forum “I can’t love you...” Reposting this here (O/O|Romance|Closed|)

Started August 10, 2019 by @Toxic_Persephone group

tune

Asher contributed to the conversation when it concerned him, but otherwise just listened and ate. He took Arabella's hand again, skimming his thumb along her knuckles.

She shivered at his touch, glancing over at Asher’s father. He hadn’t said a word to her all dinner. She wondered what was up.

Asher raised an eyebrow slightly as he realized his father had barely spoken. "Father. Is something wrong? You have barely spoken the entire meal." He asked, interrupting the conversation.
His father looked at him, and shook his head. "I have a bit of a cold, and am losing my voice. That's all." He said. His voice was raspy.
Asher nodded. "Oh. Sorry."

Arabella blinked, tilting her head and nodding. She understood now. What a hard working man to come during a meeting.

His mother smiled lightly, and took his father's hand. "He's getting better." She said. "You should have heard him yesterday, hardly able to speak!"
His father nodded in agreement, giving a tight smile.
Asher nodded. "Alright."

“I hope you get better soon.” Arabella said politely, smiling at him. The man was a mystery still to her but she hoped to get to know him soon.

Asher's father gave her a small smile back, then returned his attention, though not his voice, to the conversation.
The servants served more food.
Asher ate more, careful not to eat too much and to leave room for the rest of the meal.

Arabella was absolutely shocked at how much food they were serving. She ate happily, smiling at each new plate. “I had no idea this is how these went. How many more dishes are there?”

Asher smiled, chuckling softly. "Uhm…this should be a five course, so maybe two more, then dessert?" He replied with a smile, kissing her cheek lightly.

Her eyes widened. “Really? Two more!?” She lifted her fingers to her lips, humming happily. “This is a big dinner… I didn’t realize it was like this.”

He smiled. "Mhm." He replied, eating a bit more. Around them, the conversation of everyone else swirled, the topic usually on some facet of the business.

Arabella seemed truthfully and honestly exhilarated by the dinner’s courses. The small female could eat three times her weight in food. Which was probably a good thing seeing as how stress had eaten away at her body and beauty. She needed a little fattening up, she was mostly bones. She pointed at different parts of the plate, asking Ashton about them and grinning. Her mood was slowly coming back up, she felt better that she had gotten out her frustrations on him. What a horrible person she was for it, but it was what she needed.

Asher smiled, answering her questions as she asked them. He hoped she would eat as much as she wanted to, she needed the extra food. He also participated in the other conversations, when they concerned him, but didn't interfere if it didn't.

Arabella would glance up as the conversation topics changed, tilting her head and nodding her agreements. She remained silent about them otherwise. She had nothing to add. Her father’s company was too small to really allow her to relate.

Asher held her hand gently, still rubbing his thumb over her knuckles softly. The fourth course was served up, and he started eating it, still contributing to the conversation every now and again.

She suddenly leaned up and kissed his cheek, nuzzling into the side of his head. “Thank you Asher. Your family is wonderful.” She murmured. “And I’m sorry again… I’m making you worry about me when you should be focusing on yourself. Heal, find closure with Peri… I know for a fact he is watching you from heaven…”

Asher shrugged. "My family is…not that great. And Arabella, I don't mind. Okay? Really. You can talk to me about anything you want to, at any time. I don't mind." He kissed her cheek lightly, giving her and small smile.

She rested against him, shaking her head. “And you can talk to me.” She murmured gently, looking up at his face. “I’m sorry I’m so immature. I don’t know how to act in this situation…”

He nodded, then shook his head. "It's alright, I understand. No one's dream is to marry someone who is still sort of in love with their dead boyfriend." He shrugged slightly. "I would be a bit immature in your position as well."

She closed her eyes and breathed him in. She didn’t know he smelled so good… No stop that. He’s not interested and you aren’t either. You’re only attracted to him because you have to pretend to be right now. In any other situation you wouldn’t be this close…. you’d refuse.

“I’m really sorry still… I’m sorry about everything, about you losing the love of your life and about you having to marry a complete stranger when you’re still trying to heal from your past love.”

Asher hugged her gently. "Don't apologise. It isn't your fault. And Peri…yes, he was someone I loved very much, but I am only 21. I'm sure I will find someone new, and I'm hoping that it's you." He murmured in her ear, kissing her cheek.

She sighed, her breath hot against his neck as she nuzzled her way there. She just wanted to stay here. Where it was warm. Yeah… pretending is enough… “I’m hoping it’s me too. But I understand if it isn’t. You aren’t obligated to be married to me, by the way. You could always divorce me.” It wasn’t that she wanted divorce. She wanted his happiness.

He nodded. "You've said that multiple times, Arabella. And I told you: I'm not divorcing you." He kissed her cheek lightly, closing his eyes for a moment. He sighed softly. "Okay? I'm not letting you just get sold off to the next man in line."

“I’m just making sure you know…” she replied softly, returning the kiss with one of her own to his nose. Her head felt light and dizzy, his affection was nice. “Its just a part of my life, Asher… I may be an adult now but I have no freedom.”

Asher sighed. "I'm trying to give you as much freedom as I can, Arabella." He replied softly. "I've told you before that you can do whatever you want. I'm not going to stop you. Unless you're trying to murder someone." He chuckled softly.