I made my way to the kitchen and pulled out the cake layers that I needed to put together, at least the bottom two. The top layer would be added when I delivered the cake tomorrow afternoon. I got my utensils ready, and pulled the fondant flowers out. I needed to put the two layers together, and add the decorations. I looked up and saw Nikki still standing by the door to the storefront. “What’s on your mind, Nik?”
“Nothing, Em. It’s just, you’ve been distant the last couple of weeks, and you’ve always told me everything. Now you are hiding things…” her voice trailed off, and I stopped what I was doing.
“I’m not hiding anything, Nik. He is just a friend at the moment. There isn’t anything to tell. I’m not going to get excited about something that probably won’t happen.”
“Can you at least tell me how you met him?” Her eyes searched mine for any answer, a weakness she could use to get me to open up.
“I told you! I met him through a potential client. Anything more than that I just don’t want to talk about at the moment. Okay?” I looked at her. “Trust me, please?”
She let out the breath that she was holding. “Fine, but you will tell me eventually, right?”
“Yes, I will, when I am ready. I’m okay, Nikki, trust me.” She nodded and returned to the front of the shop. Ally was due in at three to close the shop up with me. I returned my attention to the cake that I needed to finish. I pulled out my phone and sent a text to Marcus. Heard you stopped by, isn’t enough that you’ll see me tonight?
I placed my phone down and thought my last text came across bitchy and decided that I should send another one apologizing, but before I could the phone started ringing again.
“Hello?” I asked as I answered the phone. Again, no answer, just breathing.
“Who the fuck is this? I can hear you.” I was getting annoyed. When I went to ask again, the familiar dial tone rang into my ear.
“What the fuck is going on today?” I asked aloud to no one in particular. I chalked the calls up to a wrong number, and continued working. I was too busy to give it much thought. I wasn’t sure how long went by, when I heard my phone chime again, and realized Marcus had texted me back.
I don’t know what you are talking about. I only stopped in for coffee and breakfast. Can’t wait to see you tonight.
The text made me smile, and made me feel all warm inside. The man definitely had my insides and emotions twisted around in knots. I knew he was trying to keep things professional, or as professional as he could be, doing what we were doing, but part of me wanted more. I wanted him, and that scared me. Last time I’d fallen for a man so quickly, I’d let a part of myself go just to keep him, and he turned out to be a complete ass-fuck. That had been the last semi-serious relationship I had been in. Since then, I’d just had one night stands, or the occasional fuck buddy.
I can’t wait to see you tonight either. Anything specific I should wear? Oh by the way, did you just try and call me?
It was a funny notion, asking a man what I should wear to dinner, but I wasn’t a hundred percent sure if our arrangement followed the same rules outside of the club as it did inside. Another thought that sent a shiver down my spine. What did I want out of this?
Another ping of my phone. No, why? Everything okay? Wear something nice, not too formal, but not casual either.
Letting out a breath of frustration, I replied. That helps so much. Thanks…
“Hey, Emma, there is someone here to see you.” Nikki yelled from the door. I looked up and acknowledged her, and placed my phone in my jeans pocket. Who would be here to see me?
I cleaned off my hands and headed up front. Nikki motioned towards two females standing at the far end of the bakery counter. I turned to see them and realized one of the ladies was Chloe from the club. Jesus, do they all want to out me?
“Hello, can I help you?” I asked politely. Chloe smiled and winked. I didn’t quite understand the notion behind it, but continued on anyway.
Chloe motioned to her friend. “Yes, my friend and I are interested in talking with you about wedding cakes.”
“Um, sure. Let’s go to the table at the front of the store. If you don’t mind waiting for me, I’m going to run and grab some paper.” I motioned toward the table, and then turned and ran into the office to grab the order forms and some blank sheets to sketch ideas out on.
The girls were chatting when I returned. “Okay, so which one of you is looking?” I knew Chloe was engaged to Lucas, the other owner of the club, and I’d seen her around the club. She was close to Marcus, and the thought made my stomach turn.
“Emma, Marcus assured me that you were the person to have design the cakes. We are actually both looking. Erica is getting married in March, and Lucas and I have chosen June.” She raised her eyebrows and smiled.
“Right, Marcus. Slick fellow, isn’t he?” The sarcasm flowed from my mouth before I realized what I had said.
Erica looked at me and then back at Chloe. “You guys know each other?”
“Only through Marcus, Erica. He also assured me that Emma’s cakes are the best in Boston,” she replied, not letting on to how I knew Marcus. I would have been completely mortified.
Trying to change the subject as quickly as possible, I shuffled the papers. “Okay, so what do you have in mind? Any specific thoughts?”
“Erica has a few pictures of ideas, and I am just looking for a five tier circular cake, white with purple decorations, specifically flowers cascading down the sides, calla lilies if possible.”
Chloe was confident in what she wanted, and it was a relief. I knew the exact cake I would design for her. She struck me as a simplistic person. Erica handed me the photos that she had, and briefly explained what she was looking for.
“Great. Can you guys give me about a week or so to sketch up some ideas? I’ll give you a call when I get the ideas down.” I looked at them and they agreed. We stood and I shook their hands.
Before Chloe left she pulled me into a hug and whispered in my ear. “He’s a great guy if you give him a chance. I can tell he likes you, just be patient. He will come around.”
I pulled back and looked at her. “I’m not sure that’s what he wants, nor do I?”
She smiled and laughed. “You keep telling yourself that. I see the way you look at him, the way your body reacts to his touch. He might be the expert in that, but it’s not hard to see your feelings as well. We’ll see you in a week. Thanks again. I appreciate it.”
Chloe left the store and I remained standing in the same place I had before she left. Was I that obvious? If what she said about him was true, what was with all of the professionalism crap?
Nikki came up beside me. “You okay? That was kind of weird, a client hugging you.”
I shook my head and looked at her. “I’m fine. Um, she was a friend of my friend.” Hoping she would get the message and then not ask any more about it.
“I see. Well then, I’m heading home. Talk to you later.”
“Um, no. I actually have a dinner date…but I’ll call you tomorrow.”
She looked at me with raised eyes. “Care to share who, although I am sure I already know.”
“Fuck off, Nikki.” She laughed and headed out to the kitchen. I looked at my phone and realized Marcus had left a few texts. One laughing at me, and a couple asking where I had gone, and wondering if everything was alright. I grinned and responded. Just a few weird calls on my cell from an unlisted number, and I know the club’s number is well…anyway, Chloe stopped by.
Are you worried about the calls? I can have Devlin check into them.
No. Probably wrong number.
Ok. I should have said something about Chloe.
I mumbled under my breath as I responded. “Yeah you should have.”
Chapter 15-Marcus
I arrived at Emma’s townhouse just before eight. I had stopped and grabbed a bouquet of flowers; something I thought would be nice for her. I was trying to make a good impression outside of the cl
ub, that is. The feelings were still foreign to me. Like Emma, I’d spent a long time living life, no commitments, nothing serious. Yet, with her the idea didn’t seem so bad.
I knocked on the door and realized my hands were sweaty, again something that never really happened to me. I was always confident, controlled, in charge. I took a minute to calm down and regain my composure.
“Hello,” she said, as I heard the door open. She stood in the doorway in a strapless, thigh length black dress that showcased every curve of her body. She had on strappy high heel, open toe shoes. Her hair was swept up into a loose up-do.
“Wow, you look beautiful. Not that you don’t any other time, but um…” I stumbled on my words. I handed her the flowers that were at my side. “Here, these are for you.”
She smiled and took the flowers. “Come in. I’ll get these into some water.” I followed her into the townhouse and back to her kitchen. She reached up into one of the top cabinets, and I watched her dress rise up, exposing the bottom of her ass. She had such a great ass, perfect. I smiled, thinking about the piercing that flanked her front.
“Something funny?” she asked. I must have laughed at the thought, although the thought of the little piece of metal that encircled her mound enticed me, made me want to take her sweet cunt into my mouth again.
“No. I’m sorry, I was thinking about your jewelry. Shall we go?” I motioned to the door as I saw her cheeks flush at my response.
“Yes, I’m starved.” She turned and grabbed a light coat. Emma locked the door, and I placed my hand on the small of her back and led her to the SUV. I unlocked the door and waited for her to get in, before making my way to my side.
“Always the gentleman, huh?” There was a tease in her voice and a slight smile on her lips.
“At the moment. But if you keep looking at me like that, I will have to rethink all professionalism.” I grinned at her and pulled out into traffic.
“Where are we going?” she asked, attempting to make conversation as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
“It’s a surprise. I hope you like Italian.”
“Love it.”
******
We arrived at Mamma Maria about twenty minutes later. I parked the car and, being the gentleman I was, helped her out. She looked at me and smiled again. I could get used to seeing her smile.
“Thank you,” she said, adjusting her dress.
“No problem. Let’s get inside, it’s getting cold.” She nodded and we proceeded into the restaurant. The hostess greeted us.
“Hi, reservation for Di Giamico,” I answered.
“Yes, follow me.” The hostess weaved us through tables until we reached the private booth in the back that I had requested. I wanted privacy, and I wanted to talk to her, get to know her better.
“Thank you,” I said as the hostess departed. I helped Emma out of her coat, and sat across from her in the booth. The waitress came over and took our drink orders.
“Jesus,” Emma said, catching me off guard.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, watching her face for any sign of unease.
“Does every woman eye fuck you everywhere you go?” She was serious. I burst out into a fit of laughter. “What is so funny?”
“You’re jealous.”
“No I’m not. I am just making an observation.” She glared at me, and I laughed again. The waitress returned with our drinks and we placed our orders.
“So, Emma, tell me about yourself,” I gestured to her and she rolled her eyes.
“What do you want to know, Marcus, that you don’t already know?”
“Contrary to your belief, I only know basic information about you, even with the background check. I know you are 32 years old, own Malorie’s, your name is Emma Malorie O’Conner. You attended Johnson and Wales for culinary, and you moved to Boston four years ago. Oh, and you have a younger sister.”
She looked smugly at me. “See you know more about me than I know about you. I just only learned your last name, and the only other things I know about you are where you work, and that you have an amazing tongue.” Her cheeks blushed again as she realized what she had just said.
“Don’t forget my amazing fingers,” I added.
“What do you want to know, Marcus?” She took a bite of her bread and waited.
“Anything, Emma. I want to know more about you, get to know who you are, and not just within our arrangement in the club.” I was controlled and serious. I did want to know more about her, I wanted to know every small idiotic detail about her life; what she liked for dessert, her favorite color, favorite movie, and favorite band. I wanted to know her.
Before she could respond the waitress delivered our meals and we began to eat.
“I’m serious, Emma. I want to learn everything about you. I know you feel the connection, the energy between us. I was trying to let myself take things slow, and I still will, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t get to know each other.” I took a bite of my meal and waited for her to respond.
“I don’t know what to say, Marcus. You have my emotions going back and forth, up and down.” She put her fork down and looked at me. Her eyes were filled with confusion, and hesitation.
“You don’t have to say anything. I just want us to get to know each other better. Please, Emma, just give me a chance.”
She was quiet, and it seemed like minutes before she answered. “Alright, fine. What do I have to lose?” The question was rhetorical.
We finished our meals, making small talk about the bakery, Chloe, and the club. “Want dessert?” I asked after the waitress cleared the dishes.
“No, I’m good. Thank you.”
“Okay, let’s get out of here.” I paid the bill, and ushered her to the car. I drove back to her place, watching her looking at me occasionally, thinking I hadn’t noticed. She was beautiful, and I knew that I wouldn’t be able to completely stay professional much longer; I owed it to her to try though.
I never gave April that chance, and I lost her.
“What are you thinking about?” Her sweet voice brought me back to the present.
I looked at her quickly, placing my hand onto hers. “Just thinking about how beautiful you are.”
She tried to move her hand out from under mine, but I grabbed her tighter and moved her hand onto my thigh, keeping her in place.
“You are a beautiful person, Emma. I was serious tonight when I said that I want to get to know you better.”
She looked at me and smiled. “So you keep telling me.”
“And I’m going to keep telling you until you believe me.” I squeezed her hand and brought it up to my mouth and placed a gentle kiss on her knuckles. I felt her shiver, and watched as her eyes filled with passion and lust.
We arrived at the townhouse a few minutes later, and I walked her to the door. I placed a quick kiss on her cheek. “Thank you for a wonderful night.”
We looked at each other for a few seconds. “Do you want to come in?” she asked as she opened the door.
“As much as I want to, I think it would be better if I went home. I can’t promise that, if I stayed, I’d be a good boy.” I took a step back from her, and immediately felt the loss of her heat, sending a chill over my body.
“Well, good night then,” she said as she turned and headed into the house, defeated and let down.
I turned and walked to the car, cursing myself for not going in and cursing myself for hurting her again. What the fuck, Di Giamico?
Chapter 16-Emma
I watched Marcus head back to his car. I was a little let down that he’d chosen not to come in, but in the end I assumed it was for the best. I know he’d promised me that he’d be professional, but God-damn, I didn’t know how much more I could handle. My hormones and heart were at odds with my brain. I honestly didn’t know which would win this battle, although my hormones were in the lead.
My mind kept wandering back to the conversation at the restaurant. I still didn’t learn much about him, alt
hough he now knew about my family, where I went to school, a brief explanation of why I moved to Boston, although not the whole reason. Maybe he was serious about getting to know me. I just wished I learned a bit more about him.
I made my way up to my bedroom and checked the messages on the machine while I got ready for bed. Five messages. Pressing play, I headed to the bathroom to brush my teeth. One message was from Nikki, one from Ally, and three sporadic hang ups. What the hell was going on with the weird calls lately? I didn’t think much about it, and climbed into bed. I decided to send Marcus a quick text thanking him for a wonderful evening, and again asking him if he’d tried to call.
Immediately, my phone chimed back. Tonight was my pleasure. You took my breath away. No, how could I have called? I was with you. Sleep well.
The texts made my heart swell, and a smile crept over my face as I lay in bed. I sent both Nikki and Ally a message letting them know I was home safe, and they had nothing to worry about.
******
Almost a week had passed since my dinner with Marcus, and, although we had texted back and forth a few times during the week, I was still anticipating seeing him tonight. We hadn’t been able to get together during the week due to our schedules. I was backed up with orders, as it was nearing the holiday season, and he had his appointments as well, a thought that made me a little jealous. Did he take all his subs out? What was he doing with them that he wasn’t with me?
I shook the thoughts from my mind as I finished getting ready to head to the club. It was Saturday night, and we had another group session, even though nothing was done as a group, alas, we were required to be there.
I had decided to wear a blue corset and a black mini skirt with my black patent leather heels. I had a feeling I would be on my feet most of the night, so I decided to err on the side of caution and wear something comfortable.
I arrived at the club just before eight, locked my stuff in my locker, and headed to the lounge. Master Devlin had instructed me that we were meeting in there as I’d walked in. He was a rather fine looking man, and his accent sent shivers across the good parts of my body.
Consume Me (Devoured Club Series) Page 8