“Put me down!” she shrieked.
“Not until you apologize for making us worry.”
“Fine, I’m sorry. Now, put me down.” I was a little jealous that Ryan always had his hands all over her. Maybe more than a little, I admitted to myself as I listened to them laughing.
“My grandfather had a heart attack, he’s okay, but I had to go be with my family. My phone got messed up, and I forgot my laptop. I left in a hurry.” I was eavesdropping, and I wasn’t ashamed at all. I had to figure out how he did it. How he got her to open up to him so easily.
“We were really worried about you. When we got back and the truck was gone and your door was unlocked, well…”
“I was fine, and I didn't get eaten by a bear. I haven't even seen a bear,” she laughed.
“I bet they have seen you.” Ryan said, his voice getting smaller as he followed her back into the house. The conversation went on for another few minutes before I heard Ryan start talking about the competition last weekend. He was bragging and over exaggerating a little, not that he was ever known to do that.
I stepped onto the back porch and was headed across the yard when Ryan pushed the back door open.
“Luke!” he shouted at me. “Cook out here at seven, you in?”
“Sure.” I smiled back and then walked to my shop. I had to get some work done, and now that I knew she was okay, I could concentrate a little better.
***
“Dude, you stink.” Ryan said as I walked into my house.
“Well that's why I am going to take a shower. You know sweat is what happens when you are actually working and not sitting in a cushy office.”
“First of all, my office is not cushy.” He held up one finger. “Second, my body wasn't made for hard labor.” He held up three fingers.
“Apparently, it isn't made for being able to count either.” I reached out and shoved his shoulder as I walked toward the stairs.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. You know that finger doesn't bend right.” He proceeded to show me and flip me off at the same time. “Go shower, I'm gonna run to grab steaks. I'll be back in a couple hours. Put the potatoes in the oven when you get out.”
I did as instructed and pulled the potatoes out of the oven around the time Ryan’s truck grumbled to a stop outside my door.
“Look at these beauties.” He nodded as he laid three steaks out across my counter. “I made Marley open up the butcher shop to get these. I just wasn't feeling pre-cut grocery store steaks today. “
I grabbed them, ripping each one from its paper wrap. I seasoned them thoroughly and then put them on a plate.
“The grill is already on; it may be a little hot.” I handed the plate of steaks over the bar to Ryan as he walked toward the door.
Chapter Fourteen
Emerson
“Oh eww, do you want some steak with your blood?” I couldn't help but notice as Luke’s steak was bleeding all over his plate. “That thing is going to jump up and run off.” I scrunched my nose in disgust.
“His is the same way.” He pointed his fork over at Ryan’s plate, and sure enough his was swimming in blood too. If I was being honest, it wasn't blood so much as pink colored juices from the steak, but it certainly wasn’t done. Ryan had asked me how I wanted my steak, and I had answered done. Luke had grumbled and complained about city people and cooking things to death to which I had replied with “that was the point.” He didn't like my answer, but he did as I had asked, and I was pleased when there was no pink inside of my steak.
I reached for the bowl of shredded cheddar cheese and pulled it to me, dropping some over the melted butter inside my potato. As I mashed the potato around inside its skin, I realized that everyone had stopped talking, I looked up and found both of them watching me.
“What?”
“Are you trying to murder your potato too?” Luke asked laughing.
“No, I’m mixing it up.” I continued to roll the potato around inside the skin, not bothering to look up at either one of them. When I did, Luke looked away quickly and then shoved some bread into his mouth.
“I love thousand island dressing.” Ryan swooned as he lifted a bit of salad toward his mouth.
“Must be why you love Big Macs,” Luke teased.
“Mmmmm McDonalds.” He chewed his food as he said around it. I looked away because, well, boys are gross.
“This was a good idea.” Ryan said, pointed his fork at me. “I like this. It's like old times with new people. I'm glad you joined our little duo, Emmy.”
“Me too,” Luke added, looking at me then quickly averting his eyes the moment mine met his.
“I'm glad I am too, I really do like it here. The woods are probably my favorite place in the world.” I had wanted to get out there today, but I just hadn't had time after getting unpacked and then Ryan wanting to grill out.
I stood from the table and picked up my plate, lifting Ryan’s from the table too. He was leaned back rubbing his belly groaning. “I should have bought me another steak. That was the best.”
“It was really good. Thank you, guys, for making such a great dinner.”
“You made dinner too.” Luke stood carrying his plate toward me.
“It was lettuce in a bowl,” I shrugged.
“With tomatoes, croutons, olives, and cheese. That's hardly lettuce in a bowl.” He bumped his shoulder playfully into mine and took the other plates from my hands.
“Well, ladies and gentlemen, I have places to go and people to do.” Ryan stood and announced. He walked over and kissed the top of my head. “I'm glad you weren’t eaten by bears. See ya tomorrow for coffee.”
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” He slapped Luke on the back and then made his way toward the door.
“Say hey to Cindy,” Luke laughed.
“Will do.” He ducked out of the door, and I was once again alone with Luke. We washed the dishes in silence. I could feel his eyes on me from time to time, and to say there wasn't something bubbling just below the surface between us would be a lie. He started a pot of coffee and pulled two cups from the cabinet. I watched as he put half and half in one cup and two spoonfuls of sugar in the other and then poured coffee into each. He handed me the cup with the half and half. He had apparently paid attention when I rambled on about my coffee to Ryan last week.
“Come on,” he pushed the screen door open and held it for me. I followed him into the yard. He smiled up at the sky and then handed me his cup.
“Hold this for a second.” He jogged over to his work shop and produced two chairs that sat low to the ground and leaned back pretty far. He sat them side by side and then took his cup and pointed toward the chair.
“Have a seat. There’s supposed to be a meteor shower starting around midnight.”
“Really?” I sat slowly and then leaned back in the wooden chair. When I opened my eyes and looked up, it was amazing. The stars were spread over the sky like a blanket. Living near the city, we saw the brightest stars, but out here it looked as if there wasn't a blank place amongst them.
We finished our coffee and sat in silence for a while. When I saw the first light streak across the sky, my face lit up.
“Did you see that?” I jumped up from the chair.
“Yeah, I saw it,” he chuckled.
“I've never seen a shooting star before.” I wrapped my arms around myself as I stood there, head tipped toward the sky.
“They say you should make a wish on a shooting star,” he said as he stood, coming to stand next to me.
“They do?” I could feel him close to me.
“They do.” He took a step closer and pointed in another direction. “Look,” he said, drawing my attention to another streak of light dancing across the sky. When I looked, my face was turned toward his. The warmth from his body radiated toward mine. I leaned against him, and his hands found their way around my waist.
“You cold?” he asked, his closeness unnerving. I shook my head and slowly turned in his arms unti
l I was facing him, pressed to his chest, his arms tightened around my waist, falling just at the small of my back.
“Is this okay?” he whispered, his breath tickling my skin. The goosebumps that followed spread slowly down my arms.
“This is nice.” I looked up into his eyes.
“You know,” he said in a half-whisper, “I, too, am glad you weren’t eaten by bears.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. I rested my forehead against his chest and chuckled. “Yeah, me too,” I said as I returned my gaze upward.
He looked down at me. Shadowed in darkness, I couldn't see exactly what he was looking at, but the ball of nerves in my stomach wanted to look away. I turned my face slightly, but his hand rose, and he placed a finger under my chin and lifted it back toward him.
“As beautiful as these stars are, you outshine them, and I don’t think you even know it,” he said softly then slowly lowered his face toward mine. His lips gently brushed over my cheek and then moved to my mouth. His kiss was soft, and I melted into it. He pulled back, gazed at me for a moment, and then kissed me again. Harder this time, more need in this one. I felt his tongue pass over the seam of my lips, and I opened for him. I was lost in the warmth of his kiss. I could taste the sweetened coffee on his tongue as it passed over my own. His hand wrapped itself in my hair, and he pushed closer to me, heat igniting between us.
My body was screaming with need, a need I had never experienced before. I had heard stories about the butterflies that felt like they were swarming in your core, but I had never experienced them until now. We stood kissing under the stars, learning each other through just a kiss. I ran my hands up his chest and then over his shoulder finding the slight curl to the ends of his hair along his neck. I ran my fingers up into them and gave them a slight tug, trying my best to get closer.
“Emerson,” he groaned against my mouth, and all I could do was nod.
Part of me that knew this was bad, very very bad, but the other part of me was so starved for the connection that it didn't care, and it overrode every logical thought that popped into my head. He slowly walked me backward toward the porch. His hands ran over my ass, and he lifted me. I wrapped my legs around him. He walked up the stairs, his lips never veering from my skin. The door slammed behind us, and then I felt myself being lowered. The cold of the countertop made me flinch, and I heard his deep rumble chuckle against me.
“Sorry.” He traced the cuff of my ear with his mouth and then pulled my earlobe between his lips. His fingers traced over the sliver of skin that was exposed along the bottom of my shirt. He lifted it slowly and pulled it over my head. His eyes dropped to my breasts, and I heard him catch his breath.
“God, you are beautiful,” he whispered and kissed along my cleavage. My hands went to his, and I pushed his toward my breasts. I wanted those hands all over me.
“Luke...” I groaned, lost in the feel of his touch. I had expected rough and quick, but he was being super gentle and a little cautious with me. I wasn't sure why, but I wasn't going to complain. I felt my bra pop loose, the straps falling to my elbows. His fingers traced my skin and pushed the straps away.
That’s when I heard the slamming of a car door outside. I jumped, looking up at Luke and reaching for my shirt on the counter next to me. Without a word, I pulled it to cover my chest and slid quickly off the counter and out of his grasp.
“Emerson, wait.” I heard his words, but I was already out the back door and running across the porch into mine.
I slammed the door shut, my chest heaving. I was on the verge of tears, but they didn't fall. I was stupid; that should have never happened.
Chapter Fifteen
Luke
Ryan walked through the front door, and I wanted to hit him.
He pointed toward the back door with a confused look on his face. “Dude? Was that Emmy leaving?”
I walked to the back door and looked for Emerson, but her door was already shut. Her bra laid on my kitchen floor. I reached for it, rubbing the soft cotton between my fingers. She had been everything I hoped she would be. The feeling of her skin beneath my fingers was a rush I had never known.
“What the fuck man?” I scolded him, shoving her bra into a drawer.
“How was I to know you would be getting down and dirty with her? After the way you talked, I didn't even know you liked her like that.” He shrugged. “So, you and Emmy?”
“I don't know. It just felt right, and I went with it.”
“I can't believe you didn't hear my truck coming up the drive.” Ryan opened the fridge and pulled out two beers handing one to me. “Here. You look like you need this.”
“Why are you here?” I shook my head, and he put the second beer back in the fridge.
“Cindy told me no.”
“And? That involves me how?”
“I don't know. I've never been told no before. I figured I would come back here and hang with you two for the night.”
I couldn't help the laughter that escaped my lips as I looked at him.
“Are you really laughing at me?” he asked.
“Yeah, I am. You look kinda heart broken.”
“I am, a little,” Ryan sat at the table and picked at the label of his beer. “She was my go to and has been for years. I wonder what changed,” he pondered. There was sincerity in his voice, something I didn't hear often.
“Maybe she’s tired of your shit and wants more than just a friends-with-benefits situation,” I said, looking over toward the wall, knowing Emerson was on the other side and wanting to be with her.
“Yeah, well, she knew the rules. I just want to have fun; she knows that.” He looked over at me.
“Time changes people, and we aren't exactly getting any younger. Sucks to be turned down though.” I smiled and walked over to the table slapping him on the back.
“I've got to go put up those chairs.” I walked out the door and started toward the chairs but stopped. Instead, I stepped over to Emmy’s door and knocked, hoping she’d answer. She didn’t. I saw her shadow move at the end of the hall, which meant now was not the time.
I turned and headed for the chairs, taking them back into the shop. I stopped and looked over at a project I had been working on. My body was tense with want, and I needed to work off some of that buildup. I pulled out my hand sander and started working on smoothing the surface. It was well after three am when I looked back at the clock. I turned off the machine and laid it to the side. Stretching, I walked across the yard, looking up at her window. There was a soft glow coming from behind the curtains. I pulled my phone out and opened my texting app. I started to type out an apology but then thought better of it and shoved my phone back in my pocket. She knew I’d knocked earlier, so the ball was in her court.
Ryan was snoring softly on my couch, the throw blanket pulled over his bare chest when I came in. I hit the kitchen light and walked up the stairs, dropping to the edge of my bed. I wanted to talk to her, make sure she was alright, but I felt it wasn't the right time.
I brushed my teeth and laid in the bed thinking about her. My phone dinged on the nightstand.
I'm really sorry
Emerson
You have nothing to apologize for
Luke
I don't know what came over me
Emerson
I don't understand.
Luke
We should talk tomorrow
Emerson
Can we have lunch?
Luke
That sounds great, see you then. G’night, Luke.
Emerson
Goodnight, Emmy
Luke
The phone bounced on the bed when I let it go. I wasn't sure what we had to talk about. I wanted her, she obviously wanted me, so what was left?
***
I stood in front of the mirror the next morning, my eyes telling the truth about my lack of sleep. I could hear Ryan in the kitchen running the Ninja.
“I was wondering if you were going to actually get up. Her
e’s your shake. Let's get going.” He walked out of the kitchen and into the backyard. It was well after seven, and I stood there drinking my shake and watching as he moved around the yard setting everything up.
“I thought we were taking a day off,” I complained.
“And you need to work out this morning, obviously,” he hinted at how tense I was. I never said anything about not working or practicing. He knew I was off and wasn't going to let it go.
“I'm sorry about what happened.”
“What, you interrupting maybe the best night of my life?” I whisper shouted.
“It is like that, I see.” He smiled.
“You would have to be blind to not see what I see.”
“Oh, I see it, but she is not my type. Yours, yes, mine... no.” He smiled bigger.
“This isn't a joke, Ryan.”
He stopped and looked me dead in the eyes. “I know, and I'm not treating like it is.” He handed me my ax and pointed toward the log that was set up. I didn't want to do this right now.
“Can we run first?” I asked.
He nodded his head and walked toward me. “Running it is,” he said and ripped his shirt over his head then started stretching. I followed suit, and once we were warmed up we started down the driveway.
The run was exactly what I needed. My feet pounding the pavement helped clear my head. I thought about before and after the kiss. The one kiss that had changed everything. I knew, and I was fairly certain she knew, that everything had changed.
“Dude, where you going?” Ryan shouted at me.
“Home. Why are you running so slow?” I called back at him.
“I'm not. You are burning up the road, you in a hurry?”
“No, just ready to get the day started.” I ran a little slower, letting Ryan catch up to me. I could see his shit-eating grin in my peripheral vision.
“Shut it,” I scolded him.
“Not sayin’ a word,” he laughed then slowed to a walk putting his hands over his head. We walked in silence back to the house. I saw her sitting on the porch with her coffee wrapped in her hands. Her shy smile made my heart beat a little bit harder.
Daddy Boss (A Boss Romance Love Story) Page 178