. “I’m officially christening your kitchen.”“You look good in here,” he said simply, his eyes warm.She blinked. “In the kitchen?”“In my space.”Her breath caught.There was something about the way he said my space that made her feel like he wasn’t just talking about his home. He was talking about his life. About her fitting into it. Being part of it.She turned back to stir the pasta, hiding the smile tugging at her lips. “Well, lucky for you, I plan on feeding you while I’m here.”Asher moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, chin resting on her shoulder. “Mmm, dangerous off
The sleek elevator glided to a smooth stop, its polished chrome doors parting with a soft chime. Vera stepped out first, her boots clicking gently against the glossy marble floor as she followed Asher into his penthouse for the very first time.The moment she entered, her breath caught in her throat.She’d seen wealth before. Been surrounded by it ever since the day her real parents found her. She’d attended banquets, stayed in mansions, worn designer clothes and diamonds that would make the average girl gasp.But this?This was different.This was Asher.Floor to ceiling windows stretched across the entire length of the living room, giving way to an endless view of the city skyline.It was breathtaking, sharp lines of glass towers glittering under the afternoon sun, with a soft haze hanging like a silk veil over the city.The walls were done in deep, warm tones, matte blacks and earthy taupes, softened by scattered art pieces and shelves lined with books. Not cold, not sterile like m
Meanwhile…Vera’s Apartment, Late AfternoonAsher sat on the couch in sweatpants and a fitted black tee, Vera’s head resting on his lap while her fingers lazily played with his.A half eaten box of Chinese takeout was perched on the coffee table, and the hum of a soft playlist filled the room.“Don’t you have somewhere important to be?” Vera asked, teasing, eyes closed as she nuzzled into the fabric of his shirt.Asher smirked, brushing her hair back from her face. “I am somewhere important.”She opened one eye, giving him a playful look. “That sounds dangerously close to cheesy.”“It was cheesy,” he admitted, grinning. “But also true.”She smiled, but he could see the worry creeping into her eyes, faint, but there. “I’m not… ruining things for you, am I?”His fingers stilled.He tilted her chin up so she was looking at him. “Vera, the only thing you’re ruining is my ability to focus on anything that’s not you.”She snorted, but her cheeks pinked.“I mean it,” he added, voice soft. “Y
Donovan Estate, Morning Conference RoomThe large oak doors slammed shut, rattling the glass paneling in their frames as Richard Donovan threw the morning newspaper down onto the polished table.The headline was bold, brash, and unforgiving.“Heir Apparent or Scandal Magnet? Asher Donovan’s Wild Romp With Mystery Girl Continues!”The full page spread showed high quality photos from the golf course, Vera in Asher’s arms on the dance floor, and a slightly blurry, but no less damning, shot of the two of them kissing under neon lights at the club.“We’re a goddamn joke!” Richard barked, his hand slamming down on the wood. “Is this what he thinks representing this family looks like?! Playing house with some girl who showed up out of nowhere and parading around town like a celebrity?!”Across the table, Evelyn Donovan sat, her lips pursed tightly as she stared at the photo with icy silence.Dressed immaculately in a cream silk blouse and pearls, she looked calm. But the grip she had on her
Asher walked over without a word, sitting beside her.His hand gently found hers.“Was that about… your mother?” he asked softly.She nodded, her voice nearly a whisper. “She’s dying.”Asher’s jaw clenched, but not out of anger, out of restraint. He was careful not to push, to let her speak at her own pace.“Her assistant. Eliza Renner. Said she was on her deathbed and asking for me,” Vera murmured, voice trembling. “I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t even know how to feel. These people gave me away, and now they want me to just… show up at her bedside like nothing happened?”She looked up at him, her eyes glassy. “I just… I don’t want to open that door unless I’m ready. And I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready.”“I get it,” he said, and then he chuckled softly, surprising her.“What?” she asked, frowning.“I just remembered something,” he said, shaking his head. “The Sterling family… they’re not exactly known for their timing. Or sincerity.”Vera’s eyes narrowed slightly.“Let’s just s
Back in the living room, Asher sat at Vera’s small dining table, his laptop open, eyes fixed on a presentation slide he’d been tweaking for the past twenty minutes.It wasn’t that it needed adjusting, he just needed something to do with his hands, something to anchor him as the world around them buzzed with chaos.His phone buzzed again on the table beside him, lighting up for the third time in under five minutes.Sarah Langford.The name flashed in bold, her contact photo, an old professional shot, looking more and more like a ghost from a different life. Asher watched it ring, expression unreadable, jaw ticking slightly.He didn’t answer.Instead, he picked up his coffee mug, took a sip, and returned to reviewing the same bullet point he’d already reread too many times.The phone rang again.Sarah Langford.Again.He reached out this time, not to answer, but to mute the call, dragging the volume bar all the way down before tossing the device back onto the table with a careless flick