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Layla had been given substantial time to kick off the celebration and get things going, but she was disappointed when I pulled my hips back.

“Hey, I wasn’t finished.”

I reached down for her, urging her to her feet. “You arefor now.”

My mouth captured hers, and I kissed her while leading us toward the bed. When we made it there, and I’d gotten her on her back, I began kissing my way down her body. She tried to fight the budding desire and panted, “But I was… supposed to be… celebrating with you.”

I smiled against the exposed skin on her chest. “I’m a Westwood, Layla. I think I know a thing or two about celebrating.”

Drifting lower, my teeth grazed the material of her dress over her nipple.

“Yes,” she breathed, her hips bucking. “But I wanted to make you feel good.”

My hands journeyed down her sides, toward her hips, and ultimately, her thighs. They slid beneath the hem of her dress and back up her legs. In between pressing kisses against her body, I assured her, “You did make me feel good. Trust me, you did. I want to return the favor.”

“But there’s more,” she shared.

I stopped moving and lifted my head. “More?”

“More good news to celebrate.”

My brows shot up. “What is it?”

Her chest was rising and falling rapidly, that desperate need still coursing through her. “I called Frankie. I told her I’m moving back here.”

“And?”

Layla smiled. “And she couldn’t be happier for me. She’ll miss me, and she demanded I make regular visits back to Manhattan, but she’s so happy for me. She can’t wait tofinally meet you.”

“Finally?”

She offered a shrug in response. “I told her about you a long time ago.”

My eyes locked on Layla’s, and I held her stare, unmoving, for several beats. Layla had left all those years ago, but it was obvious her heart had been here the whole time. Obviously, I hadn’t known it at the time, but it was clear to me now.

And she was doing it. She was doing everything to prove to me that she was all in this time, that she wanted to build her life here with me.

A slow smile spread across my face. “There’s little I love more than having your mouth on me like you just did, but I don’t think there’s anything that tops this. You just made my night, Layla, so I think it’s my turn to make you feel good.”

Her eyes danced with happiness, and I gave myself a moment to appreciate the sight of them. But I didn’t allow myself to linger too long. I had work to do.

So, I hiked up Layla’s dress and got down to it.

And following an extended celebration in the hotel suite, I took Layla out for dinner and some dancing.

We had a great time together. It was the happiest I could remember feeling in such a long time.

But absolutely nothing compared to being able to take her back to my suite later that night, where I made love to her again before being able to fall asleep with her wrapped up in my arms.

FOUR MONTHS LATER

“Go out ahead of me and wait. I’ve got to grab something first.”

I kissed Layla’s mouth, allowing my lips to linger a bit before I released her. After smiling seductively at me, she turned and walked out of the ballroom.

For a few moments, I was rooted to the spot as I watched her move through the crowd toward the exit. Anyone looking at me wouldn’t know it, but my heart was racing. From a young age, it always beat faster whenever she was around. And now, months after we’d reconciled and were working toward rebuilding something even better between us, I was glad to know that she still had the power to leave me feeling that flutter in my chest.

Once she slipped out of the ballroom, I turned and made my way over to the dessert display.