Impatiently Patient

by Amelia Shea

  Her tongue swirled over his, her teeth grazing. The sensation drove straight to his dick. She pulled her mouth away, wiggling her way down his body. Her feet clicked when her shoes hit the floor. She smiled. “Wanna see my room?”

  Ethan bent down taking her lips, then devouring her mouth. He wanted nothing more than to see her room, with her bed, her naked and spread out on the sheets. His dick ached to be inside her. As if she could read the mind of both his heads, she reached down and grasped his long length.

  “Em,” he muttered, which she took as encouragement, and squeezed him through his pants. Unable to fight his desire he leaned into her hand.

  She moaned. “Don’t you want to come upstairs?” Her breath was heavy and he could feel her hard nipples against his chest, even through his shirt. He wanted to go in her bedroom, and her body, but he pulled back, bringing his hands to her face. He whispered, “Yes, I do. But I won’t.”

  Her eyes widened out of their sexual, aroused haze. He brought his head to her forehead. “I want to, Emory, but I won’t. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone. It kills me to walk away but I’m going to.”

  “Why?” She released her hold over his dick. Her face fell in disappointment.

  “Because, when I take you, I want to love on you, make you scream, come hard and long, and I want there to be no doubt that I want you. Right now, you doubt my intentions. When we do this, you’ll know without a doubt what my intentions are.”

  “And what are your intentions?” Her gaze locked on him.

  “I’m going to show you rather than tell you.” His lips landed on her forehead with a quick kiss and pulled back to stare into her eyes.

  “I’m so confused right now. My head is screaming no, and my body is telling my head to shut the hell up.”

  Ethan chuckled.

  “I’m supposed to hate you, Ethan,” she whispered.

  “Em…” Those were the last words he wanted to hear.

  “But I can’t.” Her voice was so low he almost didn’t hear her. Her head turned, meeting his lips, their bodies pressing against each other again. This was torturous knowing they would have to stop but he let himself stay in the moment. His hands drew deep into her hair, her lips opening and sliding her tongue against his, swirling and tasting. Their kiss ended too soon when she pulled away slowly and gazed up at him

  He could see the worry beyond her arousal, he could sense the fear. He was confused by the look she gave him. Her eyes scanned his face as if she was looking for an answer.

  “What?” he whispered.

  Her head jerked slightly. Her hands reached to his chest, placing a hand over his heart, “Is this real?” She paused, he could see her lip tremble slightly. “You and me, is it real?”

  He knew what she was asking and why. He’d unintentionally broken her heart. She had it guarded, protecting it from him. He understood it but there wasn’t a need. He would never hurt her again. He’d prove that to her.

  “Nothing has ever been more real than you and me, right now. I lost your heart once, Em, not going to let it happen again.” He clasped his hands around her neck, kissing her, giving her his vow that this was real.

  He stepped away from her swollen lips. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

  She nodded.

  He held her stare until he closed the door behind him.

  Chapter 9

  EMORY was tying her sneakers when she heard her doorbell chime. Surprised, she got up from her chair and walked to the door, peering at her stove clock as she passed by. Who the hell was at her door? It was barely light out at six forty-five in the morning. That made it harder to actually get up for her run, especially since she’d tossed and turned all night. The previous day with Ethan had left her anxious, confused, and extremely sexually frustrated. She wanted to believe him that what was happening was the real deal but she had her doubts. How could she not? She still wasn’t fully recovered from her last heartbreak at his hands.

  Her door was solid wood with no windows. She grabbed the handle and lock, pausing before she opened it. “Who is it?”

  “Good morning!” Ethan’s smooth voice penetrated through the door.

  What the hell was he doing here? She glanced down at her outfit. She was in her workout gear, which was anything but fashionable, gray spandex capris, and an orange sports bra that held her in like Fort Knox covered by a small tank that read, “Suck it up, Buttercup.” What? Who the hell dressed up to sweat anyway?

  Glancing over to the mirror in the foyer, she sighed loudly. No make-up with a messy bun, and she couldn’t even remember if she put deodorant on. Shit! This was not the look she wanted to share with Ethan. She had made it her mission, since the age of fifteen, for Ethan to only see her when she was completely put together.

  “Emory?”

  She huffed, rolling her eyes. “Yeah?”

  “Are you going to open the door?” His voice was amused.

  “I know we didn’t set a time but I was thinking later today, Ethan.” Please go away!

  “I thought I’d join you on your run.”

  “What?”

  “Your run? You said yesterday, when we were driving over the bridge, that’s part of your running route. Thought I’d tag along.”

  Stunned, Emory turned the lock and opened her door. Ethan smiled at her, his eyes wandering her body, taking pause at her chest before landing on her face. He looked amazing as usual, although, more casual. However, casual on Ethan was still put together. He wore a white T-shirt that clung to his chest, his biceps stretching out the cuff of his sleeves, with long black athletic shorts.

  He cleared his throat, drawing her eyes up to his face. His amused smile made her blush realizing she’d been caught checking him out, again.

  “Ready?”

  “You remembered.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You remembered me telling you about my run?”

  He nodded. “Yes. I also remembered you saying you like to go to the coffee house for a latte that will basically cancel out any calories burned during your run but, ‘Fuck it, it’s worth it. Nothing better than sitting on the swings in the park, watching the sunrise over the bridge.’”

  Emory laughed. That was exactly how she told it yesterday.

  She turned, grabbing her phone, and locked the door behind her. After a few stretches, they ran. They did her whole route, which included through her neighborhood, around the square, over the bridge and back, down Main Street and up the pier. Ethan had kept her pace although, she was sure if he’d been alone, he would have run faster. The entire run was silent except for their panting, which made for uncomfortable silence when she wondered if that was how he sounded during sex.

  It was quiet, not too many people up this early on a Saturday with the exception of a few runners. She stopped short of the coffee shop and walked up to the side street café.

  They both stayed quiet, her trying to regain her breath. They ordered their coffee and Ethan held the door when she walked out. Always the gentleman.

  “C’mon, let’s swing.” Looking over her shoulder, she winked at him.

  Along the pier they had giant swings, similar to the one on the Garrisons’ porch. For the longest time she didn’t put two and two together. She came to the swings when she needed to clear her head, start her day, or when the homesickness got to be too much. Feeling the comfort of them, it hit her one day. The swing reminded her of Ethan’s front porch swing. Home.

  She sat down, bringing her feet up to rest on the edge and patted her hand next to her. Ethan took a sip of his coffee and sat beside her. Closer than she thought he would but she wasn’t complaining. Her only concern, did she remember her deodorant? Damn!

  The swing started to move from his foot on the ground. They watched the sun rise over the bridge in an orange burning glow. This was her happy place.

  “It’s pretty, right?”

  “Beautiful,” he whispered.

/>   Looking over, she saw him staring, not at the bridge but at her. His head cocked to the side, his hand raised and his finger skimmed her cheek, over the bridge of her nose, and across to her other cheek. Locked in his stare, the heat coming from just one look had her leaning forward, pressing her lips to his. With only their lips touching, he pressed a soft lingering kiss over her lips. It wasn’t a “passionate, rip off my clothes, take me now, I don’t give a fuck who’s watching,” it was sweet and promising. It was a repeat of his whisper without actual words. It was beautiful.

  Then, it was interrupted.

  “Morning, Emory.” Oh God, that fucking voice.

  Ethan pulled back, peering over her head, his eyes curious. His gaze dropped to hers and her squinty stare. She muttered, “That fucking voice has made me seriously consider ending it all with a slice of the wrists.”

  Ethan chuckled and Emory continued, “Hers not mine.”

  Ethan’s smile formed a grin.

  She didn’t bother turning around. She waited for her perky, fake-ass coworker to appear, and she did, in all her glory. Her neon green and pink spandex outfit, with matching sneakers, and coordinated headband had Emory rolling her eyes.

  Who the hell wore make-up to work out, seriously?

  Emory mustered a smile that took great effort. “Bunny.” Her name was Bunny, as in her given name. Right? Her parents looked down at her when she was born and decided Bunny was the best they could do? That right there was some fucked up shit.

  “Thought that was you.” She smiled her over the top, whitened, treated teeth gleaming, almost blinding, smile.

  “It’s me.” Emory could hear the sarcasm in her voice.

  “I see.” Her gaze wandered to Ethan. Of course, they did. Bunny’s smile grew bigger, reaching out her hand. “I’m Bunny Larke, a lead associate at the agency.”

  Fuck you, Bunny, and your lead associate bullshit. Bitch!

  Ethan took her hand. “Ethan Barrett, it’s a pleasure.”

  And fuck you, Ethan. Nothing about Bunny was a pleasure, especially any kind of interaction. Emory’s anger boiled her blood at the sound of Bunny’s giggle. Her eyes never left Ethan, even after he let go from their handshake. Emory stared at her, not engaging in any conversation in hopes she’d get the clue. She didn’t.

  “We sure do miss you in the office, Emory.”

  That fucking bitch! Emory glared at Bunny. She could feel Ethan’s eyes on her but she kept her scowl on Bunny, who obviously was taking great joy in this.

  “I bet you do.” She sneered.

  Bunny turned her gaze to Ethan again. “Emory was moved out of the office,” she whispered as though it was scandalous, “due to her low numbers.”

  Emory’s back went rigid, her scowling deepened, her blood racing through her body. She could feel her body tremor in rage. Who the hell did she think she was? Emory had done her best to keep it professional in the past but she was set to go fucking Texas all over this bitch’s ass. Screw her job, it sucked anyway. She shifted in her seat, gearing up to knock her out when Ethan’s arm wrapped around her shoulder, pulling her into his body.

  Bunny’s gaze followed his arm, then landed on Emory’s face.

  “Well, I’ve got to run. I have an offer and a closing today on Fripp. Busy day. You will be at the party tonight, right? Emory, you did get the e-vite, didn’t you?”

  She had gotten it but there was no way in hell she was going. It was a welcome cocktails and dinner for the newest agent, Jim. The one who was now at her desk in the office.

  “I can’t, Ethan’s only in town for a short while and we have some catching up to do.” She wiggled her eyebrows.

  “Well, you might want to just make an appearance,” she suggested.

  “Hmm…would it be okay to bring Ethan? I mean, it’s a work function, can I bring a date?” Emory’s voice sweetened for her setup.

  She smiled. “Of course.”

  Emory smiled back, “Great. Will Tom be there?” Emory mocked then dramatically gasped, “Oh, girl, my bad, I forgot.” She cocked her eyebrow and whispered, “Is the divorce final yet?”

  Emory smirked at Bunny’s face. Her mouth twisted in fury. She refrained from laughing at her but she wanted to. Take that, bitch.

  “Next week, we finalize it.” She turned to Ethan. “Such a hard time for us.”

  “Well, maybe next time. I heard third time’s the charm.” Emory held up three fingers and whispered mockingly, “Oh wait, isn’t this your third divorce?”

  Through office gossip, Emory knew it was her third divorce. Apparently, Bunny’s husband wasn’t a fan of her extramarital romps.

  Bunny glared at Emory who cocked an eyebrow and curled her lip. “I guess I choose the wrong men. Thank God for my career.”

  “Absolutely! Hey, we all have our strengths and weaknesses, girl. You’re great at selling houses and suck at marriage. No shame in it.”

  Ethan cleared his throat, standing up, pulling Emory’s hand with him.

  “We need to be going. Bunny, it was…nice to meet you.” Emory chuckled at Ethan practically choking on the word nice. She grinned at Bunny, whose pinched face was red with anger.

  “Yeah, we gotta run. Gonna show Ethan what I’m really good at.” She winked at her, trailing behind Ethan, who was calmly pulling her away from Bunny.

  They rounded the corner and Ethan pinned Emory against the wall staring down at her with a serious glare. His eyes slowly softened, his lips curling, and he burst out laughing, his face dipping into her neck. His body rumbled against hers, making her smile and laugh.

  “What?”

  He lifted his head, laughing. “You. Love that fire, that sassy mouth.”

  “Yeah, as long as it’s not directed at you, right?”

  Kissing her head, he replied, “Never back down from anything or anyone, Emory, even me. Strongest girl I know, even back when you were six.”

  He leaned in brushing his lips against hers. “You need to go to the work party tonight?”

  She shook her head, completely entranced in his blue eyes. They crinkled at the edges and he kissed her again, a soft sweep of her lips. “Are you going to show me ‘what your good at’, Em?”

  Her thighs tightened, feeling the heat straight to her core. She bit her lip and nodded. Holy shit, this was really happening!

  *

  Ethan had walked Emory to her house then headed back to his B&B. He was rounding the corner when the hostess came out to the veranda and called out his name.

  “Hello, Mr. Barrett.” She waved, smiling. The staff had been exceptionally welcoming. He could definitely see the appeal of the south and Emory’s love for the people. They went out of their way to make him feel at home.

  “Good morning.” Ethan stopped below her.

  “Breakfast is served until ten, make sure you come and see us.”

  “Will do.”

  Ethan passed his car in the lot crossing the side street. The B&B had a main house which he opted not to stay in. With all its charm, he enjoyed his privacy. His room was on the second floor in their secondary house. All rooms included a private entrance and a small porch with rockers.

  He could hear his phone from inside his room and rushed to get inside. Grabbing it, he answered, “Ethan Barrett.”

  “No shit, asshole.”

  Ethan rolled his eyes. “Good morning, T.”

  “Where the fuck are you?”

  “I’m fine, T, and thank you for asking.”

  T snorted. “You answered the phone, so that tells me you’re alive, dickhead, no need to ask. Where are you?”

  “Is there a problem?”

  “Maybe. Got a message from Trent late last night, didn’t talk to him ’til about fifteen minutes ago. He needs us to meet up.”

  “In regards to what?”

  “Said he didn’t want to do it over the phone. Usually not a cryptic bastard, but he wasn’t giving me shit, so we gotta se
t something up.”

  “The Collins job?”

  “No, he said that was clear and done.”

  “He didn’t give you anything else?”

  “E, man, I just fucking said he gave me nothing. When are you back?”

  “Tuesday, maybe.”

  “I’ll set it up for Wednesday. Wants us to come up by him. We gotta leave early.”

  “All right, I’ll make it work.”

  “Gonna tell me where you are?”

  “No.”

  T chuckled. “All right, man, I gotcha. Call if your plans change.”

  “Sounds good. Bye.” Ethan pulled the phone from his ear and heard T call his name.

  “Yeah?”

  “Tell Em I said hey.” Ethan’s grip on the phone tightened as the line clicked, ending the call.

  He wasn’t sure how T knew he had come to see Emory. He’d made sure not to tell anyone where he was going. Roxanne finding out was the last thing he needed. Since he hadn’t heard from her, he assumed she didn’t know. His time had to be about them, with no outside interference especially from his family. In the past, Ethan could be sure T wouldn’t say anything, but with Cassie, he might mention it to her. And she might mention it to Rox. Fuck!

  Throwing his phone on the bed, he went into the bathroom for his shower. He needed to get some work done before meeting Emory at two. He had convinced her to show him her favorite house, although she was convinced he wouldn’t like it.

  It didn’t matter if he liked it or not, as long as he was with her. It was about them being together but he was curious what she deemed a dream home.

  Chapter10

  Emory drove over to Ethan’s, parking in front of his room. She smiled getting out of her car, staring up at room sixteen. All the B&B’s were lovely in town but this one had been her favorite.

  Checking her phone, she knew she was early. She had to stop in for a quick meeting with her boss. It was really quick since she had no sales or pending sales to discuss. When questioned about her showings yesterday, she played it off. It became clear to her that Ethan wasn’t going to buy a house. Which was fine by her, if the reason he was there was for her.