Room to Breathe
Page 22
“Is this because you want to me to come live there with you, permanently?”
“No, it is because it is your house now.”
“What? Eric! You can’t just give me a house!”
“Yes, I can. It was my house and now it is yours. Cora, I don’t want to ever think that you are with me because you don’t have anywhere else to go. I need to know that you will always be taken care of as well. You owning Greenwood does both.”
“Eric, I don’t know what to say. It doesn’t matter if I own a hundred houses; the only place I want to be is with you. I can’t imagine my life without you in it. I happen to have a great imagination. I have tried but I just can’t. I know that it doesn’t begin to cover it, but thank you.” Holy fuck! I own an English manor!
“Thank you is a perfect start, but if you really want to show your appreciation I can think of a few ways.”
“I am sure you can but what are we going to do when the captain wanders back here?”
“Is that the only thing stopping you?”
“Yep, pretty much.”
Eric stands and walks over to the intercom on the wall. A moment after he presses a button the captain’s voice echoes out, “Yes, your Lordship?”
“We are going to rest for a while and wish to not be disturbed unless it is an emergency,” Eric says in his commanding Lord voice. He is so sure of himself and strong. It turns me on and makes me a little envious all at the same time. I am always pretty sure I am going to say something wrong. Even when I do, Eric just laughs it off. He is more than I ever could have dreamed.
“Of course, your Lordship,” the captain responds as Eric makes his way back over to me. He pauses and unfastens a curtain that is pulled back against the wall. He pulls it around the little area cutting it off from the rest of the plane.
“There, I would say that is fairly private.” He takes off his jacket and sits next to me looking pleased with himself. I reach out and cup his face in my hand. I love his eyes and the emotion I see in them when he looks at me. How could I have ever doubted he really loves me?
“I would have to agree with you,” I respond to him, moving my hand from his face to the front of his shirt. I unbutton a few more of the buttons and run my hand over his firm, toned chest and abs. He leans in and kisses me lightly.
“You are so amazing, honey. Every moment you aren’t touching me I am wishing you were,” he whispers against my mouth. I pull away from him and stand up. I slide my panties off from under my dress and toss them aside. I straddle his lap and wrap my arms around his neck. He smiles at me, making my heart jump into my throat.
“I love you, Eric Ashford. I love you so much that I am terrified of losing you.”
“I love you, Cora Allen. You have nothing to be terrified of. You are mine and I will go anywhere you go, always. I haven’t just given you my heart; I have given you my soul.”
“And I have given you mine,” I whisper as I lean into him trying to show him how much he means to me with a kiss. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me tighter against him. Suddenly, I wish our flight was even longer.
ROOM TO BREATHE
Nicole Brightman
Copyright © 2013 by Nicole Brightman
All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission from the author. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. All characters and storylines are the property of the author and your support and respect is appreciated.
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
The following story contains mature themes, strong language, and sexual situations. It is intended for adult readers.
Cover image used under license from shutterstock.com.
Cover design by Renae Porter at Social Butterfly Creative.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to my wonderful husband and amazing children. Thank you for putting up with me being crazy. You are the best part of everyday. I love you more than I could ever tell you.
Thank you to Megan Gorey. We may not share blood but you are my sister in my heart and I don’t know what I would do without you.
Thank you to Kristen Proby. You have been an amazing friend! I am so glad you knocked on my door that day. I could never have believed that I would find such a kindred spirit next door. I would never have written this book without your support and advice. You mean the world to me.
Thank you to Lori Francis and Tanya Robo. Thank you for being wonderful beta readers! You ladies crack me up!
Thank you to the ladies at Shh Mom’s Reading. Thank you so much helping this newbie. You are awesome!
Thank you to Ranae Porter at Social Butterfly Creative for my beautiful cover! You are beyond talented. It is my favorite cover ever. Not that I am biased or anything.
Thank you to all the bloggers that support indie writers. We couldn’t do what we do without you. Your hours of hard work are so important to us.
Thank you to the readers. I hope you enjoyed this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Nicole xoxo