Page 63 of Anteros' Return

“What’s on your mind?” she asked as I shifted in my seat.

“Nothing, just thinking how long it’ll be until you kick my arse out.” I laughed, as did she.

“I actually thought we could relax a little. Maybe stick a movie on. What do you think?” That offer wasn't one I was expecting, but I sure as hell wasn't going to turn it down.

“I’d love to.” I stood up as she sat down, giving me a quizzical look. “We can’t watch a movie without popcorn, right?”

“We never could.” She flicked on the movie channels. “What’s your preference?”

“How about horror?” She always liked watching scary movies with me. “Now, tell me where you keep the popcorn, and I’ll grab some.”

“The cupboard next to the cooker.” She kicked off her slippers before tucking her legs beneath her. It was the first time I’d seen her this relaxed around me since I came back. She looked so at ease and at home that it made me realise just how much I missed being with her.

I found what I was looking for and headed back into the living room, where she’d already picked the movie and prepared a large throw blanket to cover us both. As I pulled it back, I noticed her lounge shorts had ridden up, exposing a little of her arse.

“Beckett, hurry up, you’re letting the cold air under the blanket.”

“Alright, boss,” I teased as I flopped onto the sofa beside her.

“You know, I haven't watched a horror movie in forever.”

Part of me wondered if that was because she wouldn’t watch them without me. Or maybe I was reading too much into it. Whatever the reason was, it felt good to be here with her again, especially when every time she moved, the subtle scent of her delicate perfume mixed with the sweet smell of her body lotion. It invaded my senses and drove me wild.

We sat with a little distance between us, something I was determined to close for good if I had my way, but I needed totake things at her pace. She was the one who would remain in control. Her decisions wouldn’t be influenced by me.

I let my head fall back on the cushion as I stretched out my arms along the back of the sofa. Emily fidgeted next to me, no doubt to get even comfier than she already looked. Her next move was one I was in no way anticipating. She laid back on the sofa with her toes brushing my thigh.

“Sorry.” She giggled.

“For what?” I didn’t give her time to answer as I wrapped my hands around her feet and rested them on my lap. Her face was a picture I wished I could capture. Much to my surprise, she didn’t try to move.

“Let’s just continue with the movie.” She turned back to watch the TV while the only thing I wanted to watch was her. I was fully captivated by her body, as well as her beauty.

I didn’t give a crap about looking at what was on the screen. Knowing Emily didn’t move for the rest of it made me think that maybe, just maybe, things were going in the right direction.

Of course I knew that Liam was her main priority. Having him in my life was mine too, but so was Emily. Having the two of them with me wherever I went was the ideal situation for me. If what I had in my head worked out, then they would be.

“So, Em…” I turned my head and found her asleep. Her lips were parted ever so slightly as her lashes fanned the very tops of her cheeks.

I moved her feet as gently as I could before carefully lifting her into my arms. I made my way towards the stairs, hoping I‘d find the right bed to put her in.

I rounded the corner of the upstairs hallway slowly—only to jump back as Liam suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

“Beckett, what are you doing?” He asked sleepily, rubbing his eyes with the backs of his fingers.

“Your mum fell asleep, mate. Which room is hers?” I asked in a hushed whisper.

“That one,” he pointed towards the door next to his, “right there.” He rubbed at his eyes before walking past me to plod downstairs in his sleepy state.

I opened Emily’s door, making my way over to her bed, and pulled back her covers as best as I could before lying her beneath them carefully. I pulled the sheets up around her body, breathing her in one last time. Brushing the hair away from her face, I whispered, “Goodnight, cupcake.”

“You can stay in the spare room,” she muttered before turning over and falling into a deeper sleep.

As I left Emily’s room, I saw Liam heading back into his. “Beckett, are you staying over?”

“I’ll be in the spare, mate.” He closed his door, and I went into the spare bedroom.

As I flicked on the light, I was met with a room that reflected Emily's personality. The soft moonlight glow illuminated the freshly picked flowers that were placed on the desk by the window, their sweet fragrance filling the room. A sage green throw was neatly folded and placed at the end of the bed, which seemed to add a pop of colour to the neutralness of the room. It was clear that every detail had been carefully chosen by Emily.

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