I bite my lip, not wanting to ruin the moment, but desperately trying to avoid falling back into my familiar tendency to avoid the hard conversations.
"Asher–"
"I meant everything I said last night, Emma." Asher interrupts me. He takes both my hands in his. "But I realized I can't force you to be mine."
I shake my head, tears pricking the backs of my eyes, but he shakes his head too.
"I want you to be mine forever, but you will always have a choice, my love. And, I promise, I will spend every second making sure you want to choose me—" Asher pauses, running his finger down the side of my cheek before continuing, "for as long as we both shall live."
I try to swallow around the tightness in my throat as tears threaten to spill, but a sob escapes. Asher pulls me toward him, and I fall into his lap, burying my face against his chest. I wail like a baby, soaking his skin with my tears.
"What about Donovan?" I ask, pulling back as reality sinks in. I'm furious that my ex-husband could ruin even one more second of my future happiness, but his family is connected and I don't want to bring Asher down.
Asher hesitates, running his hands down my arms. "Let's talk about it later."
"Tell me," I demand. "I'm not fragile, Asher."
"My lawyers contacted me this morning. Donovan screwed with the wrong people. Slept with someone connected with the De Ricci family."
"Is he dead?" I ask in shock.
"No," Asher says quickly. "But he will probably wish he was. We are the least of his problems now. As of this morning, he has been fired from my company, and I have Milo De Ricci's word that Donovan will never come near you again."
"Did you make a deal with the mob?"
"No," Asher shakes his head. "Milo and I go way back. It's a favor. Between friends."
I stare at Asher, the weight of what he's telling me taking a moment to register.
"I've got you. I promise." He rubs my back and I let out every single bit of fear and worry like a dam breaking from the weight of his promises. He holds me through it all. Not trying to stop me, or talk to me. He simply touches me and lets me cry. As the last of my tears fall, and I catch my breath, I realize this is the first time in a long time that I feel safe. Truly safe.
"I love you, Asher." I gaze up at him, my face a blotchy mess from my tears, but I don't care.
The smile that lights up Asher's face in response is enough to make me grin like a fool and I shake my head as he pulls me close.
"I heard you last night, but I'm glad to know it's not just when I'm making you come on my fingers," Asher says with a low growl, and my cheeks heat.
"I love you extra in those moments," I tease, and he gives me a heated look.
"Well, I am an overachiever," he whispers against my skin. His fingers reach under my dress, and my legs fall open, desperate for his touch. I let out a moan as he finds my clit.
"I love you, Emma. Always and forever."
Epilogue - Asher
Three Years Later
"This little one is ready for bed," Emma says and places a soft kiss against our son's head before handing him over to our nanny.
"There we go now." Mrs. Potter gazes lovingly at the bundle in her arms. Gregor's eyes are closed and he smiles in his sleep. "The two of you have fun tonight. I'll take grand care of this one."
Mrs. Potter has become part of the family over this past year, watching over our first child as if he was her own blood. Our entire house is smitten with him.
"Thank you, Mrs. Potter. Call my cell if you need anything."
"Not to worry dear. Best you dress now," she advises. We can hear her softly singing a Gaelic lullaby down the hallway to the nursery.
Emma turns from the door, looking down at her robe like she has only just realized she isn't ready yet, and I stifle a smile. She is as devoted a wife and mother as I had anticipated, but the love she has for our son is like nothing else. A homebody, she would rather stay in to be close to him than attend any social function, but since we're a major donor, we have to make an appearance tonight.
