The Heirs: The Murphy Sweetheart

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Emery

I wake up the morning after the gala feeling warm, buzzy, and light. Last night still feels like a dream. My whole body aches in the most pleasant way as I push the covers off of my bed and slide into my slippers, making my way slowly to the kitchen. I can't stop smiling like a moron, not as I click my coffeemaker on and not as I check my phone for any new emails or texts.

I bring my fingers up to my lips, giggling like a schoolgirl as I think about the way Rhys kissed me last night – at the gala, and after. We made it halfway back to the apartment when he pulled off to the side of the road and made me come with his fingers. When we got back to the apartment, I pinned him against my door and made out with him for god knows how long.

He told me he wanted to take things slow with me, but I have no idea how long I'll last. I made him tuck me in, and he only kissed me goodnight before going back to his own place.

I appreciate that he's trying to be respectful of me and my wants, but I've never felt more desire for another person before in my life.

I spend the day catching up on chores, doing some reading, and getting a light workout in, when finally, it's time to see Rhys again. I try to contain my excitement as I open the door to his handsome face. He looks handsome as ever today in a button down with the sleeves rolled up, showing off those muscles. His hazel eyes smile at me as I openly gape at him.

"Hi," I breathe.

"Emmy."

His eyes wander down to the modest knit dress I'm wearing to family dinner. He leans in to kiss me and I force myself to keep things chaste, despite wanting to climb him like a tree.

He holds my hand the whole way to my parents' place. The closer we get, the more my heart races with nerves. We agreed we were taking things slow, but Rhys said he doesn't want to hide us from anyone – not even my family. I appreciate that, but it still makes me nervous. I have a lot of family – cousins, inner circle, up-and-comers. And they all love to gossip.

I don't generally care what they think. However, the idea of me being the topic of any sort of conversation makes me want to crawl into a hole.

"You got this?" Rhys asks, squeezing my hand as we walk around to the back of the house where Dad has surely busted out the grill for the first time this season. It's the first truly warm day, and the cusp of summer feels close.

Rhys' eyes are trained on me.

I nod. "Yes. Do you?"

Rhys smiles charmingly. "As long as your uncles don't try to kill me."

"I mean, if my dad says you're okay, then I think you're good," I laugh nervously.

As soon as we step into the party of people, I feel eyes on us. I try to ignore it. I'm just so bad with being the center of attention. Thankfully, Mila breaks through the crowd and comes up to us, a wide grin on her face.

She pulls me into an easy hug, then her eyes dart to Rhys.

"My, aren't you two the talk of the ball?" she jokes.

"I've always reveled in attention," Rhys smirks.

"That makes one of us..." I mutter.

Mila giggles. Someone calls Rhys over. He kisses me cheek and I try not to melt into him before he takes off to visit with his peers. Mila links her arm with mine and practically drags me away.