Chapter 12
Emily stared at her cousin in shock. Eyes wide and mouth open, Leah tried hard not to giggle at her expression. Leah had finally told her everything about her and Embry.
"Wow!" Emily finally said aloud. "I don't know what to say. This is so wonderful for you!"
"Yeah, I know." Leah sighed. "It's unexpected."
"I never even would have guessed!" Emily laughed, but sobered and added seriously, "I'm so happy for you, though. You deserve this."
"Thank you." Leah replied.
It had not been quite as uncomfortable as Leah had expected. They sat in Emily's living room and watched little Dakota play while they talked. It helped that stupid Sam wasn't around to listen in on their talk. Leah told her all about how it all started when Embry showed up at her house out of nowhere and that they had hung out as friends many times. She told Emily about the night of the party when she had tried to make a move on Embry and she thought he had rejected her and she finally realized what was going on after her talk with Jake. By the time she was done spilling her guts about her relationship, Leah was wearing the biggest smile. Her cheeks started to feel sore from smiling so much.
"Oh, I'm just so happy for you!" Emily gushed some more and hugged her cousin.
"Agh! You're going to choke me!" Leah joked, yet returned the hug.
"It's so funny how things work out, huh?" Emily asked in a calmer, more serious tone. "For so long I was afraid you would never speak to me again. Then you came back home and are so different. I was relieved that you forgave us. And now this!"
"Yeah." Leah agreed and nodded. "I don't regret leaving all those years ago, though. If I hadn't, then none of this would be happening for me."
Emily nodded in agreement. They sat there with the baby for a little while longer before Emily got up to make dinner. She begged Leah to stay and eat with her and Sam, but Leah politely declined. She had plans with her own wolf tonight. As she put on her jacket and gathered her things, Sam walked through the door. He hesitated at the door and gave her a look of apology and Leah knew it was for busting in on her the other night. She gave him a nod and said her good-byes to Emily and the baby.
When Leah arrived home she was pleasantly surprised to see Embry's car already parked out front. She had given him a key to her place not too long ago. As she walked in the door the smell of baked chicken hit her. She grinned as she removed her jacket. Embry walked out of the kitchen to meet her.
"Mmm, I do love to see my man cooking for me." Leah teased before kissing him.
"Hey chicken is not only quick, but it's incredibly easy to make. I'd burn anything else." He told her as he led her into the kitchen. "It's almost ready. How'd it go at Emily's? You okay?"
"Yes. It wasn't as awkward as I thought it would be."
"Good."
Leah sat at the kitchen table and watched him work. He nearly burned himself when he took the chicken out of the oven and then again when he took the rice off the stove. She bit her lip to keep from laughing. She loved it when it was just the two of them like this. Goofy and in love.
Minutes later Embry set down their plates and took his seat next to her. Leah took a hesitant bite and was pleasantly surprised that the food was edible. Embry rolled his eyes at her, but laughed with her.
"So hey, Jake wants us to go with him and Nessie on a hike this coming Friday." Embry mentioned casually.
"Uh, I don't know." Leah started uncertainly. "I don't really want to be around the vampires. I've worked so hard not to phase…"
"It'll only be the four of us. I guess Bella and Edward need time alone."
"Ew. Okay, fine." Leah agreed with a sigh.
They ate in silence for a few moments. Leah was in deep thought about taking hikes, book orders, and having to get the tire changed on her car when she suddenly felt a warm hand on her thigh. She pulled herself out of her thoughts and locked eyes with Embry. There was a fire behind his eyes that burned with an intensity Leah knew all too well. Her breath caught in her throat as he leaned in and their lips met. They were made for each other. Her heart raced as he ran his lips lightly across her skin and stopped just under her ear. His hot breath sent tingles over her skin and straight down to her lower half. She shuttered and moaned.
"Come on." He whispered to her. "We can clean this up tomorrow."
She couldn't speak. Instead she silently took his hand and followed him up the stairs to her bedroom. His touch made her forget about the rest of the world. With him she faded in and out of reality, on the edge of paradise and she knew it was the same for him. Even when they were both sweaty and out of breath, and orgasms had been reached, she was still in paradise because she was in his arms.
"I love you. Goodnight, sweetheart." He whispered to her as she fell into a peaceful sleep.
Author's Note: Hello readers! I want to thank you for your kind comments and for favoriting/following my story. I used to dream about being a real writer. But this is very fun. So this was kind of an in-between chapter as I try to imagine and type out the final few chapters. Have a happy Halloween!
