Not edited.

***

Anastasia's POV

  There was this desperation inside me.. This yearning for something more. It was him that caused that.. Simply waking up that eagerness inside me. And I've never felt it inside me before. I didn't like relationships and commitments, so I never did anything based on feelings because I knew I would end up with those same feelings shattering me. But Ash.. He caused something inside me that I could not fight. I liked to think that it was lust that made my heart thump loudly, that it was that thirst and desire..

  He made it seem easy to give into feelings like that. He didn't hold back showing his ardor when he had me against him, and he showed me every single bit of desperation. And dear God, I knew I was trying to hold back, but I was showing it too.. My hands almost shook and itched from how much I wanted so quickly, and I simply ran them on the sides of his face, making him separate his lips from my neck and look at me. I couldn't focus on his eyes when I felt tingles in my stomach when I thought about kissing him. He was really good at it..

  So again, I kissed him, and it was as if we couldn't contain ourselves anymore. He held me against him, breathlessly preforming that so plain gesture that was supposed to be nothing but a hungry kiss. But the why did it make my heart skip every few seconds? Why did it make me feel even more drawn to this man than I already was?  

  If this went on further, we wouldn't have heard the doorbell ringing, and instead of jumping in fear, we simply stopped.. His lips were still pressed against mine slightly, before I felt myself rest my forehead against his. I didn't want to stop, but perhaps it was for the best..

  We seemed to look at each other in the same moment, letting a few seconds pass before another ring was heard. I heard him exhale a sharp breath in annoyance as I moved away from him, sitting back on the couch. It seemed like an unintentional gesture where he simply pressed his hand over my thigh, caressing my skin with his thumb before he stood up to get the door. I was left leaning my elbows on my knees and watching him walk out of the room.

  Every woman thought of him as dreamy and handsome, but I don't know how I ended up being actually with him. I mean, I knew nothing was going on between us.. It was something quick and meaningless, and he only saw me as a distraction. I saw him as the guy that saved me many many times since I got back in Richwood.. But he was my boss, and I knew either of us wouldn't let anything happen.

  I heard him open the door, and with just a little lean on the side I was able to see who walked in. Ethan. His brother. "We need to talk, Ash," I heard him say, taking off his denim jacket as he turned towards the room and spotted me on the couch. Here's the thing.. Ethan didn't like me. At all. And I knew that. He made that clear when he told me that he helped me with the house because Ash asked him to. He thought I was trouble, seeing me with the same eyes as the rest of the town.

  I didn't have a problem with that. I smiled at him and wiggled my fingers in a way of waving. Perhaps that's why I repelled a lot of people. They thought I was being sarcastic or just giving them an attitude. Only Ash put up with me.

  I could see the annoyance on Ethan's face as he walked in the room, glancing back at Ash who walked right after him. "Is there a meeting I don't know about?" He asked Ash, and I could tell that yes, Ethan was a bit annoyed with me, but things had dialed down between us after having to run into each other a couple times..

  He walked slowly and sat on the leather armchair beside the couch while Ash popped his ass beside me. "What do you want to talk about?" I glanced at Ash as he asked.. There seemed to be this real surprise in his eyes, like Ethan was the last person he expected.

  "Well, I guess since, Anastasia, you're Ash's assistant, this counts for you too." Ethan started, making me frown in confusion. It was late at night.. Did he really want to discuss work? I pressed my chin against my palm and glanced at him. "Marino is coming tomorrow." I found myself glancing towards Ash and seeing him frown.

  "Tomorrow? Wait, how do you know this?" I could hear that slight shock in Ash's voice, confusion while I on the other hand had no clue what was going on. I knew that Ethan had nothing to do with their father's company, and neither did their oldest brother, who I had never met because he didn't even live in Richwood. But, Ash on the other hand took over the business even though their father was still controlling a part of it.

  "Who is Marino?" I knew the name rang a bell, but I had no clue who we were talking about.

  Ethan puffed slightly from our questions and leaned back against the armchair. "Yes, Marino is coming tomorrow. Father contacted me because he couldn't reach you and thought that you were probably already asleep." He started off, before he glanced back at me. "And, Marino is the company's biggest partner from Italy. The meeting with Ash is a big thing," Ethan glanced at Ash as he continued. "but apparently, Ash doesn't take it so seriously.."

  "The meeting was supposed to be next week." Ash insisted and that's when I got reminded that yes, I scheduled the meeting, that's why the name sounded familiar.

  "Well, it was a last minute thing so he called father, and he called you, but God knows where your phone is, Ash." I almost laughed. Ash did have a 'habit' of forgetting his phone completely. I was with him all the time. I knew the frustration.. The only time he picked up was when he was at his office.

  "I left it at my office." Yep, already knew that. That's why I never even bothered calling him. Ethan on the other hand was, like Ash once said, a perfectionist and a bit of an organization freak. He was pissed when something was 'last minute' because he couldn't make it perfect. And this wasn't even his job. "I'll make it work somehow."

  Ethan leaned a bit forward. "It was last minute because something came up and they got to Richwood earlier.. Only for a few nights though." He clasped his hands together. "Father wanted you to know tonight so you can make time for tomorrow." I glanced at Ash, watching how he ran a hand through his hair. He worked really hard, and he hated when something came up unexpectedly.

"Hey, we'll figure something out." He looked at me, somewhat searching my face for a second.. He had grabbed a hold of his head with his one hand as he was leaned on his elbows against his knees, and it seemed like he was thinking something completely different while looking at me. I smiled at him, rubbing his knee in comfort. "Yea, I'll schedule you a dinner with him or something," I glanced at Ethan who just followed our moves, and for a second I think we both forgot the we weren't alone. Even from the beginning, Ash and I had comfort around each other.

  It was just sometimes hard to keep it on the professional level when we went through all kinds of stages while we were alone. From honestly, to arguing, and drinking.. Even kissing sometimes. But it was exactly that.. Just a stage. Nothing serious.

  "You know what, that's actually a good idea. You've worked with Marino for a long time. A dinner to catch up could freshen up your partnership." Ethan said, making Ash look at him.

  A few seconds passed and we both just waited to see what Ash had to say. "Fine. But if it's a dinner, then Anya, you're accompanying me.. You do have all the notes as my assistant." A professional dinner with a boring Italian dude wasn't exactly what I had in mind for myself, but since I had nothing else to do,-

  "Okay," And I suppose that was it. As easy as that.. Ethan saved the night in more ways than one, and I was left with yet another thing on my to do list for tomorrow.. Life in Richwood was certainly getting oddly busy.. And maybe quite interesting.

~

I stared at myself in the mirror. It was perhaps one of the best versions of myself. I tried as hard as I could to make myself as formal and elegant for the night as possible. And ever since Ash came up with the idea last night of me accompanying him for the dinner with Marino, I was nervous to be the one basically in the center of attention. I mean, I had all the notes and was supposed to take some while they talked.. Besides, I never met the guy. I didn't know how he was going to treat me.. After all I was just an assistant. And the last thing I wanted was to show my real attitude and embarrass Ash.

So I asked Kristin to help me since she was in the company longer than me. She told that actually, no, she never got to accompany some of our bosses for a formal dinner like that, but from the cocktail parties she knew Marino. Basically, the description she gave me was "Very hot but very cocky" And that didn't exactly help. I was already nervous with having to deal with an older Italian guy that was already Ash's good friend throughout the years, and now I found out that, yes in fact he was one of the richest CEOs in Italy, 'fucking intimidating' - in Kristin's words, and 'damn arrogant' in all ways possible.

Well, at least she prepared me somehow. But then again, she did mention that she only saw him from up far, and Mr. Simons' ex assistant was the one that said those stuff since she was once in my shoes.. I had to suck it up and be as cold as possible. Perhaps the thought of having an outburst if someone was being arrogant with me was what had me worried. But I was good.. I was prepared. No need for panicking.

I ran my hands down my dress, somehow trying to straighten it up even though it was basically skintight and then looked at myself in the mirror for another few seconds, making sure I finished up all the details. Kristin did my makeup, and told me to go and put on the dress that she also helped me buy that evening. The color was a pastel peachy pink, and the model.. It was amazing. Like I said, it was pretty tight around my figure, lining my waist and my - pretty wide hips - well enough to make me feel like I was perfectly confident and comfortable in my own skin, but at the same time, it was formal and elegant enough to make me feel like I was decent. I was hesitant to buy it because I didn't want the low V neck to be too provocative around my cleavage. But Kristin knew where to shop. And we even got it for a good price. Pretty decent..

  She didn't do my makeup too extra. The cat liner on my eyes was done pretty professionally since Kristin was a makeup enthusiast.. Not too thick and not too wingy. And not wanting to go too bold with my lips too, she advised me to go with a shimmery lipgloss, light pink and not that noticeable since I was always as pale as a vampire.. And finally the sandals I was wearing were of course heels, silvery and with really thin belts over my toes and ankles. The rest was left for me to figure out. And I ended up deciding that it was best to let my hair dry itself  since I didn't have some crazy curls and my hair was pretty healthy. I had a heavy hair after all, so it couldn't curl much, it just got a bit wavy on the ends.

  So I finished up with spraying myself with a perfume, not even sure which one got underneath my hand. I couldn't go too extra with it since there wasn't much left in either of the three bottles I owned. But I loved that feminine scents. I was always pretty girly so perfumes and every other thing that was scented was added to the list of faves.

  A slight knock on the door made me look back and seeing Kristin stand there made me smile. She was leaned on the door frame and slightly shook her head like a pride mother. "You're perfect, girl," I turned back towards the mirror. I was actually the opposite of that. I mean, I looked pretty good, but on the inside I was nervous and anxious to know how it would go.. I could easily be a mess within seconds.. But Kristin never had a problem with complimenting physics. And that's what she referred to.

  "I feel like I will mess something up." She walked towards towards me and frowed at my honesty.

  "You've been on meetings with Ash before. Just do the same thing as always. Focus on nothing else but your job." She tried comforting me, but obviously wasn't familiar with how wrong things could go for me. And there was too much luck in my life lately. I knew something was going to fuck up.

  I smiled at her in the mirror, trying my best not to name her how damn possible it was for me - starting from embarrassing myself and Ash, to actually ending up physically hurting someone. Not always purposely.

  I turned around as she rubbed my shoulder slightly. Kristin was a nice girl. Kind and at the same time, somewhat the similar level of wild like me.. Yea, I was starting to like her. She helped me from the beginning and it was one of the best things that I ended up with her as a roommate and not some random bitch. I walked to pass her and to get my handbag from the bed, feeling a quick spank as I walked by her.

  "I don't understand how a girl with an ass like yours could ever feel nervous or insecure.." I heard her voice from behind. "If I had the curves you do, I would be too feisty to think about stuff like that." I couldn't help but laugh as I looked at her. I checked my bag one last time before we both started walking towards the door.

  "No, Kris, with an ass like mine I don't get to wear tight dresses because," I stopped for a second, fixing my lipgloss. "Because it always seems too provocative."

  She walked down the stairs behind me as I heard her release a puff. "So what? Walk around in panties if you feel like it. No one can tell you not to." Yea, Kristin was kind of the feminist. Weren't we all sometimes? "Just not tonight. Marino is strict." I couldn't help but let the smile on my face fade away. Not because of the Marino part, but because of the whole panties thing.. I almost did, I thought. If Ethan didn't come the previous night, who knows what would've happened.

  However, I just cleared my throat and once I got down the stairs, glanced back at her. "Any final tips?" I asked through a heavy sigh, but she just chuckled at my nervousness.

  "Anya, you'll do fine. Trust me. I'm a good mentor. And if anything goes wrong, just wink at him. He'll be worshiping at your altar in no time." She finished that with a wink of her own and I was glad that conversations with her took my mind off all those thoughts with all the things that could go wrong. I was not planning on seducing a guy who I hadn't even seen yet, but I knew Kristin was never serious.. Well, I hoped she wasn't. I would rather have Ash worshipping at my altar.. I mentally slapped myself. What was wrong with me?! I was completely losing it. Why was he popping in my head so often for God's sake? "Oh, I think Mr. Bonner arrived." She glanced over my shoulder probably seeing the headlights of his car though the window. And speak of the devil.

  I ran a hand through my hair quickly, walking over and taking my jacket. It was not that cold, but nights in Richwood could surprise you. I heard my phone ringing in my bag, and I knew that it was just a signal. It was Ash. So without bothering to open my bag and pick up, I kissed Kristin on the cheek for a bye and after taking my key, I left. And yea, it was Mr. Bonner indeed. He seemed like he had just walked out of his car, still glancing at his phone, and before he could take another step towards the front yard, he looked up and saw me.

  I've seen Ash in suits, but that night he was.. Well, handsome would be an understatement. I mean, he was a tall guy, and that was coming from a girl that was 5'7. He was at least 6'3. Thankfully, I was usually wearing heels around him. Besides, with all the activity he did around with the cabin in the woods and the trainings in the morning, and the little gym he had at home.. He had a fairly big built. I've seen. I mean, accidentally, but I have.. The guy was nothing but muscles. Also, with a face like his.. It was a big damn plus. He had the cheekbones of a Greek God and the most perfect eyes that could make me melt whenever they showed a certain emotion.. He could easily have any women on her knees.

  I swear my heart quivered a little when I saw him. The dark gray color of his suit seemed to go perfectly with his skin tone and his dark brown hair was slicked back slightly. As always, he had a very short stubbled beard, enough to edge up his features, and just perfectly even.. I mean, I kept thinking how managed to be so stupid and end up on his lap, making out with him, but whenever I saw him, I knew exactly how. Now he was as always dressed perfectly, the slightly tight same colored waistcoat that peeked a little from underneath his jacket was making it even more noticeable how fit he was, and I was there just walking towards him and feeling like I was going to stumble and roll from how easily he could make my legs go weak.

  My dress fitted the elegance well, but I wasn't sure if it was exactly something that he would like. He simply pressed his lips together when he saw me, took a small step backwards and scanned me. It was not that intense stare. It was what he always seemed to do. He just took in my features, the dress I was wearing probably, and I hoped that I would get a thumbs up because I was still a bit skeptical about the dress.

  "Okay, just tell me if the dress is good because I'm really skeptical about my taste, especially with the thought of that Italian dude actually working with fricking fashion." I said in one breath as I reached him, watching how that dazzling smile stretched his lips. Oh so he too found my nervousness funny.

  "You look," He stopped for a second, his eyes simply moving in that same familiar direction across my face, from my eyes to my lips and then all over again. "absolutely breathtaking." I felt him press his hand over my waist in a way of directing me towards the door before he opened it. "I think I can easily say that we both fit the kind of style Marino would want for a formal dinner." Good. That was at least some relief.

I got in the car as he closed the door and walked to get in from the other side. He had a driver but he always opened the door for me. It was what I learned ever since I started working as his full time assistant. I mean, we did leave for work in the morning together from his house since it was a routine for me to go to his place, make the breakfast or whatever weird potion he had on the weekly list, and then once he was back from his training, showered and ready, he ate and then we left..

He always insisted for me to eat, even at work, and ever since day one he made sure to keep track of my diet. Yes, him and I had became closer in more ways than one even though I was working for him only a few weeks, and I learned that other than him being arrogant and cold most of the time, throwing orders for me to work the way he wanted me to, he was still thoughtful.

We got a few blocks away from the house and I realized that I didn't even know where we were going. Somewhere fancy I suppose. Not my type, but still a nice change. "Okay, so I have all the notes from the tablet on my phone, and I'll just add the ones from tonight so you can go through them tomorrow,"

"Anya," He said right away, almost interrupting me. I looked at him. "You've worked long enough and learned more than just the basics so you I want you included in discussions. It's a meeting and as my assistant, I'll need your opinion." His voice in the silence sounded so clear and deep, it was hard not to listen with full attention. I then felt him casually rest his hand over my knee as he looked towards the window beside him. I don't think he was as aware of it. He acted instinctively. "Besides, you're the one accompanying me for tonight." It was impossible for me not to smile. So I sat back and let a slight breath escape me. I didn't have to worry. I was with Ash after all..

~

Ash's POV

I've said this to myself many times.. Anastasia was something else. It was impossible to explain in what kind of war zone she put my mind through, and I couldn't even complain. I was left with no words when I saw her and with all the thoughts of what I wanted to do to her. It was fucking impossible not to want her. She was gorgeous in every way, elegant in every other, and wild the most. Just the thought of her the other night had me completely lost, longing to see that same yearning and lust in her eyes, the same way it was reflected in mine.

The dress she was wearing was lining every curve and line of that thin waist and wide hips, that would probably make every men break their neck to get the whole view as she passed by. And the V neck was low cut and impossible not to take your attention. She had the kind of posture and glow that simply took attention. Not just that night, every times she walked in. Anastasia had a charm and could attract anyone she passed by. It was the appearance that stole every spark of attention and guided it directly to herself.

The long dark hair loose and natural, shiny and reaching her spine - yes it caught all the attention. That damn hourglass figure of hers that was even more edgy and lined in a light skintight dress..- yes it caught all the fucking attention.

And that face.. God that face was nothing but perfection. Wide eyes that reflected the darkest green as a frame, filled with that ocean blue.. They seemed almost glossy, but way too wild and clear to not make you look. Her nose was way smaller compared to the rest of her features, but it seemed to add up unbelievably well. It was the moments when she got angry that made her puff a few sharp breaths through it and purse her lips in a way of protesting, without even being aware of it. But it was impossible not to want to see her frustrated, just so I could get to see that grumpy face and then make it up to her later on.

But then she smiled widely, and something about seeing her laughing and happy caused a skip in my chest. I couldn't help but smile back at her, and it was unbelievable how she did that without even trying. Basically everything that she did made me somewhat fascinated and unable to fight against my urges and reflexes.

That night when she got to the car, she talked nervously, blabbing from one thing to another, while I couldn't help but notice how those plump lips moved, making me want to let every string that was holding me back go, and kiss her right there. It seemed like the perfect way to shut her up and get those lips against mine in no time.

However, we didn't discuss what happened the previous night before Ethan interrupted, and perhaps it was for the best since she seemed awfully shook and lost with everything she had going on in her mind, probably not even aware what she was doing. We did work together after all.. It shouldn't happen, I told myself. But was it up to me or to my instincts? Could I control and push back what I actually wanted from her for so fucking long?

When the car came to stop, finally arriving at the restaurant, I felt eager to get out and keep myself from finding excuses to touch her, get close to her.. It was impossible to fain any control around her. My senses ran wild and with everything she did, she pushed me further into that frenzy of desires. My God.

The driver opened the door for her, and I was already taking out a cigarette and lighting it. I needed some distraction. I didn't usually smoke.. At all really. It was something I started in Mexico, and even though I couldn't stand it with all the activity I had in my life, I reached for it once in a few weeks. The last time I did, I had just met Anya, getting her in my room and wanting the nicotine to calm my senses. Just like at that point, when I got out of the car, I lighted one, barely inhaling the smoke.

  I turned my back towards the car, but heard her heels against the cement as she rounded it and walked towards me. I wasn't sure if she remembered seeing me with a cigarette, but she didn't seem much surprised. She stopped now a feet away from me, observing the place as that segment of her hair that probably was once banks but now reaching her jaw, effortlessly slid down the rest of her hair as if she had ran a hand through it just seconds before. It was puffed and fell a few inches over her face. She was impossible not to look at.

  "This is it?" She seemed a bit surprised as she took in the view of the parking lot and the building behind me as she glanced over my shoulder and towards it. At that point, I had taken one smoke from the cigarette and was uselessly holding it in my hand. Fuck it. It didn't work.

  I took another slight inhale from it before throwing it on the side. "This is the back entrance." Her lips parted very slightly, in a way of concentrating as she frowned and glanced back at me. Then at the cigarette I just threw. Then back at me again.

  "I didn't know you smoke.." She slightly tossed her hair in a quick move with her head, making it reflect that shine and silkiness underneath the streetlights.

  I looked on the side, knowing that this was the confirmation that no, she didn't recall much of that night. "I don't. It was supposed to distract me," I said the last part through a mumble and mostly to myself, watching how she tried following my words but didn't succeed. Pushing myself off the car, I pressed my hand over her shoulder. "Let's go."

  We walked through the back entrance, respecting Marino's wish to avoid the press and get in from there. The guy had all kinds of drama and our media wanted all the details whenever they heard he was in town. Besides, I couldn't deal with having to explain who Anya was. She was not used to it, and with the way she looked she could pass for a fucking model. I couldn't deal with the rumors when I myself didn't know what we were.. I knew the guy that owned the place, so we had the best table. Not that Marino deserved it. But Anya did.

  As we were lead to our table, I saw the familiar face that was not an everyday thing here in Richwood. Stefan Marino. He was of course with his manager or assistant, probably just arriving as well since they hadn't even sat on the table yet. His hair was as always pitch black as well as the slight beard, and his figure was considered shorter than mine, but he was always unable to get lost in the crowd or get mistaken. He had his same style, always formal and suited up.. His British accent though could get certain people confused. However, ever since the beginning of our partnership and friendship, I knew that he grew up in London.

  Stefan was the kind of guy that didn't believe in commitment or love.. He lived life with nothing but full pleasure, not holding back to give the many many girls he was with whatever they wanted, all the luxury and glory, for that one night. Women for him meant beauty, passion and rawness. He saw art and emotions in them only when he needed an inspiration for his designs. And perhaps that kinds of life inspired him in doing what he was. It was no longer just for fun. It was the pleasure and the life style that mattered.

  "Ashton Bonner," His accent was thick but always clear.

  "Stefan," I tapped him against his back as we greeted, moving back and seeing the wide smile on his lips. "It's been a while,"

  He smiled before correcting. "A year." True. One year. I could barely remember from all the blurry nights, but my whole experience with Mexico was a blur, so.. "And this is your date for the night?" Stefan was the one with the jokes on serious meetings, even though he knew that we were there for work and that, no, Anya was someone that worked with me.

  I glanced at Anya watching how she smiled at the statement. Yes. I was about to answer, when I saw the scan Stefan performed, and it was the darkest thought I didn't even have on my mind till then. The hand she reached to shake it with his was easily turned as he performed that same little thing he did with ever other girl. Instead of a shake, he left a kiss. Of fucking course. Not hard to assume what might've went through his head..

  So I went with my instinct, wrapped my arm lightly around Anya's waist and pulled her a bit closer to myself the second he let go of her hand. "This is Anastasia Nelson." I started. And usually, I didn't act impulsively. But again, Anya unconsciously did things that made me act all kinds of ways around her, and it was impossible to know that there were someone else's eyes on her. It just wasn't the way it worked when it came to her. It wasn't allowed. I liked what's mine for myself, even if it meant that it was far more complicated than anyone could imagine. "My fiancée." For the night.

***

  Well hello there loves! Here's the usual note at the end of every chap xD So, the update was supposed to come out yesterday, but I decided to add a but more and make it interesting ;) But here it is! Hope you enjoyed!

  Comment your thoughts on what you think will happen next, once Ash introduced Anya as his fiancée, and don't forget to vote!

  Kisses, :*