Chapter 4
Chapter 4:
Asher’s black BMW pulled into a resort, and true to my unmistakable instincts, I sharply inhaled the fresh air and the moist breeze. There had to be water nearby. My thoughts were confirmed when Asher turned off the car and I heard the distant crashing of waves.
We stepped out, and Asher tossed his keys to the valet, who caught them with ease.
“Steve, please take good care of my car p>
“Okay, sir,” the fair-skinned Steve replied, a bright smile lighting up his chubby face. I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was a high school graduate who got lucky landing a valet job at a luxury resort like this.
Either way, his smile was so bright. And so cute.
Asher and I began walking toward the resort entrance, and suddenly I felt a pang of worry. Sandra hadn’t called or texted me all morning. We had spoken fine yesterday, so why was she suddenly MIA today?
Today, of all days? My birthday?
I knew her fashion design job was taking a toll on her, but she could have at least sent me a quick text, even one line to say happy birthday. But no—nothing. No call, no message. And while part of me was annoyed, another part was worried that something might be wrong.
I wanted to ask Asher if she had called him, but when I turned and opened my mouth, he looked back at me at that exact moment and pressed his index finger to his lips, shushing me.
I felt a sudden urge to yank that finger away from his mouth. That should be my lips there, not his long finger—especially now that all the dirty things he could do with it.
God, Isla! Get a grip on yourself!
“Why are you telling me to shut up?” I asked.
“Must you talk, Isla?” he groaned, spinning me around so my back faced him. I wanted to protest, but then I felt a silk handkerchief wrap gently around my eyes.
He was blindfolding me.
“Asher p>
“Shhhh,” he whispered in my right ear. I almost let out a moan, but I held it in by biting the inside of my cheek.
I felt his hands tying the handkerchief into a knot at the back of my head. His body warmth pressed against my back, and his hot breath tingled against the nape of my neck.
My throat tightened, trying to suppress the wetness threatening to soak through my lace panties.
“All set, Isla. All you have to do is trust me and follow my lead p>
I simply nodded, even though I barely caught what he had said. But his arms were around me, and I figured I would be fine.
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We move. For a couple of minutes, the darkness around me only heightened my anticipation, but slowly, I feel calmer as cool air brushed against my skin.
We must have been close to the water now. Even the breeze flowing through my hair felt incredible.
people talking and laughing in the distance, but my focus blurred again when I felt the warmth of Asher’s lips brushing against my ear.
“And we are finally here,” he whispered.
God! This man was torturing me.
We stopped walking.
“Just take off this blindfold, Asher p>
He chuckled, and I swore it was the most beautiful, sexy sound I had ever heard. His hands untied the knot, and the silky handkerchief slipped from my eyes.
No way.
Sandra was laughing her ass off, pointing her fingers at me. She knew how nervous surprises made me, and she was clearly delighted with the horrified look I was certain was plastered across my face as I watched her laugh.
God, this girl was something else.
But she wasn’t the only person—or the only thing—within my vision that surprised me.
My heart flipped when my eyes landed on a beautifully decorated table filled with assorted foods, wines, desserts—everything powerful enough to make my stomach growl in hunger.
At the head of the table sat a huge throne-like chair, with a smiling picture of me glowing across its cushioned backrest.
I snapped around to Asher and Sandra, the two culprits standing behind me. They were watching closely, waiting for my reaction.
“Which one of you insisted on this?” I blurted out.
Sandra immediately pointed her thumb at Asher, who simply nodded and raised his hands in mock surrender.
“And you, Sandra, you were in on it with him, right p>
“We… we wanted to do something special for your birthday this year. I mean, you never celebrate your birthdays, so the least we could do was come up with… this.” She stuttered, gesturing toward the table.
Sandra and Asher knew how much I loved food. Sandra had always teased me about it since college, and now my female colleagues at work constantly joked about how jealous they were that I never seemed to gain weight, no matter how many calories or sweets I consumed.
It was a blessing for a foodie like me, and I had my mum to thank for that.
“So, Sandra, you went MIA on me this morning because of this?” I asked.
“Isla p>
It only took me two quick strides to reach her and pull her into a hug. “Come on, Sandra. You know I could never be mad at you. Especially if it’s about food p>
She laughed and hugged me tightly. “Happy birthday, Isla,” she whispered in my ear.
“I love you, Sandra,” I whispered back.
“And I love you too,” she cooed, gently stroking my hair.
A loud cough interrupted us, and we both turned to glare at the guy who had disturbed our moment.