Read Online Always Mine (The Barrington Billionaires, Book 1) by Ruth Cardello - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Ruth Cardello
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wanted to do. There are now 3D printers that can create similar sculptures from photos and those will be part of my museum one day, but people can do something computers can’t—we can see another person’s true essence. I like to think my mother cried because I allowed her to see her mother’s soul.”
Asher was a man rarely at a loss for words, but when he saw how Emily’s eyes had misted over with emotion, he pulled her to his chest and hugged her quietly. Fuck.
A moment passed, then two. Asher expected Emily to pull away from him, but she didn’t. His heart was beating wildly in his chest, and he wondered if she could hear it. He looked down at her and gave in to the impulse he’d fought all day. He kissed her lightly on the mouth.
It was a kiss unlike any he’d experienced. There was passion in it, but when her lips moved eagerly against his, he felt more. He tasted her sadness, her vulnerability, but also her determination and fire. He brought his hands up to cup her face and kissed her gently. She arched against him, opening her mouth to him, and he knew then she would be more to him than a weekend fling.
He broke off the kiss and rested his chin on top of her head. The only sound in the room was their ragged breathing.
He didn’t believe in love.
He wasn’t looking for forever.
But Emily Harris would be his, of that he was certain.
Chapter Six
‡
E mily was still a little shell-shocked when Asher walked her down the dark path behind the museum to her home, which had originally been her grandfather’s guesthouse. It was a sliver of the size of the main house, but the workmanship was just as masterful. If it was a cold night, Emily didn’t notice. Her cheeks were still flushed from the kiss she’d shared with Asher.
She fumbled with the lock on the front door of her home. Asher took the key from her and unlocked it. Emily refused to meet his eyes. I shouldn’t have kissed him. I definitely shouldn’t have enjoyed it.
There was no use lying to herself about how good his kiss had felt. It had been amazing, the kind a woman waits her entire life for. Why does a kiss like that have to come from a man like him? There is nowhere good this can go. Okay, yes, part of me wonders what sex would be like with a man who can make my body hum for his touch just by looking at me. But how can I want a man I don’t even like? A man who wants to take my museum from me? My history. I should hate him.
What he wants from me is clear.
It would just be sex.
Uncomplicated, animalistic fucking.
Oh God, why does that sound so good?
Emily thought back to the last boyfriend she’d had who had been incredibly sweet, but had also been shyer than she was when it came to sex. She’d enjoyed the sex. Well, she hadn’t disliked it, but it had always left her feeling uncertain about wanting to repeat it. Sadly, he’d appeared to feel the same way.
It wouldn’t be like that with Asher Barrington.
He’s wrong for me, but I want him so badly I ache for him. Is this what happens when a woman goes a year without sex?
“Are you coming in?” Asher asked in an amused tone. He flipped on the hall light as if he’d been there a hundred times and placed the key on a small table beneath the switch.
Keeping her gaze steady, Emily held the door open behind her. “Thank you for walking me to my door, although there was no need. I hope seeing how close the museum is to completion sways you to at least consider not moving forward with your facility.”
Asher walked over, placed his hand over hers, and closed the door behind her, effectively cornering her. “I don’t want to talk about the museum anymore today.”
Still refusing to look up, Emily said huskily, “You should go.”
Asher stayed where he was, looming over her with his head bent so his face was just above hers. “Maybe. Look me in the eye and tell me to.”
Emily forced her eyes to meet his, and her breath caught in her throat at the passion she saw
Asher was a man rarely at a loss for words, but when he saw how Emily’s eyes had misted over with emotion, he pulled her to his chest and hugged her quietly. Fuck.
A moment passed, then two. Asher expected Emily to pull away from him, but she didn’t. His heart was beating wildly in his chest, and he wondered if she could hear it. He looked down at her and gave in to the impulse he’d fought all day. He kissed her lightly on the mouth.
It was a kiss unlike any he’d experienced. There was passion in it, but when her lips moved eagerly against his, he felt more. He tasted her sadness, her vulnerability, but also her determination and fire. He brought his hands up to cup her face and kissed her gently. She arched against him, opening her mouth to him, and he knew then she would be more to him than a weekend fling.
He broke off the kiss and rested his chin on top of her head. The only sound in the room was their ragged breathing.
He didn’t believe in love.
He wasn’t looking for forever.
But Emily Harris would be his, of that he was certain.
Chapter Six
‡
E mily was still a little shell-shocked when Asher walked her down the dark path behind the museum to her home, which had originally been her grandfather’s guesthouse. It was a sliver of the size of the main house, but the workmanship was just as masterful. If it was a cold night, Emily didn’t notice. Her cheeks were still flushed from the kiss she’d shared with Asher.
She fumbled with the lock on the front door of her home. Asher took the key from her and unlocked it. Emily refused to meet his eyes. I shouldn’t have kissed him. I definitely shouldn’t have enjoyed it.
There was no use lying to herself about how good his kiss had felt. It had been amazing, the kind a woman waits her entire life for. Why does a kiss like that have to come from a man like him? There is nowhere good this can go. Okay, yes, part of me wonders what sex would be like with a man who can make my body hum for his touch just by looking at me. But how can I want a man I don’t even like? A man who wants to take my museum from me? My history. I should hate him.
What he wants from me is clear.
It would just be sex.
Uncomplicated, animalistic fucking.
Oh God, why does that sound so good?
Emily thought back to the last boyfriend she’d had who had been incredibly sweet, but had also been shyer than she was when it came to sex. She’d enjoyed the sex. Well, she hadn’t disliked it, but it had always left her feeling uncertain about wanting to repeat it. Sadly, he’d appeared to feel the same way.
It wouldn’t be like that with Asher Barrington.
He’s wrong for me, but I want him so badly I ache for him. Is this what happens when a woman goes a year without sex?
“Are you coming in?” Asher asked in an amused tone. He flipped on the hall light as if he’d been there a hundred times and placed the key on a small table beneath the switch.
Keeping her gaze steady, Emily held the door open behind her. “Thank you for walking me to my door, although there was no need. I hope seeing how close the museum is to completion sways you to at least consider not moving forward with your facility.”
Asher walked over, placed his hand over hers, and closed the door behind her, effectively cornering her. “I don’t want to talk about the museum anymore today.”
Still refusing to look up, Emily said huskily, “You should go.”
Asher stayed where he was, looming over her with his head bent so his face was just above hers. “Maybe. Look me in the eye and tell me to.”
Emily forced her eyes to meet his, and her breath caught in her throat at the passion she saw
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