When intoxicated, Kimberly’s voice became soft and sweet, her words ending with a slight upward lilt that was incredibly endearing. Asher’s body instantly stiffened. A fire ignited within him in an instant.
From the floor below the stage, Lucy’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she filmed enthusiastically on her phone. She nudged a female colleague beside her, “OMG! OTP confirmed! We’re actually witnessing a real-life ship sailing!” Her daily scrolling through social media had given her quite the internet vocabulary.
Her colleague nodded vigorously. “They’re absolutely gorgeous together! I’m literally dying! This is giving me all the feels!”
Sitting behind them, Alexander slapped his own forehead in mock exasperation. “What am I doing here? Front-row seats to this rom-com. I must be a glutton for punishment.”
It took Asher a full ten seconds to recover from Kimberly’s terms of endearment before realizing he needed to get her off the stage. He swept her up in his arms and carried her toward the steps.
Kimberly instinctively wrapped her arms around Asher’s neck, nestling against him while gazing up at his face without blinking. How could anyone be so handsome? Like he’d stepped straight out of a fashion editorial.
Kimberly stared at him dreamily, spouting more nonsense: “Spend the night with me… I’m quite wealthy, you know. Whatever your fee is, I’ll double it, mmm?” She said this just as Asher reached Alexander’s side.
Alexander erupted into raucous laughter. “Bloody hell! Are you mistaking him for one of The Dreamboys? Planning to stuff some notes in his trousers, are you?”
Asher’s face darkened, his gaze cutting over like a blade. Alexander immediately mimicked zipping his lips shut, indicating he wouldn’t say another word.
Before Asher could speak, Kimberly continued to stare directly at him from his arms, smiling adorably as she delivered another shocking statement: “Darling, just name your price.”
At this, even the typically stoic WilKimmym couldn’t help laughing out loud. Alexander covered his mouth with his hand, his shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter. He secretly moved behind Asher, taking out his phone to record the scene. This was too precious to miss—perfect blackmail material for later!
Asher’s expression darkened as he looked down at the girl in his arms, his voice emerging through clenched teeth: “Kimberly Jordan, who taught you this?”
Kimberly’s eyelashes fluttered, seemingly intimidated by his stern tone. She looked utterly dejected as she pouted. “If you don’t want to, just say so. Why are you being cross with me?”
Her body was incredibly soft in his arms, almost boneless, and her voice was sweet as honey. Asher was completely defenseless against this. His stern expression, which had lasted barely two seconds, instantly softened.
“Darling, I want a kiss,” Kimberly slurred, tightening her arms around Asher’s neck and lifting herself slightly to bring her lips closer to his.
Alexander, WilKimmym, and Lucy all widened their eyes at this development, afraid to miss a moment of the spectacle. Requesting a kiss in front of everyone was something the sober Kimberly would never do. Even Asher was shocked.
Chapter 82
This intoxicated, forward version of Kimberly was endearingly unfamiKimmyr!
“Just a little kiss…” Kimberly’s flushed face moved closer, pressing against Asher’s cheek. Her hot breath against his skin made his blood rush, his heart pound, and his body tense with a desire he fought desperately to control.
He pressed his lips tightly together, struggling to maintain his composure as he averted his gaze from her alcohol-flushed face. “Kimmy, stop it.”
Kimberly rubbed her cheek gently against his, suddenly breaking into giggles. Her voice was clear and bright: “Asher, you’re my Asher. Only you say my name with such tenderness.”
Asher’s heart melted completely. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, his voice hoarse as he surrendered. “Alright, just one kiss.”
The next moment, a warm, soft touch landed lightly on Asher’s cheek. A red lipstick mark appeared on the man’s fair, handsome face, adding a touch of disheveled beauty to his appearance.
Asher suddenly froze, his pupils dilating, his heartbeat accelerating dramatically as if it might burst from his chest. The spot where she had kissed him burned with an electric sensation that spread throughout his entire body, settling uncomfortably in his lower abdomen.
Being so close, the scent of alcohol mixed with her sweet perfume filled his nostrils, clouding his typically sharp mind. Asher found himself struggling to maintain control. He breathed heavily, desire surging in his eyes, his voice turning raspy. “Kimmy…”
Kimberly was too intoxicated to realize how provocative her behavior was. Asher, a perfectly healthy young man, could hardly withstand such temptation without his self-control being severely tested.
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Chapter 82
Taking advantage of her drunken state, Kimberly continued her mischief without restraint. One kiss wasn’t enough—she tugged at Asher’s shirt collar and planted another kiss on his chin, dangerously close to his lips.
“Asher…” Kimberly’s voice lilted upward, carrying a flirtatious tone that shot straight through him. Her kisses fell like raindrops, delicate and numerous, each one making it harder for him to remember why he was resisting.
Asher held his breath, his entire body taut with tension, caught between desire and restraint. Alexander declared he couldn’t bear to watch, covering his eyes with his hand, then spreading his fingers to peek through the gaps.
WilKimmym glanced at him with an amused expression. “If you want to look, just look properly. I’ve never seen Asher like this before—it’s quite the revelation.”
Alexander’s voice was filled with disbelief. “Is this really the Asher we know? Honestly, for years we’ve watched women practically throwing themselves at him without getting so much as a second glance. I thought he was completely immune. Today I’ve finally seen it—one tease from Kimberly, and the great Asher Blackwood is utterly undone.”
Asher was completely disoriented by Kimberly’s kisses, his usual composure crumbling with each touch of her lips. His voice was husky as he coaxed her gently, though his body betrayed his words: “Kimmy, be good now. That’s enough.”
Despite his words, his feet didn’t stop. Asher strode quickly away from the bar with his long legs, his arms tightening around her possessively. He needed to get Kimberly home before his restraint shattered completely.
I’ll adapt this continuation while maintaining the romantic tension and British English expressions.
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan sped along the road.
Chapter 82
Throughout the journey, Kimberly hummed and murmured incoherently, alternating between calling Asher’s name and playfully demanding kisses and cuddles. Asher’s composure was in tatters.
His deep, husky voice filled the car interior: “Darling, please stop. You’re driving me to the brink of madness.”
The lighting inside the car was dim, with neon lights from the street flashing rapidly through the windows, creating shifting patterns of light and shadow. Asher focused on driving while Kimberly curled up in the passenger seat, her head tilted to one side. Several strands of tousled hair fell across her fair, beautiful face, partially concealing the intoxicated haziness in her eyes.
Upon reaching their destination, Asher parked the car, stepped out, and opened the passenger door. He unfastened her seatbelt and lifted her into his arms.
Perhaps exhausted from her earlier antics, Kimberly now rested quietly against his chest, her breathing deep and steady, as if she had fallen asleep. Asher’s tall, slender frame stood nearly six-foot-three, while Kimberly’s slight figure seemed small and delicate in his arms, nestled against him like a bird seeking shelter.
Noticing that the young woman had fallen asleep, Asher slowed his pace, moving with extreme caution to avoid waking her with any sudden movements.
At the apartment entrance, Asher used Kimberly’s fingerprint to unlock the door, then switched on the living room lights. The spacious living room was bright and immaculately kept.
Asher carried her into the bedroom, carefully placing her on the bed with the gentlest of movements.
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