Page 75 of Anteros' Return

“I missed you, Em.” I could only hope that as we stood in such a warm embrace that she knew just how much I missed her. I knew she didn’t need me to repeat it every five seconds, but I would until she truly knew. “I regretted getting on that plane daily.”

“You shouldn’t. You have an incredible career, and I’m so proud of you. I may have been heartbroken, but knowing you were achieving something you dreamt of since being a child meant the world to me.” She stepped away from me, bending down to scoop up the mess that was once a cupcake. “I watched you a few times.”

“You did?” My mouth fell open as I listened to her admission.

“More than a few actually, but yes, I did.” She effortlessly prepared the buttercream in a bowl as her gaze remained focused on that instead of me. “Then as Liam’s love for football grew, he’d watch anytime he was allowed. He admired you, which is why I never understood why he gave you such a frosty reception.”

“That doesn’t matter now. I just hope that he won’t hate me when he finds out I’m his dad.” I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to shake those fears away.

“Don’t think about that. I know in my heart that you have nothing to worry about.” A soft pink swept across her cheeks as she smiled at the thought of Liam finding out. “Beckett, can you make it work? Can you make your relationship with your son work while playing abroad?”

“You’re forgetting someone in that equation… I think you mean, can I make a relationship with you and Liam work.” I rounded the island, twisting her around to look at me. “There is no doubt in my mind that I will make everything work for the three of us.”

“Liam has school and you have football training and matches practically all year round, but I guess at least you’ll get to meet and visit during the summer.” She was getting worked up for nothing. If I said I could make something work, then I bloody well could.

“Just trust me, Em. I know that’s hard, but just trust me on this, please…” I practically begged, wanting her to believe in me like she used to.

She gave me a subtle nod, clearly still holding onto the fear of the past repeating itself.

But not this time.

This time, nothing from our past would repeat itself. I was hers just as I always was, and there was no way that I would walk away from her again.

“Wow!” She gushed with the most beautiful smile on her face. “That was absolutely incredible! It seems you’ve been experimenting over the years.”

“I always do whenever I have spare time. I always hoped I’d have a use for all the new recipes I’d practiced.” I leaned over the table, resting my forearms on the wood. “Plus, pretty much all of my teammates were more than happy to be my guinea pigs.”

“I bet they were.” I caught her softly smiling as I took her hand in mine across the table, brushing my thumb across her knuckles.

Bit by bit, she was letting me in, and sure, I knew it would take however long it took, but I was ready whenever she was. I was ready to give her the whole damn world and more. Who was I kidding? That never changed, not even after all these years. It hit me as I looked into the eyes of the woman who captured my heart as a teen that she’d be the one to hold it forever.

Emily stood from the table, plates in hand, clearly wanting to put everything away before bed.

“Why don’t you let me do that, and then I’ll make you a homemade ice cream sundae?” I gripped her waist gently, stopping her from getting past me.

“For real?” Her eyes widened with excitement. “Like you used to?”

“Only if you share it with me?” I took the plates from her before she had the chance to change her mind.

“And what happens if I don’t?” She asked, her breath warm against my skin, sending a slow ripple of heat through me.

“Are you sure you want to find out, cupcake?”

Her mischievous smile told me all I needed to know as she glanced up at me through her lashes.

“What would you do if I said yes?” Oh, she was feeling brave this evening. Something that was completely unexpected but so fucking welcome.

Discarding the plates on the table, I cupped her arse, lifting her into my arms effortlessly. She ran her hands through my hair as she teased my bottom lip between her teeth, quite literallytaking my breath away. Her chest rose and fell harder than before as I held her to me.

Her voice broke the tension-filled silence. “Shall we take this upstairs?”

I didn’t need to answer with words. My feet moving towards her bedroom was enough for her to know I agreed. I couldn’t get her up those stairs fast enough. I needed her. I needed to make her feel just how much I fucking loved her.

Not wanting to hurt her, I knocked my back into her door, letting it fly open. The familiar scent of her perfume filled the air as soon as we stepped inside. It was the perfect mix of floral and subtle sweet scents, and that’s when I realised it was the same one I’d bought her years ago.

It was as though I’d stepped into heaven. There was nowhere else I’d rather be from this day onwards.

We stood at the end of the bed as I towered over her, searching her eyes for the final green light. She grabbed the chain I was wearing and pulled my lips to hers. Her hands cupped my neck as I deepened the kiss. Her lips parted just enough, allowing my tongue access before it danced ferociously with hers.

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