Chapter 27
Charlotte
The suite feels surreal after the chaos we just survived.
Asher locks the door behind us, checks the deadbolt twice, and sweeps a careful glance around the room before turning back to me.
He’s still in security mode, and somehow, watching him methodically ensure my safety brings warmth blooming in my chest. I love this man.
“Come here,” he murmurs softly, holding out a hand. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”
I take it, allowing him to lead me gently toward the marble bathroom. Every muscle aches, deep bruises blossoming beneath my skin as harsh reminders of the evening’s terror. But his touch, warm and tender, calms my nerves. I follow without hesitation.
Inside, he sits me carefully on the cushioned stool by the vanity. He leans over the tub, turning the taps until warm water rushes, steam rising gently as he pours in bath oils and bubbles, the air quickly filling with the soft scent of lavender and vanilla.
“It’s going to sting a little,” he warns gently, crouching beside me. His gaze traces the bruise darkening my wrist, eyes shadowed with worry. “But you’ll feel better after.”
I smile weakly, reaching up to brush my thumb along his jaw, needing to reassure him as much as he reassures me. “I’m okay, Asher. Really.”
He catches my hand, pressing a tender kiss to my knuckles, his eyes serious and soft. “You don’t have to be brave right now, Charlotte. I’ve got you.”
I nod slowly, throat thickening with emotion. I trust him implicitly, more than anyone I've ever known.
Asher tests the water again, then gently helps me stand.
I’m shaky, but he steadies me, his strong arms providing the safety net I desperately need.
He carefully helps remove my torn, dirtied clothes, taking care not to hurt me any further.
His expression remains gentle, protective, eyes respectful, never straying from mine.
He lifts me carefully, supporting my weight as I step into the tub.
The warm water envelops me, stinging slightly on the abrasions, but gradually easing the ache from my bones.
I sink into it gratefully, closing my eyes as I exhale a long breath.
The silence stretches around us, broken only by the quiet splash of water as Asher gently wets a cloth.
“Can I?” he asks softly, the warm cloth poised near my shoulder blades. It’s so surreal to me. He’s seen me naked. He’s been inside me. And yet, he still asks permission to touch me. It’s so respectful, it makes my chest clench with love.
“Please,” I whisper, shifting slightly forward.
He gently runs the cloth along my shoulders, careful over the bruises, the warmth soothing my muscles and quieting my racing mind.
It’s comforting. It’s exactly what I need right now.
Most men would try to get lucky. Try to turn this into a lead up to sex, but not Asher.
He genuinely wants to ensure I’m okay. I’m grateful for that.
“I still can’t believe Wade went so far,” I murmur quietly, breaking the silence. “I knew he was desperate, but… I didn’t think he’d go that far.”
Asher pauses briefly, then continues, his voice steady. “Desperation makes people dangerous. It clouds their judgment, and overrides their morality. Wade was losing everything—status, reputation, control.”
I stare at the bathwater, tiny bubbles popping softly against my skin. “But to hurt me? To threaten my family? How does someone get so twisted?”
Asher’s touch remains gentle. “Sometimes people can’t handle their world unraveling. They grasp at anything—no matter who it hurts.”
I turn slightly, meeting his eyes. They’re gentle, sad, but fiercely protective. “I wish I’d seen it sooner.”
“It’s not your fault.” He places a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “None of this is your fault, Charlotte.”
He leans forward, pressing a soft kiss to the top of my head. Then he stands slowly, setting the cloth aside. “I’m going to step out for a moment. You take your time. I need to update Dean.”
I nod, feeling a tiny thread of anxiety tugging at me at the thought of being separated, even briefly. But I trust him, and I trust that we’re safe now.
He hesitates at the doorway, glancing back. “Call if you need me. I’m right outside.”
“I know,” I say softly. “Thank you.”
The door closes gently behind him, leaving me in the quiet stillness of the bathroom.
I lean back, closing my eyes, letting the warmth soak into my bones as my mind drifts back to Wade.
I remember his eyes—wild, terrified, filled with the raw desperation of someone backed into a corner.
He was unraveling, scrambling for control, and I was just a tool, a pawn in a twisted game.
I release a shaky breath, sinking further beneath the bubbles. I could have died tonight. But Asher came for me. I can still feel the strength of his arms, and hear the determination in his voice when he promised to keep me safe.
Warmth floods through me again, and this time it isn’t from the water. It’s from knowing that Asher Hawke loves me. He truly loves me. Not because of my family name or trust fund or social standing, but for who I am. And tonight proved how deeply I love him back.
When the water begins to cool, I carefully pull myself from the tub, wrapping myself in a fluffy towel before dressing in the soft pajamas Asher laid out for me earlier. My limbs feel heavy with exhaustion, but my heart feels lighter.
Stepping out into the bedroom, I find Asher sitting on the edge of the bed, phone on the nightstand, his gaze lifting immediately at the sound of the door.
“Everything okay?” he asks quietly, watching me closely as I move toward him.
“Better now.” I climb into bed, wincing slightly. He immediately moves closer, carefully pulling the covers over me and settling beside me, his arm a comforting anchor around my waist.
I lay my head against his chest, listening to the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath my ear. His hand gently strokes through my hair, his breath warm and even. “You’re safe now, Charlotte. It’s over.”
I lift my gaze to his, the intensity in his eyes drawing me in deeper. “Thank you for saving me tonight.”
He cups my cheek tenderly, brushing a thumb across my skin. “You don’t have to thank me. I’d tear the world apart for you. I realized tonight, losing you isn’t something I could survive.”
My heart stutters, tears blurring my vision. “I love you,” I whisper.
His breath catches slightly, eyes softening. “Charlotte, you’re everything I never knew I wanted. I love you more than I ever imagined possible. When this is behind us, I want a future with you. I want to build something real together.”
I smile softly, warmth flooding through every bruise and ache, healing wounds deeper than skin. “I want that too. More than anything.”
He leans forward, gently brushing his lips against mine, warm and reassuring. Then he pulls me into his arms, holding me close, and the exhaustion finally overtakes me.
Wrapped in his embrace, I drift toward sleep, secure and loved, for the first time in my life truly believing that my future belongs only to me.