Page 37 of Charming
“I didn’t either until I started feeling like I didn’t have a whole lot of time to myself. I’ve learned to appreciate it in a way I never had. Two hours of time we give to my friends matters. That’s one hundred and twenty minutes. It takes what…a moment for things to happen? An event to occur, a word to be said, an action you didn’t want to miss. Just one single moment in time could create a memory that lasts a life time, and I want to share all of those minutes and moments this week with you.”
There’s an ache in my chest at his words and if I could melt into a puddle on the floor, I would. Pressing my lips to his, I try to pour every emotion I’m feeling into our kiss. Everything I’m feeling and everything I’m not sure how to define. I kiss him gently on the lips, then the cheek, his chin, then back on his mouth once more. Pulling back I smile softly, “There, I gave myself a moment with you that I will always remember. Sweet kisses on the day I began to appreciate time in a way I never had before. Thank you for that. And, to be clear, I want to share every possible minute with you too,” I tell him honestly, not even realizing how much until that moment. “But I just want you to know that if you change your mind, I would be more than happy to share a little bit of our time with your friends. But only a little,” I smile.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Okay,” I nod, then change the subject. “Alright, so tell me. What the heck should I wear for whatever we’re going to do today?”
“What else? A swimsuit.”
Nodding, I go off to get ready. The whole time I can’t help but think about how I’m enjoying time with Asher. It’s jarring how close I feel to someone I’ve technically only met, even though it feels like we’ve known each other a while. It’s strange. We’re so compatible. And genuinely enjoy being together. If I had to leave tomorrow I’d be devastated. I’m glad we still have some precious time together because I’m not ready to even think about going home.
Once I’ve got my black suit on, I throw the sarong around my waist that Asher bought me and take a look in the mirror, admiring how it looks. How I look. After I slip on some silver flip-flops, Asher walks into the bathroom. I smile at him and he returns it, then checks his hair out in the mirror. Turning his head side to side, he begins styling it to perfection and I find myself momentarily staring, cognitive of how genuinely handsome he is.
Snapping out of it, I turn to do my own hair and pull it back into a sleek ponytail. When I’m satisfied, I grab the toothpaste and my toothbrush and run it over my teeth. I smile around the brush when Asher’s reflection in the mirror shows that he’s brushing his teeth too. There’s something intimate in the motions of getting ready together, side by side. We continue to embrace each other’s reflection, unable to stop smiling. I’m not even embarrassed when I have to spit.
As soon as we finish brushing our teeth Asher pulls me into his arms and kisses me with his minty mouth. “Are you sure you want to go out and not just stay here?” I ask him with a flirty smile.
Groaning he runs his hands over my back and grabs my bottom. “Don’t tempt me.”
Laughing, he takes my hand, “You look great. You ready to go?”
“Yes, do I need anything?”
“Nope. I’ve got everything taken care of.”
Asher leads me from the room and it isn’t long before our taxi pulls up at a marina. Boats are parked at a wooden pier as far as the eye can see. The ocean is to our right and to the left are quaint looking restaurants and shops, clearly a touristy area. Asher takes me to a restaurant called Tico’s which he claims has an excellent brunch. We’re seated at the window and given menus. One glance and my mouth waters while my stomach quietly emits a hungry growl. Given my love for cooking, I don’t eat out too often and I’ve already eaten out more on this vacation than I have in months. I’m loving it, although part of me is itching to get in the kitchen and create something.
After we order, Asher takes my hand and smiles. He opens his mouth to say something, but before he can I finally give voice to something on my mind. “Why didn’t you want to have sex last night?” I’m almost embarrassed for the way I blurt it out, but I’m so curious I hardly care what he thinks about my inquisition. I can’t wrap my brain around the fact that he didn’t want to get something in return for the pleasure he showed me – it’s an anomaly.
“Did you not enjoy last night?”
“You know that I did,” I smile shyly. “It’s just, I was ready and certainly willing to do more, and I guess I was surprised that you didn’t feel the same way.”
“You’re wrong, I do feel the same way, but I don’t want to push you into something you aren’t ready for.”
“Wait, are you not hearing me? I was more than ready. Iamready. I’m readyright now.We can forget eating and go back to our room if you want.” I know I’m sounding nuts but I can’t help it. Thankfully he laughs at my enthusiasm.
“Look, other than the night we were married, we haven’t spoken at all about what happened to you. And well… alcohol was involved that night, so we didn’t delve into the subject too deeply.”
“What happened to me? What are you talking about?”
“I’m referring to your ex.”
I don’t know why but of all the things he could say, that’s not at all what I was expecting. “What does he have to do with you and me?”
“Look, Ella,” he lets go of my hand to run it through his hair. “I know that you were hurt. And the fact is, it happened very recently. I would feel like the world’s biggest douchebag if I took advantage of that. I’m worried that you could sleep with me...again,” he adds with the flash of a smirk, “and regret it. I would hate that. For you and for me. It’s a risk I wasn’t willing to take last night, but it wasn’t the moment to talk about it.”
Seriously, who the hell is this guy? He’s the complete package - considerate, fun, intriguing, charming, and hot as hell. I’m completely taken back by his words and certainly not in a bad way. I’m bowled over that he’s even given thought to this, let alone that he would even care. I mean this is a summer fling - a rebound. I guess I never really took into account that he would be worried about my feelings. It takes me a few beats before I’m able to put coherent words together. When I do, I reach forward and take his hands. Blinking rapidly to keep the tears burning behind my eyes at bay, I shake my head in wonder, “I can’t even believe that you were worried about this.”
Frowning he squeezes my hands, “Why?”
“I don’t know, I guess I’ve never had a guy really consider my feelings before.”
“Never? Seriously?”
“No,” I shake my head as if it emphasizes my response. “Never.” I hesitate only briefly before I decide to dive in and lay it all out there. “You are only the third person that I’ve ever been with…intimately. And I don’t mean only as if that’s a bad thing, it’s just… well… I guess I’m trying to say that it isn’t as if I’m really experienced and the experience I’ve had isn’t the best.”
“What do you mean?”
