“Because of my anger, I agreed. But as the days went on, and with each cemetery we visited, I focused on myself. I know now how selfish it was.”
“It wasn’t selfish, Robbie. I’m glad you took that trip with two of your best friends. That’s the way it should be.”
“Yeah, babe, but I didn’t realize until last night how badly I fucked up. It never crossed my mind you’d move out and think we were over. I love you more than anything, and I lost sight of that. Thinking about what you’ve been going through fills me with guilt.”
“It wasn’t only you. Everyone was hurt and angry. I understood that, but when my family cut me out and you left, something in me shattered.”
“I never understood exactly the anguish Declan Collins went through until you opened the door this morning. Seeing you in so much pain ripped my heart apart.”
“I know that feeling well,” she whispers. “That being said, I won’t put myself in the position again. I realized that my life has been about making everyone around me happy. For once, I’m going to concentrate on myself.”
Her tone scares me. “What does that mean?”
“It means, your reaction and subsequent actions hurt me deep. I’m human and you treated me terrible.”
“You will never know how sorry I am.” I roll her over and pin her underneath me. Her eyes grow wide as she pushes against me.
“Please, stop fighting. Let me say this. I was an absolute fool. Nothing will ever take away the hurt, but I’m going to make this right.
“My apology doesn’t cover the depth of my regret. I missed you from the day I drove away, even though I kept my distance. Every night, I’d look at pictures of you on my phone, and my heart ached for you. There was an emptiness there that only you can fill. It was an asshole move to cut you out, to leave, thinking things would be fine when I returned. You are too good for a dickhead like me. Anything in this world you want, and I mean anything, you’ll get. Ember Walker, you have become my life. Please forgive me.”
Her lip quivers when she finally speaks. “It hurt when Serena and Natalie purposely cut me down. It hurt when my dad went to jail. It even hurt when I learned Brad used me. But when you left, it killed me. I’m not sure I want to be in that position again.”
Her words hit me deep, and I try to stop the emotions swimming in my mind. Tears threaten as my throat closes. I haven’t cried in years. Not when my friends died, not when I almost lost my leg, not when my sister was kidnapped, nothing… but damn if this incredible woman makes me want to bawl like a baby. Our eyes meet, and I pray silently that I can change her mind.
“Did I fuck this up beyond repair?”
“I don’t know. Can you promise to never leave again when things are heated?”
“Without a shadow of a doubt. You are now, and will always be, my priority.”
This is a promise I can keep until my last dying breath. Never again will Ember Walker experience pain because of me. If she gives me another chance, I’ll lay my heart in her hands, where it belongs.
Her small hand cups my chin and moves slowly to my cheek.
“You gonna be able to move beyond this, knowing I was protecting you?”
I nod and lean my face into her small hand. She owns me. The last two weeks of closure mean nothing if she doesn’t forgive me.
“Robbie, I forgive you.”
I let out a breath and squeeze her tight, scared to let go. The gravity of almost losing her hits me hard and a chill run down my spine. We sit in silence a few minutes until she starts to squirm, trying to move away.
“Robbie, I can’t breath and I’m starting to sweat.”
I move back an inch but don’t let her go. She scans my face and starts to speak, but I cut her off.
“Give me this, I need you close. I’m terrified if I let you go you’ll realize what a dick I am and walk out the door.”
Her next words break my heart and repair my soul at exactly the same time.
“For weeks, I begged everyone around me to understand my place in all the mess going on. It was lonely and I had a lot of time to reflect. During that time, my body and mind mourned your absence. But now, there’s no more room for the anger or bitterness. What kind of hypocrite would I be if I spent all this time asking for forgiveness, but couldn’t give it myself?
“I told you the first time you showed up at my house with lunch that I’m not like most girls. Holding a grudge isn’t my style. I mean it, Robbie, I forgive you.”
And there it is, she’s letting it go.
“No more secrets, promise me,” I moan, moving to kiss her palm.
“Promise.”
“Never again.”
“Never again,” she repeats.
“Do you still love me?” I ask, wanting to hear the words from her sweet mouth.
“With all my heart.”
“You going to move your stuff back?”
She leans up on her elbow and moves her hand to my bruised jaw. “Maybe we should take things slow.”
“Fuck no. We don’t go back. We go forward. And I want everything, including your furniture. No temptation to run when things get tough. We work through it, under our roof.”
“Robbie, saying ‘things got tough’ is a bit of an understatement.”
“How about if I say when I was the biggest fool on the planet to almost lose you?”
Her lips tip in a small smile.
“Tomorrow, we’re getting the rest of your shit. And cancel the lease on the apartment.”
She leans in and rubs her lips across mine. I barely feel the sting when she touches the cut. Her fingers brush against my jaw gently. “I’m sorry Alex punched you.”
“I deserved it. That fucker’s got strength.”
Her hand slides down, tracing the star design, and she smiles. “This is beautiful.”
My hand fists her hair as I pull her mouth back to mine. She parts her lips, and my tongue finds her instantly. I kiss her slowly, taking the time to appreciate the taste I’ve missed for weeks.
She leans into me, sliding her hand into the waistband of my shorts. My dick jumps at her touch, begging for relief. It’s been three long weeks since I’ve had any type of release.
Pulling back, I look into her eyes before I pounce. The same lust running through my veins is mirrored back in her shining eyes. Both our hands move at the same time, clawing at each other’s clothes, until we’re both naked and panting.
I glide my fingers over her clit, feeling the heat coming from inside her body. She throws her head back and moans loudly. The sound is like heaven to my ears.
“Baby, I can’t do slow and sweet. My dick is begging for you. I’ll make it up to you later.”
The second I slide into her, it’s a miracle I don’t explode. Every inch of her hot, wet, heat sucks me in all the way. She’s tight, so tight that stars cloud my vision when my hips rock against her.
We sit still for a second until she bucks against me, wrapping her legs around my waist. Without another thought, I thrust in and out, feeling every inch of her.
She arches into me and pulses her hips against my own. Sweat pours down my back as my balls tighten. Her small moans fill the room, her body writhing under me. I watch as the orgasm takes over, and she screams so loud her voice goes hoarse. Finally, I let go and growl until I’m dizzy.
She lies underneath me, her heart beating with my own, and I roll us over, still attached.
Her smile lights up her face, showing me her dimples. “Now I can nap.”
“Good, because we’re not getting out of this bed for a while.”
Phones ring, texts chime, and the door shakes from knocks, but I don’t let Ember out of my arms for the rest of the day or night. Finally, the next afternoon when Finn lets himself in and screams that he’s here, I let her go. She runs to the bathroom as I pull on a pair of running shorts.
“What the fuck?” I watch him unpacking groceries in the kitchen.
“We’re grilling over here.”
“Tonight’s not a good night.”
“Nice lip.” He smirks, ignoring me.
“Did you hear me? You’re not doing dinner here.”
“You should be thanking me. The fucking drama unfolded all day. I tried to stop it, but Jenna insisted once she heard how Ember left with you yesterday. You have an hour before your place is busting with the whole crew, and I mean everyone. Even the band.”
“What the fuck?” I repeat
“Cruz called Chloe, she called Jenna, Jenna called Raven… you get the picture.”
“Oh no!” Ember’s panicked voice causes us to turn. “I only brought a few things. I can’t host a dinner party in jean shorts and a t-shirt.”
The fact that she’s even thinking about hosting warms my heart.
“Babe, come here.” Finn holds his arms open, and she goes to him immediately. His concerned eyes meet mine, and I nod.
“Welcome home, hero. I can’t wait to hear about your trip,” she tells him softly.
“Sweetie, you okay?” He cups her cheeks.
She looks at me and smiles sweetly. “Yeah, I’m okay.”
He nods and goes back to unloading the groceries. “I’m thinking you need a double cheeseburger tonight, babe.”
Blush creeps up her cheeks as she looks at me shyly. “Whatever you make will be great. I’m going to call Cruz and have him bring me something to wear.”
When she walks out, Finn whistles. “You gonna finally make this thing official? Looks like you both can’t live without each other.”
“I’ve got a plan.”
And starting tomorrow, I’m making that plan happen.
First item, canceling her fucking lease.
Chapter 49
It’s Official
Ember
Butterflies flutter in my stomach as I wait impatiently for Robbie to get home. His ‘surprise’ has been driving me insane all day. The sound of his motorcycle pulling into the parking space sends me running.
The minute he’s off, I throw myself at him, kissing him quickly.
“What was that for?” He chuckles.
“I’m so excited. Tell me now!”
“I can’t really tell you. It’s more of a show you thing.”
“Okay, then, show me!”
“Thought we could take the bike, but you can’t ride in that dress.”
“I’ll change.”
“No, now I want to fuck you in the dress. We’ll take the truck.”
He takes his helmet inside and returns with my purse and a scrap of fabric.
“You have to wear this.” He turns me around and ties a blindfold over my eyes. “Can you see anything?”
“No.” I shake my head.
“Come on then.” He takes my elbow and helps me into the truck.
During the whole drive, my nerves tingle. I try to ask him hints, but he stays silent, holding my hand tight. When we stop, he comes around and helps me out. His hands grip my waist as he guides me, gravel crunching under my feet until we go through a door. The smell of paint and timber hits my nose, and I know exactly where we are.
I jump up and down. “Can I look?”
“Yeah, babe.” Untying the fabric, he pulls it away.
“Robbie!” I squeal! “It’s so beautiful!”
The renovated kitchen sparkles and shines. Every single detail I envisioned has comes to life.
“I love it!” I launch myself into his arms. “It’s the most gorgeous kitchen ever designed!”
“I have to agree. Maybe you should think about designing kitchens as well as dresses.”
“Nope, this can’t be duplicated. It’s a one time deal.”
His eyes grow soft, and he leans in to kiss me. Our lips crash together, the air around us buzzing. As he moves his hands under my dress and grips my ass, my tongue swirls with his, fighting for more. He deepens the kiss, and I grow dizzy from lack of oxygen. When he breaks away, I whimper in protest.
“Turn around, babe. I want you now.”
“Robbie! We can’t do that. What if the realtor shows up?”
“She has no reason to since I own this place.”
“What?”
“It’s official. This house is ours.”
I suck in a breath, feeling my pulse start racing.
“Why do you look so surprised?”
“We haven’t mentioned it since we got back together. It’s been three weeks. I figured it fell through.”
“For the final time, we didn’t get back together because we never broke up!” He lays his forehead against mine. “This place was meant for us, so I pushed hard. The construction crews worked double time, and the owners already moved out. The paperwork was rushed through. It’s ours, baby.”
“Oh my God!” I cry out.
“You surprised?”
“This is the best surprise ever! Well, except for my dad, but this is different.”
“We’re going to move in this weekend. My mom wants you to call her to schedule a time to go shopping for essentials, whatever the hell that means.”
“Eekkk! That means we’ll stock the house with all sorts of new stuff. The second and third bathrooms will need towels. We can stick with your bedroom set for now, but maybe by Christmas get a new comforter, which means all new bathroom accessories in our bathroom, too. Don’t get me started on what I’m going to do in here. You’re going to love the pots and pans I picked out.” I ramble on and completely miss the heat in his eyes.
“Babe, do you get that kind of stuff when you get married?”
“Some people do. It depends on what the couple puts on their registry.”
“Get what you need right away, but put the rest on our registry.”
His words shock me into silence. Did he just say ‘our registry’?
“What?” I whisper, scared to death I heard him wrong.
“I figure it’s better to get the things you want than some fucking shit you have to return.”
“Sweetie, you need to be getting married to have a registry.”
“Even I know that, Ember.”
“I’m a little lost here.”
“So let me help you.” He backs away and lifts me to the counter, then cages me in with his arms. “You realize we were supposed to be in this house a while ago. The fire and renovations pushed that back. My plan never faltered. There were times I almost slipped, but it was important to have everything perfect.”
“What —”
He shuts me up by sweeping his lips over mine. “Buying this place isn’t the only thing that becomes official today. Today is the day you agree to marry me.”
My breath hitches when Robbie steps back and pulls something from his back pocket. He lifts my hand to his lips, kissing my wrist. Then he slides a ring onto my finger. I try to look, but my eyes are locked with his.
“Declan told me once that no one would ever love Raven as much as him. He swears it’s not physically possible to adore her more than he does. I called him a pussy, but I now know exactly how he feels. You are that person to me. I not only adore you, I cherish you and every single thing that makes you. There’s only one thing I want more than you to be Ember Lyn Hayes, and that is to build a family with you.
“I’m asking you to marry me. Help make my dreams come true.”
Tears cloud my vision and finally spill down my face, allowing me to see his beautiful eyes clearly. They are swimming in love. The moment is too perfect to speak, so I nod my head.
“Say yes, baby.”
“Yes!” I scream, startling us both. My hands grip his shirt, yanking him to me. He grins then slams his mouth to mine. I can tell he’s trying to go slow, so I take over, devouring him.
We kiss until both our lips are swollen and we’re breathless. He pulls away, planting soft kisses along my jawline.
“We’re getting a registry.”
“Yep.”
“Is this really happening?”
“Absolutely.”
“I’m get
ting married to the man of my dreams.”
“I feel the same way.”
He moves away, bringing my hand to his mouth again. I finally get the first look at my ring. Every woman has an idea of what they want on their finger for the rest of their lives, and this is mine. It’s perfect. The princess cut stone is surrounded by a halo of smaller diamonds that branch down and around the band.
“I love it.”
“It’s you.”
Something hits me, and I pull back to look at him. “You said your plan never faltered. What did that mean?
“I wanted to ask you the day this house became ours. I’ve had the ring quite a while. So many times, especially in the last three weeks, I’ve wanted to slide it on your finger.”
I squint my eyes suspiciously. “You didn’t have anything to do with my apartment suddenly becoming unavailable did you?”
He shrugs and does a terrible job at hiding his smirk. “The leasing agent is a romantic. Once I explained the situation, she agreed to cancel your agreement and give you your money back. I can be very persuasive.”
“I didn’t know this kind of happiness was real.”
“Only one thing that can make this moment better.”
“What?”
“If my fiancée lets me make love to her in our new kitchen.”
“Oh yeah, that’s definitely happening.”
His grin grows wide, his eyes shining with lust. “That’s what I thought.” He lowers his mouth to mine again and continues to make this the best day of my life.
Chapter 50
Disease is Contagious
Robbie
Another ear-piercing shriek flows through the house, indicating someone else has arrived. At this point, everyone will suffer hearing loss by the end of the night. I watch through the patio doors as my pregnant sister inspects the ring on Ember’s hand. My mom and Chloe crowd around them.
No one in our immediate families was surprised at our engagement. Thad had a big mouth, as did my mom. I got shit from all my friends except Finn. Being that I made fun of each of those fuckers endlessly when they fell in love, I deserved it.
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