CHAPTER 43
ALEXIA P.O.V
A dull ache pulsed through my shoulder.
I frowned slightly, shifting against something warm and soft before slowly opening my eyes.
For a moment, my surroundings felt unfamiliar.
The dark walls.
The luxurious room.
The faint scent of sandalwood lingering in the air.
Then realization hit me.
Wait…
I knew this room.
My eyes widened.
"This is Asher's room—"
I immediately tried to jump out of the bed only for a strong arm to wrap around my waist, lifting me effortlessly before placing me right back onto the mattress.
I looked up angrily.
Asher.
He was sitting beside me, looking annoyingly calm and unfairly handsome.
"What gives?!" I snapped.
"You should rest."
"Rest for what?" I asked defensively, quickly slipping back into my French accent. "And why exactly am I here?"
His eyes narrowed slightly in amusement.
"You can drop the accent, Alexia."
My heart skipped.
"…What?"
"I know it's you."
I blinked at him in disbelief.
"But how?"
A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
"Let's just call it instincts."
My suspicious gaze remained on him for a few seconds before I crossed my arms.
"Okay then… that still doesn't explain why I woke up in your room."
His expression shifted slightly.
"Do you remember anything from last night?"
My brows furrowed.
"…Last night?"
Then suddenly—
Everything came rushing back.
The casino.
The tension.
His hands on me.
The heat.
The kisses.
That painful bite on my shoulder.
My entire face burned instantly.
"Oh my God…"
Mortified, I yanked the blanket over my head.
How could I do something like that?!
And with Asher of all people?!
Did I seriously throw myself at a man who had a girlfriend?!
Wait—
Why didn't he stop me?!
"There's no need to hide," Asher's amused voice came from beside me.
"There is every need to hide!" I groaned from under the sheets.
A low chuckle vibrated through the bed.
"And why exactly?"
I slowly pulled the blanket down just enough to glare at him.
"Because you have a girlfriend and I crossed several lines!"
Instead of answering immediately, he stared at me for a few seconds.
Then—
"I don't have a girlfriend."
"…What?"
"I never did."
I blinked.
Once.
Twice.
"But at the villa—"
"You assumed."
A strange weight lifted from my chest so suddenly that it almost embarrassed me.
Wait.
Why was I relieved?
"And besides," he added quietly, his gaze darkening slightly, "why would I stop you when I wanted the same thing?"
My breath caught.
"Wanted… the same thing?"
"Yes."
The way he said it—
Low.
Slow.
Certain.
It sent warmth rushing through my body.
I quickly looked away before he noticed the effect he had on me.
Unfortunately for me—
He noticed.
His lips curved slightly as he moved closer.
Too close.
My heartbeat immediately sped up.
He gently brushed a strand of hair away from my face before his fingers moved to the mark on my shoulder.
The touch sent a strange shiver through me.
Not painful.
Just…
Intense.
"Does it still hurt?" he asked softly.
"A little…"
His thumb slowly brushed over the mark again.
My breath hitched.
The way he touched it felt oddly possessive.
Like it belonged to him.
Like I belonged to him.
I quickly distracted myself by glancing toward his bare chest.
And immediately regretted it.
No shirt.
No scars.
No wound.
Nothing.
My eyes widened.
"How is that possible?"
"Hm?"
"The stab wound. It's gone."
I stared at his chest in confusion, my fingers unconsciously brushing against where the wound should've been.
His muscles tensed beneath my touch.
A low grunt escaped him.
Realization slammed into me.
Oh my God.
I was touching his chest.
Very openly.
Very freely.
I tried pulling my hand away immediately, but Asher caught my wrist before I could escape.
Then slowly—
He placed my hand right back onto his chest.
My face turned hot.
"Asher…"
"You can touch me, Alexia."
That definitely did not help my poor heart.
"How did you heal so fast?" I asked quickly, desperate to change the subject.
"A magician never reveals his secrets."
I laughed softly.
"Come on, tell me."
"You wouldn't understand even if I explained."
I narrowed my eyes at him.
"Fine then. Keep your secrets."
A small smile appeared on his lips before he stood up and walked toward the table nearby, mixing something inside a cup.
"Drink this."
I eyed it suspiciously.
"What is it?"
"Something my men take when they're injured."
"…Is it bitter?"
"A little."
"Then absolutely not."
"There'll be sushi afterward."
I gasped dramatically.
"That's blackmail."
"And yet it's working."
I narrowed my eyes at him before snatching the cup.
Pinching my nose, I drank it in one gulp.
The second it hit my tongue—
I nearly died.
"You liar!"
Asher actually laughed.
Not a small smirk.
A real laugh.
And somehow it made him even more attractive.
"This tastes horrible!"
Before he could answer, a maid walked in carrying trays of food.
And sushi.
Beautiful glorious sushi.
My anger disappeared instantly.
"As promised," Asher said smugly.
I immediately started eating while he sat there watching me.
Intensely.
"You know it's rude to stare."
"Can't help it."
I looked up suspiciously.
"You look cute when you're hungry."
I nearly choked.
"I am not hungry."
"Oh?"
"I'm simply preventing food waste."
"Of course."
The teasing smile on his face only made my cheeks hotter.
And annoyingly enough—
He looked devastatingly handsome when he smiled.
Especially with that tiny dimple.
Wait.
He had dimples?!
"Now you're staring."
I snapped out of it immediately.
"I'm just shocked a robot can smile."
"I can do many things."
The way he said that made my stomach flip.
Dangerous man.
"Aren't you eating?" I asked quickly. "You're making me feel guilty."
"You need it more."
"Nonsense. Open your mouth."
"Alexia—"
I shoved food into his mouth before he could protest.
The look on his face almost made me burst into laughter.
"See? Not so bad."
He shook his head helplessly before standing.
"I have something to take care of. I'll be back."
Then he left.
I frowned slightly after he disappeared.
Did I offend him?
…
I eventually stood up and looked at myself in the mirror.
All traces of my disguise were gone.
I was fully Alexia again.
My eyes drifted to the mark on my shoulder.
It looked almost like a rose.
Beautiful.
But incomplete.
And somehow…
I felt different.
Like something inside me had changed.
I couldn't explain it.
After taking a shower, I realized I had absolutely nothing to wear.
So naturally—
I walked out wearing only a bathrobe.
Terrible decision.
I barely took two steps before colliding with someone.
"I-I'm so sorry, Miss!" the maid panicked.
"Maddy?"
She looked up in surprise.
"Miss Alexia?"
Her eyes widened slightly before awkwardly glancing at my bathrobe.
"…Why are you dressed like that?"
I looked down.
"…Right. Good question."
She tried not to laugh.
"Sir doesn't usually bring women here, so there aren't really clothes for guests… but Miss Clara stayed here recently. Maybe something of hers might fit?"
"Please tell me she owns something that isn't aggressively pink."
Maddy laughed softly before leading me into a huge room filled with pink decorations.
Yup.
Definitely Clara.
"Please sit while I look for something suitable."
I nodded and sat on the bed.
A few minutes later, the door suddenly opened.
Asher walked in.
Then stopped.
His eyes slowly dragged over me in the bathrobe.
Heat instantly rushed to my face.
"What are you doing here?" I asked defensively.
"I should be asking you that."
"Well, unlike some people, I don't magically have clothes."
"I thought my clothes didn't bother you."
"They don't," I huffed. "But you're gigantic."
His lips twitched.
"Fair point."
Then he stepped closer.
Far too close.
"You could still wear mine tonight though."
My breath caught slightly.
"Why?"
His gaze darkened.
"Because you look sexy in them."
Oh.
Oh no.
I stared at him.
"If someone told me you were this much of a flirt before, I would've laughed in their face."
He chuckled softly before bending down slightly until his lips were near my ear.
"You don't know a lot about me yet, Alexia."
His voice dropped lower.
"Maybe tonight I'll show you more."
My entire body heated instantly.
He pulled back slowly, clearly enjoying my suffering.
"I didn't know someone could look this cute while flustered."
"I am not flustered!"
"Your face disagrees."
He handed me a mirror.
Bright red.
I immediately buried my face into a pillow.
"Asher Slade, you bully!"
He laughed softly at my reaction before straightening up.
"Get dressed before you catch a cold."
"You're the reason I'm embarrassed in the first place!"
"And yet you still look adorable."
I glared at him while he smirked triumphantly and walked out.
The moment the door shut, I buried my burning face deeper into the pillow.
"Why is he like this…" I groaned.
A few seconds later, Maddy finally emerged from the closet carrying neatly folded clothes.
"I'm sorry, Miss Alexia. Miss Clara's wardrobe is… very bright."
"That's one way to put it," I muttered.
Thankfully, she handed me something much simpler—a soft oversized sweater and fitted shorts.
Perfect.
After getting dressed, I sat for nearly thirty minutes waiting for Asher to return.
Nothing.
I frowned.
Where did he even go?
Eventually, boredom won.
I quietly left the room and wandered outside, finding myself near the forest connected to the mansion.
The second I saw the lake, my breath softened.
It was beautiful.
The water reflected the evening sky perfectly while cold air brushed against my skin.
Without thinking, I sat at the edge and dipped my bare feet into the water.
Cold.
Relaxing.
Peaceful.
For the first time in weeks…
My mind felt quiet.
Then suddenly—
Warm arms wrapped around me from behind.
My entire body tensed before instantly relaxing as his scent surrounded me.
Sandalwood.
Asher.
"Why are you out here?" his deep voice murmured near my ear. "It's cold."
"I don't like feeling trapped inside," I admitted softly. "And I'm not cold."
"Hm."
His chin rested lightly against my shoulder.
"If you say so."
For a moment neither of us spoke.
The silence between us wasn't awkward.
It was warm.
Comfortable.
Dangerously comfortable.
"Asher?" I called quietly.
"Yes?"
I turned slightly to look at him.
"Do you… like me?"
The question came out softer than I intended.
His expression changed instantly.
The teasing disappeared completely.
Now he was just…
Looking at me.
Seriously.
Intensely.
"Yes, Alexia."
My heartbeat stumbled.
"I do."
The sincerity in his voice made my chest tighten.
"From the very first moment I met you at the villa, something about you felt different," he continued quietly. "I didn't understand it then… but now I do."
He gently took my hands into his.
His thumbs slowly brushed against my skin.
"I like you, Alexia," he said again, staring directly into my eyes. "More than I should."
The way he looked at me made it hard to breathe.
"I understand if you need time," he continued softly. "I'll wait for however long you need."
My heart was beating so loudly I was sure he could hear it.
I wanted to answer him.
I really did.
But my thoughts were a complete mess.
"I-I…"
Nothing coherent came out.
His lips curved faintly.
"It's okay," he murmured. "You don't have to answer now."
Then he started pulling away.
Panic instantly rose in me.
Before I could overthink it, I grabbed him by the collar and crashed my lips against his.
He froze for half a second.
Then his hand slid firmly around my waist, pulling me flush against him as he kissed me back with overwhelming intensity.
My fingers tangled into his hair immediately.
The kiss deepened.
Hot.
Slow.
Dangerously addictive.
His grip tightened against my waist while his thumb brushed against my skin beneath the sweater, sending shivers through my body.
I melted into him completely.
His scent.
His warmth.
The way he kissed me like he'd been holding himself back for too long—
It consumed me.
A soft sound escaped my lips when he tilted his head, kissing me deeper.
Then—
Snap.
I jumped violently away from him.
My eyes widened in horror.
Felix stood several feet away, frozen like he had just witnessed the end of the world.
"I-I'm sorry, Sir!" he panicked immediately. "I didn't mean to interrupt!"
Mortified, I buried my face into Asher's chest while his shoulders shook with silent laughter.
"Bully," I mumbled.
"I didn't even say anything."
"You're laughing!"
"Maybe a little."
"I hate you."
"No, you don't."
Unfortunately…
He was right.
"I'll leave now!" Felix blurted before practically sprinting away.
The second he disappeared, Asher looked down at me smugly.
"You're shy."
"I am not."
"You hid in my chest."
"That proves nothing."
"Your face is red again."
"It's the cold!"
"Interesting," he mused. "Because your ears are red too."
I gasped dramatically.
"You're unbelievable."
"And yet you kissed me first."
My face somehow became hotter.
To escape his teasing, I quickly turned and started walking back toward the mansion.
Unfortunately—
I forgot I was barefoot.
Before I got far, Asher suddenly lifted me effortlessly into his arms.
"Hey!"
"Stop walking around barefoot."
"I like feeling nature."
He chuckled softly.
"And how was nature?"
"Relaxing."
"Good."
I wrapped my arms loosely around his neck while he carried me inside like it was the most normal thing in the world.
The maids and butlers we passed stared openly in shock.
My embarrassment immediately returned.
"Asher put me down—"
"Why?"
"Because they're staring!"
"They'll survive."
"You're impossible."
"And you're cute."
"I'm starting to regret liking you."
His grin widened.
"You admitted it."
…Damn it.
The second we got upstairs, I quickly changed the topic.
"Where's my phone?"
"In my office."
"Can I have it?"
"No."
I blinked.
"What do you mean no?"
"You're staying with me tonight."
"That has absolutely nothing to do with my phone!"
"It has everything to do with your phone."
I narrowed my eyes suspiciously.
"You're hiding something."
"Hm. Maybe."
Before I could interrogate him further, he suddenly paused near the bedroom doorway.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
Instead of answering, his gaze dropped to my shoulder.
To the mark.
His expression darkened slightly.
"What exactly is this mark?" I asked quietly.
For the first time since I woke up, the teasing completely disappeared from his face.
"It's a bond."
"A bond?"
"In my world… it means something important."
His fingers brushed lightly against it.
"It connects two people permanently."
My breath caught.
"Permanently?"
His eyes lifted to mine.
"Yes."
The intensity in his gaze made my stomach tighten.
"Why me?" I whispered.
A strange softness entered his expression.
"Because from the moment I met you…" he murmured quietly, "I knew no one else would ever compare."
My heart completely betrayed me.
Then—
Growl.
I froze.
Asher blinked.
I looked away in embarrassment.
"…I'm hungry again."
A laugh escaped him.
"There's my terrifying Queen of Hearts."
My eyes widened.
"That isn't me."
"Hm."
"It's not!"
"Sure."
I glared at him.
"You're annoying."
"And you're adorable when you lie."
I gasped.
Then suddenly my eyes landed outside the window.
A wolf.
A huge one.
I immediately lit up.
"The wolf!"
I rushed out excitedly only to stop moments later in disappointment.
"…That's not the one."
Asher walked out behind me slowly.
"What wolf are you talking about?"
"The one from before," I said immediately. "The huge one. He was beautiful."
Something unreadable flashed briefly through Asher's eyes.
"I know him."
My eyes widened hopefully.
"You do?! Where is he?"
"He doesn't come around often."
My excitement instantly dropped.
"You shouldn't have said anything then."
I turned away dramatically.
A second later, his arms wrapped around me again.
"Don't worry," he murmured softly against my hair. "I'm sure he misses you too."
I laughed softly.
"Mr. Know-It-All."
"Hm?"
"I'm starving."
"Well… all the staff already retired."
"Oh." I immediately straightened. "Then tomorrow is fin—"
Before I could finish speaking, he suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the kitchen.
"Wait—where are we going?!"
Unfortunately, the soda in my hand spilled all over his shirt.
My eyes widened.
"Oh no—I'm sorry!"
"It's fine."
"No it's not! Take it off, I'll clean it."
The moment the words left my mouth—
I regretted them.
Because Asher slowly grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head.
My eyes instantly dropped to his chest.
Defined abs.
Toned muscles.
Warm skin.
I swallowed hard.
"You know," his voice came slowly beside my ear, "it's rude to stare."
My face burned instantly.
"I wasn't staring!"
"Mhm."
I snatched the shirt from him and escaped into the washroom before he could tease me further.
When I returned—
The smell of food hit me instantly.
I blinked in surprise.
"Asher… are you cooking?"
He stood in the kitchen wearing only an apron while casually preparing food like this was normal.
And somehow—
That sight was unfairly attractive.
Messy hair.
Bare chest.
Sleeves rolled.
Focused expression.
Dangerous combination.
"What?" he asked without looking up.
"You can cook?"
"What if I can?"
"I thought rich people survived on expensive restaurants."
A small laugh escaped him.
"Sit down, Alexia."
I obeyed immediately.
Not because he told me to.
Definitely not.
Soon the entire dining table was filled with food.
Way too much food.
"Are we feeding a village?"
"If we can't finish it, we'll save the leftovers."
He pulled out my chair for me before sitting beside me.
The first bite nearly made me emotional.
"Asher this is amazing."
"Glad you like it."
He held up a spoon toward my lips.
"Open."
I obeyed before realizing what I was doing.
The creamy dessert melted instantly in my mouth.
My eyes widened.
"Oh my God."
His lips curved slightly.
"One of my special recipes."
"I want more."
He laughed softly before feeding me again.
And for some reason—
Something about this moment felt dangerously intimate.
Like we were already something more.