Page 99 of Twisted Truth

“Asher is just about ready, how are we doing in here, ladies?” Matthew asks, poking his head in.

“I’m ready.”

His mouth pops open. “Well fuck me sideways; we did it. We fucking did it. And in one day no less. You look amazing, Ella.”

Andre and Trenton come back into the room, and we all do a little celebratory cheer.

“Thank you, everyone. I know pulling this together in one day is a goddamn miracle, and I couldn’t have done it without all of you. I’m so grateful to have the best team in the world.”

“Ah, we love you too, darling.” Matthew checks his watch. “It’s time to go.”

I let out a nervous breath.

Let’s hope this works.

29

ASHER

“We will not have a repeat performance from Saturday,” Matthew scolds as we near the venue.

“Familiar, in love, happy,” Emily stresses.

They’re both directing their ire and instructions my way.

“I know,” I growl. “I told you it won’t happen again.”

Wanting to touch Ella will not be a problem tonight. Not that it was a problem on Saturday. That was my anxiety over this whole charade, not a lack of attraction or desire on my part. That anxiety flared again today, almost sending me into a spiral after that fucking stalker note. But I took Matthew’s advice and spent my time between meetings this afternoon doing therapy exercises I haven’t practiced in years to get my shit together. I’ve had to remind myself over and over that Ella is safe with the protocols we’ve put into place. It helped a lot, but I’m still anxious.

However, that anxiety is now just an itch in the back of my mind because god almighty, I’m completely distracted by Ella. It took all of my focus to keep from sprouting a chubby in my pants just watching her descend the stairs back in mypenthouse. That red dress is . . . doing things to me. Even now, even though Ella seems wholly unmoved by my presence as she sits just a foot away from me, she’s all I can think about. She’s like the most exquisite temptation, and all I want to do is take a bite.

The cameras begin to flash as we pull up. It’s still light outside, but the barrage of flashes light up the car.

“Are you both ready?” Matthew asks one last time.

I nod.

“I knowI’mready,” Ella says, and I grind my jaw at her not-so-subtle dig. I make one fucking mistake . . .

The crowd roars as I exit the car. I may not be an actor or celebrity in the typical sense, but I am every bit as famous, if not more so. I hold my hand out for Ella, and as she leans to get out of the car, I get the most delicious view down her dress. Fuck, I should erect a shrine to her tits.

The crowd roars even louder now as Ella exits, holding my hand. Even with the bad press we got and the articles that tore into Ella, there’s no denying the public still holds a fascination for her. I’ve been asked in interviews for over a decade when I’m going to settle down, what kind of woman I’m looking for, and what type of woman it would take to tame me. And now the public has an answer—at least as far as they know—in Ella.

And they’re feral for it.

Ella and I both smile and wave at the crowd, hand in hand. Cameras flash with blinding speed as we’re directed to make our way down the red carpet to a photo stop. As we settle side by side to pose, we naturally lean into one another, and I wrap my arm around her waist, resting my hand on her hip. The feel of her curves beneath my hand makes my mind wander, and all I can think about is what I want to do to her in this damn red dress.

Focus.

“This way!” The paps shout at us.

“Over here!”

“Ella! Give us a smile!”

It’s time to give them a bit of a show. I lean down and whisper into Ella’s ear. “The cameras love you. You’re going to be all over the media in a matter of hours.”

She turns and gives me a beaming look, full of what looks like pride and love. It almost knocks me off my feet. It definitely takes my breath away for a second.