[h2]Esme[/h2]
 Esme noticed Duke’s content hum as her hand made it to his hair and then the twitch to catch his hat that wasn’t on his head. It almost made her laugh. If he had been wearing his hat, she would have taken it off herself and placed it on the back of the couch before pulling him close to her. It also amazed her how the simple action of her stroking his hair affected him. She would have to keep it in mind for anything that might come up in the future. However, she wasn’t sure why it amazed her so much. The same action also worked on her a little too well at times, if she was being honest. As she confirmed her love for him, Esme could feel Duke’s happiness rising, which also made her happy, especially when he softly kissed her temple. When Duke chuckled at her cheesy statement, she wasn’t quite expecting it, but she knew it wasn’t out of ridicule. She knew it had to be strange for him to hear it coming from her mouth since she had always been one who guarded her emotions from others, which was a safety precaution for her.

She had always been afraid to let others fully into her heart, especially with what her father had told her over the years. But now, she knew Duke was her soulmate and needed to let him know. She didn’t need to be so guarded with her emotions with him, even though, in the back of her mind, she was afraid he’d bolt at some point. But she wouldn't let herself think about it now that she had him in her arms and she was in his. When he answered her apology, Esme could hear the emotional overload in his tone, and she teared up at his words but softly nodded her head. “Alright.” she whispered as she heard the basement door open. She opened her eyes but couldn’t turn to see who had come out of the basement first, but judging by the footsteps she heard, it was Anna. Esme attention went back to Duke as he pulled his head away from hers, her hands never leaving his head and face. She let him turn her head to face him, a warm smile on her lips as she looked at him before he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips. 

Esme closed her eyes and kissed him back, humming softly as she did and feeling his thumb brush across her jaw. She lovingly brushed her thumb across his cheek just before Bobby cleared his throat. She broke the kiss with a slight flinch, then turned her head to look at Bobby, watching him in his office, fighting against the laugh and smirk that threatened to show itself at his words. After he walked out the back door, she turned her attention back to Duke, studying his face, causing the smirk to show itself. At Duke's comment and shrug, Esme lightly laughed as Duke pressed another kiss to her lips. She gladly returned as she closed her eyes with another hum. She lovingly brushed her thumb across his cheek, smiling behind the kiss before breaking it, and brushed his nose with hers as she took a breath. “Yes, he’ll live, but he’ll have both our hides if things move past kissing and whispering sweet nothings into each other’s ears.” she whispered against his lips with a light laugh before kissing him again. Esme deepened the kiss, her fingers slowly working themselves into Duke’s hair. Esme could easily see things moving past the kissing and whispering.