Chapter 24 Asher
Asher
Her laugh is like music to my ears
Bri is sexy as fuck when she steps outside of her comfort zone. After gushing over how proud I am of her, I take her hand in mine and bring her over to the driver's side door. She looks at the handle like it has a poisonous snake wrapped around it.
I squeeze her shoulders before leaning down to whisper in her ear, “You can do this. I’m right here if you need me. We can take it one step at a time. I’ve got you.” Her eyes lock on mine, and I watch as trust and something else shine in her eyes. Fuck, she’s stunning.
“O-Okay. I-I can do this. I have to do this.” Bri’s hand wraps around the handle and I watch her take a slow, deep breath before pulling it open.
I take a step back, but not far enough in case she needs me.
Then I watch as she climbs into the driver’s seat, and I swear my heart flips inside my chest.
“Look at you sitting in this car and owning it like the badass you are. Fuck, Bri, if we weren’t in this parking lot and you weren’t doing something so scary, I’d drag your ass to the backseat and fuck you senseless.”
Bri’s laugh is like music to my ears, and I watch as her hands white-knuckle the steering wheel. She’s doing it. She’s taking back the thing that threatened to destroy her.
“Asher. Look! I-I’m doing it. I’m sitting in the front seat. I know it’s probably silly—”
I grip her chin with my fingers and turn her gaze to me. I must have an intense expression on my face because Bri inhales a sharp breath while she searches my face.
“Bri. It’s not silly. You are doing something you never thought you’d do again. Seeing you stare your fear directly in the face is so fucking hot. So, I never want to hear you say this is silly when dealing with some tough shit. You hear me?”
“Y-Yes. It’s not silly. I’m not ready to drive yet, but it feels nice to sit here.”
“How are you feeling sitting behind the wheel?”
“Well, my heart is beating wickedly fast, and I feel like I want to throw up, but I’m here. And I feel…proud of myself for doing it.”
“Damn right you feel proud. Now, look into my eyes and let's breathe together to see if we can get that heartrate down a little.” I run my fingers through her hair and just focus on breathing nice and slow. Bri mimics my breathing, and I can see the tension begin to leave her body.
“Good girl. You’re doing so well. Fear who? You’re taking that fear and kicking it in the balls.” That elicits a chuckle out of her, and soon enough she’s jumped into my arms, her legs wrapped around my waist.
“Thank you, Asher.”
“You don’t have to thank me, baby. I got you. I’m always here. Are you ready to go home now?” Well, her home, but lately it’s beginning to feel like mine. But if I’m being honest, home is staring into her soft, amber eyes.
“Yes. I could use a good nap with a strong pair of arms wrapped around me. Know anyone who’s up for the task?” I love playful Bri.
“I think I could find someone.” Instead of letting her go, I walk around to the passenger side and, after removing the flowers and snacks, place her in the seat before buckling her in.
“You know I could have walked.” Bri laughs while smirking at me.
“I know, but I love having your sexy legs wrapped around me.” I toss her a wink before rounding the car.
The second I start the engine, I place a hand on her thigh and rub soothing circles the entire drive home.
She starts to get out of the car, but I practically bark at her to stop.
I decide to carry her bridal style into the house as visions of her dressed in all white flutter around in my brain.
Brianna
Over the next few days, I slowly learn to conquer my fear of driving—with the help of Asher.
He’s a fucking blessing, and I’m glad he showed up that day all those months ago.
He was the push I needed to start living my life again.
While I’m in the driver's seat of my own life—pun intended—he’s been the perfect passenger, always encouraging me to be the best version of myself.
Each time I get into the car, I take a step toward owning my fear.
So far, I’ve managed to turn the car on and allow the car to vibrate beneath my body.
And every single time I move forward, Asher is there with endless praise and kisses.
I often think how lucky I am to have him.
I was hesitant to let him in, dead set on hating him forever.
But Asher’s overall goodness snuck past the last remaining defense I had.
His empathy and affection thawed the ice around my heart when it came to him.
And the fact that he still wants me despite every hateful thing I said to him isn’t lost on me.
He’s been a godsend, helping me overcome my fears and reintroducing me to myself.
Today, I’m ready to actually put the car in drive.
As I sit in my driveway, I notice my palms continually sliding off the steering wheel from how sweaty they are.
Asher doesn’t say a word, knowing I need this moment to collect myself.
Instead, he has his hand on my thigh, letting me know that he’s here.
You’ve got this, Bri. You can conquer anything. Look at all you’ve accomplished so far. You aren’t going on the highway or anything. Just around the neighborhood. You can do this.
I let out a steady breath before moving the gear shift from park to reverse.
I take all the necessary precautions: looking to make sure all of my mirrors are in place and glancing in my rearview to make sure no cars are coming.
I slowly take the foot off the break, and when the car starts to move, I slam my foot back on the break, causing Asher and I to jolt.
“Hey. We can do this another day if you’re not ready. We don’t have to push ourselves. This isn’t a race you need to win.”
His words are exactly what I needed to remove my foot from the break again before stepping on the gas, and soon enough we’re moving slowly down the driveway and turning onto the street.
I feel like a teenager learning how to drive for the first time.
Twenty miles an hour feels like fifty, but I keep going.
Asher squeezes my thigh, offering his silent support.
As I continue to drive, I force my death-like grip on the steering wheel to loosen.
And the breath I must have been holding whooshes out of me.
The soothing sounds of spa music comes through the car speakers and every tense bone in my body relaxes. I glance quickly at Asher, offering him a grateful smile before turning my attention back onto the road.
What was meant to be a quick drive around the block has since turned into me driving around the neighborhood a few times.
I feel…good.
No, I feel great.
Am I still nervous? Hell yeah, but I’m better at managing my feelings thanks to my therapist and the man currently gripping my thigh.
I’m getting better at fighting off the intrusive flashes from the accident, but sometimes, they slip through the cracks.
Right now? Crickets—and I couldn’t be happier.
The moment I pull into my driveway and turn the car off, Asher is unbuckling me and pulling me onto his lap.
I barely have a moment to catch my breath before his lips are on mine.
His hands might hold my face in a gentle manner, but his lips are anything but.
Our tongues move together while our teeth clash.
This kiss is frantic and desperate—and I’m loving every second of it.
Asher only pulls away when my hips start to rock against his.
“As much as I want to do that right now, it’s not the time. You did it. You drove the fucking car, Bri. I’m so fucking proud of you. You are taking your life back and I can’t wait to see you continue to regain control of your life. You are a truly incredible woman.”
“T-Thank you. Thank you for being by my side every step of the way. I may be an incredible woman, but you are a wonderful man.”
“A man is only as wonderful as the woman who’s by his side. You make me better just by being in my life. I can’t wait to see how you handle dinner with your parents. I know that’s a big step, and I’m honored you want me there with you.”
“I wouldn’t want anyone else there with me.”
“Even Avery?”
“Even Avery. I love her dearly, but helping me with my journey back to me is a job only you can help me with. Now, I’m going to go inside to clean up and make the house look good for Saturday.
” I place a quick kiss on his lips before bolting inside the house, turning over my shoulder to watch him back out of the driveway.
My heart and life feel full, and he’s a huge reason for that.