They travelled the next day in tue afternoon. Emily sat with Sarah while Asher and one of his distant cousin sat together on the opposite seats. When Emily realized that Asher was also on the aisle seat, she requested Sarah if they could switch so that she could sit near the window. Sarah had agreed but with questions in her eyes. She knew Emily loved the aisle seat because it gave her an easy time when going to the washroom. Besides, Em was an anxious traveller so the aisle seat was good for her frequent movement.

When they landed, Asher offered to drop them first with his driver and Sarah agreed before Emily could refuse. It would have looked awkward if she refused as she was not one to pass an opportunity to save money. When they got to Sarah's apartment, she alighted and bid them bye, promising to check up on Em once she was well rested from the jet lag.

It was only Asher and Emily in the car now and the silence was deafening.

"We are here," Ken, the driver said.

"Thank you. Emily said as she alighted. Asher had alighted too and was opening the boot for her suitcase.

She picked it and started walking.

" I can help you with that," Asher suggested.

"No, thank you." Her smile was a tad bit sweeter.

Asher raised his hand in surrender. "Okay, call me later, will you?"

Emily did not answer. She did not even turn back because if she did, she would have gone back and begged him to take her home with him and fuck her. Or do something as stupid as inviting him over to her apartment.

*******************

A month later, Cassie and Reggie returned from their honeymoon. It had been a ten countries round trip. She called her friends as soon as she landed.

"I am hosting a dinner party tomorrow. You girls should come," Cassie had said over the phone.

Emily had wanted to ask if Asher would be there but the question would have raised suspicion. Besides, maybe Asher was too busy running his multiple companies to come to a small dinner. She hoped he wouldn't come.

The welcome dinner for Cassie and Reggie was held at their beautiful new home. Emily arrived second. They were supposed to carpool but Emily had been held at work. She came bearing a bottle of wine and some candies for Isla.

"I swear I am sending you and Asher her dentist's bill," Cassie joked as she tightly hugged her.

"I'll pay," Emily answered, ignoring Asher's name.

"You look nice. Is that a new dress?" Cassie asked. Emily gave her a 360.

"It sure is. I found it at a thrift shop here in town. I will take you with me next week. They open new bales every second Sunday of the month," Emily said.

She knew Cassie loved thrifting, despite now being married to a filthy rich husband who could give her anything she wanted and a brother who could buy the whole world for her. Talking about brother, she crossed her fingers, hoping he had not come.

"You look so happy," Emily said as they walked inside.

"I am," Cassie replied, beaming. "I missed you so much!"

"Umph! Liar. You did not even have time to miss us. I bet you spent your waking hours under Reggie," Emily said with a laugh.

"Em!" Cassie admonished with a shy smile.

"See, I am right. I am... " her sentence was disrupted by a laugh he could recognize from anywhere.

Her eyes darted around the room until they landed on Asher. He was playing house with Isla, a teddy bear in one arm. It was like he had sensed her watching her because a second later, his head lifted and his gaze landed on her. The intensity almost made her fall to her knees.

He looked good in a light blue cardigan and a pair of slacks. His hair was neat and she had the urge to mess it up. He winked at her and before she could figure out what was going on, he had turned his attention to Isla.

"Fibd a seat. I'll go check if the cook is done. Thank you for the wine," Cassie said.

"Welcome." Emily was absentminded.

Dinner was pure torture. Asher sat directly across from her. Once when she reached for tye serving spoon, Asher reached for it too and their fingers touched. Emily let go of it as it had burned her causing curious glances from people on the table. The conversation flowed smoothly around them, but Emily could barely focus.

"So, Em," Cassie asked cheerfully during the main course, "any new guys in your life lately?"

"She has been talking to someone," Sarah chimed in.

Emily gave her a death like stare but Sarah just stuck out her tongue at her. She was still thinking of what answer to give when she felt a leg on her. She lifted her head and found Asher grinning at her.

"I am curious too," Asher said as his leg traveled up her thighs.

Emily nearly choked on her wine. "No. Nothing serious. You know me." She pushed his leg away and gave him a stare. Asher replied with a sweet smile before picking up his wine.

After dinner, while everyone moved to the living room, Asher found her alone in the kitchen. He closed the door softly behind him.

"Emily," he said, voice low and rough.

She turned, gripping the edge of the counter. " Not now please!" She stacked the plates carefully on the sink.

He stepped closer until she was trapped. "One night was enough for you?" he murmured. "You came apart so beautifully for me. Don't tell me you don't want to experience that again."

Her breath hitched. "It was a one time thing. Let us leave it at that. This is wrong."

"It feels pretty right when you're moaning my name," he replied, tilting her chin up. His thumb brushed her lower lip making her tremble.

Voices approached from the hallway. Asher stepped back just as Reggie entered.

"Everything okay?" Reggie asked.

"Perfect," Asher said smoothly, but his eyes promised they were far from done.

The rest of the evening passed slowly. Emily did her best to avoid Asher for the rest of the evening. When Emily finally left, Asher walked her to the gate where her cab was already waiting.

"This isn't over," he said quietly.

"It has to be," she whispered before climbing in.