I've been pretty caught up in my other story lately so I did slow down a little with this one, but here's the next chapter so enjoy!
Chapter 6
EM POV
I'd finally hit the eight-week mark of my time in New York City. I'd been busting my ass the past couple weeks in hopes of getting some down time this weekend which Garrett had insisted I take. We'd landed a few more big accounts, and with Edward on his game things seemed to be running smoothly. It also helped that I'd hired almost all the staff we'd need once I was gone, the only thing left was to find someone to lead the team; they'd be on the same level as my brother, but they would be in charge of keeping the staff on track and overseeing meetings and client dealings. Edward was more than okay to continue doing his job in NYC for as long as he was needed without the 'added stress' of managing others.
It was Friday night, I'd just pulled into the underground parking garage attached to my rental unit when a call came in from Garrett.
"Hey Gar," I sighed, locking my car and walking towards the elevators. "Another good week, we locked down a few more clients with long term contracts and I've hired just about the whole team."
"Wow man, that's great! I really hope you're not killing yourself over there, I've been seeing the numbers and your emails, you're only one person, Em. Yeah, we love good business, but I also love having a best friend and business partner who's not completely burnt out."
I frowned as I stepped into the elevator, Garrett rarely cared about how hard I worked, heck we were both usually found pouring over contracts and pitches, almost always coming home late, and booked solid with meetings.
"What does it matter? You know that's how we roll, man, and besides, the more I get done, the sooner I can come back to Chicago." Back to Bella. I added mentally.
"Yeah, umm I know, it's just I worry about you man, so far away from your tough and strong best friend."
Coming up to my rental I unlocked the door then ran a hand over my face, Garrett always tried to make stupid comments when he was in the shit.
"Alright, I'm home now. Out with-it man. Do I need a beer or scotch? How bad is it?" I headed over to the kitchen, waiting for his reply.
"More like a tranquilizer" he mumbled, "how about you shoot back a little right now, then I'll tell you."
"Fuck, fine. One sec." I grabbed the bottle of Glenlivet in the cabinet and poured out a little, shooting it back before pouring a little more and walking over to my couch.
"Ready." I said.
"Bella's on a date." He stated, I could practically hear him cringing. I took a slow sip of my drink, contemplating how I felt about it. I knew she felt something for me, and I did, after all, challenge her to find someone before I came back. I just didn't think she'd actually do it.
I swirled the amber liquid around, "Okay, so what? I need a little more than that, Gar, why did you think I'd flip?"
"Well, here, how about my darling wife tell you—Kate? KATE! No, I refuse. Because you did this! I don't care, no Katherine. You tell him now. Here." I'd never heard Garrett so stern with Kate, that alone unsettled me some.
I heard some shuffling then, "Hey Em! How's the big apple?" Kate sounded…nervous.
"Kate? What did you do?"
"Well, Alice and I thought Bella should get back out there, ya know, we didn't want you to be a rebound so really we had your best interests at heart and—"
"Kate, for the love of all that's holy. What. Did. You. Do?"
"Alice and I both set Bella up on blind dates. The first was two weeks ago with a guy Jasper plays pick up basketball with. They got along but both decided to become friends instead as they both were hung up on someone else." She supplied.
"Okay…that's not bad. I'm not mad, Bella's her own person and single. Anything else I should know?" There had to be something else.
"Well Garrett had been taking me to that gym you guys like so much and I ran into the owner a few times, and, well, Gar didn't know until he overheard Bells and I on the phone as she got ready an hour ago and—"
"Woah, woah woah. Hold up. You're telling me that you set Bella, my dream girl up with Jacob fucking Black? Kate, what the hell were you thinking!?"
"I didn't know!" she wailed. "I didn't think it would matter who we threw at her, I mean come on Emmett, that girl is crazy about you already, I really don't think you have anything to be worried about."
"Kate not only is he a friend and client, but he's also a genuine guy who even I as a straight man can tell has the looks. Katie, I bet he's going to pull out all the stops for someone like Bella, and after what she went through with my brother? That smooth fucker's going to be all attentive and just what she needs to…jesus, Kate, why?" I downed my scotch and got up to pour more.
"Em, I'm so sorry, but honestly don't worry, it's just one date, she didn't even want to go! She's always distracted with work and thinking about a certain guy over in NYC. Jake won't stand a chance." I wanted to believe her, I really did. But Jake was a catch and from what he'd told Gar and I, was looking for something more serious now that his business was steadily growing and he felt more established.
"They're out right now?"
"Yeah, they left about half an hour now, I guess. I don't know where they went, but Jake did mention some cool cocktail bar with good pizza when I set them up."
I groaned, "she loves pizza and cocktails, damnit Black!"
"I said that too! Shit, Em I'm—"
"Don't, Kate, just—you said they're out now?" I paused, shifting gears.
She sighed, "Yes, but don't do anything stupid, Emmett Cullen!" she demanded as I hung up, cutting off whatever other comments she was going to follow up with.
My Bella out with none other than Jacob Black, possibly the one man I'd see as genuine competition in the entire city of Chicago. Well, I'd have to find a way to keep pulling her attention…elsewhere. I could feel myself smirking as I pulled out my phone.
B POV
Thank god Kate said to wear the loose fitting, off the shoulder top with my brown leather pants and chunky black heels. The pizza smelled so good, my mouth watered the second we walked through the doors of the bar. I knew I'd be stuffing my face until my pants felt tight, thank god the shirt would hide that. I looked up at the man across from me, noting his knowing grin as I scanned the menu.
"Cocktails and pizza? How—did Kate tell you?" I accused, eyes narrowing playfully.
His grin widened, "it was my pick, but she gave it a big thumbs up when I mentioned two of your apparent favourite things to consume on a night out."
"I mean nothing beats NYC pizza, but 'Za and 'Tails was mine and Alice's favourite thing to do in college before she had to live in Boston for a while."
He nodded, "and she's here now?"
"Yeah" I smiled, "she moved to Chicago a few years back and I set her up with her now-husband Jasper. They've been inseparable ever since." I tried not to sigh as I thought about just how right those to were. So unfair.
"Well," he said, raising his glass of water, "to 'za, 'tails, and a great first date" he winked as we clinked our glasses together, taking a sip before the server came to take our orders.
She turned to me first and I went with my usual, "I'll have whatever's your favourite thing to drink on the menu, whatever it is." I smiled, whenever I went somewhere with good cocktails, I found going with someone else's favourite was always a good place to start.
Jake's brows raised a little in surprise before he turned to her and said, "I'll have that too".
"Great, easy enough" she said, walking off to put our order through.
"Okay, we will definitely get to the classic first date interview topics, but how about we pick a bunch of food to order in time for when our server comes back?"
I wiggled happily in my seat, "Now you're speaking my language, I was already eyeing their spicy pizza with the honey on top, thoughts?"
He shook his head, "a woman after my own heart, spicy is my thing. How about we get the spicy one, and the meat one with some jalapeno poppers to start? Go splits on the pizza?"
I nodded, loving that he hadn't chosen the veggie pizza or something else plain or boring to order. I worked out on the regular despite my tendency to veg out on the couch watching Netflix. Spending most of high school living with my single father meant that I included a lot of proteins in my diet, so I'd grown fond of copious amounts of eating meat, something Edward didn't find overly 'ladylike'.
The server came back with our drinks, placing two indigo colored cocktails on the table before Jake gave her our food order and she smiled, walking away.
"So I guess it's a mystery cocktail?" I asked, staring into my glass.
"Bottoms up, Swan" he said, clinking our glasses together again.
I took a sip, nearly moaning at the taste of berries and- grape? Whatever it was, it was perfectly balanced; a little tart and sweet, not too strong but an obvious kick to it.
We grinned simultaneously, "that's a cool trick, I'm definitely going to do that more in the future. I don't know if I ever would've picked this out from the menu myself" Jake said, before he frowned.
"Bella, I'm so sorry, my phone is going off and they know not to contact me unless it's urgent, do you mind if—" he said, looking a little sheepish.
"No, no I totally get it. It seems we're all getting run into the ground with work lately, go ahead." I smiled encouragingly.
"I'll be two minutes, tops. If not, feel free to chug my drink or chuck it at me" he winked before turning away and pressing his phone to his ear as he walked to the wall near the bathrooms.
As he'd gotten up I felt my phone buzz in my purse. I reached in, taking a sip as I opened my messages. Noticing one from Emmett, I bit my lip contemplating if it was appropriate to open his message while on a date. Oh, what the hell.
I immediately regretted it as my body flushed after reading his words.
Got off early today and all I can think about now is getting you off.
I went to put my phone away before another message came in and I just couldn't stop myself from peeking.
Can't wait for when I can spend nights with those toned legs wrapped around my head, then my waist. But only once you've begged for it…
I chugged down half my water before taking a big gulp of my drink.
I stuffed my phone back into my purse just as Jake approached our booth.
"So sorry about that Bella. One of my staff forgot the codes to the office and a high profile client needed their locker keys."
"It's not a problem" I said, trying to calm my frazzled nerves.
We jumped into an easy conversation about our backgrounds, families, jobs, and routine. I tried my best to focus on my date, I really did. But I couldn't stop picturing the images Emmett's messages had put in my head. Then I'd feel myself getting flustered and I'd have to mentally check myself before tuning back in. I tried to block out his suggestive messages by ordering more drinks but all that did was spice up my imagination.
Jake was nice, attractive, thoughtful, and he was here. Not to mention it had been a while since I'd had an orgasm that wasn't thanks to a battery operated…helper.
But now I couldn't even of anything other than Emmett Cullen and the things that body could do—
"Bella? Is everything okay?" Jake asked, looking concerned. The server had brought our bill by which he insisted on paying despite my protests.
"Yeah, I'm sorry Jake. It's just been a long week. I've had a really nice night with you, truly." I smiled meekly as we gathered our things and walked towards the exit. I felt this warm hand on the small of my back, guiding me along. Normally, a physical gesture from a man like Jacob Black would be extremely flattering, and I found myself growing irritated that I couldn't fully enjoy my date. A guy like Jake deserved more than a woman who's mind had run off over some damn text messages.
The ride back was slightly awkward, and I felt guilty, so I reached over and covered his hand that was resting over the centre console with my own, smiling a little when he flipped his hand over to lace his fingers with mine.
We pulled up to my building and Jake walked me to the elevator, I turned to him and he opened his mouth to say something, but before I could think better of it, I grasped the sides of his coat and pulled him down to meet my upturned lips.
The kiss was good, really good. His mouth was firm and warm and his large hands slid along my waist to rest on my back, respectful but still just enough contact.
After a few seconds I pulled away, satisfied with his shit-eating expression, but also a little miffed that our kiss hadn't put a certain someone from my mind.
"Are you free Sunday afternoon?" he asked, eyes flickering between my eyes and lips.
I smiled and nodded, "Sundays are my no work allowed days, so other than groceries and working out, I don't plan for much."
"Great, it's a date. Goodnight Bella, I'll see you soon" he murmured, leaning in to brush his lips against mine once more.
I grinned, turning to get into the elevator as the doors dinged, waving as they closed behind me after I pressed the button for my floor.
The second the doors closed my smile morphed into a glare, the doors opened and I stalked over to my door, unlocking it as I pulled up his number and hit dial.
After a few rings his deep voice came through my phone, "Hello?"
By now I was fuming, "Emmett Cullen, don't you dare 'hello' me! You knew, you had to have known what you were doing!"
I heard a low chuckle, "Bella, I was just practicing open and honest communication. I thought women liked that in a man?"
"It's not funny! I could barely focus on what he was saying for the rest of the date, Emmett!" I was yelling now, exasperated by his amusement.
"Oh no, it's not funny. It's definitely pretty fucking hot that you couldn't focus on your date because you couldn't stop imagining the feel of me running my tongue along your—"
"Emmett!" I cut him off, too flustered to listen to him finish that sentence in his deep gravelly voice. "You can't ruin my dates, you're not here! If you want me, you'll have to come get me."
"Is that so, Isabella?" he questioned, tone still low in a way that made me shiver, but I stayed strong, "Yes, that's so. And I'm seeing him again on Sunday. And I won't be bringing my phone, so don't even try it, Cullen." With that, I shut off my phone completely and paused in my apartment, wondering how on earth he'd known about my date…
I didn't even bother calling, leaving my apartment in a flurry, hailing a cab and giving the driver the address. Within fifteen minutes I found myself using their spare key and stomping through their apartment, standing in front of their TV with my arms crossed, staring them down.
Garett looked a little sheepish, and Kate couldn't even look me in the eye. I knew it.
"So a funny thing happened on my date today. There I was, actually having a great time with an amazing guy, and all of a sudden, I start getting messages interrupting my time and…putting me in a mood. So I thought to myself, how could a man living miles and miles away know the exact day and time I was out on a date? Hmm?"
"Garett couldn't keep it together!" Kate blurted out, throwing her spouse under the bus.
"Kate shouldn't have told me! Bro code does not condone secrecy like this!"
I turned back to my best friend, "why does Garett even know!? You said you didn't tell him!"
Kate tucked her feet up under her body, sitting up more as she tried not to back down from my rage, "he overheard me giving you outfit advice! You know I can't lie to his little Garbear face, Bells come on, I really tried. And I'm so, so sorry but if it makes you feel any better, Emmett gave me an earful earlier today when he found out about you and Jake." She added, shrugging a little.
"Gave you an earful? He was mad?" I asked, he seemed so calm and…relaxed on the phone.
Garett raised an eyebrow, "Bella, you're not stupid. Obviously, the man cares about you, but given the circumstances he can't really do anything about his feelings just yet. You have every right to go on dates and play the field, but please, if you're not sure about Em you should let him know so he can come to terms with your feelings. Don't wait until he gets back after four months of waiting to be with you to reject him." I rarely saw Gar being serious, and despite the alcohol I'd consumed earlier that evening, I knew how I felt.
I sighed, walking forwards, and dropping down onto their couch, "of course I want Emmett. I only went on the dates because I was practically forced. It doesn't matter how great Jake is, I even tried kissing him, but at the end of the night it wasn't Jake who got my heart racing or had me flustered. He's not even here and he's got me all tied up. I'm scared." I leaned over, nestling into Kate's side.
"Aw Bells" she sympathized, "it's going to be okay. He'll be here in a couple months and then you can see where things go, ya?"
"Actually," Garett interjected, "based on his progress I think the big man will be back much sooner than expected." I sat up, now that got my attention.
"I made him take the weekend off, but he's been grinding it out in NYC, even got his brother to get his shit together. Em's gotten almost a complete client list and staff hired ready to go, he just needs hire a manager for the location and then he can come back after the new guy is caught up to speed and properly trained, but Edward can do a lot of that." I was biting my lip to keep my giddy smile at bay.
Garrett's phone started ringing and he turned to answer it, glancing at Kate and I before answering and putting it on speaker, "What's up Em?"
I froze, staring down at the screen.
"Gar, man I need a favour. This is serious shit. Bella hung up on me, her phone's off. I think she's mad at me but can you or Kate go check and just make sure she's okay? She's had a couple drinks and I—"
"Hey man, easy, B's here with Kate, going off about boundaries. Safe to say she's a little miffed but otherwise the same old squirt we all know and tolerate." I smacked him with a pillow and he wiggled his brow back at me.
"Oh okay, sounds good, thanks man, I've got a long day tomorrow so I'll see you later." He said, sounding a lot more relaxed now, making me smile that he'd still wanted to check in on me.
"Not cool, we agreed you would take the weekend to relax." Garett was frowning now.
Emmett sighed, "don't worry, I've almost finished up with things out here, I have a couple leads on some good hires for management and I only have one meeting tomorrow so other than that I'll try to destress, I promise."
"Fine, but I still don't completely like it. Talk later bro, bye." Garrett hung up after he got a response.
"Okay ladies" he said, "time for bed. Gar Man's got plans with Jasper to go look at new flat screen TV's, Kate you already approved so no going back on your word."
"I've got my morning yoga class, barf. Bells want me to sleep in with you?" she asked, turning to me with a hopeful expression.
I laughed, "No Kay, you need to stay vigilant, the more you go the less uncomfortable the poses will feel. I'll be okay, seriously. I obviously have my spare key with me, so I'll lock up when I leave." I put my shoes by the front door, and we went our separate ways to get ready for bed.
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The next morning, I got up later around ten and showered, not wanting to look like the mess I saw in the mirror in public. I grabbed some leggings and a sweater from the small collection of comfy clothes I kept in their spare room before heading out.
I hailed a cab and checked my emails on my phone during the ride, handing over my payment before sliding out. I was digging through my purse as the elevator doors dinged, but before I could lift one foot to step inside, I found myself being maneuvered until I was hanging a few feet off the ground over a large, broad shoulder.
I squeaked, trying to reach for the doors as they closed, locking me in with the neanderthal who just grunted at my wiggling, "floor?" he demanded.
I gasped, going still at his voice, "seven" I supplied, unable to fully grasp what was going on. Emmett was here…but last night Emmett was in NYC, was he not?
"How?" I asked, trying to shift against his shoulder so I could see his face but there was just too much of him for me to properly turn.
"Plane." Was all he gave as a response. I couldn't tell if he sounded angry or not, but whatever he was, negotiating didn't seem to be on the table.
The doors opened and he strode into the hall, "number?"
"715" He walked down the hall, stopping outside my door. Ever so slowly, he slid my body down the length of his until my feet hit the floor. He pulled back and his ocean blue eyes almost looked stormy.
I spun around, unlocking the door and pushing it open. The second we were both inside, he locked the door, grabbed me by my hips and hoisted me up so that I was wedged between my front door and his hard body.
I opened my mouth to say something, but my words were muffled by his lips, urgent and incessant against my own. Now this was the feeling I was looking for. Everywhere his body pressed into mine felt like I was on fire in the best of ways. He pulled back, running his lips down my throat, teeth nipping at the sensitive skin making me moan and pull on his hair.
"Wish you'd worn a skirt home" he muttered, setting my legs down and dropping to his knees, keeping my body pinned to the door.
Large hand ran up my legs, stopping at my waist band before he locked eyes with me, "want me to stop?" he asked, thumbs now running along the smooth skin between my hip bones. I shook my head, too riled up to want this to end, mentally noting that the real deal was way hotter than my fantasies.
"Good" he grunted, thumbs hooking into my pants and thong, dragging both down my legs, making me extremely grateful I'd let Alice drag me to the salon for grooming on Wednesday. I swear sometimes that girl was psychic.
He groaned and I looked down, seeing him biting his lip as he looked down at me, tongue running over his bottom lip. Sliding his hands between my upper tings and the door, he graspe one thigh in each hand, and hoisted my body up so my legs dangled over his shoulders and his face was pressing into me and—
"Oh, fuck. Emmett!" I practically wailed, my head thumping back against the door.
I heard his low chuckle, but unlike over the phone last night, I felt it too, sending vibrations through my body that made me clench in anticipation. I felt his tongue probing around, circling my clit and then flicking against the bundle of nerves, making me moan and whimper as my orgasm built quickly. He moved lower, and I tried to grab onto the door frame for dear life as he thrust his tongue up inside me, stroking my walls with it as his hand snaked around one of my legs so his thumb could press against my clit again.
He pulled back a little, "I'll give you what you want, baby, as soon as you beg for it" he growled, pulling his fingers back from me and slowly dragging his tongue up my slit with nowhere near enough pressure to help bring me over the edge.
I moaned, feeling his finger now circling my entrance as his tongue made a path back up to my clit. He pushed just the tip of his finger in, groaning as he gently pressed it in a little further. His tongue lightly dragged over my clit again, and I couldn't take the anticipation anymore, "oh god, Em, please, please" I relented, begging him to give me what we both knew I needed.
"That's my girl," he purred, fingers thrusting into me while his lips wrapped around my clit. I could barely catch my breath, feet trying to find purchase on his back so I could press against him, but he had my body completely at his mercy in this position.
I could feel my orgasm hurtling forwards, and when his teeth lightly grazed over my bundle of nerves, I went soaring, his name falling from my lips as I melted back into the door. I would never look at this door the same way ever again.
He ran his tongue over me again, and I could feel his lips curving up into a grin as my sensitive body jerked in response to the sensations he was causing. I found myself being manhandled again, only this time I ended up with my legs around his hips as he held me to his chest and walked us through my apartment, turning to open my bedroom door after I pointed towards it. He walked in, kicking the door closed and pulled back the covers, laying me down before stripping down to his briefs and curling his body around mine.
I turned so I could face him better, "you're here?" I asked, still breathless from what occurred in my front hall.
He smiled, running a finger along the side of my face and down my neck, tracing the blush that was flushed along my skin. "Couldn't stay away, especially not when I heard Black was sniffing around my woman." He said, now twirling a lock of my hair around a finger before brushing it out of my face.
"Your woman?" I teased; one brow quirked in question.
Suddenly he was looming over me, hips rolling into mine, making me moan when his hardness brushed against where I was still sensitive. I raised my own hips to grind back against him, opening my eyes at his chuckle. "Yes," he said, "mine". He leaned down and gave me a searing kiss, and I found myself actually turned on tasting myself mixed in with his own unique flavour.
I wrapped my body around his like a spider monkey, "How long?" I asked, regretting it instantly when his head hung down between us.
"I go back tomorrow, I took the first flight out this morning, showered and changed at home, then waited outside your building til you showed up. I knew you'd be coming from Gar and Kate's, so I wasn't there long before you showed up." He cupped my cheek, gazing softly at me, "just about took my damn breath away, like you always do." I bit my lip, smiling bashfully at his words.
"How early was that flight this morning?" I asked, seeing how his eyes drooped a little.
"Left around six, got up at four. You really are a sight for sore eyes babe" he muttered, face burrowing into my neck, inhaling, "smell good too".
I giggled, fingers combing through his hair, "let's take a little nap then," I suggested and he hummed in agreement, flipping us around so I was plastered up against his chest.
"This seems a little familiar" I teased, kissing his bare chest and grinning when he trembled lightly at my touches.
"I'm hoping it'll become the norm for us soon enough," he replied as he adjusted the blankets around us, tucking them around me so we were both covered up. He fingered the edges of my shirt, eyes searching mine. I raised my arms above my head, and he peeled off my shirt, leaving me in just my bra. Even though I'd gotten plenty of sleep last night, I still passed out in minutes to the feel of his large, warms hands running along my flushed skin.
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Looks like Jake was the date that broke Emmett's resolve. R&R! 3