“What in the hell has gotten into you tonight?” she asks, her eyes wide.
“I’m just claiming what’s mine.” I stand, moving my hand back between her legs, cupping her pussy. “I own this, goddammit, and when we walk back into that room, I’ll have the satisfaction of knowing I have something the others don’t.”
“And what’s that?”
“The tastes of you on my tongue… your scent on my fingers and lips. You’re fucking mine, Emma. You belong to me.”
“Is that so?”
“You better believe it.”
She smiles, grasping the lapels of my jacket, pulling me in for a scorching kiss. I think she likes being claimed. “And don’t forget my panties in your pocket, you also have them.”
“Right,” I say, chuckling. “I’m keeping them, too. I’m adding them to my collection.”
“So you can sniff them?”
“Abso-fucking-lutely.”
My answer makes her smile grow. “There’s something else you have of mine that they don’t, Mr. Barclay.”
“And what’s that, Miss Phoenix?” I ask, righting her dress and sliding my arms around her tiny waist, drawing her closer.
“My heart.”
You have mine too.
“And that’s something I’ll always cherish.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Anything,” I answer.
“You could have anyone. Why me?”
I rest my forehead against hers, giving her the honesty she asked for. “Because with you, I never had a choice. From the moment we met, I didn’t stand a chance.”
My ridiculously hot friend: We just touched down in LA. Can I see you tonight?
I’ve been missing her all day, and being back in Coalville only made me think about her more.
Sweet-thing: Yes. How was Utah and my dad?
I flew out early this morning with one of the company’s interior decorators. I wanted to show her the furniture Emma’s father makes. It’s unique, and we’re always looking for one-of-a-kind pieces to put in our display homes.
My ridiculously hot friend: Utah was good, and your father is doing great. Mandy was impressed with the quality and uniqueness of his work. She put in a huge order. He’s going to have to hire himself an assistant to keep up with the demand.
Sweet-thing: Really? I bet that made him happy. Thank you.
My ridiculously hot friend: It was my pleasure. Now, when can I see you?
Sweet-thing: I can be at your place by six.
My ridiculously hot friend: I have to pick something up from Cerritos first. I should be back by then, if not, just let yourself in.
Sweet-thing: Okay. x
Thankfully, I manage to get home before she arrives, giving me a chance to prepare her surprise. I pour myself a scotch when I’m done. I think she’s going to like what I got her, but I’m still feeling anxious.
It’s been two months since I let all my inhibitions go, giving us a real chance of a future, and things are going great. I can’t even put into words how fulfilled my life has become. I’ve never known such happiness.
Looking down at my watch, I see it’s just after six. I take another sip of my scotch before moving toward the door. I pray this doesn’t backfire in my face.
Emma’s car pulls up a few minutes later, and I descend the front steps heading straight for her. I didn’t get to see her last night because of my early flight, and I’ve missed her.
I open the front gate, and as soon as she’s within reaching distance, I pull her to me, engulfing her in my arms.
“Hi.” My lips are on hers before she has the chance to reply. I need this kiss more than I need my next breath.
“Hi, to you, too,” she says the moment we part.
“How was your day?”
“Okay. Better now.”
I smile as I reach for her hand. “Come, I have a surprise for you.”
“A surprise?”
“Yes.”
“Let me guess, it’s in your pants.”
“Cute, Em,” I say, laughing. “No, that one is for later.”
We enter the house, and I stop just inside the foyer. “Wait here, I’ll be right back.”
When I return, my arms are behind my back. She gives me a skeptical look as I approach. “I picked something up for you today. I hope you like it.”
The gift is so tiny, it fits into the palm of my hand. “Extend your arms out in front of you,” I ask. “Open your hands and place them side by side. That’s it. Now close your eyes.”
“Should I be worried?”
“No.”
She does as I ask. I bring my arm around from behind my back, placing her gift gently in her hands. Her eyes immediately spring open, and she gasps.
“Meet Duchess. She’s Duke’s offspring, and the only one in the litter of four puppies that had his coloring, hence, why I opted for the female.”
“Ashton,” she breathes as tears rise to her eyes. “I… I can’t believe… oh my God, she’s adorable. Look how tiny she is.”
“Isn’t she,” I beam. Reaching out, I swipe the first tear that falls from her eye. “I didn’t do this to make you cry. I hate seeing you cry, Em.”
“They’re happy tears,” she says, lifting the puppy closer to her face and studying her. “Oh, Ashton, she looks just like him. I already love her… I love her so much.”
Do you love me?
There’s been no mention of the ‘L’ word since we’ve reunited. Well, except for the time I told her I loved in her in French. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. The morning I asked her to leave, she told me she was falling in love with me? Did she not mean what she said? Her inability to express her feelings makes me hesitant to confess mine.
“So, I did good?”
“You did,” she replies. “She’s perfect. I feel like I have a piece of him back.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
ASHTON
The heart, you can’t live or love without it. If Emma has taught me anything since we met, it’s exactly that. I lie here watching her sleep, and all I can think about is how much she means to me, how deeply I’ve fallen, and how empty I’d be if she were no longer in my life.
She owns me completely.
I should man up and confess my feelings. Say those three words I’ve never said to anyone else—discounting the time I said it in French—because she needs to know how much I love her.
My fingers skate along her jawline, and I see her lips curve up. “Good morning,” I whisper, bringing my face forward to kiss her.
“Morning,” she says against my mouth.
I love waking up beside her. I want to do it for the rest of my life.
Reaching for her leg, I anchor it over my hip.
“Hold that thought,” she says. “I need to use the bathroom.”
“Make it quick.”
“Whoa.”
“Are you okay?”