Page 89 of Anteros' Return

“No one ever came close to me, is that it?”

“There was no one else, Em. There has only ever been you.” I tucked a tendril of hair behind her ear as she nuzzled her cheek into my palm. “I had a dream once and that was football, but the second I met you, I knew my dreams had changed. I knew that what you and I would have would be bigger than anything else.” I pecked her lips again when tears welled in her eyes. I couldonly hope they were happy tears. “I’ll go and tuck Liam in, and then you’re all mine.”

She nodded, her forehead still touching mine as her eyes met mine. “I’ll meet you in the bedroom.” She trailed her fingertips down my cheek as the pad of her thumb brushed across my lower lip.

Pulling myself away from her at that moment was bloody torture. She knew what she was doing as I saw that mischievous glint in her eye.

I left her to finish what she needed to do while I checked on our son. Tonight had been crazy, a fucking whirlwind, but after everything, it was so damn worth it. Liam knew his dad. He knew that I didn’t walk away from them because I didn’t care. He knew that I didn’t know, and if I did, I would have been on a plane faster than I could have blinked.

“You in bed, little man?” I asked as I entered his room.

“I am. I brushed my teeth too. See!” He flashed his teeth at me, showing off those dainty pearly whites.

“Wow, you’re dazzling me with those, mate.” I chuckled as I tucked the covers around him. “I wanted to ask you something, actually.”

“Shoot.” He snuggled down into the mattress, getting himself comfortable.

“What would you think if I wasn’t playing for Sevilla Sols anymore?” I asked as his face wrinkled, pondering the question.

He gasped. “Why? Don’t you want to play there anymore?”

“I was thinking, that’s all. I have more important things to worry about now.” I brushed the hair off his face, watching as he realised I was talking about him and Em.

“You mean me and Mummy, right?”

“I do.” I showed him the screensaver on my phone. A picture of us three from tonight lit up the screen. “You two are the only team I need.”

“Do you really love my mum, Dad?” he asked, and I had never been more sure of an answer.

“I’ve loved her since the moment I met her.” His face lit up, and I could see genuine happiness written across his face. “And even while I was away, I never stopped.”

“So, why didn’t you come back?”

“I should have, but I was told something, and I didn’t want to ruin her life. I thought she was happy, but I was wrong.” I sighed.

“Yeah, you were, but she’s happier when you’re around. She smiles more.”

“That’s good to know, mate. Good to know.” I kissed his head as he turned to face the window, his eyes already closing. “Goodnight, little man. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“See you in the morning, Dad,” he muttered as I watched him drift off in record time.

On my way out, I noticed a picture of him and Emily on the wall. It was from his first birthday. His smile lit up the room as Emily sang to him. That picture could speak a thousand words, and I could hear every single one just by admiring it.

I gently closed the door behind me and quietly made my way down the dimly lit hallway to Em's room. As soon as I stepped inside, an uncontrollable smile spread across my face. There she was, sitting cross-legged on the bed, her figure illuminated by the soft glow of the bedside lamp. Two slices of cake sat temptingly beside her. Her expression was warm and inviting, like a beacon in the night. She wore not much else but a smile, and it took me a moment to register what else adorned her body… My Sevilla Sols shirt. The sight alone sent my body into overdrive.

The rich, deep burgundy lace of her panties peeked out from beneath the hem of the shirt, drawing my gaze like a magnet. I couldn't look away; she was a vision that held me captive.Holy shit... This woman was going to be the death of me.

"I never knew you had my shirt," I managed to breathe out, my voice barely a whisper as I took a sharp breath. The sight of her wearing it was enough to push me to the edge, teetering on the brink of losing all composure.

“Let’s just say it was a recent purchase.” She smirked, stretching her legs out across the sheets, her back now resting against the headboard.

I hadn’t even registered my feet moving until I was at the end of the bed, looking down at her. With every subtle move, causing my shirt to ride up ever so slightly.

“You seem a little distracted, Ashmore,” she teased, letting her legs fall open just enough to make me want to bury myself between them.

“You could say that again.” I smirked before dropping to my knees on the edge of the bed, gripping her thighs. I pushed her legs open just enough. “Were these for my benefit?” I trailed my fingertips across the lace that just about covered her pussy.

“They might be.” She moaned as I teased her clit through the lace.

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