Page 7 of Freeing Emily

As time passes, I feel myself begin to drift off to sleep.

“You look like a Disney Princess.”

I shoot up to the sound of Liam’s voice. My head spins and I set my hand down to steady myself.

“What?” I ask as soon as I’ve regained my bearings.

“I said, you look like a Disney Princess.” His eyes are filled with humor and a small smirk plays on his lips. The white tee he wears stretches over his broad frame and emphasizes his muscular build. The black cargo pants he has on wrap around his firm thighs. Combined with his black boots? This man is a walking wet dream.

“What makes you say that?” My heart is pounding wildly against my chest, I worry he’ll hear it.

He shrugs and walks toward me, his eyes studying me when he stops just a few feet away.

“A beautiful woman in a sundress lyin’ in the middle of a garden, surrounded by flowers and birds. You just need to start singin’.”

I can only focus on the fact that he called me beautiful. I feel the warmth spread over my neck and up to my cheeks and I dip my head shyly.

“What are you doing out here?” I whisper and look up into his mesmerizing gaze.

“Yer da sent me to search for you.”

“Do you know what for?”

He shakes his head but stares at me through swirls of green and amber. I feel exposed in the best way.

Clearing my throat, I stand and start folding my throw blanket.

“Here, let me help you.” He reaches out and his arm brushes against mine causing us both to suck in sharp breaths.

“Sorry,” he mutters. I don’t miss the slight flush of his cheeks when he turns away from me.

My stomach is an explosion of nerves. I feel like a little girl experiencing her first crush.

After folding up the blanket, we make our way through the path that leads to the mansion.

“Your ma will be arriving from Ireland in just a few hours. She’s expected to stay with us for a few months this time.”

My cheeks burn from the stretch of my wide smile. I haven’t seen my mom in months and I’m so excited to see her and share this newfound crush I’ve developed. She’s my best friend and I share just about everything with her. I know she’ll support me in trying to convince my dad to allow some sort of relationship to form.

“This weekend, we’ll be having a party to celebrate her arrival.”

Declan and I nod from where we stand on the opposite side of my father’s desk in his study.

“Is there anything we need to do to prepare for the party?” I ask.

My dad’s eyes soften when he glances at me.

“No,mo stór.You don’t need to worry about anything.”

“Okay, Da. I’m going to see what I have to wear for the party then.”

He nods and then turns to Declan.

“I need you to stay here so we can discuss some important security measures for the party.”

When I exit the room, Finn is standing outside waiting to step inside. I smile as I step past him.

“The Russians are becoming more aggressive in their methods…” My father’s voice is cut off with the click of the door shutting behind Finn.

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