AUTHORS NOTE: I want to thank ididitjustforthis for helping me with this chapter! She actually helped co-write this chapter and I could not be more grateful because she is amazing and incredibly talented! We hope that you all enjoy it.
AUTHORS NOTE 2: Sonny is a bit of an ass in this chapter, be warned!
Chapter 15: Misunderstanding
It was a sunny Friday morning at DEVGRU and Bravo Team was puttering around their cages when Sonny shuffled into the room clearly hungover. The wafting smell of booze and what could only be the bathroom of a strip club clung to him as he made his way to his cage. Seeing the opportunity to tease their brother, everyone jumped on him immediately.
"So, Son, have a good night?" Jason asked. Sonny gave a grunt in response.
"You look like you spent the night getting worked over yourself." Ray tittered.
"Who was it this time? Tiffany? Brittney? Chardonnay?" Clay joked, bringing Sonny's irritated, bloodshot gaze in his direction.
"Just because you aren't getting any, platinum wonder, doesn't mean that all of us aren't."
The boys went quiet as the temperature in the room dropped. Clay had been dating Emma Hayes, Jason's daughter, for the past three months and the speculation surrounding that part of their relationship was wholly unwelcome. Clay stated firmy, his eyes on Sonny, "You don't know what you're talking about, Son."
"Oh, I don't? So you're admitting to having sex with Emma?"
"No…"
"So you haven't deflowered the boss's daughter?"
"That's enough Sonny." Jason stepped in, not wanting to hear about his daughter's potential sex life.
"I'm just trying to set the record straight, Jace. Loverboy over here is talking about my sex life, so I'm just pointing out his lack of one."
"Sonny…" Clay warned.
"What? What are you going to say? Are you going to deny that you and Emma haven't had sex?"
Clay paused for a long moment, not saying anything. He didn't want to talk about this with the team, mostly because they've known Emma since she was little. Plus, one of them was her father and that was another level of weird.
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Unbeknownst to them, Emma was standing outside the partially open door. Clay had left his phone at her house the night before and her dad had forgotten to take it with him this morning. She had come to the door just as they began their locker room talk. What she heard next was something she never thought she would hear: her Uncle Sonny - her favorite uncle - making comments about her sex life. But she was also shocked that Clay wasn't forcing him to stop or telling him that it wasn't any of his business. If anything, Clay seemed to be allowing Sonny to continue with his assumptions. Tears began filling her eyes.
How could Clay not tell them the truth? How could he let her family believe that he had sex with her?
She walked away, not bothering to leave his phone.
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Clay disregarded the rest of the team as he got into Sonny's face, intent on setting him straight.
"What Emma and I do or don't do is none of your business, Sonny! I hoped that as my brother and someone important to her that you would respect that. And Emma, she's never-" Clay stopped, not wanting to betray Emma's trust but knowing that he needed to stand up for her to Sonny. "-our relationship moves forward at her pace, her decision. I'm not going to shout it from the rooftops or brag like it's just another notch on a bedpost if and when it happens. I love and respect her, and any time I get to spend with her, even if it's just holding her hand, is worth more to me than whatever any one night stand could offer. You better get that through your head, Sonny, because this is the one and only time this conversation is ever going to happen."
Clay moved back to his cage, not looking at Jason or the other members of Bravo.
Jason stood there looking at Spenser. He could infer what Clay was trying to tell them without saying it outloud. He was both relieved that his baby girl was still a virgin and distressed at the fact that Clay had more or less admitted to having any kind of intimacy with his daughter.
Ray admired Clay's bravery in that moment. Clay looked Sonny in the eye, with everyone in the room, and confessed that he was in love with Emma. Everyone on the team knew that Clay and Emma had been dating for a short while and had had frequent conversations amongst themselves about whether or not their relationship was going to last. If this was any indication, it looked like it would.
Trent and Brock were proud that Clay was taking such care with Emma, their niece, to make sure that such a big decision could be made without any pressure or expectations.
Sonny just stared frozen at Clay. He knew that he was in the wrong and he sobered up quickly at the realization of the line he had just taken a flying leap over. Sonny looked at Jason and saw the stark anger in his dark brown eyes aimed directly at him. He knew that he would be running hills until he either died or wished he would at the very least.
Jason turned his attention back to Clay. "Spenser, why don't you take the day?"
Clay nodded quickly, relieved at the thought of getting some space from what just happened. "Yeah, boss. Thanks." He packed up his cage and left without a word.
After he was gone, Jason turned to Sonny. "What the hell was that?" He demanded.
"I…"
"I get that we usually make fun of each other's personal lives but I thought, I expected, you of all people would not attack Spenser about dating Emma!"
"Jace…"
"I believe I made it clear that my daughter and locker room talk didn't go in the same sentence and to question Spenser about his sex life, with MY daughter, is unacceptable." Jason said to him before storming out of the room, Ray, Trent and Brock behind him.
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Emma had cried the entire drive back to her house and continued to cry as she made her way towards her bedroom. Over the past three months Clay had become an important part of her life. When Emma imagined her dreams, her mind formulating what she wanted for her future, all those scenarios included him right there beside her.
She thought back on all the moments they spent together. Clay was always such a gentleman. From holding doors and keeping his hand from venturing too far south on the small of her back, to being kind and thoughtful in whatever situation they were in. He payed genuine attention to her. Emma's wants and needs mattered to Clay. He let her take the lead when it came to their physical relationship and had always been very careful to keep that aspect pressure free, only going as far as she allowed. It both assuaged her fears and made her want him more. It was no wonder that Emma believed she was falling in love with him.
Emma's thoughts were cut-off by the sound of knocking. She moved down the stairs slowly, drying her eyes before opening the door to find a smiling Clay Spenser.
"Hey, baby! Jason let me leave work early and I wanted to spend the day with my favorite girl."
"You know what Clay… I don't feel like company right now." Emma barked. His eyes widened as he registered her stoney face. The concern built as he took in the puffiness around her eyes and the blotchy redness that could only mean she had been crying.
"Baby, what's wrong? Is everything okay? Did something happen?"
Emma scoffed, crossing her arms tightly. "I know that you and the guys give each other crap about everything under the sun and I know that you all probably say things you wouldn't normally say in front of anyone else but I expected more from you and the people I consider family."
Clay stared at her in confusion, his mind racing. "Baby, what are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about your locker room talk today. About our sex life - wait, I'm sorry. Our lack of a sex life!"
"Emma…" Clay scrambled to explain himself but was quickly shut down by Emma.
"Don't!" She exclaimed, the tears beginning to fall once again. "I was there, Clay! I heard you and Uncle Sonny! I don't care if the guys tease us about our relationship, but I don't deserve to be disrespected like that! I had always hoped that the guy I fell in love with wouldn't let that happen, but I guess I was wrong."
"Emma, it's not what you-"
"I don't want to hear excuses! I need space to think about this."
"What do you mean by that, Em?" He could feel his heartbeat speeding up, dread filling him at her next words.
Emma swallowed the lump in her throat before answering."I need to consider if I want our relationship to continue."
"Please Em, just…"
"Clay, please leave." She begged, tears running down her cheeks. Dejected, Clay nodded and moved towards the door. He turned back to her one last time as she made to go up the stairs.
"I love you, Emma Hayes. Don't forget that." With that he walked out the door and Emma fled to her room, climbing back into bed and burying her sobs in her pillow.
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Around 1800, Jason walked into the house, exhausted. He had punished Sonny enough for today, forcing him to run hills for three straight hours and then do rigorous exercises with the rest of the team. He was surprised to see Emma's car still in the driveway. He had assumed that with Spenser being home all day, she would be with him until her curfew. The house was silent as he stepped in the door. After seeing the first floor was empty, Jason made his way up the stairs and peaked into Emma's room. She was laying face down on her bed with her arms wrapped tightly around her pillow. He rapped his knuckles lightly on the door jamb before walking into the room.
"Hey, Em. Thought you would be with Spenser."
Emma turned to look at him, her face puffy and her eyes red. "I kind of broke up with Clay."
Jason moved quickly, sitting himself down on her bedside.
"Sweetheart, what happened?" He pleaded, not understanding what could've transpired between last night when she was happily cuddled up to his rookie on the couch to now, heartbreak evident on her face.
"You know exactly what happened, Daddy." She whispered in a graveled voice.
Jason stared at Emma, brows scrunched in confusion as he waited for her to elaborate.
She sat up against her headboard and took a deep breath in an attempt to steady her voice. "I was at DEVGRU this morning to bring Clay his phone and I overheard the conversation between him and Uncle Sonny."
"Oh, Em. Look Uncle Sonny was wrong to say that…"
"Yes, Daddy, he was. But, it wasn't that. It was Clay!"
Jason reared back, not understanding."Okay, I'm confused…"
"Clay didn't stand up for me! He went along with what Uncle Sonny was saying! He didn't acknowledge the truth about our relationship!"
"Emma, he did." Jason stated patiently.
"I heard the conversation, Daddy! Uncle Sonny made a comment about Clay and I having-" She cut-off not wanting to say that word in front of her dad before shaking it off and pushing forward. "Clay didn't say anything!"
"Em…did you stay for the whole conversation?"
"I didn't really want to hear how my boyfriend was portraying our relationship to my Uncles and my father, so no!"
"Clay put Sonny in his place. He said that he loved and respected you enough to wait until you were ready. That being in a relationship with you was better than anything he could find with anyone else. That's as far as it went before he shut it down."
Emma silently ruminated over what her father just revealed before her eyes filled with tears again, but for an entirely different reason. "Clay really told you guys that?"
Jason nodded and Emma sniffed, trying to wipe her nose and face with her hands that shook from nerves. Jason wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his chest as she tried to calm down. Emma let out a couple more sobs before the distress melted to relief and she was able to compose herself. "Clay doesn't have his phone. Can I take it to him?" Emma asked, pulling away.
Jason nodded, knowing that after the emotional rollercoaster both her and Spenser had been through today, they'd both need to clear the air as soon as possible. "Yeah, sweetheart."
He stood up from the bed and made for the door as Emma readied herself to leave. Pausing in the doorway in consideration, he turned back to Emma. "It's getting late. Why don't you pack a bag and spend the night."
"Really?" Emma asked, surprised.
"It's been a rough day and I know you and Clay need some time. I want this worked out before he's due back at base." Knowing an opportunity when she sees one, Emma kissed his cheek, and packed a bag before practically running to her car. She needed to get clear of the house and the neighborhood before he could come to his senses and change his mind.
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Emma pulled into the parking lot of Clay's apartment complex and spent a moment gathering her thoughts before getting out of the car and making the trek to his unit. When she reached his door, she paused before knocking. Emma nervously adjusted the strap of her overnight bag as she heard movement in the apartment. The door swung open to reveal Clay's downcast form.
"You left your phone." She started quietly, holding up the device. "May I come in?" Clay nodded, accepting his phone and moving out of the doorway. Emma set her bag down next to the couch and turned back towards him as the door clicked shut.
"Emma..will you please just..let me just tell you what happened..I know that you're upset-" Clay stuttered rapidly, trying to explain. Emma cut him off, wrapping her arms around his waist and rising up on her toes to kiss him tenderly.
She pulled back after a moment to meet his adorably confused gaze.
"Clay, you don't have to explain or apologize. You have nothing to be sorry for." She gently cupped his cheeks as he stared intently back at her. "Dad told me everything. I'm the one who should apologize to you. I jumped to a conclusion without having all the information and I should've known that you would never allow anyone to talk about me, us, like that."
Clay tightened his hold, intent on the contact after thinking he might have lost any chance of feeling her in his arms. "Emma, I would never let anyone get away with doing something like that. You and our relationship are one of the most important things to me and I would never push you to do anything you didn't want to do."
Emma nodded, her fingers scratching softly through hair at the base of his neck as she scanned his face in contemplation. "What if I do want to?" Emma whispered.
Clay's face froze as he processed her question, his eyes going wide.
"What if you do want to what?" Clay inquired carefully, making sure that he heard her right.
"What if I DO want you to make love to me?"
"Is this because of the conversation between Sonny and I?" He asked abruptly, unable to hold it in. "Because you know we don't have to rush into this. I can wait. I'm waiting. I love waiting. I'm a sniper, it's what I do best."
Emma beamed up at him as he tried to reassure her at lightning speed. She kissed him again before sliding her hands down the front of his shirt. "I'm ready."
"Ready? You mean ready now?" Clay stressed. Emma rolled her eyes with an amused smile before tugging him towards his bedroom.
"Yes, Clay, Right now."
He followed behind her in a daze, making it to the foot of his bed before the reality of what was about to happen finally settled in.
"Wait!" Clay threw his hands up as if to stop himself going forward. "Once we do this, we can't undo it." He became more desperate as she crossed her arms, grabbing the hem of her top and pulling it over her head. "You have to be sure."
Emma peered up at him as she stood there in her bra. She grasped his hands in hers, lowering them so she could step into the space between them, bringing them chest to chest as he automatically enfolded her in his arms.
"I'm sure." She weaved her hands under his arms to his back, sliding them up to rest against his shoulders. "I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
There was no mistaking the adamant tone in Emma's voice, her face open and earnest. Clay swooped down to kiss her passionately, his hesitation dissolving.
"I want to spend the rest of my life with you, too." He pulled back, grabbing his collar and tugging it swiftly over his head before bringing his lips back to hers.
They moved onto the bed without breaking their embrace. Emma lay back against the pillow with Clay slotted between her legs, his hands on either side of her head to keep his weight from crushing her. Emma ran her hands down his bare back, squeezing when she reached his firm behind. Clay chuckled before pulling away to look down at her.
"Are you enjoying yourself already, Em?"
Emma bit her lip and nodded. "Aren't you?"
"Oh, I am definitely enjoying myself." Clay emphasized as he pressed his hips into hers. She closed her eyes, moaning at the feeling of his growing length against her naked thigh.
Clay muffled her moan with his mouth before trailing kisses down her body. His lips explored every piece of soft skin he could reach. His crystal blue eyes were almost eclipsed by his pupils, blown wide with desire. She was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.
Clay began to unzip her skirt, Emma lifting her hips so he could draw it down her legs, leaving her only in her matching bra and panties. She laid under him watching his eyes roam her body. Emma nervously hoped that Clay liked what he saw and when his hungry gaze met hers, she couldn't hold back her blush. She had never seen his eyes this dark before. Her fingers worked to undo the button on his jeans as she dared to stare back, both of them shifting so he could kick off the article of clothing.
The two laid still for a moment, lightly panting, their underclothes the last barrier between them. Clay moved his warm hands down Emma's sides before stopping to grasp her thighs. Pulling them up to wrap around his waist, he began to thrust lightly against the thin lace covering her center. He nipped and licked at the soft skin under her jaw as she entwined her arms around his neck.
"Are you ready?" Clay murmured, using his dwindling restraint to make sure she was prepared to go further.
"Yes."
He unclasped her bra with nimble fingers, pulling it away from her body. Clay paid equal attention to her breasts, sucking and kissing each nipple until she was moaning his name, her hands grasping at the sheets. He began to move down her stomach to her panties. He glanced up at her in silent question, only going forward after she nodded. Clay slipped his fingers under the waistband on either side of her hips and pulled them down her shapely legs. She finally laid bare under him and all he could think about was finally being inside her. But more than that Clay wanted Emma to feel how good this could be and knew that he had to make sure she was ready for him. He ventured further down, his broad shoulders parting her legs as his mouth hovered over her pink folds. A low groan escaped him at how wet she was when his lips and tongue met her center, alternating between deep probing licks and nipping lightly at her clit. Clay kept a large steady palm on her belly as Emma writhed against his mouth and slowly slipped a single finger into her tight channel. Emma gasped, tensing at the intrusion.
"Relax, baby." His beard rapsed against the smooth, sensitive skin of her inner thigh causing them to twitch. "It's okay if you want to stop." Gently, Clay removed his finger and moved back up her body.
"I don't want you to stop. It's just…nothing has ever been inside me." Emma felt embarrassed, not meeting his eyes.
"Hey, that isn't something you need to be ashamed of. We're going at your pace." Clay reassured as he shifted to lay on his side facing her. Trusting him and wanting to feel those sensations again, Emma kissed him firmly before pulling his arm over her and leading his hand back to her soaked folds. They locked eyes as he began to sink a finger into her entrance. Emma gripped at his arm as he shifted the thick digit slowly in and out.
"Okay?"
Emma nodded, her breaths beginning to come out in short pants. He swiped back and forth across her clit with a calloused thumb before adding a second finger. Emma gasped as she felt him stretch her further. He paused to allow her to adjust to his large fingers, his lips pressed to her temple. Emma surged up to kiss him and began to rock against his hand. With their lips still connected, he sped up his movements, his fingers thrusting rapidly while his thumb pressed directly on her clit in firm, tight circles. She began fluttering around his fingers, on the brink of orgasm. Curling his other arm beneath her arched back, he palmed her breast, plucking her nipple to add that last bit of stimulation to make her explode.
Clay let Emma ride out her release before carefully pulling his fingers from her. Rolling her into his chest with the arm underneath her, he stroked his palm over her side while lightly kissing along her neck and shoulder. Once Emma recovered, a new fervor seemed to overtake her as she began pushing his boxers down his hips. He hesitated briefly before following her lead and kicking them off. Emma let her eyes rove over the expanse of him. He was magnificent; the definition of his body putting statues sculpted after the gods to shame. But faced with more man than she's ever seen before, Emma's lack of experience made itself known. What was she supposed to do next?
Clay seemed to have read her mind. "Do whatever you want to do, Em."
Their eyes connected as Emma slowly caressed his body, mapping the heated skin pulled tight over muscle. Its satiny topography was briefly interrupted by scars that she delicately traced, both old and new. Finally reaching his length, Emma was daunted by his size. She had never done this before but she wasn't so sure it would fit.
"Are you still okay with this?" Emma nodded, pushing down her fears and instead focusing on the play of muscles in Clay's back as he stretched to grab protection from his nightstand. Kneeling between Emma's legs, he rolled the condom on. Leaning down with his forearm next to her head, Clay captured her lips in dragging kisses as he rocked his hips into hers. His length slid through her parted folds coating it in her juices. He could feel her shudder as the tip would catch against her hypersensitive bundle of nerves. Done torturing them both, Clay took himself in hand, resting the head against her opening. He looked for any last signs that she wanted to stop before pressing forward. After a moment of firm pressure, his head finally popped past the tight ring of her entrance. Clay slanted his mouth back over hers as he pushed further. Emma grabbed at the sheets, almost breathless at the unfamiliar stretch, letting out a sound of discomfort as her hymen gave. He paused his movements as a small tear streaked from the corner of eye to her hairline.
"Em?" He cleared the watery trail with the side of his thumb, afraid that he was hurting her.
She shook her head. "Don't stop."
"We can if it's too much."
"Clay, it only hurt for a moment. Please," she begged, "I don't want you to stop." Emma hooked her feet over the back of his thighs to pull him closer and peppered kisses along his face and neck. Clay relented, undulating his hips to move inside her with shallow thrusts, plunging further with every push. When he was fully sheathed, they laid completely connected for a few moments. Clay dropped his forehead against hers, reveling in the warm, snug feeling of her around him. His SEAL training had never been more handy as he focused on his breathing.
Growing restless and wanting, Emma began to shift against him to encourage him to move. The tempo of his thrusts gradually grew faster and harder as she urged him for more between gasps and moans. They moved together, Clay clasping one of her hands in his against the pillow and his other reaching down to hitch her thigh over his side. The change in angle repeatedly dragged his length against a spot in Emma that made something inside her snap, triggering an intense wave of pleasure that left her a writhing mess as she sobbed his name. Riding Emma through her release, Clay's followed closely after, pumping his hips tightly against hers with a loud groan. The two collapsed in a tangled heap, slick with sweat as they came down from their high.
Finally finding enough energy to move, Clay pushed Emma's gold tresses out of her face and pecked her gently on the lips before carefully pulling away from her. He rolled over onto his back and shifted to get off the bed. Removing the condom he started towards the bathroom to discard it.
"Where are you going?" Emma sat up anxiously, hugging the pillow to cover her breasts.
"Just getting rid of the condom. I'll be right back, baby." Clay bent to kiss her forehead and walked to the bathroom. As he tied off the condom he noticed the blood smeared on the outside. Throwing it away and cleaning himself up, Clay proceeded to wet a washcloth before heading back to bed. He sat down beside her where she laid and offered her the damp towel.
"Thank you." Emma took it from him and began to clean the now tender area.
"How do you feel?" He asked, tossing the cloth into the hamper across the room when she was done.
"A little sore but other than that, perfect." Emma smiled as she leaned into him, his lips meeting hers in a light kiss. He cupped the side of her face as she pulled back, his thumb brushing across the apple of her cheek.
"What time do you have to go home?"
"Actually, dad told me I could spend the night. If that's okay with you?" She fiddled with the edge of the pillow case, uncertain that he would want her to stay.
Clay smiled, already pulling the sheets back. "Of course it's fine with me."
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Hours after they made love for the first time, Emma and Clay were watching a movie in his living room when there was a knock on the door. Emma moved to answer it and when she opened the door, she was met by a horrified Sonny Quinn. Sonny looked at her in shock, her hair was messed up and it was obvious that she had nothing under Clay's shirt. Sonny put his hand over his eyes and turned around.
"Emma?" Sonny asked, not believing what he had seen.
"So, I guess Clay's finally getting some too, huh Uncle Sonny?" She remarked in a dry, unimpressed tone. Clay was blushing on the couch with his head in one of his hands.
"I take it he told you about today, pebbles?"
"No, I was there. I heard it."
With that, Sonny turned around and looked at her. "I'm so sorry, Emma. I should have never said anything about you and Spenser. I was drunk and… I know that is not an excuse, but I am really sorry."
"Are you? For real?" Emma asked, showing him that she was not at all happy about what had transpired.
"Yes, I am. Please forgive me." Sonny pleaded which Emma was thoroughly enjoying.
She let him stew in uncertainty before finally answering. "Fine, I forgive you. But I'm not the only one you should be apologizing too, Uncle Sonny." Emma crossed her arms.
"You're right, sunshine. Is Spenser here?" Emma jerked her head to the couch, where Clay was sitting.
"I'll leave the two of you alone." With that, Emma marched into Clay's bedroom with her head held high and closed the door.
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Monday morning, Clay walked into the DEVGRU building with a huge smile on his face. Emma had convinced Jason to let her spend the entire weekend at Clay's. They spent most of their time together in bed, getting to know each other in ways that only lover's do. He dropped Emma off at her house this morning before heading into work. He walked into the cage room and noticed that all of his brothers were getting ready for the day. He looked at the clock on the wall and noticed that he was 5 minutes late. The boys turned to him and watched as he practically glided over to his cage. They shared a look between themselves and noticed that Sonny was trying to avoid any eye contact. They went back to inventorying their cages when they heard Clay begin to hum.
"So, Spenser…" Ray started and got everyone's attention. "Jason said that you and Emma had a little spat. Everything okay between you two?"
Clay looked at Ray for a moment, then moved his gaze to Jason, before landing on Sonny. "Yeah, Em and I are just fine."
"What about you and Sonny?" Jason questioned, wanting to make sure everything had been taken care of, just in case they got spun up.
"We're golden, right Son?" Clay questioned and Sonny stuttered.
"Yep… Just fine… Perfect and as happy as a June bug… nothing wrong between me and Spenser… nothing wrong between me and princess… everything's absolutely perfect." Sonny rambled, making Jason, Ray, Trent and Brock look at him strangely before turning back to Clay. Clay gave them a half smile and returned to his inventory, trying not to blush.