Page 61 of Mr. Aster
“Subject change,” I said, not wanting to discuss how the man ensured he got out of this alive regardless of where I landed in our little deal. “Did you find a ring? I was sure you’d get mugged or lost back there after seeing you look so out of your element at the airport.”
“I did,” he said, exhaling and ignoring my insult. “So, here you are.” He pulled a black box out of the leather bag he brought out here with him. “I managed to secure what is known as a Mexican fire opal. After researching what the particular opal represented, I thought it was perfectly fitting for you.”
“Wow,” I said, my hand covering my heart as he opened the box, revealing what looked like a three to four-carat cushion-cut stone set in what looked to be white gold. The gemstone’s fiery color resembled the beauty of an exquisite sunset’s red and orange hues. It was a genuinely gorgeous piece of jewelry. “It’s stunning.” I looked at him and smiled, “I’m impressed you pulled this off.”
“And here you thought I couldn’t. I don’t only shop at Harry Winston, you know? I’m creative, too. Now, let’s see,” he said, sliding it on my ring finger. “Damn, it’s a little loose.” He concentrated on my ring finger, moving the stone around as if that would tighten it somehow. “Well, we could just say we’re waiting for the jeweler to fit it for you.”
“Or we could say it was so beautiful that I didn’t want to take it off after you put it on my hand,” I laughed. “This really is gorgeous.”
“The fire opal is associated with passion, creativity, and vitality,” he glanced up from what he was reading aloud on his phone. “Its intense color is thought to ignite the spirit and inspire enthusiasm.”
“Well, looks like you and Google have it all figured out,” I said, trying to play down how adorable this moment really was.
This guy, who I’d been referring to as the devil until a few days ago, was showing a side of himself that made me secretly wonder if he were the sweetest man I’d ever known. Only my mom would think of getting me a unique gemstone representing what she thought about me, not El Diablo. Never would I have imagined that he was capable of being so charming, especially with someone of my status.
“I could go on,” he said with excitement. “I think you’ll like the part where it matches the sunsets from our room.”
“I highly doubt we’ll survive this balcony during the hot sunset hours,” I chuckled. “And now I feel bad for changingthe room because it is quite sweet of you to choose this ring, knowing therealhistory between us.”
“I told you,” he smiled, standing up, “you’ve only met the business side of me, and you and your family were planted right in the middle of that business. Now, you’ll see a better side to me that I believe you will find more agreeable.”
“I could definitely get used to this side of you,” I smiled. I wanted to hug him in appreciation, but I realized that this gift was just part of a lie because he didn’t want to be found out by Natalia and Spencer once we met with them later.
“Well, good,” he said, “because I might want to share that damn king-sized bed with you once we return to the original room I booked. Ricardo will be here to snatch our luggage, and I think you’ll enjoy comparing the sunset colors to the colors of that gemstone before we meet Natalia and Spencer for dinner tonight.”
“You are a very spoiled man,” I said, standing up.
“Frankly, my sweet little sprinkle-top cupcake, I don’t give a fuck,” he said. “I’m not staying in a room so cramped that if I fart, it’ll blow you off the balcony.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. The room wasn’t small by any stretch, but nothing but the best would do for an Aster.
I wasn’t going to put up a fight about moving rooms again, though. As long as I got the bed, I was good to go, and since the afternoon sun had taken its toll on me, I was ready for a margarita and a dip in that refreshing pool.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Sebastian
Iwish I could say I was shocked that Darcy had transferred us into a smaller room, but I wasn’t. In fact, when I arrived at the hotel to ensure that everything was to my liking and found she had downgraded the room, I laughed.
The woman was relentless in her pursuit to put me in my place at every turn, and I almost allowed the downgrade; however, I did want her to be comfortable and have a little fun on this trip. I knew it would be exhausting for us to roleplay this fake relationship role in front of our peers, but it was necessary.
“Dinner reservations were for fifteen minutes ago, and I’m quite confident that Spencer and especially Natalia do not like to be kept waiting,” I said, calling for Darcy while she finished up in the bedroom.
“Not my fault you took all the time in the shower,” she said in her defense. “Where are we going anyway?”
“Mita Mary,” I answered after texting Spencer to let him know we were behind schedule.
“Mita Mary?” Darcy repeated in question, walking out of her room and looking so stunning that my mind went blank. I had to blink a couple of times to compose myself. “Get your jaw off the floor, champ,” she teased as she caught me gawking at her beauty. “I dressed like this because I assumed we’d be five-star dining while we’re here.”
The red dress reminded me of a professional salsa dancer, the flowing fabric moving elegantly with every step she took. The top was fitted to accentuate her curves, while the plunging neckline made me wish I’d purchased a ruby necklace to complement the dazzling way she stole every sense of decency from my mind. Her stiletto heels matched the ruby color of her dress, her blonde hair polished and glowing against the brilliance of the dress.
“Had I known you were going to dress so nice, I would’ve opted for a suit and a different restaurant,” I admitted as she did a cute twirl. “You look radiant.”
“Thanks,” she answered, “but I think I’m overdressed for the occasion.”
I smiled. “You’re dressed perfectly as my fiancée,” I stated. “However, we’re not going to a five-star restaurant tonight.”
“Well, I’d like to say that I’m shocked to find out I could’ve gotten away with a simple sundress and flip-flops for dinner, but I’m not. You’re going out of your way to bring your usual taste of the high life down a notch, right? First the commercial flight, then this room, and now a casual dinner.”
