by Hall, S. E.
“L-like what?” I’m dazed; nothing’s up or down, round or square anymore. He’s pleading with me not to tell him and I’m berating myself for considering taking the coward’s way out. “I really think I should tell you, Sawyer. Just let me get it out, then I’ll get out.”
“Nope.” He laughs, rolling over onto his back. He takes me with him, tucking me into his side. “Surely you can think of something else to talk about. Stimulate my mind, woman,” he teases, chuckling to himself.
Our friendship or whatever we have is baffling and confusing, but I don’t want it to end. So for now, I curb the nagging guilt and soak up Sawyer.
Fascinated, I lift one finger to his nipple, examining it. “Why pierce them if you’re not gonna wear a ring in it?”
“Do you have ADD? Is that your secret?” He smirks at his own cleverness, kissing my head, as seems his developing habit. “I’m fully prepared to have my mind challenged and you touch my nipple? Playing with fire, Shorty.”
I blush, but simply can’t look away from his chest. Suffice it to say, his physique piques my interest.
“If you want me to wear them, I will. I’ll wear all of them, just say the word.”
“All of them?” I raise my head, my mouth agape as I stare at him. “How many piercings do you have? No wait, I bet I can guess.” His words come back to me, and the feeling of…I have no idea what to call it, washes over me. I know, without a doubt, the answer, and somehow I feel closer to him, special, that I do. “Seven, right?”
He nods, his dark blue eyes boring into my own. “Very astute, Ms. Young. Now, can you tell me where they all are?”
“Two in your ears, two for your nipples, your eyebrow; that’s five.” I look him over gradually, letting my eyes shamefully take in his large, hard body, every defined line a thing of beauty. He lets his tongue slide from his mouth and wiggles it at me. I lean in, getting a closer look, and sure enough there’s a small hole. “Okay, that’s six. One more,” I tap my chin thoughtfully, eyeing his belly button.
He laughs out loud, his stomach muscles tightening under my stare. “I didn’t pierce my belly button, Emmett.” Still staring at his tummy, his hand glides down the ripples, one finger tracing over his dark happy trail. “Lower,” he taunts in a rich, tantalizing voice, no longer holding even the hint of a laugh.
I don’t even know my own body, shivering yet burning hot at the same time from the thought of his. And my eyes, they roam lower, following the trail of his finger, taking in the outline of one very large, very hard penis through his light blue basketball shorts. Like a brazen hussy, I squint, searching for the hint of any jewelry.
“I don’t have it in. I usually don’t.” His raspy comment startles me, and I look up at him. His eyes are smoldering, filled with the same lust I feel between my legs.
“Why not?” I whisper, licking my lips.
“Nobody gets that, Emmett, nobody.” He sits up, putting his face inches from my own. “I did it on a dare, and it hurt too bad not to keep it. But it’s all yours if you want it, Angel.”
“Why? Why can I demand I want it and get it?”
“’Cause I said you could. Listen,” he holds my face between his palms, one thumb outlining my jawline, “I have no idea why it takes some couples years to fall in love and some only a day, or if any of them even know. But I do know that I like you, so much. I want to know you, and I think you want the same thing.”
This went from the kinkiest conversation I’ve ever had in my life, my mind’s eye conjuring up fantastic images, to the sweetest. My heart is banging against its own walls and the tingles that started in my belly have now turned into sharp, sporadic twinges much lower.
Holy mother, I want him. I mean, I want him like I want air.
No, no, Emmett. Tears threaten in my eyes and I quickly turn my head, starting to climb from the bed. “I have to go,” I stammer, trying to untangle myself from the sheets, but only getting stuck further. Grappling, swinging limbs and sheets in a tizzy, I finally free myself and stumble to the bedroom door, still embarrassingly in a bathing suit and shoeless. I don’t know how, but I have to get the hell out of here and away from him. I can only torture myself so much.
One arm comes over my head, bracing the door shut. I feel every hard inch of him against the back of my body as his other hand moves my hair to the side. “Don’t leave, please. I’ll be good.” He runs his nose up the side of my neck, whispering against my skin. “You’re just so beautiful, Emmett, and in my bed, still in that damn bikini. I wouldn’t be a man if I didn’t want you.”
I lean forward, letting my forehead rest on the door, but it’s no escape as he leans with me, pressing the length of his hard body against my own.
“I’ll get you some shorts and a t-shirt to change into if it’ll make you feel better,” he says. “Come back to bed, it’s late. We can talk about astrophysics and grandmas just as long as I can hold you.”
I can’t help but snicker, the desperation in his voice as he invites me to discuss grandmas with him is so cute, and charming. “I don’t want to leave, but we can’t have it both ways. You say not to tell you, that we’ll be friends, but then you make me feel…”
“I know, I know, my fault.” He rubs my shoulder and kisses behind its wake. “Don’t spook on me, Shorty. I understand.”
No, he doesn’t, but it’s good enough for now. It’s late, I’m tired, and he’s warm and inviting.
“Okay, some clothes would be nice,” I admit. “Maybe I’ll hop in your shower real quick?”
“Uhh,” he growls behind me, pressing his body into me more firmly. “Don’t tell me you’re going to shower, woman. Tell me you’re gonna go poop and blow your nose.”
And the moment is officially gone… I die laughing, turning to face him. “Gross!” I slap his chest, still giggling. “Go get me the clothes, ya big nasty!”
I take my time in the shower, praying he falls asleep before I come out. The cold shower thing doesn’t work on me. I lather my hair twice, regretting it when I realize he has no conditioner in here, and double soap every inch of myself before finally turning off the water. I dry off and slip on the way oversized clothes he gave me, towel drying my hair to an acceptable sleeping dampness and creep back in to his bedroom on tiptoe.
“Are you asleep?” I whisper to his back as I climb in behind him.
“No.” He rolls over, smiling at me widely. “Nice try with the marathon shower, though. Why are you avoiding me? I told you I’d be good.”
“I’m not,” I say over-exuberantly, burrowing down under the covers. “I’m just not used to spending the night in a man’s bed, I guess.”
“You haven’t ever done that?”
“God no!”
“Oh, Em, you keep making me happier every time you let something slip out.”
“So glad I could help.” I use my thumb and finger to flick him in the chest. “Go to sleep. I’m wiped.
“Night, Shorty.”
“Night, Seven.”
CHAPTER 9
Then He Found Me
***Emmett***
The digital face on the alarm says 9:24 when I wake again, now alone in the bed. Or not alone…for there’s a note on his pillow with my name on it.
Em,
Maybe not exactly like a lumberjack, but definitely a snore. Good morning, lovely.
-S
I fold the note back up, searching aimlessly for a place to tuck it. I have nothing with me, not even my own clothes, so I hide it back under the pillow I slept on last night, secretly hoping I’ll be back there soon to pick it up. I check his bathroom, stealing a quick tryst with his toothbrush, and then go back to sit on the edge of his bed. I can’t stay in here all day, but the thought of wandering out, in his clothes, mortifies me. I refuse to do the walk of shame when the dirtiest thing we did was talk about pooping.
Ten minutes later, I can’t sit idle any longer. I have too much to do today. I stand, tightening the drawstring of his shorts that hang pa
st my knees despite my efforts and make my way down the hallway. I wince as a floorboard creaks beneath my cold, bare feet, but I forge onward.
“Morning, Sunshine,” Laney greets me in the kitchen.
“Hi, Laney,” I duck my head, crossing my arms over my braless chest. “H-how are you?”
“Good, considering it’s morning. I hate them.”
“Uh, where’s Sawyer?” I mutter, still looking at the floor.
“He had a class, but he told me to tell you he’ll be back at ten. And,” she comes around the corner, holding my clothes and purse, “he went and grabbed these from Bennett’s for you in case you woke up.”
“Oh, thank you.” I sigh in relief and take them from her. “I’ll, ah, go get changed.”
“Emmett,” she places a hand on my shoulder, “don’t be embarrassed. I know Sawyer, therefore I know you have nothing to be embarrassed about.”
“What do you mean?”
“You slept, all night, in his bed, and he let you. And you’re still here in the morning. You’re different for him. I’m not trying to be nosy, I just want you to know you don’t have to feel weird. No one’s going to think less of you, okay?”
I swallow down the disgust I taste at the thought of Sawyer’s revolving door, flashbacks of him and Mariah in the alley playing in my mind. “Okay, thank you.” I give her a fake smile and scurry down the hall, his clothes now burning my skin.
Shutting the door and changing as quickly as I can, I’m not sure which bothers me more, the thought of all his conquests or the fact that I’m not one. Am I deficient? Can he smell the baggage on me?
Wait, what the heck, Emmett? You told him it wasn’t an option and now you feel rejected? See, this is what happens when you get too close to the fire…you go completely insane from smoke inhalation. I have a plan, a clearly laid path that I must stay on, and no one will lead me astray.
I grab my phone, dialing the cab company. I realize I don’t know the address here as soon as they ask. “Hold on,” I grumble in his ear, walking back out to the kitchen. “Laney, what’s your address?”
She spouts it off and I repeat it into the phone, confirming a fifteen minute wait before hanging up. “Why?” she finally turns around to face me and asks.
“I needed it for the taxi.”
“What? Why? No, please don’t leave!” she shrieks, her arms flailing wildly out to her sides.
I back up, slightly concerned for her sanity. I think she might actually be tearing up right now, and I’m more than a little freaked out.
“Is it because of what I said? I meant it as a compliment, Emmett, like you don’t have to hang your head, afraid we all think you slept with him. Not that it’s bad if you did, but, God!” She fists her hands, holding them to the sides of her head. “I didn’t mean anything. I’m so sorry. You just looked embarrassed. Shit, he’s gonna kill me!”
And she seemed so normal yesterday.
“Laney, I have to go because I have a lot to do. I’m not upset. I know what you were trying to say and I appreciate it, really.”
“Sawyer will be back any minute. Why don’t you wait and let him drive you? He’ll be so upset if he comes back and you’re gone. You didn’t see his face this morning, Emmett. I haven’t seen him smile like that in months.”
“I like him too.” I grin despite myself, thinking of the way he makes me laugh, the feel of him holding me close all night. “He’s a good friend. It’ll be fine, I’ll see him at work.”
Her head drops and she shakes it back and forth. “You’ll destroy him.”
“I won’t,” I say sternly. “He knows we can only be friends. I promise, he’ll be all right. His headboard will be rocking again before you know it.” I snicker facetiously, trying to convince myself as much as her that everything’s just great.
A horn sounds outside. Thankfully, the cab’s early.
“That’s my ride, I gotta go. Everything’s cool, Laney. Promise.”
“Yeah.” She swipes her hand under her nose, sniffling. “So, I’ll see you Thursday night? You promised to come to Crew Night.”
“I’ll be there,” I nod and turn to get out the door as fast as my legs will carry me.
She knows as well as I do that Sawyer and I have already happened and collateral damage is inevitable.
I just pray I can bear the brunt of the pain and he’s spared.
***
Obviously he wasn’t happy that I left before he got home, since he’s refusing to walk up to my door now.
Sawyer: I’m downstairs, come get the car keys please.
If this makes him feel better, like he’s punishing me, I’m going to let him have it. As I walk down the stairs, approaching him, I lose my breath. He’s propped on one hip against the side of the car, aviators covering the eyes I can feel on me. Dressed in dark washed jeans and a white muscle shirt, white ball cap riding backwards on his head; he’s absolutely the sexiest man I’ve ever seen.
“Hey,” I mumble, fiddling with the leg of my shorts. It hurts to look at him any longer, the tugging on my heart more than figurative, it’s downright painful.
He startles me by shoving his hand under my hair at the base of my skull. “Your hair’s wet. How hot is it up there?”
“Not bad, I just have thick hair,” I pull the tie off my wrist and make quick work of a ponytail. “Thank you for letting me use the car. I shouldn’t accept, it’s too much,” I peek up at him with a small smile, “but I will.”
“Why’d you leave me this morning?” His grip on my neck tightens and he pulls my head to his, resting his forehead on mine.
“You actually left me,” I snicker, “but I had to go. I work tonight, so I needed to do laundry and try to find my landlord, stuff like that. I didn’t mean to make you mad.”
“I wasn’t mad.” He sighs, his fingers on the side of my neck now massaging the muscles under them.
“Liar,” I smirk, “that’s why you made me walk down here to you. Doling out your big punishment.” I poke him in the stomach playfully.
“Come with me, please.” He presses his lips against mine, sliding them sideways back and forth. “At least until your air’s fixed. We can drive to work together, eat first. Let me take care of you, Emmett.”
I struggle to breathe steadily, consumed by the feel of our lips feathering one another. “We can’t keep going in circles, Sawyer. I’m only so strong. I can’t take this,” I whisper, my traitorous voice squeaking with the urge to surrender.
He drops his grip on me, backing away and lifting his arms in the air. “All I fucking see is you! All I’m asking for is a chance, Emmett! I don’t care about your past, everyone fucking has one woman!”
“Don’t yell at me!” I gulp back the sobs, but can’t stop the flow of tears. “You said you didn’t want to know, so you’ll just have to trust me, Sawyer. I’m not worth it!” I turn and run back up the stairs, slamming my door and throwing myself face down on my bed. How quickly things turned, his soft mouth and warm breath caressing me one second, lashing out in pained harshness the next.
I hear him coming, a man his size can’t sneak up on anyone, so I don’t even flinch at the sound of his voice, leaving my face down.
“Here’s the key, drive the car.”
I feel the key bounce on the bed beside me right before he slams the door behind him and I listen to his heavy, angry footsteps plod down the stairs.
Good—I hope he stays angry at me. I’d rather have him mad than hurt.
***Sawyer***
I’m really on a roll today…I’d left Emmett in tears, was a complete dick to the cab driver (probably should’ve planned how I’d get home after leaving her the car) and now I’m scaring Laney. I crash through our front door, putting the knob through the wall, causing Laney to jolt a good four inches off the couch.
“Shit, Sawyer!” She clutches her chest, shrinking me on sight with her scathing glare. “What’s on fire?”
“Sorry.” I pull the door out of the wall,
slamming it closed. “I didn’t mean to scare you. That woman is driving me crazy!”
“She’s scared.” Her face now dissolves into a sympathetic frown. “I don’t know of what, but she’s petrified. I hate to say it, but you may need to back off.”
“Oh, I’ve backed off all right. I just screamed at her and left while she was crying. Fuck!” I grab my head with both hands, scrubbing furiously back and forth. “Why the fuck don’t I have longer fucking hair! Shit!”
“Okayyyy.” Laney walks over to me, pulling down my arms. “Come sit down before you blow a blood vessel.” She guides me to the couch. “By the way, you need to work on your angry words. The f-bomb is only powerful if you don’t drop it every other word.”
I can’t help my lip curl, smiling at my girl; she always knows the right thing to say. Her slick wit gets me all the time. “You were scared shitless when I first met you. Tell me what to do, Gidge.”
“I told you, I honestly think you should back off. Let her come to you.”
“Like a butterfly, let her land on me,” I mumble to myself, thinking of Kasey’s advice.
“That might be the coolest thing you’ve ever said,” she looks at me in wonder. “Have you been camping out in the greeting card aisle?”
“Something like that.” I shrug. We’re talking about me here, not Kasey, so screw giving him credit.
“She’s coming Thursday night, she promised. Stay away from her until then, and POW!” She slams one fist in the other palm. “When she gets here, show her what’s been missing all week. Be aloof but flirtatious, dress to kill and let your Gidge take care of the rest.” She winks at me.
“Have I told you lately that I love you?”
“Seriously, stay out of Hallmark. You’re creeping me out.” She shoulder nudges me. “And I love you too.”