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He kissed her earlobe. “I didn’t realize you were so shy. Here I thought you were just scared of my cock at the lake because you wanted it and couldn’t have it.”
She shivered as he slid across her waist and he kissed a soft trail down her jawline. “Well, it was that too. But I admit I’m not the most sexually free person. Is that disappointing?”
“Nothing about you disappoints me. I think it’s hot. You’re so comfortable being almost naked, hell, even naked if earlier was any indication, and yet cock makes you blush. You’re a fascinating woman, Ed.”
“Sullivan,” she breathed, placing both of her hands on his shoulders to steady herself. “We’re in public.”
“Then let’s go somewhere private.” He eased back and glanced at his watch. “The reception ends in ten minutes. Let’s say goodbye now and get out of here. Finn will definitely be asleep. It’s almost midnight.”
Edwina felt both excited and nervous. He said nothing about her disappointed him but what if she was a bore in bed? She wasn’t coming into this with the greatest level of confidence. She would die if Sullivan ended the night handling himself in the shower.
She drained her champagne, hoping it would loosen her sudden case of nerves. She realized they’d had to come to the reception but it would have eased her mind if Sullivan had come along with her. Then she’d at least know she could satisfy him.
They congratulated the bride and groom again and said goodbyes to various guests. By the time they left, fifteen minutes had passed.
“I didn’t see your dad and Lilly leave,” Eddie said. “But I don’t see them.”
“He does the Irish goodbye.”
“What’s that?”
“He just leaves without a word to anyone. I need to work on that. It’s very freeing.”
“I could never do that. I would feel guilty.”
Sullivan peeled his jacket off and put it over her shoulders. He smiled at her before kissing her softly. “How did you get to be so sweet when you’re such a killer on the ice?”
That made her laugh. “I haven’t played hockey in years and years. I’ve barely even skated.”
“That’s all going to change now that you’re back home. You’ll be playing hockey and leaving parties without saying goodbye.”
She went through the door he opened for her and bristled just a little at the crisp night air. There was a breeze that kicked up her dress. She shoved it back down. “I don’t think so. I don’t ever want to upset anyone. Unless they’re slow to pass the puck. It’s the one inconsistency in my personality.”
They started walking toward Sullivan’s house, hand in hand. “Have you thought about what you’re going to do about your business?”
Not as much as she should have, to be honest. “I can’t be as involved as I was. It’s just stressing me out in a way that I feel miserable and anxious all the time. But Nigel can’t afford to buy out both me and George so we’re buying him out. Then George is going to let Nigel retain a salaried position as CEO if he wants and maybe George will eventually sell to investors. We’ll see how it plays out.”
She had struggled with giving up with the brand she felt so passionate about but in the end, she wanted the freedom to determine for herself what she really wanted to do with her life. Crying on the living room floor surrounded by paperwork and electronics wasn’t it and she recognized she was fortunate enough to not have to do that if it made her miserable.
“I’m glad you could work something out. I just want you to know that whatever you decide to do, I support it, and if I can help in any way let me know.”
She nodded. “I want you to know too that I’ll always respect keeping Kendra’s memory alive for Finn. She’s his mother. She’ll always be his mother.”
“Thank you for that. That means a lot to me and I love you for bringing it up first.” He grinned. “Well, I love you for a lot of reasons. Add that one to the list.”
Sullivan stopped walking and turned to her. “I want you to know that I’m ready for this. I wasn’t for a long time. But I was done grieving for Kendra for myself a while ago. I’ve just still been grieving for my son losing his mother, does that make sense?”
She nodded. “It’s a process. It takes time.”
“But when I saw you again, I knew I could fall in love again and I did.” He brushed a gentle kiss over her lips. “I fell hard and fast, Ed.”
She squeezed his hand and looked deep into his blue eyes. “We have a whole new future in front of us and I can’t wait.”
“Me either.” He stopped walking. “Look. We’re home.”
Home. She was definitely that.
Sullivan sentthe babysitter home with many thanks and money sent through an app, before he went and checked on Finn, who was sound asleep, thank goodness.
