Adaline lit up as she glanced over toward the bathroom and then back to me. “Together?”

Slowly nodding, I pushed my underwear off and stood before her naked. Adaline’s eyes moved over my body with lust dancing in them.

Standing up, Adaline pulled her shirt over her head and dropped it to the floor. My eyes fell to the white lace bra as I licked my lips. I lifted my hand and lightly traced the lace as Adaline’s body trembled.

“You calm the storm inside of me, Addie. When I’m with you I feel so at peace, like nothing else in this world matters. You’re everything to me.”

Adaline’s eyes filled with tears as she pressed her lips together and pushed her shorts and panties down. Reaching behind her back, she unclasped her bra and let it fall to the ground.

“Emmit, I don’t even have the words to tell you how much you mean to me. It’s not only my body that craves you, but my heart as well. You’re the light that I’ve always walked to. You’re all I want. You’re all I’ll ever want.”

Adaline placed her hands on my chest as she lightly placed kisses on my body. Taking a hold of her arms, I pulled her back and looked into her eyes. “I love you.”

Her face lit up as she leaned up and kissed my lips. “I love you.”

Reaching down, I lifted her up and carried her into the bathroom. The marble counter was long with two sinks sitting on each end. Setting her down, she gasped when she touched the cold slab.

Her cheeks turned to the most beautiful shade of pink I’d ever seen as she giggled. My hand went to the back of her neck where I took a handful of hair and pulled back gently, exposing her neck to me. Leaning closer to her, I ran my tongue along her neck as Adaline let out a sigh and grabbed onto my arms.

“Emmit,” she whispered as I took my other hand and wrapped it around her waist.

“I want to make love to you without a condom, Addie. I need to feel us together as one, so I know I’m not dreaming and you’re really mine again.”

Adaline’s eyes closed as she smiled and said, “It’s always been you, Emmit.”

Tears welled up in my eyes as I searched Adaline’s face. Opening her eyes, she smiled and placed her hand on the side of my face. “I want all of you. No barriers.”

My lips pressed to hers as I kissed her frantically while our hands explored each other. I pulled my mouth back and asked, “Babies?”

Adaline grinned against my lips, “Birth control pill.”

I pushed her legs open and pulled her to me. Positioning myself at her opening, our eyes locked. As I slowly pushed into her warm body, my eyes about rolled to the back of my head while Adaline’s body trembled.

“I’m yours, Emmit. Forever.”

Placing my hand back behind Adaline’s neck, I pulled her lips to mine as I slowly made love to her.

I LIFTED MY HAND AND softly ran my finger against my kiss-swollen lips as Lola slept on the sofa with her head in my lap. Glancing up, I smiled as I watched Emmit talk to Hank as he sat in the captain’s seat.

He looked so happy right now. Every time I watched his interviews on TV when we were apart I could see the sadness in his eyes. Looking away as I pressed my trembling lips together, I tried not to think about how I was the cause of all that sadness.

I shook the negative thoughts from my head. My hand moved lazily over Lola’s fur. None of that mattered any more. Emmit and I were together again and I’d never felt so whole. I had no idea how this life was going to work; all I knew was that I wanted it more than anything. Even if Mr. Elliot had not offered me to join the team, I knew deep in my heart that I wanted to be with Emmit.

Spinning in the chair, Emmit flashed me a smile so big I couldn’t help but smile back. “We’re almost home.”

Home.

This was truly it. I was getting the second chance I had prayed for so many nights. I was about to start a whole new chapter in my life with Emmit and I was both nervous and excited.

Lola lifted her head and let out a little bark, almost as if she knew what Emmit had said. Emmit glanced down at her as he let out a chuckle. “She loves you already, Addie.” As I looked back at Lola, I couldn’t help but fantasize what our life might be like in the future. A dog, one or two kids. Grinning at the idea, I chewed on my lip.

Emmit squatted down and placed his hand on the side of my face. “What are you thinking about, pumpkin?”

The last thing I wanted to do was scare Emmit by talking about the future and babies. But I also knew I would never hide my feelings from him again. “Our future.”

Emmit’s dimple came out in full force as he smiled. “What do you see¸ Addie?”

I swallowed hard as I looked at Lola and took in a small breath through my nose before blowing it out quickly. Bringing my eyes back to Emmit’s, I was taken back with the love in them. “Us. With Lola.”

With a tilt of his head slightly to the right, Emmit narrowed his left eye at me while he caused my heart to beat rapidly from that smile of his. “What else?” Emmit asked as he pushed a piece of my hair behind my ear.

I gave a quick shrug and said, “Maybe a little boy.”

Emmit’s smile widened as my heart raced the fastest it ever has. Letting out a nervous giggle, I said, “And a little girl running after Lola as we sit on the porch and watch them play.”

Emmit slowly shook his head as he cupped my face with his hands. His gray eyes caught mine and held them. “Addie, one of the most amazing dreams I’ve ever had is picturing you with a baby on the way. Our baby.”

Lola barked and pushed between us as we both started laughing. “I don’t think Lola’s ready for that dream yet.”

“Pulling in to your house, boss man,” Hank called out. A look of excitement moved across Emmit’s face. Taking my hands in his, he pulled them up and kissed them before he stood and brought me with him.

Lola started jumping and getting excited. Looking at her, I shook my head and asked, “How does she know she’s home?”

“She’s the smartest dog in the world.”

I playfully hit Emmit on the chest as I laughed. It was an off week and I couldn’t wait to just relax with Emmit and catch up for the last three years we were apart.

Emmit guided me toward the bedroom in the back of the bus where he grabbed my two bags and his duffle bag. “I’ll grab the rest of the stuff later. I want to show you around the house.”

I nodded and gave him a soft smile as I said, “Okay. Sounds like a plan.”

Not really knowing what to expect, I turned and headed to the door that led to Emmit’s house. He had been renting a condo in downtown Charlotte when he first hit the NASCAR circuit, so I had no idea what type of home he had bought. Daddy told me it was on Lake Norman and that was it.

Emmit gave me a wink as he walked past me and opened the door. Lola rushed past both of us and took off. Stepping out of the bus, my mouth dropped open as I froze in place.

“Holy crap,” I said as I stared at the monster brick house in front of me. Turning to look at Emmit, I attempted to get spit in my mouth so I could talk. “Um, you live in this house . . . alone?”

Lifting the left corner of his mouth, he shot me a sexy smile along with a wink. “Not anymore I don’t.”

Emmit grabbed my hand and led me to the front door. Glancing over my shoulder, I sucked in a breath as I took everything in. In the middle of the drive was a beautiful landscaped area with flowers so breathtaking, I swore they sparkled as little fairies flew around it.

Emmit made his way up the steps as he pulled out his keys and unlocked the massive door. “The alarm is set and it always freaks Lola out.” The beeping started the moment the door opened. Lola barked and rushed into the house.

A small intake of air was sucked in as my eyes scanned the inside of this beautiful house. “Oh my gosh, Emmit,” I said as I looked up at the high tray ceilings.