by Claire Adams
“First of all, I own the place. Secondly, I'm watering her plants, dude. It's not like I am going in and going through her drawers. Although...”
“Don't you dare.” I warned him, and he turned back to me with a huge grin on his face.
“I wouldn't, just funny to see you get all protective.”
“I'm not protective. I just wouldn't want you in my space if I really didn't know you very well.”
“I've known her longer than you, and you asked her if she needed help putting sheets on her bed.” He cocked an eyebrow at me.
“I was just being nice.”
“Yeah. I guess that's why she got all flushed and basically ran us out of the house. I get that you like her, but you crossed a line there.”
“I did not. I just wanted to help her.”
“I think we overwhelm her. I don't think it's anything more than that.”
“Whatever. I’m gonna get some work done.” I pointed toward the shop.
“Are we back to regular schedule Monday?” he asked.
“Yeah. The break was nice, but if we are going to keep the top spot then we have to keep it up.”
“Man, it's good to be on top, but it truly depends on who you are underneath,” He said with a wink. “I’m gonna get going. Let me know if you hear from Emmy, okay?”
I nodded and said goodbye, then went to work.
Twenty minutes or so later, I heard a door slam and figured Ryan had left something, but when he didn't appear in the doorway, curiosity got the best of me. I walked out into the late afternoon sunshine and saw Emerson’s truck in the driveway.
I hurried over to her door and stopped when I saw her taking grocery bags and setting them on the porch.
“Where have you been?” I said with a bit more intensity than I had intended.
“Excuse me?” Turning, she narrowed her eyes.
“Sorry. It’s just that you left without a word, and we and Ryan both tried to get in touch with you.” I stood there placing my hands over my eyes, shielding the sun. Her expression was one of annoyance.
“My grandfather was sick, and I had to leave. I didn't know I had to check in with you.” She turned to grab the bags, but I grabbed her shoulder and turned her back to me.
“I was worried,” I admitted softly and gave her a small shy smile.
“Why? I'm a big girl and can take care of myself.” I had heard this song more than once from her. I had to tread lightly here.
“Is it so bad that I was worried about you? You left your door unlocked for pete’s sake.”
“I did?” Confusion spread across her face.
“Ryan went in and watered your plants. We were just concerned for you. You might not like me all that much, but I like you, and I don't want to see you hurt.”
Her lips turned up slightly, but she didn't smile exactly. “I like you too, even when you are loud and obnoxious.” The smile that spread across her face was instantaneous. She liked me, and she admitted it. I may or may not have mirrored the smile she gave me.
“I'm sorry. It's just been a long week.” She lowered her eyes and rolled her hands into each other.
“How is he? Your granddad?” I asked.
“He had a heart attack and is doing a lot better than I thought he should be. I just know that I'm going to have to move back to Portland sooner than I expected to help him.” Reaching for the bags, she started loading them into her arms. I reached for the rest of them, and for the first time she didn't object. I followed her into the house and stopped when she sighed.
“That's a first.” She chuckled and then walked into the kitchen. Her plants were in the sink and the rest on the counter with a towel under them. Ryan had moved them all into the kitchen to water them and had just left them there to continue as needed. I sat the bags on the table and set about lifting the heavy pots out of the sink.
“Where does this one go?”
“By the front room window.” Her small hand pointed toward the other room. We repeated the process until all of the plants were back in place.
“I should have left you a note,” she said. “Or called or something. I’m sorry. I left in such a hurry that I didn't even take my laptop, and my phone messed up so I didn't get any emails or messages. If you guys sent me one, I never got it.”
“It's fine, I'm just glad you’re okay and your grandfather too.” I turned to leave, but she reached out and stopped me, grabbing my hand. I turned around and found myself face to face with her.
“Thank you,” she said, leaning forward. She brushed her lips over my cheek and then turned away.
“Anytime,” I replied and headed out of the front door, a flush clearly on my face.
I was in my living room when I saw the dust rising as Ryan’s truck approached. I expected him to come in my door; instead, he went to Emmy’s. A few minutes later, I heard her laughter through the open windows on the back of the house.
“Do you see all those woods out there?” he said as he pulled her door open. “They are filled with bears.”
“Put me down!” she shrieked.
“Not until you apologize for making us worry.”
“Fine, I’m sorry. Now, put me down.” I was a little jealous that Ryan always had his hands all over her. Maybe more than a little, I admitted to myself as I listened to them laughing.
“My grandfather had a heart attack, he’s okay, but I had to go be with my family. My phone got messed up, and I forgot my laptop. I left in a hurry.” I was eavesdropping, and I wasn’t ashamed at all. I had to figure out how he did it. How he got her to open up to him so easily.
“We were really worried about you. When we got back and the truck was gone and your door was unlocked, well…”
“I was fine, and I didn't get eaten by a bear. I haven't even seen a bear,” she laughed.
“I bet they have seen you.” Ryan said, his voice getting smaller as he followed her back into the house. The conversation went on for another few minutes before I heard Ryan start talking about the competition last weekend. He was bragging and over exaggerating a little, not that he was ever known to do that.
I stepped onto the back porch and was headed across the yard when Ryan pushed the back door open.
“Luke!” he shouted at me. “Cook out here at seven, you in?”
“Sure.” I smiled back and then walked to my shop. I had to get some work done, and now that I knew she was okay, I could concentrate a little better.
***
“Dude, you stink.” Ryan said as I walked into my house.
“Well that's why I am going to take a shower. You know sweat is what happens when you are actually working and not sitting in a cushy office.”
“First of all, my office is not cushy.” He held up one finger. “Second, my body wasn't made for hard labor.” He held up three fingers.
“Apparently, it isn't made for being able to count either.” I reached out and shoved his shoulder as I walked toward the stairs.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. You know that finger doesn't bend right.” He proceeded to show me and flip me off at the same time. “Go shower, I'm gonna run to grab steaks. I'll be back in a couple hours. Put the potatoes in the oven when you get out.”
I did as instructed and pulled the potatoes out of the oven around the time Ryan’s truck grumbled to a stop outside my door.
“Look at these beauties.” He nodded as he laid three steaks out across my counter. “I made Marley open up the butcher shop to get these. I just wasn't feeling pre-cut grocery store steaks today. “
I grabbed them, ripping each one from its paper wrap. I seasoned them thoroughly and then put them on a plate.
“The grill is already on; it may be a little hot.” I handed the plate of steaks over the bar to Ryan as he walked toward the door.
Chapter Fourteen
Emerson
“Oh eww, do you want some steak with your blood?” I couldn't help but notice as Luke’s steak was bleeding all over his plate. “That thing i
s going to jump up and run off.” I scrunched my nose in disgust.
“His is the same way.” He pointed his fork over at Ryan’s plate, and sure enough his was swimming in blood too. If I was being honest, it wasn't blood so much as pink colored juices from the steak, but it certainly wasn’t done. Ryan had asked me how I wanted my steak, and I had answered done. Luke had grumbled and complained about city people and cooking things to death to which I had replied with “that was the point.” He didn't like my answer, but he did as I had asked, and I was pleased when there was no pink inside of my steak.
I reached for the bowl of shredded cheddar cheese and pulled it to me, dropping some over the melted butter inside my potato. As I mashed the potato around inside its skin, I realized that everyone had stopped talking, I looked up and found both of them watching me.
“What?”
“Are you trying to murder your potato too?” Luke asked laughing.
“No, I’m mixing it up.” I continued to roll the potato around inside the skin, not bothering to look up at either one of them. When I did, Luke looked away quickly and then shoved some bread into his mouth.
“I love thousand island dressing.” Ryan swooned as he lifted a bit of salad toward his mouth.
“Must be why you love Big Macs,” Luke teased.
“Mmmmm McDonalds.” He chewed his food as he said around it. I looked away because, well, boys are gross.
“This was a good idea.” Ryan said, pointed his fork at me. “I like this. It's like old times with new people. I'm glad you joined our little duo, Emmy.”
“Me too,” Luke added, looking at me then quickly averting his eyes the moment mine met his.
“I'm glad I am too, I really do like it here. The woods are probably my favorite place in the world.” I had wanted to get out there today, but I just hadn't had time after getting unpacked and then Ryan wanting to grill out.
I stood from the table and picked up my plate, lifting Ryan’s from the table too. He was leaned back rubbing his belly groaning. “I should have bought me another steak. That was the best.”
“It was really good. Thank you, guys, for making such a great dinner.”
“You made dinner too.” Luke stood carrying his plate toward me.
“It was lettuce in a bowl,” I shrugged.
“With tomatoes, croutons, olives, and cheese. That's hardly lettuce in a bowl.” He bumped his shoulder playfully into mine and took the other plates from my hands.
“Well, ladies and gentlemen, I have places to go and people to do.” Ryan stood and announced. He walked over and kissed the top of my head. “I'm glad you weren’t eaten by bears. See ya tomorrow for coffee.”
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” He slapped Luke on the back and then made his way toward the door.
“Say hey to Cindy,” Luke laughed.
“Will do.” He ducked out of the door, and I was once again alone with Luke. We washed the dishes in silence. I could feel his eyes on me from time to time, and to say there wasn't something bubbling just below the surface between us would be a lie. He started a pot of coffee and pulled two cups from the cabinet. I watched as he put half and half in one cup and two spoonfuls of sugar in the other and then poured coffee into each. He handed me the cup with the half and half. He had apparently paid attention when I rambled on about my coffee to Ryan last week.
“Come on,” he pushed the screen door open and held it for me. I followed him into the yard. He smiled up at the sky and then handed me his cup.
“Hold this for a second.” He jogged over to his work shop and produced two chairs that sat low to the ground and leaned back pretty far. He sat them side by side and then took his cup and pointed toward the chair.
“Have a seat. There’s supposed to be a meteor shower starting around midnight.”
“Really?” I sat slowly and then leaned back in the wooden chair. When I opened my eyes and looked up, it was amazing. The stars were spread over the sky like a blanket. Living near the city, we saw the brightest stars, but out here it looked as if there wasn't a blank place amongst them.
We finished our coffee and sat in silence for a while. When I saw the first light streak across the sky, my face lit up.
“Did you see that?” I jumped up from the chair.
“Yeah, I saw it,” he chuckled.
“I've never seen a shooting star before.” I wrapped my arms around myself as I stood there, head tipped toward the sky.
“They say you should make a wish on a shooting star,” he said as he stood, coming to stand next to me.
“They do?” I could feel him close to me.
“They do.” He took a step closer and pointed in another direction. “Look,” he said, drawing my attention to another streak of light dancing across the sky. When I looked, my face was turned toward his. The warmth from his body radiated toward mine. I leaned against him, and his hands found their way around my waist.
“You cold?” he asked, his closeness unnerving. I shook my head and slowly turned in his arms until I was facing him, pressed to his chest, his arms tightened around my waist, falling just at the small of my back.
“Is this okay?” he whispered, his breath tickling my skin. The goosebumps that followed spread slowly down my arms.
“This is nice.” I looked up into his eyes.
“You know,” he said in a half-whisper, “I, too, am glad you weren’t eaten by bears.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. I rested my forehead against his chest and chuckled. “Yeah, me too,” I said as I returned my gaze upward.
He looked down at me. Shadowed in darkness, I couldn't see exactly what he was looking at, but the ball of nerves in my stomach wanted to look away. I turned my face slightly, but his hand rose, and he placed a finger under my chin and lifted it back toward him.
“As beautiful as these stars are, you outshine them, and I don’t think you even know it,” he said softly then slowly lowered his face toward mine. His lips gently brushed over my cheek and then moved to my mouth. His kiss was soft, and I melted into it. He pulled back, gazed at me for a moment, and then kissed me again. Harder this time, more need in this one. I felt his tongue pass over the seam of my lips, and I opened for him. I was lost in the warmth of his kiss. I could taste the sweetened coffee on his tongue as it passed over my own. His hand wrapped itself in my hair, and he pushed closer to me, heat igniting between us.
My body was screaming with need, a need I had never experienced before. I had heard stories about the butterflies that felt like they were swarming in your core, but I had never experienced them until now. We stood kissing under the stars, learning each other through just a kiss. I ran my hands up his chest and then over his shoulder finding the slight curl to the ends of his hair along his neck. I ran my fingers up into them and gave them a slight tug, trying my best to get closer.
“Emerson,” he groaned against my mouth, and all I could do was nod.
Part of me that knew this was bad, very very bad, but the other part of me was so starved for the connection that it didn't care, and it overrode every logical thought that popped into my head. He slowly walked me backward toward the porch. His hands ran over my ass, and he lifted me. I wrapped my legs around him. He walked up the stairs, his lips never veering from my skin. The door slammed behind us, and then I felt myself being lowered. The cold of the countertop made me flinch, and I heard his deep rumble chuckle against me.
“Sorry.” He traced the cuff of my ear with his mouth and then pulled my earlobe between his lips. His fingers traced over the sliver of skin that was exposed along the bottom of my shirt. He lifted it slowly and pulled it over my head. His eyes dropped to my breasts, and I heard him catch his breath.
“God, you are beautiful,” he whispered and kissed along my cleavage. My hands went to his, and I pushed his toward my breasts. I wanted those hands all over me.
“Luke...” I groaned, lost in the feel of his touch. I had expected rough and quick, but he was being super gentl
e and a little cautious with me. I wasn't sure why, but I wasn't going to complain. I felt my bra pop loose, the straps falling to my elbows. His fingers traced my skin and pushed the straps away.
That’s when I heard the slamming of a car door outside. I jumped, looking up at Luke and reaching for my shirt on the counter next to me. Without a word, I pulled it to cover my chest and slid quickly off the counter and out of his grasp.
“Emerson, wait.” I heard his words, but I was already out the back door and running across the porch into mine.
I slammed the door shut, my chest heaving. I was on the verge of tears, but they didn't fall. I was stupid; that should have never happened.
Chapter Fifteen
Luke
Ryan walked through the front door, and I wanted to hit him.
He pointed toward the back door with a confused look on his face. “Dude? Was that Emmy leaving?”
I walked to the back door and looked for Emerson, but her door was already shut. Her bra laid on my kitchen floor. I reached for it, rubbing the soft cotton between my fingers. She had been everything I hoped she would be. The feeling of her skin beneath my fingers was a rush I had never known.
“What the fuck man?” I scolded him, shoving her bra into a drawer.
“How was I to know you would be getting down and dirty with her? After the way you talked, I didn't even know you liked her like that.” He shrugged. “So, you and Emmy?”
“I don't know. It just felt right, and I went with it.”
“I can't believe you didn't hear my truck coming up the drive.” Ryan opened the fridge and pulled out two beers handing one to me. “Here. You look like you need this.”
“Why are you here?” I shook my head, and he put the second beer back in the fridge.
“Cindy told me no.”
“And? That involves me how?”
“I don't know. I've never been told no before. I figured I would come back here and hang with you two for the night.”
I couldn't help the laughter that escaped my lips as I looked at him.
“Are you really laughing at me?” he asked.