I wasn’t in the mood to go around and around with him. No matter what I’d tell him, he wouldn’t believe me.
“Is this why you asked me to dinner? So you could interrogate me?”
“One of the reasons,” he spoke in a serious tone.
“See that couple over there?” I pointed.
“Yeah. What about them?”
“The waiter is going to bring out their dessert which will be a cheesecake with strawberries on it. There will be an engagement ring hooked around one of the strawberries on her piece. She’ll see it, start to cry and he’ll get down on one knee and ask her to marry him.”
“Whatever you say, sweetheart.” He rolled his eyes.
“To answer your question, your father came to me in a dream. He showed me what would happen to you if you went ahead with the merger. That is the truth. Now, I’m sorry you are having such a hard time believing the truth, but I’m not wasting anymore of my time, and I certainly won’t sit here and be called a liar. I make no apologies for who I am.” I took the napkin from my lap, set it on the table and stood up.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he asked.
“I’m leaving. Because frankly, Asher, you’re the one who’s stressing me out tonight.”
Suddenly, we heard a screech. Asher looked over at the couple I pointed out only to find the woman crying and the man down on one knee proposing to her. I began to walk away and felt his hand wrap around my wrist.
“Wait.”
I turned and looked at him.
“Stay. I’ll have Franco deliver our dinner up to my suite. We need to talk in private,” he spoke in a calm voice.
I stared at him for a moment while his hand was still wrapped around my wrist.
“Fine. But just so you know, the only reason I’m staying is because I’m hungry.”
His lips formed a small smile as he signaled for Franco.
We took the elevator up to his suite. As soon as we stepped inside, I set my purse down while Asher took off his suitcoat and threw it over one of the chairs.
12
Asher
I couldn’t wrap my head around any of this, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to. Our dinner was promptly delivered to the suite and I motioned for Everly to take a seat while I sat down across from her.
“How, Everly?”
“I know you want some scientific explanation, Asher, but I’m afraid there isn’t one. This is something I was born with. My grandmother has it, my mother had it and I have it.”
“Your mother had it?” I narrowed my eye at her.
“She passed away when I was five. She couldn’t handle it, so she drank and took pills. She discovered the more she combined the two, the more the dreams and visions stopped. One night, she took too many pills and drank way too much.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I appreciate that. Thank you.”
“What about your cousin? Can he—”
“No.” She interrupted. “And honestly, I’m happy he doesn’t have it. My grandmother calls it a gift, and sometimes it is. But it can also be a curse.”
“Why is that?” I asked as I picked up my drink.
“Because some of the things I dream and see aren’t like the couple down at the restaurant. I also see a lot of bad things. Things nobody should ever see. That was what my mother couldn’t handle. I have no control over anything I see. It just happens. Like with your father and you. Your father couldn’t be at peace until he knew you were going to be okay.”
“How does it work?”
“I don’t know.” A small smile crossed her lips. “It just happens.”
“Now that I know about your mother and grandmother, tell me about your father?”
“I don’t know my father. He took off when he found out my mother was pregnant.”
“Your grandmother didn’t try to find him after your mother died?”
“She doesn’t know who he is either. She never met any of the guys my mother dated.”
“Can’t you use your ‘thing’ to find him?”
“It doesn’t work like that.”
“I see. Answer me this. What does your future look like?”
She let out a light laugh and finished off the last of her wine.
“I have no idea because I can’t see my future. I just live my life day by day and hope for the best.” She held up her glass and I poured her some more wine.
Leaning back in my chair, I studied her. She was so beautiful. Even though I thought she was way out there in left field, she was still a very sexy woman.
“We’ve had a few conversations over the past couple weeks, you bought me a coffee and a slice of banana nut bread, I’ve been to your home for dinner, and I still don’t know your last name.” I arched my brow at her.
“It’s King. Everly King.” A captivating smile fell upon her lips.
“And what does Miss King do for a living? Does she do readings with a crystal ball?” I smirked.
“Absolutely not.” She got up from her chair, kicked off her heels, picked up her wine glass and took it over to the couch. “I’m a life coach.”
“A life coach? Seriously?” I asked as I sat down next to her and extended my arm across the back of the couch.
“Seriously.” She grinned as she turned her body so she was facing me. “Some people need guidance to help them achieve their goals, and I can give that to them.”
“Interesting,” I spoke as I lightly ran my finger across her bare shoulder. “Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are?”
“Maybe once or twice.” She smirked. “Let me ask you something. Do you have any goals you want to achieve?”
“Yes. Actually, I have one goal in mind.” I continued running my finger across her shoulder.
“Maybe I can help you achieve that goal,” she spoke in a seductive voice and my cock started to rise.
“I was just thinking the same thing.” I leaned closer to her and softly brushed my lips against hers.
Everly
The look in his blue eyes made my heart race and my lips trembled as he brushed his against them. They were soft, with the taste of wine that engulfed my senses. There was no denying I wanted him, to feel him inside me. The softness of his kiss turned passionate once he knew this was what I wanted. Our tongues introduced themselves as they tangled in the night.
“Shall we take this to the bedroom?” he asked as he broke our kiss and brought his hand up to my cheek.
“I think that’s a good idea.” I smiled.
He took hold of my hand, helped me up from the couch and led me to the bedroom. As we stood in front of the bed, our lips tangled while his fingers unzipped my dress. Sweeping his hands across my shoulders, he took down the straps as my dress fell to the ground, leaving me in nothing but the black lace thong I was wearing.
“Damn. You are amazing,” he spoke. “Turn around.”
I did as he asked. He wrapped one arm around my waist and held me in place while his tongue slid across my neck. His grip was strong, tight and secure. He reached down the front of my thong until his fingers slid into my opening. I gasped at his tender touch.