I meet Ainsley’s watery eyes and let her see my naked emotions, my earnestness and vulnerability. “I checked myself in the next day, and I’ve been clean ever since. I’ll never go back to who I was, Ainsley. I want my children to be able to look up to me. I do a lot of outreach with other kids who are in situations that often lead to a life of drugs and crime”—I squeeze her hands—”And I hope that you can see past my mistakes and trust that I will always be here for you and our children. Because I can’t let you go. I love you too much to be able to live without you, little daredevil.”
Ainsley gasps, then lifts our clasped hands and feathers a kiss over my knuckles. “I think you’re amazing,” she says quietly. Her eyes meet mine, and I exhale in relief at the sincerity and admiration in them. Ainsley leans in and brushes her lips across mine. “I’m so proud of you, Rem. I have no doubt that you’re going to be everything to our children that your father wasn’t.” She wraps her arms around me and hugs me close before whispering in my ear, “I love you, too.”
Chapter 10
Ainsley
Sometimes it seems surreal when I wake up with Rem in the mornings. Or when he drags me back to our trailer in between filming to, as he puts it, “Make sure you’re good and knocked up.” It’s like living in the best dream, and I hope I never wake up.
Besides being married to him, I’m also in awe of his talent. Working with him on the movie has been incredible. He’s creative and pushes for excellence, but he makes it fun and I hope we get the chance to do it again someday.
My career has always been my focus, and it wasn’t until Rem talked about getting me pregnant that I realized how much I wanted what my parents have. The husband who adores me and several squishy, little babies. However, I don’t intend to quit altogether and when I mentioned that to him, he was completely supportive. It shouldn’t have been a surprise because he’s perfect for me.
Some women might see his jealousy and possessiveness as a flaw, but I have to be honest with myself. It makes me all melty with love and hot with desire. It seems I’m an addict too, because my obsession with my husband is only growing stronger. My need for him has been almost constant over the last six weeks as we finished filming. From what I’ve read, it’s most likely due to the surprise I have for him tonight.
“Ainsley.”
Cannon’s voice tears my attention away from watching Rem do a complicated stunt. I turn to him and smile. “Welcome back!”
The producers had agreed to let Cannon take a week off to do a quick cameo on a cop show set in Las Vegas. He’s like a brother to Rem, and we’ve all grown close since Rem and I got married, so I’m genuinely happy to see him.
Cannon grins and pulls me in for a bear hug. “Thanks, sis.” I laugh when he ruffles my hair like I’m his kid sister.
“Hands off my wife,” Remington growls out of nowhere. He comes up behind me and slips his arms around my waist, dragging me back so I’m plastered to his front.
Cannon smirks and steps back with his hands in the air. “My mistake. I shouldn’t touch what isn’t mine.” He winks, and Rem just grunts and nuzzles his face in my neck. My whole body goes lax, and I tilt my head to give him better access.
I’m almost completely lost to the fog of lust surrounding me. Any moment now, I’m going to drag him to the nearest dressing room and make him ease the ache he’s causing. When my new assistant, Crystal, practically bounces over to us, I almost miss Cannon’s reaction to her.
His eyes go wide and unblinking, his jaw hanging open, and I’m pretty sure he isn’t breathing. Crystal skids to a stop and she glances at him, then quickly looks down as color blooms on her cheeks.
“Um.” Crystal drags her eyes up to mine while she fidgets and shifts her weight on her feet a couple of times. “Is there anything you need?” Cannon takes a step closer to her, but she ignores him, focusing on me. If it weren’t for her deepening blush, I would think she hadn’t noticed.
I feel Rem shaking and realize he’s hiding his laughter in my hair. A smile is fighting to materialize on my face, but I don’t want to embarrass Crystal any more than she already is. “No,” I tell her kindly. “I’m good. Thanks.”
She bites her lip and digs the toe of one tennis shoe into the ground.