Page 80 of The Vineyard Crush

She was quiet for a moment, her fingers tracing idle patterns on my chest. “Honestly? For the longest time, I couldn’t see past the next vintage at the vineyard. But now…” She trailed off, and I could feel her smile against my shoulder. “Now I see a future here. With you, with the kids. It scares me sometimes, how much I want it.”

Her admission made my heart swell. “What scares you about it?”

Emma sighed, a sound caught between contentment and apprehension. “I’ve never had this before, Ridge. A family, a place where I truly belong. I mean after Dad died mom was over worked Ethan had moved to France and Leo to new york and I was just what seven or eight. I had always been odd one out and finally I feel like I am not and that I don’t have to change to fit and a part of me is waiting for the other shoe to drop, you know?”

I tightened my arm around her. “I get that. After Melissa left, I didn’t think I’d ever trust anyone with my heart again. Let alone with my kids’ hearts.”

“What changed?” Emma asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“You did,” I answered simply. “You came into our lives like a whirlwind, and suddenly, the world had color again. From the first moment you blended with us like you’ve always been there. But Em, I need you to know something.”

She propped herself up on an elbow, her eyes searching mine in the dim light. “What is it?”

I took a deep breath. “This isn’t just about me. It’s about Lily, Cody, and Sarah too. They’ve been through so much, and I need to know that you’re all in. Because if you’re not sure, if there’s any doubt-”

“Ridge,” Emma cut me off, her hand cupping my cheek. “I love those kids like they’re my own. I know we’re moving fast, and it terrifies me sometimes, but I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. You, the kids, this life we’re building - it’s everything to me.”

I felt the sting of tears in my eyes, overwhelmed by the depth of emotion in her voice. “Even with all the challenges? My ex, your mother’s expectations, the age difference?”

Emma laughed softly. “Especially with all of that. Ridge, love isn’t about finding the perfect person. It’s about seeing an imperfect person perfectly. You, me, the kids - we’re not perfect. But we’re perfect for each other.”

I pulled her down for a kiss, pouring all my love and gratitude into it. When we finally parted, both a little breathless, I whispered, “I love you, Emma. With everything I am.”

Her smile was brighter than all the stars above us. “And I love you, Ridge,” she murmured back, her fingers tracing the line of my jaw.

Before I could respond, Emma shifted, her movements fluid and graceful as she straddled my lap. The sudden proximity, the warmth of her body pressed against mine, sent a jolt of electricity surging through my veins.

My hands found their way to her hips, fingers digging into the soft flesh as I struggled to maintain some semblance of control. Emma, however, seemed intent on shattering what little restraint I had left.

She leaned in, her lips brushing against my cheek in a feather-light caress that left me aching for more. Slowly, torturously, she trailed kisses along the line of my jaw, each one igniting a fire that threatened to consume me whole.

When she reached my neck, I couldn’t suppress the groan that escaped me. Emma’s teeth grazed the sensitive skin there, followed by the soothing swipe of her tongue. My grip on her hips tightened, my body reacting instinctively to her ministrations.

“How about I show you just how much I love you?” she whispered, her breath warm against my ear. The low, sultry tone of her voice sent a shiver racing down my spine, stoking the flames of desire that had been simmering just beneath the surface.

The semi I’d been sporting since her playful teasing earlier was now a full-fledged erection, straining against the confines of my jeans. Emma, ever observant, noticed the shift immediately. A wicked grin spread across her face as she ground down against me, the friction eliciting a hiss of pleasure from between clenched teeth.

In that moment, something inside me snapped. The last vestiges of my control crumbled, swept away by the tidal wave of desire that crashed over me. With a growl that sounded foreign to my own ears, I gripped Emma’s waist and flipped us over.

Her back hit the blanketed ground with a soft thud, a breathless giggle escaping her lips as she gazed up at me. The sight of her sprawled beneath me, hair fanned out on the pillow like a halo, eyes dark with want, was almost enough to undo me then and there, I was struck by how perfectly she fit into my life, into my heart.

“Ridge,” Emma breathed, my name a prayer on her lips. She reached for me, fingers curling into the fabric of my shirt and tugging me closer.

I went willingly, unable to resist the siren call of her touch. Our lips met in a kiss that was all heat and passion, a stark contrast to the tender exchange we’d shared moments ago. This was raw, primal, a desperate clash of lips and teeth and tongue that left us both gasping for air.

My hands roamed over Emma’s body, rediscovering curves I’d memorized a hundred times over. I marveled at the softness of her skin, the way she arched into my touch, seeking more. Always more.

Emma’s nimble fingers made quick work of the buttons on my shirt, pushing the fabric aside to reveal the expanse of my chest. Her nails raked lightly down my torso, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. I shuddered, overwhelmed by the intensity of the sensations she evoked in me.

“God, Emma,” I groaned, burying my face in the crook of her neck. I inhaled deeply, drinking in the intoxicating scent that was uniquely her - a heady blend of wine and something distinctly floral. “You drive me crazy, you know that?”

She laughed softly, the sound vibrating against my lips where they pressed against her pulse point. “Good,” she murmured, her hands sliding around to my back, pulling me closer. “That’s exactly where I want you.”

I lifted my head, meeting her gaze once more. The love I saw reflected in those depths, mingled with desire and a touch of mischief, nearly took my breath away. How had I gotten so lucky? What twist of fate had brought this incredible woman into my life?

As if sensing the direction of my thoughts, Emma’s expression softened. She reached up, cupping my face in her hands with a tenderness that made my heart ache.

“I love you, Ridge,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “All of you. The good, the bad, the complicated. Everything.”

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