Ash cupped Taryn’s cheek. She pressed against his palm and looked up at him. “I love you,” he said firmly. “You are amazing.”
The words felt right coming out of his mouth.
Her cheeks flushed. She turned her head and pressed a kiss against his palm. “I love you too,” she said softly. “But what was that for?”
“You’re this amazing person who helps others. There aren’t too many people who would look at Portia Tremaine—look close enough,” he emphasized, “to see that she was hurting. That she might have been hurting for a long time.”
She dropped her eyes.
He’d embarrassed her. That hadn’t been his intent. “I’m so lucky to have you in my life.” Then Ash stopped. She hadn’t said how exactly the meeting with Portia had gone. “I do have you in my life, don’t I?”
“I’d like that,” she said. “Shall we go home?”
“I like the sound of that.”
Ash asked questions the entire way back to the bar. And all the way back to her room.
“So, do I get my own room? Or can I stay here with you?” he asked. He was really hoping it was the latter, but he would respect Taryn’s decision. He never wanted her to regret spending time with him. Regret freeing him.
“I’d like you to stay here,” she said shyly. “If that’s what you want.”
“Oh, I want.” With a wicked grin, Ash shifted his weight and tumbled Taryn backward onto the bed. He braced his head on his arm and stared down at her. “I’m free. We’re free.” He leaned in for a kiss.
His lips met hers, scattering soft kisses over her mouth. Each one was filled with the emotions he didn’t have words for. Excitement. Terror. Uncertainty. Ecstasy.
She’d faced the Ice Queen to free him. The thought staggered him.
When he’d walked into her bar, freedom for Hope was all he could dream of. Taryn had managed so much more than that.
She’d given him his family back. His freedom. And her love.
He was the luckiest man in the whole world.
He slipped a hand under her head and threaded his fingers through her hair. “You are amazing,” he repeated.
Ash kissed the little divot at the top of her lips and she gasped. He took advantage and nipped at her upper lip.
She arched toward him. Nipping him back, she fully engaged his lips with hers.
Their tongues tangled. The hand that had pressed against his cheek now grabbed his shoulder and pulled him closer.
He went willingly, his lips glued to hers. His tongue caught in a delicate dance with hers.
His heart was filled to bursting. This was his life now. With her.
He pulled back and pressed his forehead against hers. “I can’t believe I get to spend the rest of my life like this, here with you.”
Epilogue
Taryn arched her neck,giving Ash access to the sensitive spot behind her ear. She sat on his lap in her chair in her office. “This is way better than spreadsheets,” she said breathlessly.
Ash’s laughter rumbled through her. “That’s a pretty low bar.”
“True.” She wiggled closer. “Work harder.”
His lips captured hers and his hand slid under her shirt, caressing her stomach. She dug her fingers into his hair, deepening their kiss. Office sex had become one of her favorite things.
A cough sounded in the background. “Um, boss. We need you out there. There’s a... There’s a problem?”
