Asher

Morning light filters gently through the curtains, painting the room with a subtle glow. Emma is lying beside me, her head nestled on my chest and her legs draped over my thighs. As I see her like this, so relaxed and at ease, a sudden urge to paint her washes over me. Something tells me she'd enjoy the idea.

We couldn't keep our hands from each other last night, so we didn't really bother with clothes. It's been ages since I felt this relaxed.

A part of me still wonders if I'm dreaming.

"We broke the first rule of our agreement," Emma murmurs, making me chuckle. We woke up a while ago, but I guess we were too lazy to break the silence.

Toying with the engagement ring on her finger, a warm feeling invades my chest. I'm marrying Emma. Jesus. Only last month I was in Brazil planning my next contract. Now I'm here, lying in bed with her. How in the world did we get here?

"Did you really expect me to follow the rules?" I cup her face, smiling when her eyes sparkle.

"You're impossible." She runs her fingertips over my mouth.

"You know..." I whisper. "Maybe we should redefine our rules."

"Oh..." She pulls her hand away, and I frown when she avoids my gaze.

Gently, I hold her chin, urging her eyes back to mine. "I want to be with you, Em."

She sucks on a deep breath.

Her cheeks go red.

She can't look me in the eye.

Definitely not the reaction I was expecting.

"Do you regret last night?" I force the words out, a weird feeling clawing up my gut.

"Of course, I don't." She cups my jaw, pulling me into a soft kiss. "I just... I need some time..."

"What does that mean?"

"Ash...." She sighs, sitting up. "My life feels like a rollercoaster right now... The fire. You coming back. Our arrangement... I guess I just need some time to digest everything."

I plant a kiss on the top of her head, breathing in her sweet scent. I hate that my heart is tightening in my chest. In theory, everything she's saying makes sense. But something inside me is still waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"Is that okay?" I hear her say after a while, and I pull away to look at her.

"Of course." I manage a smile. "I just hope you know that you're not getting rid of me so easily this time."

She narrows her eyes playfully. "Is that so?"

"We're getting married, Em." I hold her gaze, my mouth curving.

"We're getting married, Ash." She lets out a soft laugh that goes straight to my heart.

"Come here." I pull her on top of me. She lands on my lap with a soft groan and a sweet smile on her lips. Her hair falls over her chest, her sleepy face making her even more beautiful.

"What?" she says when I just keep looking at her.

"I..." My hands go to her waist as I try to get ahold of my feelings. "You're beautiful," I say, tickling her sides.

"Stop." She giggles as I sit up and nuzzle her neck.

The ring of my phone startles us. I don't even need to look to know who it is.

Before I can stop her, Emma reaches for the phone on the bedside table. "It's Max," she says. "It must be important."

Groaning, I take the phone from her and turn it off. "I have a meeting with him and his team today to discuss the last details of the board meeting on Monday."

"Asher." She tries to get up, but I hold her waist, pulling her close.

"Emma."

"What time is your meeting?"

I glance at the clock on the bedside table. "Ten minutes ago."

"Oh, my goodness."

"They can wait." I kiss her neck, nuzzling my way down her breast, loving the way she softens to my touch. Her hands slide over my shoulders, and I cup her butt, urging her against my erection. The lips of her sex part against my cock, her hips rolling. Yeah... No way I'm leaving now.

"Are you sure?" I hear her murmur.

"Fuck yeah..." I pull her bottom lip between my teeth, and she lets out a low moan.

Then she leans forward, pressing her breasts against my chest. "Ash?" She murmurs against my lips.

"Yeah?"

"This." She kisses me. Hard and deep; her hands cupping my jaw as she controls the kiss.

Jesus... This woman... I groan when she bites my lower lip.

I love this side of her. Flirty. Unashamed. In control.

A part of me wants to thrust deep inside her and fuck her for hours. But I also love the way she teases me. I love the promise behind her gaze and the way she seems to enjoy driving me crazy.

"Are you sure people won't mind you're going to be late?" she murmurs, biting my earlobe.

"Oh, I'm sure they will." I slide one of my hands up to cup her nape, and she ruffles out a laugh.

"Well, then.." She lifts onto her knees, hovering over the crown of my cock.

"You're enjoying teasing me." I pull her nipple between my teeth and she lets out a loud moan. Yeah. I love that too.

"Ash..." She wraps her fingers around my cock and lowered herself onto me.

"God. Em." I suck in a deep breath as she takes me deeper.

"You know...." She breathes, her gaze hooded. "You're not getting rid of me so easily, either."

"Fuck!" I gasp, my heart feeling so damn full I'm afraid it's going to burst.

*****

My heart races as I rush inside my parents' house, heading straight for Max's office. I'd intended to change out of this tuxedo, to make a more composed entrance, but one glance at my phone told me time was slipping away, and Max's increasingly frantic texts only confirmed it.

"Look who's finally graced us with his presence," he snaps, not even sparing me a glance.

"I'm sorry," I breathe, unbuttoning my tux jacket and tossing it haphazardly over a nearby chair. "I had an unexpected situation last night. I couldn't help being a bit late."

Max finally brings his gaze to me, his eyes hardening as he takes me in. "Last night? Where the hell have you been?" His voice is tinged with frustration as he wheels his chair closer to the table. His usually sharp and analytical eyes are shadowed by exhaustion, but they still bear that fierce determination I've always known.

He knows exactly where I spent the night, so I bite back my initial reaction, swallowing down the retort that rises within me. Max's frustration is palpable, and I can sense something deeper behind his anger--something I'm not quite ready to acknowledge.

"Thank you all for waiting for me," I address his team, attempting to keep my voice even.

Max lets out a sigh, his frustration momentarily giving way to the weariness he's been feeling since the accident. "We can't afford any more delays, Asher. The board meeting is on Monday, and we have a lot to prepare."

As I take a seat across from him, I can't help but notice the tension in the room. His trusted team, who have worked alongside him for years, are scattered around the table, their expressions a mix of curiosity and skepticism. The weight of their expectations bears down on me as I realize I'm not just stepping into Max's role, but into the trust and reputation he's built over the years.

Jesus.

"I understand the gravity of the situation, Max," I say, holding his gaze. "Trust me, last night was not something I had planned."

The room falls into a thoughtful silence before one of Max's advisors, Sarah, speaks up. "Asher, I've known you since you were a kid. You've got the Sullivan spirit in you. We'll provide you with the support and guidance you need to make this transition smooth. But we need to know you're a hundred percent committed to this."

I'm grateful for the support, but a voice inside me whispers doubt. Can I really live up to the expectations placed on my shoulders? A nagging feeling settles in my gut, like a silent storm brewing on the horizon.

"I'm one hundred percent committed," I say, my eyes on Max.

His stern expression softens, revealing a hint of gratitude. "Good. Let's get to it, then," Max says, his tone more businesslike now. "We have to ensure that your transition into CEO goes as smoothly as possible. We can't give the board any reason to doubt this plan."

His words carry a heavy weight, and I recognize the magnitude of what's at stake. Swallowing hard, I look around the office, at the family photos on the walls, at the antiques that have been passed down through generations. It's a stark reminder of the legacy we're tasked with preserving.

"Right," I say, my voice more determined. "I'll do whatever it takes to make this work."

Max's team nods in acknowledgment, but I can sense their skepticism about my sudden nomination as interim CEO. At least, they're professional enough they keep their doubts to themselves.

The meeting begins, and we delve into the details of the presentation. Max's team outlines and reviews the key points I need to cover, the strategic vision I have to convey, and the challenges I'll face when addressing the board. It's an overwhelming amount of information, but I do my best to stay on top of it.

As the hours go by, Max interjects with valuable insights and suggestions, seamlessly guiding me through the complexities of our family's business. His support is unwavering, but the growing unease between us remains palpable.

At some point, his eyes lock onto mine, and for a fleeting moment, his mask slips. In his gaze, I see an unspoken message, a silent plea for me to not jeopardize our plan.

The tension between us deepens, and I know it's not just about me taking over as CEO.

It's about Emma and how restless he is because I'm marrying her.

Especially when he obviously knows where I spent the night.

Emma has always been this unspoken topic between us.

But the way he's looking at me right now tells me he's finally ready to address her.

_____

A/N: Ohhh! Who's ready for this talk?

Thank you so much for your support and sweet comments! You guys are the best!

XOXO

Celeste