[h2]Esme[/h2]
 Esme continued to look up at Duke, seeing how fondly he looked at her. She couldn’t ever remember a time when he looked at her this fondly. It made her heart flutter, put butterflies in her stomach, and melt into his arms. If anyone had ever told her she would end up in Duke’s arms after the breakup of the trio, she would have laughed in their faces and said it was impossible. Especially after she thought she saw him in passing, a while after the breakup. He looked different. His hair was longer, he had more facial hair, and he wore a black cowboy hat instead of his usual white, but she could have sworn it was him. But he completely ignored her when she stopped and called out to him. It took her several days to pull herself back together after seeing him and having him ignore her. It was a day she couldn’t forget, and it stuck out like a sore thumb in her memories. Duke’s voice and wide smile pulled her back to the present, and laughed at his question. “Never.” She couldn’t remember any stab wound keeping him from going out for a beer and having a good time. 

The smile on Esme’s lips grew when Duke reacted to the idea of holding her hostage. The look on his face just made her laugh again, knowing he’d be tempted to. Then a light blush came to her cheeks from his next words and wide smile. Esme closed her eyes when Duke tilted his head down, brushed his lips over hers, and nibbled at her bottom lip. It sent her heart fluttering again and almost made her hold her breath. She kept her eyes closed as he pulled back, rested his forehead against hers, and placed a hand on the back of her neck. She smiled and sighed contently at his words. Esme couldn’t see herself growing tired of this either. After feeling alone for so long and now having someone who wanted and loved her, she wouldn’t take it for granted. She had Duke’s whole heart, not part of it, all of it. She didn’t have to fight for his attention or his love. She had both. Esme knew that without having to use her empathy to be sure, and it made her heart feel as if it would burst with how much it overflowed with happiness.

Esme kissed Duke with a light hum when he pressed his lips to her upper lip and matched his smile as he brushed his lips against hers and spoke. Opening her eyes, she looked into his blue eyes with her own, a sparkle within them. “Well, Mr. Hatfield….. This lady thought she knew what she wanted, but now she’s not so sure. A little of both options sounded quite possible, but now this lady’s not sure if she can pull herself from your arms.” she said softly against his lips with a warm smile. Esme gently brushed her nose against Duke’s as her hands slid down his back and came to rest in the back pockets of his jeans. She then nibbled at his bottom lip before closing her eyes and kissing him lovingly.