Page 71 of Anteros' Return

She squeezed a small amount of cream into the palm of her hand, rubbing them together slowly to warm it up. She eyed me for a second, as if needing the green light to continue. “I’m good, Em. Stop worrying.” I assured her with a smile.

She gently rubbed her fingertips in unhurried relaxing circles around my injury. The scar, only just beginning to heal, tingled and then eased up as she worked her thumbs across it. With each pass, the discomfort lessened until all that remained was a faint reminder of what once was. I let out a sigh of relief, grateful for her soothing touch.

“I’m just going to push the leg of your sweats up. They’re in the way.” She whispered.

I couldn’t take my eyes off her as a soft smile tugged at the corners of her lips. But suddenly, that faded.

“Em, are you okay?” I asked.

And then it hit me…She’d seen it.

25

Ten years ago…

“Beck, please lie still for a second,” I demanded sweetly as he finally gave up wiggling and allowed me to doodle on the back of his calf. “Thank you!” I squealed with delight.

“Anything for you, doodle away.” He chuckled as I rested his leg on my lap.

With precise movements, I carefully drew a whimsical cupcake on his skin. The lines were soft and rounded, giving the drawing a cartoon-like quality that screamed cuteness. As I added the final details, Beckett peeked over his shoulder with curious interest. I could see him watching intently as I finished it off with a small cherry on top of the cupcake, his absolute favourite. A smile spread across my face as I admired my work.

“What do you think?” I asked.

“It’s almost as cute as you.” He laughed as he turned around in the blink of an eye, pulling me on top of him. “I love you, Emily Ryton.”

“And I love you, Beckett Ashmore.”

He reached up and tenderly cupped my face in his warm hands before sealing our love with a gentle, lingering kiss. His touch ignited a fire within me, one that burned brighter than the sun. And in that perfect moment, all I could do was melt into his embrace, knowing that our love would last forever.

“Emily?” I could hear Beckett’s voice, but I couldn’t answer. I was too busy trying to remember how to breathe as my eyes remained fixed on Beckett’s leg.

“Beckett, what is that?” I asked, my voice trembling as I touched the ink that decorated his skin. But this time it wasn’t removable. It was permanent. He had tattooed my doodle on his body and added a bumble bee. “What did you do?”

I jumped to my feet, unsure of what to say.

This man had carried me around with him all these years.

He leapt from the bed with a wince, and within a split second, he stood toe-to-toe with me, gently forcing me to look up at him.

“I love you, Em.” He breathed, the warmth of his breath kissing my skin. “I always have.”

“Even after the lies you heard?”

“Yes, I loved you even then. I loved you enough to let you move on from me if that was what you wanted.” He wiped away a stray tear that escaped with the pad of his thumb.

“But I didn’t move on. I couldn’t…” I let the tears fall. I couldn’t hold them in anymore. There was no point. I had loved Beckett Ashmore since the day I met him in my parents kitchen. Of course, that didn’t fade. I never stopped loving him, but knowing he would leave us soon made it hard for me to open myself up to love again.

Without another word from either of us, he effortlessly lifted me into his arms as if I weighed no more than a feather. Our bodies collided with an electrifying jolt as his strong hands firmly gripped my lower back and arse, securely holding me in place against his chest, their warmth seeping through thefabric of my clothes. My heart raced at the sudden closeness and intimacy between us, igniting a fire within me that burned brighter with every passing second.

I knew he was taking things at my pace, waiting for me to give him the green light. I nodded with a trembling breath, the anticipation building in the pit of my stomach. I hadn’t been with a man since Beckett all those years ago, and although I was nervous, I wanted to let go.

I wanted to feel him again.

I needed to be his… Even if it was for just one night.

He crossed the room with me in his arms, his eyes not once leaving mine. Not knowing what came over me, my lips collided with his and it took less than a millisecond for him to take over . This kiss was so incredibly different from what we once shared but he still felt likehome.

My home.

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