Page 31 of Charming
“Why is that ironic?”
“Because the commercial was for a constipation solution.” He blurts the sentence out fast and it happens to come while I’m drinking a sip of my water. That water, flies out of my mouth in a spray a sprinkler would envy. Asher looks at me in surprise, and then I begin to laugh. “Hey! You said you wouldn’t laugh at me!”
“It’s your fault,” I tell him in between gasps for air. “You’re the one that made the joke about strain and constipation.” He shakes his head, but his eyes are twinkling with mirth. “Who would have thought that a constipation cream commercial would have brought you such a stream of good luck?” I snort in laughter. “See what I did there?”
We laugh and while looking at the crinkles in the corners of his eyes, his beautiful smile and the husky sound of his laugh that I love so much, suddenly this moment is surreal. If anyone had told me that someday I would be sitting in Cabo San Lucas with Asher Charming laughing over constipation I would never have believed it. It’s gross and yet incredibly funny.
“That was a really bad joke,” he says when we stop laughing.
“It was. And also, full disclosure, Ash?” His smile widens likely from my shortening of his name. “I’m totally looking up that commercial on the internet. I bet you anything it’s out there.”
“You better not!” he exclaims.
“If I had my phone I would totally be looking right now. Roaming charges be damned.”
“Not cool, princess. Not cool.”
We smile at each other and I find myself wishing the day would never end.
We hang out at the pool for a few hours talking about some of our favorite movies, actors and actresses. He finds my love of chick flicks amusing and swears to star in one just for me. On the way back to the resort, I rest my head on his shoulder. It seems silly, but both of us are exhausted. The sun’s rays have sucked up all of our energy and we’re left feeling drained. When we arrive back to the room, I look longingly at the bed.
As if reading my mind, Asher says with a yawn, “I’m thinking a nap before dinner would be nice. What do you think?”
I can’t agree fast enough as his yawn makes me yawn too, “Sounds like a perfect idea.”
We don’t take time to disrobe or shower, we just kick off our shoes and crash on the freshly made bed. He pulls me into his arms and I smile at the feeling and think about maybe letting my hands wander a bit. That’s the last thing I remember until I wake up a little while later. For a few minutes I enjoy the feeling of being in his arms again. Twilight is upon us casting the room in shades of deep gold and amber, the effect soothing and I could probably go back to sleep if I just shut my eyes, but knowing I won’t sleep a wink tonight, I restrain. Otherwise I could be tired and cranky tomorrow, not what I want. Since Asher is still resting, I slide out of bed as quietly as possible to use the restroom and take a shower before I get changed for the dinner reservations Asher told me we have.
Shutting myself in the bathroom, I relieve my bladder then start the shower water. While waiting patiently for it to warm, I disrobe and then check myself out in the large mirror above the double sinks. Looking at the front of my body, then the back, it appears my sunblock job and reapplication was a good one. I’m a little pink on my shoulders, but I’m turning a nice tan everywhere else. The freckles on my face, shoulders and back are out in droves; the ultra violet rays I’ve been catching have brought them out of hiding.
Moving my eyes down my body once more, this time I view myself with a critical eye. I run my hands over my full breasts, thankful they sit high and proud. Holding my arms out at my sides, I view the toned lines and my jutting collarbone. My tummy is slightly rounded and my hips are curvier than I’d prefer, and my thighs will never have a gap between them, but there isn’t much I can do about that now. Besides, men love curves, right? And Asher and I have already been intimate, not to mention I’ve been prancing around in a bikini, so where the hell are these nervous feelings of inadequacy coming from? My body has never bothered me before.
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.”
