Page 93 of Riding the Curve

I glare down at him and his smug little grin and fold my arms across my chest.

“Aw, come on, Hen. Don’t be a sore loser. Come celebrate with me.” He pleads with the goofiest pout I’ve ever seen this man make. I can’t help the way it lights up my face. “There you are.”

His arms wrap around my waist as he pulls me off the saddle and lowers me to the ground.

“You know, I could have done that myself.”

“How many times am I going to have to remind you that it’s okay to let someone take care of you every once and a while, baby?”

His words hit me in the center of my chest. I’ve never been in a relationship where I wasn’t the one taking care of the other person. Emerson is the only one I’ve ever felt comfortable handing the reins to and letting him lead.

I walk around him, feet carrying me toward the swing. My fingertips brush against the rough braid of the rope.

“Give it a try.”

Emerson’s deep voice pulls my gaze toward him. One foot is propped up as he leans against the tree. He places his hands in his pockets, nodding once more toward the swing. As I lower myself onto the cool, wooden seat, I’m instantly transported back in time. Back to the first moment he stayed behind to let me swing.

The first time he told me he would be my friend.

All the countless nights we shared each other's fears and doubts as we took turns swinging back and forth.

To the moment where he almost kissed me beneath the stars.

Every moment life has placed in our paths, begging us to see what we couldn’t. Urging us to take a leap of faith. To bring us to this moment where all those timelines finally connect.

All this time, we thought we were lost. But we found ourselves in each other.

Overwhelmed with emotion, my legs hang still, slowing my swing to a stop as I gaze out over the lake. The breeze makes rhythmic ripples in the water and causes my skin to pebble. It’s been warmer than usual for the beginning of September, but tonight it appears the fall chill is beginning to gently work its way in.

Em’s heavy footsteps fill the silence as he strides toward me. His warmth surrounds me as he slips his hand around my waist.

“Thank you,” I whisper, leaning backward into him. Tears build behind my eyes as I struggle to push the emotion down. “This is so special. It means the world to me.”

“You’re welcome,” he says softly, sliding his body to the side and lifting my chin to him. “I wanted you to feel as special as you’ve made me feel. I’m just sorry it took me so long to finally admit how I feel—how I’ve always felt.”

His thumb slides tenderly across my cheek, and I can feel the love radiating off his body. He bends down and presses his lips against mine.

My hand tightens around the rope, and I try to hold on while his love consumes me entirely. By the time he pulls away, I’m breathless, and my lips feel puffy and bruised.

Releasing a deep breath, he leans back, but his thumb circles over my lips. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get enough of these.”

My grin widens underneath his touch. “Well, you do have a lot of time to make up for.”

Em’s eyes darken as he presses his thumb into my bottom lip and drags it slowly down before releasing it. “I do, baby. I plan on putting in lots of overtime.”

Blowing out a rough breath, he backs away and extends his hand. “Let’s eat before we get ourselves into any more trouble.”

He helps me off the swing, tucking my hair behind my ear and kissing the side of my cheek before he releases me. “Plus, you’ll need energy for all the other things I have planned for you tonight.”

My eyes go wide and he smirks. Then he swings an arm around my shoulder and guides me back toward the blanket.

CHAPTER 34

Henley

“I’m so stuffed,” I whine. Em gently runs his fingers through my hair as I lay across his lap. “I still can’t believe you made my favorite alfredo gnocchi . . . and that it was edible.”

“Brat,” he growls. Reaching down, he tortures my sides with relentless tickles, making laughter peal out of me. “I believe what you meant to say was, ‘thank you.’”