Page 36 of Fate In Fiction
“You love when I tease you.” He pinches my nose. “One picture won’t hurt.” Catching me off guard, Emmett ducks between my legs and picks me up to sit on his shoulders. My hands grip onto his hair to stabilize myself. “Throw your hands in the air and pretend you’re having fun.” He faces the lake, and still stunned, I oblige.
“Gah, you two are so fucking cute!” Stella squeals and walks farther back. The altitude and the sun’s strong warmth make me dizzy.
“I think I’m going to stay on this throne the whole walk back to the car.” I laugh and place my hands back on Emmett’s head.
“I think I’m going to flip you around the front so my mouth can worship you like the queen you are.” I know he feels my legs clench around his neck, as I’m at a loss for words. Yep, he’s giving the guys in the books I read some serious competition.
But then again, our relationship is nothing but fiction.
“She’s not even in earshot, Emmett.” I try to sound aggravated, but a mix of feelings is swirling through me. Namely, how horny I am now. “That comment was unnecessary.”
“So is me carrying you back to the car in this heat,” Emmett says, reaching his arms up to slide me around the front of him. Before my mind processes anything, my one leg leaves his shoulder and hits the floor. My ankle hooks on his shoulder, leaving me doing a split against his body.
“Help.” My desperation shines through my uncomfortable eyes.
“I can’t say I’m in a rush to help.” He bites back a smirk with his strong hand supporting my back. “I’m going to take a minute to appreciate your flexibility.” He thinks his eyes are hidden by sunglasses, but with how close we are, I see them resting on my lips. He’s enjoying this too much.
“Grow up.” I jerk my ankle free.
“Oh, my thoughts are very grown-up.” He winks, walking ahead of Stella and me.
I knew that last line wasn’t a lie with the hardness my leg brushed against.
“Maybe I need to tap into the good girl act to score me a man like him.” Stella’s mouth drops after what she witnessed.
I shrug, purposely lagging behind Stella and Emmett as they chat about the fun places they’ve traveled. Not like I have anything to contribute to the conversation. My stomach flutters, replaying our moment by the lake. This man is so far out of my league with looks and life experiences. Whatever he sees in me is nothing but physical. Given his past reputation, I don’t blame him. But my body still hums with need, wondering what his skin would feel like against mine. What his tattoos would look like hovering above me as he whispers all the dirty things yet to come. Maybe I need to lay off the spicy books, because all of this is becoming too much. But it would be really handy if he decided to go into the office when we return home.
I need to make sure a moment like earlier doesn’t happen between us again. After dropping Stella off, we drive back to the hotel and, thankfully, nothing’s mentioned. My chair swivels back and forth as we sit at the kitchen island, picking away at the take-out we stopped for on the way home. I know I look like a mess from the heat, but the sweat wasn’t just induced by the inclination.
“I know with your fitness and sleeping on the chair, your muscles must be sore.” Emmett breaks the silence that’s been ringing in my ears.
“I’m fine.” I’m lying, but I’ll do whatever it takes for us to stay friend-zoned.
“Come on, a pillow wall wouldn’t be that bad. I don’t even snore.” He tries to sweeten the deal. I shake my head and take another bite of my rice bowl.
“Do you enjoy working as much as you do?” I redirect the conversation as my curiosity to gain a deeper answer to why he needs me passes through my mind. “You should be spending more time outside.”
“I feel like I have so much time to make up for.” His answer catches me off guard. “I’ve spent my life outside and traveling the world. For the last few months, it’s been just me. I’ve been fine putting in extra hours, since coming home to an empty quiet suite doesn’t appeal to me. Too much in my own thoughts.” Though I have friends, the evenings here alone have been lonely. Almost eerie. “Plus, work is never ending.”
“I totally relate to the lonely silence.” I set my food down. “Even if I’m quietly reading, it’s still nice to know I’m not entirely alone.” I laugh. “You want to do your own thing, but still feel accompanied.”
“Exactly.” His eyes meet mine, but I look away as soon as my stomach flips. “No one should work as many hours as you do.”
“I could shave off a few hours if I redo my schedule. I don’t want to bug you during the evenings. I know you weren’t on board with living together.” He stands, walking to the other side of the counter, leaning on his forearms. Even with a counter between us, he feels closer to me here than sitting beside me.
“Please.” I don’t mean for my tone to come off in a slightly begging manner, but it does. “I could use someone to talk to. My schedule changes daily, and Emery works evenings. My evening routine is too quiet. I arrive home before dinner, have a snack––”
“Take a bath, read.” My eyes go wide and dart around the suite for any cameras.
“The bathroom always smells delicious when I get home.” Emmett licks his lips as his eyes trace down my body. “The tub is always wet.” The lower tone of his voice hits me between the legs, and the tub is definitely not the only thing that’s wet. I shift to cross my legs, magnetizing his eyes to my motion. “Reading was an easy guess.” He speaks slowly with his eyes on my legs as I watch his lips articulate each word. The lips that pulled all air from my lungs without evening moving against mine.
“Maybe I write too,” I blurt out, needing to break this moment, but it only brings his gaze back to mine with a playful grin.
“If you love books that much, then why shouldn’t you write your own?” Emmett reaches forward, covering his hand over mine. I feel the phantom rub of this thumb over my palm.
“Exactly. I just don’t quite have a story to tell yet.” My energy shifts, but being this sweaty is a safeguard to not make a move.
“I’m sure one of these days, a story will form in that pretty little head of yours.”
