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L eaning on the kitchen door frame, I admired Emily in the kitchen preparing an array of brunch goodies for us. She looked so beautiful, so at ease in her space. Waking up with her earlier that morning had been like nothing else. It was perfect. I felt as though I was finally home, as though I’d come full circle back to her. And despite the lies, the bumps in the road, and the arsehole called Mike that awaited us, I knew we’d make it and this time we’d be for keeps.

I just needed to prove that to her.

She wasn’t a woman who believed words or empty promises. She needed to be shown, and I planned on showing her no matter what or how long it took.

“You know, if you take a picture, it’ll last longer,” she teased, glancing at me from the corner of her eye. The dullness in them that I first saw when I came home had now been replaced by that sparkle I adored and that was enough for me. Seeing her happy would always be enough.

“I plan on taking many pictures of you just like I used to, but I’m going to enjoy the real thing for now.” I crossed the kitchen, pinning her to the counter from behind. “So, since you’re preparing brunch, does that mean you’ll let me cook for you and Liam tonight?”

“Yeah, about that… Liam is staying at Harry’s tonight,” she whispered as the warmth of my breath on her neck caused goosebumps to travel across her skin.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you wanted us to spend another night alone, Miss Ryton.”

“Maybe I want to see how this plays out between us first.” She spun around to face me, wearing her dark-framed glasses and an adorable smile.

“I couldn’t agree with you more.” I grabbed a buttery croissant from behind her while she narrowed her eyes at me and my quickness. “Do you want me to stay the night with you, Em?” I wanted to give her the option. I didn’t want to make her feel as though I was smothering her.

“Yes, I want you to stay. I want to know what this is or if it’s going to be anything at all.” She let out a soft sigh. “Liam cannot know until we know, that’s all.” I could tell she was worried. It literally radiated off her.

Of course I didn’t want to overwhelm her. I already knew I’d never been more sure of anything else before, and the time we’d be taking to figure things out would all be for her, not me.

“I want us to be for keeps this time, so let’s take baby steps and see what this is. And if it’s something, then when you think the time is right, we’ll speak to Liam about everything, okay?” I rested my forehead against hers as she looked up at me. “I will prove to you that I’m worthy of you and Liam. I’ll prove how much I want to be with you. I know my words probably don’t mean much, and I understand that, but I promise I’ll show you.”

And for the first time it looked as though she truly believed I would.

“So, what did you make for brunch?”

Her face rapidly lit up with excitement as she wriggled out of my hold and dashed over to the oven.

I couldn’t help but enjoy the sight of her arse as she bent over, retrieving whatever it was that had lifted her mood. She turned to face me, holding a tray of white chocolate and raspberry cupcakes.

“Please tell me that’s what I think it is.” I grinned, waiting for her to confirm what I already knew.

“I made your favourite.” She beamed with delight, and she was right. Those cupcakes were literally the best baked goods I’d ever tasted. “I think they might be even better than you remember.”

I took one from the tray, wincing as it almost burnt my fingers.

“Beckett! You need to let them cool down!” She placed the tray down and in one swift movement tried to snatch the cupcake back, but I wasn’t having that. I hobbled around the island with her closely behind. “I need to ice them!” she scolded as she turned on her heel before dashing in the opposite direction. She collided with my chest a second later. “Hand it over,” she demanded.

“Alright, alright! I’ll hand it over…”

“What’s the catch?” she asked as she raised her brow.

“I’ll hand it over for a kiss.”

“Hmm, I bet you will.” She scoffed with an eye roll.

She held out her hand, waiting for me to hold up my end of the bargain, but of course, I was getting that kiss first. I dipped my head, bringing our lips inches apart.

“You never listen, do you?” She smirked, and so did I.

“Only sometimes.” I pressed my lips against hers as the taste of warm chocolate and butter filled my senses. Our tongues danced together in a soft, sensual rhythm and everything around us seemed to disappear.

The rapid thump of her heart matched the frenzied cadence of our kiss. The air around us crackled with electricity, each touch and movement fuelling the growing intensity between us. Her breaths came in short gasps, mirroring the pace of my own.

The cupcake tumbled to the floor as my hands found her hair, pulling her closer, erasing the unwanted space between us and revelling in the sensation of her body pressed against mine. The sweet scent of baked goods filled the air, but it was nothing compared to the intoxicating feeling of her lips against mine.

She reluctantly pulled away with a gasp, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she met my gaze with her hooded eyes. Her lips parted as she nervously teased her lower lip between her teeth.

“I missed you, Em.” I could only hope that as we stood in such a warm embrace that she knew just how much I missed her. I knew she didn’t need me to repeat it every five seconds, but I would until she truly knew. “I regretted getting on that plane daily.”

“You shouldn’t. You have an incredible career, and I’m so proud of you. I may have been heartbroken, but knowing you were achieving something you dreamt of since being a child meant the world to me.” She stepped away from me, bending down to scoop up the mess that was once a cupcake. “I watched you a few times.”

“You did?” My mouth fell open as I listened to her admission.

“More than a few actually, but yes, I did.” She effortlessly prepared the buttercream in a bowl as her gaze remained focused on that instead of me. “Then as Liam’s love for football grew, he’d watch anytime he was allowed. He admired you, which is why I never understood why he gave you such a frosty reception.”

“That doesn’t matter now. I just hope that he won’t hate me when he finds out I’m his dad.” I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to shake those fears away.

“Don’t think about that. I know in my heart that you have nothing to worry about.” A soft pink swept across her cheeks as she smiled at the thought of Liam finding out. “Beckett, can you make it work? Can you make your relationship with your son work while playing abroad?”

“You’re forgetting someone in that equation… I think you mean, can I make a relationship with you and Liam work.” I rounded the island, twisting her around to look at me. “There is no doubt in my mind that I will make everything work for the three of us.”

“Liam has school and you have football training and matches practically all year round, but I guess at least you’ll get to meet and visit during the summer.” She was getting worked up for nothing. If I said I could make something work, then I bloody well could.

“Just trust me, Em. I know that’s hard, but just trust me on this, please…” I practically begged, wanting her to believe in me like she used to.

She gave me a subtle nod, clearly still holding onto the fear of the past repeating itself.

But not this time.

This time, nothing from our past would repeat itself. I was hers just as I always was, and there was no way that I would walk away from her again.

“Wow!” She gushed with the most beautiful smile on her face. “That was absolutely incredible! It seems you’ve been experimenting over the years.”

“I always do whenever I have spare time. I always hoped I’d have a use for all the new recipes I’d practiced.” I leaned over the table, resting my forearms on the wood. “Plus, pretty much all of my teammates were more than happy to be my guinea pigs.”

“I bet they were.” I caught her softly smiling as I took her hand in mine across the table, brushing my thumb across her knuckles.

Bit by bit, she was letting me in, and sure, I knew it would take however long it took, but I was ready whenever she was. I was ready to give her the whole damn world and more. Who was I kidding? That never changed, not even after all these years. It hit me as I looked into the eyes of the woman who captured my heart as a teen that she’d be the one to hold it forever.

Emily stood from the table, plates in hand, clearly wanting to put everything away before bed.

“Why don’t you let me do that, and then I’ll make you a homemade ice cream sundae?” I gripped her waist gently, stopping her from getting past me.

“For real?” Her eyes widened with excitement. “Like you used to?”

“Only if you share it with me?” I took the plates from her before she had the chance to change her mind.

“And what happens if I don’t?” She asked, her breath warm against my skin, sending a slow ripple of heat through me.

“Are you sure you want to find out, cupcake?”

Her mischievous smile told me all I needed to know as she glanced up at me through her lashes.

“What would you do if I said yes?” Oh, she was feeling brave this evening. Something that was completely unexpected but so fucking welcome.

Discarding the plates on the table, I cupped her arse, lifting her into my arms effortlessly. She ran her hands through my hair as she teased my bottom lip between her teeth, quite literally taking my breath away. Her chest rose and fell harder than before as I held her to me.

Her voice broke the tension-filled silence. “Shall we take this upstairs?”

I didn’t need to answer with words. My feet moving towards her bedroom was enough for her to know I agreed. I couldn’t get her up those stairs fast enough. I needed her. I needed to make her feel just how much I fucking loved her.

Not wanting to hurt her, I knocked my back into her door, letting it fly open. The familiar scent of her perfume filled the air as soon as we stepped inside. It was the perfect mix of floral and subtle sweet scents, and that’s when I realised it was the same one I’d bought her years ago.

It was as though I’d stepped into heaven. There was nowhere else I’d rather be from this day onwards.

We stood at the end of the bed as I towered over her, searching her eyes for the final green light. She grabbed the chain I was wearing and pulled my lips to hers. Her hands cupped my neck as I deepened the kiss. Her lips parted just enough, allowing my tongue access before it danced ferociously with hers.

I sucked her lower lip into my mouth as she moaned at the sensation, making my cock throb. This woman was made for me. Where I craved control, she craved release. I unbuttoned her cardigan, letting it fall off her arms and onto the floor.

“Get on your knees for me,” I demanded, her eyes darting to mine once more as she removed her jeans. She pulled my T-shirt over my head before lowering my sweatpants down my legs. She let out a shaky breath, clearly nervous but her face never faltered, never showed it. She dropped to her knees, her eyes not once leaving mine.

I fisted her hair at the nape of her neck, her lips parting slightly as I guided her mouth to my waiting cock. “You look so fucking perfect on your knees for me, Em.”

She ran her tongue across the tip as I sucked in a sharp breath. My cock slid past her damp lips, sending me fucking primal. Thrusting my cock deeper into her mouth, I felt the back of her throat as tears pricked her eyes.

Her hands gripped the back of my legs, her nails digging into my skin, and I fucking loved it. She was picture perfect on her knees for me as she slid her mouth down over my cock as it twitched against her tongue.

“Fuck.” I moaned, my breathing becoming ragged as I was at her mercy. She had no idea what seeing her on her knees did to me. “Just like that. Good fucking girl,” I rasped as she took me deeper, tears trickling down her cheeks. “I’m going to come, and you’re going to swallow every single drop,” I told her, unable to think straight as she slowed her sucking, almost sending me over the damn edge. She glanced up at me, fire burning in her eyes as they told me she was ready.

I gripped the back of her head, a raw moan ripping through my throat as fire coursed through my veins. “Fuck!” Her cheeks hollowed as I came. Her eyes never left mine as she pulled me from her mouth, and just as I said, she swallowed every drop. “Lay on the bed, Em.” I was losing control with her. I was primal for her. The need, the desire was like an obsession but the sweetest one.

As she laid back on the sheets, I saw how wet she already was, how needy she was for me. I skated my fingers across her sensitive pussy, making her hips jerk. Before I could say another word, her lips covered mine, the kiss consuming my entire being. I groaned into her mouth as I thrust my fingers into her pussy, hearing her cry out with need.

“Beck… Please!”

“Save that begging for when you want to come, baby.” I whispered against her mouth as the little whimpers that left her drove me over the edge. They were the sweetest sounds I’d ever bloody heard. “Bend over for me. I need to lose myself in that sweet pussy.” Her eyes dropped to my lips before she wriggled out of my hold, doing exactly what I asked of her.

I thought seeing her on her knees was the best sight tonight, but seeing her bent over for me took it to another level. The bed dipped as I joined her, her breath hitching in her throat as she waited for me with anticipation.

I entered her slowly at first as she clenched around me, her breath already quickening. My fingers stroked her hips before gripping them tightly, pulling her back into me. The ache for her was becoming too much.

“You take my cock so well.” And she did. This woman was made for me. Every inch of her was mine.

My fingers dug into her skin as she fisted the sheets beneath her. Her head fell forward as I filled her. “B-Beck—” She gasped as I kissed her shoulder and fucked her harder, knowing exactly what it did to her. She never was one for fucking slowly. She may have looked innocent and sweet but this woman loved when I fucked her mercilessly. “Fuck!” she cried out.

I could practically feel her skin tingle beneath my fingertips. I was consuming every inch of her body, and she loved it. I fucked her harder and deeper as she clenched around me, her arousal already running down her thighs. Her clit throbbed beneath my fingers as I teased her.

No matter how hard she tried, she was unable to string a couple of words together as I filled her. I knew how close she was. I knew her body well. So damn well.

“Does my girl want to come?” I breathed, slamming into her once more as she looked back at me over her shoulder, her eyes shining with need.

“Yes! Please,” she begged, her gaze locked on mine in challenge.

“Come for me, Em,” I murmured, knowing that those words were all she needed to let go. All she needed to come all over my cock.

Her body trembled beneath mine, completely at my will. She cried out my name as the orgasm surged through her, letting me claim everything she had to give.

“Fuck!” I roared, filling her with everything I had. My breathing was ragged and shallow. I cupped her cheek, turning her head to the side and dragging her lips to mine as we came down from our post-sex high.

“The things you do to me, Em. You have me in a complete chokehold,” I whispered against her lips before letting her go.

“The feeling is mutual,” she whispered back while catching her breath.

***

I laid back in bed while Emily finished her shower. There was no way I was venturing to the spare room tonight.

The door to the en suite opened, revealing Emily in nothing but a thong and cropped vest.

“I take it you’re staying the night then?” She blushed as she removed the band from her hair, letting it tumble around her shoulders.

“I can give you space, but if I’m spending the night then we’re sleeping in the same bed.” I pulled back the covers on her side as she cocked her head to the side whilst folding her arms across her chest, her tits now on full display under that vest. “I plan on sleeping with you in my arms tonight, so don’t keep me waiting.”

She instantly softened as she hurried across the carpet to me. Within seconds of her climbing beneath the covers, I’d wrapped my arms around her, securing her body against mine.

I intertwined my fingers with hers as she shimmied around to face me, the tips of our noses touching.

“Thank you for tonight.” She brushed the hair back that had slid down over my forehead. “I really enjoyed being here with you.”

“So did I.” I kissed her forehead as a smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

“Do these tell a story?” she questioned as she traced her dainty fingers over my tattoos.

“Not really. The only one that has a story behind it is the one on my leg. The one you designed.”

“I think you mean the one I unintentionally designed.” She chuckled, her fingers skimming the ink.

“Doesn’t matter if it was intentional or not, it’s the only one that truly means something to me.” I tucked a tendril of hair behind her ear as she let out a sweet, soft sigh.

“Goodnight, Beck,” she murmured as she snuggled into my chest. I’d never get tired of her being in my arms.

My gaze followed her every movement, slow and quiet, like I was memorising her without even trying. Her eyelids fluttered shut and sleep peacefully enveloped her. Her chest rose and fell in a gentle rhythm, the soothing sound of her breathing filling the air. I inhaled deeply, savouring her intoxicating scent as she draped her leg over mine and locked me in. A delicate flush painted her cheeks, complementing the soft auburn waves that fanned the pillow. Her lips parted as I gently cupped her face, letting my thumb caress the smooth curve of her cheek. I was lost in the beauty of her, just as I always had been.

“Goodnight, cupcake.”