I nod, leaning down to kiss her again. “You’re right. Our feelings were real, and they still are.”

We cuddle closer, talking about the baby and how our families will react. Emma’s fingers intertwine with mine as she rests her head on my shoulder. We laugh about the probable shock and excitement that will follow the announcement.

“I used to be so skeptical about having a family,” I admit, my voice dropping to a more serious tone. “Growing up, I had so many fears. I was afraid of becoming like my parents, of failing at being a husband and father.”

Emma holds me tighter, her warmth seeping into me. “It’s not your fault, Liam. You’re not your parents. You’re a wonderful man, and you’ll be an amazing father.”

Her words are like a balm to my soul. I feel a weight lift off my shoulders. “Thank you, Emma. I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you, too,” she whispers, her lips brushing against mine.

We start to kiss more passionately, our need for each other overwhelming. Her hands slide up to my neck, pulling me closer. I can feel her heartbeat against my chest, matching the rhythm of my own.

I gently lower her onto the couch, our bodies pressed together. My hand trails down her side, feeling the curve of her waist. She moans softly, her fingers tangling in my hair. Our kisses grow deeper, more urgent, as we lose ourselves in the moment.

Emma pulls back slightly, her eyes dark with desire. “Liam, I love you,” she breathes.

“I love you too, Emma,” I reply, my voice husky with emotion. ‘I want to be perfect for you.”

“No.” She mumbles against my lips.

“What?”

Emma wiggles out from under me and rolls off the couch.

She stands there, just some meters away and looks me in the eyes. “I don’t want you to be perfect, Liam.” She cocks her head to the side, her cheeks flushed a bit. “I want you to be you. A bossy, confident partner with a surprisingly sweet side. A dad who is going to love his child to pieces under every condition and never leave her behind. And a man who makes me go wild with lust whenever I set eyes on him. That’s who you are, Liam, and I want all of you.”

I close my eyes to hold back the stinging behind my eyes. I’m so happy, my emotions boiling over. “Emma?”

“Yes, Liam.”

“I can’t put what I feel into words right now.”

She smiles, her eyes brightening. “Good. Then show me.”

I watch her slowly peel back the night gown off her shoulders. It falls off to reveal her gorgeous body in white lace bra and panties that rips the breath out of my throat.

I jump up and kiss her. When we stop to catch some air, she takes my hand and drag it down her body to the lacy edge of her panties.

“Go ahead, take it off.” She nibbles on her bottom lip and raise one shapely leg up.

I look into her eyes to see them glowing with lust. Who’d have thought I’d find my perfect partner in this town and in this manner? I look into her eyes again and stare down to where my hand rests. I can feel heat blowing up every vein inside my body.

“It’s naughty Emma today, isn’t it?”

“Oh, you don’t know,” she shakes her head. “I’ve had to battle through the week taking multiple cold showers every time I wake up from dreams of you doing this to me. I miss this, and I intend to make up for lost time massively.”

“Oh, really?” I chuckle, gently palming her ass cheeks as she leans into me, rubbing her breasts against my chest. “How do you intend to make up for it?”

She puts a finger on her chin. “Firstly, I’m so impatient now, so I want you to fuck me hard first, and then later, I’ll take the sweet, slow lovemaking for second and third rounds.”

“Hmmm.” Her words send a tremor that spreads through my groin.

“Now strip and get to work.”

I obey her sharp command, raising my hands to start unbuttoning my shirt. She doesn’t help me, instead she sits on the couch and spreads her legs. Her lips spread in a wicked smile as one hand travels up, cupping her breast and squeezing. The other pushes her panties aside and she runs a finger over her dripping core.

Damn it. I freeze, unable to speak, unable to move, barely able to breathe. Another finger joins the first, slipping in, pumping faster until she lets out a soft moan and closes her eyes, head dropping back against the back of the couch.