Chapter 82

He gently guided Thalia toward the bathroom, his hand lingering at her back. “Be a good girl, darling. Go freshen up first.”

After washing, Thalia took her seat at the dining table, catching Asher’s admiring glance as she tucked her hair behind her ear. Asher had prepared a delightful Sunday breakfast: perfectly scrambled eggs with grilled tomatoes, crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, and homemade leek and potato soup—all Thalia’s favorites. Her stomach rumbled audibly; she hadn’t eaten breakfast. After washing her face, she felt fully awake, the memory of last night's intimacy warming her cheeks. She picked up her cutlery and ate enthusiastically.

Asher sat opposite, the corners of his eyes crinkling with amusement, his gaze lingering on her lips as she ate, filled with undisguised adoration. “Is it to your liking?” he asked softly, his voice still husky from sleep.

“Mmm!” Thalia nodded, taking another bite. “Nobody cooks like you, Asher. It’s perfect.”

“You should eat too,” Thalia said, her eyes curving into crescents. “Can’t have you wasting away, can we?”

“Lia,” Asher’s voice held a hint of mischief, his eyes darkening slightly.

“Yes? What is it?” she asked, fork halfway to her mouth.

Asher smiled, his heated gaze holding hers. “I’ve already been thoroughly satisfied by you last night. Now it’s my turn to nourish you.”

Thalia choked on her soup, coughing, her cheeks flushing crimson. “You…” she stammered, biting her lip, mortified yet secretly pleased. “I can’t believe you just said that!”

Asher smiled tenderly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “All right, love. I’ll behave. For now.”

At Grace’s private residence, a man in a black security uniform reported, “Miss Bennett, Vanessa has been taken by Mr. Blackwood’s men.”

Grace’s eyes flashed. “Why didn’t those useless idiots eliminate her? Bloody fools!”

“Yes, miss,” the bodyguard responded mechanically.

Grace glared. “You’re utterly useless as well! Complete imbecile!”

“Yes, miss.”

Grace, after a moment of silence, grabbed a teacup and hurled it at the man. “Get out!”

“Yes, miss.” The bodyguard left.

Grace fixed her gaze on the broken teacup and texted: [Vanessa has been found by Asher. What should we do next?]

The reply came quickly: [I’ll send someone to silence her.]

[What do you need me to do?]

[Nothing. Don’t worry, they won’t trace it back to you.]

After the meal, Thalia blushed, trying to usher Asher out, though reluctant to see him go. She pushed at his chest, feeling his warmth. “All right then, Asher, you really should go now. I’m going shopping with Victoria and Charlotte this afternoon, so I haven’t time for your distractions.”

He gave her a forlorn look, remaining firm, his hands settling on her waist. “Tired of me already, darling? After all we shared last night?” He was immovable against her half-hearted pushing.

She pouted, adopting a coquettish manner. “Don’t be silly, it’s not that at all. How could I ever tire of you? I arranged this with them yesterday. It’s a girls’ outing—it wouldn’t be proper for you to tag along, would it?”

Asher raised an eyebrow, pulling her closer. “Why not? I could carry your shopping bags.” He whispered in her ear, “You girls certainly plan to buy loads of things, don’t you? Your delicate frame could hardly manage it all.”

Thalia shivered at his breath but stamped her foot lightly. “Oh, just go, will you? I need to do my makeup, and I haven’t time for your… temptations now.”

His eyes darkened with desire. “I could help you with your makeup.”

Thalia laughed softly, smoothing his chest. “As if you’d have the faintest idea. Though I suspect your idea of ‘helping’ involves considerably less makeup and considerably more distraction.”

“Come now, I’ll see you this evening, all right?” Thalia softened her voice, looking up at him through her lashes. “I promise I’ll make it worth your while.”

“Is that a promise?” His voice deepened, making her stomach flutter.

Thalia nodded, biting her lip. “Absolutely. Have I ever let you down?”

Asher relented, stealing a lingering kiss. “Very well, then. Call me when you’ve finished shopping, and I’ll come collect you.”

“I will,” she murmured, her lips tingling.

Inside Charlotte’s private residence, waves of laughter filled the room. Half an hour earlier, the three friends had somehow started discussing the night Thalia had gotten drunk and behaved scandalously, and the conversation had spiraled from there.

“Oh my God, Thalia!” Victoria was practically hooting with laughter. “Don’t be embarrassed, we’re all friends here. Tell me, does Asher really have performance issues?”

Victoria was clutching her stomach, laughing so hard tears streamed down her face. “Charlotte, you should have heard it! Sebastian told me that Thalia got absolutely plastered and announced to everyone at the bar that Asher had bedroom problems. I nearly died laughing, Thalia, you absolute legend!”

Victoria took out her phone. “Sebastian even sent me a video. Look at this.” She opened the video. “Last night, Asher went to the bar to collect Thalia, and she was all over him, wouldn’t let go. She even demanded kisses in public!”

Victoria wore a teasing expression. “Who would have thought our proper barrister friend was such a minx when drunk? We’ve been friends for years, and I’ve never seen this delightful side of you.”

In the video, Thalia looked thoroughly intoxicated, clinging to Asher, her voice slurred. Her current self wanted to crawl under a rock. “Darling, I want a kiss… Kiss me, won’t you…”

Thalia was mortified. “Aaaaahhh!!!” she wailed. “This is absolutely humiliating! Delete that video immediately!!!”

She lunged for the phone, but Victoria dodged her. “Not a chance! Why would I delete such a treasure? It’s utterly adorable, isn’t it, Charlotte?”

Charlotte, demure and well-mannered, smiled. “Indeed it is, Thalia. I don’t consider it embarrassing at all. It’s rather sweet, actually. I’ve never seen you being so… affectionate before.”

“You’re both absolutely horrid.” Thalia stamped her foot. “Delete it immediately!”

Victoria held her phone away, dancing out of Thalia’s reach. “My word, just look at Asher’s face! He’s absolutely besotted, isn’t he? The desire in his eyes is unmistakable, good lord!”

“Who would have thought a man as typically stoic as Asher could be so thoroughly undone by a few words from you. Thalia, you’re quite the temptress!” Victoria grinned wickedly. “So tell me, does Asher really have… performance problems?”

Thalia’s blush deepened. “Don’t be ridiculous! Absolutely not!”

“Oh-” Victoria drew out the syllable, smiling knowingly. “So he’s rather skilled, then? Thalia, darling, be honest with your dearest friends—have you two actually… you know?”

Charlotte leaned forward. “Thalia, have you…?”

Thalia’s face grew even redder. “Victoria, you’re absolutely impossible! Why must you pry into such things?”

Victoria and Charlotte exchanged a knowing smile. Victoria moved closer to Thalia. “So you really did it? Oh, you simply must tell us about it. How was your first experience? All the delicious details, please!”

Charlotte’s expression revealed equal curiosity.

Thalia was near tears. “There’s nothing to tell, honestly…”

“Is that an admission? Bloody hell!” Victoria dramatically slapped her thigh. “That was remarkably fast progress!”

Charlotte smiled amiably. “It’s not really that surprising, is it? They’ve known each other forever, and Thalia’s been back for quite some time now.”

Before Thalia could respond, Victoria asked: “Was it that night when you were pissed? A passionate case of spirits leading to other… spirits?” She slapped her cheek. “Listen to me, how dreadfully crude! It wasn’t just drunken tomfoolery—it was more like ‘liquid courage’ or ‘wine revealing what the heart truly desires’!”

Thalia replied softly: “No… it happened during our trip to Annecy a few days ago…”

“Wow!” Victoria’s eyes sparkled. “So you were completely sober when it happened? Fully conscious decision, was it?”

Thalia hesitated before nodding, unable to meet their eager gazes.

“Well done, darling!” Victoria smiled wickedly. “Tell us everything. What was it like? Was he gentle? Passionate? Both?”

Thalia hemmed and hawed, mortified yet secretly pleased.

Just then, her phone rang. She sighed with relief. “I need to take this call.”