Page 61 of Tempted
Devon glanced up the hill to see Cam standing there and Devon waved his thanks before turning his attention back to Ashley and the sheer joy in her eyes.
One of the dogs knocked her over and she went laughing to the ground, snow sticking to her coat as she lay gasping for air.
Devon carefully picked her back up and fended off the animals as they tried their best to lick her to death.
“They come with the house,” he said solemnly. “Since you’re the new director of the shelter, it only stood to reason that some of the animals find their home here.”
She brushed herself off and then stared back at the house again. “Is it… Is it yours?” she asked hesitantly.
“No, it’s yours.”
She turned to stare at him, excitement flashing like fireworks in her eyes. “You mean it? Really? How? Why? When?”
He chuckled indulgently and then because he couldn’t help himself, he pulled her into his arms so that he was wrapped solidly around her. They stood staring up at the house as her heart beat solidly against his chest.
“You wanted a home where you could envision children playing and you could be surrounded by your animals. I ignored that because I wasn’t ready for anything in my life to change. My apartment was comfortable and I saw no reason we couldn’t live there. But the simple truth is, I want to live wherever you are and wherever makes you happy. A good friend told me to go big or go home. I’m going big, Ash. Because I’ll do any damn thing in the world to have you back in my life.”
“Oh my,” she whispered. “I don’t know what to say, Dev. You’re saying everything I’ve ever dreamed you saying. I want to believe you. I want it more than anything. But I’m afraid.”
He tugged her even closer and rested his forehead on hers. “I love you, Ash. That isn’t going to change. I was an ass. I just need a chance to prove to you that you’re safe with me and a chance to show you that I’ll love and cherish you every day for the rest of your life. You and our children.”
“You’re okay with the baby?”
“If I was any more okay, I’d burst wide open. I can’t think of anything better than this house with you and our son or daughter plus the half dozen or so more we’ll fill it with.”
“Oh I love that,” she said, her eyes lighting up like a thousand suns.
He stroked a strand of her hair away from her face and then he kissed her softly, lingering over her lips as he savored being this close to her again.
“I love you,” he said. “I love you more than I ever thought it possible to love another person. I won’t lie. It scares the hell out of me, but being without you scares me even more. Give us a chance, Ash. I’ll show you that you can trust me again. I swear it.”
She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and moved her forehead down to nestle in the side of his neck. “I love you too, Dev. So very much. You have the power to hurt me like no one else. But you also have the power to make me happier than anyone else in the world.”
He inhaled the scent of her hair and hugged her more fiercely. “I want you to be happy. I want you to smile again. I’ll do anything to make that happen.”
She pulled away and smiled mischievously up at him as the dogs danced around at their heels. “Then why don’t you show me my new house?”
He relaxed, going suddenly weak as relief tore through him with the force of a storm. Oh, God. He couldn’t even find his tongue because he feared if he tried to speak right now, he’d lose what was left of his composure.
It was several long seconds before he could pull himself together enough to speak.
“The sale isn’t final yet but the house has been empty for six months and I’ve gotten the keys. I’ll be happy to show you around.”
She threaded her arm through his as they started up the rest of the driveway leading to the house.
“Can’t you just imagine our children playing here?” she said wistfully. “And the dogs running after them?”
He pulled his arm loose and wrapped it tightly around her as he leaned down to kiss her temple.
“Know what the best part will be?”
She glanced up at him in question.
“Seeing their mother’s smile light up their father’s world each and every day of his life.”
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