Fated

Chapter 11

Alashia stood in the bathroom in her swimsuit, trying to muck up the courage to go swimming with Minerva and Asher. Her eyes roamed her body, seeing her thick thighs and other curves, wondering what Asher possibly saw in her compared to Minerva.

Sighing, she grabbed the towel and peeked at Chase. He was contently watching the TV, the kids all grouped in one bed, completely asleep. The biggest benefit to this trip thus far was how tired the kids were at the end of the day. An hour in the pool with Chase and they didn’t fight bedtime.

“Have fun!” Chase whisper-shouted.

She gave him a small smile and grabbed her key card to get back into the room later.

Walking down the hall towards the pool, she worked on breathing evenly. In, and out. The anxiety was killing her, she had to talk herself out of fleeing back to the hotel room and calling it quits before she even tried.

Nothing had happened, she was still no one to him and he was no one to her. This was insane! Meeting his friends, letting him into their lives so quickly and easily.

She stopped just out of sight of the door and took a steadying breath. Chase and she had discussed it. There was a connection worth exploring, and she just needed to be brave enough to explore it. “Would you regret it?” Alashia knew, deep in her heart, that she would regret walking away. The connection she felt, the fireworks along her skin with even the simplest of touch. She needed to know. And she would regret it if she never did.

She walked through the door, and to her surprise, it was just Minerva. She was already in the pool, swimming.

“You have got to get into this water, it is absolutely perfect.” Minerva motioned her towards the table she had occupied, containing a small wrapped box, a bottle of wine, and two glasses. “Place your things and get in!”

Alashia followed her directions, constantly glancing back towards the door, waiting for Asher to come in. Seeing he wasn’t there, she sighed and cannonballed into the water. The warmth from the water enveloped her and she adored the sense of perfection being in the water granted her.

“That, my dear, was marvelous!” Minerva giggled once she had emerged.

“Thank you... Not to be a spoilsport, but where is Asher?” Alashia asked.

“Oh, that dratted man. He got called away on business. He was here though, and asked me to give you his condolences.” Minerva smiled sympathetically at her.

“Oh.”

“Well, let us girls engage in a bit of gossip! I’m always dying to know things.”

“What would you like to know?” Alashia asked.

“Tell me about you, those beautiful children, that darling husband of yours, and what you see happening between you and Asher!” Minerva lifted herself out of the pool and grabbed the bottle of wine and two glasses. “I absolutely insist on knowing everything!”

Sipping her wine, she found herself telling her entire backstory. Overcoming her mother’s abuse, finding Chase, the tangled story of them falling in love and making things work, and even of the sensation, she felt when she touched Asher and believing his eyes turned red!

“How have we not finished that wine? I feel absolutely drunk, and there is still -hic- wine in that bottle!” Alashia slurred.

“Oh darling, this is our third bottle!” Minerva giggled, stumbling over to get the towels.

“I am so going to...” Alashia stumbled, and strong hands caught her, sending electricity up her arms. “Asher...” she melted into him.

“I see I got here just in time.” The amusement was evident in his voice, and he glanced at Minerva knowingly.

“I like her! She is magic! I swear I never saw her change bottles of wine!” Alashia couldn’t stand upright, so he used the arm that wasn’t under her shoulders to scoop her legs up.

“I think you’ve had enough of that magic wine.” Holding her so close to him, he inhaled her scent. It was mingled with chlorine, but he could smell just the faintest hint of her arousal at him holding her and it was driving him insane.

“Well, er, I think I should be getting you back to Chase.” her mewl of protest had him chuckling.

“Before you take off with my new bestie, I would very much like to give her the present I got her!” Minerva protested.

“Aww, you shouldn’t have! I don’t have anything for you!” Alashia giggled, opening the box.

It was a mesmerizing amber necklace. Inside the amber was a butterfly, and it was fitted on a gold chain. “It seems so familiar... I can’t place it. I absolutely love it, thank you!” Alashia immediately put it on, and it felt like it belonged nestled between her breasts.

Minerva smiled, “It’s said that this specific piece once belonged to a Queen, and it granted her and her family protection. It seemed fitting to give it to you.”

Alashia felt herself getting teary-eyed. “I don’t think I will ever take this off, thank you!”

“That is all the thanks I need.” Minerva took Alashia’s hand, “Until we meet again, Queen!”

And with that, Alashia fell asleep in Asher’s arms.