Chapter 76
Asher’s POV
Ivy leaned closer to me on her tiptoes as she tried to fix my black bow tie. She was so close I couldn’t help but inhale her scent. She smelled of the loveliest flowers, her scent was intoxicating. I brought my nose to the crook of her neck and inhaled deeply.
She inched away, giggling uncontrollably. “That tickles…”
“You really can’t come?” I asked for the umpteenth time, giving her the puppy dog eyes.
She smoothed my dress and pulled back. “I told you I can’t. I have a shoot in the city in a few hours,” she glanced at her wristwatch, “2, 3 hours. It’s a simple shoot, and also Janine and I have a coffee date for later in the evening. So yes, I have quite the commitment.”
He exhaled and shook his head. “You know Janine is hanging out with you as an excuse to get out of a family event?”
She flashed me a wide grin. “Is she now? I’m flattered she’s picking me over family?”
“Hey,” I knew she was joking, but I still needed her to know it. “You know I’d ditch them in a heartbeat if you say the word?” I asked and slipped my hand around her waist, pulling her close. “You only just have to ask. I don’t even want to be there. A night out with the Sterlings is torture. I could call in sick-
She cupped my cheeks, “Hey, you have to go. I know it’s important for you and your family,” she brushed off invisible specks off my dress, “You’re a Sterling, Asher, you’ll be fine. None of them in that room are a Sterling more than you are. So you’re going to hold your head high and walk into that room like you own the place, like you belong there because you do.”
I broke into a smile. “When you get like this, you make me fucking hard,” I whispered in her ear.
She playfully swatted away at my arm. “Stop!” she was fighting hard to hide her blush. “You’re already running late for your event.”
I gripped her ass and pulled her close. “You say one thing, and yet your whole body responds differently.”
She let out a small yelp when she was pressed against me. I leaned closer and kissed her softly on the lips, my hands wrapped tight around her as I deepened the kiss. She melted into my arms instantly.
Her lips moving with mine. Soon everything else was forgotten, the event I was already late for, the fact that I was dressed in my crisp tuxedo and didn’t need it to wrinkle. I rubbed her ass cheeks and squeezed hard, and then I lifted her up so she could straddle me. I was walking up to the bed when she pulled away and jumped down.
“Asher, we can’t-” her face was flustered, “Your tux…”
“Hey, flower, none of that matters.” I tried to calm her down, but she wouldn’t stop fussing.
“You have wrinkles on your dress…”
“And a hard dick,” I cut in.
She lowered her gaze to look at the bulge in my pants, I grinned when she lingered.
My hands wandered down to her ass, “I don’t think you’re helping any bit, flower. I think you made it worse. Now I have a hard–on, and I’m going to spend all night at that event thinking about how hot it got between us…”
She bit down on her lower lip and glanced at me from underneath long lashes, “I could help with that…”
I was gawking at her, and then I pulled her close so she was pressed up against me, “Don’t tease me, Ivy. Don’t…” my voice was husky, “I’m going to hurl your ass on this bed, and fucking is all we are gonna do all night.”
She stared at me, there was that innocent look in her eyes and also the flushed cheeks. I knew she was shy, but the mischievous glint her eyes told me she was going to go ahead with whatever she had in mind. She was slowly breaking out of her shell with me, and I loved it. Nothing prepared me for
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when she got on her knees.
I swallowed, “Ivy…” my voice was strained.
She batted her eyes at me, and in that moment, it took everything in me not to nut in my pants.
I shut my eyes and swallowed, “If you keep looking at me like this, Ivy, I’m afraid I’m going to cum before you get to it.” God! She was so freaking hot kneeling in front of me, her dainty fingers undoing my buckle and the zipper of my pants.
“You can’t stain your pants, Asher…” Her voice was barely above a whisper.
I licked my lips, a small smirk on my lips. I loved the innocent and shy Ivy, but I loved the naughty one more. I gripped her chin, so she was looking up at me, “Then you’re going to have to take all of me in that pretty little mouth of yours, flower, aren’t you?” my voice was a deep baritone.
She nodded and swallowed, and as she did, my eyes wandered to her slender throat. I wrapped my fingers around it lightly, she purred when I did. My cock throbbed in my pants at her reaction. She noticed because she pulled out my erect cock from my briefs.
I caught the look of desire in her eyes with my cock dangling in front of her face. She lowered her lips and took me in her mouth.
let out a low groan at the back of my throat. I needed something to steady myself. Ivy was doing my head in, I didn’t understand my body’s easy response to her. Her lips pushed and pulled up and down my hard cock. I sucked in a deep breath, “Fuck, flower…” I brushed her hair away from her face, so I could stare at her beautiful face as she took me in her mouth.
She began teasing me, all the while, her eyes never left mine. She slid her tongue up and down my length, traced her tongue around the tip of my cock.
“Mmm…” I murmured in pleasure, “Fuck, this feels good,” I said, caressing her head, “Your mouth feels good wrapped around my cock, flower.”
She stopped momentarily to flash me the most beautiful smile I had ever seen, and then she took me in her mouth, her hands worked from under while she bobbed her head up and down on my cock.
I slipped a hand into her hair and lightly tugged at it. I moved my hips to meet her mouth halfway, I growled out a few low satisfied groans. It wasn’t long before I shuddered, I made to pull away, but she stayed put.
“Flower…,” I held her head in place, and I shot my cum into the back of her throat.
Just like she said, she didn’t let me stain my pants. She sucked me clean before pulling away.
“That was so fucking hot,” I said in a raspy voice, “You know what’s going to make it hotter?”
She shook her head, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
“You do this again when I come home with no clothes on,” I said in a whisper. Something about the image of her naked, on her knees with my cock in her mouth made me hard again.
↓ straightened the collar of my tuxedo as I strode in. The paparazzi went wild as soon as they noticed me walk in. I stopped so they could get a few pictures, I even posed for the cameras, waved at a few of them, and grinned widely. Now usually, I wouldn’t, I had enough media attention to last me a lifetime, but I was in a great mood tonight all because of her. Ivy. I exhaled, oh, that mouth could do something…
“What are you wearing, Mr. Sterling?” one of the people on the red carpet yelled, pulling me away from my musing, which was a good thing. The last thing I needed was a picture of my bulging pants circulating the Internet.
I waved politely and strode through the small crowd that had formed around the entrance. My bodyguards cleared a path for me.
“Is your wife, Ivy, here with you?” Another one yelled.
“Asher Sterling, what’s tonight going to be like for you and your new company?”
“I guess we’ll find out,” I muttered under my breath as I walked in. The hall was decorated like all the other numerous halls we had held events in the past. I grabbed a champagne flute from a waiter passing by. When I looked ahead, I saw Marcus waving at me. He was standing with my father and
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another man who looked familiar.
I exhaled and took a large sip as I walked up to them, I tipped my head, “Father.” I extended a hand to the other man.
“Asher Sterling.”
I grinded my feet already feeling terrible that I didn’t recognize him when he shook my hand, “Savio Miniati,” he introduced himself.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Miniati,” I said with a polite smile. My father gripped my shoulders, “Mr. Miniati is our new investor. He’s hoping to come aboard the new Sterling project.”
I nodded in understanding. Marcus punched my arm, a little harder than was necessary, “It’s so unlikely to see my brother arrive on time for anything this is a first,” he said aloud with a chortle, like he has just delivered the most funny joke ever.
I bit the inner corner of my mouth and mustered up a smile, “Some of us hate all the boring speeches at the beginning of the event.”
Mr. Miniati chuckled.
I didn’t miss the annoyed look on Marcus’s face.
“Oh, I also hate the boring and unnecessary speeches at every event, Asher,” Mr. Miniati turned to my father, “No offense, Mr. Sterling, for what it’s worth, I think you deliver great speeches.”
My dad merely shrugged. He glanced between the two of us and then back at the man, “Mr. Miniati, there are a few people I want you to meet….”
AD
Asher’s POV
I tried to walk away, but Marcus stopped me. “How’s Ivy?” he asked.
I had a smartass reply at the tip of my tongue, but I decided against it. “What is it, Marcus?” I didn’t want to deal with him any longer than i had to.
He shrugged. “A lot of people would love to see her. I, for one, would love to see her. If she doesn’t show up for important family events like this, then it has me thinking, is something up?”
I couldn’t help but grin. “Marcus, Ivy and I are fantastic. If you would like to know, there’s nothing…”
He turned around. “Meet my plus one, Asher. Isn’t she a beauty?”
I looked up and stared in the direction he was pointing at. It was Taylor. She was wearing a shimmery black halter neck dress, her hair tied back in a slick bun, with a wide smile on her face as she sashayed towards us.
What the heck? I cursed under my breath. How? How was she with Marcus? Where did they even meet? Wasn’t she just with Luca the other time? My eyes widened. Could she have told him?
Taylor got closer, and she and Marcus hugged and exchanged a chaste kiss.
My head was spinning. What was her game? What did she get out of hanging out with people close to me? Was she opening up to them about what she had on me, or was it a fear tactic? To keep me on edge, so I could always be terrified, like this.
I fixed my bow tie, suddenly feeling sweaty.
“She’s hot, isn’t she, Asher?” Marcus asked.
I murmured my reply.
“Asher, meet Taylor. Taylor’s a model, just like Ivy. She’s my plus one for tonight.” He took her hand and brought it to his lips.
Meanwhile, Taylor’s eyes were boring into me, a mischievous smile on her lips.
“We met only a few days ago at a club. You won’t believe it,” he dryly chuckled. “Unlike my brother, I’d spend Friday nights working rather than dancing at a club. We met, and I believe it’s the start of something wonderful…”
I merely nodded. I was undecided. Should I act like I didn’t know her or like I did? She still had that smug smile on her face, and I was sick of it already. She didn’t say anything, so I assumed she was pretending not to know me.
“Taylor, meet my little brother, Asher. He’s obnoxious, but he’s a Sterling-”
“Oh, 1 know him alright. We’ve already met,” she said and broke into a wide smile.
I swallowed.
Marcus looked stunned. I could almost guess what was going through his mind right now. His new “interest” could just be another girl I had something with in the past. This had already happened too often. I could see him slowly lose his control. I didn’t have anything to do with Taylor. She wasn’t one of the women I had an interest in then, not even now. I wanted to debunk it. I wanted to tell him it wasn’t what he was thinking, but I knew it would be a bold–faced lie. There were pictures and videos that said otherwise, pictures only she had…
Marcus’s jaw clenched hard. “You know my brother, how?”
Taylor’s eyes widened in realization. “God, no! Not how you’re thinking.”
I knew better than to be fooled by her acting.
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Chapter 77
I met Asher the first time he accompanied Ivy to the studio. Ivy and I ate such good friends, you know…
Liar
“Asher here is such a devoted husband. My friend is lucky, isn’t she, Asher?” she asked, looking straight at me with that wicked glint in her eyes.
I didn’t respond.
Marcus let out an audible sigh of relief. “My brother has been such a tool all his life. I immediately started to think he got his hands on you somehow…
She stared lovingly into his eyes and placed her hand on his chest. “Hey, Marcus, that hasn’t happened…”
Fool. My brother Marcus was a fool because he was actually staring at this lying woman with puppy dog eyes, like she was the best thing to ever happen to him. She was lying, and it sucked that he couldn’t tell.
“Asher and I are only friends. Nothing of that sort could ever happen between us,” she turned to me and asked in a loud voice, “Isn’t that right, Asher?”
I didn’t want to answer, but Marcus had turned his attention to me, his brows perked up.
“Right,” I said after a while.
“Good!” She turned back to him. “See…”
I knew one thing for sure now. She hadn’t told Marcus yet. I still didn’t know why she was here or why she was with him in the first place. I grabbed another champagne flute and downed the contents.
“What do you want, Taylor?” I whispered under my breath so they couldn’t hear me.
They made small talk and shared kisses. That was my cue to walk away. I thought about just going home so I wouldn’t have to deal with this anymore. I missed Ivy. I could bury myself in the warmth of her embrace.
The champagne flute in my hand trembled ever so slightly, but I held it together. One guest, a nod. Another, a polite smile and a murmured, “Good evening.” The motions were automatic, rehearsed a thousand times over. I had done this dance one too many times. All I had to do was avoid Taylor and Marcus. If I could do that, I might just survive the night. I let out a huge sigh.
I smiled politely at a few people and made conversation with a couple of them. Any moment, the event would begin, and I could be done with it and get as far away from this madness as I could.
As if on cue, the soft ding of a spoon against glass signaled the beginning of my father’s speech. “Distinguished guests…”
I shifted my weight, trying to appear casual. Sterling Industries. Another project. Another spotlight, Another reminder of the legacy that I had to keep up, a legacy I had to replicate with Sterling Winery.
And then, just as the tension in my shoulders began to ease, I heard them.
“Asher.”
Marcus’s voice was a smooth drawl. I didn’t even have to turn around to know who was with him.
“Taylor thought we should keep you company,” Marcus added, his smirk practically audible. “Since your wife isn’t here.”
Taylor’s voice was light, almost teasing. “Where is she, by the way?”
“She has other engagements,” I answered curtly, hoping the finality in my tone would end the line of questioning.
She hummed. My eyes lingered on her longer than they should have. She looked perfectly at ease, like she always did, but I knew better. Taylor never did anything without a purpose. What was running through her mind? What was she planning this time?
“Asher?” Marcus’s voice broke through my thoughts, his tone amused, taunting. “Why are you staring at my partner? Is she pretty? Do you like her?”
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Chapter 77
The champagne bumed as it went down the wrong way, and I nearly choked, Marcus laughed, clearly enjoying my discomfort, while Taylor Dara her gaze flicking to mine.
I grabbed another drink and downed the contents in one gulp.
“Woah! Woah! Woah! You may need to slow down, buddy,” Marcus said to me, his grin as condescending as ever. “You don’t want to make a lot of yourself in front of Father’s esteemed guests.”
His words were meant to sting, but my mind drifted to Ivy instead. I could still hear her voice from earlier, steady and reassuring as she fixed my tie
“You’re a Sterling, Asher. You’ll be fine. None of them in that room are a Sterling more than you are. So you’re going to hold your head high and walk into that room like you own the place, like you belong there, because you do.”
I clutched at that memory like a lifeline, repeating her words in my mind as I navigated the remainder of the night.
The speech ended, but I couldn’t escape. Not yet. I stepped outside for air, the phone already in my hand. Ivy. I needed to hear her voice. But before! could make the call, my father’s hand landed on my shoulder.
“Come on, Asher,” he said, his tone brisk and expectant. “There’s someone I have to introduce
And just like that, I was sucked back into the place I was desperately trying to run from.
you to.”
Chapter 78
Asher’s POV
I sat absentmindedly at the table, the faint sounds of silverware clicking and the low hum of conversation filling the grand dining room. I forced a polite smile, nodding at something one of the guests said, though I wasn’t paying attention.
I wasn’t even sure if I was expected to respond. Thankfully, the man who had spoken to me turned back to his plate.
Across the table, Taylor was smiling, her expression tinged with amusement. She was clearly enjoying this – watching me struggle to focus on anything
Then I felt it- a nudge against my foot. Subtle at first, then firmer.
I stiffened, glancing up. Taylor was looking directly at me, her expression as innocent as ever. When no one else was watching, she winked, her lips curling into a smug grin.
I pulled my foot back, forcing myself to focus as Marcus, seated next to me,
leaned in.
“Asher,” Marcus said, his tone light but probing, “what’s the progress on Sterling Winery? Any new wines in the works?”
I blinked, realizing I hadn’t caught the start of his question. “Uh, sorry, what?”
“The winery,” Marcus repeated, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Any new projects? New blends? Surely you have something interesting? Remember, everyone is going to be waiting to see what you make out of Sterling Winery–everyone,” he emphasized pointedly.
Taylor’s foot brushed mine again, more deliberately this time, and my jaw clenched.
“We’re finalizing a new vintage,” I replied, clearing my throat. “Should be ready by the end of the year. Something unique.”
“Unique,” Marcus echoed, his tone dripping with skepticism. “That’s vague. Are you sure it’ll live up to the Sterling name?”
Taylor stifled a laugh, and I shot her a glare. Her smirk widened as she mouthed, Pay attention.
“It’ll meet the standard,” I snapped, turning back to Marcus. “You’ll see.”
Marcus held my gaze for a moment, then shrugged. “I’ll have to wait,and see, then.”
The rest of dinner passed in a blur of conversations I barely registered. Taylor’s antics didn’t stop; her foot found mine every so often, her expression a picture of innocent amusement every time I looked her way. By dessert, I was practically counting the seconds until I could leave.
I found her later in a quiet corner of the ballroom, holding a glass of champagne. Her posture was relaxed, but her eyes lit up when she saw me approach. Glancing around to ensure my brother, and worse, the nosy media, weren’t nearby, I walked up to her.
“What do you want?” I demanded, keeping my voice low. “First Luca, and now you show up here at a family event with my brother. I get it, you can reach anyone you want. So, tell me clearly. What do you want?”
She tilted her head, as though considering her answer. Then, with a completely straight face, she said, “I want you
to marry
me.”
My laugh was sharp and humorless. “You can’t be serious.”
Taylor smiled. “Maybe I need a glass of wine. That might help.”
My head was spinning, but I refused to let her see me falter. “What the hell are you talking about?”
She swirled her champagne, her tone light but laced with malice. “Maybe I want to tell Ivy what happened between us. Show her the pictures, the videos; they’re so hot. I touch myself to them every day,” she giggled, “watching as her perfect world crumbles.”
Panic gripped me. My heart pounded. “Don’t tell her,” I blurted out.
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Her jaw dropped in mock surprise. “You haven’t told her yet? Wow, Asher. So much for being a loyal husband, I mean, I’ve alreatly brogue? Lancia a your brother. And you kept her in the dark about all the naughty things you’ve been doing?”
1 glared at her, the walls closing in. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
She grinned unapologetically. “Immensely.”
“This is torture,” I muttered, raking a hand through my hair. “You want something, Taylor. Everyone wants something. If you tell me what it is, I’ll give it to you. Delete those pictures, and we’ll never have to speak again.”
Taylor leaned in slightly, her voice a low purr. “Tell Ivy, don’t tell Ivy–it doesn’t matter to me. I’m flexible.”
“Then just tell her,” I snapped, frustration boiling over. “Go on, tell her! If you won’t be reasonable and tell me what you want, then do it!”
Her expression turned mock–hurt. “Is that what you want, Asher? For me to ruin your marriage?”
When she turned to leave, panic hit me again. “Taylor, wait.”
She stopped but didn’t turn around.
I exhaled sharply, slamming a hand against my forehead. “What do you want? Really. Please,” I begged.
She faced me again, a slow smile spreading across her face as she pulled out her phone. A few taps later, she held it up for me to see.
Her wishlist.
The items were absurd – luxury handbags, jewelry, designer clothes, even a private spa retreat.
I stared at it, my jaw tightening. “Are you
serious?”
“As a heart attack,” she replied breezily.
I didn’t hesitate. I transferred the money – over a hundred grand, in an instant.
Taylor’s phone buzzed with the notification, and her smile widened. “You’re such a sweetheart, Asher. No wonder Ivy likes you. She’s holding on so tightly to you, she doesn’t want to share, huh?”
“Is that all?” I asked, my patience wearing thin.
She leaned in, her tone deliberately sweet. “I think I’ll have that glass of wine now.”
I clenched my fists, barely containing my anger. “Get your own glass of wine, Taylor.”
She pouted, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Maybe I should just call Ivy, then…”
Before she could finish, I signaled for a waiter. He arrived quickly, and I fumed silently as he handed her a glass of red wine.
Taylor took it with a satisfied smile. “Thank you, Asher. You’re so helpful.”
I stared at her, my chest tight with frustration and something else I couldn’t name. She sipped her wine, exuding pure satisfaction, while I stood there wondering how much longer I could take this. If only I could come clean to Ivy myself.
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Chapter 791
