Chapter 1
Chapter 1:
“I am going to whip your ass, Isla!” Asher shouted, nudging me with his arm. His fingers were punching hard and fast on the buttons of his PS console, trying to knock me out of the game.
I scoffed. “We’ll see about that p>
My fingers moved faster over the buttons, determined not to be defeated by Asher. I was never one to back down from a challenge, and Asher knew this. That was why he kept nudging me with his arm, trying to distract me. His cologne wasn’t helping matters, and I cursed myself for even thinking about how sexy it smelled.
“Boom!” Asher shouted, tossing his console onto the rug and jumping to his feet.
It was a split second, but My breath caught when the words “GAME OVER” flashed across the screen, announcing my defeat.
Oh, fuck me! Not again! Why can’t I get my shit together whenever I’m around Asher p>
Asher stuck his tongue out at me, swaying his muscled waist in that sexy way that reminded me of a hot stripper. God! The cut of his hips was devastating, thick, and prominent, disappearing seamlessly into his shorts.
“Hey Isla. You owe me a wish.” His voice dragged me back to reality. When he sat back down on the sofa, his skin, warm and electric, brushed against mine. My throat tightened, my skin pebbling with awareness.
I cleared my throat. “Yeah, I remember that. You don’t have to rub it in my face. spit it out already p>
“Well…” he slurred, his deep, deep voice only intensifying a flutter low in my belly.
“Asher! say the damn wish p>
“Calm down, Isla. I’m trying to make it memorable.” He smirked.
Oh! Even the way his eyebrows arched when he smirked was ridiculously hot. I bit down on my lower lip, trying hard not to let my gaze drift down his bare chest. I knew my name was inked on the right side of his muscled stomach. His name was on mine too. We had gotten those tattoos as a mark of our friendship the day we graduated from college.
He was telling me to calm down, but if he knew the wicked things his voice and body were doing to me, I was sure he would shut the hell up.
“Here it goes.” He cleared his throat, trying to sound serious.
He cleared his throat again, and I sighed. I knew what was coming.
He burst out laughing.
And then another laugh followed, until it turned into a continuous trail of hearty laughter that echoed through the entire opulent living room.
I bent my head and covered my face with my palms, wondering how I ended up with this guy. He might be Asher Kane, the wealthiest and sexiest billionaire in the city, but I doubted anyone would believe their eyes if they saw how he was behaving right now.
gⱯlnσν𝓮ℓs．c𝗈𝗺, a world of tales
Asher was the only person I knew who cleared his throat twice before laughing. He was also the only billionaire I knew who stuck out his tongue like a three-year-old whenever he won a game, especially Call of Duty.
“Asher, if you keep laughing, I swear to God p>
“Happy birthday, Isla p>
He cut me off, his hand appearing from behind his back to reveal an open red box. The glittering diamond necklace inside stunned me into silence. My mouth hung open, but no words came out. when I thought he was joking around, he struck again, playing another card to mess with my head.
“Say something, Isla, or I’ll start thinking my best friend has turned into a dumb lawyer p>
I slapped his arm, making him fake a wince.
“That is not a cool way to say thank you,” he groaned.
“I know that. But somehow, cool ways don’t seem to work on you, Asher. You like it hot, and thanks to me, you’re getting it as hot as you want.” I snorted.
He shook his head. “So does that mean I should keep my gift?” he teased, his fingers playing with the heart pendant of the necklace.
“Is that what you want?” I asked.
“Alright, Isla. God! Can’t someone play around with you briefly p>
I chuckled. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love my bickering with Asher. The way his green gaze dimmed when he acted hurt and the way he pouted his full mouth only made it all the more satisfying.
“Okay, Asher,” I said, rolling my eyes. “The necklace is beautiful, but most importantly, thank you for not forgetting my birthday p>
“I never forget your birthday, Isla. You know that p>
The way those sincere words rolled off his full lips stole my breath. briefly, how it might feel to kiss Asher on those sculpted mouth of his.
But I couldn’t be stupid. Asher was my best friend.
I pushed back my insane thoughts.
“Alright, Asher,” I said, stretching out my hand to take the open gift. “it now belongs to me p>
Asher instantly recoiled, pulling the box back and eyeing me. “Who said it’s yours p>
“Asher, are you being serious right now p>
“You have the nerve, Isla. I honestly wish that on this special day of yours, you’d finally cool down some of that sassiness p>
“Oh, so that’s your wish, huh?” I shot back.
He nodded. I scoffed. “Just wow. Alright then, you can keep your gift, Asher p>
“Come on, Isla. Stop being dramatic. It’s not yours yet—not until it’s around your neck p>
“So you want to put it around my neck yourself, then?” I teased, folding my arms.
He stayed silent, but he didn’t need to answer. The mischievous smile spreading across his face said it all.
“Alright, Asher. Your gift, your way,” I blurted out. Turning around on the sofa, I made sure my back was to him. My hair was already tied up in a messy bun, leaving my neck completely exposed for him to clasp the necklace around it.
A minute passed. Then another. But I still didn’t feel anything against my skin.
“Asher p>