Asher kept driving. This meeting would be…well. It could get very awkward, and very, well…just not the type of meeting he preferred to go to. Was that sad? That he had preferred meetings? He sighed. It probably was.
“I can’t love you...” Reposting this here (O/O|Romance|Closed|)
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Soon minutes had passed and the female was asleep on the couch, covered in dried paint and clutching her cleaned art supplies to her chest. The painting she had just finished was of a landscape she had seen when she was a little girl. It was the one she had grew up with and loved it so.
Asher was in the middle of the meeting, arguing vehemently. "No, we are not doing that!" He exclaimed. God, i hate this. I'd rather be home. I don't want to be here. He thought.
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Arabella slept for hours. And she probably would have slept for hours if her phone didn’t go off. She lifted the screen to her tired face, groaning when she realized the text was from her father. It was a long list of rules and expectations he had of her. Most were ridiculous rules… You can’t wear shorts, no eating too much, keep your manners in check, no painting, no reading fiction, no talking bad about the family name, no messing up this marriage, no complaining, no not taking care of her husband… she hated it all… but the one she hated the most was the text explaining how she was only there to please Asher. If he wanted something she would give it to him without hesitation. She really didn’t like that rule…”
Asher had arrived home late, tossing off his jacket as he came in. He groaned as he raked his hands through his hair, stretching. Hot tub. Hot tub would be nice. He thought. Yeah. Get in the hot tub. He headed to the bathroom, then paused. Should he ask if Arabella wanted to join him? She might appreciate it.
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By the time he had gotten home, Arabella had cleaned up her stuff, the painting laying on the couch. She was in the bedroom, having already cleaned herself up and was now wandering around in a pair of comfortable pajama shorts and a tank top. She wouldn’t listen to her father. She was at least free from him.
Asher came into the bedroom, and looked over at her. "I'm about to get in the hot tub, if you wish to join me." He said to her, going into the closet and closing the door as he changed into swim trunks.
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She blinked and nodded. There was a hot tub?! Had there always been one? She dashed to her closet to change into the small bikini top and bottom she had bought for herself. It was comfortable and still covered her so she liked it. “I didn’t know we had a hot tub.” She called to him as she exited her closet, wearing a shirt over her swim suit so she stayed warm until in the hot water.
He smiled slightly, coming out and grabbing two towels from the bathroom. "We do. It's this way." He handed her a towel, and led her through the house. He headed out to the back, and pulled the cover off the hot tub, putting his towel to the side.
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She held the towel close to her chest, following him quietly and sheepishly. She felt a little awkward but was still excited nonetheless. The second he had the hot tub cover off, she had thrown off the over shirt and set her towel aside. She slipped into the water with a soft gasp, loving the warmth that rose up her whole body.
“It feels good…” she murmured softly, sinking down to her shoulders.
Asher nodded and smiled, slipping into the tub with her. "Mhm. I like getting in here to relax after a stressful day. You're welcome to use it whenever you want." He said, turning on the jets and leaning on them with a contented sigh.
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Arabella's eyes fell closed as the jets hit her tense muscles. She hummed, knowing for certain she was going to be back here. “Thank you. I do enjoy a good soak. This feels wonderful!”
Asher smiled slightly, closing his eyes. "Yes." He said simply, relaxing into the jets. "And you don't have to worry about someone seeing you in here." He said to her. "So you can wear whatever you want in it, whether that's nothing, or a full length dress." He said, mouth twitching in a small smile.
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She blushed lightly and looked down at herself with a soft laugh. “Nothing? I don’t know if that would be appropriate.” She murmured, leaning back and looking up at him. He was still somewhat taller than her even when sitting.
Asher shrugged, eyes still closed. "Just a suggestion. You can do whatever you want." He said with a soft chuckle, arms laying along the edge of the tub. He was shirtless, and his hair was messy. He didn't look like the polished businessman at that moment; just a man relaxing.
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Arabella slid a little closer to her and leaned up to touch his hair. It looked fluffy and she wanted to feel it. Her eyes fell to his relaxed face, a soft sigh leaving her lips. “How was the meeting?” She asked him softly, deciding to sit next to him as she drew her hand back into her side and sank down to her chin.
He groaned. "Terrible." He replied, rubbing his face with his hands. "Absolutely terrible." He sighed softly, raking a hand through his hair. "I hate these meetings with a passion."
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She tilted her head and took his hand hesitantly, pulling it away from his hair. “I’m sorry… is there anything I can do to help?” She murmured softly. She wanted to repay him for the piano music and the hug. He really had comforted her then.
He looked at her, slightly startled. "No, not really. Not unless you're somehow a master negotiator." He gave a rueful smile. "It'll be fine. It's not the worst I've faced in my life." He shrugged slightly, sighing.
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She subconsciously tangled their fingers together, looking at him with concern. “I am no good at negotiating… sorry. I can provide other things though. Like a hug or baked goods.”
He smiled slightly. "Don't worry about it, really." He said gently. "It'll be fine." He sighed softly. Shit. I still have paperwork to sign, allowing the use of magic in certain areas of the workplace
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She nodded and very slowly released his hand. She hummed softly and closed her eyes, completely relaxing into the warm water. It felt so good to be warm and comfortable. She missed this relaxation… “If you’re sure…”
He nodded. "I'm sure." He gave her a small smile. "Where do you want to go for the honeymoon?" He asked. "You can pick anywhere in the world." He wasn't sure how she would feel about it, but…oh well. His parents had informed him that he needed to take her on a honeymoon.
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Arabella suddenly tensed up. She looked up at him and sat up. “H-honeymoon? Oh… r-right…” she shifted nervously and looked him up and down. “I wouldn’t mind anywhere you’d like to go, but trip up into some mountain range sounds lovely…” She murmured, splashing a little water away from herself just to watch it go. “A cabin in the woods… I like the forest and the smell of pine.” Her eyes darted up to his. “But would we be….?”
"A cabin sounds nice. I'll book it later." He replied. He cocked his head slightly. "Would we be what?" He asked, looking at her. Is something wrong? Did I say the wrong thing?
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She blushed and looked away. “Would we be doing what normal newly weds do during their honey moon?” She asked softly, embarrassed by the question. She didn’t want that but if it was what had to happen…”
He inhaled, freezing for a moment. "I er…only if you want to." He replied. "I'm not going to force you into anything." He knew his parents wanted him to have kids, but…he didn't want that yet. Certainly didn't want to force Arabella into bed with him.
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She shook her head. “I’m not really for that level of… intimacy with you.” She murmured, holding her stomach and looking pale. “I don’t think I could handle it, I’m sorry to say…”
He nodded. "That's fine. I understand." He said gently, watching her worriedly. "If you're going to throw up, please don't do so in the hot tub." He said.
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She glanced up at him and scowled. “I’m not going to throw up…” she hissed, looking away and taking a deep breath. “Sorry… I didnt mean to be rude. I’m alright. I’m just a little… scared of the idea.”