Even Joe and Terrence noticed a distinct difference in her appearance and demeanor. Neither of them asked her questions, but each of them gave her inquisitive looks and she just smiled confidently. They both appeared relieved and happy for her.
The last person she needed to talk to was Taylor. She would wait until she was home after work to do that. Mike was still on a case and was planning on staying with her that night, so rather than going to the Krav Maga studio, she went right home so she wouldn’t miss him. They’d texted several times over the last 24 hours and couldn’t wait to see each other.
After eating something she’d scrounged up from the fridge, Emily settled in and dialed Taylor.
“Hey, stranger!” Taylor said when she picked up. “I feel like we haven’t talked in forever.”
“I know. Sorry about that.”
“We started the program this past week. So far, so good,” she said excitedly.
“Nice! How’s Mark doing?”
Taylor let out a little sigh. “He’s great with the students. I’m so glad he’s doing it.”
Emily was determined to get some info out of Taylor about her cousin, but before she could ask her questions about Mark, she figured she needed to come clean about Mike first.
“We knew he’d be great.” She paused. “So, listen. I have something to tell you.”
“Ooh, this sounds good. Or is it bad? Is it bad news, Emmie?” Taylor immediately went from joking to serious.
“No, it’s not bad news.”
“Okay,” she said with relief. Then, as if Emily could picture her with her eyebrow up, Taylor asked with anticipation, “What’s goin’ on?”
“Well, you’ve heard me talk about the crew of friends I’ve met down here,” she began.
“Did something happen with you and Mike?” Taylor said in a gush of excitement.
“What? How on earth –?” Emily sputtered.
“You may not realize this, but you talk about him every time you call. And the fact that you weren’t getting along with him was the red flag.”
“Geez, am I that obvious?” Emily grumbled.
“What the hell happened? Did you hook up?” Taylor was beyond happy.
“You can say that.”
“Details, Emmie.”
“We slept together on Labor Day,” Emily said, already cringing and anticipating the fallout about to happen.
“Labor Day?! That was like friggin’ three weeks ago and I’m just finding out about this now?!”
“I know, I know. Don’t be pissed.”
“What the hell, Em? Have you been together all of this time?”
“No. Not really.”
“You’re doing it again. Something has been going on over the last three weeks and you didn’t call because you didn’t wanna bother me with something that was bothering you.”
“I’m the worst best friend ever.”
“No, you’re the best best friend ever. To me. But you won’t let me return the favor,” she said quietly.
“You’re right.”
“You’re still doing it, Em. I don’t need you to protect me anymore, sweetie. Come on, it’s been years now. You’ve always been my rock and my strongest and staunchest protector. But you have to stop, Em. It’s not healthy for our friendship.”
“I know,” she grumbled, impatient with herself. “If I’ve discovered anything over the last few weeks, it’s that I’m the biggest chickenshit on the East Coast and you’re the strongest person I’ve ever met.”
“Emmie,” Taylor sighed. “Tell me what happened.”
She did, and didn’t scrimp on the details. By the time Emily concluded the happenings of the month, she felt cleansed. And she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she would never hide things from this woman again. Even though Emily’s primary reason in not sharing was to spare Taylor feeling pain for her, she realized now how arrogant Emily came across when she didn’t include Taylor in her life’s experiences, regardless of how good or bad they were. Why Taylor continued to be her friend was beyond her.
“I cannot believe this,” Taylor murmured. “So much has happened. I mean this is huge. Especially since it’s been years, Em. And you’re in love.” She sighed happily. “Emmie.”
“I know. And there’s more.” She knew Taylor had been referring to Scott when she mentioned it had been years, so she told her about the two run-ins she’d had and that Mike had discovered where Scott was working.
“I can’t believe he’s down there. Holy shit, I can’t imagine what you were thinking when you bumped into him. The asshole. He obviously hasn’t changed much.”
“No. If anything, he’s worse.”
“Well, at least you know what building he’s in and you can avoid it when necessary,” she said dryly. “I can’t wait to meet Mike. He sounds perfect. I’m so stinkin’ happy for you.”
“Thanks, Tee,” Em said, reverting back to Taylor’s nickname from way back. “I can’t wait for you guys to meet either.”
“I imagine he’s convinced you that you’re not cold in the sack like the asshole did.”
Emily belly laughed. “You can say that.”
“Things are good there?”
“Things are beyond good there,” she sighed happily. She hoped Taylor would find a man just as good and wonderful.
“I’m so jealous. Does he have a brother?”
Emily chuckled then went in for the kill. “How’s Mark been? I haven’t talked to him in a while.”
“I ask if Mike has a brother and you ask how Mark is? That was smooth, Emmie.”
“I’m just askin’!”
“He’s fine,” she said, exasperated.
“You used to have a major crush on him. Remember?”
“Of course I remember,” she murmured. “Can we change the subject, please?”
“Nope. So, you two have probably had to see more of each other recently because of the trainings and stuff,” Emily hinted.
“Uh, huh,” Taylor said. Emily could hear the smile in her voice.
“Anything there worth reporting?”
“He’s still a flirt, still charming, still a prankster, still sexy as hell…”
“And?” Emily chuckled.
“And what?”
“Any chance you’re still wondering about him?”
Taylor let go of a huge sigh.
“Wow,” Emily said. “That spoke volumes.”
“Whattaya want me to say? He’s gorgeous and a great guy. We know this already.”
“Has he hinted at anything with you?”
“He hints at something with everyone, Em. That’s his M.O.”
Emily smiled and thought of Mike. “But has he specifically done or said anything toward you?”
There was a long pause.
“Tee, you better start friggin’ talkin’ or I’m calling him. Which I may just do anyway.”
“Don’t you dare!”
“Did he ask you out?”
She sighed again, “Sort of, I guess.”
“Holy shit, I can’t believe this! Now who’s hiding things?” There was another pause. “So? Whattaya mean, sort of?”
“I mean he asked if I wanted to grab something to eat after one of the trainings.”
“You said no, didn’t you?” Emily said, shaking her head in annoyance.
“Of course, I said no.”
“Why?! You’ve been wanting to go out with him for ages!”
“I know. But I refuse to go out with a guy just because he pities me.”
“What the hell are you talking about?! He doesn’t pity you. Why would he pity you? Don’t be ridiculous, Tee.”
“Don’t you remember how sweet he and Jon were after it happened back in the day? I swear, they were the only guys in my age bracket that I knew who actually talked to me. They were so nice to me.”
“Yeah. So, I don’t get it.”
“I mean they were like that because they felt sorry for me. I have a master’s in counseling, Emmie.
I understand why they were like that. And I will always be grateful to them for helping to build back my confidence in men.”
“But?”
“But he still looks at me with this, I don’t know, this concern. It just feels like he’s looking at me like he’s trying to do me a favor. Like I can’t find a man on my own because I have unresolved issues about the rape and he feels like he has to help me with it or something.”
“Oh, please. That’s not it. Maybe he’s actually interested. You’re beautiful and wonderful. And it’s not like you didn’t date guys all through college,” Emily pointed out.
“Yeah, well I don’t think your cousin knows that,” she mumbled.
“Maybe I’ll point that out to him.”
“Emily!”
“What?”
“Just let me figure this out, okay?”
“Okay,” Emily said, but her brain was already racing.
“Emmie,” Taylor said with a warning in her tone.
“My aunt said something interesting when she was here over Labor Day.”
Taylor asked in a voice filled with trepidation, “Yeah?”
“Yeah. She said when she last asked Mark how you and the program were doing he clammed up. We all know that Mark is a motor mouth and apparently she thought that was odd enough to mention to me. What does that tell you? And when was it that he asked if you wanted to go out?”
Emily could hear another sigh escape from her friend over the phone.
“After the last training in August.”
“I wonder if my aunt asked him how you were after you’d said no. Hmm,” Emily said. “Very interesting.”
“Alright, I think we’re done with this conversation.”
“If you say so.”
“I do.”
“So I was thinking that maybe you’d like to take a trip down here over Columbus Day.”
“Yeah!”
“Good. And I want you to bring Mark with you.”
“Umm,” she began.
“I was already gonna ask Mark too, so don’t get your panties in a wad.”
“Alright. I’ll talk to him.” She didn’t sound happy about it, though.
“Good. So will I and so will Jon, I’m sure.”
They were finishing up their conversation just as Mike walked in her door using the key she’d lent him. Her face immediately lit up and Mike said, “Hey you.”
“Tee, I gotta go,” she gushed.
“Is that a man’s voice I hear in the background?” Taylor joked. “Tell him I said hi,” she said in a sing songy voice.
Emily chuckled, “Later,” then hung up the phone. She threw her phone on the sofa and ran to him. He engulfed her in his arms, letting out his ‘mmm’ sound and kissing her face.
“You’re a sight for sore eyes,” he said in between kisses and dropping a small bag on the floor. “Who’s ‘T’?”
“Taylor. I had to fill her in on a few things that were going on in my life,” she smiled.
“Yeah?” He kissed her nose. “What few things would you be talking about?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Just some new guy who’s awesome in the sack.”
He laughed but looked tired.
“Tough day?” she asked.
“Long.”
“Have you eaten?”
He shook his head. “You?”
“Yeah, I wasn’t sure when you would get home. Let me make you something. Or do you want me to order something for you?”
“I would kill for a cheeseburger.”
“No need to commit murder. I’ll call the café down the block,” she said, referring to the one where they’d first had lunch. “Just sit and relax.”
“I love you,” he said in complete and utter bliss. He was thinking about his cheeseburger, she was sure. “I’m gonna take a shower, okay?”
“You must be so tired. Have you been to your place since I saw you last night?”
“Just briefly to pick up some stuff.”
“Go use the bathroom. I’ll put a rush on the food.”
“Thanks,” he said, pulling her in for another kiss. “I missed you.”
“I missed you, too,” she smiled giddily. “Now we’re both dorks.”
“Fine by me,” he said, slapping her ass and heading to the bathroom.
She placed the order and quickly texted Mark, telling him to talk to Taylor about coming down over Columbus Day weekend, then she set out some snacks for Mike.
Fifteen minutes later he was out of the shower in sweats and a t-shirt, sitting on the sofa with her. She’d given him a bag of tortilla chips and salsa to hold him over until the food arrived. She watched as he cracked his neck.
“Do you want me to rub it for you?”
He looked at her as if she’d just said he’d won a million dollars. “Umm, yeah! Like you have to ask? Any time you wanna rub anything, you just hop on me, Counselor.”
She rolled her eyes then kneeled behind him on the sofa while he scooted forward to make room for her. As soon as her hands went to his shoulders where they met his neck, she began kneading his muscles and he let out a panty wetting groan.
While her hands went to work, she leaned forward and nibbled his neck.
“Mmm,” he murmured while his hands reached back to stroke the backs of her thighs. “Don’t stop.”
“Shh. Just relax.”
She continued to rub his shoulders which were stiff with tension. Poor thing, she thought. She knew detectives had rough hours, but that reality hadn’t hit her until she was in love with one.
“I brought a surprise for us,” he said, sounding sleepy and completely relaxed.
“Yeah?”
“It would actually come in handy right now, but this just feels too good to get up and get it.”
“Let me guess. Massage oil?”
He turned his head to look at her with a mischievous grin. “Nicely done,” he said proudly at her guess.
“You mentioned it once. It’s kind of hard not to remember that after you’ve put that picture in my head,” she whispered in his ear.
“Let’s grease each other up after I’ve eaten. Then I’ll have my energy back.” He said it so matter of factly. It took every ounce of willpower not to go search his bag for it right then and there.
A couple of minutes later when the food arrived, he got up to pay for it, then sat down and inhaled the burger and fries. She’d surprised him by getting him a chocolate milkshake as well. The promising look he gave her nearly melted her into the floor.
“Is it good?” she asked, already knowing the answer.
“Oh, yeah,” he said smacking his lips after taking a sip. “The milkshake’s good too.”
She smirked. He really was something.
“Come here,” he said.
She hesitated, unsure she was ready for what he was going to dish out, considering he still had the milkshake in his hand.
“You’re not scared, are you?” he taunted.
“Always using the same tactic, Detective,” she said shaking her head.
“It works, doesn’t it?” he teased.
She moved to stand in front of where he was sitting on the sofa.
“Take off your shirt, please,” he said sweetly. She’d put on a fitted t-shirt and Yoga pants when she’d gotten home. Her eyebrow shot up at his command.
“What?” he asked, pretending to be disgruntled. “I said please.”
She slowly peeled off her shirt and tossed it to the floor, leaving her standing there in her black lace bra.
His eyes perused her naked waist then moved up her chest so his eyes settled on her breasts. Then they lifted to her eyes and he said quietly, “Straddle me.”
She took her time and put one knee down on either side of his hips on the sofa.
“Lean your back down onto my legs as far as you can go.” His voice got even quieter.
She gave him a look then did as he asked. Her flexibility allowed her to practically flatten herself onto his th
ighs even though her legs were bent next to him. She was comfortably settled with a slight arch to her back and her breasts thrust into the air.
“Close your eyes.”
She gave him another pointed look.
“Unless you want me to blindfold you, which I would very much enjoy doing.”
She pressed her lips together in pretend annoyance and he just continued to watch her with challenge in his eyes. She eventually closed them and settled in for what he had in store.
He deftly unhooked the front of her bra with the twist of a finger and opened it up so the sides hung on her arms. He didn’t touch her for a few moments and her senses became more and more acute as the seconds ticked by. Her arousal grew with each moment that passed and she remained untouched.
She thought she heard a slight sound but she couldn’t make out what it was. Then she felt icy drips of cold liquid land all around her left areola. Her skin flinched at the sensation and she let out a hiss. The liquid was sliding down to her nipple.
He was dripping the milkshake on her.
“Keep your eyes closed, Counselor.” The cold numbing sensation was followed by his cool tongue lapping up her nipple which he sucked it into his mouth. She pushed her head back onto his knees and arched her back even more pushing herself into his warming mouth.
He let out his trademark ‘mmm’ sound, letting her know that he was enjoying this just as much as she was.
When he was finished with the one breast, he moved away from her again and she waited, her eyes still shut. Her breathing had accelerated and her chest was rising and falling. She assumed he would pay the same attention to her other breast so she braced herself for the impact of the cold there. Instead, he placed another freezing drop to the same nipple he’d just had in his mouth, this time placing the liquid directly on it.
She let out a whimper and he immediately sucked it into his mouth, warming it. Without warning, cold drops assaulted her other nipple. The dual sensation of the heat of his mouth on one and the freezing cold liquid on the other caused her to let out a shaky and loud breath. His mouth quickly moved to her other nipple and the cold was replaced by the warmth of his tongue while he sucked her.
Her fingers were clenching her ankles to stop from grabbing at him. The tightness in her nipples caused them to tingle to the point where she wanted to touch them. They were so hard. She began to gyrate her hips into him, trying to release the pressure there.
Revelation: A Contemporary Erotic Romance (Iris Series) Page 30