Sorry My Step-Uncle, I'm Not Your Backup Plan novel Chapter 82

He gently guided Gabriella towards the bathroom, his hand lingering at the small of her back. "Be a good girl, darling. Go freshen up first."

After washing up, Gabriella took her seat at the dining table, catching Asher's admiring glance as she tucked her hair behind her ear.

Asher had prepared a proper Sunday breakfast spread.

Perfectly scrambled eggs with grilled tomatoes, crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, and homemade leek and potato soup—all Gabriella's favourite comfort foods.

Gabriella hadn't eaten breakfast, and her stomach was growling audibly.

After washing her face, she felt fully awake, the memory of last night's intimacy making her cheeks warm briefly.

She picked up her cutlery and tucked in enthusiastically.

Asher sat across from her, the corner of his eyes crinkling with amusement, his gaze lingering on her lips as she ate, filled with undisguised adoration.

"Is it to your liking?" he asked softly, his deep voice still slightly husky from sleep.

"Mmm!" Gabriella nodded, taking another bite. "Nobody cooks quite like you, Asher. It's absolutely perfect."

"You should eat too," Gabriella said, her eyes curved into crescents. "Can't have you wasting away, can we?"

"Gabby," Asher's voice carried a hint of mischief, his eyes darkening slightly.

"Yes? What is it?" The young woman looked up at him, fork halfway to her mouth.

Asher smiled, his heated gaze holding hers captive. "I've already been thoroughly satisfied by you last night. Now it's my turn to nourish you."

"Pfft—" Gabriella choked on her soup and began coughing, her cheeks flooding with colour.

"You..." Her face turned crimson, and she gently bit her lip, utterly mortified yet secretly pleased by his forwardness. "I can't believe you just said that!"

Asher smiled with tender affection, reaching across to brush a strand of hair from her face. "All right, love. I'll behave. For now."

...

At Grace's private residence.

"Miss Bennett, Vanessa has been taken by Mr. Blackwood's men," a man in a black security uniform reported respectfully to Grace, his head bowed.

"Why didn't those useless idiots eliminate her?" Grace's eyes flashed with vicious intent as she snarled. "Bloody fools!"

"Yes, miss," the bodyguard responded mechanically, like an emotionless robot.

Grace suddenly turned to glare at the bodyguard. "You're utterly useless as well! Complete imbecile!"

"Yes, miss."

Grace: "..."

"Get out!" She grabbed a teacup from beside her and hurled it at the man.

"Yes, miss." The bodyguard acknowledged before leaving.

After the bodyguard departed, Grace fixed her cold gaze on the broken teacup fragments on the floor and took out her mobile to send a text.

[Vanessa has been found by Asher. What should we do next?]

The reply came quickly: [I'll send someone to silence her.]

[What do you need me to do?]

[Nothing. Don't worry, they won't trace it back to you.]

...

After the meal, Gabriella blushed as she tried to usher Asher out, though part of her was reluctant to see him go.

She pushed at his chest, feeling the solid warmth beneath her palms. "All right then, Asher, you really should go now. I've arranged to go shopping with Victoria and Charlotte this afternoon, so I haven't time for your distractions."

The man gave her a deliberately forlorn look, standing firmly in place, his hands settling on her waist. "Tired of me already, darling? After all we shared last night?"

Standing nearly six-foot-three, he was immovable against her pushing, and they both knew she wasn't trying particularly hard.

The girl pouted, unconsciously adopting a coquettish manner that she knew drove him wild. "Don't be silly, it's not that at all. How could I ever tire of you? I arranged this with them yesterday. It's a girls' outing—it wouldn't be proper for you to tag along, would it?"

Asher raised an eyebrow slightly, pulling her closer until their bodies were flush against each other. "Why not? I could carry your shopping bags." His lips brushed against her ear as he whispered, "You girls certainly plan to buy loads of things, don't you? Your delicate frame could hardly manage it all."

Gabriella shivered slightly at his warm breath on her ear, but managed to stamp her foot lightly. "Oh, just go, will you? I need to do my makeup, and I haven't time for your... temptations now."

Asher's eyes darkened with desire. "I could help you with your makeup."

Gabriella laughed softly, her hands unconsciously smoothing over his chest. "As if you'd have the faintest idea how. Though I suspect your idea of 'helping' involves considerably less makeup and considerably more distraction."

"Come now, I'll see you this evening, all right?" Gabriella softened her voice, looking up at him through her lashes. "I promise I'll make it worth your while."

"Is that a promise?" His voice dropped an octave, making her stomach flutter.

Gabriella nodded, biting her lower lip in a way she knew he found irresistible. "Absolutely. Have I ever let you down?"