He’d never believed what his parents had had together was possible for him. Now, he knew it was.
He was falling in love with Amber. He had been since he’d picked her up off the ground that first day.
Amber screamed. “No. God, no.”
He leapt from the chair and pulled her into his arms. She was having a nightmare. Her eyes remained closed and she began muttering those words he’d heard the day he’d found her. “Right. Bliss. Bliss. No. Stop.”
“Wake up, Amber. It’s only a dream.” He shook her slightly.
Her eyes fluttered open and he saw the river of tears flowing down her cheeks. “What’s going on?”
“You were having a nightmare. You screamed.”
“I don’t remember,” she cried. “Why can’t I remember anything?”
He rocked her in his arms, hating the pain she was feeling. “I’m here, sweetheart. It’s okay.”
“No. It’s not. The only thing I remember is the boy. His face. Nothing more. I know this is over.” Her body shook from violent sobbing.
“Amber, you have to believe.” He held her close, hoping to take away her torment.
“You don’t believe in us. Whatever chance we might’ve had is over. I can’t do this any longer. I have to face facts. You and me never had a chance. Cody and Bryant are over. I’m lost, Emmett. So very lost.”
“Baby, I’m here.” Her suffering was ripping her apart and killing him. He stroked her hair and rocked her trembling body.
“It’s too much. I can’t bear this anymore. Forgive me, but I want you. I want you, Emmett. I need you. Don’t hate me for it, please.”
He cradled her chin in his hand. “Look at me, Amber.”
She blinked and more tears fell down her gorgeous face.
“I can never hate you. You want to know the truth? I want you. I want you forever, God help me. If some man comes through that door to claim you as his own, I’m not sure I would be able to let you go.”
“Oh, Emmett.” Her voice cracked and the cutest smile he’d ever seen spread out over her face, enhancing her already-too-beautiful looks.
Her sweet mouth continued to quiver, tempting him beyond reason, beyond his capacity to resist. Licking his own lips, he placed the tip of his finger on her lush lips. “Shh, baby. Fuck, I’ve tried to hold myself back, deny myself what I’ve craved. I should wait. You and I both know I should, but I can’t. Not any longer.” He cupped her breasts through her shirt. “Right or wrong, I’ve wanted to touch you here.” He used his thumbs to tease both her nipples.
She closed her eyes and whimpered her approval.
He cast aside his decency for something more demanding, a deep, unrelenting need. He needed to kiss her, to feel her mouth surrender to his, to enjoy her whimpers of ecstasy in his
ears.
He leaned in to capture her mouth with his, feeling the very last ounce of his willpower evaporate inside him. As their lips pressed together, his hunger exploded inside him. Her soft lips tasted sweet, like warm honey. He stroked her bottom lip with his tongue until she parted her mouth ever so slightly—an invitation for a deeper kiss. Her breaths came faster and faster into his mouth as he massaged her breasts. He sank into her, tasting utter rapture. Having her in his arms might be a misstep, but the only thing he could feel was so overwhelming, so staggering, he had to sample more of Amber, much more.
* * * *
Amber couldn’t get her bearings.
Emmett’s kiss was melting her into a puddle. This cowboy sure knew how to undo a woman. He cradled her hips in his broad hands, and her temperature shot up several degrees.
Her mind whirled like a top. Being in his arms had been what she wanted. Wasn’t it? She broke free of his kiss.
His hot gaze made her tremble. “You knock my socks off, sweetheart.”
God, how good his words sounded to her.
She’d been asleep and awoke in his arms. According to him, she’d been having a nightmare, though she couldn’t remember a thing about it except the face of the sweet boy.