Page 142 of Forbidden Hearts
“You will. Just like she is. Still, I know Asher taking off wasn’t . . . smart, but it’s what he should’ve done. Call me a pig or whatever, but no man has a right to hurt a woman without consequences. I would’ve lost all respect for Ash if he hadn’t gone to set that record straight.”
“I don’t need Asher to fight my battles,” I defend myself.
“No, but a man who loves his woman will fight the world for her.”
I look over at Rowan, who everyone thinks is so impenetrable. “You speaking from experience?”
“No, I’m speaking from the lack of it. I’ve never cared enough to make a twelve-hour drive just to punch a guy in the face.”
Asher heads back our way, and I glance behind him to see Grady holding the platter and tongs. “Did you lose, baby?” I ask.
“Fucker titty twisted me.”
Rowan chuckles. “That’s his signature move. You’ve lost your touch if you let him get that in on you.”
“Awww, are you hurt?”
Asher squats next to my chair and puts both hands on the armrests. “Yes, maybe you should kiss me all better.”
I grin. “Tonight.”
Rowan gags. “And on that note, I’m going to help Grady.”
Asher leans in, kissing me softly. “I told you not to worry about my family. They love you.”
“They’re great. I love that you have such a big family and that our nugget will get to have them.”
“I’m going to marry you, Phoebe Bettencourt,” Asher says with love soaking every word. “And then they’ll be our family.”
* * *
~Two weeks later~
“Emmeline!” I drop my bags on the ground as she rushes toward me.
“You look amazing. God, pregnancy and a hot cop look good on you!”
I shake my head, pulling back to look at her. She cut her hair to just brush her shoulders and is wearing it pin straight. “Wow, I love this look.”
She turns her head side to side. “I needed a change.” Then she looks to Asher. “And you must be Asher.”
He extends his hand. “I am, nice to meet you.”
Emmy laughs and pulls him in for a hug. “Come here, big guy. We hug, not shake.”
When she releases him, I can’t stop the laugh as I see the stunned and slightly terrified look on his face. “You get used to her,” I tell him.
She grabs my bags, and we walk to the inn section of Cloverleigh Farms. It’s exactly as she described it. When we came up the winding driveway, I was awestruck by the old farmhouse, which is where we will be staying. Beyond it, you can make out old barns and other buildings as well. Emmeline explains that there is the inn, which is a luxury five-star resort, a wedding venue, the winery, a tasting room, and a restaurant on location.
I don’t know why the hell she’d ever want to leave here. It’s freaking gorgeous. This is the exact place I would want us to get married.
Which is getting way ahead of myself. We’ve had a great two weeks, moving all of my stuff over to his room, learning how to sleep through his insane alarm that could wake the dead, and finding something to do now that Liv isn’t at the house and I haven’t started working yet.
Emmeline points out the areas on the property we should check out, and then we head inside. “Clearly, no wine tasting for you, but the food is great. Also, my sisters are really excited to meet you.”
I grin. “I can’t wait either. I need to hug them and give them my appreciation for dealing with a lunatic who I adore.”
She laughs. “They would agree with you there. I think my whole family would, and my dad can’t wait for me to leave for school next week.”
