Asher's phone had gone off five times during his meeting—five times. Each time he went to look at it, the frustrated man across from him cleared his throat. Ding. Six times. "I'm sorry, is there something more important going on that you need to address?" Mateo Percheron asked as Asher leaned back, pulling his phone out of his pocket. Asher read the name of the person who had messaged him. "It's nothing to be concerned about; I'm just getting some updates on business." Asher read Xaviers' name across his screen. The man was leaving paragraphs in his texts. What the f*uck? "Continue." He waved at Mateo, enjoying that the man bristled at Ashers' blatant nonchalance at who he was speaking. "As I was saying..." He grunted, taking a swig of his whiskey. Asher put his phone down and stared at the man sitting across the desk disinterestedly. Asher wanted to know what was so damn crucial that Xavier felt the need to message him instead of calling him. He never m
Sera sat on the bed in the room she had been given, the little silver box on her lap. She hadn't spoken to Xavier as they had arrived back at the manor, nor had she thanked Rich for driving her as she should've. In fact, she couldn't find much to speak about at all. She had gone to that small place in her mind where everything was quiet and calm. She held the box, looking down at it, running her thumb across the delicate vines and flowers someone had carved into it. This was all she had left, the only thing she could truly call hers. Numbly, she clicked open the box with her thumb. Everything had been left exactly as she had left it, including the picture of her mother and father sitting on top of it. She picked up the tiny photo and leaned back against the bed. Her mother was smiling so happily at the camera; she had a hand on her round stomach, and her father was staring down at her with no smile on his face, just pure adoration and love. The tears she had shed when she
Asher didn't know what to think as he sat on the couch across from Sera. He didn't like that not knowing what to think of her was becoming all too regular of a feeling to him. The memory of him listening to the beautiful sound of her playing the piano filtered through his head. He stood outside her door and just listened. His eyes closed as he felt more than heard every note she played, the emotion she conveyed with every keystroke. Asher wasn't a stranger to listening to the piano; his sister had played when she was younger, but it had been so long since he lost himself in the music since anything, but the pain had filled his mind from looking at the piano that had been locked away in a dark room until Sera had come along. "Everything looks good, a little on the lighter side weight-wise, but other than that you're in perfect health Miss." Dr. Noland smiled. The older man had been serving their family since Asher was a child. It was the only doctor Asher could trust; instead,
The world was utterly drowned out as Sera made her way home. The muffled sounds of the cars as they drove by and the barely audible chatting of people passing by only slightly made it through her headphones, where her music was blasting in her ears. She only had a few more blocks until she reached her childhood home, which consisted of the 'American Dream' of the white picket fence and an oh-so-loving family. The Jameson family was well known for their generosity and kindness outside the baby-blue home, but inside, it was like a messed-up fairy tale movie. Her mother and father were well-known in the community and had a knack for always being the 'perfect couple.' Sera scoffed if only they knew how they were on the inside. Cold and calculating, but that was only for their eldest adoptive stepchild. Sera turned on the corner of the street and made her way down the newly paved sidewalk where she could see her house in the distance. She twisted her wrist to look at the time to ma
Sera sat on her bathroom sink and began to apply her makeup. Her long platinum hair was already curled and hung by her waist. She took the time to use just a little more brown eye shadow around her gray eyes. She didn't own much makeup, just a tiny four-color pallet, peachy blush, mascara, and neutral pink lipstick. She never really needed such things; even then, her cosmetics only cost her five dollars. She took her middle and ring finger, applied blush to her round cheeks, and then used lipstick on her full, rounded lips. She wouldn't say she was the most beautiful girl but wasn't ugly either. She hopped off the counter and looked at herself; she wasn't the skinniest girl on the planet. She had what most people would call a slim but curvy body, the perfect hourglass with wide hips and thick thighs but a smaller waist and appropriate-sized breasts for her frame, and it helped that she was only about 5'4. Yes, she was lovely in her fuzzy owl pajama bottoms and purple tank top.
Asher had kept his eye on her all night, even when another girl was climbing over him at the bar. He had seen her walk into the bar and look around. Her pretty little face was confused as she looked down at her phone and that oh-so-tiny dress that didn't quite fit her correctly. She had this softness to her features, and her pouty mouth made Asher shift in his seat. He downed another whiskey and handed it to the redhead, kissing his neck. He didn't need to tell her to get him another one. She knew the routine. "Asher." A voice pulled his attention from the girl across the bar long enough to see Xavier calling his name. "Are you even listening, man?" Asher nodded and smirked at Xavier. "What else would I be doing?" He chuckled as he leaned forward, putting his elbows on his knees. "Couldn't tell you, but you look spaced out as hell. Something on your mind?" Xavier asked while putting his arm behind a brunette who was eyeing Asher. When she caught him looking at him, she
All Sera could do was stare up at the man who chose to hold her. His hand still cradled the back of her neck; their faces were so close that their noses briefly brushed as she shifted backward a bit to put some space between her and the stranger. The grip on her waist was firm yet softer than ever. From this close-up, she could see his eyes weren't gold but more of a caramel brown, with flecks of gold and green. Captivatingly dangerous is what they were. It felt like time had slowed as they stared at each other. "Ahem." Someone made a noise behind him. He jolted slightly at the noise as if he had been in his world, not paying attention to anything that happened around him. "Can you stand now?" He spoke softly as if he was afraid to scare her away. Why wouldn't he be afraid of that? He watched her meltdown moments before. She felt the warmth in her cheeks get worse, not from the attraction towards this random stranger but from the sudden embarrassment she was now feeling.
They rode in the car in complete silence. Asher glanced over at Sera as she stared out the window. Her eyes glazed over as she watched the passing buildings; what could make such a beautiful woman retreat into her mind so profoundly? Her eyes slowly traveled to his, and he glanced away. “You can go to my usual spot,” Asher leaned forward and instructed the driver. It was a quaint little bar down the road from his not-so-humble abode, where the drinks were free and the women eager. God, his best friend, would be highly displeased if he sent him home rather than take him with them. It was possibly his favorite place to let some steam off. “So…” Asher started. His words seemed to startle Sera out of her stupor, and she crossed her hands in her lap and looked at him. The smile on her face didn’t reach her eyes. God, those eyes would be his undoing. “Who’s got you so down?” Asher asked, twisting his upper body to get more comfortable. Her fingers began intertwi
Asher didn't know what to think as he sat on the couch across from Sera. He didn't like that not knowing what to think of her was becoming all too regular of a feeling to him. The memory of him listening to the beautiful sound of her playing the piano filtered through his head. He stood outside her door and just listened. His eyes closed as he felt more than heard every note she played, the emotion she conveyed with every keystroke. Asher wasn't a stranger to listening to the piano; his sister had played when she was younger, but it had been so long since he lost himself in the music since anything, but the pain had filled his mind from looking at the piano that had been locked away in a dark room until Sera had come along. "Everything looks good, a little on the lighter side weight-wise, but other than that you're in perfect health Miss." Dr. Noland smiled. The older man had been serving their family since Asher was a child. It was the only doctor Asher could trust; instead,
Sera sat on the bed in the room she had been given, the little silver box on her lap. She hadn't spoken to Xavier as they had arrived back at the manor, nor had she thanked Rich for driving her as she should've. In fact, she couldn't find much to speak about at all. She had gone to that small place in her mind where everything was quiet and calm. She held the box, looking down at it, running her thumb across the delicate vines and flowers someone had carved into it. This was all she had left, the only thing she could truly call hers. Numbly, she clicked open the box with her thumb. Everything had been left exactly as she had left it, including the picture of her mother and father sitting on top of it. She picked up the tiny photo and leaned back against the bed. Her mother was smiling so happily at the camera; she had a hand on her round stomach, and her father was staring down at her with no smile on his face, just pure adoration and love. The tears she had shed when she
Asher's phone had gone off five times during his meeting—five times. Each time he went to look at it, the frustrated man across from him cleared his throat. Ding. Six times. "I'm sorry, is there something more important going on that you need to address?" Mateo Percheron asked as Asher leaned back, pulling his phone out of his pocket. Asher read the name of the person who had messaged him. "It's nothing to be concerned about; I'm just getting some updates on business." Asher read Xaviers' name across his screen. The man was leaving paragraphs in his texts. What the f*uck? "Continue." He waved at Mateo, enjoying that the man bristled at Ashers' blatant nonchalance at who he was speaking. "As I was saying..." He grunted, taking a swig of his whiskey. Asher put his phone down and stared at the man sitting across the desk disinterestedly. Asher wanted to know what was so damn crucial that Xavier felt the need to message him instead of calling him. He never m
This chapter contains slight verbal and even a recounting of physical abuse. Viewer discretion is advised. Sera had just finished putting up her clothes when a knock sounded on her door. "I thought you said you were busy," Sera called from in the room before opening the door to a tall, redheaded man. "He is busy." he said, startled. She took a small step back, and the man held out his hand and smiled, "My name is Xavier, I'm Ashers..." He paused for a second, mulling the words over. "Assitant." Sera gingerly shook his hand—a broad smile spreading across Xavier's face. "Seraphina." He nodded and glanced around her room. "Get settled in as much as possible?" She gently scratched the back of her neck, grimacing slightly. "As much as one can when they have nothing to unpack." He leaned up against the door frame, the look on his face unamused. "At least you clean up nice." Sera scoffed and crossed her arms, glaring up at Xavier. "I would say the sam
The surprised look on Sera's face was well worth the walk down to her bedroom. He quickly could've sent someone else to drop off the laptop he had purchased her, and the credit card was now in her name and attached to his spending account. Her mouth dropped open like a gaping fish as she held the fabric scraps.It's very amusing indeed. "You know," Asher starts as Sera stands there. I much prefer white lingerie on my women." She tosses the underwear back in the box and crosses her arms, glaring at him. "Such violence, and to think I brought you a gift." Asher stated, motioning to the computer and envelope sitting next to him on the dresser. "What is that?" She asked, grabbing the box and walking into her closet, most likely trying to hide the rest of the clothing Jaime had sent her with. "It's your monthly allowance card, along with a laptop." He said, watching her walk out of the closet, her hips swaying deliciously.He could remember exactly how it felt to have h
Sera wanted to do nothing else but throw the damn fork in her hand at the back of his head as Asher left the room. Alpha-hole, indeed. Some big evil man who has to live his life that way, a man who was once again a completely different person than who she thought he was. Last night, she had caught a glimpse of the man she had met in the bar, but once again, he switched to a cold, calculating person who she didn't quite know how to read. She only seemed to know that he respected her when she pushed back against him just slightly, but she wasn't sure how far her reach could go with that method of living. She sat silently as she ate her berries, which had to be the freshest she had ever eaten. The bowl was filled with blueberries and blackberries, with her favorites being strawberries and raspberries. When she finished her bowl of berries, the sandwich and chips in front of her looked impossible. It looked terrific, with layers of meat and what seemed to be homema
Asher had slept like a damned baby. So much so that when Xavier came barreling into his room at nine-f*ucking-thirty in the morning, he barely flinched when the covers were yanked off him. "Come on man!" Xavier groaned as he unknowingly flashed himself. "Who sleeps naked anymore?" Asher groaned as Xavier threw open his curtains, the sunlight filling the room with overwhelming light. "A grown a*ss man, that's who," Asher muttered, flipping Xavier a finger. All he heard was a chuckle from his best friend. "Yeah, well, that grown a*ss man missed two meetings this morning already. Aaron is pissed, she didn't want to deal with pissy coworkers of yours calling about where her boss was when he was supposed to be in a room with them talking about new trading agreements." Asher groaned and pushed himself out of bed, walking toward his closet. "She should've just told them I was sick or something. Believe it or not, I'm not at the beck and call of every one of my fathers
Sera couldn't help her moans as Asher went down on her, creating delicious friction against her core. He had her spread across the edge of the bed with her thighs propped up under his arms as his thumb played with her core while his tongue slipped in and out of her. "Ash..." His name escaped her mouth in a silent plea; she sat up on her elbows, hair falling over her shoulders. She stared at him in a silent plea as he looked up from between her legs, and within a second, his mouth was once again on hers, pushing her back against the bed. Sera wrapped her legs around his waist and slid her arm in between them, grabbing ahold of his length as he thrust his hips, pumping himself in her hand. "Sera, I want to feel you." He grabbed Sera's hand and held it above her head, her chest heaving in anticipation. Slowly, he lowered further onto her, pushing against her entrance. Without a further word, he pushed fully inside of her, every glorious inch as painful as it was delic
Asher found himself watching Sera sleep. He knew if she woke up and saw him here, she would be freaked the f*uck out. Even though Asher knew he couldn't move from the corner chair, he had been sitting in for the last twenty minutes. She looked so small and fragile, but he knew while her body may be delicate, her mind was anything but. The night she had was traumatizing, but she handled it like a champ. She had her legs tucked tight against her and cradled her head in her hand, sleeping soundly. "What the hell have I gotten myself into..." he muttered. Asher Valentino, a notorious womanizer and cold-hearted man, brought a woman home and gave her this room. Nobody had caught his interest like this in a long time. She was the opposite of his typical type, soft when he preferred long and lean. He liked his women as model beauties, but she was naturally beautiful. She didn't need a full face of makeup to turn heads. Asher sighed; even with the contract written that moment, h