"Bella... you have no idea how long I’ve wanted to tell you this."
"I... I thought I was the only one feeling this." she replied shyly, while she started to blush.
Asher came closer to her, his hand brushing her arm, "No. Not even close. Every time I see you, it’s like I forget how to breathe."
Bella's pulse quickened, daring a glance up, meeting his intense gaze for a moment before quickly looking away with her heart racing, "You make me feel... things I can’t even explain." she replied with a trembling voice.
Asher moved even closer, their bodies almost touching, his breath warm on her skin, "Tell me you feel it too, Bella." as his hand slid gently to her waist, waiting.
Bella, biting her lip, feeling the electricity between them, her voice barely a whisper, replied "I do... I’ve wanted this for so long."
Asher held Bella close, his arms wrapped around her as if she were the most precious thing in the world. The moment their bodies touched, a jolt of electricity shot through both of them, an invisible force binding them together. It wasn’t just physical contact, it was something deeper, a connection neither had ever felt before. The surrounding air seemed to hum with unspoken tension, thick with the weight of emotions they had kept hidden for so long.
Asher’s heart pounded in his chest as he looked down at Bella, his gaze intense. Her cheeks flushed a deep shade of red, and he couldn’t help but smile, finding her even more beautiful at that moment. He had never felt this good, this alive, holding her in his arms. Every part of him buzzed with a sense of rightness, as if this, being close to her, touching her, was exactly where he was meant to be.
Bella shivered, her body trembling slightly in his embrace. Asher’s brow furrowed in concern, though he, too, was struggling to keep his own composure. “Are you cold?” he asked, his voice strained and husky with the effort of controlling the flood of emotions that coursed through him.
Bella shook her head, unable to form words. Her mind was swirling in chaos, and even Banja, who had been pacing restlessly moments ago, had retreated into a quiet, calm corner of her mind. It was as if her wolf, too, recognized the significance of this moment and wanted to give Bella space to feel it fully.
The air between them crackled with unspoken desire. The tension was palpable, a force that neither could ignore. Bella could feel her heart racing, her pulse quickening with every second that passed. Asher was so close, closer than he had ever been before, and the heat of his body pressed against hers made her feel like she was on fire from the inside out.
Asher, too, felt his resistance slipping away. Every ounce of control he had tried to maintain over the years was melting, leaving behind nothing but pure, burning desire. He had spent so long keeping his distance, waiting, hoping, but now... now all he wanted was to close the gap between them.
He knew it might be a mistake, especially if they weren’t fated mates. The thought hung in the back of his mind, but it wasn’t enough to stop him. At this moment, all logic, all caution, seemed to fade into the background, overtaken by the pull he felt toward Bella.
“Bells,” he whispered, his voice barely audible, filled with a mix of longing and uncertainty. His hand reached up, brushing a stray strand of hair away from her face. His fingers lingered there, trembling slightly as they grazed her cheek. The feel of her skin under his touch was enough to send another wave of electricity coursing through him.
Asher hesitated for just a moment, his eyes searching hers. He could see the conflict in her gaze, but he also saw something else, something that mirrored the storm of emotions raging inside him. Bella’s lips parted slightly, and that small, unconscious gesture was all the invitation he needed.
His breath hitched as he leaned in, his lips brushing hers with the lightest, most hesitant touch. It was barely a kiss, but the moment their lips connected, it felt as though their entire beings had become electrified. A rush of heat flooded through Asher’s body, igniting every nerve, every cell. It was a kiss that both exhilarated and terrified him, filling him with emotions he couldn’t quite name.
Bella gasped softly against his lips, her hands instinctively gripping the fabric of his shirt. The moment their lips met, it was like the rest of the world disappeared. There was no more uncertainty, no more doubt, just the undeniable, overwhelming feeling of being connected to Asher in a way that was more than just physical.
The kiss deepened almost naturally, as if some unseen force was drawing them closer, binding them together. Asher’s hand slipped behind her neck, his fingers threading through her hair as he pulled her closer still. He could feel her heartbeat against his chest, erratic and fast, matching the wild rhythm of his own.
Bella’s mind was spinning, her thoughts a blur. She had never imagined this, never thought that a single kiss could feel like this. Her first kiss. Her body hummed with energy, her wolf stirring inside her, but not in the usual restless way. Banja was calm, content, as if this moment had been inevitable all along.
For what felt like both an eternity and no time at all, they remained locked in that kiss, their connection growing stronger with every passing second. And then, as suddenly as it had begun, Asher pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against hers. His breath came in ragged gasps, and his hands still trembled as they held her close.
“Bella...” he whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion. “I... I’ve wanted this for so long.” His eyes, dark and intense, bore into hers, filled with a mix of longing and uncertainty.
Bella, still breathless from the kiss, looked up at him, her heart racing. She could feel the weight of his words, the depth of his feelings. And at that moment, all her doubts, all her fears, seemed to vanish.
“Asher,” she whispered, her voice soft but steady. “I’ve wanted this too.”
A slow, almost relieved smile spread across his face, his eyes softening as he looked at her. He leaned in again, this time pressing a gentle kiss on her forehead, his arms wrapping around her in a protective embrace. Bella sank into his chest, letting herself be held, feeling safe, feeling loved.
It took every ounce of Asher's self-control to hold Bella gently in his arms, even though his insides felt like a raging storm. The kiss they had shared had flung open the gates of his deepest passions, and now those emotions surged to the surface, threatening to overwhelm him. His arousal spiked hard and fast, making him painfully aware of how close she was. His muscles tensed, his breath coming in sharp, ragged bursts as he fought for control.
His mind raced, urging him to calm down, to breathe slowly, but his body was burning, caught in a limbo between desire and restraint. Every breath felt heavier, his entire being on fire, craving more, while the rational part of him screamed to stop. But Bella… being this close to her, feeling her warmth against him, her scent filling his lungs, made everything infinitely harder to manage.
Bella sensed the change in him. His body, which had once been relaxed, was now taut, like a coiled spring about to snap. She pulled back slightly, looking at him with wide, concerned eyes. "Asher… are you okay?" she asked softly, her voice filled with genuine worry.
He barely managed a reply, his jaw clenched so tightly that his words came out between gritted teeth. “I’ll be okay,” he forced out, taking deep, labored breaths, trying to calm the storm raging within him.
Bella wasn’t convinced. She tilted her head, studying him with that same concerned expression. "Is there something I can help with?" she asked innocently, her voice soft and gentle.
Asher couldn't help but laugh, though it was strained and filled with amusement. If only she knew. “Don’t worry about it,” he muttered, trying to sound casual, though his voice betrayed him. "It’ll pass."
But Bella, oblivious to the battle going on inside him, reached up and placed her hand gently on his forehead. "You’re burning up," she exclaimed with concern.
The instant her cool fingers touched his heated skin, Asher's restraint shattered. The dam of emotions he had so carefully tried to hold back broke, and his look darkened with raw desire. His breath hitched, and before he could stop himself, he grabbed her, pulling her body flush against his with a suddenness that took her breath away.
The second their bodies collided, the last thread of his control snapped. His lips crashed onto hers in a kiss far more intense and demanding than the first. It was no longer gentle or hesitant, it was filled with passion, need, and a fire that had been simmering beneath the surface for far too long. Bella gasped against his mouth, the sheer force of his kiss leaving her dizzy and breathless, her mind spinning.
His hands roamed her back, pulling her closer, as if he couldn’t bear even an inch of distance between them. In his frenzy, he gently pushed her down onto the blanket, his body instinctively following, half pinning her beneath him. The weight of him pressed into her in a dominant, possessive way, his body moving against hers at a rhythm he couldn’t control.
Asher’s instincts took over, a primal force driving him forward. His hips ground into hers, seeking something beyond the kiss, beyond the touch, something raw and overwhelming. The friction, the heat between them was almost unbearable, and as he pressed into her, he felt a powerful surge of pleasure.
And then… something snapped inside him. The intensity, the tension, it was all too much. He froze, his eyes wide with shock, as a wave of embarrassment crashed over him like a cold shower. His body stiffened as the realization hit him: he had just found his release, in his pants, no less.
For a long moment, he lay there, still, the heat and passion from a second ago replaced with an awkward, mortified silence. He felt the blush creeping up his neck, burning his skin as shame washed over him. This was not how it was supposed to happen. He slowly pulled away, avoiding Bella’s eyes, trying to regain his composure, but the damage was done.
Asher swallowed hard, his throat dry. He couldn’t look at her, couldn’t bear to see her reaction. "Bella… I—" he began, his voice hoarse and broken, but he couldn’t find the words. The humiliation was too fresh, too painful.
He had never felt so exposed, so vulnerable, and at that moment, all he wanted to do was disappear.