Was he really ready to settle down and have forever?
“How can I be sure that you’re not just caught in the moment, wanting to ensure Melissa’s safety and once she’s settled you’ll be gone? I know we can make anything work but I do have about six months of consistent work in Europe. And then Samuel can oversee most of Melissa’s care from there. And I promise I’ll make sure she has people watching out for her. Will you be willing to come with me? Fly in for a visit every couple weeks? You can’t leave the bar but I do have frequent flyer miles. We can fly back and forth, right? It won’t be all that long, and we can figure it out together.”
So many questions, she didn’t know if the answers would be easy. There was so much overshadowing their relationship at the moment, and she ached knowing they might not find their way.
“I want everything with you. Even babies if you want some. Hell, I’m nearly fifty but I’d love to see a kid running around taking after you.” He brought her closer, lacing his fingers behind her back. “But even if we don’t, as long as we’re together life will be perfect. Everything else will work itself out, but know that I love you. With everything that I am, all that I am, heart and soul. You make me a better man. And my world is brighter, more fun and exciting with you in it. I can’t lose you. Not when I’ve just found you.”
Leaning in, he angled his head and brushed his lips across hers. Her breath hitched. She needed him so desperately, she couldn’t think.
Every word he’d said had her heart pounding out of her chest and sitting on top of the world. He loved her. Wanted a lifetime with her. Eric was a good man, the patriarch of his family and took the responsibilities he had very serious. She loved that about him.
And even though he’d lost his way a bit, believed he had no one to stand by him and didn’t know how to ask for help, she’d show him that he could count on her too. They’d share and compromise when a clear solution wasn’t possible.
And she’d show him every day what he meant to her.
Lifting her hands, she cupped his face, holding his mouth to hers. Breathing him in, she opened her mouth, touching the tip of his tongue with her own. Hunger coursed through her as his arms tightened around her, pulling her closer into his chest.
Bending her knees, she let him pull her off the sofa until she straddled his thighs. He kissed her neck as he straightened his legs and moved to the side to lean against the sofa.
He leaned in again, then kissed her nose. Breathing deep, he rested his forehead against hers and stared into her eyes. “Tell me it’s not all one-sided.” He drew in a deep breath. “Tell me you love me, too.”
Pushing her fingers through his hair, she giggled, mesmerizing his every feature. “Of course I love you. I realized I was falling the day at your house. It’s happened so fast, I’m terrified.” She let her fingertips wander over his face. “But I love you.”
He claimed her mouth once again, this time more passionately and desperately than before. He took her under his spell, drawing her into the sweet world that was all their own, and where his touch pushed her further and further into bliss and fulfillment.
A loud chiming noise cut through her thoughts. What the hell was that? Annoying and confusing, it was too distracting to ignore. Her breathing was heavy as she lifted her head and frowned. “What’s that noise?”
Eric scowled, confusion clouding his face. “Sounds like a doorbell. This hotel doesn’t have them, doesn’t it?”
Candy tilted her head just as the noise stopped. She opened her mouth when it sounded again and the light from her phone sitting on the coffee table caught her eye.
“Oh, crap, it’s just my phone. That’s my Face Time sound.” Her eyes widened. “Oh shit. I only have two people on it. For one reason.” She untangled her legs from around him and kneeled on the floor. Grabbing her phone, she hit the accept button.
Darren Shalvis’ face filled her screen. “Dare? Is everything okay? Where’s Livvy?”
“If you’ll give me a second to speak, I’ll tell you. Jesus, woman, you never shut up.”
“Screw you, Shalvis.”
“Hang on.” The images blurred as Dare moved.
“Come here,” Candy whispered to Eric. He remained silent as he moved closer, his face questioning.
The image of her best friend filled the screen. In her arms, a new bundle of happy wrapped in a blanket. Candy gasped, her eyes filling with tears.
Eric’s arms wrapped around her, cocooning her in more joy than she ever imagined.
“Livvy. Oh my goodness. How are you? How is he?”
“He’s beautiful.” Olivia held the baby closer to the camera Dare held. “David is perfect. Look David, there’s your godmother. She’s gonna spoil you rotten.”
Candy laughed, her heart full of love. “Everything went okay?”
Livvy nodded. “We’re both fine. And Dare was a master at keeping me calm.”
“Dare seems to be a master at knocking you up. Give it a rest already, Shalvis.” Candy couldn’t resist the need to goad her best friend’s husband. She adored the man but they hadn’t always had an easy relationship. They both rode one another hard, wanting to be the most important person in Olivia’s life, and each loving her. Olivia was one of two sisters she’d never had. Olivia and Holly gave her more familial love than she’d ever known.
Until now.
“Oh! Livvy, this is Eric.” Candy squeezed in closer to him and moved her phone to capture his image for her best friend.
Eric waved. “Hi. Uhh, sorry to interrupt such a beautiful moment.”
“Nice to meet you. I hope we’ll get to meet in person soon.”
Candy pulled the phone toward her again. “You will,” she promised, grinning when Olivia winked at her. “I can’t wait to meet David. When will you be home?”
“Tomorrow afternoon. Everything is perfect. Don’t worry about us. Go have some fun.”
“I can’t wait to see you. Love you, Livvy.” Tears spilled over Candy’s cheeks. Happiness didn’t get any better.
“Love you, too. See you soon.” The phone went dark. She set hers aside, then wrapped her arms around the man she loved. Sobs of joy escaped until she sniffled. “I’m a mess.”
“I guess babies have that effect on you?” Eric sat back and pulled her into his arms.
“That family does. My family. I can’t wait for you to meet them all, and Holly, too. They’re really the only family I’ve ever had. Their continued love and support is all I’ve needed.” She gazed into his eyes. “Until now.”
Eric grinned and kissed her nose. “You’re going to have so much love in your life, you’ll need vacations away from all of us just to stay sane.”
“No, I won’t. I’ll never tire of any of you.”
He rubbed a hand over her stomach. “You know, that baby was very cute.”
Trembling, she placed a hand over his and nodded. “He was. They have three kids now, and I’ve loved the first two as if they are mine.”
Eric drew Candy into his arms, bringing her legs over his until she straddled him once more. His gaze on her, he whispered, “I guess we’ll have to see about making some of our own, won’t we?”
Her heart swelled. Never had she stopped to picture herself pregnant. She’d been happy loving Olivia’s girls as her own. But the image now stuck in her head, her belly big and carrying Eric’s child, and she liked it. A lot.
Leaning down, she pushed him back and kissed him lightly. “I guess we will. No time like the present either, ya know.”
Smiling, Eric covered her mouth with his, claiming her once again. As he turned to lay her on the floor, his body covering hers, every fiber of Candy was electric.
Happiness, love, peace and acceptance washed over her.
Love had finally found her. She hadn’t been looking, hadn’t considered she would ever have it for her own. She was no longer the woman who stood alone in life, who never had anyone to rely on but herself.
Her life was suddenly fil
led with more than she’d ever imagined it could be. Love. Passion. And most of all—family.
She planned to treasure it always.
The End
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Other Books by Kacey Hammell:
www.evernightpublishing.com/kacey-hammell
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Stirring Up Dirty Page 12