Impatiently Patient

by Amelia Shea

  “You’re not a client!” she shouted.

  “I am, potentially.”

  Her eyebrows drew down and her scowl deepened into her forehead. Emory had always had a temper. His dad used to call it the curse of the redhead. The smartest, passionate, most forward thinkers of their sex, but get them mad and run for cover. Hell hath no fury like a redhead.

  “Perhaps, you can recommend another agent, a colleague of yours?”

  She heaved out a deep breath and threw her hands on the desk then dramatically let her head drop onto her arms. Her voice was muffled when she spoke.

  “Excuse me?”

  She lifted her head slightly. “Why? Why are you doing this?”

  “I told you, I’m interested in a vacation home.”

  “No, you’re not.”

  “I’m not?”

  “C’mon, Ethan, seriously? When was the last time you even took a vacation? You’re a friggin’ workaholic.

  “All the more reason for me to have a home that is always available.”

  “When are you leaving?”

  He laughed. “Emory, people skills.”

  She slammed her hands down on the desk.

  Ethan held up a hand. He didn’t want to push her too far.

  “I’m heading back on Tuesday. That will give us four days. Hopefully, you are as good as you think you are, and I can put in an offer on a piece of property before I leave.”

  “This isn’t about a vacation home and you know it. This is about us.”

  “Us? Hmm…I like that.” He smirked and winked at her. “Us.”

  “God, why are you doing this to me? Is this some kind of sick joke that you get off on?”

  She leaned back in her chair and spun around quickly giving Ethan her back. He snickered quietly.

  “Emory?” His tone was low.

  He watched her chair rock forward while she ignored him, remaining silent. He knew coming here that she would most likely resist him initially but he wasn’t expecting the silent treatment. He smirked.

  “Em, please?”

  Her chair stopped moving and he watched her slowly, turning back around to face him. Her scowl still in place, she waited.

  He smiled, leaning forward. “Show me Beaufort. I want to see what made you fall in love with this town.”

  “You’re serious?” She squinted in disbelief.

  He solemnly nodded.

  “And you’ll buy a house?”

  He nodded again. “If I can find my perfect getaway, then yes.”

  Ethan held her stare. She had beautiful blue eyes. They weren’t vibrant like his, they were almost pale. On anyone else they might not seem special but on Emory they were enthralling.

  “Fine. Let’s go.”

  Her mood completely changed. She went from vulnerable and defeated to confident sales woman. She stood up and grabbed her bag from a drawer. Ethan had to double stride to keep up with her. Passing Calvin, she muttered a timeframe of when she’d be back, grabbing the listings he handed her and she stormed through the door. Ethan gave Calvin a nod.

  “Bye, Mr. Barrett.” He waved enthusiastically.

  Ethan caught up to Emory, who was looking around confused. Her head swung from one end of the street to the other. Ethan stepped behind her and waited.

  “Where’s your car?”

  “I left it at the B&B.”

  “You walked here?”

  “It wasn’t far. Thought I’d see Beaufort on foot.”

  “Where are you staying?”

  “The one on Craven Street.”

  Emory’s face softened and her eyes glinted. “I love that one, it’s my favorite.”

  “It is beautiful.”

  They stared at each other before Emory shook her head and gestured for him to follow.

  They walked back to her parking spot. She had taken her keys out of her bag and unlocked the car, when he snatched them from her hand.

  “Hey, what are you doing?”

  “I’ll drive.”

  Ethan walked to the passenger door, opening it and gestured with his hand for her to get in. He was again met with her rage filled eyes. So much for that moment they had just shared. One step forward two steps back. Ethan sighed, waiting for what he knew was coming next.

  “Oh no you won’t! This is my car, you wanted to drive you should have brought your car.”

  He lifted his chin to the car. “Get in.”

  “No!” she snapped. “Give me my keys.”

  “Get in the car, Emory. I’ve seen you drive, and for my own safety and for the good people of Beaufort, I insist.” He sneered. “I’ll drive.”

  “Fuck you, Ethan, either I drive or we don’t go.” She folded her arms, resting against the back door of her car.

  It only took two steps for him to crowd her space, a small expression of surprise tracing over her face. He leaned in so close his nose almost touched hers. “This is non-negotiable. I drive. Now, I can stand here,” he whispered, “just like this, all day if you want to be stubborn but I won’t relent. What’s it going to be?”

  She pushed up from the car, her face changing a darker shade of red. “Don’t think for one minute you can boss me around.”

  He nodded, giving her a stern gaze. He was prepared for her sassy mouth.

  “This is my car and if I want to drive, I’ll drive.”

  “Noted. However, I would like to drive. Think of it this way, if I drive it will give you an opportunity to give me more information on the homes, maybe point out landmarks and give me some history of the town. You won’t be distracted, as you might be if you were driving.” He smiled at her eyes burning back at him. His tone was agreeable and calm.

  “I can multi-task, Ethan, I’m not an idiot.” She seethed through gritted teeth.

  He inhaled a deep breath, “I’m well aware that you are not an idiot. You’re one of the smartest people I know, Em.”

  “Don’t be condescending.”

  He huffed out a frustrated laugh. “I can’t even compliment you without you turning it around. I just want to fucking drive. Now, get in before I put you in.” He glared at her. She was weighing heavy on his patience.

  She scowled back at him, fighting for dominance. She could try but he was not backing down. He could stand there all day and he would, if necessary. Slowly, he saw her eyes change. He could see the resign.

  “Fine,” she shouted. “I’ll let you drive, but only because I want to get this over with as quickly as possible.”

  He almost smiled. His alpha girl needed to realize her dominance would work with everyone but him.

  “Well, move then so I can get in.”

  Ethan stepped back, refraining from laughing. He closed the door once she was in and got into the driver’s seat of her small car, adjusting the seat back.

  “Don’t see the big deal about who drives.”

  Ethan shrugged. “It’s a guy thing.” It was also his way of making sure she knew from the beginning; he’d give in to her a lot but not every time.

  It was a thirty-minute ride to the island.

  Emory went into agent mode on the drive over-giving him her well-rehearsed introduction. Fripp Island was an exclusive gated community on its own little island. The amenities alone were enough to sell. Most homes were modern with beautiful views. If you could afford it, then this was the place to be.

  Four hours and six houses later, Ethan found himself in yet another house similar to the last. All beautiful, updated, and with access to the beach. It was a gated community separated with a long bridge.

  “What do you think?”

  Ethan peered behind him to see Emory looking up at the two story foyer. Other than a rundown of each home, she barely spoke to him. He could feel her distance the few times he tried to ask her personal questions. The only thing she gave him was talking about her morning runs over the bridge. Even that he basically had to pull out of her.

 
“I think it’s beautiful. What do you think?”

  “It’s pretty.”

  “Not your style?”

  She snorted. “My job is to make sure it’s your style, Ethan.”

  “Well, as beautiful as it is, it’s not exactly what I’m looking for.”

  She huffed. “Okay, let’s go to the next one, then.”

  She started to the door and Ethan reached out and grabbed her elbow, halting her in place.

  “I think I’m done for the day. Can we go get something to eat?’

  “Yeah, I’ll drop you off downtown and give you the name of a few restaurants.”

  “I was hoping you’d join me.” He kept his tone inquiring rather than expectant.

  “See,” she pointed while twisting her lips, “I knew it! This has nothing to do with beach houses.” Her pale eyes seemed to darken with her increasing anger. “Whatever you’re doing…stop! This is not about you or me, it’s about a commission, Ethan. Don’t get it twisted!”

  He grabbed her waist, circling his arm around her stomach pressing her back to his chest. He heard the hitch in her breath when he lowered his mouth to her ear. “It’s just lunch with someone working for me, Em. Remember, you said I’m just a client,” he whispered.

  “Really? You touch all your employees like this?”

  “I’ve never been turned down for a lunch date; this is new territory for me.” He chuckled.

  Her hand grasped his hand to pull it off her stomach but he wouldn’t let go.

  “Just lunch, Em.”

  Her hand stopped trying to pry his off her. Instead, she rested her hand, her fingers lightly caressing over his knuckles. Just the feel of her touch had him pulling her into him a little deeper. This was where she needed to be, with him, around him, and definitely touching him. As if she realized what she was doing, she stopped caressing and dropped her hand to her side.

  “Fine but you’re buying and I get to pick where we eat.”

  “Sounds fair.” He smirked. He knew he was up against some heavy walls that he’d have to break down. But this was encouraging, and he’d take what very little she’d give him.

  They stopped at a shrimp shack down the road from the island. The place was no frills but the food was amazing. They grabbed a seat at the picnic table and ate their food in silence. He had finished before her and watched her take a bite of her sandwich. Watching her eat was like foreplay. She moaned and his cock immediately jolted.

  With a mouthful of food, she said, “It’s so good. Wanna try it?” She held out her sandwich and munched away. Ethan leaned forward watching her as he bit down on the sandwich. She smiled at him and giggled.

  “Thought for sure you’d be grossed out by me offering a bite and sharing slobber. Full of surprises, aren’t you, Ethan?”

  “Sharing slobber? Not much different from sharing a kiss.”

  She flushed and her chest rose, quickly averting her eyes back to the food in front of her. She grabbed her drink. Ethan watched her full lips wrap around her straw and he felt his erection twitch. That mouth starred in some of his dirtiest fantasies.

  An awkward silence filled the rest of their meal and the entire twenty-minute ride back to Emory’s house. She suggested he drive to his B&B so he wouldn’t have to walk back from her place but he declined in hopes of spending a bit more time with her. Ethan pulled into her parking spot at her little house. He turned off the ignition and looked over at her.

  “I can set a few more viewings tomorrow, if you want?”

  “I’d like that. Can I see some houses in town?”

  Emory’s eyes widened. “They’re old.”

  Ethan raised an eyebrow in question. “I assumed they would be.”

  “I just mean, you won’t get the gourmet kitchen, beach access, and well, it’s not gated.”

  “Is that how you see me?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Would you choose any of those homes you showed me today?”

  Emory laughed, the sound making his heart beat faster. “I would take anyone one of those houses, E.”

  “If you could choose any house in the area, would you pick one on the Island?”

  She squinted her eyes trying to figure out what he was asking. She looked out the window in thought before turning back to him. “I’d choose a downtown home.”

  “Then that’s what I want see to tomorrow.” Ethan grabbed the handle, jerking the door open. He stopped at the hand that grabbed his arm. Glancing over his shoulder, Emory appeared confused.

  “Ethan, the houses are old, like really old. I think you’d be better off with Fripp Island.”

  Ethan sat back in the car, leaning into Emory’s space. She pulled away from him but he moved forward until he was a breath away from her face. He whispered, “I want to see your Beaufort, what you love, Emory.” He pressed against her lips, moving into her further and continued the kiss. He could feel her uncertainty. She was holding back.

  A loud knock had Ethan jumping back away from Emory. A woman’s face appeared in her window, grinning. Looking over at Emory, he saw her face was tinged pink. She waved at the woman, who backed up, making room for Emory to open the door. Ethan got out of the car to see Emory standing next to the car.

  “Hi, Marie!”

  “Hi there, Emory.” She looked over the hood to Ethan and waved. “Hello.”

  Ethan raised his hand in a short wave and smiled at the older woman. “Hello.”

  Emory looked over at him, her face flushed.

  “Didn’t mean to interrupt.”

  “Oh no, you’re fine. What’s up?”

  “We have some fresh caught, Gil wanted me to give you some for dinner. Ten minutes on each side on the grill, some lemon and butter, and you’ll swear you’ve died and gone to heaven.”

  She handed Emory, what he believed was a fish, in brown paper. Emory’s face looked slightly horrified but she pulled herself together with a smile. “You guys are too good to me. Thank you, and send my thanks to Gil.”

  “Sure thing, sweetheart.” Marie eyed Ethan, obviously waiting for an introduction. A hint that was lost on Emory. He walked around the car, reaching out his hand. “Hi, Ethan Barrett. Pleasure to meet you.”

  “I’m Marie, Emory’s neighbor.” She held Ethan’s hand and shook vigorously.

  Marie let go when Ethan pulled back. She kept her eyes on him, smiling big. Looking back to Emory, she smiled and winked at her. Emory looked shocked and gave her neighbor an awkward smile. Ethan tightened his lips, resisting the urge to burst out laughing.

  “Well, gotta go. Bye, y’all.” They waved goodbye and Emory looked at Ethan.

  She shook her head. “Jesus E, is no woman susceptible to you and your charms?” She giggled.

  He eyed her seriously, walking to her, grasping her hips, pulling her into his body. They meshed together and he was sure she could feel his growing erection. “There’s only one woman I’m hoping is susceptible to my charms.” He leaned down, bringing his lips to her ear. “Are my charms working of you, Em?”

  “Ethan.”

  His charms were definitely working on her.

  He pulled back, grabbing her hand, clasping their fingers. They walked around her small house and up the staircase. He stopped at her door, not releasing her hand. She turned to face him, her head tilted down to her feet. Ethan stepped into her space, raising his free hand to her chin, lifting it to meet his stare. He saw the worry in her eyes. Her lips tightened forming a line. The always confident Emory looked unsure of herself.

  “What are you thinking?”

  “I don’t know if I can do this.”

  His heart skipped. She didn’t know if she could be with him? He knew it was a possibility that when he’d lost her the first time there would be no second chance. It was a thought he’d tried to brandish to the back of his mind. He was determined to get her and keep her this time.

  “What can’t you do?” he whi
spered, his cheek brushing against hers.

  “I don’t know if I can just be with you. I know where this is going, and sex without anything else, I just don’t think I can do it.”

  His eyes widened, shocked at her admission. “What? Is that what you think? All I want is sex, that’s all you are to me?” His voice sounded angry.

  “I don’t know what I am to you, Ethan.”

  Seeing the despair, his anger seeped. He whispered, “You’re everything.”

  He leaned in and crushed his mouth on hers. She gasped and he took the opportunity to enter her mouth. His tongue swiped the inside her mouth, tasting her.

  Her hand slid over his neck, pulling him deeper into her. She moaned, her body surging against his and rubbing her core to his erection. His cock strained against his pants, begging to get out and inside her. Her hand that he was holding clasped his harder.

  She tore her mouth from his, dragging her mouth down his neck. Ethan’s head dropped back, getting harder from the feel of her mouth on him. Her tongue ran circles over his neck, up to his ear, sucking hard on his earlobe. He growled and pulled her hard against him.

  “Em, we have to stop.”

  “No,” she panted, rubbing her hips against his cock.

  “Your neighbors are probably getting quite the show.”

  Her lips paused on his neck. She pulled away, looking from one side of her porch to the other. She smiled awkwardly and waved. Ethan turned his head to find her neighbor, an older man, standing on his porch, staring at them. The man waved, giving them a disapproving look before he turned around.

  “That’s Mr. Billow. He’s not a fan,” she teased.

  Ethan chuckled. The front door moving grabbed his attention to Emory, who had opened her door and walked in. He was prepared to say goodnight when she grasped his hand and pulled him inside, slamming the door behind him.

  She turned around and pressed into Ethan, her hands on his shoulders, yanking his mouth to hers. Their kiss picked up where it had left off on the porch. He wrapped his hands around her waist, dragging her up his body with her feet dangling. She was about eight inches shorter than him, maybe five in the heels she was wearing.