Emma

They say you never forget your first love.

You might find a new person and even fall in love again. But that one person who first made your heart race and your palms sweat will always be in the back of your mind.

Maybe it's just an innocent memory.

Maybe it's the certainty you are better off without them.

Or maybe it's the constant thought of where things went wrong. It's the longing in the middle of the night and the ache in your chest when you think about them.

In my case, it's all of the above and so much more.

Asher Sullivan is a mix of longing and heartbreak; an addiction that no amount of time or distance could cure.

During our relationship, I deluded myself into thinking I could have it all. I was young and foolish and trusted him blindly with my heart. Only to have it broken when he decided to leave everything behind. Including me.

So, I promised myself I'd never step foot in his family house again. The very same place where everything changed for us.

I never thought I'd have to break that promise.

Until now.

Putting my pride aside and willing my heart to stop beating so fast, I knock on his family's door.

I know he won't be here. He's God knows where doing God knows what. But as I stand before the imposing doors of the Sullivan mansion, I can't help but wonder if he still thinks about me, about us.

With a polite smile on my face, I follow one of the servers inside and take a seat in the living room. The house is silent and still and my eyes drift towards the stairs that lead to his room.

Closing my eyes, I can almost hear Asher's voice as I remember one of the many times we sneaked inside the house in the middle of the night.

For a second, it feels like I'm just thrown back in time...

"You'll wake up the whole house if you don't stop giggling," Asher whispered, his warm breath caressing my earlobe as he pulled my back against his chest.

"So, stop making me giggle," I said, my voice a sultry invitation, barely audible above the pounding of my heart.

Asher's lips trailed along the sensitive skin of my neck, igniting a cascade of tingling sensations that shot straight to my core. His strong, possessive hands explored the contours of my arms, setting my skin on fire. I could feel the heat of his body melding with mine, the urgency of our desire growing with every heartbeat.

His lips nuzzled my ear, planting feather-light kisses along my jawline. "Do you have any idea what you do to me? How many nights I spent awake thinking about nothing but being with you?"

"Jesus, Ash...." My knees turned to jelly, my body easily responding to his touch.

He turned me in his embrace. His body curved against mine, his tousled black hair framing his face in a way that made him impossibly hotter. The hand that was at my waist slid down seductively, resting on the curve of my hips. His ocean-blue eyes looked at me like he was ready to devour me.

He held me captivated. I had almost no room to breathe. Yet I'd never felt so alive in my life.

"Kiss me," he said hoarsely, his gaze fixed on mine.

Panting softly, I licked my dry lips. He let out a groan that drove me crazy. I couldn't think about anything but him.

Then he leaned in slowly, his nose barely touching mine. "Kiss me," he whispered.

As soon as I closed the distance between us, he took over. His lips were soft and demanding, coaxing me with slow expertise. His tongue dipped inside, tasting me in long, leisurely licks.

My hands were in his hair almost as if by instinct, pulling on the silky strands and using them to direct his mouth over mine.

He growled, deepening the kissing and pulling me even closer to him.

I felt the raging beat of his heart against my chest as if he were as hopeless as me. There was no distance between us. We're attuned physically and mentally.

"I love you," he said in between kisses, his voice filled with a raw, passionate yearning. "I love you so much it hurts sometimes."

Drawing back slightly, I looked into his eyes. At that moment, I knew there was no going back for me. "I love you," I said, noticing how his chest expanded on a deep breath.

Cupping the back of my head and the curve of my butt, he lifted me off my feet. My legs instinctively wrapped around his waist, and the feeling of being in his arms sent shivers of anticipation through me.

He moved with purpose as he walked us upstairs, taking us to his room. I was pressed full-body against him, achingly aware of every hot, hard inch of him. My skin was damp and too sensitive; my breasts were heavy and tender. My clit throbbed with need, pounding along with my heartbeat.

I wanted him.

I loved him.

So much that it consumed me.

In his dimly lit bedroom, he gently lowered me onto his bed, and the soft moonlight filtering through the curtains created an intimate atmosphere that left no room for doubt.

Asher Sullivan owned my heart, my mind, and everything in between.

"Ms. Cavendish?" The server who escorted me inside says, pulling me away from my thoughts.

I stand up, feeling a slight heat spreading across my face. "Oh, hi."

"Mr. Sullivan is waiting for you in his office," she says. "He's running a little late with his meeting, but he asked for you to go in, please."

"Oh, thanks." I follow her.

Little did I know that when my life took a devastating turn, it wouldn't be Asher, but his older brother Max, who would throw me an unexpected lifeline.

It has been over a month since a dreadful fire ravaged Wings of Freedom, the women's shelter I poured my heart and soul into building. The memories of that fateful day still haunt me. I can still feel the echoes of chaos and destruction that reverberated deep within my soul.

So, when Max called and offered his help, I couldn't fathom passing up the opportunity. Nervousness prickled beneath my skin as he mentioned the amount of money he was willing to donate, far more than any previous contribution we'd received. It would be enough not only to rebuild the shelter but also to make it even better than it was. It would change the lives of two hundred people forever.

There is no way I can turn that down.

Even if something inside me keeps telling me his offer is too good to be true.

I knock on the already open door of his office. "Your secretary told me to come in," I say.

"Emma," Max says, his eyes widening when he sees me. "Please come in."

I detect the same relief in his voice from when we spoke last week for the first time, but now there's a hint of apprehension lingering in his gaze that makes me uneasy.

"How are you doing?" I ask, noticing he's still confined to a wheelchair because of a recent car accident. 

"I'm getting there." He gives me a warm smile, motioning for me to take a seat. "I've got the documents you sent me, so the money will be in the shelter's account by the end of next week."

"Thank you so much, Max," I say, my eyes briefly flickering to the men by his side before looking back at him. Max's deep blue eyes, although similar to his brother's, carry a depth that reflects wisdom and a hint of sadness. I keep telling myself that I'm just being paranoid, but as our eyes meet, I recognize the warmth in his smile, genuine and reassuring. I wish it would bring me some comfort, but it only reminds me of the mess the Sullivan brothers and I got tangled up in years ago.

"We just need you to sign a couple of things," a gentleman stands up, extending his hand. "I'm David Young, Max's executive advisor."

"Oh?" I shake his hand. "Emma Cavendish, nice to meet you."

"James Cavendish's daughter, right?" He tilts his head, revealing a hint of curiosity beneath his cordial demeanor.

"He's my father, yes," I say, a slight frown creasing my brow. I worked hard to establish an identity beyond my father's wealth, but I can see the wheels turning in his head as he's likely trying to understand why I'd need to seek financial help from Max.

"James Cavendish is one of the most affluent magnates in the country." He turns to Max, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

"Yeah, he's a long-time family friend," Max says, clearing his throat as he retrieves some papers from his desk drawer.

Max and his lawyers redirect the conversation by going over a few documents with me, and the tension in the room eases somewhat. However, David remains mostly silent during the discussions, his intense scrutiny making me uncomfortable.

"Thanks again for doing this, Max," I feel like I have to say. "I wouldn't accept this kind of money if it wasn't absolutely necessary."

"You're doing an amazing job with those women and their children," Max holds my gaze. "Stop thanking me every time you see me."

"Right..." I chuckle, feeling slightly embarrassed. "It's just that you've been doing so much to help us that I wish there was a way to repay you."

"Actually..." David clears his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "There might be a way you could help Max."

Max closes his eyes for a moment, his lips thinning. "David, maybe we should—"

"You're single, right, Emma?" David bluntly asks, taking me by surprise.

"I am, yes..." My eyes dart to Max, who's looking flushed, a side of him I've never seen before.

"I'm sorry if I sound too straightforward." David offers me a smile that does nothing to ease my nerves. "But my job is to seize opportunities when I see them."

"I don't get it," I say, noticing Max is looking down.

"What if..." David looks between Max and me, his gaze lingering on mine. "What if you were to enter a more... permanent partnership with the Sullivans?"

"A partnership?" I ask, genuinely curious.

"Yes, a partnership." David nods, choosing his words carefully. "Your unwavering dedication to the shelter has been nothing short of remarkable, and your administrative skills are impressive. Besides, you have a pristine reputation, along with being the daughter of a highly influential man."

"I'm sorry, but I'm still a little confused," I admit, my eyes darting to Max, who still can't meet my gaze.

"Just tell her already," a voice I swore I'd never listen to again in my life says from behind me.

I can barely believe my ears, but I'd recognize that voice everywhere. Slowly, I turn around, my heart pounding in my chest. "Asher?" I whisper, my jaw falling open in surprise.

I wish I could say that seeing him again after all these years didn't affect me. That he was just a memory from the past. But as soon as our eyes meet, I'm hit with a wave of emotions that I thought I had long buried inside.

He's looking all shades of handsome and it plays tricks on my heart.

His ocean-blue eyes still have the power to make me weak in the knees. His dark, tousled hair looks just as irresistible as ever, falling gracefully over his forehead. His rugged stubble adds a touch of charm, and those full lips of his are both wicked and heart-melting.

He's always had this magnetic aura, a confidence that draws people in. But now that he's grown a bit older, there's something even more alluring about him.

It's hard not to fall under his spell.

And even harder to think that once upon a time he only had eyes for me.

With my heart racing, I can feel a rush of butterflies invading my stomach. The longing I've tried to bury for so long resurfaces with a vengeance. I've missed him more than I've allowed myself to admit, and seeing him now, in the flesh, is affecting me in ways I didn't expect.

For a moment, I see the same desire, the same longing that I'm feeling mirrored in his gaze.

His lips part, and his eyes deliberately trace every curve of my body. A subtle yet noticeable swallow courses through his throat and a shiver runs down my spine.

With a deep breath, his chest expands, and his hands clench of his hands at his side as if he's also struggling with his feelings.

Then, his gaze zeros on my mouth, and the tip of his tongue traces his lower lip in a move so instinctively charged that my core tightens in response.

Jesus!

He's looking at me as if no time has passed at all.

Like we didn't break each other's heart.

But then, just as quickly as it appeared, the warmth in his eyes vanishes. He straightens his posture, and his eyes narrow.

I can see the internal struggle within him, the pain of our past, and the heartbreak that drove us apart, all hanging heavily in the air.

"Tell me what?" The words leave me in a rush as I try to regain control of my body.

Asher crosses his arms over his chest, his eyes fixed on mine. "David is suggesting you marry me so we can save our family business."

_____

A/N: I love writing second-chances romance stories! The sexual tension, the feelings, the longing... I'm always up for that! What about you?

If you're into hot male leads who will make you swoon at every chance they get, make sure to add The Billionaire's offer to your reading list so you can get a notification every time a new chapter is out. I'm releasing a new chapter every Friday evening! Stay tuned! 

XOXO

Celeste