Chapter 9

ISABELLA

But the moment never arrives.

"Let me take you home later." He tells me, his mouth close to my ear.

ASHER

I make her nervous. Once we'd finished our dance, she drank a glass of wine in one go and while we ate dessert, her leg wouldn't stop moving. A glass of champagne later, we returned to the dance and this time she was more relaxed. We left shortly after Freddie and Rebecca. They offered Isabella a lift, which she declined. I scored some points with her tonight. Outside the building, the valet approaches my car and we both climb inside after I open the door for her. I notice a black Mercedes across the street, starting up at the same time as us and heading in the same direction.

Isabella lets out a satisfied sigh. "It's been a long time since I've had this much fun. I love to dance, but Dom never wanted to. He didn't like to dance, or maybe he just didn't like dancing with me."

I tighten my hands around the steering wheel. "Don't go there. He was a jerk if he wasn't able to see how great you were."

"You always say nice things to me."

"I only say the truth. And I know I'm not the only one who thinks so."

"Jax and Knox?"

"Yes, but mostly I was thinking about Freddie, Rebecca and Alex. You can tell they care about you."

"I'm lucky to have them. They're all I've got in the world." She says, closing her eyes.

I place my hand on her thigh. I'd give anything to hold her close.

"I'm sure you'll find someone very soon who knows how to love you and make you feel like the most wonderful woman in the world. You deserve it, Isabella."

"Mhmm." She says and I understand she's falling asleep.

Every time I'm close to her I feel the need to protect her. My wolf wants to comfort and pamper her.

I look in the rear-view mirror and see that the car is no longer behind us. I must be getting paranoid.

I park in the underground parking lot next to our other cars and when I switch off the engine, she doesn't move an inch and I take the time to look at her. Her slow breathing makes her chest move beautifully. Her scent now pervades the cabin, strawberry has become my favorite perfume. I press lightly on her thigh and her eyes flutter.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think I'd be so tired." She says to me in a sleepy voice.

"No problem," I reply before getting out of the car and walking around to open her door. My eyes are drawn to the movement of her legs, causing the slit in her dress to open wider. My cock reacts instantly and I feel like a fucking teenager.

As we enter the elevator, Isabella takes off her shoes and moans. If I could record that sound, I'd play it over and over in the shower later. I keep looking at her and she blushes. I don't understand how a girl like her can be so nervous under a man's gaze. Can't she see how pretty she is?

The doors open on her floor and I follow her out. She stops in front of her door, keys in hand, and I can read the dilemma in her head, so I decide to put her out of her misery.

"Since you've arrived safely I wish you a good night."

"Thank you for the ride home." She says to me, and I think I hear a hint of disappointment in her voice. "Not that I was expecting another kind of ride." Her eyes widen as the words leave her mouth and I stifle a laugh. "Don't tell me I just said what I think I just said."

"You certainly did," I tell her, no longer able to hold back my laughter.

"Oh lord." She hides her face with her hands, which are holding her shoes and bag.

I take her hands away. "I'm going to put this down to alcohol." She smiles at me before opening her door.

"Good night Asher and thanks again for the evening, I was less bored than usual."

I head for the elevator and when I turn around, just before the doors close. She's still staring at me with her door ajar. "If you need a ride of any kind, you know where to find me," I say, winking at her just before the doors close.

ISABELLA

"I can't believe you told him that." Alex is laughing his ass off on my couch. He arrived at 9 am with two coffees to go and asked me how my evening went. He wipes away his tears before continuing. "I need to call my mom later to get her take on the two of you. I'm sure you were great together."

"He was so elegant and handsome," I tell him as I sink beside him.

"Let me get this straight, you moved into a brand new apartment and it turns out the two guys you met last weekend are your neighbors and they have a brother. And that all three of them are after you." He pauses, shaking his head. "I never thought I'd say this, but I wish I were you."

"Isn't that weird?"

"If they don't care you shouldn't care." He tells me before taking a sip of coffee. "You've only known one fucking guy in your life. Enjoy it even if it doesn't last."

"Maybe you're right. What about you at the gallery?" I ask him, changing the subject.

"I've never seen as many people as yesterday. I was only supposed to stay for the afternoon, but the show was such a success that they asked me to stay. Anyway, I'm not going to complain, we sold out so I'll be taking a big commission."

"I'm happy for you," I tell her honestly.

"So what do you want to do today? Do you want to brunch somewhere or have breakfast here and lunch outside or here? Want to watch a movie? Go for a walk? Go biking?"

"Ride a bike? It's been years since I've seen you on a bike." I tell him, shaking my head.

"They say you never forget."