Page 20 of Once Upon a Royal Billionaire

Rhett listened to Emily talk and knew her passion had shifted. She was still a sharp businesswoman, and an epic water skier, but she was a mother first. And something about that made him so inexplicably proud of her, he wanted to squeeze her. But instead he just shifted so that he could put his arm around her shoulders. Without thinking, he placed a kiss on the top of her head. “She’s lucky to have a mom like you.”

“Well, I don’t know about that. I definitely didn’t choose well in the father department.”

He stiffened. “Jackson.”

“Yeah, he really just ended up being a jerk. Plain and simple.”

“You couldn’t have known that going in. His actions are not a reflection on you. None of us guys liked him, but that was just jealousy. We were losing our Emily to some American upstart.”

“Never mind that I’m technically American as well.”

“Well, not to us. To us, you’re just you. But anyway, I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you, haven’t been, all this time.” He squeezed her shoulder, as if the gesture could wipe out years of neglect. “When I think of how this must have gone down…” He swallowed a rather sharp lump. “I just feel bad. Sorry, Em.”

She leaned her head back against his arm. “He started out charming. He was so thoughtful, gave me things at just the right moments, helped me get through grad school. But as soon as we were married, he changed.” She closed her eyes. “Or maybe that’s who he always had been, but his true colors showed.”

“Tell me.”

“Well, almost right away, he lost his job. But he said he’d look around for the right one when he was ready. In the meantime, I made enough for all of us. Then the game consoles came out. And the beer. I tried to make it work, to please him, for too long.”

“And Lily?”

“When she was born, he promised to change, and for a short he was different—attentive, helpful, in love with his girls, he said. But shortly after, he was back to his old ways, but more bitter. He was happy to game all day and then blame me that he couldn’t get a job. He turned angry. I began to leave Lily with my parents instead of him while I went to work, and I did most things at their house instead of working from home. I was uncomfortable around him.”

Rhett just listened and felt more and more sick. “I’m sorry.”

“When I told him I was leaving, he threw a fit, started throwing things. And my dad, who unbeknownst to me was waiting outside, stormed in and probably stopped him from really hurting me. We left together, and I never went back. Dad handled kicking him out of my home and clearing out his things, then movers came and packed up my things. I stayed with my parents for a time and eventually bought our new place. When he turned threatening to me and even to Lily—showing up at odd times, drinking, throwing out verbal threats—the courts agreed to a restraining order. We haven’t heard a word from him for a couple years, and now this.” Her face clouded with worry. “I don’t know what to do with this new request to be in her life. The answer is no.”

“I think you are exactly right.”

“Thank you. I guess it’s just one more thing I’ll have to deal with when I get home. But anyway, me and Lily are super happy there, and my parents are close by.”

“You’re really doing great, Em. And CEO too?”

She sighed and Rhett heard a wealth of fatigue in that quiet noise.

“I am, yes. Dad has been wanting to retire for about five years but was waiting until I was ready. I’m not technically ready, so he still steps in as a consultant for anything I need.” She stared out at the storm. An explosion of thunder shattered overhead, and she flinched. “But honestly, Rhett?” She turned to him, their faces inches apart. “I came on this trip ’cause I needed to get away. I don’t want to be the CEO. I’m doing it for Dad, but I’m afraid I’ll fail.”

Her eyes widened in such a tender vulnerability that his protective instincts kicked in even more. He ran a finger along her forehead, brushing hair out of her eyes. Then he let his finger trail down her cheek, just how he used to, enjoying the softness of her skin. Did he dare continue? She seemed to lean into him, just enough. So he cupped her face in his palm and ran a thumb along her mouth. “Wish I could have borne some of that for you.” He kissed her forehead. “I do know one thing about you, Emily.” He kissed her cheek then her nose.

She smiled. “What’s that?” Her whisper sounded sultry, promising.

He kissed her other cheek and gently lifted her chin. He resisted, searching the depths of her eyes, which he knew so well, hoping and waiting to know if she wanted to open up this door, one he’d so desperately yearned to open for all these years. Her eyes shone with confidence, hope, then she closed her lids and parted her mouth.

He waited no further, covering the softness of her lips with his own. The moment they touched, a decade’s worth of longing ignited at once in a manner he was totally not prepared for. He was alone in a cave with the woman he loved—loved! He pressed against her mouth, again and again, and she responded in kind, matching his growing intensity. He pulled her closer, shifting his body so they could be nearer, pulling, asking with every kiss. She melted into him, and when a tiny moan escaped her mouth, he almost pulled her down onto the cave floor, but another flash of lightning and an immediate crash of thunder reminded him where they were and that he had no idea where she wanted things to go. Best to take things slow, or at least slower than a steamy make out session the first time he caught her alone.

With one final nibble on her bottom lip, he pressed his forehead to hers. “You are even more fun than I remember.”

She giggled. “I’m out of practice.”

He shook his head. “That may be, but doesn’t mean anything to me. Seriously, Em, I may not recover.” He winked. “Ever.”

“Oh stop. You always were dramatic.”

“Dramatic? I have never been dramatic.”

She laughed and leaned back against him.

He ran his finger up and down her shoulder. “So, how do you feel about this, um, new development?”

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