I tip my chin up, meeting his gaze, and the longer I stare into his eyes, the more pain I’m in. “Fine.” I sigh, my shoulders falling. “My feet hurt so fucking bad, I want to rip these shoes off and toss them into the nearest dumpster.”

“I tried to tell you.”

“I know, but I didn’t want to throw another wrench in your schedule and make you more frustrated with me. I already made us late, and stopping by my place to change would have dragged this on even longer than necessary. It’s almost lunchtime.” I didn’t realize it until know, but my chest aches with my confession. It’s as if I am afraid to give Asher another reason to be annoyed with me. In reality, I shouldn’t care.

I expect Asher to launch into another speech about how I’m right and this is another problem that will delay his plans. Instead, he quietly steps around me, walking back toward his car.

His driver immediately opens the back door, holding it open.

“What are you doing?” I don’t follow him. My feet are on fire, nearing the brink of becoming numb.

Asher moves to stand on the opposite side from his driver, waiting for me to slip into his car. “We’re going to your apartment so you can change, then we’ll come back here to look inside.”

Apprehensive, I glance over my shoulder. I truly wanted to look at this place. I already feel the spark inside me at the thought of its possibilities, but it’ll just have to wait.

With my shoulders down and my feet on fire, I walk toward Asher’s car.

“Thank you.” I sigh with relief and slide along the leather. Once inside, I immediately want to cry with relief. Asher slides in, too, so he’s sitting beside me. I tell Asher’s driver my address, then close my eyes and rest my head back. Although I can’t see him, I feel Asher’s gaze on me.

“You look better already, and you haven’t even changed yet.”

I crack my eyes open and roll my head against the headrest. “Sometimes I wonder why I even wear these stupid things. I’m my own boss, so, technically, I can wear anything I want.”

Asher hums, and the heat between my thighs expands. His hand rests on his thigh, but his pinky finger grazes my bare leg. “Why do you, then?”

“I don’t know.” I sigh, closing my eyes again, his touch magnifying with every second. “My mother used to make me wear them all time. At least to all the important parties and functions my father used to pull, when I needed to impress corporate cronies or politicians. I think the habit must have stuck.”

“I’m surprised. You never wore them much at school. Unless you were wearing a dress.”

I open my eyes again and turn toward Asher.

I smile, feeling my cheeks warm. “I didn’t know you paid that much attention to what I wore.”

Asher’s eyes stare into mine, absorbing our conversation. He clears his throat, then adjusts himself in his seat. “Yeah, well that was a long time ago.” He turns to look out his window and rests his arm on the inside of his door. The sleeveof his jacket slides back along his wrist, displaying his Cartier watch. I’m still struggling to comprehend how Asher now has the money to be able to afford a watch such as that one. Or a driver like the reflection of the one I see in the rear-view mirror. He keeps his focus on the road while I take in the car I’m sitting in.

All black leather. It smells brand new as if not a single mile has been driven in it.

When I was younger, I was surrounded by the same lifestyle Asher has now: designer clothes, fancy watches, luxury cars. My father required only the most expensive items out there, considering them essential to living an upper-class life, but I knew better. Asher’s flashy lifestyle doesn’t faze me.

“Are we almost there?” he asks me.

“Yeah. It’s about another block.”

Nerves knot together inside my stomach. The sudden realization that Asher will be standing in my apartment in a mere five minutes hits me like a barreling train to the chest.

The car pulls up to the curb, and Asher waits until his driver opens the door before he steps out. I follow him and lead him into my building. I walk slowly through up the small staircase before unlocking the front door, carrying my heels with me by the tips of my fingers. Once inside the main common area, I lead Asher up the one flight of stairs until we’re standing in front of my door.

“I think my toes have officially gone numb.” I laugh, although the feeling concerns me.Is it normal for your toes to turn purple? Do I need to see a doctor?

I glance over my shoulder as I twist the key in my lock.

When I glance at Asher, he’s stifling a laugh.

“Go ahead,” I tell him, my shoulders sagging with defeat. This day is an absolute dumpster fire. “Get it out. I know you wantto.”

“No,” he says, grinning. “It’s fine. I actually feel bad for you.”

“No, you don’t.” I roll my eyes. “You’re enjoying this.”