Author's Note: Welcome back to Wemma and Summer. Thanks so much for your patience on this chapter; I hope it was worth the wait. It was probably one of my favourite to write. A HUGE thank you to Charity for her zaps and buttersock whacks (irshgirl – she writes Victorious and Zoey101 as well as Glee and Harry Potter, go have a read!) and Jodie for having a read through before posting – you ladies are the best! As always, reviews are strongly encouraged – interested to know your reactions, what parts you liked/disliked and what you would like to see happen in future chapters. Enough from me… let's go back to Summer Serenade!
Emma felt a light jostling on her shoulder. She repositioned herself in the passenger seat, unwilling to be disturbed.
"Mmm… Will, not now," she responded hazily, "I just washed the sheets."
"Wh-ha-at?" He asked, amused by her sweet sleep talking.
Her eyes flickered open, her face soft with slumber. "Huh?" She blinked, drawing in a deep breath that transformed into a yawn. Schuebear was securely tucked under her forearm. "Did I say something? Are we here?" She looked out the window, taking in the surroundings. It was very… woodsy.
"Hah, yes on both. You must have been dreaming honey," he surmised, grazing her rosy cheek with the back of his hand. "And welcome to Roselake Mountain Lodge. Our home for the next few days."
Emma's cheeked warmed from his touch. She vaguely remembered her dream, but she awoke feeling content and happy.
"I suppose I better take my hand back." Emma removed her hand from Will's leg and stretched, her body sore from the position she was sleeping in. "I can't believe my hand stayed there the entire time." She rolled her neck from side to side, trying to relieve the slight pain she felt.
"It kept me company after its owner fell asleep on me," Will kidded, taking her hand in his. "And I'll fix that sore neck and back of yours once we check in."
"That sounds lovely, Will. It's probably a good thing I had a nap, now I'll be able to stay awake and enjoy our first night together."
Will gave a flirty smirk. "Yes, we're going to be up… all… night…" He leaned in and pecked her lips. "Well, I'll go check in. Come with me?"
Emma hesitated. "It is okay if I wait here?" She was unsure about the dirt and unraked leaves all over the ground. But she wanted to keep that on the quiet side, so as not to upset Will.
"Oh, sure, Em, it won't take too long." He got out of the car and walked the stoned path to the wooden stairs of the reception office. A wide veranda wrapped around the office walls, hanging pots with colourful annuals were in full bloom. Will breathed in the clean, forest air and opened the door.
Emma nervously looked around. The lodge was so beautiful and the scenery magnificent, but Emma couldn't help the uneasy sensation building inside. Was it because they were in the outdoors, away from any signs of a city or the comforts of their apartment, or was her fear of dirt and bugs and dust and nature that made her feel this way?
She wound her window down a small way to let the breeze flow through. It was so quiet. She cuddled her Schuebear, rhetorically asking the stuffed toy, "Do you think I'm being silly, Schuebear? Will's brought me here and I'm too scared to even open the door because I'm worried about getting all dirty."
She studied the bear's face, searching for an answer. Tracing the stitched line representing its mouth, Emma heaved a deep sigh. Although her OCD had been under control through medication for over a year now, the fragments that remained shattered her assuredness of ever trying to live a life considered 'normal' by the average person. When her marriage to Carl dissolved into the mess it became, all her hard work at managing her OCD dissolved along with it, regressing back to the beginning. Regrets surfaced. Confidence caved. It made her rethink everything.
It was the lowest point in her life.
And it was not going to happen again.
Emma refused to repeat the past, to have new regrets, to feel like her entire life was a half-lived one. A look of determination formed in her eyes. "Schuebear. You know what? Let's kick this crazy to the curb. To hell with being clean! I'm going to get dirty and I'm going to like it!" No, wait… that didn't sound right…
Her puzzled look turned into one of fright when a football smacked into the windscreen of Will's car. She yelped and ducked, startled by the noise.
Footsteps pounded along the asphalt. There was a knock at her window. "Sorry, lady, you okay? My kid doesn't realise how strong his arm is."
Emma raised her head to see a sandy-haired, tanned man in a blue singlet top staring back at her.
"It was just a football… see? I'm not going to attack you or anything." The stranger's muscular arms showed her the football and then motioned for her to wind her window down further.
"Uh… hello," Emma greeted him as the glass separating them disappeared into the door.
"Well, hi there. I'm Nick, and you are…?" He smiled, extending his hand for her to shake.
"Um, yep," Emma replied, cautiously taking his hand and lightly shaking it. She didn't know where his hand had been. "I'm Emma. Emma Pillsbury."
"Well, 'Emma, Emma Pillsbury', it's an honour to meet you." His eyes shone a glorious blue and his friendly demeanour made her relax. Nick rested his hands on the window frame, stooping to be face-to-face with Emma.
"Actually, it's just… one… Emma," she shyly corrected.
He grinned, admiring her beauty. "I know. I just wanted to say it twice. So, who are you –"
"Dad! Dad! Are we still playing or what?" A boy in shorts and a Transformers t-shirt bounded up to his father, hugging him around the waist. He had the same sandy hair and smile, with a dimple in each cheek.
"Who's this little man here?" She asked, waving at the boy.
"Emma, this is my partner in crime, Jamie. Jamie, I think you owe this lovely lady an apology for hitting her car with your football."
"I'm sorry." The eight year old scrunched his face, not one for giving sincere apologies. "Dad, can we play now?"
"In a minute, son." He shushed Jamie and turned back to Emma. "So, maybe I'll see you around. Are you here for the week?" He was fishing for information, trying to discover more about the young woman who had in seconds already had him hooked.
"F-for a few days I think. My fiancé is checking us in," she explained.
"Oh." Nick felt a slight sting in his stomach when he heard that she was taken. "Guess a pretty woman like you doesn't stay single for long."
She blushed. "I'm sure we'll see you and your wife around here."
Nick scratched his head. "Uh, there is no wife. It's just Jay-Jay here and me. Isn't it bud?"
"Yup!" Jamie gave a cheeky smile.
"Oh, I see," Emma responded softly, not wanting to pry.
"Come on dad, I wanna play!" He tugged on Nick's singlet.
"Alright son." He mussed his hair. "He's not gonna let up, I can tell."
Emma agreed. "I suppose you better get going. It was really great talking to you."
"You too. By the way, cute teddy," he reached in and patted the soft bear sitting in Emma's lap.
"He certainly is."
Will emerged from the reception office with the keys and a handful of paperwork he was shuffling though. He opened the car door and sat at the driver's seat unaware Emma had found a new friend. "Hey Em sweetie, we're all checked in, and I got an activities brochure for different things we can do and… oh… who's… this?" Will questioned, ducking his head to find an overly tanned guy with the extra white teeth resting one arm on the window casing, the other on the bear he gave Emma.
"Hello. Nick's my name. And this is Jamie." He reached across Emma to shake hands. Jamie peeked through the open window.
"Will," Will replied as firmly as the grip of their handshake. "I see you've met Emma, my fiancée," he said, emphasising the last two words.
"Yes, and it's all thanks to a rogue football." Jamie continued pulling on Nick's shirt, frustrated that he was missing out on valuable playing time.
Will narrowed his eyes, not understanding. "What?"
"Oh, it's… nothing. I've gotta go play ball with my son, might see you around. Will. Emma." He took Jamie by the hand and headed over to a grassy area nearby.
"Bye, Nick. Bye Jamie," Emma called after them and wound her window up. "Such a cute little boy."
"Who? Jamie? Or Nick?" Will queried warily as he turn the key to start the car.
"Jamie, Mr Jealous," she replied pertly, noticing his green eyes turning greener with envy.
"I'm not jealous, Em."
"Really? I could have sworn…"
He reversed the vehicle and drove down the road to their chalet. "Well, I'm not."
"And so you shouldn't be. You're just as good looking as he is, and –"
"Gees, way to dent the ego," he pouted.
"Are we going to have another argument over something as silly as this?"
"He was interested in you Em. I saw it in his body language. Leaning in, his muscles all… flexing. And that kid. What a way to play on the heartstrings of an unsuspecting woman."
"Do you know how childish you sound right now? Even if he was interested; too bad for him. I'm with you. And his muscles weren't 'flexing'. Besides, I like your muscles better."
"Well, I'm certainly glad of that."
"Look, it's been a long day; you've been driving for hours, I know you must be tired and cranky. So, I'm going to forget this entire conversation. I'm here to have a romantic few days with you and you alone." She ran her hand along the inside of his thigh, biting her bottom lip and grinning at him. "And I can't wait to get started."
Will's body jerked from her touch. "Emma, sweetie, do you know what you do to me when you touch me there?"
Emma nodded, her eyes darkening. "Yes. That's why I do it. Mhm." Her fingers dotted a random pattern as they tracked the length of his thigh.
Trying to play it cool, his shallow breathing and sudden dry mouth wasn't helping the cause. He wanted her now. "Just wait til I get you inside, baby." He swallowed and kept his eyes on the road. Those sweet fingers were pleasantly torturous.
They drove to the furthest end of the lodge to their chalet. Hidden amongst the trees, it was the most secluded accommodation of them all, with uninterrupted views of the lake and surrounding mountains. It was away from campers, families, rambunctious children and noise.
Will pulled up next to their new, albeit temporary home for the next few days, and turned the engine off. His internal engine, however, was fired up and burning strong, super-pumped about the next few days and having Emma all to himself.
"Ah this is gonna be so great!" He kissed her cheek. "Look at this place!" He stepped out of the car, extended his arms and whooped for joy. A small pathway led to the two wooden stairs at chalet's entrance. A scroll-shaped wooden sign above the door read 'Lover's Roost'. The name couldn't have been more perfect.
Cradling Schuebear, Emma plucked up her courage and got out of the car. "It's a little… rustic, wouldn't you say?" Hotel rooms were about her limit; the entire concept of sharing rooms with total strangers and their germs was scary, no matter how well the room was serviced. She wasn't sure she could keep the promise she made to herself earlier.
"That's all part of the charm, sweetie." He put his arm around her waist. "Inside is all new and renovated; you wouldn't even think you were in the middle of a forest except when you look out the window."
"I could really use a rake right now." Emma's eyes fell to the leaf-covered ground. Her body tensed in his arms.
"You have to trust me sweetheart. Yes, I want to take you out of your comfort zone, but I'm not going to take you to a place where your OCD is going to flare up and having you end up resenting me because of it. I care about you and your wellbeing."
"I know you do. And I trust you completely." She cuddled into his chest.
"Good." He turned to Emma, kissing her lips. "Let's begin our mini-vacation, shall we?"
She smiled. "Uh-huh. It really is beautiful. Thank you for planning this for us." Her right hand cupped his face, skimming down his chest and around to his behind, sliding into his back pocket. She squeezed gently, circling her index finger inside the pocket. Emma stared into his eyes as she circled, then scratched at his firm behind.
He pulled Schuebear away from her, placing it on the hood of the car so he could hold her tight against his body. "My pleasure. You, me, summer and seclusion, nothing can spoil this now…" He dove onto her lips, kissing her hungrily. Emma sucked on his bottom lip, so soft and pillowy. As she opened her mouth, Will swept his tongue through, raking across her lips. His stubble rasped against her skin, her nerves tingling. He pushed her against their car, deepening their kiss, as both of her hands clasped at his behind. Will moaned as he ground his pelvis into her, his excitement already apparent. Emma's breath hitched as she felt him hardening against her.
"Will – Will, shouldn't we go inside before we… is that you?" She felt a vibration in his pants. The Superman theme began to play.
He kissed her jawline and sighed. "Dammit, my phone." He pulled the phone out of his side pocket and checked the number.
"Who on earth is calling you now?" Emma asked, dusting herself off.
"Hello Finn?" Will placed a hand over his ear so he could hear his former student and Glee club member speak. Reception was sketchy this far into the forest.
"You gave them your number?" Her words went unnoticed as Will tried to make out the garbled message.
"Finn? You still there? Is everything okay? I can barely hear you… wha-" The connection was lost. "Damn! I've got to call him back." He began to redial the number.
"Honey, not now, it will have to wait until we get home."
"He didn't sound too great, Em. Crap. The call cannot be connected," he mimicked the voice recording on the other end of the phone.
She placed a calming hand on his wrist. "Finn's got parents, Will, he should be calling them. What's he doing with your number anyway?"
"I gave everyone in Glee club my number, in case they needed me for something."
"Oh Will, I know how much the kids in Glee club mean to you, but you need to let them go. Can I expect everyone in the club to call you over summer now, honey?"
"I'm sorry Em; I didn't think anyone would call." In the back of his mind, though, he liked knowing that his students could count on him for anything.
"I really hope no one else does. I already share you with the students during the school year; it's supposed to be just us during the summer."
"It will be just us, I promise." Will took her hand. After being quite voluble about not having interruptions and removing themselves from their normal life to spend time alone, he felt absolutely terrible that it was his phone that broke the deal.
"Why don't we unpack and settle in?" Emma's displeasure was evident by the stoic tone of her voice. She let go of Will's hand and picked up Schuebear. Keeping a straight face, Will closed his eyes and breathed deeply. He fished the key out of his pocket and walked up to the front door with Emma following close behind.
The mood lightened the moment when Will opened the door. Both of their jaws dropped when they saw what was inside. Emma's arms dropped to her sides, releasing their grip on Schuebear, who fell headfirst to the floor. She bent at the knees to pick Schuebear up, her eyes absorbing every marvellous inch of their chalet. The room was magnificent, smelling of fresh paint and new furniture. A renovated kitchenette greeted them to the left, with an expansive lounge room containing a fireplace and new flat screen television ahead of them. Glass doors at the end of the lounge room opened to a balcony with a glass table and two woven chairs overlooking the jetty and lake. Will opened the doors to let the breeze in.
"Oh… wow," Emma whispered. "Everything is so… amazing."
"Isn't it?" Will stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her stomach. Sunlight shone off the rippling waters of the lake. People in canoes and paddleboats drifted calmly on the water as children played at the water's edge. The pines stood tall as giants and the mountains in the background made it the perfect landscape for a picture postcard.
"Let's go downstairs to the bedroom." A staircase to the right led them to the floor below. Their footsteps thundered down the narrow, lime green carpeted timber staircase.
A king-sized bed with overstuffed pillows of assorted shapes and sizes was the focal point of the bedroom. Dimmed green porcelain lamps with rounded frosted glass shades provided romantic lighting to their place of rest. The bathroom, located at the end of the room, was double the size of theirs at home, with cream tiles and a separate shower and spa bath.
Emma's eyes widened as she dropped the bear onto the bedside table. "This is the biggest bathroom I've ever seen. It's sparkling clean, it's freshly scented with a forest fragrance, it's… it's salubrious!" She was in her element; a hygienically spotless bathroom. Not a speck of dust, not a hint of dirt. "It even has the special strip of paper around the lid of the toilet." She read the writing on the paper and clasped her hands. "Yes, my protection thanks you for sanitising."
Will pulled his shoes off and threw himself back onto the bed, the decorative pillows falling out of their set position and onto the floor as his body bobbed on the sturdy springs. "A bouncy mattress. Em, come join me!" The mattress was soft and comfortable, perfect to lie down and relax on after a long day of driving. And, Will concluded, perfect for more… vigorous activities. He placed one hand behind his head; the other smoothed the empty space beside him.
"Eee! The soaps are shaped like ducks!" The green and blue plastic-wrapped soaps sat atop Emma's palm as she proudly showed Will her discovery. She crouched next to the bed, poking the soaps in Will's face. "Aren't these the cutest things you've ever seen?"
He lifted an eyebrow in bored amusement, snatching the soaps from her hand and placing them next to Schuebear. "Baby… I couldn't care less about duck-shaped soaps right now. Come here." Will raised his upper body, grabbed Emma by the waist and pulled her onto the bed. She yelped as he lifted her, his split second movements catching her by surprise.
"Yikes Will!" Emma laughed as she came to rest by his side. He reached for her hand, brushing it with his fingertips, interlacing their fingers and tracing nonsensical shapes in her palm. Emma closed her eyes, engaged in the wonders of Will's fingers as they sensuously travelled up and down her arm, her insides shivering. It felt so good and relaxing. He brought her hand up to his mouth, kissing her knuckles slowly, one at a time. His warm lips and tongue were an exquisite combination against her soft skin, its sensitivity rejoicing in pleasure from his touch.
"Yikes… Will…" Emma's reply was sultry second time around. Their eyes met, locking in an affectionate glance as his lips moved effortlessly from her index to her pinkie, caressing each digit tenderly.
"Everything about your fingers is perfect – their shape, their length, the way they make me feel when they touch my body… these are magic fingers." Will moved in closer to Emma, taking her left hand, giving it the same care and attention as he did to the right.
"And you know what makes they even more perfect… they are connected to the woman I'm going to marry."
Emma smiled, knowing she was the luckiest woman in the world to have a man like Will. She put her hand on his chest, finding his heartbeat. "Will, can we stay here forever?"
"Only if you want to, baby."
"I want to. I wish we could. It's so beautiful here. But we do have a life in Lima we need to go back to."
"Well, I guess we best make the most of it while we're here, what do you say?"
"Mhm, gladly." Without a moment of hesitation, Will crawled on top of Emma, his lips nibbling at her neck. She abruptly stopped him, her hands holding onto his shoulders, restraining his wandering lips. "But… after we unpack."
Will strained forward to kiss her face. She held him back far enough so she was just out of reach. He smiled. "You're making me work to get you under the covers."
"It's half the fun," Emma twittered light-heartedly, squirming away from Will with a grin. "Be thankful I'm not introducing a sticker board with gold stars."
"You and your sticker boards!" Will laughed.
"It got me to do my chores as a child," Emma stated, adjusting her dress, "and the rewards I received after completing all my tasks were very… fulfilling."
"Really? I don't consider cleaning caked dust out of the window runners fulfilling."
"Dust build up is not something to take lightly," she replied in all seriousness. "Do you know how many cotton tips I went through every year to ensure my windows could effortlessly glide on the tracks?"
"You're starting to sound like an advertisement for a new type of dust buster or something."
"But wait… there's more!" The well-known catchphrase had Emma in stiches. "More unpacking, that is! Come on, help me finish." She dragged him by the hand back upstairs and out to the vehicle. They emptied the contents of the car boot, with Will gentlemanly carrying both his and Emma's suitcases back to their bedroom. Emma unzipped the suitcases and smiled at how nice her folded clothes looked inside.
"See what careful folding and packing can do? Minimal ironing required now," she pointed out, pleased that her repacking from Will's original attempt had a much neater result.
"Are you going to hang everything, in case of creases?" Will questioned, hoping to distract her for a few moments whilst he planned their next romantic interlude.
"I am sweetheart," Emma agreeably remarked as she scratched the back of her head and smiled at her fiancé. "I hope there are hangers in the wardrobe."
Will checked for her, opening the large cedar doors to reveal enough wardrobe space and plenty of hangers for the two of them. "Go nuts, Em. I'll be downstairs putting some stuff away and afterwards I'll go for a shower. It's been a long drive and I need the hot water on my shoulders." His shoulders and neck felt stiff, and maybe, just maybe, he could pry a back massage out of Emma later in the evening. After he gave her one, that is. His and her massages. That sounded like fun.
Emma, gleefully delighted in her next task, left Will to his own devices as she emptied the suitcases and dutifully placed everything in the wardrobes and drawers. It was going to be their arduous abode for the next few days; she didn't want to be fumbling in a suitcase and messing up clothes and all that. It may be okay for some people, but not for Emma Pillsbury, and not for her husband-to-be either.
Lightly humming 'A Spoonful of Sugar' while she worked, Emma couldn't have been in a better mood. She caught herself smiling, the corners of her mouth bursting northwards with her cheeks plumping like a chipmunk storing food for a later date. But this was today, and Emma was hungry now for a delightful escape from the real world with the man who she loved more than all the washed grapes in the world.
She was so involved and caught up in her unpacking and melodious humming that Emma didn't even notice Will slip by with the Moscato he purchased earlier, along with two wine glasses. The bottle of Moscato had chilled nicely in the cooler during the drive and he was now craving a sip of the sweet, icy cold beverage.
He placed them on the floor of the bathroom every so carefully. Thankfully, the bottle was a screw-top, not a cork, which meant there would be no loud 'pop' when it was opened. Otherwise, that would be sure to garner Emma's attention. Creeping back into the bedroom, he picked up a change of clothes and said casually, "Just going for a shower. Won't be long."
It took a moment for Emma to register that someone was having a conversation with her. "Hm? Oh! Okay Will. I'm almost done here. The Dramamine is making it hard to keep my eyes open." Her eyes drooped and flickered slowly as she yawned. She hoped the tablets would wear off soon; a sure fight to beat the sleepiness was waging. Viewing the sunset from their balcony on their first night was high on Emma's list of romantic to-do moments. To hold Will's hand as they watched the sun disappear behind the mountains, sipping champagne and gazing into each other's eyes, oh, the memories that they would make. Emma was all for memories, creating and sharing, especially with Will by her side. Maybe this would be the vacation she told her grandchildren about, how these few magical days together sealed their love and devotion for one another; and proved that as the years wore on, their love was resilient, transcending any obstacles which threatened their world of paradise. Love, after all, was the binding element in their lives. It was unconditional. And to bask in Will's love was the greatest thing she could ever wish for.
The back of Emma's head sunk into the pillow as happy thoughts of Will fluttered in through her head. He was always a permanent fixture in her mind. She heard the rush of water echo from the bathroom, heavy droplets beating on the base of the shallow cubicle. Will had started his shower; the sound was quite calming and relaxing. She reached for her handbag and pulled out her purchases from Victoria's Secret. Holding the items up one at a time, Emma smiled dreamily whilst naughty, non-Emma thoughts revolved around in her head. She remembered the look on her face the moment she saw her reflection in the change-room mirror. It was still Emma, but a different Emma, one whose hidden salaciousness, she decided, required further exploration. Will's jaw was bound to hit the floor and his tongue roll out like a red carpet at an awards night once he caught a glimpse. The seductive, sexy side of Emma was ready to be seen.
Emma hoped she wouldn't chicken out.
It wasn't like Will hadn't seen her body before. Her body would just simply be dumping her boring attire for sexier lingerie. Lingerie that Will would more than likely tear off in two seconds flat. Will liked her body; that she knew for certain. Could she pull off being sexy, that was the huge question.
Sure she could.
"I can be sexy." She stood, venturing over to the mirror and like a little girl playing dress-up, pressed her chest into the moulded cups of the bra. She sucked in her cheeks and put on her best starlet pout. "Oh my dear," Emma gushed, a Joan Crawford-esque accent springing from her lips, "You are the sexiest redhead to grace the planet Earth." Flipping her hair and posing like the models in the lingerie catalogues she flicked through at the store, Emma batted her eyelashes and winked at herself in the mirror.
"Yes, big boy, I'm winking at you. How's about we go back to my place and I make a man out of you? What do you say?" Pretending to hold a Virginia Slim in an opera length cigarette holder, Emma lifted her head, blowing out an imaginary puff of smoke toward the ceiling.
Now, if that wasn't sexy and seductive, she didn't know what was.
And then she yawned, mouth wider than a hippopotamus.
Yeah. Sexy.
She was tireder than she thought. "I guess a few minutes shut eye wouldn't hurt," Emma decided as she yawned again. Carefully hiding her secret weapons in the drawer so Will wouldn't stumble upon them, Emma lay on top on the covers, cradling a pillow in her arms. Why is Will taking so long, she wondered, closing her eyes. It wasn't like him to spend this long in the shower; normally she was the one to take forever, ensuring every inch of her body was clean and smelt like raspberries. But she couldn't think straight anymore. Waves of fatigue rolled through her body, overpowering her. She was losing the fight; Emma let weariness set in, whisking her into another realm of dreamland.
"Emma! Emma! I need some help in here. Come quickly!"
She felt herself being sucked out of her imaginary world, her body caught in a twister, spinning in to darkness whilst her brain played catch up. Her eyelids snapped open, but her chestnut-coloured eyes darted in their sockets trying to find focus in the light that was also blinding her. Myriads of transparent coloured patterns flashed and faded as her vision became clear.
Fear clutched at her heart and as she gasped from fright, rolled over and fell out of bed with a loud thump.
"Oohf!" Pain shot through her elbow as she attempted to find her footing. She felt like the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz when he was first cut down from his post. Those straw legs of hers just wouldn't fall into line.
"What is it Will? What's wrong?" Emma burst into the bathroom, worried that Will had slipped and fallen and there would be a mess and… and… the scene in front of her was astonishing.
Bubbles. Bubbly. And a grin on Will's face that curled and looped around Emma's heart.
"You see, I have this whole bottle of wine to drink and no one to share it with… will you share it with me?" Holding two glasses in his one hand and the bottle in the other, his voice greeted Emma like melted butter, smooth, golden and full of warmth.
"Oh… my… Will! You scared the living daylights out of me!" Relieved that there was no injured Will, she took a few moments to attempt a return to the calmness she held just moments ago. How handsome and sexy did he look in a spa bath though? And the inviting eyes he laid upon her only enticed her heartbeat to pick up speed.
Will was irresistible in bubbles.
"But… wow…" Her face lit up, grinning whilst her eyes greedily absorbing the scene before her, compelled to slide right in next to Will, fully clothed, because she didn't want to waste any more time simply staring.
"I apologise for scaring you. I had to get your attention somehow." He extended his arm, motioning to Emma to take a glass from his hand.
"You sure did." She tapped her fingernail on the glass and lowered her head, trying to disguise the growing smirk on her face.
"So, will you join me?" Placing his glass and the bottle onto the cream-tiled ledge, Will outstretched his arms so they circled edge of the spa. Chest hair peeked out above the water's frothy surface. He gazed at the beautiful redhead before him, his heart kinetically energised like a rubber ball bouncing inside him from excitement. "The water's warm and we can relax amongst the bubbles. Have a drink or two also."
His request was gaining appeal by the second, breeding a silent lust to sense what only lovers could when entangled in each other's arms. She edged the zip of her dress down slowly, wavering after only an inch of bare skin showed. Emma blinked a few times and, smiled with a reluctant exhalation. Will's covetous staring as she undressed was flattering but made her unequivocally falter. "Can you turn your head or cover your eyes please?"
"Why, what's the matter?" A furrowed brow appeared on Will's face.
"I – I don't want you to look," replied an honest Emma, a slight case of modesty arising inside her.
"Honey, it's not like I haven't seen you undress before. Or seen you naked for that matter," Will pointed out, growing restless to have his love beside him, instead of a few feet away.
Emma receded in her own sweet, conservative way. "I'm feeling a little… shy…"
"There's no need to be shy, but, if you want me to turn away, I will. I'll even cover my eyes. You tell me when you're ready." Will persisted in keeping patient, even though he thought she was being irrational. He turned to face the wall, palms covering his eyes. However, knowing Emma was undressing behind him was rather arousing.
He heard the zipper.
Her dress fell to the floor. Stepping out from the pooled polka-dotted fabric, Emma briskly collected it in her arms, zipped it back up and folded it neatly on the bench next to the sink. It was a duteous task, and according to Emma, had to be done. Her clothes had to be folded. Why couldn't she just throw caution (and her unmentionables) to the wind, slinging her clothing around the room in that romantic fashion only seen in movies, having them land perfectly draped on a chair?
There was that one time, the first time, where any conscious thoughts of tossed clothes were submerged, forgotten in favour of pleasurable hours between her and Will. It was only immediately afterwards when the OCD gremlin crept back into existence to pick up after her aberrantly messy self. Her body wanted to savour; her mind wanted to tidy. Tidiness was the unfortunate winner.
Undoing the hooks of her bra, Emma let the straps fall down her arms, catching them in her hands. Fold or fling? She weighed her options, folded the cups into each other and tossed it to land on top of her dress. She did the same with her underwear. A compromise. It was a start, anyway.
With his eyes still shut, Will's craving to have Emma in his possession, to glide his fingers down her wet skin and embrace her body was mounting.
"You're not making this easy on a man, Em," he light-heartedly remarked, "I'm dying here!"
"Won't be long now," Emma sweetly replied, dipping her index finger in the water. "Water's warm."
"The wine will go warm too if we don't drink it soon." Will was thirsty for more than a cool glass of Moscato.
Emma stepped cautiously into the tub, lowering herself into the water, immersing her body fully in the depths of bubbles and warmth. As her behind touched the curved sides, she miscalculated how smooth the surface was and slipped, making a sound like an off-key tuba and crashing into Will.
She shrieked as the water flipped and waved, overspilling onto the tiles.
Will felt her legs knock into his back and gripped her arm before she went completely underwater. "Are you alright?"
"Well, that wasn't the most graceful of entrances," Emma admitted sheepishly, the tips and back of her ginger hair dripping with water.
"Maybe not, but finally I have you in the tub and in my arms," Will professed gratefully, wiping bubbles from her hair. "Are you sure you're okay?"
Emma repositioned herself into his body, leaning back onto his chest. Her nerves were jumpy from the slip, but Will's compassion slowly put her at ease. "My elbow hurts a bit where I bumped it."
"That's no good. Let me kiss it better," Will sympathised, holding her close and leaning over to kiss her left elbow. His lips tenderly caressed the red mark, while his hand held the underside of her wrist. Emma smiled fondly upon Will doting over her. Voyaging north, his soft lips dotted kisses upon her freckled skin, her smooth tapered shoulders and across her back and neck. She felt his breath; temperately light and feathery, rendering her helpless in his presence. Their eyes met; infused with heated serenity as they held their gaze.
"You're so pretty," Will uttered sincerely, captivated by her brilliant smile and fine features. To him, Emma was this beautiful package, wrapped in rose-scented tissue paper and tied with ribbons and bows. And each moment he was with her, he unwrapped a little more wonder and loveliness of his one and only. Will shifted a piece of ginger hair behind Emma's ear, kissing her lobe. She cuddled into him, soaking up the attention and the bubbles.
"And you're so handsome," Emma replied with a tranquil tone, thinking about how blessed she was to have Will in her life.
Water began to fizz and hum when Will leaned forward to turn the spa on. Pouring wine into Emma's glass to match his, he handed it to Emma, taking hold of his and made a toast.
"May all of our todays and all of our tomorrows be spent happy and touched with love."
"That beautiful, Will. Cheers." Clinking glasses, the duo sipped the sweet beverage, relishing in each other's company. "And can I just say… I couldn't be happier. Here. Now. With you. Always." Emma turned her head upwards, catching Will's lips with hers. After multiple slow pecks, enough to titillate Will's senses, Emma nuzzled into his chest and closed her eyes, listening to the powerful buzz of the spa and her fiancé's soothing voice.
"Nothing can ruin our weekend, so long as we're together," he said, the pressure of the jets providing an invigorating massage on his back. Emma curled his hand across her stomach and kissed his bicep. Her stomach was flat and waist small, but in a year or two, Will hoped that would all change with a special little person growing inside. He wanted that more than anything, and he knew Emma did too. This was just the beginning for them, the start of a family.
As they drank their wine and talked about their plans for tomorrow, Emma played with the suds, scooping a handful of foam and blowing it into the air. "I feel so good right now," she sighed contentedly, stretching to retrieve her wine glass. She took a large sip, emptying the glass. "Everyone I love is in this wonderful spa bath with me."
Will filled her glass again, and topped up his own. "You know, I feel the same way."
"It's funny how things turn out. I never thought I would be here with you, engaged, planning our wedding… you know? All those little things my mind had resolved to the fact I would never experience because of the way I was... am. And I was okay with that. Until…"
"Until…?" Will pressed her gently, giving her a hug.
Emma turned, looked directly into Will's eyes with all sincereness and said gently, "Until you."
They kissed, long and lovingly, steamy desire rising between them. The corner of Will's lips curled as he smiled, diving in for another taste of Emma's lips. Her fingers entwined around his wavy hair, lightly stroking his scalp as she became lost in Will's embrace. His hands slid around on her soapy, wet back, settling on her slender hips. He felt Emma's chest brush against him as the kiss continued, with wild thoughts of how their romantic evening was going to transpire streaming through his mind.
"Will," Emma's voice swirled breathlessly around his ears, "I think we both know where this is leading."
"Where do you think this is leading?" Will questioned, winking his eye with a gregarious smile.
"Oh silly!" Emma exclaimed, taking a handful of frothy bubbles and lathering Will's face. "You know what I mean, Santa Claus."
"Santa Claus! You're Santa Claus now!" Will charmingly fired back, splashing a mass of suds on Emma's face. "How long have you been waiting to put bubble bath all over my face?"
"For about as long as I've wanted to do this," Emma replied haughtily, spattering him with water. She was now sitting opposite him, the spa jets bubbling gratifyingly on her back.
Will pulled a face as water dripped from his hair, a glint of cheekiness appearing his green eyes. "I'll get you for that honey!" He retaliated, surging a huge amount of water onto Emma with the back of his hands. She acquired an unpleasant mouthful of water and coughed, but that did not stop her from seeking revenge.
They splashed each other, laughing, crying, water and foam going everywhere. Emma's hair was soaked through, so was Will's and there was water all over the floor, but they couldn't have been in a cheerier mood.
"Look at all the water! Will, we've made such a mess," stated a worried Emma, wondering how she would even begin to clean up.
"Whoa, whoa, come here sweetheart," Will said, reassuring her, "That's what we have daily housekeeping service." Pouring more wine into the glasses that were spared the barrage of soapy water, Will put his arm around his girl and returned to the peacefulness of effervescing spa jets. It would be time to hop out soon and continue with the rest of their first day away. But for the time being, a few moments of relaxation and lowering of their fast-beating hearts was greatly preferred.
Emma ran her hands along his legs, deciding her previous position of laying back into his body felt very comfortable. Will took her in his arms, but it wasn't long before his hand wandered closer to Emma's chest. He played with the undersides of her breasts, closing his eyes, feeling how soft and supple they were. He had been watching them intently during their water fight and was infatuated by their bounce. It was part of a guy's manhood.
"Hey, you'll get excited," Emma noted, not entirely concerned if he was working himself up because, frankly, she was getting agitated too – in the best possible way.
"Too late, the horse has already bolted from the paddock," he confessed with a smile. He had been excited for a while now, heck, just looking at Emma was reason for his friend to salute.
"Come on cowboy, let's mount up and find that horse," Emma said with a southern drawl, smacking Will's kneecaps.
"Hi-Ho Silver!" Will's face lit up like a neon sign on a building in Times Square. He leapt out of the tub, turned the spa off and grabbed a towel to dry off. He threw Emma the remaining, thick, white folded towel on the bench and she swiftly covered herself, the draught in the room catching her by surprise.
"Don't slip, Em," warned Will, as he attempted to mop up the water on the tiles by swirling the soaked bath mat with his foot.
Emma nodded, cautiously heading towards the safe, non-slippery carpeted flooring where she started to towel off. There was absolutely no way she was going get into a bed all wet and partially soapy. As she dried herself, the familiar squeeze of Will enveloping her bare body made her tingle like sherbet on the tongue.
"Mm, you smell great," Will whispered into her ear, placing the newly filled wine glasses on the bedside table. "Looks like we'll need another bottle." He wiped water droplets from her shoulders with the hand towel her brought with him and kissed her head. Turning Emma around to face him and positioning the smaller towel on her head, he tousled her ginger hair, removing excess water.
"You should leave your hair like this all the time. I think it's called the 'beach' look," he entertained, passing her the glass as they drained what was left of the Moscato.
"As long as there's no sand involved, I'm all for it," Emma replied as Will bundled her in his arms, carrying her to the bed. Placing her down gently, Will laid beside her, admiring, thinking, and simply contemplating today, tomorrow and their future. A bashful smile alighted Emma's face, and Will raveningly drank in her beauty and coy expression. There was no further time to spare.
Reacquainting their bodies, they tumbled into each other, holding, kissing, touching, not wanting to cease in the passion that was unfolding.
"Wait! Before we… hm… I have one thing to do." Emma picked up Schuebear and faced him toward the wall. "His eyes are too young. Plus it was getting creepy having him watch us."
"Only you would think of something like that, Em," Will declared with a chuckle, eager to return to the action. Peppering her face with kisses, Will ventured his hands around her body, making her giddy and excited. She raked her fingers over his chest, rubbing the base of her foot over his calf muscles.
"Mm Em, I love feeling your legs wrapped around me," came Will's husky response as Emma did exactly that, weaving their legs together like a twisted ponytail. She was driving him wild, and all he could think about was how fantastic it felt being inside her, knowing he would burst if that didn't happen in the next half a second.
There was a loud knock at the door.
"Whoever it is can just go away," Will murmured, nipping at Emma's neck.
"Room Service!" Came the shrill yell from outside.
"Damn." Will punched the mattress with the base of his fist. Some people had impeccable timing.
"Maybe if we're quiet, they'll go away."
They held their breath in wait for silence on the other side of the door.
More knocks, fiercer this time. "Room Service!"
"Sounds like she isn't going to go away, Will."
"I should have put the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door," he groaned. "Hold on. This is the last interruption, I promise. I'll bring down another bottle while I'm up."
Grabbing a towel, Will hurriedly wrapped it around his waist, and taking his empty wine glass with him for a refill, bounded up the stairs two at a time to greet the person behind the door. "Coming!" he shouted.
Taking a quick breather before he opened the door, he combed his fingers through his dishevelled hair, hoping it didn't look too much like he was in the throes of passion. Irrespective of that, the towel was a dead giveaway. But he was certain this wouldn't be the last time someone was caught in the act by a cleaner or housekeeper at a hotel.
He opened the door to reveal a blonde woman in a fitted grey uniform, staring down at the ground, obviously tired of her job and frustrated that no one came answered the door in the split second she knocked.
Before Will could get a word out and without a second thought, she looked straight through him and rattled off her familiar spiel to all guests staying in the deluxe chalets. "Compliments of the manager, here is a bottle of our finest champagne. We hope that you enjoy your…"
The woman's voiced halted to a dead stop when she finally looked at his face. Her eyes were steely grey and fierce and cut through him like a knife.
Will stood there, motionless. The glass slid from his hand, shattering onto the floor.
It wasn't. It couldn't be. It was.
"Terri."
