“Oh, I’m sure she believed you, but maybe she might like to hear it again, you know, just to seal the deal.”
I nod. “Emma Deaton, you’re everything.”
She bites down on her bottom lip, stealing my attention. “I’m worried about a broken heart, but Aubrey helped me see the light. I don’t want to wonder what-if.”
“What-if what?”
“What if I let this pass me by? Would I always regret it?”
“I don’t give up that easily, Emma.”
“I’m glad.”
One hand still behind her neck, the other wrapping around her waist, I pull her into a hug. “I don’t know what all this means. The things you make me feel. The breathless, fluttering, romantic sap that I’ve never been, but I want to know more. When it comes to you, I find I want it all.”
“It?”
“You. Us. The future. Cuddles on the couch, kisses, laughs, meals, dates, you coming to my games. You name it, I want it. As long as it’s with you.”
“Well, I say we start with that movie.” She slides off my lap and I let her. When she bends over to grab the remote from the coffee table, I don’t even hide the fact that I’m ogling her ass. After tonight’s declaration, I have that right.
She takes a seat next to me, and I put my arm around her, pulling her close while she starts to surf the channels. Her phone rings, and she hands me the remote while she pulls it out of her back pocket. “I’m sure it’s Aubrey checking on me.” She glances at the screen, then nervously back to me. “Unknown number. I’m always worried it’s going to be about my mom or something and it’s always a telemarketer, but I still answer.” She sits up and slides her finger across the screen. “Hello.” She pauses and glances nervously at me over her shoulder. “Hey, Corey.”
Motherfucker.
She’s here with me, so I have no right to be pissed off, but damn it, can he not see that she’s all mine? She left with me. She chose to let me take her home, well, my home, but it’s the same thing. We’re together. I give up on finding anything to watch and unashamedly listen to her conversation.
“Oh, about that. Listen, I was a little distracted tonight and I didn’t realize what I had agreed to. I’m seeing someone. It’s new, but I’m excited to see where it goes.” She pauses. “Landon.” Again, she’s quiet, and I want to beat on my chest that she’s just told him she’s my girl. Well, close enough anyway. “Thanks, Corey. Sure, I’ll see you around.” She ends the call and places her phone on the table, before taking her spot and curling back into my chest.
I pull her impossibly close and hand her the remote. I don’t care what we watch. Chances are I’m only going to be watching her. She flips through the channels for several minutes before yawning. “Can’t find anything,” she says, tossing the remote beside her on the couch.
I’m not ready to take her home. We just got here. I just got her. She peers up at me, and I know what’s coming. She’s ready to go. “Can we go to bed?”
“You’re staying?”
“Unless that’s not okay? I can have Aubrey come and pick me up.” She moves to sit up, but my hold is strong, keeping her next to me.
“No. I want you here.”
“Okay. I’m exhausted. It’s been a long day.”
“Yeah,” I agree. Game days always take a lot out of me. I stand from the couch, lace our fingers together, and bring her with me as I lock up the house and turn off the lights. I lead her to my room and give her some boxers and a T-shirt to sleep in. “There’s the bathroom. Take all the time you need. I’m going to go down the hall to the guest room to shower.”
“Okay.” Nothing but easy acceptance from my girl tonight.
She disappears behind the bathroom door and I just stand here and stare after her. I meant what I said when I told her I just wanted her here in my space. For weeks I’ve lain in bed at night wishing she were here lying next to me. I’m letting her take us where she wants this to go, but at the same time, I’m a man. A man who only has to hear her voice for my cock to take note. It’s going to be a long night, but I already know it’s going to be the best night I’ve ever had. Just because it’s her, Emma. Just her presence alone makes it so.
Shaking out of my thoughts, I grab some clothes and head down the hall to grab another quick shower. Sure, I showered after the game, but I have to take care of business if I’m going to survive sleeping next to her tonight. Turning the water as hot as it will go, I strip out of my clothes and step in. The water massages my tense muscles. I’m not sure if it’s from the game, or from knowing Emma is staying with me tonight. Either way, the hot water does wonders. Grabbing the bottle of body wash, I squirt a handful into my hand, and wrap it around my already hard cock.