Always Mine

by Ruth Cardello

  He doubted the same could be said about him.

  He ran through possible scenarios of how Emily’s dream could happen in Welchton and each one was more ludicrous than the last. Reselling the homes he’d purchased would get him some of his investment back, but it wouldn’t help Emily. Many of the homes had been vacant for long enough to have dramatically reduced in value. The families who had left wouldn’t return. He couldn’t believe he was even considering relocating his facility away from Welchton.

  What was it about Emily that had him all turned around? He’d never let anyone influence a business decision. What did it say about how he felt about her that he wanted to wake her and tell her he would do anything to keep her with him?

  Anything to keep her with me? What the hell am I thinking? I’m heading off to Trundaie and back to my life. The last thing I need is to let a woman distract me.

  It wasn’t just any woman, though. It was Emily. Just the thought of her lying in her bed in the other room made his heart beat loudly in his chest. Trusting his instincts had always guided him well, and everything in Asher was certain of one thing—Emily was his. He hadn’t changed his mind about some things. This wasn’t forever, but it also no longer had a shelf life of only a weekend. When it ended, which he was certain it would, he would be generous to her, kinder than he’d taken the time to be to anyone. He had a feeling that being with her would leave him changed, and the idea was becoming more appealing to him.

  As in business, Asher found power as soon as he chose his path. People wasted time and opportunities when indecisive. Asher had always preferred to set his course, plow through the obstacles, and leave the waffling to those too afraid to fight for what they wanted.

  He called his assistant and told him to contact the team and tell them the project was on hold. He’d have his facility and Emily would have her museum. He’d sort out the details once he returned to his office.

  “How do you want to handle Blue Ridge Construction? They’re waiting for us to return the contract they sent over. They’d hoped to started demolition next month. It’s a major project for them,” Ryan said.

  Asher walked over to the window and took in the outline of Emily’s museum against the white of the snow. “Email our contact and tell them we’re not moving forward with the facility at this time. There has been a complication.”

  “Is it the Harris woman? If so, Hearne is back from Germany. He’s the best when it comes to resolving complications.”

  Asher ran a hand through his hair impatiently. As his company had expanded he’d relinquished more and more of the day-to-day decisions to key people he trusted within his company. Ryan was one of those people. His title was personal assistant, but he was paid generously because he could make things happen and with more efficiency than many vice presidents Asher knew in other companies. Still, it was disconcerting to realize Ryan knew more about this Hearne man than he did. “When I get back to the office have a full report on Hearne ready for me.”

  “I don’t ask how he does it, and he doesn’t tell me. But if you want Ms. Harris to change her mind, send Hearne to Welchton.”

  “Keep Hearne out of Welchton and get me that report,” Asher said. He hung up the phone and rubbed a hand over his face. Work was usually his priority, but what he wanted right then had nothing to do with his business goals. He wanted a few more days of feeling how he did when Emily smiled at him.

  If any of his brothers had spoken about a woman that way, he would have laughed at them. Unfortunately, there was nothing funny about how he felt about Emily. She was an addiction he wanted to lose himself in.

  Despite the sex they’d had, he knew Emily was close to pulling away from him. She was angry about things that had been put into motion before he’d met her. He wasn’t the type to apologize, but he’d discovered the pleasure that could be found in not fighting with her, and he wanted to find a way to appease her.

  He conceded his lack of expertise when it came to the workings of the female mind and called his sister. “Kenzi, I need your opinion on something.”

  “Asher? Wait, can you repeat that? Did you just ask for my opinion?”

  Asher smiled. Of all his siblings, he got along with his sister the best. Regardless of her sarcasm, he knew she was happy to hear from him. “Do you want to know why I called or not?”

  “Is it an apology because you forgot my birthday last week?”

  “Did I? Shit. Ryan usually sends—”

  “Ryan?” Kenzi asked. “We talked about this last year. I don’t want something your assistant picks out for me.”

  “Which is why you got nothing this year.”

  Kenzi laughed. “You are so lucky I love you.”

  “I’ll buy you something when I get back to Boston. Now back to my question. You’re a woman.”

  “If that’s your question, I’m worried.”

  “Forget it. I’m not fucking doing this—”

  Asher was about to hang up on his sister when she quickly said, “No, wait. Sorry. Ask me anything.”

  Asher’s need for the information outweighed his desire to avoid the conversation. There was a chance his sister might have an idea he hadn’t considered. “If you were a woman who didn’t care about money, and I had possibly done something to offend you, what would smooth that over?”

  This time Kenzi didn’t answer with a joke. “Without knowing who you’re talking about, I can’t give specific ideas, but I’d suggest you show her that you care about something she cares about. Take her someplace you know she’d love or to see something you know she’s always wanted to see. Does that help?”

  Asher started searching on his phone even as he continued to talk to his sister. “Maybe.”

  “Is there any chance this is the same woman Mom told me about? The one with the museum in New Hampshire?”

  Asher decided to neither confirm nor deny the accuracy of his sister’s guess. His silence, however, proved to be enough of an answer for her.

  “Oh my God, it is, isn’t it? Mom will be thrilled. She’s convinced this is the woman you should marry. I can’t wait to meet her.”

  “Good night, Kenzi.”

  “Wait. If this is about Emily Harris, I have the perfect place for you to take her. After Mom told me about Emily’s museum, I did an online search to find out more. Do you know that even the Louvre has a tactile exhibit for the visually impaired? If you want to say you’re sorry, Asher, take her to Paris. No one can stay angry in the city of love.”

  Chapter Seven

  ‡

  Emily was naked and curled up against Asher, still in a rosy, sated daze after what could only be described as a marathon of the best sex in her life, when he asked her a question she didn’t believe she’d heard correctly. “Hmm?”

  “Do you have a passport?” he asked again, running a hand lazily up and down her spine.

  “Why do you want to know?” Emily asked, then winced at the guarded tone she’d used. It was a dose of reality into what was otherwise a heavenly morning. She’d shared her body with him, but she didn’t trust him yet, and what did that say about the quality of her decision?

  He didn’t appear put-off by her tone. He gave her bare ass a light smack. “I’m taking you somewhere and need to know if the trip will involve paying someone to expedite a passport for you.”

  Emily pushed herself up onto one elbow. “I can’t go anywhere right now. There are only about a million loose ends to tie up before the museum is ready. Going down to Boston already set me behind on my schedule.”

  “What if I told you I’m putting my project in Welchton on hold?”

  There was something icky about that correlation between what was happening between them and that decision. She pulled the bed sheet over her. “I’d say if it’s contingent on me continuing to sleep with you, don’t. I’d rather battle it out with you in court than buy the win with sex.”

  He gave her an odd look. “I really never know what you’ll say.” His expression turned
wolfish as he said, “This has nothing to do with your museum. It’s about being nowhere done with you yet.”

  His words sent desire licking through her, but it didn’t dislodge her uncertainty. “Then why put your project on hold?”

  His kissed her shoulder. “You convinced me that your museum and its location is worth at least considering leaving as it is. When I return to Boston I’ll crunch numbers, estimate the projected loss, brainstorm with my team on how we could recoup the money, and see if I can come up with a plan that makes sense.”

  Emily let out a shaky breath. “So you’re still making up your mind.”

  Asher tucked a curl behind her ear. “I won’t move forward with any decision that adversely impacts my company, but if we can absorb the loss, possibly as a tax write-off, I see no reason why I couldn’t relocate my facility.”

  His words circled around in her head, sounding worse each time she replayed them. She tucked the sheet tighter around her and told herself to be smart about how she extricated herself from the situation. He was saying she had a chance of getting what she’d been fighting for. Losing that just because her pride was dented would give her a moment of satisfaction then a whole lot of regret. She skirted toward the edge of the bed, hoping that putting distance between them would give her the clarity of thought needed to sort out the mess she’d gotten herself into.

  He sat up. “So, the question remains—do you have a passport?”

  Emily stood and picked up her shirt from beside the bed, then stepped into her underwear. She sounded angrier than she’d meant to when she said, “I do, but I really can’t go anywhere right now.”

  Gloriously naked, he stood and blocked her retreat. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.”

  He took her chin in his hand and tilted her face up so she was forced to meet his eyes. “I don’t lie to you. Don’t lie to me.”

  All caution fell to the side and Emily pushed his hand away as her temper and voice rose. “Maybe. Possibly. There is a chance that you might save something that means everything to me, but only if it’s convenient for you? Do you hear yourself? I won’t pretend that I didn’t enjoy last night and this morning, but you make me angrier than anyone I’ve ever met.”

  Asher’s lips pressed together and he frowned. “I can’t simply end a project that is this far along just because we—”

  Emily wagged an angry finger at him. “Don’t say it. Don’t you dare say it.” She hitched the sheet higher around herself and said, “You should go now. I know I should care how this affects your decision, but right this second, I don’t. I want you to get out of my house and stay the hell away from me.”

  Asher’s frown deepened. “I put my project on hold. For you.”

  Emily waved her hands angrily in the air, not caring that the sheet fell to her feet. “On hold? You don’t get it.” She rubbed her forehead roughly. “Or maybe I don’t. Maybe you are so used to sleeping with people you don’t give a shit about that; this is normal for you. It’s not normal for me. I made a huge, huge mistake last night and this conversation is just bringing that truth home once again.”

  Asher looked at her for a long moment then said, “I’ll shower first or you can join me. Pack for weather slightly warmer than here. If we leave within the hour we can be in the air by noon.”

  The whole conversation felt unreal. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  Asher closed the distance between them and pulled her flush against him. One glance at his cock revealed that their conversation had excited him rather than convinced him to leave. “I don’t know what we have or if it can possibly last, but I know we won’t figure it out here. Your cute little ass can come with me willingly, or I’ll pick you up and carry you onto my plane, but I’m taking you to Paris.”

  Emily’s mouth dropped open. “Paris?” It was the last place she’d expected him to want to take her. “Why would we go there?”

  His expression softened. “The Louvre has a tactile exhibit similar to your museum. It was going to be a surprise.”

  Sure she’d heard him wrong, she shook her head to clear it and asked, “You want to take me to Paris to see an exhibit for the visually impaired?”

  With his hands on her hips, he held her against him, his cock grazing her inner thighs. “It sounded like something you would enjoy.”

  She brought a hand to her mouth and her eyes filled with tears. She didn’t know if she loved him or hated him in that moment because both emotions were raging wildly within her. She was turned on, pissed off, and touched by his thoughtfulness all at once. “I don’t know what to say.”

  He lifted her up into his arms and carried her toward the bathroom. He gave her a lusty grin and said, “Let’s continue this conversation after we shower.”

  She squirmed in his arms, but it was only a token gesture of protest. Her body and her mind were racing. Paris with Asher? Further thought soon became impossible as Asher joined her beneath the hot spray of the shower and began to tenderly wash her. Despite her confusion, there was no denying how young and sexy Asher made her feel. Because of that confusion she’d slept with him the night before and was now seriously considering going away with him.

  After so much time alone, being with someone felt good. Being with Asher felt better than anything she’d experienced. That kind of good was terrifying because she knew all too well how quickly things could end.

  Later, after they were both dressed and Asher was packing her luggage into the trunk of his car, Emily excused herself to go back into her house. She said she’d forgotten something, but what she actually sought was a minute or two of privacy.

  She stepped into her bedroom, closed the door behind her, and quickly called her best friend. “Celeste?”

  “Hey, how is New Hampshire? Did it work out that Asher went with you?”

  Knowing she was short on time, Emily blurted, “I slept with him, now we’re flying off to Paris because he wants to show me a museum there. Have I lost my mind?”

  Celeste made a surprised sound. “Wait a second. Back this story up. The last time you texted me you said you were taking him up to Welchton to show him your museum. He was still undecided about what he was going to do. Does this mean he isn’t buying your land? Your museum is safe?”

  Emily sat on the edge of her bed and buried her face in one hand. “He doesn’t know what he’s going to do.”

  “Oh, Em. What are you doing?” Celeste asked, concern thick in her tone.

  “I was hoping you could tell me. I want to hate him, but I can’t. He says things that make me angry, and he’s brutally honest about how important his company is to him. According to him, it’s all that matters. We couldn’t be more different. But then there are moments when we connect. I showed him my mother’s work and he got it. Not everyone does. And then there’s the sex. Celeste, I didn’t know it could be this good. At first I thought it had been so long since I’ve been with someone and that’s all it was, but this is different. I can’t explain it, but it is. He asked me to go to Paris, and I want to. I want to be young and free for just a couple days, and then I’ll come back and finish my museum. I can’t even believe I said that. See why I need you? Have you ever heard me talk like that? You’ve known me forever; what is wrong with me?”

  Celeste sighed, and she took a moment to answer. “Nothing, Em. Listen, you’ve been through a rough couple of years. You lost your grandfather and then your mother. That’s huge. And you didn’t give yourself time to grieve. You threw yourself into finishing your mother’s project, and I know you said it made you happy, but you didn’t put aside any time for yourself. You haven’t dated anyone since your mother died. You’re lonely, Em. And Asher Barrington, God, I don’t know a woman who would say no to Paris with him. There is nothing wrong with you. In fact, I think you need this.”

  “What happened to thinking he was dangerous?”

  “I’m more afraid of what will happen if you don’t go. I’m going to say something that may upse
t you, but you need to hear it. Lately, I’ve been worried about you. You used to care about a lot of things, but over the past few years your world has become smaller and smaller until you can’t see anything past your grandfather’s house and this project. It’s not healthy.”

  Hurt, Emily snapped, “I thought you understood why the museum is important.”

  “I do, but I also worry about what will happen if it doesn’t work out the way you imagine it will.”

  “You don’t think I can do this?”

  “Stop. I’m on your side. You called me for my opinion, and I’m giving it to you. Go to Paris with Asher and forget about everything back here for a few days. I’m not saying you should trust him, but if being with him helps you find the Emily Harris I know, then you should go. You’ve always been a crazy artist, amazingly creative and so full of life. I remember wishing I could be as passionate about something as you were about your sculptures. I know the museum is important to you, but it’s not all you are. It’s okay to do things simply because you enjoy them. You’re going to finish what you and your mother started, Em. I know you will. But you need a life, too.”

  If the advice had come from anyone else, Emily could have dismissed it and told herself they didn’t know her. She and Celeste had been as close as sisters since early childhood. Celeste spoke out of love, and her concerns helped Emily understand what she had been feeling. “I’ll text you updates.”

  Celeste chuckled. “Every day or I’ll hunt you down over there.” She paused a moment, then asked, “Are we good?”

  Emily nodded even though her friend couldn’t see it. “We’re good.” Emily smiled. “Hey, Celeste, guess what?”

  “What?”

  Giving in to the playfulness of the decision, Emily whispered in excitement, “I’m going to Paris.”

  Leaning against the side of the car waiting for Emily, Asher checked his messages. He answered several emails regarding a variety of projects. When he read an email from one of his men in Trundaie he decided to add a work component to his trip to Europe. He’d spend some time with Emily in Paris, then let her explore the city a bit on her own while he flew over to Trundaie, and then fly back with her when he’d completed his business. Things were working out perfectly.