Fated

Chapter 5

Beloved the word kept running through her mind as she awoke from a very pleasant dream. In her dream, Alashia was sleeping in bed when Asher came in, and moved the hair out of her face, gently, lovingly, like he knew her, wanted her, loved her. Now that she was awake, her insecurity and interest seemed silly. Hell, her mind was playing games on her, thinking he was in the room with her!

She sat up looking around the room, panicking since she was alone. She glanced at the clock and realized it read 8 am.

Bolting from her bed, she grabbed her clothes for the day and quickly dressed, doing her hair and even applying some make-up. In the bathroom, she noticed a notification on her phone from Chase.

Husband: For once, I couldn’t wake you! Took the boys to breakfast. See you soon.

With a small smile, she grabbed everything they needed for the day and headed down to breakfast.

Once in the hallway, she realized she should have grabbed the travel bag so she wasn’t fumbling with everything. Letting out an exasperated sigh, she turned to head back to her room but bumped right into something solid that sent little bolts of electricity throughout her body.

Closing her eyes, she knew it was him. Wasn’t he supposed to be at breakfast with Chase?

“Good morning,” he held his hand out to her, and she hesitantly grabbed it, feeling the sparks again. What is that?

Pulling her to her feet, he then bent to help her pick up all the coats, gloves, and hats.

“Morning,” she mumbled, her good mood souring.

“Do you not like me?”

Alashia hesitated and started chewing her bottom lip, a nervous habit she had back in high school. This man could push her back in time! “You make me nervous,” finally answering him. She looked up and saw that same red flash in his eyes. She knew she wasn’t tired now.

“I see.”

Looking at him again, she took a deep breath trying to stop the flood of words before they started, “I’m attracted to you, I feel drawn to you, and it makes me nervous. I haven’t felt like this since I met Chase in high school. I don’t want any complications, I just want to love my husband, my children, and whoever comes our way to love.”

Asher gazed at her intently, waiting to see if there was more. He shouldn’t have used his persuasion to get her to communicate with him, but he didn’t feel like he had much of a choice. He needed to know, so he could work out these things now. “I feel the same towards you, but I would never hurt you or ask more from you than you are willing to give. I just want to know you,” his response sent waves of comfort over her.

Nodding, she gathered her and her children’s stuff while he placed his hand at the small of her back to guide her to the dining room.

Once she was in the dining room, all three of her children immediately ran up to her, hugging her and repeating “mommy” to get and keep her attention. Glancing at Asher, she saw his amused smile as she talked to her kids while they led them to the table.

Maybe, just maybe this wouldn’t be so bad.