Chapter 8 Intervention, Reconciliation, and More
The following morning, a loud pounding on my door woke me from a fitful night's sleep. I dragged myself out of bed and stumbled to the door. I'd barely gotten the deadbolt unlatched when the door was pushed forcefully open. There stood a very angry and determined Sheri.
"Well don't you look just peachy," she snapped. "You'd scare a scarecrow!"
With a sigh, I turned and went back into the bedroom, her right on my tail. Crawling back into bed, I pulled the twisted, tangled covers back up and over my head. I couldn't deal with her concern and protection right then. I hadn't dealt with my own feelings yet.
Suddenly, the sheet and blankets were yanked down to the foot of the bed and she plopped down beside me.
"What the hell is going on, Mara? She asked quietly. "You've never missed a rehearsal, much less a show. Not even when…"
"Don't," I begged, tuning away from her. "Please…not now."
She touched my shoulder and rolled me onto my back. Taking my chin and pulling me toward her, she looked into my ravaged face. With a deep sigh, she brushed the tangled mess of my hair back off of my forehead.
"What did he do?" she asked, barely controlling the growl in her voice.
Tears filled my eyes as I drew in a shuddering breath, closing my eyes.
"He didn't trust me," I whimpered. "He believed her."
"What are you talking about?" she asked, confused. "Who did he believe, about what?"
I sat up, leaning back against the headboard.
"Rosalie called him about what went down at the club the other night and he believed her," I sobbed. "He didn't trust me."
"Are you talking about the James business?" she asked incredulously.
"Yes," I replied with a nod.
"Tell me what happened," she said, taking my hand. "What did he say? I'm assuming that you were skyping."
"When he came up on the screen, I was so happy to see him. I was ready to laugh with him when I told him about Rose. But, he didn't smile; he just stared at me. Then he asked, coolly, if I had anything to tell him. He asked me three times before it dawned on me what he was talking about.
"Then, I got angry and asked him if Rose had called him and what she had said. I didn't give him the chance to say anything, but told him what I knew she had said."
"So, what's the problem, sweetie?" she asked. "Why are you in such a state?"
"He didn't trust me, Sher," I cried softly. "He took her word as truth. If we don't have trust in each other, we don't have anything."
"Did he say that he didn't trust you?" she asked quietly.
I looked at her silently, for a moment.
"No," I replied, looking down at my hands. "He said it was others he didn't trust."
She sat quietly for a long moment, worrying her hands in her lap. Then she looked up at me, tenderly.
"I think you're over reacting, Mar," she said. "You're letting the past cloud your judgment."
"No!" I cried. "How can you say that? He's not Brian!"
"Exactly," she said. "He is not Brian. He's Emmett and he really cares about you. He has his insecurities, too, honey, and he's just as scared as you are, about getting hurt again. Like he said, he trusts you; it's the rest of the world he has a problem with."
"You think so?" I asked. "Do you think we can straighten this out?"
"Not if you stay here in this bed without him," she snarked. "So get up, take a long hot shower and call, or text him. Start talking! Communication, remember?"
"You're right," I said, hugging her. "What would I do without you?"
"Probably end up an old maid!" She laughed and, grabbing my hands, pulled me out of the bed, shoving me toward the bathroom. "Now, go fix yourself up. It'll make you feel better!"
I started to walk toward the bathroom and turned back to her.
"Thanks, Soul Sister!" I said. "You always look out for me and I love you."
"Love you, too Mara," she said smiling indulgently at me. "Now go on, you stink and your hair looks like a rat's nest."
Sticking my tongue out at her, I grinned and shut the bathroom door.
As the door closed, I glanced at myself in the full-length mirror attached there. Sheri had been right, I was a mess. My hair was tangled; sticking up everywhere, my eye makeup from Friday night was smeared, although most of it had been washed away by the copious amounts of tears that I had cried in the past twenty four hours.
The dark circles under my eyes were not caused by the makeup, however, but by the lack of sleep. I was a total and complete mess, internally and externally!
With a sigh, I slipped out of the tank top and boy shorts that I had worn since Friday night, tossed them in the hamper and turned on the shower. In moments, it was sending out billows of steam into the room. I stepped in and, under the spray, let the almost too hot water sluice down my body. I turned the showerhead to pulse and let the pulsing jets pound into my tight aching muscles, then switching back to just spray, I wet my hair in preparation for washing it.
I was lost in the soothing feel of the hot water and my thoughts, when the shower door opened. With a shriek, I whirled to the most beautiful sight in the world. As I stared into those anxious blue eyes, a myriad of emotion flowing through my mind, a large hand reached out to gently touch my cheek. He stepped into the shower and closed the door with a soft click.
"Sweetness," he whispered.
With a cry, I threw myself at him, knocking him back against the shower wall, winding my arms around his neck. I buried my face in his solid chest and sobbed.
"I'm sorry, so very sorry," I gasped through my tears. "I didn't mean it. I just…"
"Shhh," he crooned, wrapping his long fingers around the back of my head, lifting my face to look at him. "It was my fault, babe, you have nothing to be sorry for. I was being an insecure ass. I knew better than to believe anything Ros…she said. Please forgive me."
"If you'll forgive me my insecurities, too," I whispered back, touching his cheek, running a finger through his dimple. "It seems that neither one of us is unbroken, yet."
"Let's help fix each other," he murmured, lowering his mouth to take mine in a tender kiss.
Suddenly I was aware of our bodies, made slick by the cascading water, pressed together, mine beginning to tingle at the feel of his. With a groan, I deepened the kiss, my teeth tugging at his lower lip and sucking it into my mouth, my tongue seeking entrance. Soon we were devouring each other, our tongues dancing the dance as ancient as time.
He turned us so that my back was against the tiles warmed by his body. Grasping my ass, he raised me up, allowing me to wind my legs around his waist. I could feel his hard length probing my entrance. With a feeling of lust jolting through me, I rose up and, using his massive shoulders for leverage, sank down until he was completely engulfed by my slick heat. I groaned at the exquisite feel of him.
"Oh fuck, sweetness," he growled. "You feel so damned good. God, I've missed you."
Then he began to move, slowly, rhythmically, creating the electric friction I was so hungry for, bending his knees and then straightening up. Lowering his head, he took my nipple into his mouth, sucking greedily. Slipping a hand down, he began to rub my clit. I threw my head back against the wall, mewling as my walls began to tighten around him.
"Oh, Em, please," I begged.
"Please what, Mara?" he grunted. "What do you want, babe?"
"I want you to come with me," I rasped. "I'm so close, baby. Please?
"Oh hell, yeah!" he cried as he stiffened. "Ahhh…f*ck!"
As he began to release is hot thick cream into my clenching core, we shot out into the heavens, stars exploding all around us. I clung to his neck tightly as wave after wave of intense pleasure washed over me.
We continued to move gently against each other until we could breathe easily again. I lowered my legs and as he slipped from me, he wrapped me in his arms and stood, holding me, placing gentle kisses on my temple.
Realizing that the water was cooling, we quickly washed each other's body and hair, finishing just as the water turned cold. After toweling off, he picked me up in his arms and carried me into the bedroom. He set me down and I stared in surprise at the bed. The sheets had been changed and the covers turned back. I looked at him.
"Did you…" I started to ask.
"No, "he replied.
"Sheri." We both exclaimed at the same time, chuckling.
"She was coming out of the door as I was about to knock," he said. "She let me in and grinned as she told me where you were. She must have come back and taken care of this."
"Yes, this is something she would do," I said, smiling. "She likes you, y'know."
"I'm glad, because I have the distinct feeling that she could make my life miserable if she didn't," he said, taking me by the shoulders and staring down at me. "But, I wouldn't let that stop me."
"Me, either," I whispered, placing a hand on his chest. "I need you Emmett McCarty. You've given me my life back."
"Ah, sweetness," he said softly. "These last few hours have shown me that I need you, too."
He cupped my face in his hands and stared intently into my eyes. Then he spoke, awe and wonder in his trembling voice.
"Mara, I think…no, I know without a doubt…I love you."
My knees buckled as my head spun. No one had ever said those words to me with such sincerity and passion. Tears filled my eyes as I stared into his and, reaching up, I touched his cheek.
"I love you, too," I whispered, melting against him as he took my mouth in a passion filled kiss.
After a night of sweet loving, I awoke to soft kisses on the back of my neck. I smiled and stretched and turning over, frowned. Emmett was sitting on the side of the bed, fully dressed.
"Where are you going, baby," I asked, sitting up, the sheets falling to my waist. "You just got here."
"Nowhere if you keep looking so damned sexy." He groaned, leaning in to capture my mouth.
I wound myself around him, pressing my bare breasts against his covered chest.
"Babe," he murmured against her lips. "I really have to go; they're holding production for me."
"No," I whimpered plaintively, winding my arms tightly around him. "Please don't go."
He pulled back, taking my hands in his.
"You know I have to, sweetness," he said softly. "And, you have an appointment with Jenny Dolan at one o'clock."
He watched as a flicker of excitement flashed through me and lit up my eyes.
"I know," I replied. "But, I'm going to miss you, baby. I wish you could go with me."
"I'll miss you, too, babe," he said. "However, I have a feeling that we'll both be so busy that the time will fly by. And, we can skype."
He wiggled his eyebrows and flashed his dimples at me. I blushed and then looked up at him with a wicked smile.
"Hmmm," I hummed. "That gives me an idea."
"What?" he asked, his eyes sparkling excitedly.
"Never you mind, dimples," I teased. "It'll give you something to think about."
"But…" he started.
I put a finger to his lips.
"Hush, now," I whispered. "Just kiss me."
I grabbed the front of his shirt and, lying back, pulled him down on top of me, plastering my mouth to his.
"Babe, I've got to get to the airport. My plane leaves in an hour and a half," he mumbled, trying half heartedly to get up.
"Then quit wasting time," I murmured, kissing his jaw. "Love me before you go."
"Oh, God," he groaned before pulling his t-shirt over his head.
Thirty minutes later, he kissed me goodbye and reluctantly left. I hugged myself and grinned, snuggling back down onto his pillow. It smelled so good, like chocolate and spice, like him. All was right in the world again. Emmett loved me and I loved him.
I lay there for a few minutes, basking in my happiness. Turning my head, the bedside clock caught my eye.
"Oh sh*t!" I exclaimed out loud.
It was eleven thirty and the most important meeting of my life was at one o'clock.
An hour later, dressed in white "skinny" jeans and an emerald green silk shirt, Sheri, James and I were headed to downtown Beverly Hills, where Jenny Dolan's office was located.
As we entered the spacious offices of the Jenny Dolan Agency, Sheri grabbed my hand tightly and we grinned at each other. James chuckled quietly at us.
This was it!
"We have an appointment with Ms. Dolan," I said to the elegant receptionist seated at large chrome and glass topped desk. "Mara Brannigan and Sheri Connery."
"Yes, Ms. Brannigan," she replied. "Jenny is expecting you and Ms. Connery. And this is?" she added indicating James.
"I'm James Connery, Sheri's husband," he replied.
"Go on in," she smiled, indicating the double doors behind her.
Sheri and I looked at each other and taking a collective breath, I reached for the knob and we stepped into opulent office of Jenny Dolan.
She rose from her seat at the large desk, its back to the large plate glass floor to ceiling windows, and came around to greet us.
"Mara, Sheri," she said grinning and hugging us both. "You're looking well."
"You are, too, Jenny," I replied as Sheri nodded in agreement.
She glanced at James.
"This is my husband, James Connery," Sheri introduced him. "Sweet love, this is Jenny Dolan, the best agent in Hollywood, so Emmett says."
"I'm pleased to meet you, Mr. Connery," Jenny responded, holding her hand out.
James took it and smiled that award-winning smile of his.
"It's just James," he replied. "And the pleasure is all mine."
She motioned for us to be seated in the four armchairs across from her desk and returned to her chair.
"I know that you both just want to cut to the chase," she said, folding her hands, with their hot pink nails on the desktop.
"You've got that right," Sheri said with a grin. "No freaking' bullsh*t for us!"
"Well, okay then," Jenny said smiling. I've booked you into the Hale Recording Studios at nine o'clock Wednesday morning. You will record four songs of your choice. I will then distribute to various record companies and see where we go.
"I won't just sit back and wait, I'll be all over them until they're sick of my face. They will listen and give us a speedy answer. I want to get you into a studio, recording an album, ASAP. I don't make money if you don't."
I looked at Sheri, asking what she thought without words. She nodded, her eyes saying, "Yes!"
I started to speak as there came a knock at the door and Darren Grey came in.
"Hello, ladies and gentleman," he said, smiling. "Emmett asked me to act as your temporary manager, to represent you here. Is that okay with all of you?"
"It's fine with me Darren," Jenny replied. "If it's okay with you girls."
Again there was silent communication between us and we were in agreement on this. We trusted Emmett and he trusted in Darren.
"James?" I questioned and he nodded.
"Good," said Darren. "Do you have the contracts, Jenny?"
Silently she handed the folder from her desk to him. For a while, the only sound was the sound of turning pages. Then he smiled and turned to us.
"Everything seems to be in order and appropriate," he said. "Jenny will get 10% off the top and do all she can do to get you signed with a reputable company. Her job description appears here, as do yours. This is a two-year contract, renegotiable at the end of that time. This is a good deal, ladies and gentleman."
An hour later, we had signed the contracts and were headed back to the club.
For the drive we were all silent. It wasn't until we entered the club that the reality of what had just happened hit us.
"Oh my God!" Sheri squealed, jumping into Cam's arms, wrapping her legs around his waist "Sweet love, I think we're finally going to make it!"
"I think you're right, J," he replied, capturing her mouth in a heady kiss.
When they broke, she looked over her shoulder at me, grinning, and her eyes sparkling brightly. She slipped down his body and walked to me.
"It's been a long road, Mar," she said, taking both of my hands in hers. "We owe a lot to that man of yours. If he hadn't recommended us to Darren, we'd still just be a lounge act. I know that we have to do the work, but it helps to have a name to tout us to the powers. You'd better reward him big time, honey, I'm just sayin."
"Don't worry, sweetie, I will!" I grinned, hugging her to me. "It's been a long road, with lots of ups and downs, but we've stuck together. The love we have for each other has seen us through it all and now we're gonna be rewarded for our perseverance. And James, you're the best. You've been the best friend a girl could have and I love you."
"I love you, too, Mara," he replied, stepping up and wrapping his arms around his wife and me. "You're the little sister I never had and, besides the "little woman" here, you're my family."
Sheri looked up at him, love shining in her eyes and on her face. He leaned down and kissed her. I couldn't help but smile at the deep commitment they shared. I stepped away from them and turned away.
"Hey, guys," I said quietly. "We have enough in our repertoire to get us through a show tonight, so why don't you take the next few hours for yourselves. I'll put a list together and we'll be set. Go on; celebrate in your own way."
"Are you sure, Mara?" Sheri asked. "What about you?"
"I'm gonna call Emmett after I get the list together," I replied, pushing them toward the door "I'll be fine. Go."
With grateful hugs, they left and I quickly put together the show. Then, sitting down on the easy chair and pulled out my cell, pressing Emmett's number.
"Hey, babe," he answered on the third ring. "How'd it go with Jenny?"
"We signed a two year contract," I replied excitedly. "Thank you for sending Darren to us. He's going to temporarily represent us."
"I think you'll find that Darren never takes on a client temporarily." He laughed. "If he's signed you, it's permanent, sweetness."
"Seriously?" I asked my excitement level rising.
"Yeah, he wouldn't even have shown up if he hadn't already decided to represent you," he replied. "You've got the best, babe. He'll do right by you!"
"Oh, God, it's really happening, isn't it?" I whispered into the phone.
"Yeah, babe, it is," he replied, a smile in his voice.
"God, I wish you were here," I whispered. "I really need you right now."
He was quiet for a moment, and then I heard him take a deep breath.
"Where are you sweetness?" he asked, his voice deepening.
"In the dressing room at the club," I replied softly, feeling the sexual tension coming through the phone. "Sitting on the easy chair."
"Are you alone?"
"Yes."
"Go lock the door, sweetness."
My breath hitched as I did as he asked.
"Baby?"
"I've locked my trailer door, babe," he said. "Now, I want you to take your clothes off, just like I'm doing, and lie down on the sofa."
Feeling my heart begin to race, I did as he said. We were going to have phone sex…a first for me…and my body quaked with desire.
I laid down on the sofa, my head resting on the throw pillow. I heard Em moving around, and then settle somewhere.
"Babe," he said huskily. Turn your phone to speaker and I will, too."
"Done," I whispered breathily, setting it on the arm of the sofa behind my head.
"Now," he said quietly. "Run your hands down your body, pretending that they are mine."
"Oh, Em," I moaned.
"What, sweetness," he murmured. "What are you doin'?"
"Your hands on my breasts feel so good, baby," I replied on a breathy hiss. "Oh yeah, Em, pull on my nipples…uhmm…your hands are exciting me, baby."
Closing my eyes, I could see his beautiful face.
"Run you hand slowly down your body, babe," he growled. "Pinch your nipple and slide a finger through your folds. Are you wet for me?"
"Oh yes, baby," I moaned. "So wet and dripping."
He groaned.
"Are you hard, Em?" I asked, softly. "Hard and throbbing?"
"God, yes," he hissed. "I'm rubbing the head with my fist and lubing my length with the precum. "Oh, fuck sweetness!"
I could hear the sliding of his hand as he stroked himself.
"Touch yourself, babe," he panted.
"Oh, shit, Em! Mmmm," I groaned.
"Slip a finger inside, Mara, and then another," he instructed sensually. "Now, bring your other hand down and begin to rub you clit."
"Ohhh…baby," I moaned, "It feels so good. Yes…I want you to grab your balls and squeeze them as you pump your cock, Em. I'm so close…Oh God…so close!"
"Me too, sweetness," he grunted. "Now, babe, right…NOW! Oh f*ck, Mara… I love you!"
As I heard him shout, I exploded around my own fingers.
"Holy fuck…Emmett!" I cried out. "I love you, baby!"
For a few moments, all I heard was his panting and my heart thundering.
"Are you okay, sweetness?" he asked, breathlessly.
"Oh, hell yeah!" I giggled. "So much more than okay."
He laughed. "Me, too."
Slipping my fingers from me, I looked at them glistening with my essence. Raising them to my lips, I sucked them into my mouth.
"Mmmm," I moaned, sucking and licking them clean.
"Babe?" he asked with a gasp. "Are you…?"
"Uh huh," I mumbled around my fingers. "Tastes so good, baby, just missing your taste, too. I wish it were your mouth sucking me. Taste yourself, Emmett, let me hear you."
I hard him sucking on his fingers and my core was flooded again. My fingers began to move and slide again and in seconds, I was crying out in a second orgasm.
"Oh God, EMMETT!" I screamed. "Baby, I want you here with me!"
"Mara," he groaned. "Sweetness, two weeks, babe, just two more weeks. Gahh, fuck, fuck, fuck!"
I heard the strain in his voice as he reached another orgasm himself and listened as he groaned my name again and again.
"You've turned me back into a horney teenager, sweetness," he gasped, trying to catch his breath. "Not that I'm complaining, but self love is not near as satisfying and memory is not as good as seeing and touching your face and body."
"I know," I whined. "I need to feel you all around me. I…"
The rattle of the doorknob and a knock at the door interrupted me.
"Mara?" Sheri called. "Are you in there?
I jumped up from the sofa and grabbed my robe off of the hook on the closet door.
"Coming," I called and, taking a deep breath, opened the dressing room door. "You're back early."
"It's five-thirty, sweetie," she replied, spying my clothes scattered around the floor.
She looked up at me and grinned, her eyes twinkling. Then she saw my phone on the arm of the sofa and out and out laughed, the lit screen telling her that a connection was still open.
"Hello, Emmett," she said giggling. "Are you doin' okay?"
"Yes, Sheri," he replied with a chuckle. "Especially after "talkin" with Mara for an hour."
I felt my face flame as she looked back at me. James came in the door and looked around curiously. Then taking in my state of undress, he grunted, shaking his head, trying to hide his smile.
"Emmett thanks for all you've done for us." Sheri said, wrapping her arms around her husband.
"It was my pleasure," Emmett replied. "A real pleasure!"
James looked at the phone on the sofa and grinned.
"Yeah, man, thanks," he said. "You've made these two very happy…especially Mara!"
"Ohhh!" I groaned. "Good night, Em, I'll see you after the show."
"Okay, sweetness," he said with a chuckle. "I'll be waiting for the skype hookup. I love you."
I picked up the phone and took it off speaker and carried it into the closet area.
"I love you, too, Sweet Cheeks," I replied softly, hearing James and Sheri laughing on the other side of the door. "I'll get home as soon as I can. Bye, baby."
"Bye, babe," he said. "Until later."
Closing the phone, I sank down onto the chair. How embarrassing was that!
After the show, I hurried to the dressing room to change. I hadn't been able to look Sheri in the eyes all night. As I turned to head for the door, she stopped me.
"Hey, sweetie," she said, smiling, taking me by the hands. "You don't have anything to be embarrassed about. You're in love with a very hunky, virile man and he's in love with you. Anything you do with, or to, each other is fine. James and I are so very happy to see you so happy. You know that we won't judge you, ever. Besides, that was kind of hot! Maybe I'll send James to a hotel for a night so that we could have some phone sex, too!"
I looked up at her and ginned.
"As if you need an excuse to do anything," I said with a snort. "Just use your cells from different rooms in the house."
"Hmmm," she mumbled, a grin spreading across her face. "That's an idea."
"What's an idea?' James asked coming in the door.
"You'll see later, sweet love," she replied with a wicked smirk. "Now, take me home so I can show you."
Draping his arm around her shoulders he turned toward the door.
"Night, Mara," Sheri called over her shoulder. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"
I listened to their laughter as they went down the hall. With a smile, I picked up my purse and followed them, hurrying to get home and my laptop.
The next few days flew by. Skype kept Emmett and I connected both emotionally and somewhat physically. We were waiting impatiently for his return home.
Man That Got Away/My Man, Stormy Weather, Good Mornin' Heartache and The Very Thought of You. This last one was one that I insisted on, one that I had to sing for Emmett. Sheri and Jenny acquiesced with knowing smiles.