Her Way

by Jessica Jarman

  Emma rolled her eyes at her sing-song voice.

  “Can it, Lynn; here comes our food,” Hannah instructed, a huge grin on her face.

  A waiter laid plates in front of Hannah, Ana and Lynn. Emma frowned for a moment before figuring he had to go back for hers. Just then an arm came around her side and set a plate in front of her. She looked up to thank the second server and froze for the second time that day. And the same person was responsible. Will.

  He stood before her in black pants and white shirt. His face was flushed—from the heat of the kitchen, she supposed—and his hair looked like he had been wearing a hat, all mussed and sexy looking.

  “W-what are you doing here?” She managed to speak after staring like a freaking idiot—her specialty apparently—for a few long moments.

  He shrugged and smoothed his hand down her hair to settle on her back. “I told you I run my family’s restaurant. My mom’s family is the Kincaid in Kincaid’s Place.”

  She turned her head quickly toward her friends. “That’s why you insisted on coming here for lunch.”

  They seemed very intent on their meals all the sudden. With a snort, she turned back to Will.

  “So you cooked me breakfast and lunch. I hope you don’t expect me to return the favor. I’m limited to mac and cheese and frozen pizza.”

  “We’ll see what we can do to change that.” He winked. “As much as I want to, I can’t stay and chat. I need to get back to the kitchen. Will you be home tonight?”

  “Yeah, after shopping, that is.”

  “Good, I’ll call you.” He leaned down and, in a low voice, asked, “Can I kiss you goodbye?”

  “Yes!” All three of her friends spoke in unison, loud enough to draw stares.

  She shot them a look before nodding. He closed the distance between them as his fingers burrowed through her hair to stoke the sensitive skin of her neck. Oh yeah, bring it on. His lips, warm and firm, covered hers briefly. Again, it was just a short kiss but the twitching started just the same. Apparently, her clit was equal opportunity when it came to kisses. Well, Will’s kisses, at least. He rubbed his lips back and forth then pulled away with a smile. He trailed the back of his fingers down her cheek and held her gaze for a few moments.

  “I’ll call tonight,” he promised. “Have fun shopping. Bye, ladies… Emma.”

  “Bye, Will. Talk to you tonight.”

  And there she was, all breathless again. She closed her eyes briefly before turning to her friends.

  “Well, that looked yummy as hell.” Hannah laughed.

  “Oh my God, Em. That was hot,” Ana whispered.

  “Uh huh.” Lynn set her elbow next to her plate and rested her chin on her hand. “Good kisser?”

  “Oh yeah. Good shudders happening over here.”

  “Okay, eat up, ladies,” Ana instructed. “We need to go shopping. Our Emma here needs sexy undies for sure. No cotton briefs for a man who kisses like that, no sirree.”

  Emma chuckled as she speared her ravioli with her fork, her mind definitely not on the food.

  * * * *

  Will climbed the stairs to his apartment. Every muscle in his body protested, and he felt grimy from spending the day in the kitchen. He wanted nothing more than to drink an ice-cold beer while standing under a hot shower. Yup, he’d stand under the spray until the water ran cool. What he wouldn’t give to have a hot tub right now.

  He let himself in and, without bothering to turn on a light, went through the living room to the kitchen. Grabbing the much-desired beer, he walked back into the living room and sat in the leather recliner. He picked up the phone and dialed Emma’s number—a number he’d quickly committed to memory. God, the woman made him feel like an eager teenager calling his crush. He wanted… Well, he wanted her. But more than that, he wanted to know her. Know her favorite things. Know her dislikes. Know what made her tick.

  “Hello?” Her voice traveled along the phone lines to tease his senses with its husky sleepiness.

  “Emma, it’s Will. Did I wake you?” He glanced at the clock. Eleven-forty-five. He should have asked earlier when it was too late to call.

  “No, not really. I was watching the news and dozed off. Hmmmm.” He heard her yawn and the long, throaty sound put many images in his mind—her arms stretched over her head, her breasts pressing against her shirt, the long length of her neck just begging for his mouth.

  “Shopping wear you out?” he managed to force out.

  She laughed softly and his cock jumped at the sweet sultriness.

  “Yeah, a little, but I found some good deals. Ana is disappointed in me though. I wouldn’t pay five hundred dollars for a pair of boots.”

  “Ah. They weren’t calling your name?”

  “No, and for that price, they’d have to sing an aria before I’d cave.”

  Will leaned back against the soft leather and extended his legs to cross them at the ankles. The position alleviated some of the pressure from his erection, but not enough.

  “So what did you buy?”

  “Eh, just some jeans, a couple of skirts, a few blouses, and…uh…other stuff.”

  “Hmm, tell me about this other stuff. I’m intrigued, Miss Emma.” He took a sip of his beer.

  “Will, I’m not going to tell you about my new under—uh, stuff.”

  “Under stuff, huh? Sounds sexy,” he teased, though his mind went wild with images of Emma in slinky, silky and lacy garments.

  She mumbled something under her breath.

  “What was that, sweetheart?”

  “I said, apparently ‘sexy’ was the point.” She inhaled deeply then spoke. “Ana and the others figured my underwear wasn’t sexy enough and made that the focus of the shopping spree. They thought since they saw you at my house that I needed something sexier.”

  Will couldn’t help it—he burst out laughing. “And how did you feel about that?”

  “Well, honestly, by the time a guy gets around to seeing your underwear, he doesn’t really care much aside from whether they’re clean or not. He’s just focused on getting them off.”

  For a moment, Will couldn’t speak. Is that the type of guy she’d been with in the past? Anger welled up inside him at the men who didn’t take the time or effort to make Emma feel special and desirable.

  “Sweetheart, men care…or I do, anyway. And while I have no doubt you’d look delicious in a pair of cotton granny pants, my mind boggles to think of you in something lacy and clingy or silky and slippery.” My cock can attest to that. He shifted uncomfortably.

  “Oooooh.” She spoke the word softly, drawing it out. “I see. Well then, I’m glad I made the purchases I did.” Before he could speak, she continued, “So you’re done with work then?”

  He grinned at the quick change of subject. She was nervous. He kind of liked that—liked knowing he flustered her. ‘Cause she sure as hell threw him for a loop. When he’d gone out last night, no thought of women had been in his mind. Now, since he’d seen her, one woman had set up residence there.

  “No, I have to go back down and close up.”

  “Down? You’re still there?”

  “I live above the restaurant.”

  “Oh, cool. Wow, you’ve had a long day already. The late night last night didn’t help, I’m sure. And I’m sure you didn’t sleep too well with me on top of you. I mean, after not being able to move, you must be all stiff and achy.”

  He grinned at her words and knew, at her little gasp, exactly when she realized what she said.

  “Oh God, I should just shut up now.”

  “I slept just fine, sweetheart. And yeah, I sure could use a long, hot soak right now. Makes me regret not installing a large whirlpool tub when I redid the apartment.”

  “I have a hot tub. Out on the deck. Maybe you can come sometime after work and take a soak. I haven’t used it yet, but it works.”

  “That sounds good. I’ll definitely take you up on that sometime. I have a little while ‘til I have to head down, but if yo
u’re tired, I can let ya go.”

  “No, I’m good. Unless you want to go relax a bit before having to go back to work?”

  He smiled. “I am relaxing. So tell me how you ended up friends with Lynn and Hannah. I know you didn’t go to our school. I don’t remember Ana, either.”

  “Oh, Ana and I went to school together—a private, all girls’ school—and our fathers did some kind of work together. I met Hannah when she started going out with my brother several years ago.”

  “One of your brothers?” He tried picturing the tall beauty with either of the men he’d met that morning. Matt was a bit young, but moreover didn’t seem like Hannah’s type, and hell, Mark… Was he anyone’s type? “Doesn’t seem like an ideal match.”

  Emma chuckled. “Not those brothers. I have two others. She went out with Nick for a while. It didn’t work out, but by the time they figured that out, we were friends. Somehow it evolved into the four of us…the girls.”

  “You seem really close.”

  “We are. Growing up with four brothers isn’t exactly easy on a girl. Now, I essentially have three sisters to turn to.”

  “So you’re not close to any of your family?” Will couldn’t stop the questioning. He wanted to know anything and everything about this woman.

  “My mom died when I was young. Dad’s a tad overprotective.” She snorted, leading him to assume that it was a gross understatement. “My brothers are the same way—well, Mark and Tom anyway. Nick isn’t around; he travels a lot for work. Matt is probably the one I’m closest to, but…he’s a guy.”

  “So you can’t be close to a guy?”

  “Please. You mention sex and me in the same sentence, and Matt starts to gag or slam his head against hard surfaces. The girls are just easier to go to and talk.”

  “I can see that.” He took a swig of beer and thought of what else he could ask her.

  She beat him to it.

  “What about you? Any sibs? Are you close to them?”

  “I come from a big family, too— three sisters and two brothers.” He thought about it a moment. “I always thought we were close, but now that you mention it, I’d rather not think of my sisters and sex. But we all get along fairly well.”

  “Are you the oldest?”

  “Second oldest.”

  “And that makes you how old?”

  “I’m thirty-three. Over the hill,” he teased. “Am I too old for you, sweet Emma?”

  She laughed, and his gut tightened as desire punched though him. “Hardly. I’m not far behind you.” She yawned loudly. “Oh, excuse me.”

  “It’s getting late. I should let you go to sleep. One more question?”

  “Sure.”

  “Do you have plans tomorrow?”

  “Furniture shopping. The girls are planning a housewarming party next weekend and I figured I should have something other than bedroom furniture and a mismatched kitchen set.”

  “Good idea.” Though, really, he thought she had the essentials. Somewhere to eat and a bed. Yeah, the bed—he couldn’t think of any other piece of furniture he’d rather see her on. “Your friends going with?”

  “Nope, just me. “

  “Is that how you want it, or do you want some company?”

  “Depends on the company. You offering?” she asked quietly.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “I’d love company. Do you want to do dinner after? Something you don’t have to cook yourself?”

  “Are you gonna cook for me, sweetheart?” he drawled.

  “I believe we’ve discussed my culinary skills—the nonexistent ones. I meant we could go out.”

  “I know. I’d love to. Should I pick you up?”

  “Do you have to work at all?”

  “Early in the day, but I’ll be done by one, one-thirty. I can pick you up at two-thirty. Plenty of shopping and eating time.”

  “Sounds good to me. Though if it’s too much trouble, I can meet you somewhere,” she offered.

  “No trouble at all. You get some sleep, now.”

  “Okay, thanks for calling.”

  “I enjoyed it. Sleep well.”

  “You too.”

  “Night, Emma.”

  “Night, Will,” she said sleepily before hanging up the phone.

  Will sat there, in the dark, for several minutes. The feelings he had for a woman he barely knew were odd and overwhelming. He wanted her, no doubt about that. His body vibrated with it since he’d seen her staring at him from across the bar. But it was more than that. How much more? Hell if he knew. But he was certain finding out was going to be interesting. Very interesting.

  Chapter Four

  Emma stood before the mirror, head tilted to the side. Khakis and a green billowy blouse—surely that was good enough for furniture shopping and a bite to eat. Wasn’t it?

  She glanced at the clock and grimaced. No time to change now. Will would be there any minute.

  With a shrug, she turned and headed downstairs. She had just slipped her shoes on when her cell phone rang. The sound had questions swimming in her head as she grabbed her purse and pulled out the phone. Was it Will? Did he have to work later? Did he change his mind completely? God, what the hell did a guy like him see in her?

  She glanced at the caller ID and relaxed instantly when she saw Lynn’s name on the display.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey. I want you to call me as soon as you get home. I mean it, girl.”

  Emma laughed “Even if it’s late?” Though she highly doubted it would be.

  “I don’t care what time it is. The only way you are excused is if Will Calonen is making your toes curl and bringing you to orgasm again and again. Got it?”

  “Yeah, I got it.” The doorbell rang. Her stomach suddenly clenched—from nervousness, anticipation. “He’s here.” She winced at her wobbly voice. “Oh Lynn—”

  “Emma, calm down. Take a deep breath. Will likes you. Just as you are. Just be yourself. Can’t go wrong with that.”

  Emma snorted. Being herself—not the greatest way to secure a hottie hot guy like Will. She was convinced of that.

  “Open the door, Emma,” Lynn directed her.

  She walked over and opened the door. There he was, looking hot and relaxed in jeans and a black T-shirt. She slid her gaze from the top of his head—his damp hair curling slightly—down to his toes and back up again. Admittedly lingering in a few choice places. And there was the twitch, twitch, twitch of her clit. Oh God.

  “Say, ‘hi, Will’,” Lynn said with a laugh.

  “Hi, Will.”

  He grinned at her. “Hi. Almost ready?”

  “Say, ‘bye, Lynn’. And remember to call me.”

  “Bye, Lynn.” She pressed end and slipped the phone in her purse. “Ready.”

  Will waited until she closed and locked the door to grasp her hand.

  “Doing okay?” he questioned.

  “I’m good. You?”

  “Better now.” He opened the passenger door and, without asking, grasped her waist. As he lifted her into the truck, he slid his lips across her cheek. Tingles ran through her body—from his lips, his hands. Emma sucked a breath in at the sensation. She turned in the seat and studied him.

  “I’m not drunk, Will. I could’ve gotten in myself.”

  He winked at her. “I know.”

  She bit back a smile as he shut the door and rounded the front of the truck. Her stomach fluttered, and she forced her breathing to even.

  “So, where do you want to go shopping? Fancy place or the furniture warehouse?”

  “Oh, they probably have good bargains at the warehouse. Let’s go there.”

  “You’re a bargain shopper?” Laughter tinged his voice.

  “Oh yeah. Drives Ana nuts. She says I have money—I should spend it. But I don’t see the point in spending thousands of dollars on clothes, let alone furniture that looks like crap. Give me something comfortable at a decent price and I’m happy. That goes for clothes and furniture.
”

  “So the housewarming—are they planning a small party or a big one?”

  “I’m sure it’ll be bigger than what I’d plan. Then again, I’d probably just invite them.” She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. “And you.”

  A smile curved his lips and he reached over, covering her knee with his hand. “Good to know I’m on the A-list.”

  Silence reigned in the cab of the truck as he drove the rest of the way to the furniture store. Emma was acutely aware of Will’s hand on her leg. He moved it up and down the length of her thigh slowly. A simple touch—coming nowhere near the twitching area—but it was sexy as hell and stole her breath. If he could make her respond by doing so little, what would it be like when they made it to bed? She closed her eyes. Getting a little ahead of yourself, aren’t you, Emma girl? They hadn’t even been on a date yet. Though this might technically count as one. And she’d had the sexy man in her bed the other night. Though all she had managed to do was fall asleep and probably drool on him. She shook the thoughts from her head. Obsessing over it wouldn’t make any difference. Just relax and enjoy being with him.

  He pulled into parking lot adjacent to the large furniture outlet store and turned the truck off. As he got out and walked around, Emma grabbed her purse and pushed the door open. He stepped up and put his hands on her waist again. With a smile, he lifted her out of the truck, sliding her body down his as he put her on her feet.

  “Ohhh,” she drew the syllable out a moment, feeling like a complete idiot though Will grinned down at her.

  He leaned down and pressed his mouth to hers. Sliding his tongue along the seam of her lips, he silently asked entrance. She ran her hands up his chest and around to rest behind his neck and opened to him. His taste, the feel of his lips and tongue, and the heat of his hands as they ran down to her hips and around to cup her ass consumed her senses. Every lucid thought flew from her brain and all her focus was on him.

  He pulled away and lifted his hand to brush her hair back from her face, cupping her cheek. He just looked at her a moment, rubbing his thumb over her mouth. “Ready to go find you some furniture?”

  “Mm hmmmm,” she murmured then let her arms fall to her sides.