My mother taught me that no matter what happens, in society I should behave as a young, well-bred lady so that my aristocratic origins could be seen in every movement.
That's why my father married her, he wanted to become related to the Villiers family, he even changed his last name after the marriage. He courted her beautifully, convinced her of his love, and over time he showed his true face, but it was too late, divorces are not accepted in our family.
I greeted everyone, I didn't miss anyone. The guests congratulated me and gave me expensive gifts. The fake smiles on the faces of the same fake friends only caused hostility and a desire to quickly run away from here.
A lot of toasts and wishes, no matter how good they were, did not warm my soul. My stepmother, trying to show the guests what a wonderful mother she is, gave me a diamond necklace. It's beautiful, but these glass beads cannot replace real motherly love. I won't say that she treats me badly, she just doesn't care whether I exist.
The evening passed as usual, all the celebrations within our walls were the same. Artificial, colorful, and expensive, like a decoration for a commercial, the guests are extras, and we are the main actors playing our roles according to a pre-written script.
The only obvious difference is Asher. My father's mysterious friend keeps his distance from everyone, as if he is above this, what is happening is alien to him. The piercing glance that he occasionally cast at me penetrated deep into my soul, exposing my entire being to him.
My breathing instantly became intermittent, my chest was squeezed, and it became difficult to breathe. No matter how hard I tried, I didn't pay attention to the new acquaintance, I unconsciously looked for him.
A tall figure against the background of other men, he stands out with his stateliness, and grace in his movements, like a wild animal, he moves smoothly, silently, and calmly. It seems as if time has stopped for him. He doesn't give a damn about those around him. People around him are just midges, an insignificant obstacle that he overcomes without much effort.
For the first time I'm so fascinated by someone, it's harder to look away than I thought. It's time to stop, otherwise someone else will notice and report to my father. Before I know it, I'll become a bride.
Unnoticed, while the guests were busy chatting and enjoying delicious snacks, I went out into the garden. A place that allows privacy. My father doesn't like to come here, nor does my stepmother, so this green and flowery paradise became my refuge.
I went to the very back, to the corner arranged by my mother. The planted flowers of different varieties emanated a delightful scent that reminded me of her.
I leaned towards a burgundy, almost black rose, and inhaled, filling my lungs with a familiar aroma. I closed my eyes with pleasure.
I don't know how, but I felt with my skin that someone was standing behind me. I feel it with all my guts, without any touching. I wanted to turn around, but something didn't allow it, I froze in place, not daring to move. I'm like a defenseless animal that a bloodthirsty beast is about to devour.
Hot breath blew over my bare back. He's very close. Suddenly someone touched my neck, and not with a hand, the guy sniffed. Hot lips a millimeter from the skin. What the hell is going on? I can't even see him, but I know exactly who is behind me.
Thoughts began to get confused, slowly enveloping the dope of attraction. I had to make a lot of effort to force myself to turn around.
Asher's black eyes fixed me with a wild gaze. It wasn't a man looking at me, but a predator who wanted to eat prey cornered in a trap.
I involuntarily began to move away. From an incomprehensible fear, the hairs on my arms stood on end, and a shiver ran down my skin. But it wasn't just fear, I was irresistibly drawn to a stranger. I wanted him to touch me, to kiss me.
My legs were giving way from an inexplicable desire. I had never experienced anything like this, not even with my ex. I wouldn't say I loved him, but I still felt sympathy. And then one meeting, Asher swallowed me up.
I took a step back, and he came closer. The distance between us did not change, no more than twenty centimeters.
Asher's impressive height presses on me. His broad shoulders do not allow me to see what is happening in the house. And to be honest, what is happening in the living room does not interest me, only the guest who is advancing so confidently and calmly. I took a couple more steps and my back rested on the rough bark of a spreading oak.
In the moonlight, the guy's eyes glow. Or is it the atmosphere of the situation itself that affects my perception?
When he was close to me, he leaned his hand on the tree trunk. I stood there tense, but the guest did not take any more action, he just studied me, and slid his gaze over me.
And my thoughts themselves inflamed desire in my body. I can't be called modest, we had everything with my ex, natural physical relations, but these were also steps taken to anger my father, his anger was not limited to the scandal then. An innocent guy got into trouble, my dad's bouncers beat my ex half to death, and the poor guy spent two months in the hospital.
We didn't even have to break off relations. He just went abroad to study. My father also helped, but I didn't suffer. I don't want to love anyone, love is not for me. I don't want to depend on someone or be afraid of losing them.
Asher leaned over, and I pressed myself into the bark. In my zeal to keep our bodies from touching, I overdid it and scratched my back, and badly. I felt a burning sensation.