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“Then they didn’t deserve you,” he breathes, his voice deep and low.
Immediately, my heart leaps, my stomach lurches, and I have to swallow a gasp. He continues to gaze at me while I feel the rush of heat traveling up my neck and into my face. I want to hold his gaze, but it’s too much, and so, I let my eyes wander past his shoulder.
“Let’s go,” he says, all smiles again as he jumps out of the car.
Me? I’ve flown back in time. Back to that teenager who worshipped the ground he walked on. Only, this isn’t a crush any longer. This is something far bigger than that. I’m not a little girl anymore.
My car door opens, pulling me out of my trance. When Ryan offers me his hand, I take it, a sensation tingling up my arm at the joining of our palms. As we make our way across the parking lot, he doesn’t let go.
Reaching the desk, we find a beautiful blonde woman typing efficiently. A second later, she lifts her head, gives us a show of her perfectly white teeth against her falsely tanned skin, and asks how she can help us. When I listen to the day Ryan has organized for me, I’m nearly breathless again. Scalp massage, full body massage, hot stone treatment, facial, the list goes on.
“This is too much,” I gasp.
“It isn’t enough,” he replies, his voice deep again, his eyes gazing into mine. “Not nearly enough for what you’ve done for me, Emma.”
I don’t know what to say to that, and then he gives me his trademark grin.
“Right,” he says, leaning into me and kissing my cheek, his lips burning their mark on my skin. “I’ll leave you to it.”
And then he disappears out the door. I want to ask him where he’s going, but he’s already gone.
“Miss Carter,” the lady behind the counter says. “If you will follow me.”
When I see Ryan again, I feel like my soul has left my body, every worry has disappeared, and I’ve experienced my own personal version of nirvana. Of course, he’s grinning, clearly delighted that the day has done exactly what he hoped it would.
“Wow,” he says. “You’re glowing.”
“That’ll be the champagne,” I say dreamily.
He chuckles, takes my hand again, and then leads me to the car.
Truly, I cannot remember the last time I was ever this relaxed. In fact, I don’t think I have ever been this relaxed. I don’t remember the journey back. Mainly because I’m fast asleep for most of it.
A soft feeling on my cheek wakes me, and stirring, I open my eyes to see Ryan stroking the soft skin of my face.
“Hey, sleepyhead. We’re back.”
“Oh,” I gasp. “I’m sorry.”
He smiles and shakes his head. “Nothing to be sorry for.”
I let out a long sigh, and look around to see that we are, indeed, back in Maple Springs, and now parked outside my house.
“You want coffee?” I offer.
I can see his brow working again, trying to decide if he should say yes or no. He eventually makes a decision. “Sure.”
In the kitchen, Ryan leans his tall frame against my counter while I fill the coffee machine, still struggling to rouse myself. When I move across the kitchen for the cups, I can see him looking around.
“Not quite a mansion,” I quip.
“It’s nice,” he says. “But yes, I suppose the mansion will be a bit weird for you.”
I still and look at him, my brow furrowing.
He returns my gaze, the corner of his mouth lifting. “Well, we’re married now, right? It’ll look pretty weird if we live in different houses.”
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