ASHERI watched Claire as slept. We spent the whole day together. I couldn't recall a day when this ever happened. This would be the first time that something like this was happening. I had spent the day sketching her and stealing kisses. My mind traveled to the intense make out session in the morning and I found myself becoming excited. I could already feel the blood rushing to my groin in heavy anticipation. I tried to drift my mind away from it. This wasn't something that I was just going to demand from her. I would never do that but at the same time, my body was having none of it. As much as I appreciated her body clinging to mine like a second skin she was making this extremely difficult for me to concentrate. I closed my eyes and they quickly flickered open when I heard my phone ping. I was instantly filled with dread. I've been avoiding my phone since last night. I didn't even bother to glance at it all throughout today but how long can I keep going like this? I had a company
CLAIREI felt Asher’s arm tighten around me as he drifted back into a steady rhythm of breaths. My eyes stayed on his face, how they we're softer when he was asleep, free of the tension that seemed to cling to him like armor when he was awake. Seeing him this way—this close—brought a kind of warmth to my chest that left me craving every bit of him.Not that I hadn't had that already.My thoughts wandered back to last night, the tender and yet wild and uncontrolled way he touched me, as though I were something he couldn’t bear to go without. And yet, beneath all that passion, I sensed desperation. It was as if the intensity between us wasn’t only from our desire but also from his fear. Now, I understood why.The news of his father had thrown him, and even though he tried to brush it off, I could see that it settled like a shadow over his face. I turned in his arms, brushing my lips lightly against his shoulder. “Asher,” I murmured softly. His eyelids fluttered open, and a sleepy smil
ASHERI stepped into my office with a lightness I hadn't felt in a long time. The past few days with Claire had been nothing short of blissful, with stolen moments of laughter and warmth that left me smiling even at work. Even my outfit seemed to reflect my state of mind. I wore brighter colors. A three-piece blue suit, and I left my hair to stay freely on my head. Just like how I had woken up this morning, Claire in my arms.I wanted to wake up like that every morning. With her next to me and the sun filtering in, blessing their union. I could still remember everything that happened between them. We didn't just have sex; we made love. The passionate love that connected our souls. I wasn't a romantic, but that was the only way I could explain it. My hands on her, her moans, loud and soft, my fingers in her hair, and how she tasted. So sweet and complete. She was everything I never knew I needed. Last night was bliss. A high point for me, and I would give anything to have that peac
CLAIRE I closed my eyes and sighed. I couldn't exactly remember when I got home so fast. Only that I was trying to get home to my husband as soon as possible. I had missed it. I thought about how the day had turned out to be a good one. From the offer that I had received this afternoon to the look that I got to experience on Liah's face. Everything seemed to be going fine. I hurried to the room.My heels clicked relentlessly against the floor. I finally opened the door, and I blinked in surprise when I spotted Asher lying on the bed with his torso bare. My gaze lingered on his torso for a little bit, and my mouth watered. It was a happy surprise to see him home before me. He looked unaware of my presence as his arm was placed over his eyes. His chest rose and fell slowly.He seemed to be exhausted and asleep. I wondered if I should leave him to rest and find something else to occupy myself with. But every part of me ached to touch him for some reason. I slid out of my shoes and blaze
CLAIRE I closed my eyes and sighed as I tried not to think about how fast my heart was racing. Everything was happening. I knew he was still studying my expressions. “You look a little bit pale. Did I say something wrong?” He said as he stared at me. He shifted closer to me as he engulfed me in his arms.“You're safe. I'm sorry that I asked. I shouldn't have,” he whispered as his hands ran smoothly down my back. I closed my eyes and sighed. It wasn't his fault. It was only logical that he knew intricate information about his wife. He didn't withhold anything. Not anymore. At least I could tell that he was making an effort. So why on earth was it impossible for me to do the same? I closed my eyes and sighed as I tried to ignore the way my eyes watered with tears as dreadful memories flashed through my head.“Everything is going to be okay. You're safe” His voice was calm and collected as he tried to assure me. But I couldn't seem to calm down regardless of his assurance. “My child
CLAIRE “Cheetos or marshmallows?” He grinned at me. I blinked. My brain was a bit slow considering the fact I just woke up from sleep.I closed my eyes and sighed. A smile is slowly beginning to form on my face. He was the first thing that I saw in the morning. My brows furrowed.“It's morning. Why are we having Cheetos and marshmallows as options for breakfast?” He grinned.“It was something that I used to do as a kid. I wasn't really a fan of having breakfast with my parents, so I would have these as options instead. Ice cream too. I wondered how my teeth endured all that terror.” We both laughed, and he settled on the bed beside me.He placed my leg on his thigh. My nightdress rode up an inch higher, exposing my bare thigh. I noticed the way his gaze lingered on the sight for a little longer than necessary. I closed my eyes and sighed. I was exhausted and thrilled at the same time. “We could have ice cream for breakfast too,” he grinned at me. The mischief was evident in his eye
CLAIRE I kept my eyes on the wall, my breathing shaky as I tried to get a hold of myself. It felt like everything was slipping through my fingers, no matter how hard I held on. The sketches blurred as tears stung my eyes, and a heavy ache settled in my chest. How could he care so deeply about me? I knew the truth, a truth I could definitely not deny. I wasn’t worthy of this—of him. The thought had been with me for weeks now, lurking at the back of my mind, growing louder every time he looked at me like the way he was looking at me right now, with so much tenderness. He made me feel safe and seen, but deep down, I feared he’d realize I wasn’t what he needed. That one day he’d see all the cracks, the parts of me that I couldn’t hide forever. And when that day came, I’d be left alone.A hand gently touched my shoulder, snapping me out of my thoughts. Asher had come closer, concern softening his gaze. “Claire… Are you okay?”I forced myself to smile, swallowing down the lump in my thro
REGAL The party was already in full swing by the time I left my bedroom, and the night was yet to even begin. I smiled to myself, descending from the stairs into my living area, which had temporarily been converted into a party hall. Guests lined the entire perimeter of the space, with soft music blasting from the overhead sound systems, and my invited guests chatted animatedly among themselves, networking and generally having fun. From where I stood, I could confirm that at least a dozen faces were people I was sure to have invited, who did well to turn up. Turning my head to the left, I caught a glimpse of Jonathan, Conrad, and Elvislounging on one of the plush sofas strategically arranged in a corner of the room, beautiful young girls slung around them. On a stool in front of them were placed different bottles of wine with different glasses. I began walking towards them when they spotted me.“The man himself!” Conrad chanted as I approached their gathering, alerting the others of
CLAIREThe drive to Asher’s father’s house felt way too short, like the universe was speeding things up just to mess with us. The closer we got, the heavier the air seemed to get. I glanced over at Asher. His grip on the steering wheel was tight, his knuckles pale, and every so often, I could see his jaw tighten and then relax, like he was trying—and failing woefully—to keep it together.Neither of us had said much since we got in the car, and the silence was almost worse than any awkward small talk we could’ve tried. The tension between us wasn’t the kind you could ignore. It just sat there, heavy and obvious, like a third passenger we couldn’t throw out of the car.Outside, the scenery blurred past, but I barely noticed. My stomach was in knots, and my hands were clenched in my lap, fiddling with the edge of my sleeve just to give myself something to do.“You okay over there?” I asked cautiously, though I already knew the answer.“Absolutely not,” he muttered. “Going to see my dad i
CLAIREAsher had this way of making me feel like the only person in the world. It was the little things—the way his hand hovered near mine like he was ready to catch me at any second or the way he smiled like he knew a secret no one else did. It was comforting, almost addictive, and I found myself wanting it more and more.When we left the coffee shop, the city seemed alive in a way I hadn’t noticed before. Maybe it was the buzz of morning activities—people moving around, talking, going about their days. Or maybe it was Asher walking next to me, his hand brushing against mine every so often, sending little sparks of electricity through my skin.“Where to first?” I asked, glancing up at him.“You’ll see,” he said with a sly grin.Of course, he didn’t tell me. Asher loved a good surprise, and while it usually annoyed me, today I decided to let him take the lead.We ended up at a small flower market tucked into a corner of the city that I had never explored. Stalls lined the cobblestone s
CLAIRERegal was becoming a thorn in the flesh. I couldn't think of any way to get him to stop bothering Asher and I. The more that I tried to get him to stay away. The more he would keep coming back to prove a point and I was getting extremely tired of entertaining his antics. How could I not see that he has been such a pain when I married him. I closed my eyes and sighed.I shivered when Asher ran a finger over my bare arm tenderly. My gaze met his. Somehow, he had been awake and I didn't even know it. He had a way of taking his time to observe me before I became aware.“Whatever is bothering you. It's best you tell me so that I can take care of it,” he said softly. But then I still couldn't find the courage to bring up Asher. Bringing him up is going to ruin the mood completely and I wasn't so sure that I could have that. Regal had already caused so much tension between us. I wasn't going to let him ruin the morning too. “Nothing. Just thinking about the pile of work that I had
CLAIREI toweled off quickly, feeling the residual heat from the bath clinging to my skin. Asher's gaze lingered on me with a mixture of affection and intensity, which had me fighting a blush that I knew was already creeping up my neck. He wrapped his towel around his waist, his eyes never leaving mine. Back in the bedroom, I watched as Asher moved with ease, the muscles in his back flexing as he reached for clothes. For a moment, I just stood there, taking him in—the effortless confidence in his movements, the way the faint light caught on his skin. I found myself unable to look away."You're staring," he said without turning, but there was a hint of a smile in his voice, as if he had been watching me and not the other way around."You're too smug for your own good," I shot back, rolling my eyes to hide the flush creeping up my neck. "Maybe put on a shirt before your ego inflates."He turned around, one eyebrow raised. "So you admit you were enjoying the view?""Maybe I was just adm
CLAIRE“So what's in it for her?” Asher asked after a few seconds of silence.“That's the thing,” I told him, “I have no idea, and I can't seem to figure it out.” “That's very strange...and suspicious. Liah wanting to help someone for no reason? That's practically impossible, to be honest. The Liah I know wouldn't be caught dead doing someone a favor without getting a single thing in return.” He went back to massaging my scalp. It was more of him running his fingers absentmindedly through my hair while he spoke than it was a massage. "Well, I don't think it's for no reason. She kind of said she might be doing this for you when I asked what she would get out of it.” “Oh, that definitely sounds more believable. So what exactly did she ask for?”My body tensed up a little bit as I thought of answering his question, and he seemed to notice. “Anything wrong? You seen tense. What did Liah tell you?” He placed a hand on my shoulder gently, and I started to feel slightly relaxed. Then I r
CLAIREThe proximity between us evaporated as he clutched my face tenderly in his hands. My breathing heightened. I was still trying to recover from the heat of his kiss. I was drowning in the heat that threatened to consume me. My hands were on fire as soon as I realized they were still placed across his torso. It was impossible to concentrate. “I've been waiting for you all day. I thought you were going to take forever to get back home. Get back home to me,” his voice drifted into a whisper as he placed his head against mine.I closed my eyes. My heart was threatening to give way from my body. I couldn't breathe, but it was a good kind of discomfort. “I've been thinking about you all day too. I-” I paused as my eyes watered with tears. I was terrified that Asher was going to see me in a more vulnerable state than he has ever seen me in his life. I wondered if it was the right time to be vulnerable with him. I closed my eyes. I needed to breathe. I need to pause every negative thou
CLAIREIt was a good thing that I had a very firm practice of keeping my temper on a leash. The sight of Liah seated comfortably on the chair from across made me want to lung out in frustration. I was exhausted from feeling so many intense emotions in a day. Everything about her irritated me, right from the sight of her perfect legs to the cold, sassy smile on her face. My headache intensified and I inhaled deeply to at least regain composure because my anger was already beginning to rise to the surface. “I'm not sure I'm going to need your forgiveness for anything. I'm also certain that you're imposing on my private time. So if you're done spewing your BS. You can as well leave my office,” I said. I gave myself a mental pat on the back for sounding unbothered.I could have almost sworn that I saw irritation flash through her eyes, and when I looked again, the same smug smile still remained on her face.When she remained on the chair, making no attempt to move, I raised an eyebrow a
CLAIREI couldn't stop thinking about the look in Asher's eyes. Every inch of my body awakened each time my mind went to it. It was impossible to do anything else. Every inch of my body awakened each time I thought about how he confessed that he couldn't keep his hands off me. I knew that the both of us were on a tough path, but at least it was another sign to stay hopeful.I closed my eye and got out of the car almost immediately. I needed to stop thinking about Asher for the time being. I wasn't going to be able to attend to all that I had to today if I kept on thinking about his bare torso.As I headed closer to my office, dread engulfed me. This was certainly not the day where I had the mental capacity to tolerate Asher. I closed my eyes and sighed, and I breathed with relief when I spotted no one waiting for me by the door. I closed my eyes and sighed. It was indeed a great relief. “Good morning, miss. I've been expecting you,” Ella smiled at me. I wasn't really in the best of
CLAIREMy eyes fluttered open as I sensed Asher's warmth. I wanted to believe that JH was a figment of imagination, and it could easily be my mind conjuring up things since I craved his presence so much. I closed my eyes, sighed, and turned to face Asher’s empty bedside. His scent became stronger. My eyes flew open, and my lips parted open in surprise as my eyes caught his. I don't know how long he's been awake. My cheeks flushed with color as I thought about how long he might have been watching me. He was here, and somehow I wanted to believe that it was a figment of my imagination. After what happened yesterday, I was convinced that it would only be a matter of time before he let me know that he wanted nothing to do with me. “Hi,” he said quietly.I closed my eyes. Somehow the words were stuck on the tip of my tongue. Somehow I couldn't even come up with the right thing to say. My heart was soaring wildly within the confines of my chest. Hope. I felt it a lot of times to recogni