One Night With Mr Braxton

” You don’t n-need to be that close.” Emma stuttered, desperately in need of space.

Asher drew closer, ” why? Does it affect you?”

She struggled to speak through the woodsy scent that engulfed her senses, ” N-no.”

” Great.” He said with a smile, enjoying pressing her nerves more than he’d anticipated. ” A new living arrangement would be set up, one that befits our new status as husband and wife.”

She stiffened, ” New living arrangement?” Emma’s orbs flickered to his intense ones, ” Why? I’m fine with the-”

Asher tutted. ” We can’t have any doubts about our relationship.” He said, twirling a finger through a loft of deep-wavy-brown hair and leaving little room for defiance- literally.

Emma could tell it was one of those absolute terms, ” What does it entail?” She asked,

” You have one week to prepare for the formal introduction to the world, during which Mrs Adams will teach you all you need to know concerning your position.” He informed her, mentally going through his list.

” Wait a minute, one week?!” She pushed her chair backwards, leaving some breathing space between them while she arranged her thoughts. ” There’s no way I can get revealed like some damned shoe in one week. That is non-negotiable.”

Asher watched her for the briefest second, trying to wrap his head around her thinking. ” One week is sufficient enough to get you prepared. Besides, it’s just a press conference. I will handle everything. You only need to show up.” He explained.

” Can’t you hear me? It’s going to be a cold day in hell before that happens. I have things I need to do, don’t be under the illusion that because I signed some damned papers, you automatically become the boss of me.”

Asher could feel her anger. Due to the protruding vein in her forehead, he decided to play safe. ” Tell me, what is this about?”

Emma felt caught. Only then did she notice she was standing in his face? Her senses grew painfully aware, and blood pumped into her face. “I-it just. I need more time.” She managed to say.

” How long?”This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.

Emma wasn’t expecting such compliance. She was kitted up for another round of exchange. When he accepted without a fight, she felt her guns lower. ” Three months?” She said unsurely. Surely that would be enough time to set up her life without public scrutiny.

” Two weeks.” Asher retorted, drawing closer. He wasn’t going down without a fight.

” Two months.”

” Two weeks and three days.”

Emma broke into a smile. Asher was ridiculous. Two could play this game. ” One month and five weeks.” She retorted,

” One month and- what?” Asher was confused. His confusion was rectified when he saw the smug look on his wife’s face. ” You little smart-ass.” He said, ” One month. That’s all I can give, wifey.”

Emma choked on her breath. His words seemed to dissolve her senses. Where were these nicknames coming from?! ” One month and-”

Her sentence was interrupted when he closed in on her, bridging the space between them in a disarming kiss. What the hell was happening?!

Asher couldn’t believe himself. His mind yelled to stop, and for the first time, he shut off the calculative side of his brain and teasingly requested entrance to deepen the kiss.

Naturally, Emma submitted, letting his warm tongue glide into her mouth. After a weak battle for dominance, she permitted him to explore the deep. They kissed for a few seconds, giving and taking. Together, they slowed to a stop, staring at each other, trying to gauge what transpired between them.

” One month it is.” Asher whispered, ” Wife.” He breathed, like a claim and a title. Emma didn’t know how to react. To that, to this, to him.

” One m-month.” She breathed, deciding to play ignorance. She decided to pretend, not acknowledge what happened until he did otherwise.

Asher smirked, He wouldn’t let this moment go, and neither was he going to comment on it. At least not yet. ” Moving on..”

Emma felt dehydrated. She swallowed at his words. ” There’s more?”

” From where that came from? Absolutely.”

Were they still talking about the deal? Everything was blurry at this point. ” Wha-at?”

Asher walked away, and she felt a sense of loss. On the positive side, she could breathe again. ” Here.”

A glass of water appeared in front of her. It took a moment before she registered he’d gone to fetch her some water. ” Thank you.” Her little moment of freedom was short-lived.

Asher returned to his position, this time around, relaxed on the table, looking sinfully beautiful and giving her space to drink. ” What’s so urgent that can’t be handled in under one week? ” He said, approaching with caution. Emma could tell he wasn’t pleased with the thought of revealing her in a month.

Emma’s nose flared as irritation clawed within her. ” I am under no obligation to tell you about my business.”

” Calm down. The ball is in your court. No need to get pissy.” Asher said, raising his arms in mock surrender. ” A man can be curious, especially with matters relating to his wife.”

” Fake wife.” Emma corrected, biting her lower lip. He seemed to be forgetting the fact she could still taste him.

” Same thing.” He drew closer, eyes trained on the price.

“It’s not. Do well to understand that if this is going to work.” She threw in, hoping he’d understand the message and lay off, for both their sakes.

Asher, for some reason, felt frustrated. Why wouldn’t this woman talk to him, listen to him, depend on him? He was here. Right here. Presented himself like some damned sacrifice, yet she couldn’t see past the deal. ” Listen, I’m trying to be of help. Best believe, whatever you think could take you a month to achieve, it’d be a hundred times quicker with your new identity.”

” I’m not trying to get handouts. I’d appreciate it if you lay off my business. Husband.” Asher’s eyes widened, and Emma felt good to have taken him by surprise.

Asher palmed his face, ” Fine. Whatever you say. The offer remains open. Tell me, what are you planning on doing?’ He asked, ” Again, the ball is in your court. A man’s just curious.” He added upon noticing her countenance.

Emma shook her head, resolute in her decision.

” I will be travelling for one week. In the meantime, get familiar with everything. Also, your new assistant should be resuming..” He looked at the time, ” Within the next 12 hours.”

” I don’t need an assistant.” She piped.

“Unnegotiable.” He declared, and Emma let out a dramatic huff. ” You also get a personal security detail. If you’d been observant, you’d know that by now.”

” I don’t appreciate the act of placing me under the watchful eyes of people without my consent. Do you know how discomforting that can feel?” Emma said, remembering how scared she felt when she first noticed them.

” I Apologize.” Asher gritted, ” I’m not used to seeking permission to protect the lives of people I care about.” He added, his words dripping sarcasm.

” Neither am I used to having people interfering in my life.” She replied with just the right amount of sass.

” Yeah. Right.”

Emma was losing it. This man was approaching dangerous grounds. ” What do you mean?”

” I don’t feel like getting disrespected by the same mouth I’d just kissed.” He stated plainly.

Emma opened her mouth, but no words came. This man had once again rendered her speechless.

” Good. As I said, I’ll be leaving the state for one week, and when I return, our marriage shall be properly celebrated.” He winked, enjoying her reactions to him.

” Again, It’s a fake-” Emma made to correct him and got silenced with a kiss. Again. Twice in one sitting. She was losing her mind.

” Oops! Warned you against discrediting our union, wife.” He said with a tone that left her red in the face. She couldn’t even get mad at him!

” Mr-” Emma made to complain, but at that moment, the door opened. They broke apart with a jolt.

” Asheerrr!” Entered Jason, looking nourished, hale and hearty. He couldn’t have picked a better time.

” You! Traitor! After all, I did for the company, You sideline me and take the glory?! How wicked are you?!” He accused bitterly, surprising Emma while Asher rolled his eyes.

” You may come in, Jason.” Asher’s tone was sarcastic.

” I can’t believe you are taking the piss because I didn’t knock. Why would – Who do we have here?” Jason only noticed the presence of Emma in the room. They weren’t alone.

Emma didn’t know what to say or do. She looked at Asher with confused eyes, willing him to speak on her behalf.

” Jason, Emma. Emma, Jason.” He introduced them with a bored tone.

” Emma? Why does that sound so- Ohhh!” Jason let out a sound of acknowledgement, silently seeking confirmation from Asher.

” Nice to meet you, Jason,” Emma said with a shy smile and stretched out their arm, pushing for a handshake. The whole thing felt so.. awkward. It was clear these two knew something about her. How else could she explain their little signals?

” Nonsense! We don’t shake here. we hug!” He said enthusiastically, pushing in for a bear hug.

Safe to say she’s been roped into an exciting world.