Page 118 of Third Time Lucky

‘Are you busy right now?’ My nerves start to kick in as I ask.

He chuckles nervously into the phone.

‘I’d drop the whole world for you, Lucy. All weekend, I’ve worried about you – us. I know you’re scared of all this, but you never need to be afraid of me. I’ll always choose to make you happy. I’ll do whatever it takes.’

My God, that is sweet.

‘I need to see you. Can you come over? Tonight??’

‘I’m leaving right now.’

* * *

Without wasting another second, I hang up the phone and rush to get ready. I quickly change into a comfortable yet sexy outfit, my heart racing with anticipation.

As I hear the doorbell ring, I practically skip to the front door, swinging it open. There stands my prince – the real one this time – looking as handsome as ever in a white T-shirt, jeans, and a white hat with blue stitching that reads ‘Loverboy.’ I’ve never been so attracted to someone.

‘Lucy,’ he breathes out, his voice filled with so much love and adoration that my knees are weak.

With a flurry of urgency, and before I can even react, he’s inside and pulling me into his arms. His touch is electric, sending sparks through my body as he presses his lips to mine in a passionate kiss.

He walks me backward, our lips still locked in a fiery embrace, and I melt into him. He trails kisses down my neck, igniting a trail of fire along my skin.

‘My God, I missed you,’ he murmurs against my hair, his words sending shivers down my spine.

I can barely form a coherent thought as his lips continue to work their magic on me.

‘I missed you too,’ I reply, my mind fizzing at his touch.

The door clicks shut behind us, sealing us off from the rest of the world. We stand there momentarily, our eyes locked in an intense gaze that might light the room on fire if we’re not careful.

‘I’m so sorry. I got scared,’ I admit.

He takes a step back, his fingertips gliding down the backs of my arms to my hands where he grasps mine tightly.

He shakes his head. ‘You were right. And when I realized that, I was terrified I might lose you. So, I want you to know, everything in that note is true. No woman has ever made me feel like you do, Luce. You should also know, because of that, I will never in a million years hurt you or let anyone else either. You never have to be afraid of me.’

‘That’s good, because I’ve realized I’m more in love with you than anything else,’ I admit.

His smile grows soft and adoring.

‘Yeah?’

I nod. ‘Hell, yeah.’

He drops one of my hands grabbing his chest dramatically.

‘Thank. God,’ he replies, before cupping my face tenderly with his other and planting another searing kiss on my lips that could send any woman to the floor.

He’s never kissed me like this. Until now, they’ve been sweet and longing, and this is passionately urgent. I can feel the heat radiating from his body as he pulls me closer. And I am on board with it. Every doubt and fear love has ever scarred me with fades away as I am enveloped in his arms. This man would never – in a million trillion years – hurt me in any way. I know it with every fiber of my being.

I eagerly kiss him back, reveling in the low moan that escapes from his throat. We cling to each other, lost in the intensity of our reunion, and I think this will be a long and satisfying one. And I am A-OK with that for the first time in a long time.

38

ASHER

In the kitchen, I stand freshly showered, preparing breakfast for three – before 8a.m. this time. But only because I woke up here. Memories of last night play in my head, and I can’t help but feel like I’m floating.

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