by Amelia Shea
“Just like seeing all my kids happy, in one place.” He raised an eyebrow and cocked his head. “Now, if I could just get one of you to give me a grandchild.”
Bogs opened his mouth but John shook his head. “Not you!” he pointed.
Roxanne laughed and opened her mouth but she too was cut off by John, his face turning stern. “And especially, not you!”
Everyone laughed and Roxanne put up her hands. “I was just gonna say one of those three should get working on that.” She crossed her heart with her finger. “I swear.”
John narrowed his eyes and left the room announcing he needed to get changed.
They continued small talk until Ethan spoke, getting everyone’s attention.
“There’s no easy way to bring this up. We have something to share with you. It’s about Evie.”
Emory watched all the girls perk up. Emory was aware of what had been going on with Evie. Ethan had told her the full story two days ago when they made plans to meet at his dad’s. She also knew that the girls were not going to get the full story. Ethan entrusted her not to tell them anymore than what would be shared tonight.
Initially, she disagreed when he told her that Roxanne would only be informed of a portion of the situation. She wasn’t having any of that. She argued until he explained.
“The less they know, the safer it is for them. I am not going to put my sister or Cassie in danger because they know too much. They will know as much as we see fit to keep them safe.”
“I hate lying to her.”
“We are going to tell them all together. She’ll think you are hearing it for the first time just like her. She’ll be none the wiser. I’m not asking you to lie, I’m asking that you don’t give her any more details then she’ll get on Sunday. It’s for her safety, Em.”
She agreed.
Watching Roxanne from across the island, her eyes met Emory’s and she shrugged.
“Oh my God, is she okay? Please tell me she’s okay.” The panic in Cassie’s voice had T wrapping his arm around shoulders pulling her into his side.
“She’s fine, pix. Let Ethan talk,” T said.
All eyes went back to Ethan, including Emory’s. Ethan had a way of talking to people.
He peered over at Cassie. “T’s right, she’s fine. However, she is in a very delicate situation. For her safety, she won’t be coming back to work.” He paused and Emory took that time to scan the girls’ faces. Cassie and Roxanne looked confused while Sadie looked passive.
“Years ago, Evie was involved in something, which we cannot discuss, again for her safety. She had to change her identity and start over, eventually leading her here, to Houston.”
“Wait, what?” Roxanne burst, her eyes wide.
“Rox, for her safety, I can’t go into details. But unfortunately, her old life has caught up with her and it’s imperative she’s not found.” Emory took notice of the way Ethan stressed the secrecy was for Evie’s safety.
“So, where is she?”
“She’s with associates of ours that have assured us they will handle it. They’re going to keep her safe until everything can be sorted out.”
Roxanne took a slight step back, her face changing to understanding. She had been a part of their business for a while until she decided to get out and start her event planning. But she still knew their contacts. Emory was pretty sure she knew exactly who Evie was with.
“When can we see her? I mean, is she gone forever and she’s never coming back?” Cassie asked obviously upset.
“We are going to let our associates handle everything. Trust me, Cassie, they will handle it and they will keep her safe. But we have to do our part ensuring her safety and that means, not talking about her, not trying to find her and above all, pretending that she no longer exists.”
“What?”
“It’s the only way, Cassie. These people who are looking for her, they are dangerous, very dangerous. If and when they come looking for her, we need you and Rox to make sure they know she’s gone and not coming back. We also need you to make it so they don’t think you’re lying, that you have no connection with her.”
Stone chimed in. “If they think you might know something, they could try and get it from you. You understand? Evie isn’t the only one in danger here, so are you two.” He was facing Cassie but pointed between her and Roxanne.
“Cassie?” Ethan called, gaining her attention. “When it’s safe, you can see her, but until then, we need you to do what we ask. We need to make keeping you and Roxanne, and Sadie and Em safe, our top priority here.”
Emory watched the girls remain quiet, they seemed to understand the magnitude of the situation. There was no mention of double homicide, a million-dollar bounty, or Evie pulling a gun on them, which really pissed her off, although Ethan assured Emory she was just scared and probably wasn’t going to shoot. Probably didn’t sit well with Emory.
“But you promise she’s okay?”
Ethan smiled. “Yes.”
With a quick nod from Cassie, the conversation started again, changing the subject from Evie to the redecorating of Ethan’s apartment by Roxanne. The brother and sister duo were a lot alike when it came to people and talking, both gifted.
They spent a few hours at John’s house, they ate dinner, the guys teased one another and bullshitted while the girls did the same. It was exactly how Emory remembered dinners there, only this time she wasn’t sneaking peeks across the table at Ethan. Instead, she was leaning into the crook of his arm, next to him.
Bogs, Sadie, and Stone left first, T and Cassie shortly after.
“You ready?” John asked Roxanne.
“You bet.” Roxanne jumped up from the table where the four of them had continued chatting once the rest left.
“Where are you guys going?” Emory asked. It was after seven on a Sunday.
“Bowling with my best girl,” John said, getting up from the table. He winked at Emory.
Emory’s mouth fell open. “What? Roxanne doesn’t bowl. Do you?” She laughed.
“I do when my bowling partner is this guy.” She hooked her thumb pointing at John. “Give me a minute, Dad.” She left the dining room as Ethan’s phone rang.
He looked down then said, “Excuse me, I have to take this.” Dropping a quick kiss to her head, he left the room.
Emory stood up, gathering the glasses and was walking toward the kitchen when John stopped in front of her. He took the glasses out of her hand, placing them on the table and pulled her in for a hug.
She wrapped her arms around his waist and laughed. “What’s this for?”
“This is for coming back to us, where you belong. You may not realize it but a part of this family was missing with your absence. This is giving you a reminder of how loved you are by a man that’s not your father but thinks of you as a daughter. I have, ever since the day that red-haired curly-q with big blue eyes came barreling through my front door.” Emory’s eyes teared and he squeezed her tighter. “And this is for Darla, who would have loved seeing you and her boy together and in love. She’s smiling down on us, Emory.”
*
Ethan ended the call and smiled. A month was a long time to wait but seeing her face would make it all the worth the while. He walked back into the dining room to find Emory alone, wiping her eyes. His heart pounded, was she crying?
She turned with her lashes wet.
“What’s wrong?”
She shook her head and smiled. “Nothing, absolutely nothing.”
“Then why are you crying?”
“Happy tears, trust me, these are happy!” She laughed, sniffling and wiping her eyes. “You ready? Your dad said to just lock up on our way out.”
“I just need to go to my room for a minute.” He gripped her hand and she followed him out to the hall, up the stairs to the second floor. All the boys had their rooms on this floor except Ethan. He had the attic room. As a kid, he loved it. They walked past all th
e rooms and up the winding stairs to his bedroom. The overhead light came on and he saw Emory peer around the room.
“You’ve never been up here,” he said, tilting his head at her expression. She looked guilty and he cocked up his brows at her. “Or have you?”
A sly smile spread on her face and she held up a finger. “Once.”
“Really?” He stood by his bed and watched as she strolled toward him. His eyes followed the movement of her hands as she gripped the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head, dropping it on the floor. She stood in front of him, a teasing glint in her eye.
“One time, when I was sleeping over, I snuck up here.” She reached out and pushed him gently down on the bed. He lay back, propping himself up on his elbows. She looked so sexy standing there in her red bra, her breasts practically busting out of it.
She started to unbutton her jeans and pulled them down. “I was seventeen. The whole house was asleep, I think the guys were out, it was late. I snuck up here.” She dropped her pants and toed out of them looking to him with a small smile, looking beautiful standing in only her bra and panties.
“What did you do?” he asked.
She leaned over, unfastening his pants and pulling them down his legs. He leaned up and took off his shirt, tossing it to the chair in the corner.
“I looked around,” she said, straddling his lap. His hands immediately landed on her ass, pulling her into his already hard erection. His mouth fastened on her neck, sucking. She moaned wrapping her arms over his shoulders.
“What else?” His mouth dragged down her neck to her shoulder while he unhooked her bra.
“Just looked.” She rubbed herself against him.
His hand ripped down her bra causing her to gasp as the cup scraped against her nipples. “Emory,” he warned. “What else did you do?”
His mouth came over her nipple sucking the hard bead between his lips. She ground her pussy into his cock, moving over him.
Releasing her nipple with a pop. “Tell me what else, or I might have to stop.” He lightly flicked her other nipple and pulled away.
Her head bowed down to his ear. “Sniffed your pillow.”
He licked her nipple emitting a moan from her lips. “What else?”
“I might have laid in your bed.”
He groaned, pulling her against his aching cock, so turned on by her admission. “And?” Not knowing if there was more but hoping.
“I might have fantasized about you and me, fucking in your bed.”
His control lost, he flipped her onto the bed covering her body with his. His mouth latched onto her, his tongue delving inside her mouth, hot from hearing her talk. He wanted to fuck her hard and fast. He needed to be inside her.
“How did I fuck you?” he whispered against her lips, deepening their kiss, sliding his tongue over her lips and sucking her lips between his teeth.
“It’s dirty.”
“Tell me.”
“You bent me over, facing the mirror so I could watch you fucking me.”
Ethan pulled back, his eyes penetrating hers.
Sitting back on his legs, he yanked her panties off so fast she gasped. His hand slid between her folds to find her dripping wet. He growled, leaning back, yanking his own underwear off quickly and diving back into kissing her lips hard. All tongue, teeth nibbling at each other and hot breathy moans.
In a swift flip, he had her on her stomach, facing his full length mirror. His eyes landed on her face, a small smile playing on her lips.
He pulled her hips up, dragging her up to her knees. Seeing her in the mirror, on her knees, waiting for him, he plunged deep inside her, fully seating his cock deep into her pussy. He groaned and watched her head fall back on her shoulders.
He thrust inside her deep and fast, his eyes glued to the mirror watching everything. Her tits bounced as he fucked her hard, a sight that had him licking his lips. He pounded into her hard, meeting the rocking of her hips. His hands covered her shoulders, gripping her hard and fucking her deep. He groaned, feeling the walls of her pussy tighten over his dick.
“Yes, there, right there!” she gasped. “Oh God!”
Ethan could feel her come all over his cock, making it impossible for him to last any longer. One more deep thrust, his dick convulsed, and he shot inside her. His hips moved with the after effects of the orgasm. His eyes closed, riding the last of his orgasm.
His eyes opened to see Emory staring at him, breathless and flushed, wearing a small smirk.
“Would you be mad if I told you I only told the truth up until that fucking part.”
His eyebrows raised. “You lied?’ He breathed heavily.
“Only the part about fucking me in the mirror. I actually just fantasized about us making out. This was so much better than the fantasy though.”
Ethan huffed a laugh, leaning his chest to her back and kissing her neck. “Not all lies are bad.”
Chapter 22
“CHRIST Almighty, it’s hot as balls!” Emory released a heavy breath. They had just left the restaurant on Main Street and the heat engulfed her. Her fingers were clasped through his and she looked over at Ethan.
“Emory,” he scolded with a disapproving glance.
“E, it’s like a million degrees out here. I love that you surprised me with the trip. But August, in Beaufort, really, babe?”
His tight lips curled and he chuckled, dragging her back to the car. They had arrived an hour ago, got lunch at a small little dive on Main Street that had the best food. Nothing better than fried green tomatoes and fresh raw oysters.
He had surprised her with this trip last night. He had planned it all, getting her the time off from work, and making all the arrangements. It had been five months since she’d been here. Since they had been here. Aside from the hot as balls weather, it was perfect.
“Take me to the B&B, this girl needs some air conditioning, stat.”
He opened the door to their rental. A Porsche, of course, and closed her door. He got in and headed down Main Street. She glanced over at the agency where she had worked. Seemed like so long ago. She missed the town, especially knowing that it was here where she and Ethan had so many firsts.
Looking over at him, she smiled. All those years of loving him and wanting him were worth the wait.
Her phone beeped and she looked down to see Calvin’s name. She had texted him earlier telling him she’d be in town. They had plans to go out tomorrow.
Calvin: Tell me the Lord answered my prayers and you’re here?
Emory: Here and sweating my ass off.
Calvin: Emory, so crude but I hear ya, girl! No worries, we’ll be sipping fruity drinks soon enough.
The car shifted making a turn and then another but Emory stayed focused on her texting with Calvin.
Emory: Can’t wait! You working today?
Calvin: Just waiting on my clients. Well, look at that, they just showed up. Bye, girl!
Emory: See you tomorrow!
She put her phone in her bag and looked up as the car pulled to a stop. Her eyes scanned the street. This wasn’t where the B&B was. She looked out the window. The second house in from the bay, her dream home, sat in front of her. It had been freshly painted white, a light blue ceiling on the porch. The landscaping in the front had beautiful flowers, green grass, and the bushes pruned. It was beautiful.
Her eyes focused to the man on the porch. Calvin. He was smiling and waving. What the…?
She whipped her head back at Ethan. He was smiling at her. His eyes crinkled at the corners. She looked back at the house then back to Ethan.
“What’s going on?”
He leaned over and kissed her quickly before opening the door, not saying a word.
She watched him come to her door and open it. She slowly got out, staring up at him. What the hell was going on?
“Ethan, why are we here?”
His hand came to her neck pulling her in for a kiss. He
rested his head on her forehead and whispered, “Just making a dream come true.”
He grasped her hand and pulled her shocked body toward the house. Calvin rushed to meet them at the bottom of the stairs. He was smiling as he pulled her into a crushing hug. “Girl, welcome home!”
“What?” She gasped.
Calvin released her, pulling out her hand and dropping a set of keys in them. She stared at the keys and turned to Ethan with tears in her eyes.
“E?”
He smiled. “As Calvin said, welcome home, Em. Wishes do come true. Calvin sold his first house and you get that house.”
“You bought this? For me?”
He smirked and then snorted. “Us, but yes, I bought it for you.”
She was speechless. For the first time in her twenty-four years, Emory Kern was speechless. His eyes crinkled and his finger reached out to wipe her tears. He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Come see.”
“I could not believe when I heard Ethan on my phone telling me he wanted this house. It was very hush hush. Just our little secret.” Calvin winked at Ethan and Emory giggled.
Emory was guided up the stairs, holding Ethan’s hand while Calvin pushed open the double doors to the entry. The floors gleamed as she stepped in. Her eyes scanned the rooms from where she stood. They were empty without any furniture.
“The floors had been sanded and waxed but they are the original, along with the all the woodwork and the framing. I suggested tearing out all the old and putting in new but boss man over there wouldn’t have it. He said we had to stay true to the house.”
The walls had been painted, the perfect colors chosen. Calvin opened his arms wide. “And the colors are neutral. I wanted bright and flair but I was shut down. She said these would match best with your style.”
“Who’s she?”
Calvin smirked. “Roxanne, of course.”
Emory looked up at Ethan. “Rox knew?”
He sighed and rolled his eyes. “Yes, and I’m surprised she was able to keep it a secret.”
Ethan led her through the doorway in the dining room to the kitchen.
Calvin squealed. “Now this room, I won the argument, all new tile and fixtures, counters but again, it’s the original floors and woodwork, and they even refurbished the pocket doors.” He pulled out the original doors that had been sanded and painted.