20. About You
20
About You
Daisy
I’ve changed my dress three tim es, and I’m still not sure what I’m going to wear tonight. If I keep switching gowns, I’ll mess up the fancy updo Lucy took so long to style. Well, I’ll have to decide in the next ten minutes. That’s how long I have until Asher picks me up.
“Definitely the black one,” Lucy says again. She’s sitting cross-legged on my bed, a mountain of clothes scattered around her. “It glides over your perfect figure like it was custom-made. If I wasn’t your friend, I’d hate you in that dress. That’s how you know it’s the one.” She winks.
I draw my eyebrows together, my arms falling to my sides. “Really? That’s your argument.”
“And it’s a darn good one. Trust me. You always claim I’m the one with fashion sense, don’t you?”
“I’m not completely useless either.” I glance at my reflection in the mirror. I do like this dress. It’s a floor-length gown, simple yet elegant, thanks to the lace on the bustier. “But you might be right. I’ll go with this one. Plus, it’s already on, and I’m running out of time already.”
“Here. Let me touch up your makeup,” Lucy says, hopping off the bed. Seconds later, she’s blending a makeup brush all over my face. “You look great.”
“Thanks.”
“Just have fun, okay?” Her tone is soft, her green eyes latched on me. “No overthinking. Enjoy the moment. You’re going out with a guy who’s nice, funny, and as nerdy as you. Sure, it might never go anywhere, but at least you’ll always have this night.”
I swallow hard, then manage a smile. “You’re right.”
The doorbell rings, and my heart starts running laps, putting my emotions through the wringer.
“Wait. Let me get a glimpse of this guy before you open the door,” she says, hurrying out of the room.
I shake my head, but I can’t ex actly stop her. Between the dress and the heels, the only part of me capable of running a marathon right now is my heart.
When I reach the entryway, she turns around and nods approvingly. “He’s hot ,” she mouths with a giggle, and I just roll my eyes. But I know she isn’t wrong. I’m dying to see him in that suit again.
She tiptoes to the living room, waving goodbye to me, and I open the door.
It’s a good thing I saw him in the suit before tonight, because otherwise, I might have been knocked right off my feet. I can tell he took time to style his wavy brown hair, and he trimmed his light beard neatly.
“Wow,” he breathes out, breaking me from my trance. His eyes rove my body, leaving a trail of fire in their wake that rises to my scalding cheeks.
“You’re breathtaking, Red.”
Butterflies invade my belly as I struggle to stay still. “Thanks. So are you.”
He wets his lips, then smiles before offering his arm. “Shall we?”
As we reach the neoclassical buil ding, I can’t help but spout off all the facts I know about this place. But Asher doesn’t mind. In fact, he even asks for more details, trapping me in that hungry stare that makes me feel like I just stepped into a sauna.
“And that chandelier,” I say, gawking at the dripping gold light fixture that’s clearly the highlight of the room. “Isn’t it spectacular? Made of gold and thousands of pieces of Italian crystal. It’s been here since the beginning of the twentieth century, and they’ve only taken it down a handful of times to restore it.”
“It really is,” he rumbles, but he’s still watching me, not seeming to care about the chandelier.
“Are these original floors?” he asks, his gaze falling to the polished hardwood.
I nod. “Yes, and the stained-glass windows are original as well. Neoclassicism at its finest.”
We continue our visual exploration of the grand ballroom, and I feel more and more at ease as I relay all my facts and anecdotes about this historical building. We also take a look at the silent auction offerin gs and bid on a couple of items.
A waiter passes by with a tray of champagne glasses, and Asher grabs two.
“Thanks,” I say, glad to have something to occupy my hands. I’ve been talking with my hands since we got here, and it was only a matter of time before I slapped someone in the face.
We keep chatting about the building and its history until suddenly, Asher’s jaw clenches, and the grip on his champagne glass tightens. I turn around and come face to face with Todd.
“Well, well. What do we have here?” Todd croons, an annoying smirk on his face. Ugh. How did I ever fall for this guy? It’s crazy how you see your exes in a different light after the breakup.
Asher’s arm wraps around my waist, securing me tight against his side, and I nearly combust at the contact. “Todd,” he says curtly, and I just nod. What else am I supposed to do when Asher is side-hugging me?
“You came,” Todd says, glancing between us.
“We said we would, didn’t we?” Asher says with that same cutting voice he seems to reserve only for Todd. “Have a good night,” he adds before taking my hand and guiding me toward the buffet table.
Once we get there, he squeezes my hand. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” I nod, swallowing. “I hope he’ll finally get the memo now.”
“Let’s hope so.” He takes a canapé from the buffet, and I realize I’m also starving. We walk along the table, sampling a few of the delicious offerings.
“By the way,” I ask, picking up a foie gras macaron. “When are you seeing your brother again?”
“I’m not sure yet. He’s busy with work, but I think we’ll manage to meet up for drinks. I meant what I said. I'm really trying to move past this.”
My heart warms. “I’m so glad. Does that mean you’re staying?”
He presses his lips together. “Maybe.”
“You’re tough to convince,” I say, shaking my head. “I tried everything. Even my secret deep-dish pizza place.”
His smile widens. “And it was to die for. But there’s one thing you haven’t tried yet.”
“What is it?”
He flits his eyes to the dance floor, where a few couples are swaying to the music. “Dance with me.”
“Dance with you?”
“Uh-huh.” He nods, taking my hand.
I put my napkin down and follow h im to the dance floor. How can I not? I’ll follow Asher Forbes anywhere.
He places a hand on my lower back, takes my hand in his, and leads me in moving to the music. I want to press him about moving here, but Lucy’s words echo in my mind. Enjoy the moment.
So I do. I let Asher twirl me, taking comfort in the pressure of his hand on my back, the way his scent takes over, wrapping us in our own safe bubble.
I glance up at him, but the way he’s gazing at me is anything but safe. It’s dangerous. He parts his mouth slightly, then traces his thumb along my cheek. “You’re beautiful. So gorgeous inside and out,” he whispers, and I’m shivering from head to toe. “I’m going to kiss you now, Red. Is that okay?”
I glance around, and my eyes fall on Todd, who’s red as a tomato a few feet away.
Asher tuts, tilting my chin so I look at him instead. “Not because of him. It’s not about that prick. It's about you. I’ve been dying to kiss you since the moment I first laid eyes on you.”
My heart leaps, and my breathing grows ragged. “You have?”
“Of course I have,” he says without missing a step. “Don’t you see it? How crazy you make me? I want to kiss you until your knees buckle. Un til you can't forget the taste of my lips on yours.” His hands brush over my shoulders and up my neck, stopping when they cradle my face.
I bite my lip, my racing pulse leaving me dizzy. “So, are you going to kiss me already, or are you just going to talk about it?”
He lets out a low chuckle, drawing me to his chest, and I melt into his embrace. His lips brush mine, slow and cautious. He’s teasing me, just like we’ve been doing since we met. The back of his hand caresses my cheek, sending thousands of lightning bolts zipping through my body.
My eyes flutter open, my chest heaving with every breath. The way he’s gazing at me now is different, soft and intimate, like he’s taking a mental picture for safekeeping. “My knees haven't buckled yet,” I say, biting my lip.
The sound of his chuckle seems to reverberate between the Neoclassical walls. “I'm on it.”
His hands gently frame my face, and his intoxicating aftershave infuses my senses, sending shivers of anticipation up my spine. Another brush of his tantalizing lips, then he captures my mouth in a slow, long, and irresistible kiss. The kind of kiss that steals your breath away, making you forget everything else. My pulse pounds so loud in my ears, I can’t hear my own thoughts anymore. All I can feel is Asher, his warmth, his p erfect lips, and my heart glowing in my chest. Oh, and my knees buckling.
When the music switches to an up-tempo tune, we take the opportunity to grab a drink. It’s been a while since I’ve had this much fun, especially at the Architecture Foundation Gala. I’d always attended with Todd, who hates dancing and only wanted to use me as arm candy at fancy parties. I was invisible at his side, but Asher makes me feel like the most important person in the room. He could be using tonight as a networking opportunity, but he hasn’t spared a glance at anyone else. Not to mention, he’s sweet, funny, and doesn’t take himself too seriously. That’s exactly what I need in a man. That, and the delicious kisses he gives. I’m already aching to feel his lips on mine again. I still haven’t asked whether he’s made his final decision, but I don’t think I have to. His kiss said it all. It’s crazy how someone you’ve known for only a few days can mean so much to you.
I guess that’s why they call it “falling for someone.” It’s sudden, fast, and it can’t be avoided.
“I’ll be right back,” I tell him. “Restroom break.”
He nods, smiling. “I’ll grab us some more drinks.”
I saunter across the dance floor toward the restrooms, my mind wandering back to that kiss. It completely shattered me. I didn’t know a simple kiss could sweep you off your feet. Even now, I still feel it. On my skin, in the way my heart is pumping, and the way butterflies are swarming in my belly.
Lucy would be proud. This definitely falls under the definition of “enjoying the moment.”
As I leave the restrooms, I find Todd leaning against the wall near the doorway, breaking me out of my safe bubble.
“So, you’re really dating this guy?” he asks, narrowing his eyes at me.
I sigh. “Yes, Todd. I told you we were over. You have to get that through your head and move on.”
He sneers. “It’ll never last. He can’t give you what I can. And as always, you’ll come crawling back to me in the end.”
I shake my head. “I won’t. Not this time.” I hate myself enough for all the times I did, but I’m done. There’s no going back. Now that I’ve seen him for the horrible person he is, the only “crawling” that’s happening is under my skin.
He leans forward. “We’re good together, Daisy. Don’t you remember?” He caresses my cheek, and I slap his hand away.
“Get away from her,” Asher’s voice booms, echoing between the stone walls.
Lifting my eyes, I see him rushing toward us, a scowl fixed on his face. He shoves Todd, who stumbles until his back hits the wall.
“What?” Todd hisses between gritted teeth. “Scared she’ll realize how much she wants me back?”
Asher grabs him by the collar of his shirt and knocks him against the wall. “I’ll make you regret ever having laid eyes on her, you stupid s—”
“Asher!” I call, a hand on his arm. A small crowd has gathered in the corridor, murmurs rippling through the onlookers. “Stop. He’s not worth it.”
Asher turns to me, and the anger on his face fades. When he releases his grip on Todd, I extend my hand. “Let’s just get out of here.”