Protecting His Windflower (A Spirit Hunters Series Novel Book 1) by Temperance Dawn (best black authors .txt) 📕

Emily brought herself out of her daydream. Her mind had drifted off to her time in Carmel while she lounged on Liam’s sofa, talking to Lexi, filling her in on the last week.

“You’ve gotta get down here so we can spend the weekend there. You’ll love it,” Emily told her.

“Well, actually. I’m so glad you called today because I’ve been dying to tell you that I got some time off. I was thinking of coming down there and spending some time with you. I totally want to go to Carmel. I also want to go to Napa! I’ve always wanted to see wine country.”

Liam walked through the door then. He wore a pair of dark denim jeans and a light button-up shirt that hugged his body. Emily’s mouth watered at the sight of him.

Liam gave her a wink and a smile so sexy it sent shivers through her body. He walked over to her, leaned down, placed his hand over the mouthpiece of the phone, and kissed her. When he pulled back, he licked his lips, and the desire in his eyes was evident, sending the flutter she felt in her belly shooting down, exciting her. “Liam just walked in,” Emily said while watching him stroll to the kitchen. She hoped Lexi didn’t pick up on the elevation of her breathing.

“Tell him I say hi!”

“Lexi says hi.”

Liam had poured them both some iced tea and walked back to the living room. He placed the glasses on coasters on the table and pulled Emily close to him on the couch. Then, asked her to put the phone on speaker.

“Hey, Lexi. How are you?”

“Great. Thanks. I was just telling Em that I got some time off at the hotel. I was thinking about coming down there to visit.”

“Oh yeah! That sounds great! I can’t wait to meet you.”

“Good. I was thinking of flying down in a few days.”

“That’s perfect!” Emily told her, “I’m so excited!”

“Awesome. Okay. I gotta run. My break is almost over. I’ll let you know next week what day I’m flying in.”

“Sounds good. Can’t wait to see you.”

“Take care, Lex. We’ll see you soon,” Liam told her.

They said their goodbyes, and Emily disconnected the call. A second later, Liam pulled her on top of him on the couch and was devouring her mouth. “Mmmm. I missed you,” he told her.

“You were only gone for a couple of hours.”

“Babe, you need to understand something. You’re a breath of fresh air for me. I need you like I need oxygen. Being away from you is suffocating.”

“Baby,” Emily said and rested her forehead on his, “that is the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said to me.”

“It’s true.”

After a beat, Emily asked, “How did the meeting go?”

He sat up so Emily could scoot back to give him room. She sat facing him, and he took one of her hands in his. “Well. It was all written down in black and white in the will. Phil left the property to me. It’s all paid off, of course. He’s owned this place for decades. I think it was passed down to him through family too.”

“Why wouldn’t he leave it to family?”

“Because he literally didn’t have any. He never married and didn’t have kids. He was an only child too.”

“Wow.” Sadness came over her. Liam leaned back, resting his head against the cushions. Emily reached her hand out to stroke his forehead. “He must have been so lonely.”

“I know.” Liam swiped his hand down his face and pulled Emily to rest at his side. “The attorney is having some paperwork drawn up to have the deed transferred to my name. Once that’s done, it’ll be official. I’ll own this house.”

“It’s both incredible and odd at the same time.”

“It is. But it’s reality. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking these past few days. I’m considering turning this place into our headquarters. With it being paid for and the amount of work we have, I don’t need a renter. We can keep our equipment stored here. Me and the guys can get the basement squared away and cleaned out. And I mean that both literally and spiritually.”

Emily stared at him. She was excited for Liam and the guys to have a place for a headquarters. Then, something struck her. Liam noticed the change and reached for her. He pulled her onto his lap. She now straddled him

“Em. I’ve also been thinking about us. What do you think about moving in with me?”

“You want me to live with you?” Emily’s heart about stopped at his suggestion. She hadn’t stepped back in her flat alone since the night they saw the shadow figure. And when she did go downstairs, Liam was with her. She’d been staying with him since then, loving every moment of it. But they hadn’t talked about her officially moving in until now.

“We’ve already been living together this past month. I know it wasn’t in our plans to move this fast. But I love having you here.” Liam kissed her hand before pulling her closer to him. “I was a hundred percent serious when I told you that you’re it for me. I don’t know how I know, but I know, down to the marrow of my bones, that you’re the one I want to be with from here on out. If you don’t want to move in yet, don’t worry. I’ll hold off on doing any renovations so you can continue living downstairs until you’re ready to move. But just know, I want you with me. And I’ll wait for as long as you need me to—”

“Shhhhh.” Emily held her finger up to his lips, quieting him. “It’s ok. I want to live with you.”

“You do?”

Emily laughed and kissed Liam. “Yes! The thought of leaving you just to sleep downstairs hurts. It’s weird for me because I’ve always been so independent, but I love being here with you. You make me feel…whole.”

Liam draped his arm around her waist while