Emma was really nervous as she paced her office. She opened up the folded piece of paper again, and read the words once more. She wanted to make sure they were perfect. She had heard his keys opening his office almost twenty minutes ago. But here she was, still pacing. She told herself she was just letting him get himself settled, but really she was procrastinating. She was extremely excited about the change and what it meant, but how exactly was she supposed to tell her boss—her friend—that she was leaving?
She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, left the safety of her office, and walked over to Archie's. He was seated as his desk, reading through his emails while drinking his morning coffee. She lightly knocked on the door frame and he looked up at her and smiled. "Good morning, Emma. Come on in."
She came in, shut the door behind her and sat down in the chair across from him. She swallowed hard and saw the questioning look on his face. "Emma, are you okay?"
She nodded and took another breath. "Archie, you have to know, you and everyone here mean the world to me. I can't thank you enough for this job, and the experience—" She looked down, and took another breath.
"But you are leaving us," he said calmly, and her head shot up to look at him. Shock was written all over her features. He laughed. "Emma, to be honest, I—well we—have been just waiting for this moment."
Her mouth gaped open, and she was sure she looked like a fish while she tried to grasp the information. "What? How?"
His smile widened. "Killian is a very lucky man. As soon as I heard about the charity, and saw how much you were throwing your heart into it as well...well, let's just say this isn't a surprise."
"Did he tell—"
Archie waved her off. "No, no, not at all. What job are you taking?"
She smiled at her boss, he was always so understanding, she was going to miss him. "Executive Director."
His smile grew. "You'll be perfect."
"You think so?" she asked, his approval meaning a lot.
"Absolutely. They will be lucky to have you, and we will miss you greatly. But Emma, I'm so happy for you. For both of you."
"I'm just taking a job...you sound as if—" He gave her a more pointed look, and she rolled her eyes at herself. She knew what it meant. What the last barrier, the last complication to their relationship removed meant. So she settled with a "Thank you."
"So, I'm assuming we get you for two more weeks?" Archie asked hopefully. Emma nodded. "Good, it gives us time to look for a replacement, and for you to transfer anything you haven't yet shown Ingrid how to do." They continued their talk and how they were going to proceed in her last days at the shelter; before she left his office, she gave him the resignation letter so he could add it to her employee folder, making it one hundred percent official.
As she left Archie's office, she walked back to her own to find Tink waiting for her, already sitting down. She wasn't sure how her friend had heard, but she knew, she just knew that was why she was here. She shut the door behind her and walked over. "Morning," she said and sat down as she reached for her coffee mug and took a sip.
Tink sat there, just watching her, not saying anything. Emma played the waiting game as well, not saying anything, just drinking her coffee. Finally Tink threw her hands up in the air. "Really? Aren't you going to tell me? Give me the details?"
"How do you even know?" Emma asked, genuinely curious.
"I saw you pacing, I saw you enter Archie's office and close the door. The two of you talked for awhile. It's not hard to piece together. The only thing I don't know is exactly what that means."
"Killian offered me the Executive Director position at the charity, and I've decided to take it. I gave Archie my two weeks notice," Emma admitted, and waited for her friends reaction. She hadn't counted on Tink screeching and running around the desk hugging her. "Wait, you're happy? Do you want me gone?"
Tink pulled back, and grabbed her by her shoulders. "Are you kidding me? You know I love ya. But, this is so exciting for you! You are going to be amazing. Wonderful. Fantastic. Which of course Killian knows, it's why he asked. Of course, we'll all miss you. But this is so perfect for you. And—" Tink stood up, a big smile on her face. "I'm so proud of you."
"Proud? Why?"
"Because I know what a huge step this was for you. And I don't mean about getting a new job. It was huge step for you to trust him like that. To take that leap."
Emma rolled her eyes. "Stop psychoanalyzing me." Tink just laughed, but Emma knew she was right. It was one of the reasons it took her so long to say yes. By saying yes, it was like she was at a poker match, and saying all in, betting that her hand (their future) was going to win. It made her nervous as hell, but also really damn excited.
Tink headed to the door to get back to work, but looked over her shoulder before she stepped out. "Emma, just don't forget all of us."
Emma smiled. "I won't, I promise."
Tink grinned and continued, "Just remember to invite us to the wedding, okay?" Before Emma had a chance to respond, her friend was out the door and laughing on the way to her office. Emma just sat there stunned for a minute, but she couldn't help the smile that came over her as she turned to read through her own work emails.
That Friday, Emma left the RV, done with work for the day, and headed over to Ariel's, where the group was hanging out together before dinner. Eric let her in and she found a seat on Killian's lap.
"Hello, love," he told her and gave her a kiss to the cheek as his arms wrapped around her and he pulled her side to his chest.
"Hi, yourself," she responded, then turned to see everyone just staring at her.
"Well?" Ruby finally prompted.
She turned to Killian. "You didn't tell them?"
He shook his head. "No, that's your news."
She just rolled her eyes and turned back to everyone. "I accepted the job at the charity." Everyone cheered, making her laugh. "I don't know what you all are excited about."
"It means no more of this working on Friday out of the RV," Ashley said.
Ariel agreed. "And no more worrying if you will be able to make the races."
"Not to mention," Killian chimed in from behind her, his arms holding her tighter, "That I will have the best possible person looking over the charity for me." She was about to object, and he continued. "The board and the other charity members are in agreement, Emma."
"Okay, okay. But this doesn't mean I won't have work to do at the track. Actually, I'll probably have more," she told them all. She had already been thinking about it, and knew her traveling on the weekend and being all over the country with him was the best way to reach out to the fans and sponsors. To help get the word out, get donations, and even meet with organizations in those areas that needed help. She caught the small frowns on her friends faces. "Though I could use some volunteers to help me."
That got the three girls talking, all chiming in about their contacts and what they could help with. The guys also commented in with information as well. Killian just smiled as he watched Emma already mastering the role she had been so afraid she couldn't do. But then again, he already knew she could do anything if she just put her mind to it.
Qualifying went well and Killian came out of it with a fourth-place start. The race itself was pretty calm—only a handful of cautions and those were due to blown tires or debris. With 20 laps to go, it got a bit more exciting: August and Eric were going back and forth in the lead; Eric tried to cut down too soon and August hit his back bumper, making both cars wobble. Eric went up towards the wall and August went down into the grass. The other cars tried to avoid them.
But before the yellow could come out, August was back up onto the track, some grass sticking out of his radiator, and had only lost a handful of spots. Eric wasn't so lucky, with a scraped up car on the passenger side, but his car was still going, only now back in seventeenth place. The race was able to keep going under green.
The race finished with Phillip coming over the line first, followed closely by Killian and then Sean. Victor, Jefferson, and August came in shortly after, with Eric limping in at fifteenth. By the time Emma got to pit lane, a reporter was already interviewing Killian.
"First off, great race. But, I have good news for you. How does it feel to be back in the lead in the points?" the man asked Killian.
His grin grew bright. "It feels bloody fantastic." His eyes scanned the crowd around him and when they landed on Emma, they shone even brighter. He continued his interview, and as soon as they turned the camera away, he pulled her into his arms.
She smiled into his neck. "You did it."
"We did it," he told her, and she pulled back to look at him in confusion. "Me, and my team. And you are part of that team now." He leaned in and kissed her gently, stopping her words. When he pulled back he continued, "Do you have any idea how much your support, care, and love mean to me? It keeps me grounded out there, love. We are in this together."
She just shook her head at him, but couldn't help the grin on her face. "I love you," she said with fake exasperation.
"And I you." He said leaning in once more to capture her lips in another kiss. "Let's go home."
The last week at the shelter was crazy, but strangely not in a bad way. It was really busy, but everyone was so happy for her. They were genuinely going to miss her and wished her the best. She had to make sure, multiple times, to tell them that they, yes, she and Killian would stop in from time to time.
They were still looking for her replacement, but by Wednesday, Ingrid had been trained on the last things needed. They just had to transfer the last remaining files over, and Emma was hoping she could get quite a bit done before then. That was why she was worried when she came home on Wednesday night.
She decided to spring her request over dinner. "So, this last week, I have so much going on. And, Friday is my last day there."
He nodded, as he sat down his glass and then smiled at her. "I am aware. If you can't come with me to the race this weekend, I understand, love."
"Oh, no, it's not that." She was for sure going to be at his race. It was the one thing she still had a hangup about: her fear that something would happen and she wouldn't be there...again. "It's just that I really need to be at the shelter on my last day, which is Friday. I can't fly out on Thursday night like usual."
"I had a feeling that would happen."
She smiled. "Good." She let out a long breath, "I was looking at flights out of Charlotte to Indianapolis and it's only about an hour and half. The airport is near the track, and I can take a taxi. I know it's only two days away, but the price isn't too bad, and I'll book it after dinner."
He shook his head. "No, no you won't," he said seriously, though the smile and smirk on his face had her hesitate. Her confused look, had him smile more. "I seem to remember a negotiation with your new job. That if I couldn't spoil you at work, I could spoil you in our personal life." She raised her eyebrows at that. "So I will send the plane to get you Friday night, and I'll send a car for you." He could see her about to object. "That was the deal, love."
She huffed. "I didn't mean to needlessly waste time and money—"
"Swan, your comfort is not a needless waste of anything. Not to me." His smirk grew as he took another drink.
"Well, that deal only starts once I start working for you." She sat straighter in her chair, and gave him a victorious smile.
He laughed. "Actually, that's not accurate, love. You see, that deal had to do with your contract and starting pay, which was negotiated prior to today. Which you signed prior to today. So thus, that deal was in effect prior to your start date with the charity." He wiggled his eyebrows at her, knowing he had her.
"You've been working too closely with Kathryn," she pouted.
"Now, my love. As you said, it's an hour and half flight; it's not like I'm sending the plane from California. Also, I know how crazy taxis drive; they are worse than Jefferson out on the track." She couldn't help but laugh in agreement at that. He reached over for her hand. "Emma, please. Let me do this. At least, do it for me. It will make me feel better and not have to worry about you."
"Fine," she huffed even though the corners of her mouth were curling up. "For you."
He laughed at that. "Thank you."
By the time she got out of work on Friday, she was a wreck. Her mascara was running from the tears and her emotions were all over the place. She had hugged everyone. Literally, everyone. She had received hugs from the kids, from Archie, Tink, and Granny. With Granny's hug, she really lost it, as the older lady hugged her even tighter, then after wiping away her own tears, she handed Emma a box of snickerdoodles.
It felt unreal to be leaving, with the box of her few personal possessions in her arms as she got to her car. Tink was with her and opened the back seat to the bug for her so she could set down her box, and Tink put the cookies in the passenger seat. Tink then came back around and gave Emma a quick hug. "Don't be a stranger. You aren't far away; come by, let's have lunch."
"I will, I promise," she said as she wiped her eyes with a laugh. With that, they said their goodbyes and she drove home. She had just enough time to wash her face, change, and grab her bag when the car that was ordered rang the intercom. She beeped it in, headed outside, and then she was off to the small airport.
The flight was short—very short, thank goodness. It wasn't long before she was walking out of the airport and Killian was standing there waiting for her. She ran over to him and he hugged her close as his lips claimed hers. She pulled back to look at him. "I thought you were sending a car."
He looked over his shoulder towards a black car, a driver waiting next to the back door. "I did. I just came with it." He took her hand and led her to the car. The driver opened the door for them and they slid in, and then he took her bags to the trunk. Once in the car and all secured, he pulled her to his side. "So, how did it go?"
She rested her head on his shoulder. "It was hard, really hard. I'm going to miss them all so much."
His hand came up to play with her hair. "Love, they are only a few minutes away. You can see them whenever you want." She nodded, and he kissed the top of her head as the driver got into the car, started the engine, and pulled away from the curb to head back to the track. "Did you eat dinner?" She shook her head lightly against his shoulder at his question. He turned his attention to the driver. "Change of plans. Can you take us to Dawson's on Main for a pick-up first?" The driver nodded, and then Killian took out his phone, pulling up the restaurant's website and menu, and handed it to Emma. "They have just about anything."
She smiled at him, decided what she wanted, and Killian called in the order, adding a dish for himself, and then pocketed the phone. She looked up at him. "I told you to eat, and not to wait for me."
He shrugged. "I had a feeling you weren't going to eat, and it's not that late." When they got there, the food was ready to go, and then they were off quickly to the track nearby. They enjoyed their dinner and topped it off with some of Granny's snickerdoodles Emma had brought with her.
The girls helped her celebrate on Saturday as they all except Ariel grabbed drinks during qualifying. Ruby told her about the traditional kiss of the bricks by the winner and the team, including the significant other of the driver, while she pointed to the small stretch of the the finish line. Emma made a face, just imagine having to kiss that after so many tires and cars went over it. The others all laughed.
The race itself was fast-paced, and the multiple cautions seemed to drive up the excitement and the stakes. By the end of it, almost all the cars had been touched in some way. Killian's back bumper was bashed in, he had tire rubs on his side panels, and something was dragging and creating sparks.
It was Eric that crossed the finish line first, closely followed by Sean. Jefferson was next, followed by Killian barely in front of Victor, then August. Phillip was lucky to place tenth with all the damage to his car.
When she ran up to Killian for a hug after his interview, she smiled into his neck and whispered into his ear. "I really didn't want to kiss the bricks anyway."
Killian chuckled hard at that, and picked her off the ground before claiming her lips with his. Slowly he set her back on her feet. "Come on, let's get out of here so we can get home. There are plenty of other things I'd like to kiss." He winked at her, and then they quickly made their way back to the RV to get ready for the flight out.
Monday morning, Emma was up early and in her closet looking through clothes when Killian woke up. He stood in the doorway for a minute, then leaned against it in his boxer briefs and bedhead. She wasn't paying attention as she tried to decide what outfit to wear for work. She wasn't sure if she should go business casual or business formal.
His smile grew as he watched her. "Relax, love." She jumped and quickly turned to him, and he raised his hands at her. "Calm down, it's just me." He walked up behind her, and sat his hands on her shoulders. "It's a very casual workplace, Swan. Remember, it's currently held at the same place the team puts together my car."
She grinned and leaned back against him. The bare skin of her back above the towel wrapped around her pressed to his bare chest felt relaxing to her. Well, it did, until his lips decided to descend to her neck, and his hand worked its way under the towel to her breast. "Killian…" she warned.
"I'm trying to relax you," he said between kisses, as his warm breath moved up her neck to her ear.
"If you keep that up, I'm going to be late for my first day of work," she scolded.
He lightly bit at her earlobe as his hand grasped her breast, making her moan in his arms. "Well, good news. Your boss says you can come in late. Or should I say, arrive late. Because if I have my say, you will be coming very soon, love."
She leaned back into him as his other hand untied the towel. As it fell to the floor, the same hand trailed down her stomach to the apex of her thighs. His lips continued to nip and kiss her neck while his hand at her breast tweaked the nipple. His fingers below parted her folds, and he growled into her neck, finding her getting wetter by the second. "Spread your legs for me," he told her and she instantly obeyed, whimpering, as his fingertips glided over her clit.
"Killian…please," she begged, as her hands gripped as his arm around her.
He drove two fingers inside her, making her buck her hips in response and moan his name. "Is that what you need?" Her hips pressed against his hand, his palm grinding against her clit, as his fingers stroked in and out of her. "Or do you need more?" he asked, pulling his fingers back out. She whined in his arms, and he dragged his tongue up her neck back to her ear. "Of course you need more; you always want more, don't you?"
She nodded, and he plunged three fingers back inside, and slid his hand against her now engorged bundle of nerves. She rested the back of her head against his chest as she rode his thrusting fingers, grinding her pelvis against his hand. "That's it, love; take what you need."
He could feel her getting close, feel her body shaking in his grasp, and he curled his fingers slightly, knowing exactly where...she let out a gasp, and her whole body tensed in his arms as her core clamped down hard on his fingers.
He held her to him tightly so she wouldn't fall to floor as she slowly came back to him. His lips leaving now gentle kisses to her shoulder. When he felt it pass, he removed his fingers, and allowed her to stand back on her feet, but kept his arm around her. "Feel better?"
"Mmmmhmmm," she hummed back at him.
He sucked his fingers into his mouth, tasting her, and groaned. "So delicious."
She turned around his arms and pressed her hips to his boxer brief-covered erection. "I think it's your turn." Her hands moved to push down his underwear.
He reached out and took her hands. "That was for you, love. I'll be fine. I know you are worried about being late." He brought her hands to his mouth and kissed the back of each one. "Get dressed and I'll see you in the kitchen."
"Killian…" She waved at the issue that was still very visible.
"I wouldn't say no to payback later," he told her with a wink before he went to his own closet to change and try to think of something extremely unpleasant to get his problem to go down.
Luckily, due to Emma waking up so early and a bit of a lead foot from Killian, who insisted on driving, they were only fifteen minutes later than she had intended and no one said a thing Though Killian was pretty sure the twinkle in Belle's eyes told him that she knew exactly what they had been up to; it was always the quiet ones you had to watch out for, he thought as he gave her a smile and a wink. She had to turn away to try and muffle her giggle as he lead Emma to her temporary office.
Everything was set up for her and ready to go. Her phone, laptop, and even a #71 coffee cup. She picked it up and turned to him. "Really?"
"Only the best," he smirked, and she just shook her head at him as she took a short lap around her new home (well, until the new location was ready). He watched her wring her hands together. He walked up to her and took her hands into his own. "Nervous again already? I thought I helped with that." He turned to the desk. "That desk looks pretty sturdy, if you need—"
She swatted his chest, her eyes wide. "We both work here."
He took a step closer. "Trust me, I am well aware." His head leaned in, his mouth at her ear. "Kind of exciting, don't you think?" He pulled back in time to see her lick her lips before she shook the thought away. He took a full step back. "Tell you what, I won't try anything under this roof." He caught the small look of disappointment, and he smirked. "However, if you try something...well, I can't be held accountable."
"Enough," she told him. "Some of us have work to do." She took a deep breath. "If you really want to help me right now, you will show me where the conference room is, since I have a meeting in less than five minutes with the staff."
He held out his arm for her, and with a roll of her eyes, she took it, and he escorted her to the room in question. The other staff was already there when they got there. He took a seat towards the back as she sat down at the empty seat at the head of the table.
She looked around and smiled at each person. "Good morning. I'm very happy to be here. How about we do some short introductions to get to know each other a bit." The others turned to each other and tried to contain their smiles. Lily hadn't even attempted to get to know them. "I don't need to know what you do, or where you came from. We already know that. Tell me, your favorite food, dessert, and a hobby." She then locked eyes with Killian. "And try to keep the answers PG."
Everyone around the table snickered and Killian smiled. "Where's the fun in that?" Everyone laughed again, and then Mulan started to answer Emma's questions.
They took the time to open up and get to know each other, their new work family. They then discussed where they were in all their projects and what the next step was. They learned that the main part of the renovation of the new location will be done in five weeks. Then it was just paint choices and flooring. The new furniture would be ready and delivered in eight weeks.
"Perfect, the next Charlotte race is in eleven weeks. I think we should do a grand opening then. Invite the press, do a fundraiser of some type. Mulan, I'll defer to your knowledge on the fundraiser, just tell me what you need." The woman nodded with a smile. "Will, I'll need your help with getting the word out, and making sure the press is here."
"Will do, boss," he replied, making notes on his legal pad.
"Belle, Merida, I'll need you to make sure we have enough people to help out with everything, and make sure the new location is ready to go." She turned back to everyone. "Alright, let's get to it. Meeting over." Everyone stood, and all but Emma and Killian exited.
He couldn't help the proud smile as he walked up to her. "See, nothing to worry about, love. You were brilliant, just like I knew you would be."
Emma rolled her eyes. "It was one meeting, Killian."
He pulled her into his arms. "First impressions and all that. You'll be fantastic."
"Okay, how about you head over and see Robin and do your job, and let me get back to mine."
"Aye, I shall." He leaned in and gave her a soft kiss. "But I have to admit, it's nice to be able to see you during the day."
She smiled back. "It is." She then pulled out of his grasp, and left the room, calling over her shoulder. "See you around."
He watched her go, his heart full and happy for a moment, and then he headed to the garage to find Robin.
This time, when Emma flew out with Killian, she had no guilt about working away from the office. It also helped that Will and Mulan were able to get her meetings with various sponsors and local shelters in the area of the Pocono track.
She spent Friday talking to and visiting the shelters in the area, and on Saturday, she talked with various sponsors, getting all of them to write checks for the charities in exchange for getting their logo on the volunteer shirts, websites, etc. in various sizes based on the donation.
Killian was out of the shower, towel around his waist, drying his hair with another one, when she told him the good news. "So, the the sponsors I met with were willing to donate a half million for the charity."
His body stilled and he stared at her for a minute, and then he got that smiling smirk. "Please tell me you only negotiated for ad space and not…" His eyes traveled over her, "Anything else."
She threw a couch pillow at him. "Killian! Who do you think I am? I would nev—"
He took her hand, pulled her to her feet, and kissed her deeply. "I'm just teasing, love. The amount, though, is quite impressive, especially at your first attempt."
Her eyes lit up and she smiled. "Thank you." She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into another kiss. "Good job on qualifying. Second place, and you were so close to the poll." She tugged on his towel with both hands, opening the front. "I think you deserve a prize."
His hand slid behind her head, tangling with her hair. "I think with your own performance today, we both deserve one, love."
She shook her head, moved around him, and pushed on his chest, shoving him to sit on her place on the couch. "I seem to remember needing to pay you back."
"Emma, I was joking. You know you never need—"
"I know I don't need to, but I WANT to." She slid down to her knees between his legs and licked her lips as she watched him get harder and longer under her gaze. His hands moved her hair behind her ears as her own slid up his thighs.
She didn't waste any time or try to tease him. As soon as her hands were to his hips, she wrapped both hands around him. "Emma…" he groaned at her grasp, and slid further to the edge of the couch, opening his legs wider.
She smiled up at him, as she lowered her head. Her tongue snaked out and licked the bead of pre-cum from his slit, and then she closed her mouth around the head. Her tongue flicked at the underside, causing him to curse and his muscles tense. She smiled around him and pulled back, leaving a trail of saliva that her hands picked up to stroke over his length. He groaned as her grip became more firm, and she lowered her head once more to take him back in, alternating between flicking at that spot she knew drove him crazy and sucking him down.
She removed one hand as she lowered her mouth down further on his length. Together, her one hand and mouth then worked in tandem, up and down his length. His hands migrated to her hair, his fingers tangling in it, and she could feel the tension in his arms as he willed himself not to pull her further down onto him. When her free hand came to fondle his balls, his hips involuntarily bucked up. "Bloody hell," he moaned, and she took him deeper, swallowing around his tip. "Fuck...Emma…" She smiled around him and tried moving faster. "Love...if you don't stop..."
She knew he was trying to warn her, but she didn't stop, and took him even deeper. The only thing she hadn't counted on was him stopping her. His hands in her hair, quickly went under her arms, and he pulled her off him, and then he was standing with her. "Killian! Wha—"
She didn't get to finish the question as he was turning her to face the couch, he pressed on her shoulders to bend over. Her hands instantly braced herself on the the arm of the couch, as he quickly pushed her pants and underwear down to her knees. She felt the tip of his hard length probe her folds, quickly verifying she was ready for him, and in the next moment he was sliding into her in one swift thrust of his hips.
"Fuck!" she screamed; god; that felt good. She had already turned herself on by going down on him, and this was what she wanted, needed.
"Yes, that's exactly what I plan to do to you, love," he said, and pulled out to slam himself in once again. His hands held onto her hips to pull her onto him as he thrust inside her. "You have a delectable, talented mouth, Swan. But…" He pressed deep and leaned over her back, to talk into her ear. "But I prefer coming deep inside of you. Making you all mine."
She moaned at his words and the full stretch of him inside of her. She looked over her shoulder at him, a challenge in her eye. "Then do it already."
"As you wish," he said and pulled almost all the way out, only to slam back inside, hard and deep just like he knew she loved. He pistoned in and out of her in rapid succession, pressing her hips against the couch, grinding her pubic bone into the leather. Her legs were bound together by her half removed pants, allowing her little movement but to arch her back and press her hips back into him, accepting and encouraging each thrust.
"Yes...fuck...yes...like that," she told him as he ground his hips against her ass at every deep thrust into her, hitting all the places that had her going crazy and her legs quaking. Between him taking her hard and deep, the angle he had her hips in, and that fucking talented grind into her that not only hit those spots that had her seeing stars but also pressed her clit to the leather, she was on already on the precipice.
He was right with her, by the sound of his grunts and curses, not to mention the hard press of his fingers into her hips. "Bloody...fuck...Emma, come for me. Now," he pleaded through clenched teeth as he tried to hold on.
With another thrust and her clit grinding hard against the leather, she was flying. Her back arched even further, and her mouth opened in a silent scream, as her inner muscles clamped down, spasming all around him. He thrust hard, burying himself inside of her one more time and stilled as came deep inside her, just as he wanted. Then his upper body slumped to her back, as they returned to themselves. He kissed her shirt-covered shoulder and then pulled them both to sit back on the couch, with her in his lap.
He cradled her to his chest as their breathing started to calm, his fingers trailing over her back. He could feel her start to laugh. "What is it love?"
She motioned to her legs, partially covered in her pants, and then her shirt still on. "I'm basically still dressed."
He smiled. "I was just really efficient." She laughed and then so did he. He rested his hand against the arm of the couch, and then his fingers trailed over the still wet leather. "And I guess you really liked it."
She blushed, and then pulled his hand away from the couch. "We seriously need to clean that."
He wrapped his arms around her, pulled her close and stood. "We can later, I'm not through with you yet." He told her as he carried her back into the bedroom.
The race was all over the place. Long stretches of green followed by multiple cautions in a row, back to green, and then more cautions. The lead kept changing between Killian, Jefferson, and August. The others drivers would get to the front during green flag pit stops, but the other three drivers would just get back in the lead, their cars configured just right for the track and moving the fastest.
Killian's team was doing their best, with constantly giving him the fastest pit stops they could and making sure he would get out first, and he in turn was driving his hardest out on the track. It was three wide coming up to the finish line, but Killian had it by a third of a car length, then Jefferson and August. Victor in fourth followed almost a full second later.
Emma and the team quickly found their way to Victory circle as Killian finished his burnout. Acola spray, interview, and passionate kiss later, they were once again taking hundreds of photographs. Only this time, Emma already had the charity's own hats waiting, to make sure they got a photo as well.
The enormous smile Killian got on his face at seeing the hat gave her a sense of pride. Maybe she really could do this job after all.
After she reached to turn off her alarm Monday morning, Killian groaned and pulled her closer. "Emma, what are you doing?"
She tried to pry his arms from around her, but he held her tighter. "I have to go to work."
He shook his head. "No, you need to stay right here." He buried his face in her neck, and kissed the skin he found there.
"Killian, I have a job to do. You can't just say I don't have to go, we talked about this. You can't spoil me…"
He groaned again, but didn't release her. "Emma, answer me this. Did you or did you not work on Saturday?"
"But...it was the weekend," she protested. "It was the only time I had to talk to them."
"I understand that, but I don't expect you to work Monday through Friday and also the weekend. You are already checking your emails all the time; I saw you do that multiple times yesterday, including last night."
She huffed in his arms. "There is a lot to do, and the staff is all there right now, and they expect me to—"
"They don't expect you to work yourself to death. They know you were working the weekend, and they weren't. I would propose that, you shouldn't work Monday's, actually I would say Monday's and Tuesdays."
"I didn't work yesterday."
"You had the hats ready yesterday, and got the team's pictures with them. That is work."
"Killian—"
He turned her in his arms, and she willingly went, so he could look into her eyes. "Emma, think about it this for a minute. You can spend Sunday on emails and work if you want. You can text and tweet at the race. Then Monday and Tuesday is your weekend...and it will be my weekend." He tilted her chin up. "This new job doesn't have a specific weekly calendar. The job you are doing, even the rest of the staff is doing, is based on what days that you are needed to work, and most of those, just like mine, will be weekends." He trailed his fingers up the side of her cheek, "Think of how nice it will be just to have two days each week, where neither of us are working."
She couldn't help but smile at that. It was extremely rare for that to happen; except for the rare NASCAR week off or the time during winter break, they hardly even had one day where both of them weren't working in some capacity. "It would be nice." She gave a long dramatic sigh. "I suppose you have a point. I will be working most weekends, too."
"Perfect. I am glad you were able to see reason, my love. Now, since it seems we are both awake, and not going anywhere, I have some ideas of what we can do in bed with this new found time."
She laughed and pulled away. "Just 'cause I see you're point, it doesn't mean I'm not going into work today." She stood up naked and started to walk to the bathroom; she could feel his eyes staring, so she stopped and turned back to him. His eyes roamed over her nude form. "I can't just make a change without giving them notice. Besides, I have meetings scheduled today." He rolled onto his back and groaned. "But, I will let the crew know not to expect me after this week, deal?"
He turned his head to her with a smile. "On one condition." She tilted her head, and waited for it. He stood and walked over to her, his length harding by the step and bobbing as he sauntered over. "I get to take this shower with you."
She knew it wasn't a good idea. She knew she would be really late for work. But her eyes couldn't help but want what he was offering. "Deal," she finally said, sprinting for the bathroom, and he quickly followed.
Emma again met with more shelters and sponsors that weekend at or around the Watkins Glen road course. She was also able to meet with their friends, and the girls and the drivers each agreed to reach out their contacts and own sponsors to see about donations.
Due to his proficiency at the road courses, Killian was able to get the poll and start in first. He led most of the race, with August and Sean not that far behind him. The other cars kept mixing things up, and brought out the cautions here and there during the race. It was once again Jefferson that had Robin on edge, and he let Killian know that he was pushing his way up through the pack.
With five laps to go, Jefferson bumped Sean out of the way and took third place. With less than three laps to go, Jefferson pushed August into the wall and was able to squeeze by and take second. Robin warned Killian that Jefferson was catching up, and just like the prior road course, Emma watched as the crazy driver tried to dive bomb the corners and edge his way in. Killian's mostly unharmed car was truly bumped and battered now that Jefferson had caught up.
This time, on the last lap, Killian was able to prevent him getting by on the outer loop, and he was able to maintain the lead into the last corner. Emma and his team were on their feet watching, as was the crowd. Jefferson didn't slow and turned sharp into the corner and rear ended Killian hard, turning the 71 into a spin.
Emma gasped as she watched the car turn, while other cars tried to avoid him. Jefferson got across the line, followed by August and Sean, before Killian was able to right the car and gas the engine again to make it across the line in 7th.
She knew before she even seen him that he was angry, and by the look on his face when he took of his helmet, angry was saying it lightly. He threw his helmet into his car, and was marching towards victory circle when Robin grabbed him.
"Don't go there, mate," his crew chief warned as he pulled out of his grip. "It won't do you any good, and just have NASCAR penalize you."
"That bloody arse!" he yelled, along with a lot of other profanities, his face red with anger and his jaw ticking. The crew had already placed themselves in a circle around him to try and shield his rightful outbursts from the camera.
Emma caught Robin's look and she approached slowly. She knew the testosterone was pumping through him, fueling his justified anger. She came to stand in front of him. "Killian…" His eyes burned to hers, his breathing erratic. She moved into his space, and wrapped her arms around his neck, her mouth to his ear. "I have a much better way to use that pent up frustration. What do you say?"
She could tell he was thinking it over, but the low growl let her know his choice. He took her hand in his, and quickly walked to the wall of his men. He turned back to look at each of them. "You all worked hard and deserved a win today."
Robin gave him a small smile. "So did you. Not, get out of here while we take care of the rest." With a nod, Killian was pulling her behind him back to the RV.
Once he got the door closed behind him, he was on her, and pushed her back against the kitchen wall. "That was very brave of you," he told her, and then leaned in and bit at her earlobe. "To turn all of my attention, adrenaline…" He pressed his body fully against hers. "Towards you. Are you sure that was wise, love? Do you think you can handle it?"
She swallowed hard at the pop of the T and the look in his eyes. Slightly out of breath, she replied, "I'm sure I can, but can you?" A feral smile was all that greeted her as his mouth claimed hers.
Point Standings:
Car - Driver - Points - *=leading
#71 - Killian Jones - 853*
#8 - Phillip Haven - 839
#36 - Victor Whale - 838
#53 - Sean Herman - 839
#65 - Eric Sirena - 840
#92 - August Booth - 838
#12 - Tarrant Jefferson - 771