Find Me Alastar(101)

“This is Henry and Elizabeth’s house.”

His eyes lift up to me and he smiles, as if in wonder. “Is this the stable here?” He points to the barn.

I nod and smile proudly.

He turns the page again and it’s a picture of a large sandstone church. His eyes meet mine again and he smiles softly. “Where is this church?”

I shrug. “No Idea.” I smile, embarrassed, wishing I was as talented as he is. “I just made it up.”

He turns the page again and it’s a picture of a... I don’t even know what it is, other than a doodle. It’s a shield with an emblem on it. His eyes meet mine and he bends and kisses me gently. “What is this, my love?”

I love it when he calls me that. “Just a doodle.”

He smiles. “There is no such thing as just a doodle.”

“I’m not sure,” I reply.

He turns the last page over and his brow furrows. It’s a picture I have drawn of a little girl. She’s about two and has curly hair just above her shoulders. She has large eyes and perfect lips and is looking up at me.

He stares at it and drops to the bed.

I sit down behind him. “I’m not very good.”

He smiles softly. “Who is this wee child?”

“I don’t know, she’s just in my head.”

He continues to stare at it deep in thought. This picture has affected him in some way.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

He stands and walks over to the window to look at the picture closer under the light. His bleary eyes meet mine. “Nothing is wrong. Everything is as it should be.”

I smile, confused.

“I love you, Emmaline.”





Chapter 21





“What?” I whisper.

Did I hear that right?

He stands and wraps his large arms around me then kisses me on the lips. “I said…” He kisses me again. “I love you.”

My eyes widen. “You do?”

“Aye. I do.” His lips brush mine.

I smile and throw my arms around his neck. “I love you.”

He kisses me gently. “I’m sorry I put you through so much. I don’t deserve for you to love me.”

Emotion fills me. This is the first time he has apologized for treating me the way he did.

“I just…” He hesitates, as if going to say something.

“You just what?” I whisper. I need to hear why.

“I just wasn’t prepared to feel anything so strong. It shocked me.”

I frown. “Shocked you?”

He pushes my hair behind my shoulders. “From the moment I laid eyes on you in that shop, you have been on my mind.” I smile. Same as me.

“And I tried to stay away from you because you were not in my plans.”

My eyes search his and my heart rate picks up. He gently runs his fingers down my face as his eyes hold mine. “But… I couldn’t stay away, Em,” he whispers, almost to himself.

I smile against his lips as he kisses me. “I’m glad you couldn’t stay away,” I whisper.

“And I can’t stay away any longer. I can’t do it, my love. I need you now. I want you to move in with me and I want us to plan a future together. To hell with the consequences.” “I love you.” I smile, is this is happening? He kisses me. His tongue gently enters my mouth and molds with mine. My breath catches at the intensity of him, at the intensity of this moment. I believe him; he does love me and he tried to stay away from me. I felt it at the time. I felt all along that he had feelings for me but was denying them. And now he is confirming those thoughts.

“Make love to me,” he whispers.

I smile as I put my hand under his jumper and lift it over his head. He unzips my dress and lets it fall to the floor. His hungry eyes drop down my body as I stand in my black lace underwear.

“My beautiful Emmaline,” he murmurs as he pushes my bra back and bends to take my breast into his mouth. “I am blessed that the person I feel like this about is such a beautiful woman,” he breathes onto my nipple.

I look to the ceiling and smile like a goofy teenager. I have been called pretty before, attractive sure. But to have a man like Alastar, a man who I am hopelessly in love with, tell me I am a beautiful woman has to be the biggest compliment I have ever received. He bites me, his hand drifting between my thighs before he pushes my panties down my legs. “I love you,” he whispers again.

Happiness starts today.



* * *



The welcoming crackling of the fire fills the room. The light is flickering on our faces as we lie next to it on the floor of our bedroom. It is midnight, but I couldn’t sleep if I tried. I’m high on the Alastar O’Shea love drug. We came back here and he made us dinner. We’ve been cuddling in front of the fire ever since, in our pajamas, with Fraidy the cat snuggled at our feet. I’m happy and I feel safe. It seemed since I met Alastar those things were a thing of the past, but now the feeling is back with a vengeance. He lies behind me with his strong arms around me, his head propped up on pillows. I sporadically feel his gentle kisses on the side of my face, and I smile into the glow of the fire. I never knew how much I loved fires or the warmth and the feeling that they throw out. We didn’t have one at home, and yet now I have spent nights in front of one with Alastar, I can’t imagine doing anything more perfect.