Charming: A Modern Day Sexy Cinderella Story (14 page)

He smiles and laughs, “Please tell me it will always be that easy to convince you to do things my way.”

“You wish.” I tell him but secretly, I think he could probably do much less and I’d give him whatever he wants. I’m completely captivated by him.

Looking over his shoulder, our friends are all looking our way, but I could care less. Asher is talking about other ideas he has for us this week and I find that I really can’t wait for each and every moment. I do deserve this. And I’m going to make the most of it.

This time, when our lips meet again, it’s me that initiates, and I can feel the doubt fade from my mind, eagerness to live in the moment overcoming everything else.

When Katie left to go back to New York my room felt empty and stagnant. It’s amazing how much life she brings to everything she touches. We enjoyed the rest of the day yesterday at the pool. When Asher and I emerged from the water, she wouldn’t stop smiling at us. She even snuck me a thumbs up when he wasn’t looking. We chatted off and on, light-hearted, easy talk, staying as long as we could until Katie and I left to spend some one-on-one time together before she left the next day. Asher gave me a lingering kiss goodbye and then took off with Hunter and Andy.

After a morning of sleeping in, Katie and I enjoyed lunch the next afternoon, took a walk on the beach, and then went back to the room so we could finish her packing. Receiving several hugs before she caught her shuttle to the airport that evening she made me promise to check in whenever I could. She also quoted me some commandment she made up about spending a week ‘sexing it up’ with Asher – I don’t even remember what it was exactly. She basically said anything and everything she could think of to get me to abandon any reservations I have about the week.

The thing is, there’s no convincing needed. I don’t have many reservations, I’ve already decided to give into the week and let go, but that doesn’t mean my nerves are obeying my internal instructions to calm down. It’s all a bit overwhelming. Sitting on the bed, I’m unsure of how to proceed. Asher asked me to move into his room, and I will, but putting my stuff together and walking over there feels extremely bold. Taking several deep breaths, I do my best to brush off the doubt and begin gathering my things. The whole time I’m mechanically packing, I’m psyching myself up to go over there and knock on the door like it’s no big deal.

A knock at the door interrupts my packing. I told the front desk I was moving into another room, partly to force me to push past my nerves, but also for their convenience. Expecting a housekeeper anxious to get inside my room to begin cleaning, I’m surprised when I open the door and find Asher standing before me with a wide grin.

“Hi.”

“Hi, yourself.” It’s hard not to look at his lips and remember our shared kisses.

“Are you all packed and ready?”

“Just about. I need to grab a few more things, then I’m ready.”

“Do you need help packing anything? I’m great at folding lingerie just so you know.”

“Is that right?”

“Mhm,” he murmurs as he wraps his arms around me and places a kiss on my lips. “Come on, let’s get you over there.”

Suddenly anxious, I finish shoving things in my bag and zip it up. Asher takes my large suitcase while I grab my purse and a small tote bag and we begin the walk over to his room. It isn’t too far, but Asher holds my hand the whole way and keeps looking at me with a smile.

“How was it when Katie left?”

“It was okay, I guess. I’m sad she can’t stay longer, but I’m also looking forward to spending some time with you,” I admit with a shrug and shy smile.

His own smile widens and his eyes shine, “Me too.” When we reach his room, he holds out a hand, “Wait here.” He places my bag inside the door and takes the things from my hands and walks into the room. The door closes behind him automatically so I’m unable to see what he’s doing and I stand there awkwardly. He returns only moments later and before I can say a word he lifts me into his arms. “I need to carry you over the threshold like a proper husband.” My hands go around his neck and I laugh at the excited look on his face.

He sets me down and gives my rump a pat. “Alright, do you want to unpack anything or can it wait for a bit.”

“No rush. It can wait.”

“Great, I took the liberty of ordering us dinner and it arrived just before I went over to get you. I thought we could enjoy a quiet dinner in and maybe order a movie. Is that alright with you?”

Jitters flutter in my tummy, but I cover them with a nod, “Sounds perfect.”

He takes my hands and leads me further into his suite. The layout is like a small apartment. A full kitchen, small dining area, larger living room, two bedrooms and two bathrooms full of beach décor make up the space. It’s more than he needs not that that surprises me, but I’m still surprised he’s staying here instead of one of the homes on the mountain at the resort above ours or at a home on the new golf course that can be rented instead. They are sister resorts, the one above family friendly as opposed to this one. Rumor has it the private homes are amazing with their own private infinity pool, lavish interiors and generous space.

Leading me to the dining room table, I smile when I see not only covered dishes of food, but wine cooling in an ice bucket. He’s also somehow managed to get fresh aromatic flowers arranged at the center of the table. Lit taper candles also catch my attention. “I hope you like chicken codon bleu.” He starts removing the tops of several covered dishes. “I asked Katie and she said you aren’t a vegetarian so I figured chicken was safe. We also have salad and baby red potatoes.”

“It looks and smells great.” And it does. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until the aroma of the food started permeating the air as he revealed the dishes to me. My stomach rumbles in appreciation and Asher smiles having heard.

He holds out my chair for me and then moves to his own. Placing my napkin on my lap, I grab the wine and fill my glass then his. “Thank you,” he murmurs. I nod and we dig into our food. We’re quiet at first as we taste everything. It’s delicious.

“What other kinds of food do you like?” Asher asks me watching me with amusement, as I’m not shy about eating my fill.

“All kinds of things really. Mexican food, Italian food, Chinese, I’ll pretty much try anything. I like to cook too.”

“You do?”

“Yes, it’s one of my favorite things to do when I have the time. And I don’t just mean bake, like cookies and stuff. I mean dinner. Katie thinks it’s great and a lot of times will buy ingredients for certain dishes and then beg me to cook for her.”

“Wow, you must be good.”

I shrug modestly, “I’m not bad. I like it. It relaxes me after a long day at work. If I’m working through an issue with work, cooking can be one of my favorite ways to figure it out.”

“How so?”

“I think that when I open up my mind to the creativity needed for making certain dishes – like when I concoct my own recipes for things – it opens other creative avenues. I’ve solved many marketing mysteries while preparing dishes.”

“Marketing mysteries?” he asks puzzled.

“Oh. That’s what I do for a living. I’m CEO of a marketing firm in New York.”

“CEO? Wow.”

“My father left me the company when he died,” I admit not wanting to suggest I worked my way up. It’s never felt right suggesting that I’ve done so. Not that I haven’t worked my ass off, but would I be CEO of the company if it wasn’t for my father? Doubtful. “Reveal Design and Marketing. I love it. I love my job. Taking someone’s dream and help give it life through marketing or web design or branding, is an honor and privilege. Plus, I’m really good at it,” I admit with a laugh.

“That’s amazing.”

Shrugging, “It’s silly, but it’s always something I wanted to do. I remember holding up random items as a child and making up a jingle for it. My dad used to say I could convince anyone that they needed whatever it was I was selling. I came by it honestly though. I always loved going to the office with him and watching him work. When it came time to go to college, a degree in marketing and design was a no-brainer.”

“I bet your father loved that you followed in his footsteps.”

“He did, definitely, but you know what? He wouldn’t have cared if I decided not to. He always just wanted me to be happy. Still, I wish he had been there to see me graduate.”

“He sounds like he loved you very much.”

“I loved
him
very much and I miss him every single day.”

“What about your mother? Does she miss him too?”

“My mother passed away from cancer when I was young. I have a few memories of her – I remember her laugh, and her long golden hair. She would let me brush it sometimes.” I smile at the memory. “My father and I both were lost after she passed. I remember crying out for her in my sleep, confused about why she wasn’t there.” I gaze off, seeing her beautiful face in my mind, remembering how happy she and my dad were together. “It was just the two of us for a long time, so it wasn’t exactly easy when he remarried.”

“You don’t like your stepmother?”

“That’s an understatement.” I shake my head, “I’m sorry, I’m just going on and on. Tell me about your family.”

“I will, but first tell me why it’s an understatement.”

Wiping my mouth with my napkin, I set it next to my empty plate and sit back. “I’m not sure I know how to define it exactly. I think if I had to guess I would say she never cared for the relationship I had with my father. Almost as if seeking his affection was a competition. It wasn’t, but I always felt that she thought so – as odd as it sounds. I was kind to her and did my best to get along with her, for my father’s sake if nothing else, but there was always coldness surrounding her; a distance that I could never penetrate no matter how hard I tried. Eventually, I just gave up.”

“Did your father and her seem to get along well?”

“My father got along with everyone. But-”

“But?”

“I guess I’ve never really voiced this before, but I’m not sure if he truly loved her, or if it was more about companionship for him and a mother figure for me. I know that I never saw them behave together the way I saw my parent’s love for one another. And that makes me sad. He deserved better.” Sighing, I look away from him, “And now, if she didn’t hate me before, she certainly does now.”

“What do you mean?”

“My father died of a heart attack while away on a business trip. It was a shock to say the least. Equally shocking was when we found out he left nearly everything to me, including his company, upon my graduation. He only provided her with the minimum required under the law. And his will was created after he married, so it isn’t like it was an old copy or something. Angelica, my stepmother, well I’ve never seen her so furious, so hateful. She gathered the board of directors and tried to convince them all I was too young, incapable and inexperienced to take over when I graduated, but she underestimated me. The company has done very well under me for the last few years.”

“That doesn’t surprise me one bit.” He stands and removes our plates from the table, “And your stepsister? I’m assuming given her actions with your ex that there’s no love lost between the two of you either?”

Knowing he remembers the story about my stepsister from when I told him about my broken engagement, I expect to feel embarrassment, but I don’t. “No. We never hit it off. She wasn’t interested in a relationship with my father or me. I think she missed her own father and didn’t want a replacement. All I know is that her father had a stroke and passed away a few years before her mother met my father.”

He returns to the table, “I hope you saved room for dessert.” He sets down another covered dish and unveils sopapilla’s with chocolate sauce.

“Wow,” I say in delight looking at the divine pastry, mouth already watering. “Dessert is my favorite,” I say and he laughs no doubt at the look on my face. Pushing the dish toward me indicating I should grab some, I don’t hesitate. Taking a sopapilla I break it in half dipping one end into the warm chocolate sauce. It’s divine and I moan in pleasure from the taste. “Oh my god,” I murmur.

“Good?” he asks, his voice husky making my eyes crash into his.

“So good,” I nod and watch transfixed as he dips his own pastry into the chocolate and takes a bite. His firm jaw moves slowly as if he’s savoring each bite. When his tongue flashes across his lower lip, my thighs clench at the sight.