Killian walked into the shelter with a smile on his face and two cups of coffee. He wasn't sure if he was ever looking forward to Christmas Eve as much as he was today. As soon as he was inside, he was surprised by the swarm of people and what could only be generously called organized chaos. He was trying to move back toward the offices when he was stopped by a hand on his shoulder.
"Glad you are here. Everyone is working on distributing the gifts. Emma is in the warehouse with a clipboard." Archie told him pointing in the direction.
"On it boss." He said with a smile and headed in that direction. Once he got to the back, he saw her hair before he saw her. It was in braid; obviously she had planned to try to keep it out of her way. He could see that she was in a green sweater and dark blue jeans. She looked as beautiful as ever. He walked up behind her and snaked an arm around her with her coffee. "Morning, love." He whispered in her ear.
She made a small shudder, but then leaned back against him. "Morning." She took the coffee and took a large drink of the caffeinated beverage. "Thank God! I needed that."
He chucked and spoke into her ear again, "While I love the praise, you can call me Killian, love." She could almost hear the smirk on his lips, and then the soft press of his lips to the back of her neck was almost too much. She barely suppressed a moan from her lips, but in doing so straightened her back, sending the wrong impression. His spine stiffened, and the apology immediately on his lips. "Sorry, Emma. I don't know what came over…"
She cut him off as she spun around towards him, "No. Don't apologize." Her free hand took his. "I just didn't expect it."
The unsure look in his eyes faded and the smirk came back, "So…" he shifted a little closer into her space. "You don't mind my lips on your body, Swan?"
Emma leaned in closer, "I mind them as much as you mind mine on yours." She watched the blue of his eyes darken, thinking she may have won this round. She was wrong.
"Well, then, love, that tells me that you want my lips all over your body."
She knew her mouth was parted, her heart beating fast, her breathing quickening, until someone walked by and broke the moment. She shook her head, "We need to get to work, Jones."
Killian nodded, trying to clear his head as well. "Absolutely, love. Where do you want me?" At the look on her face, he then understood his unintended innuendo and let out a short chuckle. He continued with a wink, "We can discuss that thought later, but in the meantime. What do you need me to do here?"
She tried to contain her smile. "So as you know, each of the gifts has a number on it in black Sharpie. That number corresponds to the list you made with what the toy was. Each child was assigned a toy or two based on age, likes, etc." She pointed to a stack of various colored sheets of papers in her arms. "Each one of these is a drop off location, with a list of the kids and the present number next to their names. The color of the paper indicates which of the vans out back they go into for delivery."
He nodded, "Very well organized."
She smiled, "It isn't our first rodeo." She took a sheet of paper and handed it to him, "Take this, then tape to one of the boxes. Get the gifts that go inside, and then grab one stocking for each child as well and place it in the box." She turned towards the back warehouse garage door. "Then the boxes go with the others boxes with the same color paper."
"I think I can handle this, but one more question." Emma took a drink of her coffee and motioned for him to continue. "I haven't seen any of the kids today. Where are they?"
"Well, we couldn't have them see everyone in here and moving presents around. So Tink and Granny have them on a field trip today, and they are going to see Santa. Or technically my brother."
Killian grinned, "So the Sheriff is playing Santa for the kids. Did you rope him into that?"
"Honestly, I just mentioned it to Mary Margaret, his wife. And he was done for."
He shuffled the paper into his hand with his coffee, and his then free hand came up and placed an erant piece of hair fallen from her braid and put it behind her ear. "If she's anything like you love, he didn't stand a chance." He took the paper back and looked at it, then back to her. "I better get to work."
She nodded, "You better, I hear the organizer is pretty bossy. You don't want to get on her bad side."
"Well if I do, then I guess I will just have to find a way to make it up to her." With that he gave her a wink and then turned to get to work.
He kept loading boxes with the others while Emma worked on directing people and checking off the progress. The helpers continued until all the boxes were filled, and the first round of vans were loaded and left to start their deliveries.
Everyone left headed to the lunchroom, where Granny had prepaired bag lunches for everyone. They both took a lunch and sat down next to each other.
Killian smiled at Emma. "I'm actually a little shocked you are eating lunch outside of your office."
She laughed, "Yeah I know. I eat in there a lot. Usually Tink is with me. She forces me to eat and stop working for a few minutes."
"It's good that you have a friend that makes you take a mental break." He took a bite of his sandwich and then opened his bottle of water.
"Yeah, I know. It's just that I've been so busy."
"Hopefully you will be able to hire that new counselor and be able to take a break."
She knew that with the donations they got, especially his donation, that wouldn't be a problem. "Archie tells me they are currently looking at candidates and hoping to have someone start in early January." She took a drink of her own water and then started on an apple slice.
He swallowed another bite of his food. "Maybe you can take some time off than." He already had ideas, but knew it was much too soon to express them.
"Maybe. But it will be awhile. Once someone is hired, it's going to take at least a few weeks for them to get a hang of how everything works before I would feel comfortable about leaving them alone for a few days, let alone any longer."
He nodded, "I fully understand. But when that happens, any idea of where you would want to go, or what to do?"
Emma took a bite of her own sandwich and looked up, tilting her head from side to side as she chewed, thinking of an answer. She swallowed and took a drink of water. "Honestly, I have no idea. It's been a long time. Maybe somewhere warm?" She laughed, "Not that in a couple of months it won't be warm here. But right now, some sun sounds really nice."
He grinned, "It sure does. It will take a few more months until it gets really warm here, so I'm sure you have time to get someone trained and take the time."
She finished her sandwich and went back for another slice of apple. "So, where do you like to go on your time off?"
Killian finished his sandwich as well, crunched the wrapping and put it in the bag. "Little different for me I guess. I travel all over the county for work. I do get to see things where I go, just not full days of touring. But each time I go back, I get to see a little more. So, really time off is my winter break. Or the one weekend we get off towards the middle of the year."
"And this winter you don't really get to go anywhere." She said. It wasn't a question, she knew the answer. His community service prevented him from going anywhere.
"I don't mind at all this year." He took her hand under the table. "I believe it was definitely for the best." He wanted to lean in and kiss her, but knew in front of everyone he shouldn't. Their behavior earlier was borderline and only because there were so many people moving around, doing their own thing. No one noticed them, no one saw them. But in the lunchroom was another story. He could tell from the look on her face, her eyes dropping to his lips and then back, she was thinking the same thing. Her hand squeezed his back instead.
He was leaving it in her court as to what she wanted to tell her work colleges, and until then he would follow her lead. However, he was pretty sure that Archie, Granny, and Tink all knew. Heck, Granny and Archie had to, with their knowing glances and words, not to mention having two cookies ready for him or Emma to pick up. But he would move at her pace.
She dragged him out of his thoughts. "So if you were able, where would you go?"
"Typically for winter I head back to London to see my family. Luckily this year we had already planned on them visiting me." She gave his hand another squeeze remembering his confession on their date. "Either before or after that I try to travel, usually the southern hemisphere or around the equator for the warmth. Australia is really nice this time of year."
"Sounds nice. I haven't been out of the US honestly." When his eyes widened in surprise, she continued. "I know, I know. It's just when I was growing up I was shipped around the states a few times. Then when I was placed with the Nolans, they didn't have a ton of money, but they made up for it in love."
"Which is significantly better."
Emma nodded, "Very much so. Then I was in college, and as soon as I graduated I started working here. Until a few years ago, all my spare change went to paying off my school loans. And after that I have been so busy. I did go to Vegas for Mary Margaret's bachelorette party though."
He grinned, "Vegas is fun. Not much culture or beauty, but fun."
She laughed "Yeah, and for sure not beautiful in the morning."
"Well, I think it would be quite beautiful in the mornings with you there." Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment at his comment and she looked down at the table starting to clean it up. "Emma… I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I don't know what's come over me…" That wasn't exactly true, he did know. She was the reason.
She gave a soft smile, her fingers squeezing his hand again. "No, it's okay."
"No, it is not, I made you uncomfortable. I'm sorry Emma. I will endeavor to stop those types of comments."
She turned to him on that. Her other hand almost coming to cup his check and stopped short and then went to her lap. "No, don't stop." He looked at her questioning and before he could comment she answered. "I'm just not used to it. I'm not used to the compliments."
"That is not possible. How could a beautiful, gorgeous woman such as yourself, not be used to receiving compliments from male suitors?"
The blush returned again, "I don't meet many men, haven't wanted to. And the ones I do meet, when Tink drags me out…well, those comments are of a much more vulgar sort. They aren't interested in knowing me, or caring about me. They are more for what they can get out of me, especially for the night." She gave a short unhumorous snort, "And to say my last relationship was…well, let's just say, he wasn't a good guy for me. None of them were." She looked back to the table and let go of his hand, concentrating on crumpling up her trash bag. She was clearly uncomfortable with revealing so much about herself.
He reached up and took her hand again, his thumb caressing the back of it. "Then they were all idiots. They didn't know what a treasure they had in their presence." She looked down again, and his heart broke just a little. He vowed to himself that he would change this view she had; that she would stop shying away from his so very truthful comments. He would make her see what he did.
She closed her eyes and took a breath. "We better get back to the warehouse and get the vans loaded for the next trips. We need to be done before the children get back." He knew she was trying to change the subject, and he would let her, for now.
===∞∞∞∞∞===
It didn't take long and all the vans were dispersed. The remainder of the gifts were given gift tags with the children's name from the shelter who was getting the gift. Then they were set out for the resident staff to get and set under the tree later that night.
It was close to four o'clock when they were done, and Archie walked in. "Great job everyone. Now go home, be with your friends or family, or whatever. But work is done until Monday." He then looked at Emma, "That especially goes for you."
She was about to object when Killian came up behind her, "I'll make sure she follows your orders."
Emma looked between the two men and threw up her hands. "Fine, fine. Then let's get out of here." She gave Archie a hug, and Killian gave him a handshake and pat on the back, both saying happy holidays. He then he followed her back to her office.
She went into her office and he leaned against the door frame. "You going to watch me?"
"I know how stubborn and dedicated you are."
She hadn't even turned on her computer that day, it was so busy. She put on her coat, grabbed her purse and keys, then joined him in the hall. He waited for her to lock the door, and with a hand on her lower back, they headed for the parking lot.
"So, you want to follow me? Drive over later? Drop off your car, and I drive?"
"If you drive me then you have to leave to drop me off when I come home." She saw the small disappointment flash but was gone just as quickly. She smiled and added, "Whatever time that may be." She looked around and since they were alone she went onto her toes and gave him a quick peck on the lips. "Do you mind if I go home, freshen up a little bit, and then drive over?"
"Not at all. Here…" he took out his phone and quickly typed his address and texted her. "If you need directions or anything, just call. But Google maps and GPS does well." He leaned in and gave her a small kiss to her forehead. "When you get to the gate, just press the button and I will buzz you in."
She raised her eyebrows at that, but the shock quickly wore off. Sometimes she forgot that he was a celebrity. Security was probably needed. At least he wasn't like a movie star; that could be really difficult. She smiled up at him, "So don't drive through closed gates, got it."
He laughed, "Yeah, that would not be good for your car… or the gates."
"Okay, I'll see you soon." They both got into their cars and exited the parking lot going their own direction.
He was headed back to his house to make sure it was still in one piece from his family, though he knew Elsa would make sure it was. She had also told him she was making dinner, but he was going to try and help her. He was very thankful that his brother had her; she was good for him. Heck, she was good for himself—the sister her never had. He was also glad he had a little time to get home and freshen up himself. After the manual labor today, a shower and some new clothes would do some good.
It didn't take long before he was home, and almost immediately he smelled the delicious aroma of food cooking. He quickly headed for the kitchen and saw Elsa moving around the room. "Smells good."
"Oh good. You're home!"
Killian looked around, "Where are my brother and the boys?"
She laughed, "I kicked them out. They were hovering. So I sent them to the movies." She looked at the clock, "They should be back in about a half hour or so." She smiled up at him, "Where is Emma?"
"She went home to change; should be here within the hour."
"Well I hope she likes what I made. You never told me if she had any special food requirements."
He shook his head, "I don't believe so. She eats meat, and gluten and peanuts…" He said remembering their dates and cookies. "Can I help you with all this, or will you send me out of my own house?" He asked with a wink.
"The hard part is done. Besides, I like being able to make a big dinner on Christmas Eve. We celebrate Christmas in Norway on Christmas Eve. So I have created a bit of that Christmas dinner tonight. I had to adapt a little, due to not having the same things here, but close."
He smiled, "Sounds great, and smells even better." He looked around again, "You sure you are okay?"
"Absolutely. Now, go get ready."
"In case she comes early…"
Elsa grinned, "I know how to ring her in, don't worry."
He nodded and started to walk out of the room, then turned back to her, "Elsa, thank you."
Her smile brightened even more, "You are more than welcome, Killian." She waved him away, "Now go get ready."
He walked to his bedroom with a smile. Soon she was going to be here, in his home, meeting his family. He was both elated and worried. He shed his clothes into the hamper in his closet, then turned back and walked naked back to the master bathroom. He opened the glass door to the large shower, and turned on the water. He looked at the time on his watch, and was glad that he had enough time for a quick shower and change of clothes. He then took off the watch and set it on the counter. He just didn't want to leave him too much time afterwards, otherwise he knew he would start pacing. He took a deep breath and stepped into to stream of hot water.
===∞∞∞∞∞===
Emma was following the directions that her phone was giving in her little yellow bug. She had showered, dried, and styled her hair, applied some fresh makeup and put on some new clothes. A new pair of jeans and a red silk blouse. If she had also shaved her legs and touched up a few others areas, and put on a pair of matching sexy underwear, well…so what. She really didn't know what to expect of tonight, so she was wanting to be ready for anything.
She had changed out her purse for a larger one. It had his gift inside, and maybe a change of clothes. She shook her head at herself. Get a grip, Emma. But she couldn't help it, she wanted him. She could admit that. She had wanted him for awhile. Okay, probably ever since she met him. But with his teasing this morning, maybe, just maybe she would get her chance. However, she knew not to expect it—his family was visiting, so that may put a large damper on things.
Her phone told her to turn right off the main road, and she did. She already knew she was in an upper-scale neighborhood. She knew he lived on the lake, which meant an expensive house. But after a few more turns and as she got closer and closer, the only thing she could see from the road were several gates.
He heart rate increased and she took a few deep breaths. Come on Emma, you already knew this. Don't freak out. Don't freak out. Killian has been to your place, and had no issues with it. You already know he has money, what else did you expect. This is Killian, it's okay. She kept telling herself, over and over. Until her phone brought her out of her thoughts and told her that her destination was on the right. She pulled into the drive and up to the black, wrought iron gate. She rolled down her window and clicked the bottom for the intercom.
"Hello?" Came a female voice.
It shocked Emma for a second and then she realized it was his sister-in-law. Her mind tried to bring up the name; right, Elsa. "Hello, it's Emma."
"Welcome, come on in." And with that there was a beep and the gate started to open. She waited until the opening was wide enough and she drove through. As she got closer her mouth gaped open. The house was huge, and beautiful. She parked to the side of driveway not wanting to block the garage. She straightened her shoulders, took a deep breath and then opened the door. She grabbed her purse and the bottle of chilled wine, locked her door behind her and went up to the door.
She didn't have to knock the door was opened and a petite blonde was standing there. "Hello." She said and Emma quickened her pace and came inside into the large foyer. "Killian will be out in a few minutes." The woman shut the door and turned back to her, "Hi, I'm Elsa."
Emma took the offered hand and shook it. "I'm Emma."
Elsa grinned, "Oh, I know." She winked at her and then saw the bottle of wine. "Oh, let's go into the kitchen and open that while we wait for the guys."
"I like your style." Emma nodded and followed her through the living room. A large Christmas tree all in white lights stood. She then passed through a small alcove and into the large kitchen that expanded into what looked like a family room. That room looked much more lived-in. Large TV, another Christmas tree that was in multicolored lights, and stockings hung over the fireplace.
Elsa motioned to a counter near the family room. "You can set your purse down if you like, your coat anywhere." Emma put down her purse and placed her coat on the back of a bar stool. "And if you want to take off your shoes, there is a pile over by the doors."
She turned to look at the double doors, and right beside them there was as she said a pile of shoes. Big, little, all kinds. She gave a soft laugh and went over to the door, and pulled off her boots, leaving her in a pair of red fluffy socks. She looked out the windowed doors, and noticed an in-ground pool and attached hot tub. Her eyes lifted and from there she could see they weren't even 200 ft, probably much less, from the water. It was a spectacular view.
She felt the other woman approach before she heard her. She turned to a smile and a glass of white wine was handed to her, another one for herself. "It is a beautiful view, isn't it?"
"Very," Emma admitted. She could only imagine how nice it would look on a spring or summer day; the windows and doors open, allowing a breeze in. She tried to shake herself from the thoughts. "So, where is everyone?"
"Well I sent my husband and the boys out for a movie. They were driving me crazy while I made dinner."
"Oh, you didn't need to go to all that trouble."
"It was no trouble. I actually was very happy to do so. Hopefully you don't mind it. I made a slight variation of a traditional Norwegian Christmas dinner."
Emma could tell she wasn't American, or British, but her statement had answered her question. "Well it smells fantastic." She took a sip of her wine and she followed the other woman back to the kitchen and sat on a bar stool next to her.
"There you are, love," Killian said as he entered the room and came up behind her. She didn't get a chance to turn around as his arms wrapped around her from behind, and he gave her a kiss on the side of her cheek. "Sorry I wasn't ready when you got here."
She turned on the bar stool to face him, his arms returning to his side. "It's okay. I got to meet Elsa."
"And we got started on the wine she brought," Elsa smiled. She then hopped of her own stool and walked back to the oven, "I gotta check on the meat."
"Did she give you the tour? So you know your way around?"
"No, I haven't been here too long. Just as long as I know where the bathroom is, I'm fine."
He tilted his head and gave her a look, studying her. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." She took a sip of her wine.
He bit his lip still studying her. "Nope, up with you." She sighed but hopped down. His eyes went to her feet, and his own socked feet, blue socks no less, he pointed at her feet. "Cute." Her eyes moved over his jeans and to his light blue sweater, that really brought out his eyes. Her eyes then met his and he smiled, "Okay, come with me." He angled his elbow out to her and she took it with a sigh. He had a feeling what this was about. She had already expressed to him about how small her apartment was when he had visited.
"So you have already seen the kitchen and the family room. One of my favorite places in the house." He admitted and brought her towards the doors she had already looked out, but past them. Inside was a bedroom and a bathroom. "Guest bedroom, but really I only use the bathroom in the summer time for pool parties and such, so that water isn't tracked all over the house." She nodded and then he walked back by the kitchen and a small breakfast nook. She could tell it was a place that was used often.
They headed past and then he motioned to the right, "Dining room. Where we will eat tonight, however honestly, I rarely use it."
"Why?" she asked curious.
"Rather watch television while I eat dinner by myself." He walked them further down the hall and motioned to the side, "Powder room my lady." She laughed and lightly smacked his chest. He continued down the hall to an area with three doors. "Bedrooms, where Liam, Elsa and the boys are currently staying." He smiled down at her, "Thomas, the younger one, was just born when I started looking to build this home. I wanted to make sure they had a place to come stay when they visited. It's the first time they have been here."
Emma nodded and smiled already feeling more at ease. "They get their own rooms? You could have just had bunk beds or twins."
He nodded, "I could have. But I also built this home for my future as well, and so someday the boys may need to share, one of them, or they may have to share that other guest room."
Emma's eyes widened, and she looked away from him, but she couldn't keep the smile off her face. Well that answered one question, she didn't even know she wanted the answer to.
She caught the motion of his hand out of the corner of her eyes and watched as he pointed to a door at the end of the hall, "That is the garage. In case I ever get to drive you back to my place." He said with a wink as she looked up at him, and she returned it with a smile.
They walked back up the short hallway and then he turned right, "You already saw this on your way in, but this is the living room. He continued to walk past the foyer and waved at a door, "I think the plans called this a study, or an office." He opened the doors, and she saw an empty room. There was not a piece of furniture in it. "Honestly, I have no idea what to do with it. Maybe someday I will think of something, or someone else will."
He didn't elaborate further and they walked back out of the room, and he turned towards a pair of double doors. He opened one of them and strode inside. "The master bedroom. Another favorite part of the house." He turned right and into the master bath. Her eyes drifted over the same light granite and dark wood of the kitchen, the his and her sinks. The her sink next to a vanity. There wasn't anything on that part of the counter. On the 'his' sink, she saw the standard things. Hair brush, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. There was a large jetted tub, that could easily fit four people, a large glass-enclosed shower with two rain shower heads, and a tiled bench. She looked around, her head going back and forth and he gave a laugh. He opened a door and there was the toilet. "I hid it."
She laughed, "I guess you did."
He led her out of the bathroom and down the hall, another door to the right was open and he flicked on the light. Inside was a treadmill, elliptical, weight machine, free weights, and various other pieces of exercise equipment.
She tried not to laugh, and ran a hand down his chest, "So this isn't all just genetic?"
His grin widened, his other hand coming up to press hers flat against his abs. She swallowed slightly from the feel of his hard muscles under her fingers. Her eyes darkened a little looking up at him. "I like to keep in peak physical condition. Racing for hours on end can be physically exhausting, so I work out to keep up my stamina."
She swallowed, "So are you saying, you have a high stamina during physical activity?"
He leaned in towards her ear, "I'll let you be the judge of that." He quickly took a step back and bit his own lip from the look in her eyes. He pulled her hand and walked further down the hall. He cleared his throat, and motioned to both of the doorways on either side, the one open. She looked in and noticed the closest was his. Full of clothes, shoes, hats, and the like. It was organized and sorted. He opened the other door and she moved to look, and it was another closet. Even larger than the other but it was empty, she looked at him in question. "The house plan said 'hers'. Didn't feel right putting my clothes in there, and besides I don't need that much space."
She nodded and he closed his door and then pulled her into the last area, the actual bedroom. There was a large four poster king sized bed on the one wall. Dark wood furniture around the room. A full length mirror in the corner, and a large TV on a dresser across from the foot of the bed. Off to the side was a sitting area with two comfortable looking chairs with large windows looking out towards the lake. Her fingers trailed over the wood of one of the posts of the bed and then she walked towards the windows, the view was even more spectacular here than from the family room.
"So beautiful," he said from behind her and wrapped his arms around her.
She leaned back against him, much more relaxed. The house was huge, but after his tour, after the empty spots that were not yet filled, after him trying to get her to relax, to feel comfortable here, she was starting to. "Yes, the view is amazing."
He leaned down and placed a soft kiss behind her ear, making her sigh. He did it again, and then whispered, "I wasn't talking about the view love." He placed another kiss, and her hand came up to the side of his face, her fingers then moving into his hair, keeping him there, as she leaned her neck to the side giving him more access.
His arms wrapped more firmly around her and pulled her back against him, as he kissed down her neck. A small moan issued from her lips, and he moved kisses back up and nosed behind her ear.
They broke apart quickly at the sounds of two young screams and stomping feet. He laughed and shook his head. She smiled turning towards him, "Let me guess, the boys are back."
He nodded, grasped her hands and pulled her back towards him, he leaned down and then kissed her firmly. He wanted to continue, but he knew they couldn't. He pulled away, and let go of one of her hands and clasped her cheek. "We better get out there, before they try to find us."
She closed her eyes and tried to get herself under control, "Then we better go." With a tug on her hand she followed him back to the family room. A man was giving Elsa a hug and a kiss on the cheek while two young boys ran around the kitchen island.
Killian cleared his throat, and the adults turned towards them, the boys kept chasing each other. The man turned towards them, "Well, look who we have here." The smile on his face grew. He then leaned over and grabbed both boys by the waist, they each laughed as he lifted them both up, and propped them on each side of his chest. "Boys, we have a guest. Best behavior and all that."
Two light blonde heads immediately turned towards them. Their bright blue eyes light up at seeing their uncle and then they noticed her. "Hi" they said almost in unison.
"Hi," she said softly.
"I hear you already met Elsa." He walked with the boys over to them, "I am Liam. I'll have to shake your hand later."
"Here," Killian said and took Thomas from his brother.
"Perfect," his brother said and held out his hand. Emma sat her glass on the counter and then she took his hand to shake it and immediately found herself pulled into a hug with a hearty laugh.
She gave a hug back and then she was released to only hear Killian groan, "Brother!"
Then two little arms were reaching for her, and she smiled and gave the little one in Liam's arms also a hug. "I'm Patrick."
"Hello Patrick, I'm Emma."
"I'm Thomas," came a response from behind her. She turned to see another set of slightly smaller arms reach out to her being held in his Uncle's. She gave him a small hug as well.
"Dinner is ready," Elsa called from behind them. "Can I get some grownup hands helping put the food in the dining room?"
The men put the boys down and went to help her, while the boys took each of one of her hands and pulled her towards the dining room. "I need to help…"
"Follow them love, no worries; we are right behind you." Killian's voice echoed after her.
The boys got her into the room, and had her sit down, and then argued over who would get to sit next to her. As the other grownups entered the room, Killian laughed. "Sorry, boys, but Emma sits next to me."
They both pouted but went to sit on the other side of the table. Killian and the others put down the food, and then sat down. Elsa sat on Emma's left side at the end of the table. Liam sat at the other end to Killian's right. Emma looked at the food on the table; she recognized most of it.
Elsa caught her look, "So that is Pinnekjott or a type of rack of lamb." She moved to point to the next two dishes, "Carrots, and then boiled potatoes. That one there is a brown gravy that can go with potatoes and/or the lamb, but usually not needed."
Emma smiled at her, "It looks and smells wonderful."
"I am a lucky man," Liam said as he opened a bottle of wine. His wife gave a smile and poured water for the boys. He than got up and filled the grownups glasses. He kissed his wife's forehead prior returning to sit down. "So Emma, would you rather tell us about yourself, or would you rather hear embarrassing stories about this one?" He said thumbing at his brother.
"Oh, come on, brother." Killian whined and shook his head.
Liam laughed and Emma smiled, "Wow. What a difficult choice I have to make." She winked at his older brother. "Hmmmm, I think I would love to hear these stories, why don't you start with the most embarrassing one you have."
"I like her, little brother," he said with a laugh.
Killian sighed, "Younger brother; we have been over this."
Emma tried to contain her laughter by taking a drink of wine. Her eyes met Elsa's and the look she received confirmed this was a regular occurrence.
Elsa had the boy's hand her their plates and she stood to get their food on them. The dishes were passed around the table as Liam started up a story about Killian when he was six.
Emma wasn't sure when the last time it was that she had laughed so hard. Between the stories, the good food, the third glass of wine, and all the laughter, she was fully relaxed and Killian's family was starting to hold a special place in her heart. The brotherly jabs were quite adorable. The stories of young Killian all done up in his mother's makeup which he insists was his brothers doing. Emma is pretty sure he's right, but she wasn't about to agree with him. The soap box derby car they had built and almost won until the wheels fell off. The story of him trying to kiss a girl he liked on the playground only to come home with a bloody nose because she had punched him.
Each story, each laugh, each blush of embarrassment and scratch behind his ear, endeared them to her more. Soon dinner was done and Liam was getting up to take away the plates. Emma jumped up, "I'll help you."
Killian reached for her arm, "Emma, stay, let me."
She shook head, "Stay with your nephews."
Elsa called after her husband, "Bring back the dessert."
Emma grabbed the rest of the dirty plates and silverware that Liam didn't and headed into the kitchen, while Killian refilled both their wine glasses.
She brought the plates to the sink, and placed them with the others.
"I'm really glad he met you lass."
Emma quickly turned to the man and gave him a small smile. The teasing completely out of his eyes, and a genuine smile left. "So am I."
"He is a really good man. Just so you know. I won't go into everything, but he's had his heartbreak." He lowered his eyes for a second, and Emma swallowed already knowing. "I was beginning to wonder if he would ever…" He shook his head as if deciding not to go down that route and looked back up. "He has a really big heart, and I just want to see my brother happy."
"I want to see him happy too," she agreed. She really did, and a growing part of her was hoping that his happiness would be with her.
"Then we have an accord," he said with a wink and a large smile. He grabbed the dessert, and ushered her back to the dining room.
She came back in and immediately started laughing at the scene in front of her. The boys, Killian and even Elsa were holding out their hands, and had a spoon hanging from their noses. The boys started laughing too, and the spoons fell to the table. Killian winked at Elsa, that had her crack up, and her spoon fell as well. Liam shook his head and elbowed Emma lightly. She shook her head and then returned to her seat.
"Still the undefeated champ," Killian said with a smug grin.
"Oh, really?" Emma replied, "That's 'cause you haven't played against me yet." She held up her own spoon and gave him a challenging eye.
He grinned and held up his own spoon, "We shall see about that Swan."
Elsa couldn't stop from laughing, the boys were sitting on their knees with their elbows on the table. Liam shook his head, "Okay, on the count of three." Killian raised his eyebrow as he huffed hot air onto the spoon. She gave her own sultry look and did the same thing and Liam started the countdown. "One… Two… Three." They both put the spoon on their nose and moved their hands out to prove they weren't touching.
The boys were cheering for their uncle, Liam was rooting for her to beat his brother. Elsa just kept laughing at how hilarious they looked. Killian kept making faces with his eyes and eyebrows at her, trying to make her laugh and drop the spoon. She just stared into his eyes, trying to keep the smile off her face. She bit her lip, and batted her eyelashes at him. She let her knee brush his under the table cloth, and then raised her leg just enough to brush closer along the inside of his thigh. The shock of the movement and the feel was enough to get him to jerk slightly forwards, the movement enough to make his spoon fall.
The boys gave a boo, but Elsa and Liam cheered. She grabbed the spoon from her nose and winked, "I win."
He shook his head at her and leaned towards her, his words only for her ears, "You cheated."
She blinked her pretty little lashes at him, "Who, me?"
"You will pay for that." He breathed. Elsa started serving dessert to distract the boys, while giving a knowing smile to her husband.
She turned to face him, her tongue moving to give a quick lick to her lips, "Is that a promise?"
"You can count on it. Just wait till I get you alone."
Her hand reached out and squeezed his knee and gave a wink, "Can't wait."
Killian straightened in his chair, his pants now much tighter from her teasing. He wasn't sure how much longer he could wait to get her alone. But from the cheer that went up from the boys when their dessert was placed in front of them, he knew he had to keep it PG; at least till they went to bed. Thank goodness they had an early bedtime, and with the thoughts of Christmas and Santa, they might convince them to head to bed early.
Elsa passed dishes around the table for the grownups. "This is sort of like Multekrem, but since I couldn't get the Multe berries here, I used raspberries and blackberries instead. A sugared biscuit, with the fruit and whipped cream on top."
"Very similar to Strawberry Shortcake," Emma said as she picked up her spoon. The boys were already a few bites in. Liam and his wife started on their own.
Killian nodded, "Actually very close." He smiled at her before he took his own bite.
Obviously he was used to Elsa's cooking. Then again, until he moved to the states just over four years ago, he probably saw them a lot more often. She dug into her own bowl, and it was delicious. "This is really good." the others echoed her sentiments.
"Thank you," Elsa said with a grin. "Honestly, this was the easy part."
Emma smiled, "Well it's more than I could do. Unless it involves a microwave."
"You don't cook?" The other woman asked with interest.
Emma could tell she didn't mean anything negative by it. Was just shocked. "I know how to boil water for pasta, and make toast or a salad. But, most of the time it's either frozen dinners or take out." She looked back at her dish, "Guess I just never learned."
Killian and Liam picked up on the look and tone in her voice. Two pairs of blue eyes shared a knowing look. Killian placed his hand on her knee under the table giving a soft squeeze as Liam spoke up. "Well cooking can always be learned, right brother?"
Emma got the meaning and turned to the man beside her. "You cook?"
His hand came off her knee and scratched behind his ear. "I'm okay. Nothing close to Elsa."
"Oh, please!" The woman shot back and she turned to blonde next to her. "Don't let him fool you. He is amazing." She turned to her brother-in-law and pointed at him. "You are going to have to cook for her soon."
She could see him focus on his dessert. And only gave a soft nod in agreement. She looked to Liam for an explanation. The boys finished their dessert and begged to leave to go play video games. Liam told them they could, but to take turns.
The boys ran out of the room as Liam finished his dessert and put the spoon in the bowl. "I assume you know that when Killian was twelve, and I had luckily turned eighteen, our mother passed away." Emma nodded and gave a sympathetic look, her hand now on Killian's knee giving him a soft squeeze. "Well I spent all of my time working to put a roof over our head, or taking a few classes to further my education hoping to get a better job. That left Killian at home." He looked to his brother with a smile. "He would go to school, do his homework, do all the chores, including shopping, packing lunches, and making dinner."
She looked back and forth between the two men. The pride in both of their eyes towards each other almost knocked her off her feet. She turned to Elsa, and could tell she knew all this, but couldn't keep the emotion out of her eyes either.
"I must say those first few months were difficult." Both men laughed. "Partially done pasta, burnt meat, you name it." He shook his head, "You see Killian would also head to the library, he would bring back all kinds of books that sparked his interest."
"They were free." He interjected for himself.
"Yes, that was important. But I remember coming home and seeing his head in a cookbook. It was for beginners. But soon the pasta was cooked right, and the meat was easy to cut."
Emma finished her dessert and picked up her wine glass taking another drink as the older brother continued. "Him learning to cook actually meant more money saved. After a few years, I was able to get a better job, and he would occasionally purchase a different spice, oil, or something else. The cookbooks being read changed to Italian, Chinese, and others."
Killian shrugged. "I was bored, and until I could do more than a paper route it helped out."
"Only problem was when he left and got famous, I didn't know how to cook!"
Everyone laughed, as Killian smiled and looked to his sister-in-law, "Thank God you met Elsa soon after."
Liam patted his stomach, "Yes, thank God. But…" he turned back to his brother, "But, you need to show this lass how to cook." He gave her a smile, "Not so she knows how for when you leave. Because I'm pretty sure that won't happen."
"Liam…" Killian warned. Not because he thought he would leave. At this point he wasn't sure if he could be dragged away. But he knew she was still skittish, and he didn't want her to push him away.
His brother waved away his warning. "But if what I have come to learn about the lass is right. She doesn't want to have to rely on someone, and she might just like to occasionally cook for you too." He gave his brother a wink and Killian shook his head.
Emma just smiled, "I always wanted to take a class but just never had time."
Liam's smile got bigger and gloatingly, "Told you."
Elsa stood from the table, "I'm going to check on the boys, it is almost TOO quiet."
She headed out of the room and Emma stood as well, "Actually, excuse me. I'm going to head to that powder room you showed me." She said with a wink and headed off.
The two men stood up and grabbed the empty bowls and spoons. Killian used one hand to grab his and Emma's wine glasses and then they made their way to the kitchen.
"I like her." Liam said after placing the dishes in the sink.
Killian smiled, "So do I."
His brother smiled back with a small shake of his head, "I think 'like' is a far understatement on your part brother."
He was about to ask if he was that obvious when the person in discussion came into the room. He handed her the partially full glass, and she accepted with a smile. Liam looked at the clock, and it was almost nine. "Okay boys, finish the level and it's time for bed." He got back a chorus of groans. "Remember Santa comes tonight, you want to stay good." The boys were fast to agree.
Elsa stood from the couch, "Besides the sooner you head to bed, the sooner you can open presents!" The boys cheered and a few minutes later they were running off to their rooms. She turned to Emma, "It was so nice to meet you." she leaned in and pulled the other blonde into a hug.
Emma willingly took it and squeezed back. "You too," she said as she was then handed off to a bear hug from Liam.
"I'm looking to you to keep this one in line," he winked at her and pointed over at his shoulder at his brother. Killian gave a huff, and she laughed.
"I will try, but no promises."
He nodded. "We are going to wrestle the boys into a bath. Then story time, and by the time we are done, we will probably be asleep like babies." He gave them a smile, then turned back to Emma. "Good night lass, and Happy Christmas."
She smiled and responded back the same way, "Happy Christmas." It was strange to her American ears but she was beginning to understand some of the cultural differences.
"Finally," he voiced and wrapped his arms around her from behind, "Alone, at last."
She leaned back against him, "Now what?"
He chuckled softly, his nose nuzzling against her neck as he placed a gentle kiss there. "How about I make a nice fire in the living room, and turn on some soft music…"
She didn't allow him to continue, "Sold."
He lightly grabbed her arm, picked up his own partially filled glass of wine, and pulled her behind him into the other room. He placed his glass on the coffee table, and went over to the fireplace. She settled into the corner of the L-shaped leather sofa and took a sip of her wine. He started up the gas fire, picked up the remote to the stereo system and soon, some soft music was floating through the room.
He walked back, picked up his glass, and sat down next to her, his arm over the back of the sofa behind her. It took her less than a second to snuggle up to his side. Her feet curled up next to her. His arm moved around her, pulling her a even touch closer, his feet went up on the coffee table.
"You have a really great family," Emma said looking up at him.
He nodded and smiled, "I certainly do. Just hope they didn't say anything that made you uncomfortable. "
"Not at all. I loved the stories of you when you were younger."
He laughed and then so did she. She sat up and sat her now empty glass down and turned towards him, "At some point you will have to show me pictures."
He laughed again and then took a drink, "You would have to ask Elsa for them. Any that are left are in London with them." He finished his own wine, sat up as well and placed it on the table next to hers.
He saw the smile before she spoke, "I guess I will have to then."
Killian moved a strand of her hair behind her ear, his fingers lingered on her cheek, and then moved into her hair at the back of her head. He saw her eyes darken, the firelight playing over them as they glanced down at his lips and then back up to his eyes. A second later he was pulling her close as he leaned in, their lips meeting halfway.
As soon as her lips touched his, her hands moved around him. One hand in his hair, the other around his back. His other arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. She didn't even hesitate and without breaking the kiss, her body moved over him. Her legs straddling him. He groaned into the kiss as she settled into his lap, pressing against his hardening length. She moaned at the feel, her hips instinctively rocking against him. He took advantage of her moan, and his tongue darted into her mouth, tasting her. His tongue stroking against hers, her hips still moving against him.
His hand moved from her back down to her hip. Pressing her closer, but stopping her rocking. He didn't want this to end too soon, but he also couldn't stand not having her against him. He broke the kiss to breath, and moved to trail his lips down her neck. Licking and nipping at the flesh, her sounds encouraging him, her head tilting to the side giving him access. Her hands refused to stay idle, as they both slid down his back. Her fingers sneaking their way under his sweater and shirt underneath. She was seeking the contact with his skin, and she found it as her hands moved up his lower back. Her nails lightly traveled over the skin with her fingertips.
He let out a small growl, and bit a little harder at the tender flesh between her neck and shoulder. Her loud moan, and her hips trying to move again voiced her approval. His tongue moved to sooth the mark, making her squirm more against him. He needed to touch her, and he started to move his hand out of her hair. This thumb brushed across her earring, and then his mind remembered.
His gift. He got her a gift. He didn't want to move away from her, he didn't want to stop. All his worries about what she would think, and if she would feel bad if she didn't get him anything filled his brain. He tried to push the thoughts out his head, but she must have sense the change in him.
Her hands moved from his back to cup the sides of his face. "Are you okay?"
He pushed the thoughts away, "Oh, I am more than okay love." He said and rocked her against him. He saw her eyes close in pleasure at the movement.
But then her eyes opened again and the look on her face changed to one that said he wasn't fooling anyone. He sighed, "Bloody inopportune brief thought is all. Nothing to worry about." He leaned in to kiss her again.
She leaned out of the kiss, "What is it?" Her one hand moved to his chest. "If you don't tell me, we are just both going to think about it."
He sighed, his stupid brain. Why couldn't the 'other' have been doing all the thinking for him at that moment. His hands slid her legs back a little bit and he took a breath. "I know we haven't been dating long…" the questioning look on her face had him speed up his answer. "I got you a present. But…" his came up stop her from saying anything, to stop her thoughts. "It's not a problem if you didn't, I wasn't expecting anything. If you would rather not, then no worries Emma."
She gave him a soft smile, and let out a laugh. "Thank God you said something first. I've been agonizing all night if I should give you yours."
His face lit up. "You got me something?"
She smiled, "It's nothing big. Not sure you will even like it." She was trying to lower his expectations; she was nervous about what she got him.
"Emma, you got me something. You didn't have to. Besides, to be honest, I'm hoping that mine won't be…I don't know."
She laughed, "We make quite the pair, huh?"
He grinned, "I think so."
She briefly looked down gathering her courage and then back up into his blue eyes. "Me too." She swallowed hard as they stared at each other.
He leaned forward and gave her a soft kiss. "Okay, how about we both go get them and meet back here?"
She nodded and with reluctance she moved to get off his lap and stumbled a little. His hand instantly reached out to grab her and stop her from falling.
"Just how much have you had to drink tonight, Swan?" He joked as he stood up with her.
She just left and headed to the kitchen. He went into his bedroom, adjusting himself in his pants as he went. But his question was still rattling away in his brain. He opened the drawer and took out the present wrapped in metallic green with a red ribbon. He was back first in the living room. A few moments later she was back with his gift; little Christmas trees were all over the white wrapping paper.
"What took so long?" He teased.
She bit her lip and sat down next to him. "Got a bit lost and turned around." She joked back.
That caught his attention; she had gone into the kitchen, which was just a short hallway away. He didn't say anything. "Okay, ladies choice. Do you want to open yours first or me?"
She handed him her gift to him, "You first." She didn't want to chicken out.
He smiled and took the box. He started to untape the end, and he could feel her watching him, as he took the paper off gently. "So you are one of THOSE people," she said with a laugh.
He raised an eyebrow at her, "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Why don't you just rip the paper off and get to the gift?"
"Some things, love, are meant to be dragged out, to take your time with, to savor." He let his tongue reach out lick at his lower lip just slightly and he got the desired effect as her eyes darkened and her breath hitched.
He then turned back to the present in front of him. He got all the wrapping off, the box not revealing the contents. So he opened the box and reached inside pulling out the item. A large smile came over his face along with a small laugh. It was a travel coffee mug, but it had the character of Captain Hook on the side. He laughed again at remembering what he had almost got her.
She was quick to chime in. "I know it's not much, and probably…"
He cut her off, and his hand came to claim hers. "I love it, Emma. And I'm laughing because I almost got you a travel mug."
"What?" She said with her own laugh and disbelief.
"I saw this coffee mug that kept coffee hot, and almost got it for you. But the reviews were horrible."
Her eyes softened and her heart swelled. He cared enough to read the reviews about what he was getting her for Christmas.
"Your turn," he said, handing her his gift for her. He scratched behind his ear, his nervousness over the gift showing.
Her other hand pulled his down from his head and squeezed. "No worries." He nodded at her and she ripped off the paper and gave him a wink. He laughed.
She paused at the blue velvet box, knowing inside was jewelry. She knew he had good taste based on his clothes and house. But just how expensive… she forced the thought down. Everything is relative, she tried to tell herself. But with shaky hands she couldn't help, she popped open the lid.
She sucked in a breath as she saw it. Her other hand moved to pull out the slim, delicate white gold bracelet. A word in cursive made from a single stand of the same color gold was held on each side by the chain. A small heart hung from the curved and looped letters. The word 'Alohomora' made her lips turn into a smile. She looked up at him, it was hard to find words. "It's beautiful," she finally got out of her mouth.
He let out the breathe he had been holding, a genuine smile forming at the look on her face. She held out her left wrist. "Can you help me?" He nodded and his hands moved to take the bracelet, and he then fastened it around her wrist. It looked perfect on her.
Her fingers moved over the word, the meaning behind the word echoed from her lips, "It's an unlocking spell from Harry Potter."
He grinned and nodded and then looked into her eyes, as his hand took hers. "I put walls and locked doors around my heart years ago. But somehow you have already seemed to find your way around them, like magic."
She grinned and gave a soft laugh at the line. But knew from the look on his face he was being one hundred percent truthful.
"Hopefully someday you will allow me to do the same with yours."
She didn't respond with words. The truth was that he was already well on his way. So she responded by leaning in and kissing him.
He kissed her back. He wanted to pull her to him, to pick her up and take her to bed with him. But he knew if he did, they would be broken apart early in the morning. She would need to head out to go to her brothers. He would be woken by the boys for presents. Also, even if she didn't want to admit it, she had drank too much tonight. Maybe not enough to stop her decision making, but enough to lower her walls completely, enough that she shouldn't drive. He groaned and pulled back, his hand moving to cup her cheek. "We can't do this." He swallowed and continued, "I don't want to stop; God, do I want you."
She was confused, "Then why?"
"Because of too many reasons." He leaned his forehead against hers, "You have to go to your brothers tomorrow, and the boys will be up early."
"Tomorrow, not tonight."
His other hand moved to her hip and squeezed. "Once I have you love, I'm not going to able to let you go."
Her heart squeezed at his words, and she knew with certainty that she was going to feel the same. It would be extremely difficult to leave his arms. But she wanted him. "It's not that we won't see each other again."
He smiled. "You've also had a lot to drink love, I don't want to take advantage…"
She snorted at that, "Oh, please. I have been way more drunk than this with a guy…" she immediately stopped talking. "That sounds…"
He lifted her chin, "No judgement from me, Emma. I get it." His hand slid across to her cheek. "But I also don't want to be like them. I don't want you to regret this. I want to be a clear conscious decision."
She reached for and squeezed his other hand. "You already are. You should see what I have on under here," she said with a wink.
He groaned at the thought, and he clenched his jaw. He took a breath, "And I want to take my time with you, savor every moment."
She swallowed. "Like you did with your present."
Killian nodded, "Yes. But you are so much more important than that. I don't want to rush this." He wanted her; God, did he want her. But he wanted it to be special. He didn't want a quick roll into bed and them both sprinting up in the morning racing apart. Also, even if she said she was fine, even if she acted like she was fine, he still wanted her to really be ready for this, not have the wine talking for her.
She took a deep breath, and tried to steady herself. If it wasn't for the war with himself that was on clear display on his face, she might have felt rejected. But she also felt elated that he cared that much. "Well, just like you want to make sure I am ready, that I have no doubts. I want the same for you." She squeezed his hand again. "And I can tell this decision is weighing on you, and I don't want to cause that turmoil either. So we wait."
He felt slight relief at her statement, even though his own body wanted to kill him. His thumb stroked her cheek. "I want you so bloody much."
She leaned into his touch, "Same here." They smiled at each other. "I should probably head home then so we aren't tempted."
"Oh, no you aren't."
She was confused, "I thought…"
"Emma, pretty sure you have close to a bottle of wine in your system, you are not driving anywhere tonight."
She was about to object, but she couldn't. He was right, probably not the best idea. "Okay, you win." She stood from the couch and almost lost her balance again, he was up in an instant his arms wrapping around her. "Guess that just cements your case, doesn't it."
He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Just a little bit love. Here…" he leaned down and brought his arm under her knee and lifted her.
She let out a little squeal of surprise, "What are you doing?"
"Carrying you." He turned and made his way to his bedroom and to his bed and laid her down, and then kissed her forehead.
"I need to get my purse, and all my stuff." She moved to get up and he put a hand to her shoulder.
"I'll go get it. Be right back." He headed out the door.
She laid on the bed, and turned her head against the pillow. God it smelled like him. It was a matter of moments, and he was back in the room. He put her purse on the nightstand, her coat draped over it. He sat her shoes next to the bed. And placed the velvet box for the bracelet next to her purse.
"Okay, I'm going to grab my night clothes, and I'll actually get to use that guestroom for a change." He smiled and leaned down to kiss her forehead.
Her eyes snapped open and her hand grabbed his wrist. "You don't need to leave."
He looked at her, in his bed, he had been trying not to think about her there. But now she didn't want him to leave. He was trying desperately to be a gentleman. He swallowed, "Are you sure?"
"Yes." Was her simple reply. Maybe they wouldn't have sex tonight, but damn it if she wasn't going to sleep with him.
He nodded, "As you wish." He saw her smile and release his wrist. "Let me go change and I'll be back. Do you need anything?"
She pointed at her purse, "Nope, I have it all in here." She said with a sly smile.
It took a second and then he understood. She had actually packed an overnight bag. He let out a long breath, and then leaned down and kissed her hard. He pulled back before she could pull him down to her. "Next time…" he said and then retreated out of the room.
She shook her head to clear it and then opened her purse. She pulled out the T-shirt she had planned to wear tomorrow. She undid her jeans sliding them off, and put them into her bag. She took off her shirt and bra. It might be sexy, but she had not been expecting to have it on all night. She then slipped on the t-shirt and slid under the covers. She put her shirt and bra in the bag and sat it back down. She turned to her back and pulled the covers up.
He came back into the room a few minutes later. He was in a T-shirt and flannel pajama pants, he flicked off lights as he went. She turned on the lamp next to her. "Thank you," he said as he flicked off the last light and went to the other side of the bed.
"If I'm on your normal side of the bed, I can move."
"No worries, love; I usually sleep closer to the window. Are you okay?" He asked as he slipped under the covers.
"I'm good on either side." She turned off the light, and then turned on her side to face him and he did likewise. The soft light from the moon softly illuminated the room. They gave each other small smiles. Emma laughed, "With the way we were on the couch, we shouldn't be this awkward."
He smiled and nodded. "Too right. So how do you want me love?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
She bit her lip stopping her comment. She moved closer to the center of the bed, and turned over. Her hand reached behind her and pulled his arm over her. He got the hint instantly, and moved next to her. His one arm went under her pillow, the other curled over her stomach over the blankets. His nose pressed into the back of her neck, leaving a small kiss there.
She clasped his hand with hers and then pulled them up together to put them under the blanket, settling their hands at her hip. His hand instantly flexed and squeezed, and his fingertips found the bare skin of her leg at the seam of her t-shirt. He moaned against her neck, "Trying to tempt me, Emma?" She giggled lightly, not saying anything. His mind warred with him, if he should move his hand under and see if she was wearing anything underneath. However, if she wasn't, he didn't know what he would do with the knowledge.
She smiled to herself. "Okay, then, is this better?" she asked as she clasped his hand again and pulled his arm closer to her, hugging it to her heart.
He groaned at the the feel of her unbound breasts under her shirt against his arm. The need to take one in hand was overwhelming. He knew she was tormenting him on purpose, so he moved closer to her, pressing the problem she was creating against her backside.
She moaned at the feel of him hard behind her, and she rubbed her legs together trying to get a little relief from all the foreplay of the day. She knew it wouldn't work, so she pressed back against him, only for him to gasp, "Emma…" It was a moan and a warning all in one. He pulled her closer and kissed the side of her cheek. "Stop teasing. We should sleep."
She finally relented. "Goodnight, Killian."
He pulled her closer in his arms, "Goodnight, Emma." It didn't take long in each other's arms for sleep to claim them both.
