THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER

CHAPER 16

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Beverly's POV:

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I woke up around 2 am. I felt pains in my waist and I was disorientated for a few seconds. I didn't know where I was and realized I was laying my head on someone. I got up and I noticed it was Asher. Suddenly, the entire memory from last night flooded my head and I felt my cheeks instantly heat up. I could not believe I had gone all the way with Asher last night. I did not regret it, no. I was actually happy. I knew I loved Asher a lot and if I was to give up my virginity to anyone, it would be to him. Suddenly, I remembered I was still at Asher's cottage and it was almost morning. James, Mike and Ashley would be at my house in a few hours. I had to get home. I jerked up instantly, in the process waking Asher up. He opened his beautiful green eyes and I felt my heart speed up again.

"Hey", he said with his heart-stopping smile.

"H-HI", I responded blushing when memories of what we did came to my mind.

He smirked like he knew what I was thinking about, "What's wrong?"

"I have to go home", I responded.

He got up too with a frown, "Why? What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just have to get home before James and Mike arrive", I responded already leaving the bed.

A look of jealousy flashed in his eyes as he sat up straighter, "Why?"

"Why what?", I asked with a look of confusion on my face as I put on my clothes while blushing furiously.

"Why would they be coming so early?", he asked with a displeased look on his face.

"They always do. I guess to help me pack and carry my things for my stall. Why are you acting so strangely?", I responded.

"Nothing, I apologize. Can I at least walk you back to the green river? I want to keep looking at you a little longer before you leave", he said with a smirk and the little tension between us dispensed.

"Of course", I affirmed with a blush.

Asher fully got up from the bed and also began to get dressed. I kept staring at him, his gorgeous body, the thick and bulging muscles. Then I saw them—the reminder of what happened between us. Red hickeys were scattered all over his body, especially on his neck and chest. I could also see my nail marks on his back where I must have scratched him. My entire face reddened at the memories of how the marks got there.

"Admiring your artwork?", Asher teased as he caught me staring.

"Shut up", I responded childishly as I turned my back to him to give him his privacy.

As if you haven't seen everything already, my subconscious teased.

I heard him laugh at my comment, then I felt his arms wrap around my waist. It feels right, it feels like where I'm meant to be.

"Come on, let's go", he said as he led me out. We walked down the hallway and he stopped in front of one of the rooms, I think Aiden's. He knocked and Aiden opened up the door.

"Hey", he greeted, he sounded sleepy, we must have woken him up. I'm not surprised. It's around 2:30 AM.

"Sorry to wake you up. I am going to walk Beverly to the green river. She has to go home", Asher said to Aiden.

"Oh okay. Bye Beverly. Be careful Asher", he said with a look at Asher that seemed to mean something but I was too sleepy to really notice.

"Bye", "Of course", Asher and I responded at the same time.

We walked out of the cottage. The purple moon was still high and bright in the sky. The weather was a little chilly. I was slightly limping due to the pains in my waist, hips and thighs.

"Are you okay?', Asher asked while smirking with laughter in his voice.

I glared at him and he just laughed out really loud. His laugh made my heart skip a beat and I found myself smiling. We walked in a comfortable silence till we got to the green river. Asher turned me around to face him. He held my face in his hands and stared into my eyes for a few seconds before he bent down and kissed me. This was a different kiss than the one we shared last night which was filled with s****l promises and frustrations. But this was slow and loving. It was filled with a lot of love and vulnerability. I could also feel a sense of fear coming from him. I wondered what it was about. Just as I was about to break the kiss and ask him what was bothering him, he broke the kiss and looked at me.

"Do you think you'll still be sore tonight?', he suddenly asked. My cheeks were instantly on fire.

"You p*****t!", I exclaimed as I tried to push him away, while also trying to hide my blush.

He laughed, "Will I see you tonight?".

I nodded. The idea of seeing him again sets my heart on fire. I could hear my heart beating loudly. I felt my entire body shiver.

"I'll pick you up from here tonight, same time", he said.

I frowned, "you do not have to pick me up. I can find my way to your cottage".

"No", he said suddenly and my frown deepened.

"Why?", I asked.

"It's just, I want to make sure you are safe. You know how dangerous it gets at night. With the night creature out and roaming, my heart won't be able to take it knowing you will be out there alone. And what if something happens to you? I would never be able to forgive myself or live with myself at that", he said with a look of fear in his eyes like something else was bothering him besides the thought of me out here alone. I decided to ask him later so that I don't add to his stress right now.

I held his hands and smiled at him, "I'll be fine, Asher. I can take care of myself. But if it will make you feel better, I will wait here for you by 10 PM. You can come and pick me up.

His face lit up with a heart-stopping smile and I felt my heart skip a beat, "Thank you, Beverly".

I smiled and gave him a hug. I was about to leave when he held my wrist and I turned to see him smiling at me, "I love you".

My heart skipped a beat this time. I felt time stop and everywhere go quiet. My heart quickened. I knew he loved me, but hearing him say it is totally different. It does things to me. It makes my heart speed up. It makes my body shiver. It sets my cheeks on fire.

"I love you too", I blushed.

"Do not overwork yourself. I have other plans for tonight in mind that will tire you out", he said with a smirk and I saw the lust in his eyes. It was so much, that I felt my legs weaken. His eyes held promises. Promises he intended to fulfil and I'll be damned if I do not let him. I wanted to beg him to take me back to his cottage but I stopped myself at the last moment. What is wrong with me? All these emotions are much too new to me.

"Asher!", I exclaimed blushing as I looked around to see if anyone heard him, which is stupid since it is still so early in the morning, no one would be here by this time.

"What? I can feel your body tense up in my hands as you shiver. I know you want it too", he said so shamelessly as he smirked at me. He seems to really enjoy smirking at me even though he fully knows what that does to me.

"That does not mean you have to say it so loudly", I said in a whisper but he heard me because he laughed as he pulled me into a hug.

"I love your blush. I love the feeling of knowing I'm the only man that makes you blush. I'm the only man that makes your body shiver in anticipation and joy. It makes me really happy, Beverly", he said with a smile that proves his point. He is indeed happy with that.

"I am also happy I am the only woman you want to make happy and smile. The only woman you truly love", I said truthfully.

"You are the only one, Bev. It is only you and always going to be you", he said.

"I love you, Asher", I said with eyes filled with love.

"I love you too, Beverly".