Author note:
This is a part one of New Year's. I want to thank you all for sticking with me and encouraging me in this. I know not all chapters are great or even good. But I am so enjoying sharing this with you.
The song included here I've always though of as "Emma & Clay's" song.
CH 31-What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?
Clay and Emma spent the morning lazing in bed. Emma had pulled up some online decorating sites and they settled on a few items.
They met her family at the local diner for lunch before Mikey's hockey game. They followed over to the rink and cheered on her little brother.
"He really is pretty good Em."
"I know. I'm actually going to miss him."
"We can take a trip to visit him after he gets settled in."
She leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Thank you."
They stayed for the entire game and waited until after to see Mikey and congratulate him on scoring the winning goal.
"Hey, Mikey-man, way to go! That was a hell of a shot!"
"Thanks Clay."
"Yea Mikey. That was awesome," Emma said as she ruffled his hair.
"Thanks for coming you guys."
"No problem man." Clay fist-bumped him.
Emma spoke to her dad and grandma. "Do you guys have any plans for New Year's tonight?"
"We'll probably order pizza and watch some movies. Your grandma made some brownies for us too. What about you guys?"
"Clay made reservations somewhere. He's being very secretive."
"Well, just be careful. Lots of crazies out tonight."
"We will dad." She gave each of them a hug and kiss. "Happy New Year you guys."
"You too Em." Jason gave her a kiss.
Emma and Clay arrived back at the apartment with plenty of time to get ready for whatever Clay had planned. They took separate showers to make sure they made it to their reservations on time. Clay slipped on his grey pants, black shirt and black shoes and he was ready. He went into the living room to wait for Emma. He was just about to go check on her when she walked into the room. His mouth fell open and he started to stutter.
"Em, I…I just…Wow! You are stunning." She was wearing her new, black dress, the necklace he had given her, and black stilettos that made her legs look a mile long. She had left her hair down and it curled delicately around her face.
Clay stepped in front of her, slipped her arms around her and pulled her against him. As his hands touched the bare skin of her back, he may have actually whimpered. He nibbled on her ear and whispered. "Do we really have to go tonight? Can't we just stay home?"
Emma could feel his excitement against her abdomen. "You made the plans. Don't you want to go anymore?"
"Yea." He leaned down and barely touched his lips to hers. "I do honey. I want to take you out to celebrate." Clay's fingers continued to caress up and down her back.
"I promise I'll make it up to you when we get home."
"I'm gonna hold you to that."
Clay glanced at his phone briefly. "The car's here honey."
"Car?"
"I didn't want to drive tonight."
The care dropped them off at a fancy supper club. Emma knew it was a favorite of her mom and dad and Ray and Naima. Clay ushered her into the bar until their table was ready. He found an empty stool and pulled her to stand in the 'vee' of his legs. As they stood enjoying the music, she traced her fingertips lightly up and down his thighs. He tried to grasp one of her hands to hold her still. But she began to rotate her hips almost imperceptibly against him.
He growled low in his throat spoke into her ear. "Emma, baby, you're killing me." She smiled wickedly. She wanted to drive him crazy.
They were led to their table and Clay ordered a bottle of wine for them.
"But Clay…I'm not,"
"Shhh," he interrupted. "No one's asking, just enjoy." Emma sipped at her wine and took in the ambience. The lighting was low, with candles on each table. She shivered a bit in the cool air.
"Cold honey?" He scooted next to her and wrapped his arm around her.
They ordered their entrees and sat back to enjoy the music of the live band. Several couples were making use of the dance floor. She could feel his fingers lightly brushing the skin of her neck and shoulder under her hair.
The server delivered their meals and poured the rest of the wine. They savored their food and ordered dessert. They were content sitting next to each other, listening to the music until the band began to play what Clay had dubbed as 'their song.'
Clay led her to the dance floor and pulled her close, fitting her body to his. His arms wrapped around her and one hand settled dangerously low on her back, just above her curvy ass. His other hand splayed across the soft skin of her back while his fingertips toyed with the edges of the plunging back of her dress. They swayed to the melody.
Not many people knew what a pleasant voice Clay had. When he placed his mouth next to her ear and same the lyrics softly to her, goose bumps broke out up and down her arms.
"I'm speechless
Starin' at you standin' there in that dress
What it's doin' to me ain't a secret
"Cause watchin' you is all that I can do
And I'm speechless
You already know that you're my weakness
After all this time I'm just as nervous
Every time you walk into the room
I'm speechless" *
They returned to their table and Clay nudged Emma's long hair aside and leaned to place nibbling kisses along her neck and shoulder. He wanted to find a secluded hallway, push her up against the wall, and take her. He had been on edge since she walked out of their bedroom earlier. He wasn't sure how much longer he could control himself. He glanced at his watch, 11:30 p.m.
"When do you want to leave Emmie?"
"It's not midnight yet. Can you get a car for midnight so we can celebrate the New Year?" As she leaned over to speak to him, he could see the swell of each breast and feel her foot stroking the back of his calf.
"Uh…yeah. Whatever you want babe." She really was going to kill him.
Just before 12:00 the servers came around and offered everyone a glass of champagne. At midnight Clay and Emma toasted the new year. He pulled her into his arms and took her mouth. Their tongues danced and her arms stole up his back and she grasped his shoulders.
"Happy New Year baby."
"Happy New year Clay."
They put down their empty glasses and walked out front to meet their car.
*Song-Speechless by Dan & Shay
