Three Hours Later
After I carried Emily to the sofa, I let her sleep. I figured she’d endured enough excitement for the night and deserved some rest before taking her home. But like a mother hen, I’ve hovered around her checking her pulse, her breathing, and consulted ten websites for the symptoms of combining alcohol with muscle relaxers. Thankfully, her vitals remained in the safe zones.
“Can you bring my pickup around back?” I toss my keys to Sean. “I don’t think Emily would appreciate hearing a story of how I carried her through the bar on our first date.”
From her position on the sofa, she opens one eye. “This is your idea of a first date?”
“Yes, this is my idea of a first date.” I wink at her as Sean shakes his head and exits the back door with a thump.
“I guess it’s better than taking me to Rusty Nail. Amanda got the raw end of the deal.” Her head flops against the cushions as her eye flutters back closed. My chest constricts. Even loopy, she’s still perfect.
“That’s something we need to discuss when you’re more aware of what’s going on.” I brace my hands on my hips and watch her as her breathing steadies. And she’s out again.
Despite the shitshow of a night, I smile as I take in her features. She’s beautiful when she’s sleeping. So quiet and peaceful. I rub a hand over my face.
When she wakes up, she’s going to be full of sass. But this time, I’m not letting her go. I’ve waited too long to tell her how I feel. To explain why I was with Amanda’s at Rusty Nail. I don’t care that she chose Spencer over me. He’s not here. I am.
And it’s time she accepts that she belongs to me. To hell with how chauvinistic that sounds.
Her eyelashes flutter against her cheeks as she sighs and shifts deeper into the cushions.
Some asshole tried to drug my girl. My hands ball into fists. When I find that asshole again, I’m going to beat his ass. Two punches weren’t satisfying enough. The corner of my mouth quirks upward. Okay, they were enough for him.
I pop my knuckles and then switch to the other hand. I don’t care if there’s no evidence. I know what I saw. There’s no place in the world for fucking rapist pigs.
Ten minutes later, the door swings open and Sean grins. “Your chariot awaits.”
“Thanks, man.” I stride to the sofa and scoop her into my arms.
When she wraps her arms around my neck, everything feels right. I inhale the sweet scent of her perfume, letting it wrap around me. Heaven. She’s pure heaven. Nothing has ever felt better than having Emily in my arms.
Slowly, she blinks open her eyes and licks her lips. “You’re carrying me?”
“Yes, Pretty Girl, I’d carry you anywhere.”
Sean shakes his head and hands me the keys. “See you around. Be careful.”
“Always.” I clasp the keys in my fingers.
“Pretty Girl?” Her brows furrow. “Why did you call me, Pretty Girl?”
“Because you’re my pretty girl.”
“Oh….” Her frown deepens as she settles back against me while blinking up at me. The confusion and disbelief in her eyes make my stomach cramp. How did I screw things up so much that she didn’t realize she was the most important person in the world to me? “Since when?”
“Since, forever.” I lean down and kiss her forehead. “Now, go back to sleep, and we’ll talk in the morning. You need to rest.”
“Right.” She snuggles her face into my chest. “You smell good.” When her cheek rubs against my T-shirt, my heart skips a beat. “And it feels good to have your arms around me.”
She clasps tighter around my neck and eases upward until her lips press against my neck. And then, her tongue flicks against the pulse beating there.
That simple touch has blood rushing from my head to my dick. Down boy. She has no idea what she’s doing. You’re not taking advantage of her like this.
I steady my shoulders and march to the door. “Thanks for everything, Sean.”
“No problem. Take care of your girl.”
Once we’re outside, the dark sky encircles us. The back parking lot is private for staff and family members only. While there are several vehicles lined up outside the door, it’s quiet with no other activity.
