When his lips meet mine, my eager and waiting mouth opens as our tongues claim each other. His hand moves to cup my breast and all my muscles in my body beneath him clench with a yearning I’ve never experienced before.
I wrap my leg around his to get some relief from his body pressing heavily against mine. We roll slightly to the side, but our mouths never part. I find myself moaning into his mouth, as his lips become more demanding.
His hand moves from my breast and then slides down my side, along the small of my waist to my hip. It rests on my hip for a moment while our kissing becomes increasingly heated. Then his hand glides underneath my waistband, slowly down my thigh as he pulls my leg so that it’s hiked up to his hip. I want him so badly but this is all going too fast. I find it hard to think clearly, but I know the time isn’t right. I’m not ready.
“Oh, baby. You feel so good.” He breathes.
I move my hand from his hair to his cheek. Caressing it softly, I slowly pull my lips from his. We are nose to nose as we gaze into each other’s eyes.
“You’re killing me.” He whispers.
He doesn’t say it in a mean way but I still find his words hurtful. A lump forms in my throat and I quickly blink back the tears that I feel filling my eyes.
“Sorry.” I murmur.
He kisses me softly on the forehead, taking a moment to still his breathing.
“Don’t be sorry.” He says as he warmly looks into my eyes.
“You’re not mad?” I ask.
“I’m not mad.” He whispers as he lies back on the couch.
I lean up to look at him. “You said I was killing you.”
“I can’t think of any better way to die.” He smirks.
“That’s not funny.” I say as I quickly get up from the couch and make my way up the stairs.
“Emilia, stop. Don’t be mad. I was just teasing.”
When I get to the bedroom, I sit on the bed not sure what to do as I stare down at my hands on my lap. In a moment, Logan is in the doorway trying to gauge my emotions.
“I’ve pissed you off again?”
I look up at him. He is so damn charming. It’s hard to stay mad at him.
“I’m sorry.” I shrug.
He walks towards the bed and sits down beside me. Taking my hands in his, he turns me so that I’m facing him.
“Please stop apologizing. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I know this is all new to you. I just thought you wanted to. I know I want to.”
“When we were kissing that’s all I could think of. I wanted you, but…”
“You aren’t ready.” He whispers.
I shrug. “I don’t know when I’ll be ready.” I say sadly.
“We’ve only known each other for a little over a month. I get it. I’m not used to it but I get it. Emilia, you have to do what feels right for you. I’ve told you I’d wait and I meant it.”
“But you might get bored waiting.” I murmur.
He smiles. “I could never get bored with you. In fact, you are the only girl I’ve ever felt that way about, ever.”
I smile. “I hope you’re right.”
“I know I’m right.” He says as he kisses me on the lips.
“Let’s lie down.” He says as he pulls me to my feet, pulling back the fluffy duvet. We crawl into the bed and he pulls me close so that we are nose to nose.
“You tired?” I ask.
“Exhausted. Let’s see you were pissed at me twice and then you passed out on me…”
I roll my eyes at him. “I’m right.”
“About what?”
“You like giving me a hard time.” I smile.
“I think I like making you woozy.” He says as he pulls me close and kisses me on the lips.
I pull back in a fit of giggles.
“Woozy?” He asks.
I nod while I try and stop laughing.
“Are there any other words that induce giggling for you? How about whirly? Does that do it for you?”
I smile. “Whirly? Yes, I like that one.
“Any others?” He asks with amusement.
“I like the word finagle too.” I giggle.
“How about hubbub?” His eyes are alight with humor.
“That’s a good one too. Scuttlebutt is a funny one too.” I say as I curl up close to him.
“Potpourri?” He whispers.
I quietly giggle. “Rumpus.”
Logan breathes in my hair and then softly kisses my head.
“Sweet dreams, baby.”
20
“EMILIA.” I HEAR a soft voice calling me. I roll onto my side, unsure of whether I’m dreaming or not.
“Time to get up, baby.” He whispers and I feel him brushing my hair with his hand. I’m still so tired and I wonder why he’s waking me.
“Just a little longer.” I moan.
“I already let you sleep a little longer.” He whispers in my ear. “I’d much rather let you sleep but you said you had to work today.”
My eyes blink open and Logan leans to softly kiss me on my cheek.
“Sorry, baby. But it’s already after nine.”
“What?” I say as I turn to face him.
“See if you worked for me you wouldn’t have to worry about sleeping in. In fact, I think your boss would demand it, maybe even give you a bonus.” He smirks.
I giggle. “Seriously? It’s after nine?”
“You think I’d unnecessarily wake you?” He smiles.
“That would mean I’ve slept for over nine hours?” I can’t believe I’ve slept for a straight nine hours. Normally, I can’t even sleep for a solid three hours.
He looks at me with amusement.
“I always get up early. That’s really weird.” I mumble more to myself than to Logan.
“Probably just exhausted from passing out and being so mad at me.” He teases.
My mouth turns into a slight smile as the previous afternoon and evening’s occurrences come back to me.
“I’ve never slept this late. Ever.” I say as I pull the sheet back to get up from bed.
“You were out this morning. I was trying to wake you for a while.” He lies back on the bed with his arms folded behind his head.
I gaze back at him. “How long have you been up?”
“About an hour or so.” He smiles. “You know you are very beautiful and peaceful when you’re sleeping, except for when you are talking.”
I feel my face flush. “What did I say?” I can’t hide the worry in my voice. It sounds a little high and cracked.
He sits up on the bed and slides next to me. “Why do you sound so worried? We are supposed to be honest with each other, right? So. No secrets.”
I reluctantly nod.
He leans and brushes my forehead with a kiss. “I couldn’t really tell what you were saying. You mumbled quite a bit. The only thing I could decipher is that you said something about ‘being afraid.’”
“Oh.” I let out a breath, not realizing I was holding it in.
“I better get changed.” I say as I stand and start to make my way to the bathroom.
Logan stands and quickly grabs me by waist and turns me to face him.
“Do I scare you?” He whispers.
“No.” I roll my eyes.
“Are you telling me the truth?”
“Logan, don’t be silly. Of course, you don’t scare me. I was probably having a bad dream. Please don’t give it another thought.” I say as I lean up to give him a quick kiss on the lips.
“Okay, but I hope you will tell me if something is worrying or bothering you.”
“Well, right now, I’m a little worried.”
“Okay, so now we’re getting somewhere.”
“If I don’t get moving I’m going to be late for work.” I smile.
He rolls his eyes. “You get changed. You’re going to have to meet Mr. and Mrs. Smith another time.”
“Next time?” I ask.
“Sure. I’ll meet you downstairs.”
He smiles.
I head into the bathroom and hurriedly pull off my sweatpants, panties, and t-shirt, stuffing them into my duffle bag. Then I pull on a fresh pair of panties, denim shorts, bra and a heather grey Billabong v-neck long-sleeve shirt. I’m thankful Logan told me to bring an overnight bag. I slept so late that I won’t have time to stop home before heading to work. Then I remember I better let Bryn know so I grab my cell from my bag and quickly text her.
Looking in the mirror, I’m once again pleasantly surprised to see how refreshed I look. It’s a welcome relief to not have blood shot eyes and dark circles. After washing my face and brushing my teeth, I pull my hair up into a high ponytail. Once I put all my stuff in my duffle and zip it up, I head out of the bathroom. Grabbing my heart locket, I quickly clasp it around my neck.
When I head downstairs, Logan is in the kitchen. He’s leaning against the counter as he eats a bowl of cereal. Smiling when he sees me, he puts the bowl in the sink and walks towards me.
“Would you mind dropping me off at the store instead of home?” I ask.
He puts his arms around my waist.
“Sure.” He leans down and kisses me on the lips.
I gaze up at him. “We probably should go.”
Taking my hand in his, he grabs a small brown bag from the counter and two bottles of water.
“I packed you some food. It’s not much, just a yogurt, banana, and a couple other things.” He smiles at me as he hands me the brown bag.
We are almost to the garage when I step forward so that I’m blocking him. I reach my one free hand up into his hair and pull gently so that my mouth reaches his, and I kiss him.
“You are really too sweet to me.” I smile up at him.
He pulls me around my back with his one free arm so that I’m flush against him.
“I think I’ll pack you a bagged lunch more often.” He smiles.
I lean up and kiss him on the lips again.
“You sure you need to get to work? It’s another beautiful day. We could go swimming again.” He smiles.
I look at him with pleading eyes.
“Please don’t make this harder than it already is. I need to go to work.”
He leans down and kisses me again. Taking my hand in his, we make our way to his car.
“You really should consider one of my job offers.” He smiles as he switches on the engine to the car and puts it into reverse as we head out of the garage and down the driveway.
“Do you have any plans for today?” I ask while he gently glides the car down the coast.
“No. Maybe surf. Maybe harass the help at Spyder.” He teases.
I giggle.
“I’d like that. Mrs. Sutton would like that too.”
“What are you doing when you get off?” He looks at me quickly and then back to the road.
“Bryn wants to go to Soho. Tyler’s band is playing there tonight.” I say in a matter of fact tone.
Logan shakes his head in disapproval.
“You know that’s not a good idea. Why can’t you just tell the poor boy that you’re off-limits?”
I laugh.
“Off-limits?”
“Yes. Is that also on your list of amusing words?” He asks and I notice a hint of irritation.
“I think of him as a friend. It’s really not a big deal.”
His brows knit.
“Why don’t you come with us?” I smile.
“Maybe I should.” He’s clearly annoyed.
At that moment, we pull into the parking lot at Spyder. He puts the car in park and then turns and suddenly lunges at me. It all happens so quickly. His hand is behind my head as he yanks my ponytail and pulls me quickly to his mouth. Returning his demanding kiss, his tongue pushes hard into my mouth. His lips move from my mouth down my neck. My head falls back giving him more room to explore as I moan at the delicious sensations that run through me. His lips continue their sensuous path along my neck to my ear.
“You are driving me crazy.” He breathes.
He suddenly pulls back from me.
“Because I have to go to work?” I blink at him.
“No, Emilia.” He pauses a second. “I’ve never dealt with these feelings before. You need to tell that boy that we are together.” He says matter-of-factly.
“I thought we were going to trust each other. Tyler is a friend. Besides, he’s not the one calling me on my cell phone at the crack of dawn a half a dozen times.”
“Fair enough.” He pauses for a moment before he continues. “If I promise to tell her we are together even though I think she’s aware of that, you’ll tell him?”
“Agreed. I better go. Will I see you later then?” I ask as I pull out my elastic and smooth my hair to fix my ponytail from the earlier attack.
“Sure. I’ll see you at Soho; try not to drink too many margaritas before I get there. I don’t want someone else having to carry you.”
“You’re the only one I’d ever let carry me.” I say as I lean over to kiss him.
I open the car door and start to step out but before I do I turn back to him.
“Thank you for the lovely afternoon and evening.” I smile.
“My pleasure. See you later, baby.”
“Thanks for the brown bag of goodies too.” I say as I shut the door to the car.
When I head into the back of the store, I’m carrying my brown bag and my small duffle bag. I leave them on one of the shelves in the storage area and then walk towards the front of the store. Leaning behind the counter by the front register, Mrs. Sutton looks up and smiles when she sees me.
“Hi, Mrs. Sutton.” I smile.
“Hi, honey. You look lovely today. Did you have a nice night?” She knowingly smiles.
“I did.” I say as I approach her. “Where’s Mr. Sutton?” I ask.
“Where else? He’s at the beach. He said he’d be in by noon but we’ll see.”
“Sorry about yesterday.” I lean against the counter, facing her.
“Nothing to be sorry about. It was totally fine.” She grins.
“Well, I’m still sorry. I told Logan not to do that again if it’s any consolation.”
“Oh, Emilia. Don’t be silly. I enjoy just looking at him so if he wants to come in here and ask if he can steal you away from work that’s okay by me.”
I giggle. “Mrs. Sutton! What would Mr. Sutton say?” I tease.
“Please. He’s at the beach half the time with all those young girls. He can’t say anything.”
“Well, I’m glad you aren’t mad.” I smile.
“I would never be mad at you, honey.”
“So you’re just mad at Logan?” I tease.
“I’d only be mad at him if he does something to hurt you. Actually I was thinking because he is very eager to spend more time with you, maybe we should offer him a job.”
I laugh. If she only knew that he’s trying to get me to quit and work for him in one of his fantasy jobs.
“He doesn’t need a job” I smile. “He comes from a very wealthy family.”
“Oh?”
“His last name is Prescott.”
“Prescott Hotels?” She asks as her mouth drops open.
“Yep.”
“Jeez. He’s not only drop dead gorgeous but obscenely rich. He’s a keeper, Emilia. You better not let that one go.”
I giggle.
At that moment, several customers enter the store. The rest of the day goes by quickly. The morning was a quiet one but after that initial throng of customers, it is continuously steady the rest of the day. Thankfully, Mr. Sutton shows up at noon because Mrs. Sutton and I have are hands full. At the end of the day, I’ve sold two wetsuits and three surfboards, which means it was an extremely profitable day for Spyder.
“Wow, what a day.” Mr. Sutt
on says as the last couple of customers leave the store.
“Crazy busy.” I say.
Mr. Sutton looks at me and tosses me the keys. “Lock the doors before anyone tries to come in. We are closed.”
I catch the keys and laugh. “I’m shocked, Mr. Sutton.”
“Why is that?” He asks.
“I’ve never seen you eager to close the store.” I smile.
“It was a very profitable day. How many boards did you sell?”
Mrs. Sutton chimes in. “She sold three and two full-body wetsuits.”
Mr. Sutton whistles.
“Did you just have to smile at the customers to get them to buy from you today?” He teases.
“I didn’t do anything different.” I giggle.
“I think her pheromones are extra potent.” Mrs. Sutton says matter-of-factly.
“What?” Mr. Sutton and I say in unison.
“Pheromones are a natural chemical compound that are secreted from our bodies to attract the opposite sex. Apparently, Emilia’s pheromones are quite powerful these days.” She winks at me.
Mr. Sutton and I look at each other, shrug and laugh.
“Laugh all you want but I’m right. Go research it.” Mrs. Sutton says as she starts to turn off the front lights.
“I’m going to head out now if that’s okay.” I smile as I head to the back of the store.
“Of course. Have a great night.” Mrs. Sutton smiles.
Mr. Sutton puts his hand out for me to high-five him. “Nice sales today, hon.”
“See you next week. Have a good night.” I smile.
Mr. Sutton grabs Mrs. Sutton around the waist. “Oh, we will.”
BRYN IS IN THE KITCHEN sipping a Corona when I walk in the house and drop my bags. Grinning when she sees me, she leaps towards me and pulls me into a tight bear hug.
“How’s my best friend?” She steps back from her hug and looks inquisitively into my eyes.
“I’m good.” I smile back at her.
“Thank you for texting me. Beer or margarita?”
“You’re welcome and I’ll have a margarita.”
“So obviously Logan wasn’t mad?” Bryn asks as she moves to the refrigerator to get the pitcher of pre-made margaritas.
“Mad?” I murmur.
“You weren’t sure if your date was on since you hadn’t heard from him, remember?” She pours it into a large glass and hands it to me.
Running from Romeo Page 27