“Stefanie Ferguson Stoops to Marry the Help.”
And lookee here, there was even a comment from Blake the Snake. That flaming pile of dog—
“Refill?” Emmett extended his arm, a cardboard box filled with doughnuts balanced in one big hand.
“One is my limit.”
“Wimp.” He lifted a perfect sugary ring and ate most of it in one bite, a moan echoing in that barrel chest of his.
“Oh, for goodness’ sake.” She set aside her iPad and stood to take a doughnut, but he tugged the box away and shoved the rest of his into his mouth. He offered her the box again and she snatched a chocolate-covered one and took a sinful bite. After a few swallows of coffee to chase her sugar buzz, she tried to sag on Emmett’s couch. Impossible. The back and sides were hard and flat, not a couch meant for sagging.
“I don’t typically indulge in something so decadent,” she called out as he carried the box into the kitchen. He returned with a mug of coffee in hand.
“Neither do I.” He crossed the room and lifted his wallet off the mantel before shoving it into his black slacks. “To be clear, I’m talking about waking up and making love to you.”
Damn. Now that was sweet. She had no idea Emmett could be sweet until she’d married him. She’d convinced herself they hated each other—had told herself for years that he only tolerated her because she was Chase’s sister. But that couldn’t have been true, could it? He’d slipped into her life—into her bed—almost seamlessly.
He bent to kiss her. She tipped her chin to catch that kiss and the meaning behind it.
“Ready?”
“Yes.” She stood and grabbed her coat while he fetched his own. “Even though I don’t think anyone in the free world should have to go to work until New Year’s Day.”
But she had an appointment with Penelope that couldn’t be missed. She hadn’t left herself much of a choice.
Emmett pulled to a stop at Zach and Penelope’s home. Pen used to have a shingle hung downtown, but since her daughter was born she’d moved her office to the house and employed a nanny to watch over Olivia during work hours.
Zach stepped outside, on his way to his own office no doubt. He wore a suit and a scowl that was meant for either her husband or Stef herself. Maybe it was meant for both of them.
Emmett put down his window when Zach approached.
“Hey, big brother,” she chirped. “Before you dole out any overblown speeches and squarely place yourself in the pot-calling-the-kettle-black category, you should know that Chase beat you to it and I don’t care what either of you think.”
She blew her brother a kiss, and then grabbed Emmett’s shirt collar, pulling him close for a real kiss—one he returned, albeit stiffly. He was glaring when she pulled away, and she was flushed, and suddenly wishing she’d started that smooch at his house instead, where they could continue it in privacy.
Anyway.
Stefanie left Zach and Emmett in the driveway and announced her arrival to Pen quietly in case Olivia was sleeping.
“In here. She’s upstairs playing.” Penelope appeared in the entryway wearing a slimming white dress and waved Stef into her office. It used to be a formal dining room, but they’d converted it into a modern office with French doors and curtains for privacy. Pen shut the door behind her.
“I’m assuming you saw the blog.” Stef sat on the white leather couch.
“Oh yes. I check her site regularly.” Pen rolled her eyes. “Tea?”
“Please.”
Pen poured two cups from a kettle from a small table behind her desk and rested the delicate china on saucers before joining Stef on the couch.
“How’s it going?” Pen sipped her tea.
“Fine.”
“How real is this marriage?” Pen tilted her head. “Did you consummate it yet?”
“Penelope!”
“Did you?”