Charming: A Modern Day Sexy Cinderella Story (18 page)

With a sigh of disgust at myself for my feelings of insecurity, I turn away from my reflection and open the door to the shower and step inside. The resort supplies bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash but I brought my small travel bottles with me too. I am however intrigued by the sight of Asher’s products and can’t help but pick them up and smell them. Instantly, his musky delicious scent wafts from the bottles and I consider rubbing it all over my body, but not wanting it to seem strange if I walk out smelling just like him, I refrain.

Quickly washing my hair and body, I turn the shower off and begin the process of drying my hair and applying makeup. I’ve got getting ready down to thirty minutes, which includes getting dressed, not bad if you ask me. While I’m finishing up my makeup, my phone which I brought into the bathroom with me, rings flashing Katie’s face. With a smile already on my lips I answer the phone knowing she can hear it in my voice.

“You’re calling me already?” I tease.

“Sorry, Mrs. Charming, I just can’t stay away. How are you doing?”

“I’m doing fine, and don’t call me that.”

“Whatever, I’m totally going to call you that while I can. Soooo, whatcha’ doing? Have any sex stories to report to your bestie yet?”

“Oh my god, Katie. Is that why you’re calling me? You just left yesterday!”

“Yeah, exactly. What the hell good is a rebound if it doesn’t include sex? Besides, my leaving was almost a whole twenty-four hours ago. Do you know how much sex can be had in that time? All the sex, Ella. All the sex.”

“You’re insane.”

“That sounds like it’s coming from a woman that needs to get laid. What the hell is going on there? Don’t tell me you bailed. Oh my god, did you? I’ll fly back and wring your neck myself if you did. What other reason would you have for not sexing up that hot piece of ass?”

“We just cuddled last night. And we’ve been gone all day today.” I tell her about our day and she listens intently. Then, I finally confess, “I just had an insecure moment and was inspecting my body in the mirror. Is my stomach too round? It is isn’t it? And aren’t thigh gaps the thing right now? I don’t have one, you know. Why didn’t you say something? I spent all day long in a bikini with him. Now you’re telling me to get naked?” I feel like I can’t breath; panic is making me light headed.

“Oh my god, who are you and what have you done to my best friend Ella? You’re being insane. Inhale and exhale a few times will you? You’re hot and you know it. You’re just nervous, now tell me why. I mean, you already boned him, so he’s already seen you naked.”

“Boned, Katie, seriously?” She just laughs and I roll my eyes. “He saw me naked when we were both drunk. He probably had no idea what he was seeing.”

“Oh please, girl, that’s ridiculous. Knock this shit off. You were unhappy and basically just friends with Jeremy for three years, you’re single now. Live it up, will you? You are a sexy and confident woman and Asher goddamn Charming asked you to spend the week with him. It sure as hell isn’t because you’re the only girl that would have been available or hell, willing to do so.”

“Oh, that makes me feel so much better,” I grumble.

“It should. Of all the people he could have approached at the beach that night, he walked up to you. Right?”

“Right,” I tell her slowly starting to feel more confident and silly over the fact I was being so insecure. But then it hits me. This isn’t because I’m nervous to be with Asher. The chemistry between us is off the charts and just thinking about being with him again makes my thighs clench together. This is because of all the shit with Jeremy. It’s not because I’m still hanging on to feelings for him or feeling like I’m not ready to move on, this is because his affair has made me doubt myself. Why the hell am I letting him have that control over me? He doesn’t deserve to have any impact on me whatsoever. I’m being so stupid. I tell Katie my realization and add, “Part of me thinks that if I wasn’t enough for a loser like Jeremy, then how am I enough for Asher?”

“Babe, you can’t compare them. That’s not fair to you or Asher. What happened with Jeremy was because of something inside of
him
. It didn’t have anything to do with you. He was unable to handle an independent woman and wanted someone that would hang onto his every word and be completely reliant on him. You aren’t that kind of woman, thank god. He’s pathetic and you should count your lucky stars that you saw the light with him.”

“Yes,” I tell her more emphatically, “you’re right. And I am
so
going to get my sex on.” My voice is confident, but not too loud because I would die if Asher heard me.

“Hell yes you are. My job here is done. I knew I felt a need to call you for a reason.”

“I’m glad you did.”

“Me too. Now don’t overthink it again. Go with the flow. If it happens, it happens, if it doesn’t, okay. But take a deep breath, enjoy the attraction between the two of you and go be a unicorn.”

“Did you say a
unicorn
?”

“Yes. A unicorn. Go get your horn on. Get it?”

“Oh my god.”

“I know, right? I’m amazing. In fact, I think I’m going to put that on a t-shirt. No wait, maybe a necklace. Or a mug!”

“Alright, Katie. I’m going to hang up so you can go get started on your merchandise store.”

“You laugh, but you just wait and see. You’ll totally want a necklace too.”

“Bye, Katie,” I say while she continues to talk to herself, mumbling something about tote bags and pens and who knows what else.

“Okay, bye!” she says and I giggle.

Wrapping a towel tight around my body, I finally leave the bathroom wishing I had thought to bring clothes in with me. Stepping into the room, I find that Asher is awake and propped against the headboard flipping through the TV channels. “You’re awake?”

He nods, “Have a nice shower?”

“Yes,” I reply.

He finally turns to look at me and does a double take when he sees I’m only wrapped in a towel. For one crazy heart stopping moment, I think about dropping it, but I don’t. He stands up and moves in front of me, his eyes devouring every exposed inch. Tracing a finger along the top of the towel, he smiles, “How likely are you to let me take a picture of you right now?”

My eyes narrow, “Not very.”

He sighs regretfully, “It was worth a try.” He grins and then places a soft kiss on my lips. “But seriously, it should be a sin to look this good in only a towel, princess.” He runs his fingertips down the side of my arm and it leaves goose bumps in its wake. “Did I hear you talking to someone?” he asks glancing at the phone tucked in my hand.

“What?” I ask still looking at his fingers on my skin.

“Were you on the phone?”

“Oh. Yes, Katie called me.”

“She okay?” he questions and I love that he even asks.

“She’s great. Just checking in.”

“Ah, okay. Well, I’m going to get in the shower myself and when I’m out, let’s go to dinner. Sound good? You’re hungry, right?”

“I am,” I nod.

“Okay, I’ll hurry,” he leans over and gives me a lingering kiss on the lips and I can’t help but feel like it’s a prelude to later.

After he grabs some clothes and goes into the bathroom closing the door behind him, I rifle through my own clothes trying to decide what to wear. Selecting a coral sundress I hold it in front of me and look at myself in the full-length mirror located inside the closet door. The neckline cuts into a low v and tapers in at the waist before it falls to the tops of my feet. The right side has a slit all the up to my upper thigh – it’s perfect and will definitely look amazing against my tan skin. After I’m dressed I add simple gold earrings and a bangle bracelet before sliding my feet into gold strappy sandals. I briefly think about pulling my hair up, but decide against it and swipe coral lip gloss across my lips to complete the look.

The water in the bathroom has stopped running, so I know Asher will be ready to go in no time. Walking to the window, I open the curtain a little and take in the view. The sun is setting and it’s casting the sky in gorgeous orange and pink tones, I can’t get enough of the sunsets here. Sighing at the sight, I’m so caught up in the vision it creates that I don’t hear Asher come up behind me until his arms are wrapping around me. “It’s beautiful isn’t it?” I ask him.

“Yes, you are.” Turning to him, I find him looking at me with a sexy smile, the look in his eyes heated.

“Thank you,” I murmur then appreciate the view of him in a white dress shirt rolled up his forearms with a few buttons open at his chest. He’s paired it with tan pants and sandals. The white shirt against his sun kissed skin makes his skin glow and his dark hair is styled to perfection. I watch transfixed as a random bead of water still clinging to his chest drops and disappears under the fabric. Swallowing hard, my eyes meet his. “You look very handsome.” We hold gazes for a few beats before he kisses me on the forehead, then takes my hand.

“Ready? I’ve got dinner reservations all set.”

“You think of everything.”

He shrugs, “Only when it matters, and I believe great food is on our agenda this week, remember?”

“Yes, I do.”

We walk to one of several alcoves on the property where a phone to call for a golf cart resides. We wait quietly on the nearby bench. When we’re dropped off at our destination, Asher takes my hand. He instructed the driver to bring us to the resort above ours on the bluff, The Sunset Beach. We walk through the lobby and follow the signs to a restaurant called La Nao. A chalkboard at the entrance declares tonight seafood night, and as soon as Asher gives his name, we’re led to a table in the corner on a large patio and the ocean is alongside us. We’ve arrived just in time to get an even more astonishing view than we had in our room of the sun’s disappearing act.

After we order, I look at Asher with a smile, “So, you came here with a group of friends for a bachelor party and a wedding. I’m surprised we haven’t run into anyone. Do you know what they’re all up to?”

“No, not really. I’d imagine a lot of drinking, partying and whatever trouble they can find.”

“Are they upset you aren’t hanging out with them? I kind of feel bad for monopolizing all of your time.”

“No, don’t. Some of the guys have left already, and a few are still here. The bachelor party was the weekend we arrived, the wedding the day before ours,” he says with a grin and I roll my eyes. “A few of us planned to stay a little longer, but it’s cool, the truth is I don’t care what they think. And they’re likely too busy making fools of themselves to even miss me.”

“Making fools of themselves, how?”

“Oh, I’m sure they’re trying to one up each other in their attempts to score with random chicks.”

“Ah, so hitting on girls is usually the thing you guys do together?” It’s a justified question after his comment, but I almost wince. I sound slightly irritated or perhaps jealous. Am I jealous? Irritated? I don’t think so. Maybe. Ugh.

He’s no fool. His grin turns wicked, “Jealous, princess?”

“No,” I tell him but considering my denial sounded more like a question than fact, I don’t think he believes me.

“Don’t worry, baby. I didn’t marry any of them.”

“Hmm, is that for lack of trying?”
Dammit, Ella, you still sound jealous. It’s not like this marriage is even real. What is wrong with you?

“Nope. You’re the one and only. Besides, none of them had your super power.”

“Super power?”

“Yep. One time between your thighs wasn’t enough. I had to marry you immediately.”

I gasp and giggle, “If I remember correctly, we got married before that transpired.”

He laughs, “Yes we did. Good point. But it’s still your fault.”

“My fault? It was your idea!”

“It was, that’s true, but that’s only because of your eyes.”

“My eyes?” I ask in confusion.

“Yes. The first time I looked into your eyes at the pool they called to me like a siren. Something in them seemed to contain the other part of my soul. I looked at you and saw my most important role yet.” I’m not sure if he’s serious or not, but regardless I find it hard to breathe. “Plus they also screamed fun and great sex.”

Somehow I find my voice, “Oh, is that right?”

“It’s true. Plus of course there was the fact that I distinctly heard you say that you’d give up your butt for me. I mean, who could pass on an invitation like that?”

My water glass practically falls from my hand and of course at that moment the waiter comes up to take our order. I choke and begin coughing. The waiter and other diners look over to make sure I’m okay. Asher gets out of his chair and rubs my back. Eventually, I calm down and somehow manage to order but I’m so embarrassed I’m shaking. An egg could be fried on my hot face it’s so heated. When the waiter leaves, I wipe the tears from my eyes and try to find words, “I am so embarrassed.” I put my face in my hands. “I can’t believe you heard that.”

His hands pull mine away from my face, “Don’t be embarrassed, it was funny and I know you and Katie were drinking. Besides, don’t worry, I won’t hold you to it.” He winks at me and I know my face must redden further because he laughs outright. “Don’t be mad or embarrassed, seriously. I couldn’t resist teasing you.”