AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No, I don’t.”
“So, are you going to come with me without asking questions or not?”
I frown, not liking where this is going at all.
“I thought you wanted me to bring out that wild child inside of you again, the one looking for excitement and adventure?”
I frown. “I don’t like surprises.”
“I know.” He lifts me in his arms again and begins carrying me out of the water. I fight to get down at first, but I know it’s no use. So, I surrender to Asher carrying me up to the beach like a caveman.
When he reaches dry land, I say, “You can put me down now.”
“Not going to happen.”
I sigh and try to enjoy being in his strong arms. I try to relax and just give up control. But I struggle to let go of the control even though I know he isn’t really in control. I was the one who orchestrated this. I’m the one in control. I suck in a breath, but he is the one that smells so amazing.
He carries me back up to my condo before he puts me down. “You have five minutes to get changed into something dry and comfortable.”
I frown. “I need longer than five minutes. I’m a mess. My makeup is smeared, and my hair is a mess from the salt water. And, if you tell me what we are doing, then I can be better dressed for the occasion.”
He shakes his head. “Five minutes. Wipe the makeup off your face. Your hair is perfect the way it is. And wear something comfortable, like jeans and a T-shirt.”
I don’t know why I agree to what he said, but I do. I strip out of my wet wedding dress, leaving it crumpled on the floor. I long for a warm shower to wash off the salt water, but I know I don’t have time. If I shower, I’ll be in there for much longer than five minutes, and as much as I don’t want to admit it, I want to find out what Asher has planned. And, if I’m not ready in five minutes, then I’m not sure I’ll get to find out the surprise.
So, instead, I throw on a pair of jeans and a light blouse instead of a T-shirt because, honestly, I feel more comfortable a bit dressed up. I feel strange even wearing jeans. I only own two pair anyway. And then I head to the bathroom to try my best to get rid of the makeup and fix my hair.
I scrub at my face with makeup remover until it is clean again. And then I run a brush through my wet hair before scrunching it to give it a little bit of a natural curl as it dries. I pinch my cheeks to ensure some color and apply a little lip gloss. But that is all I have time for as much as I want to do more.
I head out of my bedroom and find Asher standing in my living room. He’s now in khaki shorts, a T-shirt, and flip-flops, looking much more like himself.
He shakes his head. “You had to defy me just a little bit, didn’t you?”
“I did exactly what you said. I got ready in five minutes, despite wanting to take a nice long bath to rinse off.”
“I said, a T-shirt.”
I smile. “Well, you need to get used to me not listening to everything you say. Now that we are married and all.”
He walks toward me, his eyes challenging me. I stand my ground until he is inches from my face.
“I wish I had time to punish you.”
I grin. “That isn’t going to get me to obey you in the future.”
He slightly shakes his head. “I know. But I would enjoy punishing you all the same.” He grabs my hand. “Come on, or we will miss our flight.”
I step back. “What do you mean, flight? I don’t have any luggage. I haven’t let the company know that I’ll be gone. How long will we be gone? Where are we going? You can’t just spring shit like this on me…”
Asher just stands stoically with a large grin on his face and an eyebrow raised as he waits for me to stop talking. When I let my questions trail off, he says, “Are you finished?”
“Yes,” I say, nodding.
“We are going on a honeymoon, as is expected. I have handled everything. This is me holding up my end of the deal to help you find the part of you that likes adventure and needs to let go more.”
I frown. I didn’t expect him to move so quickly on holding up his end of the bargain. I know that this is what I need.
“So, are you coming with me or not?”
