by Ember Dante
There were several times I came close—very close—to telling Ian everything. The guilt of lying to him was consuming me to the point I was barely holding it together. The strain was so great that I started avoided my coworkers as much as possible, citing my growing pile of work as the reason. I also used Ian as my excuse for skipping our weekly happy hour, telling them I wanted to spend time with him before his trip. That was the truth, but only half of the story. I didn’t want to take the chance that Brett would show up and start more shit. The more I thought about his behavior, the more I was certain the last time wasn’t an accident.
The sharp rap on my door forced the thought to the background.
“Lunch, Emmy Lou?” asked Tyler, holding the door open just wide enough to allow room for his head. His lips twisted into his trademark smirk, prepared to argue against any refusal.
“Yeah, I could use the break,” I answered, grabbing my phone and purse. “Can you drive?”
“Sure. Where do you want to go?”
I tilted my head to look at him as we crossed the lot and climbed into his car. “Mi Cocina? I could use a margarita.”
“Great minds think alike.” He laughed, adjusting the stereo to KEGL, and Stone Temple Pilots filled the air. “You’ve been a busy little girl this week, Emmy Lou. Please tell me you’ve finished that damn fetish article Kyle was so hard up about.”
“Yeah.” I laughed. “I’m happy to mark it off my list.”
“Is everything okay, dollface? You seem a little stressed.”
“Kyle’s been driving me crazy. He keeps piling on the work, and I’ve had to stay late just about every night. I’m not sure what I’ve done to get on his shit list. There are several other writers who could easily handle the crap he’s been throwing my way.”
Tyler pulled into a spot near the door and killed the engine.
It didn’t take long to get a table, and once we ordered, Tyler continued his interrogation.
“You think maybe he’s just being a dick because you refused to write the Shaw article his way?”
“Possibly, but I can’t deal with it anymore.” I paused, taking a deep breath. “I’ve considered looking for another job.”
“What the fuck? Why didn’t you say anything before now?” he demanded, his voice rising.
“I don’t know. I thought it would get better, but it hasn’t, and the bullshit with Brett isn’t helping. I think I just need a change.”
I took a long sip of my drink, trying to draw in liquid courage. My eyes met his, and the concern I saw there broke me. Tears spilled down my cheeks, and my chin quivered.
He reached across the table, covering my hand with his. “What’s wrong? Is everything okay with Ian?”
“Everything is fine. In fact, I think that’s the only thing that’s going right—at least for now.”
“Lou Lou, you’re killing me here.”
I pulled my hand away and propped both elbows on the table, resting my face in my hands. “I think I fucked up, Tyler. I think Brett has been stalking me.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?”
“I told you he’s been calling and texting, several times a day. And ever since the night at Vagabond it’s gotten worse.”
“What do you mean gotten worse?”
“He was waiting at my car after work last Monday. He got a little ... physical.”
Tyler leaned across the table and lowered his voice. “Physical how? What the fuck, Emmy? You waited a fucking week to tell me this?”
My eyes squeezed shut. “He tried to keep me from leaving, and he—”
“He what? What did that bastard do to you?”
“He felt me up, that’s about it. But he scared the shit out of me.”
“Did you tell Ian?”
“Yes, but not about anything else.”
“Why not?”
“I can’t.”
“What do you mean you can’t? That’s bullshit. He needs to know about this.”
“I know, but—” I hiccuped then took another sip of my drink. “It’s crazy. The notes. The flowers. The calls and texts. I keep seeing Brett in weird places like he’s following me. Places he’s never been before, places he always claimed to hate. There were a couple nights I could have sworn he was parked on the street across from my apartment. I’m afraid to be home by myself, so I’ve started staying over at Ian’s on the nights Jules works late. I’ve been leaving more and more of my things over there so I have less of a reason to go home.” I used my napkin to wipe away the moisture on my cheeks. “What am I going to do, Ty? Ian’s going to be so pissed at me.”
“Fuck, Emmy. You’ve got to tell him. He’s going to flip his shit when he finds out what that asshole has been doing, but he loves you. He’ll get over it. He’s going to be more concerned with your safety than the fact you haven’t told him about it.”
“I know I need to tell him. I do. He’s leaving Sunday on a business trip, and I hate to tell him before he leaves. He won’t go if I tell him now, and this is his job. I don’t want to interfere with that.”
Tyler cocked his head and scowled. “As if that would matter more to him than your safety ... and sanity. Tell him, and let him decide what he wants to do.”
“I was thinking about staying at his place while he’s gone. It’s only five days, and then I can tell him when he gets back. Brett doesn’t know where he lives, and even if he followed me, he won’t get past the front desk.”
“Emmy, this is fucked up. Have you said anything to Jules?”
“No. She’d tell Parker, and then Parker would tell Ian. You’re the only person I’ve told.”
“Damn, Emmy Lou,” muttered Tyler.
“I know, Ty. I know.”
22
Ian
I woke gradually, pulled from the depths of sleep by the sensation of soft lips and delicate fingers moving across my skin. Emmy slid down my torso, dropping tender kisses as she made her way to my dick, her silky hair trailing behind. I scrubbed my hands over my face and lifted my head to watch, but all I could see was the shape of her body moving beneath the sheet covering us. Fuck that. I grabbed the sheet and flung it off. I didn’t want to miss a second of her going down.
The sheet fluttered to the bed, leaving her hair in a tangled auburn halo. A few strands flopped into her face as she lifted her head and flashed a brilliant smile before swiping the tip of her tongue across her teeth. My erection bobbed in appreciation of the simple act as if there were a lightning rod connecting her mouth and my cock. Come to think of it, that wasn’t such a crazy idea.
Her thumbs traced circles over my balls, amping up the sensations running through me. Goddamn, she was driving me insane. Maintaining eye contact, she opened her mouth and dragged her tongue from base to tip with agonizing slowness, then swirled her tongue around the tip and took me into her mouth.
“Fuuuuuuck…” My head fell to the pillow, eyes closed in ecstasy. I gently pulled her hair out of the way and lifted my head to watch her work. “Shit, babe, that feels fucking fantastic.” She moaned and pushed me farther into her mouth, wrapping one hand around the base while the other gently fondled my balls. I felt the head hit the back of her throat, but she kept going. “Jesus Christ, don’t you have a gag reflex?”
I felt her lips part in a smile as she bobbed over my dick, her hand stroking in time with the motion. Fuck. It was every man’s fantasy, and a helluva way to begin the day. I could have died right then and been a happy man. Without breaking contact, she rose just enough to straddle my leg, placing her clit directly over my shin. My girl was fucking hot as hell.
I bent my knee slightly, giving her more pressure. Wetness smeared across my skin, and just knowing she was getting off on getting me off was almost enough to make me come on the spot. There wasn’t a chance in hell I could last much longer. She made little moans around me, and the vibrations traveled through me and set off the tingling sensation at the base of my spine.
“Emmy, baby,” my breathing
was labored, and all my muscles began to tense. “Fuck. I’m close.”
She tightened her grasp and increased her suction as she ground her pussy into my leg. “Mm-hmm.”
Her naked breasts brushed teasingly over my leg and hip. That was it—it was all I could take.
“Babe, I’m about to come.” I tightened my grip on her hair and tried to lift her off me. “If you don’t want me to come in your mouth, you’d better stop.”
She didn’t stop—she deep throated me again, rubbing her tongue around me as she ever so slightly bit down.
“Fuck!”
I couldn’t fight it any longer and let go, the feeling shooting through me from my spine to my balls. Every muscle contracted, and all rational thought ceased as the pleasure washed over me and I rode the wave. She finally released me with a soft ‘pop’ and looked up, licking her lips. I grasped her arms and pulled her up my body until we were face to face and she was straddling my hips.
Her hair fell around us like a curtain and I pushed my fingers through it, cupping the back of her head to pull her mouth to mine. I kissed her deeply, savoring her.
“I probably taste like you,” she murmured, pulling away to look into my eyes.
“I don’t care.”
I immediately kissed her again with the same passion as before. My hands slid down her back, settling on her hips for a moment before gliding back up the front of her body to gently cup her breasts. My thumbs circled her distended nipples, making them even harder. She gasped in pleasure and ground her hips against me, making me hard again. That was the effect she had on me—I was ready to go again.
“Ride me, baby.” I reached one hand between us, holding my cock in position so she could slide her tight pussy over me. “Goddamn, you feel amazing. I’ll never get enough of this—of you.”
She sat up and rested her palms on my chest, using her arms for leverage to rock against me. Her fingers curled into my flesh, almost to the point of pain. My hands were restless, moving over her until finally settling on her hips to hold her in place.
“God, Ian. I’m so close,” she moaned, using her thighs to ride me harder.
“I know, baby.”
I applied more pressure where she needed it and she whimpered, her movements becoming erratic. All of her muscles seized and her back arched, pushing her breasts forward. I sat up and pulled her nipple into my mouth, prompting her to tangle her fingers in my hair and hold me in place.
“Come for me, Beautiful,” I murmured against her soft flesh.
I tightened my grip, absorbing the shudders racing through her body as she rode out the orgasm. When her spasms ceased, I lowered us to the bed, with Emmy resting on top.
“Damn, babe,” I groaned. “What did I do to deserve that?”
Emmy propped her chin on my chest, a wide smile on her face. One shoulder lifted in a shrug as she fingered the dimple in my chin. “I thought you might enjoy it,” she giggled.
“You know damn well I enjoyed it,” I said, kissing between her brows.
She dropped her head onto my shoulder and dragged a finger down my throat. “I’m going to miss you this week.”
“I’ll miss you too, baby. More than you can imagine.”
She released a heavy sigh and nuzzled my throat. Her mouth worked against my skin, making me think she was about to speak, but she remained mute.
“What’s the matter, babe?” I lifted her chin so I could look her in the eyes. “Talk to me.” She blinked several times in quick succession, spilling a few tears in the process. “Emmy, talk to me. You’re kind of freaking me out, baby.”
She choked back a sob, then coughed lightly. “Can I stay here while you’re gone?”
“Of course you can, you know that. What’s going on, Em? Why are you crying?”
“I’m just being stupid.” She shook her head and wiped a few stray tears from her eyes. “Some new neighbors just moved in, and they’re really annoying. I just don’t feel like being neighborly, and Jules won’t be home very much—she’s working double shifts all week.”
I shifted our position until we were laying on our sides and tangled my fingers in her hair, exposing her face. “Is that all that’s bothering you?”
She gave me a weak smile. “Yeah. Like I said, I’m just being stupid because of how much I’m going to miss you.”
There was more to it than that, but rather than start an argument, I simply nodded and pressed my lips to hers in a slow, lingering kiss. “Can you take some vacation time? You can go with me.”
“Sadly, no. Kyle has heaped a ton of work on me. I wish I could.”
I kissed her again. “I love you, Emmy. You know that, right?”
Her eyebrows knit together. “Of course I do.”
“Okay. I just wanted to make sure. You’ve been acting weird lately. I just…” I took several deep breaths. “I get the impression there’s something wrong, something you haven’t told me.”
“No, no, no. There’s nothing wrong. I just hate being away from you.” Her nose crinkled, embarrassed by her admission. “God, I sound like such a girl, don’t I?” She laughed.
“I hate to tell you this”—I leaned closer—“but you are a girl.”
“You, sir, are a smart-ass,” she joked, grasping my ears and kissing me.
“Yes, I am.” I laughed. “I don’t have to leave until later this afternoon. Let’s go grab some lunch. How does that sound?”
“Oh, I suppose,” she exhaled.
There was more to her mood than she let on, but I wouldn’t push her. I only hoped my gut was wrong and things weren’t as bad as I feared.
23
Emmy
My nerves were shot, and it was a good thing I was staying at Ian’s because Brett’s attentions hadn’t waned in the slightest. The man was crazy. He was constantly blowing up my phone, even though I never returned any of his calls or messages. One would think he’d get the hint, but no one ever accused him of being Einstein. At least I hadn’t noticed him following me. It was a small blessing, but I wasn’t going to complain.
I slipped out of work a little early to make a quick stop at my apartment before heading over to Ian’s. There was no sign of Brett, but I kept a wary eye on my surroundings as I rushed up the stairs. Once inside, I sagged against the door, breathing a sigh of relief. I felt like the heroine of a scary movie, trying to rush to safety before the killer caught me. The stress was definitely wearing on me.
There were several missed calls and texts on my cell, including a few from Ian. Maybe he was ready for the next round of phone sex. Smiling as my thumb scrolled through my contacts list, I dashed into the bedroom to grab the things I needed. I was just about to press send when I returned to the living room and found my worst nightmare standing just inside the front door, smiling.
“Hey, bunny. I’m glad I finally caught you,” Brett said.
The double meaning in his words was not lost on me.
“How did you get in?”
His smile widened, morphing into something more sinister and he lifted his hand in the air, dangling the spare key. “Probably should have picked a new hiding spot, sweetness.”
“You need to leave. Ian is expecting me, and if I’m not there on time, he’ll come looking for me.”
“You and I both know that isn’t true.” He took a few steps forward and stuffed the key into his pocket. “I know Pretty Boy is out of town. I also know Jules won’t be home until early in the morning if she doesn’t decide to stay with her boyfriend. We have plenty of time to get reacquainted.”
Knowing I couldn’t get past him, I bolted back into my bedroom, locking the door behind me before continuing to the bathroom and doing the same thing. It didn’t take him long to kick in the first door and make his way to the second.
“Open this goddamn door, Emmy,” he bellowed. “I only want to talk.”
“Go to hell,” I yelled, frantically dialing 9-1-1. He burst through the door before I could press send and covered the distan
ce quickly, gathering my arms in a tight grip. Lost to his fury, he began shaking me as he continued to curse. My phone slipped from my grasp and slid across the floor.
“Why can’t you just listen to me? Why do you always have to be such a bitch?”
“I don’t have anything to say to you.” My hands balled into fists, and I flailed against him as best I could, trying to sever his hold. “Let me go,” I shouted.
“No. Not until you shut up and listen for once. We’re going to get some things straight, work everything out.”
“Fuck you,” I screamed before hurling a thick wad of phlegm in his face.
Still keeping a secure hold with one hand, he backhanded me, catching me beneath my right eye. Fireworks went off in my head, and it felt like my eye was about to explode from its socket. In desperation, I kicked wildly, my foot glancing off his shin. It did nothing to loosen his hold, but only enraged him further. He slapped me then, across the other side of my face, splitting my lip. Blood seeped into my mouth with each sob, soon mixing with the tears and snot already running down my battered face. The thought that I was once again that woman was sobering, and I brought my knee up sharply, connecting with his balls in a solid hit. Take that, motherfucker.
He yelled in surprise and released me. I ran from the room, my main goal making it out of the apartment. Freedom was in sight, and I jerked open the front door, breathing a sigh of relief until a sharp yank pulled me back inside. I landed flat on my back with a thud, and the wind rushed from my lungs as Brett straddled my hips. Furious at my resistance, he grabbed my shoulders and shook me, slamming my head against the floor. My consciousness began to wane, but I continued to struggle against him. Regret flooded me. If I had only told Ian about Brett, told him what had been happening, I wouldn’t be in trouble. Tears welled in my eyes and fear clawed at my brain, fear that I would never see him again. Fear that Brett was going to kill me.