Page 74 of Anteros' Return

Leaning on the kitchen door frame, I admired Emily in the kitchen preparing an array of brunch goodies for us. She looked so beautiful, so at ease in her space. Waking up with her earlier that morning had been like nothing else. It was perfect. I felt as though I was finally home, as though I’d come full circle back to her. And despite the lies, the bumps in the road, and the arsehole called Mike that awaited us, I knew we’d make it and this time we’d be for keeps.

I just needed to prove that to her.

She wasn’t a woman who believed words or empty promises. She needed to be shown, and I planned on showing her no matter what or how long it took.

“You know, if you take a picture, it’ll last longer,” she teased, glancing at me from the corner of her eye. The dullness in them that I first saw when I came home had now been replaced by that sparkle I adored and that was enough for me. Seeing her happy would always be enough.

“I plan on taking many pictures of you just like I used to, but I’m going to enjoy the real thing for now.” I crossed the kitchen, pinning her to the counter from behind. “So, since you’repreparing brunch, does that mean you’ll let me cook for you and Liam tonight?”

“Yeah, about that… Liam is staying at Harry’s tonight,” she whispered as the warmth of my breath on her neck caused goosebumps to travel across her skin.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you wanted us to spend another night alone, Miss Ryton.”

“Maybe I want to see how this plays out between us first.” She spun around to face me, wearing her dark-framed glasses and an adorable smile.

“I couldn’t agree with you more.” I grabbed a buttery croissant from behind her while she narrowed her eyes at me and my quickness. “Do you want me to stay the night with you, Em?” I wanted to give her the option. I didn’t want to make her feel as though I was smothering her.

“Yes, I want you to stay. I want to know what this is or if it’s going to be anything at all.” She let out a soft sigh. “Liam cannot know until we know, that’s all.” I could tell she was worried. It literally radiated off her.

Of course I didn’t want to overwhelm her. I already knew I’d never been more sure of anything else before, and the time we’d be taking to figure things out would all be for her, not me.

“I want us to be for keeps this time, so let’s take baby steps and see what this is. And if it’s something, then when you think the time is right, we’ll speak to Liam about everything, okay?” I rested my forehead against hers as she looked up at me. “I will prove to you that I’m worthy of you and Liam. I’ll prove how much I want to be with you. I know my words probably don’t mean much, and I understand that, but I promise I’ll show you.”

And for the first time it looked as though she truly believed I would.

“So, what did you make for brunch?”

Her face rapidly lit up with excitement as she wriggled out of my hold and dashed over to the oven.

I couldn’t help but enjoy the sight of her arse as she bent over, retrieving whatever it was that had lifted her mood. She turned to face me, holding a tray of white chocolate and raspberry cupcakes.

“Please tell me that’s what I think it is.” I grinned, waiting for her to confirm what I already knew.

“I made your favourite.” She beamed with delight, and she was right. Those cupcakes were literally the best baked goods I’d ever tasted. “I think they might be even better than you remember.”

I took one from the tray, wincing as it almost burnt my fingers.

“Beckett! You need to let them cool down!” She placed the tray down and in one swift movement tried to snatch the cupcake back, but I wasn’t having that. I hobbled around the island with her closely behind. “I need to ice them!” she scolded as she turned on her heel before dashing in the opposite direction. She collided with my chest a second later. “Hand it over,” she demanded.

“Alright, alright! I’ll hand it over…”

“What’s the catch?” she asked as she raised her brow.

“I’ll hand it over for a kiss.”

“Hmm, I bet you will.” She scoffed with an eye roll.

She held out her hand, waiting for me to hold up my end of the bargain, but of course, I was getting that kiss first. I dipped my head, bringing our lips inches apart.

“You never listen, do you?” She smirked, and so did I.

“Only sometimes.” I pressed my lips against hers as the taste of warm chocolate and butter filled my senses. Our tongues danced together in a soft, sensual rhythm and everything around us seemed to disappear.

The rapid thump of her heart matched the frenzied cadence of our kiss. The air around us crackled with electricity, each touch and movement fuelling the growing intensity between us. Her breaths came in short gasps, mirroring the pace of my own.

The cupcake tumbled to the floor as my hands found her hair, pulling her closer, erasing the unwanted space between us and revelling in the sensation of her body pressed against mine. The sweet scent of baked goods filled the air, but it was nothing compared to the intoxicating feeling of her lips against mine.

She reluctantly pulled away with a gasp, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she met my gaze with her hooded eyes. Her lips parted as she nervously teased her lower lip between her teeth.

---