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I stood beneath the spray of the shower, trying to wrap my head around everything that had happened today. It was a lot to take in, but I was ready to spend the rest of my life with Beckett. I let the warmth of the water wash over my skin as I closed my eyes, enjoying the sensation.

I didn’t need to turn around to know Beckett had joined me. He pulled my back into his naked chest. Moving my damp hair over my shoulder, he brought his lips to my ear, his voice nothing but a whisper.

“I thought you were going to wait for me?” He snaked his hands around my waist, flattening his palms across my stomach.

“You took your sweet arse time, that’s why I didn’t.” I smirked, not that he was able to see that.

“Is that so?” He spun me around, pushing my body against the wall as it collided with the tiles. His cock pressed against my stomach as his body remained flush to mine.

Dipping his head, he roughly kissed my neck as I let my head fall back, allowing him all the access he needed. His hand slid over my arse as his fingers dug into my skin the second he pulled me into his arms.

“What is it you want, Beckett?” I purred against his ear, teasing his earlobe between my teeth.

“To lose myself in that sweet fucking pussy.” He growled as he slammed his lips against mine, taking my breath away.

“Then what are you waiting for?” I asked breathlessly.

That was all he needed. Beckett’s control snapped. He pressed me harder against the wall, his hands roaming with urgency. His lips moved down my neck, his tongue tracing the curve of my breast and teasing my nipple until I arched against him, my moans echoing the small space.

“Fuck, you taste so good,” he groaned, his mouth moving lower, his hands spreading my thighs as he knelt before me. His tongue dipped between my folds, his stubble scratching my sensitive skin as he lost himself in my pussy. His mouth devoured me with a hunger that left me trembling.

“Beckett… Oh, God, Beckett,” I cried out, my hands gripping his hair as my body tightened. My orgasm built like a storm on the horizon. He growled against my clit, his tongue relentless.His fingers slicked against my sensitive flesh, thrusting inside me as he drank me in, his mouth a haven of pleasure. “Fuck me, please,” I begged.

He rose from his kneeling position. The dominance in his voice was a deep, velvety rumble that sent shivers through me as he spoke. " Turn around, put your hands flat on the wall, and bend over for me."

My stomach flipped at the command, my body responding instinctively to his authoritative tone. This was what I craved. With slow, deliberate movements, I turned to face the wall, splaying my fingers against the cool surface.

"You look so fucking beautiful like this," he murmured, his lips brushing against my ear.His words were a mixture of admiration and raw lust. "So willing, so eager to please me."

My body ached with anticipation. I could feel his cock pressing against me, a promise of what was to come. My fingers curled into the wall, my knuckles whitening as I waited.

With deliberate slowness, he trailed his fingers down my spine, his touch featherlight and teasing as he grasped my hips. His grip was firm and possessive. He positioned me, adjusting my body to his liking. "Are you ready for me?" he asked.

I nodded, my breath coming in short gasps. " Yes, " I whispered, my voice thick with need. " Please, Beckett. I need you. Now."

He didn't make me wait. With a fast, powerful thrust, he entered me, filling me completely. He stretched me. Claimed me. I cried out, my forehead resting on the tiles. My hair curtained my face as I surrendered to the sensation.

Beckett began to move, his strokes deep and relentless, his hips snapping against mine with a primal rhythm. The sound of skin against skin filled the room like an erotic melody that only heightened our passion.

"That's it," he grunted, his voice strained. "Take it. Take all of me."

A moan escaped me, my fingers scrabbling against the wall as I sought purchase, something to anchor me in this storm of sensation. I was lost, drowning in a sea of pleasure, my senses overwhelmed by the feel of him, the scent of him, the sound of his laboured breathing.

Beckett's hands roamed over my body, grasping, squeezing, possessing. He palmed my breasts as his thumbs slid down to hold my hips. His fingers dug into my soft flesh as he drove into me with increasing urgency.

"You like this, don't you?" he panted, his voice hoarse with desire.

I could only nod, my mouth parted in a silent cry as I teetered on the edge of release. " Yes, " I whispered, my voice barely audible over our ragged breathing.

The words seemed to fuel Beckett's passion. His movements became more frantic, more desperate. He was close. I could feel it. His body tightened, his muscles corded with strain.

"Come for me, Em," he growled, his voice a command. "Let go. Let me see you fall apart."

His words were my undoing. With a cry that was equal parts pleasure and surrender, I shattered. My body convulsed around him as I plummeted into the abyss. My release triggered his own, and he followed me over the edge. His body jerked in time with mine as he spilled himself inside me.

Slowly, Beckett withdrew, his hands gently guiding me to turn around. His gaze was tender, his expression full of love and adoration as he brushed a stray tendril of hair from my face.

" You okay? " he asked, his voice soft, a stark contrast to the dominant tone he used moments earlier.

I nodded. " I’m more than okay, " I whispered, my fingers threading through his. “Let’s go to bed.”

He flicked off the shower and grabbed a towel to wrap around me. “You read my mind.”

Lying beside Beckett that night was surreal. Knowing he was back home for good was something else entirely.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked, pulling me into his embrace.

“Just how surreal it feels to have you back for good. It’s like I’m in some sort of dream, and at any moment, I’ll wake up.” I rolled my eyes internally, thinking how stupid that sounded.

“You don’t need to worry about waking up from anything, Em. I’m not going anywhere.” He locked his fingers with mine as I threw my leg over his. “I couldn’t go anywhere even if I tried. You’ve locked me in.” He laughed as I swatted his inked chest playfully.

“Welcome home.” I rested my chin on my hand that remained on his chest as I looked up at him. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

“I’m sorry it took so long.”

“You were worth the wait,” I breathed, and it was true, he was.

“Welcome home, man.” Harry cheered as he entered the kitchen.

“I guess you don’t hate me anymore then?” Beck teased, sipping his coffee.

“I never hated you, mate. I just hated what I thought you did to my sister.”

“So, you hated me.” Beckett laughed, knowing exactly what Harry was thinking.

“Alright, you got me. But not anymore.” Harry held out his hand to Beckett in a shake of truce, but Beckett pulled him into a friendly hug. “Good to have you home, man. I missed ya!” Harry grinned, slapping Beck’s back.

“Aww, Harry, you big softie,” he joked back, and I couldn’t help but enjoy this moment. A moment I thought would never happen again.

“Listen, do you fancy coming out tonight? We can catch up, and Ollie is already up for it,” Harry offered.

“You know what, a couple of drinks sounds good. Usual spot?”

“You know it.” Harry accepted the coffee I handed him as well as a muffin. “Trying to get rid of the huge amount of cupcakes you’ve got there?” he joked, and I knew he bloody knew about it too.

“Liam is sleeping at Ashton’s tonight, so if you need me to pick you up just give me a call.” I directed my words mainly to Beckett as he flashed me a pearly smile.

“I’ll make my own way home. Don’t you dare drive out late at night for me.” Although his voice was calm, there was a demanding tone which stirred something in me.

“Beck—“

“Em.” That was the only word he needed to say to make sure I knew to stay home and wait for him. “I know you’re safe here at that time of night.” He kissed my head, resting his hand on my waist.

“You two are nauseating,” Harry teased, wrinkling his nose.

“You know where the door is, don’t ya, mate?” Beck winked, nodding towards the front of the house.

“Yeah, and I actually might use it so I ain’t third wheeling.” He held his hands up to bow out. “I’ll see you at the pub later. Eight sound good?”

“Yeah. See you later, man.”

The second Harry left, Beckett let out a groan.

“And what on earth is that for?” I questioned.

“I could do without going out to be honest.”

“So why did you say yes?” I laughed, chucking the tea towel at him, wiping the annoyed look off his face.

“I don’t know. Maybe because it’s a chance to rebuild our friendship, but now that I remembered Liam is going to be at Ashton’s, I wish I’d have said no.” He huffed.

“How about I wait up for you then?”

“How about you wait in bed for me… Naked, though.” His smile widened with each word he spoke.

“I’m sure that could be arranged.” I blew him a kiss as I wandered into the hall to dress properly before heading outside. “Do you need anything at the shop?”

“Do you want some company?” he asked, already pulling his shoes on.

“It looks like I don’t have a choice, do I?”

“Nope, I guess you don’t.” He chuckled, helping me into my coat before zipping up his own. “Besides, I need to grab some ingredients to cook for you before I go out later.”

He took my hand as we locked up and wandered slowly to the shop not far from the house. Beckett led me down the road where I’d dreamed of opening my bakery. To see the windows papered up from the inside to hide renovations hurt my heart a little. There was no sign up yet, so we had no idea what kind of business would be going in.

“You alright?” he questioned, interrupting my thoughts.

“I’m good. It’s just hard seeing the building I wanted to buy.” I sighed as he tugged me away from the building site.

“Don’t worry, Em. We’ll find a better location for you.” He promised, seeming so sure I’d want another building. “Somewhere that has the same kind of character, I promise.”

“Yeah, I know we will. It’ll just take some time.” I tightened my grip on his hand as we rounded the corner towards the shop.

“Wait, come here.” Beckett pulled me into the park, confusing me slightly.

“Is this some kind of shortcut I’m unaware of?” I arched my brow as he ignored my question.

“Not quite.” He came to a standstill beneath an oak tree, and for a moment, I wondered what he was doing until I realised what tree this was.

I whipped my head to the side, and there they were… Our initials faintly carved into the tree trunk. I couldn’t believe they were still there, and that he remembered that one evening after school he carved them with his maths compass.

“Look, it’s still here.” He smiled. “I already knew it was, though. I checked when I first came back.”

“You did?” I gasped, surprised he was able to even find it.

“Of course I did. I could never forget where or when I’d carved it. It was a cold December evening after school. The weather was damp and so damn cold. My fingers were like ice as I gripped that bloody compass, but I didn’t care. I wanted to show you that we were forever. Do you remember what I told you?”

I nodded, remembering his exact words and repeating them. “‘Emily Ryton, I love you more than life itself, and I’m going to grow old with you.’” I blushed.

“Good. I knew you’d remember.” He couldn’t hide the smile gracing his lips. Not another word was said about it as we made our way out of the park towards the shop.

“What was that about?” I quizzed, confused about his trip down memory lane.

“Nothing, I just wanted to know if you remembered.” He brought my cold knuckles to his lips, pressing a kiss to them softly, the warmth of his breath welcoming.

“What about that flower shop over there?” He pointed to a small, well-known florist still run by Madeline, an elderly woman who was nearing retirement.

“That’s where you got my roses from for our first Valentine's Day together.”

“And it was only after your brother told me that sunflowers were your favourite that I realised you accepted my gift with the biggest smile, not caring that they weren’t the flowers you really would have wanted.” He draped his arm around my shoulders as he spoke.

“Because they were from you and I wasn’t expecting you to get me anything.”

“How about there?” He pointed to the social club that was hidden down a small gravel path.

“I remember you taking me there one night because you wanted to see me.” I remembered every single thing. “Apparently, seeing me at school wasn’t enough.”

“No, it wasn’t. I never got enough of you then and I still don’t now.” He spun me beneath his arm in a playful gesture.

“Anything else on your trip down memory lane?” I teased, my body colliding with his as he twisted me back into him.

“Yes, one more place. Just over there.” He cocked his head towards the small restaurant.

“That’s where we had our very first date.” The restaurant was now run-down, and to be honest, it was close to closing down, but I still remembered the dimly lit booth we sat at. How we shared a half and half pizza. How he barely let go of my hand until our nerves subsided.”

“I was so damn nervous that night, not wanting to fuck it up.”

“You definitely didn’t do that.” I kissed the back of his hand as we finally made it to the shop. “Wait, actually do you remember our movie nights?”

“You mean how we’d come in here and play rock, paper, scissors to see who would pick the savoury snack, the sweets, and the drink?” His face lit up as he remembered. “I think we should do it with Liam now. Make it a kind of Saturday night tradition, what do you think?”

“I think it sounds perfect.” The thought of having our own tradition as a family was something I never thought would happen.

“Right, I’m going to grab the bits I need, and I’ll come and find you.” He kissed me quickly before darting off for the fruit and vegetables section. I, on the other hand, headed in the direction of the chocolate and sweets.

As I turned the corner to my favourite aisle, I saw Maggie, Mike’s grandmother.

“Good morning, Emily.” She smiled, but it was one that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Morning, Maggie. How are you?” I paused in front of her.

“I was actually hoping to run into you.” She pursed her lips before continuing. “I hope you know what a decent man you missed out on.” Of course, she was referring to Mike.

“I’m sorry, you can’t possibly be talking about Mike?”

Her mouth fell open, and it was clear she had no idea what had happened.

“He might be your grandson, Maggie, but you have no idea the lies he told and kept going until recently. I don’t want you to hear them from me, but if he tries to put the blame on myself and Beckett, then I will be the one to fill you in on what that precious boy did.”

“Emily, you and I both know you never liked him the way he liked you, and it’s a shame you have to pretend he did something wrong,” she tutted, unimpressed.

“I don’t need to explain anything to you, but why don’t you ask him why Beckett never came back or why I thought he didn’t want to know his son.” I spun on my heel, not wanting to entertain this conversation anymore.

As I turned, I collided with Beckett’s chest. “Woah, slow down.” It was at that moment he noticed the tears brimming my eyes. He glanced over my shoulder, noticing Maggie behind us.

“Hello, Maggie.” Beckett grimaced.

“Mhm.” She didn’t even have the decency to return his greeting. Everything I used to think about her was on its way out the window. “I see you wormed your way back in then. My Mike never stood a chance.” She scoffed.

“Your Mike knows what he did.” Beckett shut her down, not wanting to add fuel to the fire and start something in the middle of the supermarket.

“This isn’t over. Mike deserves better.”

“It is over, Maggie.” Beckett ended the conversation there and then, leading me back to where I originally wanted to go and not caring if Maggie remained there. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. She has no idea what Mike did, so it’s obvious that she would be on his side.” I sighed, not truly caring if she knew or not. “I guess he really pulled the wool over many people’s eyes, acting like a saint.”

“He’s anything but one of them.” Beckett rolled his eyes so hard I thought he lost them in the back of his head. “Now, let’s get you some goodies for tonight while I’m out. I know that’s what you came here for.” He chuckled, throwing all my favourites in the basket, remembering the exact things I would have picked myself. “Is that everything?”

“I think that’s more than enough.” I took his hand in mine, leading him to the checkout, thankfully not seeing Maggie again.

“Remember what I said.” He smirked as he slid his arms into his jacket.

“Wait in bed for you naked,” I teased, whispering against his ear before kissing beneath his lobe sensually.

“Come to think of it. I don’t need to go tonight. I can just stay here.” He trailed his fingers down my bare arm, desperate need in his voice as he debated staying.

“I promise I’ll be ready and waiting for you when you get home.”

“Em—”

“Beck.” I placed my hands flat against his chest, the warmth of his skin radiating through his shirt. “Enjoy yourself and I’ll see you when you get home.”

I reached up on my tip toes, pressing my lips softly against his, the world momentarily fading away. The kiss was like a gentle breeze, light and tender, and I could feel the faint tickle of his stubble against my skin. As we pulled away, he gave me that roguish grin that made my heart skip a beat.

"I’ll see you later. I love you," he murmured, his voice low and soft, before turning to head out the door.