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Asher passed him a business card. “My phone number if you need anything from me. I’m happy to help however I can. And please fax over that paperwork you mentioned. We’re eager to get this settled.” My heart warmed at Asher’s generous words.

“Perfect, thanks.” The officer nodded and then walked off.
 

“Wait!” I called, running to the officer. “Where’s Judy?”

“She’s already in custody. She’ll sit in front of the judge tomorrow. Lots of child abuse cases lately. I don’t think the judge will go light on her. A six-figure bail at least, I’d expect.”

“Six figures. That means she won’t get out?” I looked at him hopefully, knowing she didn’t have that kind of money.

“Certainly not tomorrow.” He shook his head. “Can I give you a piece of advice?” The cop paused, taking me by surprise with his intense gaze.
 

“You’ve been through a lot, you and your brothers. Try to move forward. Don’t get caught up in the past. Nothing ruins a life faster than getting stuck in the past. Move on from this. You deserve it, Eve.”
 

I stood still, rooted, his simple but wise words washing over me. “Thank you,” I said as a cool wind breezed across my body, relaxing my muscles and making me feel like I was breathing deeply for the first time. Like I’d been starved of oxygen for so long.
 

“Good luck.” The officer smiled and tipped his hat. “I know Asher. He’s a good man. I trust him. If he needs anything, he’ll call.”
 

I nodded, relishing that unexpected little vouch for Asher’s character. For the first time, I was seeing him through a stranger’s eyes, and it was good. Asher was a good man.
 

I turned and walked slowly back to the group, seeing him laughing at something one of the boys had said. They looked like a band of brothers already.
 

It warmed every single dark corner of my heart. I couldn't wait for tomorrow, and the next day, and to see what the future would hold for each of us. It was bright, and we were all so ready for it.
 

Much later that night, after Asher had filled our bellies with take-out from his favorite Chinese place, after the boys had each settled in their own room and the night had crept up quietly, it was just Asher and me. Finally, alone.

I pulled a cashmere blanket around my shoulders, biting back the soft chill that danced across my skin and left me shivering. Asher had one arm around my form, holding me on the wide wraparound porch as we overlooked the large lawn, the sparkling lake and the giant weeping willow, and the beautiful apple orchard.
 

“I’m going to marry you under that willow someday,” Asher said matter-of-factly.
 

I nearly choked on the laugh that escaped my throat. “You’re so insane.” My lips tugged at the corners. I couldn’t fight the smile if I wanted to. I didn’t want to.
 

“I’m serious. What about a winter wedding?” His other hand snaked across my abdomen, seeking out my hand and interlacing it in his. He pulled my knuckles to his lips and kissed the delicate flesh repeatedly.
 

“A winter wedding?” I sighed, leaning deeper into his embrace, thinking how nice it was to be able to give up worrying about the future, to just live in the present, safe and deliriously happy. I’d never been afforded that luxury.
 

“You’ll be a beautiful bride any time of the year.” He kissed me again before sliding both of his hands into my hair, his palms working at the nape of my neck before his warm lips pressed down on mine. He kissed me slowly, surely, with love and reverence. “Eve?” he said between kisses. “Don’t ever leave me again.” He kissed me again.
 

“Okay.” I nodded, more than happy to obey when his hands and lips were on me.
 

“And Eve?” he said again, chasing a line of kisses across my cheekbone and down to my lips. “Tell me I can move back into my own bedroom?” Before I could answer, he plunged his tongue into my mouth, one hand trailing up my torso and lighting me on fire.
 

“Asher?” I smiled, pulling away. “I was waiting for you to ask me that.” I placed a quick, friendly kiss on the deep bow of his beautiful lips before I darted from my spot on the chair and giggled, hearing his footsteps follow me through the doors, up the stairs, and right into the master cave of his bedroom, the one he’d given me my first night here.

“I should have been here that first night.” Asher’s hands pushed into my hair as he laid me back on his fluffy king bed and kissed me. “But I will have you here every single night after this.” His eyes lit with temptation as his palms smoothed up underneath the cotton of my shirt and over the rounded shape of my breasts.
 

“Asher?” I moaned.
 

“Yes, princess?” He pulled at my shirt with his teeth, and I was anxious, feeling his eyes scanning my curvy body.

“Should we do this the first night the boys are here?” I asked awkwardly.

“You sound like a mother hen.” He chuckled and licked at my naval, dancing his tongue around the circle before pulling at the waistband of my sleep shorts. I squirmed as arousal flooded between my thighs. I was desperate to feel the slow stretch of his dick invading me.
 

“I can’t help it. I worry,” I mumbled, before his fingertips dusted across my burning nipples. “
Asherrrr.
” The word slipped out on a moan as all thought ceased and only his hands on my skin remained.

twenty

Asher

“Keep giving me those sweet moans, music to my ears, baby.” My hands roamed her silken skin, pushing the cotton of her shirt above her torso, my eyes savoring the soft dips and curves of her body in my bed. I wanted her, I needed her. I needed to know we were okay and we’d gotten through this better, stronger, without resentment or barriers to our future.
 

“I was so worried when you left today,” I said as my hands trailed up her naked body, pure pleasure coursing through me at the feel of her against me. “Every fear I had flashed in front of me. Were you hurt, did someone take you, had you left? I never want to feel that way again.”
 

I plumped one of her full breasts in my palm and latched onto a succulent nipple, tasting it on my tongue, rocking my hips between her legs, driving her as crazy as she did me on a daily basis. “Does that feel good?” I moved to her other nipple, a choked moan my only response as her hands tugged at my hair. “So sweet, so pure and innocent.”
 

I moved down her body, taking my time with her, aware every move I made sent another sigh of pleasure whispering past her lips. Like a song to my ears, I played her body until my fingers found her soft, damp folds, eagerly welcoming my rough fingers. My appetite got the better of me, and I moved between her thighs and attached my lips to her clit, flicking my tongue and nipping with my teeth until her hands were clutching and clenching in my hair, her thighs tight around my ears as she rode her orgasm.
 

Unable to contain myself a second longer and while her body was still trembling with arousal, I sheathed myself in her hot body and relished the feeling of being home. Every moment I was inside her was like a gift, a new and blissful sensation, a feeling I hadn’t known existed. My fingers worked her clit fervently as I leaned over her soft body and latched onto her nipples, pulling in long slow sucks until her moans started up again, driving me to my own hard and fast orgasm.
 

I grunted as my muscles tensed and I felt myself release inside her, her own orgasm fisting around me as she cried and sang and came in a rush of pleasure. My breathing heavy, I collapsed next to her instantly, pulling her into my body, my chest heaving with pants as her own eyes drifted closed with sweet release. My Eve. My beautiful dream come true, Eve.

“I know you’ve been through a lot. I know you don’t have a single reason to believe me, but I’ll never hurt you,” I confessed against the sweet dampness of her skin. “I know everything since day one has been complicated and cloudy, but my love for you isn't, Eve. It never was. I love you with everything I am. I’ll protect you with all the power I have. And I’ll love you with every fiber of me forever. Please know that.” I caressed the dark locks of hair at her temple, her soft, ruby lips parted as she breathed quietly.
 

“I believe you. I believe you with my entire heart. I’ve never met anyone like you. The feeling I had when you first walked into that room was different. Everything about you is different, and I know with every inch of my soul that you’re good, you’re right for me. You’re right where I need to be,” she finished, placing a soft kiss on my lips. My beautiful, sweet angel.

epilogue

Eve

I sucked in a giant gulp of cool air as Jenna tightened the lacing on the back of my dress. I smiled when she put the finishing touches on my lipstick, and then slipped my soles into the cobalt blue heels I’d chosen to wear today. Not an easy feat, but I loved them. I wanted to have my princess moment and I was finally getting it. Much sooner than I ever expected, but getting it still. In a big way.

I took a moment to pause when Jenna packaged up her make-up tools at the small makeshift vanity in Asher’s office. My lips turned up as I looked out over the sparkling, powdery white yard, down to the icy blue lake and the beautiful weeping willow at one edge. The tree had meant so much, and Asher’s prophecy had come true.
 

Set up next to the frozen tree was a large white canopy, flowing with every shade of white flower known to man, along with vibrant red apples arranged in bundles that added a stunning pop of color to an already beautiful scene. My mind immediately chased back to the memory not so long ago of Asher and an apple in his kitchen. He’d included those apples in the decor because so many of our sweetest moments revolved around the apples that’d grown in his orchard.
 

It was a wedding plucked right from a fairy tale, and I’d been pinching myself at all the various intervals. From the swags hung with blood red roses to the full ball gown with the sweetheart neckline and delicate lace and beadwork. This moment was my fairy tale, and he was my prince.
 

Asher and Eve.

Butterflies turned in my stomach as I pressed my hands to my belly and thought I’d need to get out of this dress soon. The waist pinched and the shoes rubbed. I was also praying that my mascara wouldn’t run with the tears of happiness that would soon be blurring my vision.

“Ready, Eve?” Jenna, the assistant Asher had hired to help me through this process of wedding planning and life adjustment, had been a godsend. Jenna had become like the sister I’d never had in the six months she’d been with me. She was good people, just like Asher and Peggy. I trusted them with my life, and even more importantly, my heart.

“I’m ready.” I nodded and swallowed the anxious lump in my throat before turning and flashing her a smile. “I’ve been counting down the days to this. I’m more than ready.” I smiled brightly. We looped arms and strode through the house.

Jenna slipped open the wide French doors and gave a small wave, then I heard soft music start. Tears instantly burned my eyes as I recognized the wedding march played sweetly by a lone violinist.
 

Just another of Asher’s touches. He’d spared no expense and leapt right into wedding-planning mode after he’d proposed to me with a ring more expensive than any house I’d ever lived in. I’d said yes and fallen into his arms as happy tears surged down my cheeks. The boys and I had only been with Asher for three months, but even by then, I’d known. I’d known by the very first weekend that he was the one I was meant to walk this earth with. From the second he’d sauntered into my life, the energy had become charged with something, as if the energetic mix of him and me caused a combustible reaction in the atoms between us. There was no turning from him. I was as hopeless to his force as I was to anything I loved with fierce faith and loyalty in my life.
 

Within days of the boys moving into Asher’s estate, an FBI raid splashed across evening news headlines. Various arrests were made at the escort service that day, including Shoshanna. I’d cried tears of happiness knowing no other woman would undergo the monstrous circumstances I had. Asher had been central in orchestrating the take down of one of the most notorious high-end escort services in the tri-state area. Just one more reason I loved him with every fiber of my soul.

“Ready, sister?” Julian’s soothing voice reached my ears, and my muscles instantly relaxed. I caught his warm gaze as he looped my arm in his elbow. I’d asked him to walk me down the aisle today, and he’d promised he’d have it no other way. I was so glad. I’d missed him since he’d left.
 

Shortly after Asher and I were engaged, Julian came to us with his GED and a plan to go to college across the country, in California. My heart had nearly broken on the spot, but with Asher’s hand clasped tightly in my own, I’d swallowed back my own sorrow at his leaving and given him the biggest hug I could manage. He deserved this. This was a second chance for all of us, and I was so proud of him for taking his.

After the boys had moved in, I’d began digging into colleges almost immediately and was now enrolled at the local community college. I’d have a few long years ahead of me, but I hoped to have my social work degree in less than four years. I was anxious to get to work helping disadvantaged and forgotten kids, just like the one I’d been.
 

“Thanks for coming all this way, brother,” I sighed, feeling my heart warm with every ounce of love thrown at me this day.
 

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He placed a quick kiss on the apple of my cheek, and then we stepped into the aisle that would lead us down to the willow. The violin played and Julian took slow measured steps in time with the chords. When we turned a small bend and Asher came into view, my heart nearly fell to my feet.