My demanding CEO

Chapter 17: I'm sorry.

Asher’s POV

The bass thumped through the club, rattling the floor beneath my feet. Lights flashed in dizzying colors across the crowd, but none of it mattered when my eyes found her.

Tiara.

She was on the dance floor, a drink in her hand, her black dress clinging to her curves as she moved to the rhythm. My chest tightened, heat flaring in places I’d long since walled off. Possessiveness surged inside me like a fire I couldn’t put out.

What the hell is wrong with me? I clenched my jaw, trying to shove the feeling aside.

As I watched, a drunk fool stumbled over to her, his eyes fixed on her with a lecherous glint. I felt my anger spike, my fists clenching at my sides.

The guy reached out and grabbed Tiara's arm, pulling her close. I saw her try to shake him off, but he held tight. That's when I saw red.

I crossed the floor in long strides, my hand gripping his shoulder as I yanked him back.

“Who the hell are you?” he slurred, trying to square up to me.

“Her boss,” I said, my voice sharp as steel. “And the owner of this club.”

The guy looked at me, then back at Tiara, before sneering at me. "And so?" he said, his voice dripping with arrogance.

That's when I lost it. I slammed my fist into his jaw, sending him stumbling backward.

“Don’t ever lay a hand on a woman again,” I thundered, every muscle in my body shaking with rage.

I turned to Tiara, my heart still racing with anger. "Are you okay?" I asked, my voice was low and rough.

She nodded, looking up at me with wide eyes. "Y-yes, I'm fine," she stuttered.

Relief crashed over me like a wave, followed too quickly by something more dangerous — the need to pull her close and keep her there. Instead, I forced myself to step back, to breathe.

I checked for any sign of harm, scratch or injury. Then I turned to the bouncers, who were at the scene.

“Get him out of here,” I ordered them, my voice firm.

When the bouncers dragged the guy away, I asked Tiara what she was doing here and she answered defensively as if being annoyed with me.

But I pushed the feeling aside, telling myself I was being ridiculous. Instead, I offered to drive her home, telling myself it was just a kindness. Thankfully, her best friend agreed to my offer immediately.

---

Outside, the night air cut sharp against my skin. Tiara hugged herself as she walked, Ava leaning on her shoulder, laughing at something only she found funny.

Always Tiara. Always the way she tried to hold it all together, even when she was barely standing.

I opened the car door, letting them in. Ava collapsed into the back seat, already half-asleep. Tiara slid into the passenger seat, her face turned stubbornly toward the window.

The engine purred to life.

“Where to?” I asked.

“Our place,” Ava mumbled before dozing off completely.

Tiara sighed but said nothing. I drove in silence, the city lights washing the car in gold and white. For a moment, the only sound was Ava’s quiet snoring.

I smirked. “Well, that didn’t take long.”

Tiara let out the faintest laugh, and something in my chest loosened.

“She always drinks too much when she’s avoiding something or maybe she's so happy,” she said.

“And you?”

She hesitated, then murmured, “Anytime I want to.”

"Oh," that's all I said. Was she avoiding someone, maybe me or maybe she's just happy, who knows?

“You shouldn’t have come here this late,” I said finally after a long silence.

Her head whipped toward me. “I wasn’t alone. I was with Ava.”

“But she wasn't able to stop that creep,” I muttered.

Tiara’s voice softened, surprising me. “But you did. You always show up when I least expect it.”

Her words struck deep. Because the truth was — I wanted to show up. Even when I shouldn’t.

We pulled into their driveway. Tiara and I helped Ava stumble inside before returning to the car. I was about to leave when she slid back into the passenger seat.

I blinked. “You’re coming with me?”

"What? NO" she snapped. She looked straight ahead. “Just… I needed a minute.”

So I stayed parked, the silence between us heavy, charged. Finally, I broke it.

“You have to be more careful, Tiara. Don’t let people like that get close to you.”

Her eyes snapped to mine. “Don’t tell me what to do or not, Asher.”

“I’m not—”

“You are acting like I’m some reckless girl who doesn’t know better.”

I slowed my breath. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what do you mean?”

I turned toward her, my chest tight. Her lips pressed together, her eyes glittering with defiance and something else.

“I meant…” I swallowed hard. “I'm sorry but seeing him touch you like that made something in me snap. I’ve never felt that kind of rage before.”

She froze, her breath hitching.

“I know I’ve been cold,” I continued, my voice low. “I know I can be too much and overbearing and maybe too demanding or arrogant. But I care, Tiara. More than I should.”

Her lashes fluttered. Confusion. Surprise.

She swallowed hard, her voice shaky. “Then why don't you stop acting cold?”

Silence.

Because I’m afraid.

Because if I let myself fall, I won’t be able to stop.

Because you make me feel things I promised myself I’d never feel again.

But I didn’t say any of that.

“Asher…” she whispered.

I leaned closer, not touching her, but close enough that she could feel the weight of everything I wasn’t saying.

“I'm... um...,” I breathed.

Her eyes searched mine like she was looking for something — anything — to hold onto. But after a long silence, she reached for the handle.

“Goodnight, boss.”

The door clicked shut, and she walked into her apartment.