Emerge

by Hall, S. E.

  “Hot tub,” I moan.

  “I’ll get the wine and meet you there. I bought a new suit for you, it’s on the bed in the pool house; wear it. Don’t keep me waiting.” He releases his lock on one of my wrists, reaching around me to turn the knob.

  I quickly scamper through the kitchen to the patio doors; I feel better already. Oh how I wish all things in life could be this easily solved.

  Much later, after I’ve had ample time to soak and relax, he meets me in the water, carefully balancing a bottle of wine and two glasses. I rise out of the liquid heat to help him and hear the hiss through his teeth. I look up to see what’s wrong, but I can’t meet his eyes because they’re moving down my body, now housed in the black string bikini he’d laid out for me. Usually way too skimpy for me, I feel sexy as hell in it since I know it’s for his eyes only.

  “Turn around,” he growls. I turn slowly. I’m 100% sure that Dane is 100% an ass man, which works out perfectly since I’m packing a badonk. “Your ass is like a work of art, baby.” He sets everything down and pulls me into him, my back to his front. He rubs himself against me and I fall slightly forward, my knees suddenly weak. His arms glide around me, his hands spreading out across my stomach and hips, triggering tingles throughout my body.

  “Your body drives me crazy, Laney. It’s so hard to keep my hands to myself with you.” He leans in to kiss along the side of my neck, my ear, my shoulder. I feel his hands move lower very slowly. “You’re the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. I could get lost in you.”

  I turn around and gaze up at him, looking for the sign, the one that tells me this is alright.

  Surrounded by steam, droplets of water skating down our half-naked bodies, moonlight, and soft music in the background—how am I possibly supposed to resist? I push on his chest slightly, guiding him to sit on the ledge under the hot water.

  “What do you do all day when I’m in school?” I give him a seductive look so he’s clear that I’m not just asking; we’re back to the reward for an answer game.

  “Work, deal with my businesses, work out.” His eyes devour me, his tongue licking slowly along his bottom lip.

  I acknowledge his answer by sitting down on him, straddling his lap and pushing down on him suggestively. “When’s the last time you brought a girl to this house?”

  “Never, only you.”

  I run my tongue up his neck, tasting every inch. “Why do you have a collection of bikinis?”

  “I have no idea,” he strains out. “I think Helen thought I’d make friends.”

  I snicker at his answer and reach around and untie the bottom off my bikini top and feel him tense beneath me. “How much did you chip in on my birthday stuff?” I’ve suspected for a while; Bennett and Zach couldn’t afford all that.

  “What do you mean?”

  I move to re-tie my suit, but he stops my arm.

  “Not a lot, they all did the spa stuff.” He sighs in relief as I bring my arms back down.

  “And the club? Who paid to rent out a whole club?”

  “No one,” he spurts out.

  I click my tongue at him and shake my head, wrong answer, moving once again to tie up and get off his lap simultaneously.

  “No baby, come back.” He pulls me back down on him. “I own The Kickback, Laney. No one had to pay, it’s mine.”

  What? I wasn’t expecting that, but a deal’s a deal…I reach behind myself and free the knot around my neck, my top falling into the water. I don’t move to cover myself, looking deeply into his eyes to gauge his reaction.

  His eyes enlarge and his teeth bite his bottom lip. He hisses out, “exquisite, baby…fucking unreal.”

  He gradually slides a hand up my slick torso and flicks his stare to my eyes, asking for permission, which I give by arching my back and pushing my bare chest forward into his hands.

  “Oh, Laney,” he purrs as he surrounds my breasts with his strong hands, rubbing and kneading.

  A guttural sound escapes me, my nipples hardening to his touch. Instinctively, I run my hands into his hair, pulling his face into me; I want to feel his warm, wet mouth on me. His teeth catch my nipple first, biting and teasing before he widens and sucks in as much as he can. I clench between my legs, feeling the gush of moisture despite being in the water. His mouth, his tongue, his hands are so intoxicating I can’t stop my hips from rocking into him, hard and downward, seeking a cure to the nagging in my core.

  His wicked mouth breaks suction. “God, you’re gorgeous, Laney. You like my mouth on you?”

  “Mmmmm,” is all I can respond. I’m so close, gyrating into him harder and faster. He’s so hard beneath me, his swim trunks a flimsy barrier. I can feel every inch of him twitching for me. I’m not sure how I’m even aware, but I register “Collide” beginning to play in the background and that does it. Perfect song, perfect moment…the allure mentally pushes me right to where I need to be to continue this and I moan loudly as the tingles inside me grow stronger, using one hand to push his head into me harder. He’s feasting on my chest, his hands exploring all over my body.

  He kisses on my breasts, between them, then up my throat. “You are radiant,” he moans against my skin.

  I lean down to kiss him madly. I could so easily climb to complete ecstasy right now. I want to do something for him too, but feel hesitant. I’m not very experienced, and I don’t know his history. What if he’s disappointed with my amateur attempts?

  “Dane, I—“

  He covers my lips with his finger, silencing me. Just like clockwork, he speaks my deepest thoughts out loud. “Baby, what all have you done?”

  I go with what I know and alleviate awkward with humor. “That sounds like a personal question. Be prepared to reward me.” I raise an eyebrow and grin.

  “Anything you want, just answer me,” he growls.

  What to say? I mean, does he want a play by play? “Um…”

  “Did he suck these?” He runs the backs of his fingers over my breasts and I nod. “Use his fingers on you?” I nod again, looking anywhere but at him. “In you?”

  I shake my head back and forth this time. He’d never had to, I exploded at the newness of his mere touching, amateur and loaded to fire. Why would Dane want me replaying things with Evan in my head right now?

  “Did he put his mouth on you?” His fingers slink under the water and brush along my sex through my suit.

  I gasp at the contact and my mouth drops open as I realize what he means. I shake my head no.

  “And that’s all, just him? Just that little bit?”

  “Yes, why?” This very intrusive line of questioning will never backfire on him. I may one day want to know how many girls he’s been with, and how long ago, but I will never want a detailed replay of his excursions to plague my thoughts.

  He pulls me back deeper into his lap and runs his fingers through my hair, pulling it back away from my face and neck. I love it when he bares my neck, it means his mouth is on its way and I crave it as much as he seems to.

  “Because I want to know everything about you. I want to know exactly what only I give to you.”

  “Oh,” I whisper. It’s possessive and territorial—and strangely hot as hell.

  “I can’t tell you how happy it makes me.” He moves against me, igniting another firestorm within me. “How little you gave him…all that will be just mine.”

  Chapter 34

  All In

  ~Dane~

  “Dane,” she whispers in a shaky voice, avoiding looking at me, lowering herself into the water, no longer sharing my lap or her naked chest to my view. “I have to tell you something.”

  My stomach clenches instantly. What is she about to say and why does it scare me so much? I’ve been with many girls, but never have I felt that my whole world balanced on the next words out of their mouths. What has Laney done to me?

  Rocked my damn world—that’s what.

  She’s got me bringing her to my house, buying jewelry, taking trips…and now she’s seduc
ing personal information out of me that only a select few are privy to. I couldn’t be happier about it. I’ll give her the combo to my safe inside if she shows me anything else. She’s mystical. Without even trying, she makes me want to invest myself completely. So captivating, gorgeous, kind, and driven; I simply can’t get enough of her.

  Knowing she’s so untouched, a virgin to almost every sexual act, makes me crazy. Makes me want to lock her away in a tower forever—my own personal flower to devour. Shit, that’s a little weird. She’d run scared if she could read my thoughts right now. But damn! I’ve never been with a genuine girl, never stopped to have a real conversation aside from how much I could spend on them. There’s never been a girl I actually cared about, let alone one who burrowed their way into my soul like Laney.

  As much as I can’t stand the thought of Evan, I do respect and feel for the guy. He, too, had taken his time with sweet Laney, a poor sap not unlike me, just basking in any time spent with her. Now he’s suffering the effects of not having her near him at all. I can’t imagine the misery. Heartbreak was evident in his voice when he’d called. I saw how he looked at her that night. I don’t envy him in many ways, but in so many other ways I do.

  He has her past. Her secrets. Her memories. He’s still the luckiest bastard I don’t know.

  Terrified, I answer her, “Tell me, baby, anything.” She’s chewing her lip nervously and I want to be her lip more than I want my next breath.

  “I’m, well, I’m a little nervous.” She shifts to angle herself away from me and her precious little chin quivers just a bit, drawing a twitch from me. “I’m not ready to have sex yet, and I…”

  She’s the most charming thing I have ever seen. I want her, like “I’d gladly gnaw off my own arm but for the chance” want her, but there’ll be no rushing. I want her to give herself to me when she’s completely sure—positive she never wants anyone but me, forever.

  Insane? Yes, but I’ve given up even trying to make sense of it. The fact is, I’m tore up crazy about Laney, starting about five minutes after I met her, and it’s not going away. She’s my counterpart on every level—physically, emotionally, intellectually, musically—and I know she feels it, too. She calms when I touch her. She relaxes when I whisper to her. I am now the comfort she seeks. There’s nothing in the whole world I’d rather be, and for no one else. When something big or funny happens, I’m who she calls to tell all about it and Lord knows I live for each time she does, hanging on her every word.

  “Baby, hear me on this.” I angle my head and wait for her big beautiful brown eyes to finally meet mine. “I’m not just looking for that, Laney. I don’t want you to think that’s what I’m expecting every time I touch you, okay?”

  “Okay.” Who does she think she’s kidding? She doesn’t believe me.

  “No, baby, it’s not okay for you not to believe me or be nervous at my touch. I want to do whatever you want, nothing more and nothing less. Especially nothing less.” I wink to let her know I’m almost completely kidding. “Don’t hold back or give in with me, Laney. Do or don’t do what feels right to you, always. I’m following your lead, baby and I’m more than okay with whatever you decide.”

  Now she knows I mean it. I see the minute she accepts and trusts my words; her face is like a book.

  “There’s something else, too, but I don’t want you to get upset if I’m honest with you.” And we’ve officially hit her point of retreat for the night. She’s now staring down into the water, putting her top back on, chewing that succulent bottom lip.

  I know what she’s going to say. She feels guilty about Evan; he obviously did something very right. I can only pray that she one day worries about me like she does him. “I know you worry about hurting him, baby. That heart of yours is admirable, but you’re not cheating, Laney. You’re not his anymore and you told him what’s up.”

  She nods and gives me a small smile, but I know it’s time to pull back. Her body language is screaming to give her more time, more space. As much as she wants to, she can’t get out of her own head long enough to accept the connection between us. It will be my pleasure to help her with that. Slowly but surely, I will make her mine.

  “Tell you what...” I move stealthy, closing in on her. “Let’s get you to bed. I brought you here to rest, remember?” I cup her cheek, turning her face to me. Now I get a real smile, which almost makes it worth the incredible case of blue balls I’ll have to suffer through.

  She laughs and shakes her head, causing her golden hair to bounce off her shoulders.

  “What’s so funny?” I ask her with a curious raise of my brow.

  “I just, I don’t get it. You’re amazing, Dane. Gorgeous, thoughtful, talented…why do you go out of your way to take care of me? I do nothing for you physically and I’m always worried about another guy. You have to know you could do so much better than me.” She chews her bottom lip and I fist my hands, fighting the urge to dive into her. “I know, we’ve been through this, but you deserve to be happy. Letting me ride your lap and going to bed with nothing can’t possibly make you happy.”

  Her gaze is down, as though ashamed, and her blush is beautiful. She’s worried about my dick? Yeah, that’s pretty important, but she has no clue it bothers me a million times worse to know she still loves Evan, at least in some way. She talks to him every day. She has their prom picture on her headboard! Maybe she’s right, maybe I should date, see if there’s someone else who would be all mine. I already know the answer, though, no one’s complete attention would fulfill me even half as much as one laugh I pull from Laney. The minute I met her—I was all in.

  “You want the truth or the gentleman’s answer?”

  “Truth.”

  “You know I want you. You know all this foreplay is in the hope that one day I get to lay you down and love you. I think about it at least ten times a day, every day. I’m jealous as fuck of every feeling you have for Evan. I want you to tell him once and for all you’re with me and never leave my arms, my life or my bed ever again.” I pause, giving her time to process. “But for now, I’ll settle for watching a movie and falling asleep with you in my arms.” I stroke her silky, golden hair and dip my head to look in her eyes. “Sound good?”

  She thinks on my words a moment before answering. “I’d love that.”

  This is the first time she lets me hold her all night long.

  In Disney World, there’d been a gap in between us. It seemed the size of the Grand Canyon as we faced each other and talked until we fell asleep. So precious, the first day she’d literally fallen asleep while talking about all she’d seen that day.

  But tonight, well, tonight she’s curled around me like a kitten and every breath she takes fans across my chest. I’ve been fighting sleep for hours. I want to savor every moment of this; who knows when she’ll let her guard so far down again.

  She’s perfectly soft, curvy in all the right places and she showed me tonight that she knows how to turn on her temptress side. When she dropped her top, I wasn’t sure if my heart or my dick was going to explode first. Laney’s beautiful breasts bared to me, her beautiful eyes peeking up through her wet lashes, silently asking for my acceptance will be the “go to” image in my head forever.

  I need to think of something else or I’m gonna gouge her with my aching hard-on.

  I just have to be patient until she comes to terms with what her heart and her body are already telling her. Her eyes can’t lie though, and tonight, she almost couldn’t stop herself physically. Emotionally, she still needs to feel closer to me. I want to let her in, but God, my baggage would scare away Mother Theresa. Gotta give in, though, I can’t let her slip away.

  So many girls have put it in my face for all I could buy them or the connections I have and here’s the goddess who could have it all, wanting nothing. A laugh escapes me; the little scowl that comes across her face when she can’t stop me from giving her gifts is absolutely adorable.

  I refuse to think about life without her no
w. Holy shit…I…l…oh, surely not.

  Well, I’ll be damned. They say you’ll know right when it hits you, out of nowhere…this girl, she’s mine.

  Chapter 35

  Daddy’s Girl

  ~Laney~

  I let Dane drive me home for the weekend. How could I say no when he wants to so badly? He goes out of his way to make my life easier, so this is the least I can do. I made it very clear that if Evan comes around, the two of them are on their own; I’m not getting in the middle of any “manly” pissing contest. That made him laugh, but frankly, it made me a little nauseous to even imagine. Seriously though, I’m over it—I’ve been honest with them both and I’m done feeling guilty with every breath…Imma do me.

  As though my thoughts had conjured him up, my phone rings on our way there. “Talking to the Moon,” by Bruno Mars blares from my purse, the new ringtone Evan assigned himself.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, princess.”

  “Hey, Ev.” I look over at Dane and seeing his scowl, I quickly turn back to my window. “Whatcha doing?”

  “Not a damn thing worth telling,” he sighs loudly.

  “I’m just on my way to Dad’s now. Nothing exciting here, either.” I glance at Dane and give him an apologetic smile.

  “About that,” he says, his voice now agonized, “I can’t come home this weekend. Got an away game then film, you know, football shit. I’m sorry, Laney.”

  “It’s okay, not your fault.”

  “I’ll see you for Thanksgiving, though, long weekend. I can’t wait.” He sounds so excited yet I’m chewing my nails at the reminder. Not good.

  “Me either, Ev. But hey, can I call you back?”

  “Yeah babe, of course. Be safe driving, and Laney…I love you.”

  My eyes water, moment of truth here. Do I crush Evan and ignore it or respond and hurt Dane? “Me too, Ev. Talk to you later.”