He strolled a few steps farther into the meadow. “Listen, the voices are quieter tonight. So I was wondering…”
“Yes?”
“Remember the night Aidan gave you the watch?”
“Yes,” she said, a hint of caution entering her voice.
He surveyed the pretty meadow. “Could we do that again? Could we have a date night? A nice romantic dinner and maybe some dancing after?”
She sniffed a little. And when she spoke again, it sounded as though she was fighting tears. “I’d love to have a date night, honey.”
“Great. I’ll see you in a few.”
“Okay. I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Pocketing the phone, he bent and began to gather a bouquet of wildflowers for her. Once he was satisfied with the size of it and the variety of colors it afforded, he returned to the car and sank into the passenger seat.
Bastien didn’t move when Cliff closed his door. He just kept staring through the front windshield.
A muscle flexed in his jaw.
“Bastien?”
“Are you sure this is what you want to do?” he asked, voice grim.
Go to Emma’s without hunting first? “Yes.”
Without another word, he turned the key and completed the drive to Emma’s house. He kept the engine running once he pulled into her driveway.
Cliff exited the car and closed the door. “Thanks. I’ll see you before dawn.”
Nodding, Bastien backed out and drove away.
Cliff strode up the walk, his heart light. For tonight at least, he would achieve his greatest dream: he would come to Emma as a mortal man bereft of insanity.
The door opened before he reached it.
Emma stepped out onto the porch, wearing the colorful dress from their second night together and no shoes, just sparkling toenails he always thought adorable. “I heard a car.”
“Bastien dropped me off.” Shaking his head, he smiled as he walked toward her. “Damn, you’re beautiful.”
Skipping down the steps, she jogged forward and threw herself into his arms.
Laughing, he caught her and swung her around as she hugged him tight. “This is exactly the greeting I was hoping for.” He pressed his lips to the soft skin of her neck where it met the gentle curve of her shoulder, loving her scent and the feel of her in his arms. Peace suffused him as he sighed in contentment. “I missed you.”
A chuckle escaped her, but it sounded forced. “It’s only been two days.”
Lowering her feet to the stone pathway, he drew back just enough to look down at her. “I always miss you when we’re apart.”
A tear spilled over her lashes as she stared up at him. “You’re really okay?”
Cupping her face in his free hand, he smoothed his thumb over her cheek and wiped away the moisture. “I haven’t felt this good in years.”
A tentative smile touched her lips. Then she rose onto her toes and touched her lips to his. “I thought I’d lost you,” she whispered.
“I know,” he said softly. “But I’m still here. And for once the voices are quiet. So…” He stepped back and proffered the flowers, happy to see he hadn’t inadvertently crushed them while swinging her around. “These are for you.”
Her face lit with a smile as she took them. “Thank you. They’re beautiful.”
He stole another kiss. “So are you.” Looping an arm around her shoulders, he guided her up the path. “Let’s go start our date night.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Emma wrapped her arm around Cliff’s waist and leaned into his side as they climbed the steps, crossed the porch, and headed inside, so happy to have him here with her. She hadn’t known what to expect. If he would be struggling the way he had been the last time they’d been together in Mr. Reordon’s boardroom. If she would even see him at all. But he looked good.
Reluctantly relinquishing her hold on him, she moved away and watched him close and lock the door.
No. He looked great.
Really great.
His manner had been tense, his body taut with carefully restrained aggression, for so long that she’d forgotten how freaking hot he used to look when he strolled toward her. Spellbound, she watched him approach, every movement deliciously fluid, his muscles loose and rippling beneath his clothing.
How long had it been since she’d seen him this way?
It made her heart pound as swiftly as if it were their first date.
His stomach growled.
She grinned.
His lips turned up in a wry smile as he rested a hand on his muscled abs. “Sorry. I think it’s been a couple of days since I ate.”