I frown. “Shocked you?”
He pushes my hair behind my shoulders. “From the moment I laid eyes on you in that shop, you have been on my mind.” I smile. Same as me.
“And I tried to stay away from you because you were not in my plans.”
My eyes search his and my heart rate picks up. He gently runs his fingers down my face as his eyes hold mine. “But… I couldn’t stay away, Em,” he whispers, almost to himself.
I smile against his lips as he kisses me. “I’m glad you couldn’t stay away,” I whisper.
“And I can’t stay away any longer. I can’t do it, my love. I need you now. I want you to move in with me and I want us to plan a future together. To hell with the consequences.” “I love you.” I smile, is this is happening? He kisses me. His tongue gently enters my mouth and molds with mine. My breath catches at the intensity of him, at the intensity of this moment. I believe him; he does love me and he tried to stay away from me. I felt it at the time. I felt all along that he had feelings for me but was denying them. And now he is confirming those thoughts.
“Make love to me,” he whispers.
I smile as I put my hand under his jumper and lift it over his head. He unzips my dress and lets it fall to the floor. His hungry eyes drop down my body as I stand in my black lace underwear.
“My beautiful Emmaline,” he murmurs as he pushes my bra back and bends to take my breast into his mouth. “I am blessed that the person I feel like this about is such a beautiful woman,” he breathes onto my nipple.
I look to the ceiling and smile like a goofy teenager. I have been called pretty before, attractive sure. But to have a man like Alastar, a man who I am hopelessly in love with, tell me I am a beautiful woman has to be the biggest compliment I have ever received. He bites me, his hand drifting between my thighs before he pushes my panties down my legs. “I love you,” he whispers again.
Happiness starts today.
* * *
The welcoming crackling of the fire fills the room. The light is flickering on our faces as we lie next to it on the floor of our bedroom. It is midnight, but I couldn’t sleep if I tried. I’m high on the Alastar O’Shea love drug. We came back here and he made us dinner. We’ve been cuddling in front of the fire ever since, in our pajamas, with Fraidy the cat snuggled at our feet. I’m happy and I feel safe. It seemed since I met Alastar those things were a thing of the past, but now the feeling is back with a vengeance. He lies behind me with his strong arms around me, his head propped up on pillows. I sporadically feel his gentle kisses on the side of my face, and I smile into the glow of the fire. I never knew how much I loved fires or the warmth and the feeling that they throw out. We didn’t have one at home, and yet now I have spent nights in front of one with Alastar, I can’t imagine doing anything more perfect.
Alastar puts his hand in the air and I place mine into it.
“What are you thinking about, my love?” he asks as he brings my hand down to his lips and kisses my fingers.
I smile. “Nothing.” I hold my face up as he tenderly trails kisses down onto my neck. We have made love twice already tonight, but I can feel another round coming. I can’t believe he told me he loved me tonight.
Those holy words.
Intimacy has finally reached a whole new level. I felt it deeply all along, but thought it was one sided. Now that I know I wasn’t imagining it, I am not sure I can control it anymore.
I am in love with Alastar. The arrogant ass from the antique shop could not be more perfect, and for the first time in a long time I feel at peace. I roll over to face him and he smiles softly. My heart flutters. Oh, he’s just so lovely.
He looks over me, into the fire, with his arms around me as if in thought. I kiss his chest, knowing it is him who is thinking deeply.
“What are you thinking about, Twinkle?” I ask.
He smiles and kisses me gently. “Nothing much.”
I raise my eyebrows and he smiles a knowing smile.
“I’m thinking that time is so precious,” he replies softly. I smile. He’s so deep. I nod. “It is.” I watch him for a moment. I want to get to know him properly, all of him. Warts and all. “What is your favorite memory as a child?” I ask.
“Hmm.” He smiles, narrows his eyes and thinks for a moment. “Probably not worrying about the future.”
I frown. That’s a weird answer. I thought he would say riding a bike. “Do you worry about the future?” I ask.
He smirks. “Aye. I do.”
“Why?”
He shrugs. “It’s a curse, I guess.” His eyes drop to my pajamas and he fiddles with the fabric between his fingers as if processing his thoughts.
“You can’t control the future, Twinkle.”
“What if I could?” he whispers.
I kiss him gently. “You can’t.”
He nods, deep in thought.
“Is that why you like to be organized and for things to be neat and in order?” I ask gently.