Emerging Temptation: A BWWM Romance Limited Edition Collection

by Peyton Banks

  Words were never my friend. I always say things that put me on the scolding end of a woman. I follow her path and find her washing the dishes in an angry manner. Loud clings and clangs are heard as she not-so-gently places the cleaned dishes on the opposite side of the sink to be rinsed and dried. I slide beside her to rinse, dry, and put away. We are surrounded in silence until the last of the tableware has been stored.

  She uses the cleaning rag to wipe down the counter, and still nothing is said. Until…

  “You know what, Austin? Maybe some people know how they feel about someone for a long time and it’s not a phase, or insta-love, or whatever. It’s real to that person. Maybe they tried to talk themselves out of it and dated other people only to find that their thoughts were only on that one and they don’t need to wait ninety days for it to be real. Did you ever think about that? Or did you play this laid-back role just to fuck me and after tomorrow I will be a mere notch on your headboard?”

  “Tessa, that’s not what I meant. I didn’t —”

  She storms to my room in the middle of me talking. That always irritates the fuck out of me. Courtney used to do that, and we’d end up in punch-arm fights. I go after her before her temper boils over for no reason.

  “Tessa, I didn’t mean keep us a secret. I merely want us to enjoy the slow burn and not jump into a fire. It’ll be over too soon if we do that, and I don’t want that to be our fate.” I take her hand into mine while I sit on my bed.

  She sits in my lap and places her arms around my shoulders while gazing into my eyes.

  “Austin, I know it’s easy to dismiss this into a phase or call it puppy love, and that may be true…if it were like five years ago. But I knew I had these feelings since Courtney and I graduated from college. You ended up taking us home from that party after your sister got so wasted and I was in no shape to drive. Do you remember that night?”

  The flashback comes into my mind’s view, and I recall how after we put Courtney to bed, Tessa and I stayed up and lounged on the outdoor swing at my parents until the sun came up. “I sure do. You had on a pair of cut-off shorts that were frayed, a white pair of Converse, and my senior shirt thanks to my barfing sister.”

  We chuckle at the memory, but my god she was sexy then and even more now.

  “I felt the wave of tension pulsing between us. The slight hand touches that we played off as accidents. The unintended innuendos that kept us laughing, or the brief moment when my song was played on the music app and you danced with me under the stars because I told you how I hated missing my senior prom because I caught the flu. The way you held me in your arms, you had to know what you were feeling, because I knew. Courtney sure as hell knew because she woke up and saw us outside.”

  “Slow dancing is about all you can get from me.” I laugh. “Why did you play it off all these years?”

  “You had a girlfriend, even then. I thought it would be one of those the one who got away moments. So, I didn’t push. I eventually dated other guys and thought I’d get over you. It didn’t happen. They were missing something. To be honest, they weren’t you.” Her hand travels down my arm to my hand, and to my thigh, finally resting on my chest.

  I tilt her head up and nuzzle her neck at the apex where it meets her shoulder. “I wish you would’ve said something then. We could be working on our fifth year together,” I mumble.

  She leans back and places her hands on either side of my face. “We can start those years now.”

  She kisses me, and the taste of her fruit-flavored mints lingers on her tongue and sweetly invites me to deepen my affection. The passion returns more feverishly, but the emotions are different. This time feels like the first time without any hang-ups.

  I slide my hands up her side, feeling her smooth skin beneath my fingertips, before rolling her onto her back; hovering above her while staring into her eyes. She goes to remove her top, but I push her arms away.

  “I want tonight to be like that night,” I say.

  Fumbling for my phone, I pull up the song we danced to under those stars and lay beside her in my bed, holding her hand. We talk for hours about the day-to-day of our jobs. From the most rewarding aspect to the most terrifying parts. And wouldn’t you know it, the sunlight peeks through my blinds, letting me know morning has arrived. Just like that night, only this time, instead of her crashing in my sister’s room and me heading back to my first apartment, she’s here in my arms.

  6

  Monday afternoon signals the end of one of the most amazing weekends I’ve ever had. Including the ski trip with my boys after we completed our training and passed the exams, granting us our licensure. But this one left me feeling like I was heading in the right direction. Tessa and I even talked about merging our lives one day, but not too soon. We want to take the time to build up that slow burn. Next weekend she’s cooking dinner while I’m staying at her place. I told her I want to see her old dance recitals from when she was younger to the auditions for backup dancers to be in music videos.

  Today she is teaching her lovable brats, as she calls them. Her day job is instructing dance to children of all ages, shapes, sizes, gender, et cetera. She has a strict No discrimination today, Satan rule at her studio. If you want to dance in a unicorn outfit, she will find one to match and join you. That’s why the show Friday and the meeting today is so important to her. She’s hoping the funds from the burlesque-style traveling show will help her open a larger studio to accommodate her growing waiting list. I walk into her building in the middle of her three-year-old’s’ class. A group of mom’s are scoping me as I stand to the side.

  “Okay, now up on your toes. Stretch as high as your arms will let you,” she instructs as she walks by each student, helping them with their balance.

  She has her hair pulled back tightly into a bun. With all the hair on her head, I don’t know how she makes it seem so small. A black leotard with skin-toned leggings, and a long pink skirt or tutu, I think that’s what they call them, completes her outfit. Her slippers match, but they're decorated with emojis. She spots me and waves as she circles back to the front, giving out the next instruction before dismissing the class.

  “Austin, what are you doing here?” she asks and rushes to greet me.

  I give her a kiss, and the kids giggle and ooo at our PDA. Some of the mom’s scoff and roll eyes.

  “I just wanted to see my love and wish her good luck at the meeting. I know you are going to knock them dead.”

  “My tummy is all in knots just thinking about it. I already have five cities ready to book once I get the go-ahead. This money will help out in so many ways.

  “Excuse me, Miss Tessa, is that your boyfriend?” a little tyke asks while giving me the full once-over.

  “Why yes, Hailey. He is my boyfriend and he also drives the ambulances.”

  Other kids hear her, and they run with all the questions abounding.

  “Do you drive fast?”

  “Why are they so loud?”

  “Why can’t the lights be pink?”

  The parents of the little ones help corral them, saving me in the interim. Tessa laughs when she sees me not handling the situation.

  “You are so cute when you’re uncomfortable,” she says through her giggles.

  I pull her into my arms and quiet her sounds. “Did you sleep well last night?”

  She tucks her bottom lip in between her teeth. “Not really. I didn’t have a certain body next to me. I was missing you.”

  “Same here. Well, I’m heading in to work. Thought I’d stop by and say hey.” I inhale sharply at the thought of what her and that mouth can do. Not to mention wondering what is on her mind each time she does that.

  “Hey,” she replies. “Be safe on the streets today.”

  “I will. Call you tonight when my shift ends.”

  “Okay.” I give her a few pecks before leaving.

  As I walk away, I turn and see her practicing some moves that involve her standing on her tiptoes while stretchin
g the other leg across the wooden bar. Her toes are pointed, and I can see the flex in her calf muscles. I follow the shape of her legs up to her ass and I swear I want to call into work, lock this door, close all the shades, and bend her flexible body all over this place.

  “Hey, man, you’re blocking the door,” a young, very annoyed, and filled-with-attitude little girl says entering the building. She has a backpack and a duffle bag with her earphones loudly blasting a hip-hop song. “Hey, Ms. T.,” the young adolescent says when she approaches Tessa.

  This is the perfect moment to escape as a drove of others show up for class. I peer through the window as I walk to my car and see Tessa removing her skirt and shoes opting for a pair of sneakers.

  “Hey, perv,” my sister says sneaking up on me in my moment of weakness. “Do you always have to ogle at her now that you two are fucking?” That comment warrants a slug to her arm.

  “We’re not fucking. She’s my girlfriend.”

  “One, your room smelled like hot sex on a platter when I stopped by, and two, no matter what your relationship status is, you two are still fucking.” She returns the slug with one of her own. “Shouldn’t you be at work?”

  “I’m going there now. Why are you here?”

  “I’m helping with the teen group today so Tessa can get to the meeting.”

  “Did dad get you a car?”

  “Yes, and I’m so glad. I have a date this weekend and I need a reliable bail car instead of having to call you or Tessa. Besides, y’all may be busy.” She wiggles her eyebrows and makes suggestive motions with her hands.

  “Bye, Court.”

  “Bye, Aussie.”

  I get into my truck and drive to the work location.

  I arrive and put my belongings in the ambulance that will be my temporary home for the day. Since I’m not pulling a double, my sleeping bag stays in my truck. Once my belongings are stored, I go clock in.

  “Dude, where were you this weekend? I thought you were gonna come play a game or two with us?” Caleb says when I enter employee’s lounge.

  “Uh, I was busy.” My vague response isn’t enough to keep him off my tail.

  “Bullshit. You met someone. I can tell by the heat streaks on your face. You always look like that when you get mad or embarrassed.”

  He playfully shoves me, and I can’t hide the smile.

  “Yeah, I had a good weekend. Very good weekend.”

  “Did you meet her at that dance thing?”

  “Not exactly. I went out with Tessa.”

  I turn and walk out, heading toward the bays.

  “Wait? You’re sister’s bestie, Tessa?”

  “Yeah. Who else?”

  Caleb has a look of confusion on his face. Meanwhile, I open the back doors while he stands there and begin inventory on the ambulance. He quickly joins me in the scavenger hunt, and we make sure we have all necessary equipment for both transfers and nine-one-one calls. Once all checks are done and supplies confirmed, we announce on the radio we’re in service and pull off.

  “Bruh, isn’t that a bit weird?”

  I know what he’s getting at, but I play the obscure role. “Isn’t what weird?”

  “You know. Banging your sister’s best friend? Like, that’s almost like banging your own sister.”

  “Wow. Okay. I don’t know where you came up with that sick analogy.”

  “Think about it. You’ve known her since what, they were kids and you’ve watched her grow up with Courtney. That’s not weird to you?”

  His point is semi-valid, but I respond the way Tessa broke it down to me. “To some, it would feel a bit out of place, but the advantage is that I do know her and did watch her grow up into this beautiful, sexy, intelligent young woman who I had feelings for since they graduated college, only I never admitted it. I was content to not act on it, but she has those same feelings. The only difference is she was bold enough to make the first move.”

  We pull into a convenience store and sit in idle, waiting for dispatch.

  He presses his lips together and nods. “All right then, bro, I see you.” He extends his fist for some bump action, and I knuckle up. “So, is this serious? ’Cause you are not for casual dating, this I know.”

  “We agreed to not use labels and just let this flow.” My phone rings, breaking my planned monologue. “Hey, Tessa.”

  “Oh my god. They agreed to back my show. We’re going on tour in a month!” Her excitement bleeds through the phone.

  So loudly in fact, Caleb hears it. He glances at me with a puzzled face, and I hold up my finger for a pause.

  “That’s great news, babe. I’m proud of you. I knew you could do it!”

  “Thank you. Oh wow. This is all so real now. I have to get the crew together and their schedules so they can make arrangements with their jobs. Another instructor for my little babies. A lot of ground to cover, and soon. I mean, I have it set up, just gotta put it in motion.”

  “Courtney’s going with you, right?”

  “Duh. Do you have to ask?”

  “True.”

  “You know what, I can’t wait till this weekend to see you. Are you working a double today? I want to celebrate my news.”

  I look over at Caleb to see if he can swing the shift by himself so I can knock off a few hours early. He gives me the thumbs-up, and I blow him a kiss, making him laugh in hysterics.

  “I’ll leave around nine. Is that okay?”

  “Perfect. I have another class that lets out around eight. I’m on my way back to the studio now to tell Courtney. If she calls you, don’t say anything.”

  “Okay, bae. Hey, congrats again. I’ll see you later.”

  She squeals then hangs up. Caleb looks at me and the smile that is permanently plastered on my face.

  “Oh, wow. You two have it bad. How didn’t y’all see this sooner?”

  “Don’t know. Maybe it wasn’t the right time.”

  “Could be. Nothing better than knowing the person already before you date. It’s not common, but it does happen.”

  “Dispatch to medic unit five-four-five-four,” the two-way screeches.

  “Lancaster here, go ahead.”

  “We have a twenty-nine major incident at the northeast corner of Pike and Pierson intersection. MVA, two cars, two single drivers. Fire is requesting assistance with transport.”

  “Copy that. We are en route. ETA five minutes.”

  “Ten-four.”

  “I guess we better get to work,” Caleb says.

  I fill out the report with as much information as I have, leaving space to fill in the other data as soon as it becomes available. Keeping my eye on the growing afternoon traffic makes it easy to assist with maneuvering through in case someone forgets their safety manners.

  “Approaching the scene,” Caleb says.

  Two fire engines and three police cars, along with our EMT buddies Eric and Manuela, come into view. We park and jump out, running to assist. My legs wobble, forcing me to steady myself from falling, and my breath catches in my throat when I see the wreckage before me. My vision goes blurry, and the world seemingly moves in slow motion. The enhanced thumping of my heart is the only sound audible, while the lights from the emergency vehicles enhance my view. The vibration from my phone alerts me to an incoming call, forcing me back to reality.

  “Hey, Austin? You all right, man?” Caleb’s asks, his voice drowned by the screaming sirens.

  All my training becomes insignificant to me at this moment, seeing her blood-soaked head from the broken shards of glass that no doubt came from the car. She’s motionless, yet I can tell she still has breath. Quickly pushing everyone to the side, I reach the door to the car and try to yank it open.

  “You must be new, young man,” the fireman says. “We have to use the cutters to get her out.” He turns and walks back to his truck to assist the others with setting up the hydraulic machinery to get the door off.

  “Tessa,” I utter with a sob lodged in my throat. “Baby, can you
hear me?”

  Tugging at the seat belt to try to remove her from its hold proves to be a moot motion, seeing how it’s jammed no matter how hard I tug. I grab my scissors to cut through the material, giving more room to pull her out once the door is removed.

  “Okay, we’re ready, Captain,” one of the firemen states.

  Caleb moves me out the way, and the sound of metal against metal and breaking glass frustrates me further.

  “Come on, man, get it together. We will take Tessa to the hospital and let them take the other driver.”

  My phone rings again, and in my agitated state, I answer.

  “Yeah,” I bark.

  “Austin, all I could hear was the sound of her screaming then the car being hit and dragged,” Courtney sobs hysterically.

  Tears well in my eyes. “Courtney, sis, what the fuck happened?”

  She was on her Bluetooth when she got in the car. I heard it connect, and she was bitching about how she couldn’t hear any music while driving because her phone call takes precedent. She told me the news, and we were talking about the tour and the things she wanted me to prepare. Then…it happened so fast.” She cries and her voice becomes distant.

  Another person intercepts the call “Hello?”

  “Yes. This is Austin Lancaster, Courtney’s brother. Tessa is fine. She’s a bit banged up, and we are taking her to the hospital to be checked out.” I bite back my emotions, not wanting to cause any more panic.

  The unknown person relays the information, and Courtney calms down, returning to the call. “Austin, she’s okay?”

  Right now, I need my sister to be calm, and even though this is a falsehood I’m telling her, it’s what I have to do in this moment to help me regain control. “We’re going to take her to the hospital for a full checkup. You can meet us there.”

  “Did you call her folks? Do you want me to?” she offers.

  “No, I’ll do that so that it can be documented and in the police report since we are working with them. I love you and will see you soon.” I disconnect and continue to monitor the removal of the door.