Page 48 of Hardy

Staring into her eyes, Hardy graspedher face, holding onto her chin.She didn’t hold him too tightly,just enough so that he could look at her.

“I love you with all my heart andsoul, Rose.You’re the only woman I’ve ever wanted.The one womanI’ll only ever fight for.I don’t want anyone else.I don’t loveanyone else, and you’re my heart.”He pressed a kiss to herlips.

“We need to stop this,” shesaid, tapping his chest.“We need to move on with ourlives.”

“I don’t want to lose you.”The thought of never getting to hold her in his arms scared him.Hedidn’t want to ever let her go.

“I’m not talking about losing me.I’m talking about us finally getting together and putting this crapbehind us.”Rose stroked her hand down his face.“I can’t keepliving like this.”

“I love you,Rose.”

“And I love you, Hardy, andI think it’s time for us to start again.To give ourselves achance.”

Hardy wanted to take her into his arms,but he held back.He tugged the necklace he’d been wearing eversince Rose had taken off her wedding ring.He’d placed her weddingring on the chain.Now, he removed the ring, and slid it on herfinger.

“This doesn’t change anythingthough, Rose.I’m going to make sure you fall in love with meagain.Thisis something I need to do, and something you deserve.”

“Then I guess we’re both infor a treat.”

****

Rose fluffed up her hair as the doorbellrang.Hardy and Baker were outside talking, and Rose made her waydownstairs.She was in a pair of jeans and white shirt, but theywere her smart ones, the ones that showed off her ass and tits.Shewouldn’t be fitting into them very soon.

Opening the door she saw Millie washolding a cake.

“Hi, I, erm, I baked a cake.Achocolate cake with a ganache style frosting.”Millie looked at thecake then at Rose.“I hope that’s okay.I don’t get invited outmuch to dinner parties or a dinner of any kind.”

“You’re a charmer, Millie.”Rose took the cake, inviting her inside.“Hardy and Baker are here.I hope that’s okay.It’s hard to turn those men away.They love mycooking.”

She kept on talking seeing how nervousMillie was.

“It’s okay.I’m surprised aboutthe invite.”Millie removed her coat and held onto it.Rose enteredthe kitchen, placed the cake on the counter, then took Millie’scoat.

“Come on.We’ll headoutside and see what the holdup is,” Rose said, taking herhand.

Baker and Hardy were around thebarbeque pit talking.

“Guys, this is Millie.I’m sureyou’ve met her before,” Rose said.

Baker’s eyes lit up when he sawher.

“Toy lady,” Bakersaid.

Rose winced.He was really out ofpractice right now, and Rose was pleased she and Hardy were thereto help steer the conversation.

“I guess that’s me,” Milliesaid, looking scared.

“Baker, help me.”Rose didn’twait around.She walked back into the kitchen, and turned to facehim.“Toy lady?What the hell was that?”she asked.

“I don’t know.I don’t knowwhat to do when I’m around her.She’s different.”

“Well, she’s brought a cakeas well.I’ll bring them both out at dinner.Be nice, and not scarywith the whole toy lady thing.It’s a job, nothingelse.”

“Okay, I’m sorry,” Bakersaid, holding his hands up.

“Good, let’s go outthere.”

They entered the garden, and Millie hadher arms folded over her chest, listening to Hardy talk about therose bushes.

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