Chapter 95: The First Woman (Part II)

As he listened to the throaty murmurs escaping Stella's lips, Asher was sweating bullets. He felt an uncomfortable heat spreading through him and quickly lifted his head to change the subject. "Are you really planning to never marry?"

"Hmm? Why do you ask? What, are you going to propose to me?" Stella teased, opening her alluring eyes slightly, her gaze playful as it fell on Asher.

"Don't joke like that; I'm already married. But a catch like you must have a line of impressive guys, right? I noticed our security chief giving you those love-struck looks. I did a bit of digging, seems like a stand-up guy – been interested in you for a while, I hear. A rare find, that one," Asher said nonchalantly, his words aimed at diverting attention from Stella.

"Watson? His merits are of no concern to me. Stella replied dismissively with a pout, clearly uninterested in Watson.

"What's with you, pushing other guys on me like that? Scared I'll cling to you in the future?" Stella half-laughed as realization struck, shooting him a reproachful look.

"No, it's not like that. Why would I push you away? A stunning woman like you, single—the very thought would make countless men rue their missed chance. I just meant that you're not getting any younger; you're thirty already. It's not realistic to think about staying single forever. It might be time to consider the big picture of your life," Asher replied with a wry smile.

"At least you're somewhat decent," Stella said, a hint of satisfaction in her voice, before sighing, "Don't sweat my business. Watson's not my type. He's so timid around me, practically whispering – drives me up the wall."

"But you're right, I've been thinking... maybe I'll just settle for someone at some point."

Asher nodded, holding back further comments. Truth be told, he was torn; part of him eagerly wished Stella would find a man she liked, so he could put to rest any lingering sense of longing.

If Stella Turner had truly found a guy she liked, the idea of her being pushed around by some other man left a sour taste in his gut.

It was probably a man's basest trait and a common flaw to always want what you don't have, staring at the steak on someone else's plate even while you're eating your own burger.

It's like watching a livestream—if the popular streamer has a boyfriend, she'll hardly keep a large fanbase. Even though those male fans know they've got no chance, they still prefer a single lady on their screens.

When Stella Turner clammed up, Asher understood not to pry further and focused on giving her a massage.

Asher had a unique way of massaging—simple but incredibly effective.

Stella couldn't help but exclaim, "You're pretty good at this. Did you run a massage parlor or something before?"

Sweating bullets, Asher barely managed to finish massaging one foot and then took a breath of relief.

"Don't just stand there, hurry up with the other one," Stella urged after getting a taste of the bliss, eager for more.

Despite the ache in his heart, Asher gritted his teeth, took her other foot, and focused on the massage. He decided to see it as a test of his willpower.

Asher's technique stood out, simple yet effective, and after five minutes, he finished massaging both of Stella's feet. He truly breathed a sigh of relief, it's finally over. Another minute and he felt he'd lose his mind.

But Stella wasn't about to let him off the hook. Noticing he stopped, she slightly opened her eyes, a touch of confusion in her voice, "Why'd you stop?"

"Massage is done. Too long is not good either," Asher half-snorted, his eyes darting to the clock on the wall which indicated it was nearly eight o'clock. What felt like an eternity was just ten long, torturous minutes.

"We're barely getting started," Stella whined lazily. "You finished with the feet, but what about my legs? They're all ache and cramps. C'mon, work your magic there too."

"Uh..." Asher instinctively glanced at her legs cradled in his lap: "Massage your legs too, huh?"

"Yeah. Otherwise, how am I supposed to go out with you later?"

"You know, you could just wait here," Asher mumbled, but noticing Stella's arched eyebrow, he resigned himself to his fate.

Knowing Stella wouldn't let this sweet deal pass, especially on her birthday, Asher bit the bullet and resumed the massage. As he worked, the room seemed to grow even hotter...

Feeling the massage on her calves, Stella Turner sighed contentedly, "After you finish with my legs, can you work on my sore back and shoulders too? I didn't realize you were so skilled at this. It's been too long since my last massage..."

"Uh..." Asher nodded in despair, silently lamenting how she seemed to mistake him for a professional masseur.

It was a shame because, as they had agreed days before, today, on her birthday, there were no titles—CEO or vice president. Just friends.

There wasn't much he could say, so he continued to massage Stella, sweating profusely, hoping to finish soon. He was at his limit.

After fifteen minutes, Asher finally finished working on Stella's calves. He lifted his hands and glanced at her, lying on the couch with her eyes closed. Asher's throat went dry, and his movements came to an abrupt halt.

His body felt feverish, his mind in a haze... "Why have you stopped?" Stella's voice cut through his thoughts, her voice lacking bite. She seemed to be searching for Asher's hands, her movements tentative and uncertain.

At that moment, Asher's mind went blank, his hands moving instinctively, though not to the proper places, as if bewitched...

"Hm?" Expecting the massage to continue, Stella's body quivered as she abruptly opened her eyes and met Asher's conflicted gaze.

Stella shivered uncontrollably, but she didn't stop Asher. Instead, a complex struggle flickered in her own eyes, which was soon replaced by a flush of red.

Truth be told, Stella knew that intermingling this way with Asher was pushing the boundaries, testing the waters recklessly. But sometimes, emotions are beyond one's control.

A woman in her thirties has needs, and Stella, very much healthy, was no exception. Yet due to past heartbreaks, she hesitated to trust men and take that step forward again.

Lately, with her career flourishing, she wasn't lacking suitors. But none had captured her heart, never did she bring any man home. Many self-proclaimed exceptional men seemed juvenile and laughable to her—she could only apologize. She had experienced so much, lost so much, and just wanted a simple life. That was until Asher had completely entered her heart...

Before, she considered Asher just a good friend at most, whose cluelessness provided fuel to the teasing by her outgoing personality—nothing more.

Until the day Arthur scheduled to meet up, in a fit of rage, Asher knocked Arthur to the ground. With a clueless Asher by her side, she ran to the car. Later, nursing her injury, Asher carried her all the way to the eleventh floor. The image of Asher kneeling before her, earnestly massaging her injured foot, haunted her in the dead of night.

The sweetness akin to falling in love was intoxicating—until she learned that Asher was married and, to her shock, she knew his wife.

Stella Turner tried to act unaffected, but inside, she felt a profound sadness. She knew getting closer to Asher would only hurt her again, yet how could she easily erase someone who had taken up residence in her heart?

Her emotions were beyond control, irresistibly drawing her to him, offering a sense of home and peace.

Even if she knew it was wrong.

She couldn't help but blurt out to Asher, struggling on his knees, "Asher, you..."