Chapter 11 A Departure, Revelations, and Exposure
"Jane?" I questioned, stunned. "But why? I thought she liked me…us."
"So did I," Emmett replied, his brow furrowed, turning away from me. "She just seemed so nice."
"She needs help, baby," I said, touching his arm. "She's sick and needs help."
He turned and looked down at me, abject horror crossing his face.
"Oh, sweetness," he groaned, pulling me tightly into his arms. "I'm so sorry to have put you in so much danger. If I had never taken you there, she wouldn't have com after you."
I pulled back, looking up into his face.
"You listen to me, Emmett McCarty," I said sternly. "You have nothing to do with Jane's instability. She undoubtedly began to obsessing on you the first time you went into the diner. You said that you'd been going there a couple of times a week for the past few months."
"Yeah, I did," he said. "She was always so friendly, smiling and joking around. You know me, I teased right back."
"Baby, she was flirting with you," I said with a smile. "She probably thought that you were interested when you flirted back. She must have built up a relationship between you, in her mind. When you took me in with you, her fantasy crumbled and she snapped. But instead of stalking you, she came after me."
"Seems like I'm a magnet for psychos," he murmured, closing his eyes and holding me tight.
"Who's a magnet for psychos?" Sheri asked, coming into the kitchen and pouring herself a cup of coffee.
"Me," Emmett said sadly. "And it's those around me that usually get hurt."
"What?" she asked confusion on her face.
"Sweetie, it was Jane, the waitress from the diner, who broke into Mara's house and the club," I replied.
"You've got to be kidding me," she exclaimed. "She was always so nice to James and me whenever we went there, so friendly and always smiling. Wow, you never know, do you?"
"We'll learn more when we get home," Em said, running his hand around the back of his neck. "I feel like such a damned idiot. Why didn't I see?"
"Okay, stop, big guy," Sheri admonished. "You are not to blame for any of this."
"That's what I told him," I added, turning to Emmett. "Baby, you have to quit, now. I'm fine and we're together. She can't hurt us again.
"Oh, God, when I think…" he started, holding me close.
"Then don't think, Em," I said, pressing to him. "You've got to let it go. I don't want to talk about it anymore, right now. When we get home and have to talk to the police, will be soon enough."
"Okay, sweetness," he said, smiling, but I could still see the worry in his eyes.
I reached up and kissed him sweetly, and Sheri went back into the kitchen.
A throat cleared behind us and we turned to find Jake and Rose standing near the door, their bags at their feet.
"We've called a cab to take us to the airport," Jake said. "I'm sorry for what happened. Thanks, man, for understanding."
"It's forgotten, bro," Em replied, clapping a hand on Jake's shoulder.
"I'm sorry, too, Em," Rose said quietly. "I really am, for everything."
Emmett looked down at her for a moment.
"It's all in the past, Rosie," he said gently, hugging her. "We've both moved on and are happier than we'd have ever been together."
"Thanks, Em," she whispered, kissing his cheek and turning to me. "You, too, Mara. You both deserve to be happy."
"So do you," I replied, stepping up to hug her. "Have a safe flight and we'll see you at home."
I looked up to see Em talking quietly with Jake. Jake was nodding his head as Rose walked over to him. Soon, they were on their way to the airport.
"You told him, didn't you, about Jane?" I asked, wrapping my arm around Emmett waist as we went back into the living room. His arm rested across my shoulders.
"Yeah," he replied, kissing my temple. "I hope you don't mind, babe, but I asked Jake to recommend someone that could help Jane. I want to see that she gets the best help possible."
Stopping, I turned to cup his cheek.
"You're such a good man, Emmett McCarty," I said softly. "And I agree with you, she needs the best, Maybe Jake could help her."
"He's too close, what with Rose being a suspect," he replied. "But he'll find her a good doctor."
"Who's getting who a good doctor?" Sheri asked from where she sat at the kitchen bar, eating a cheese Danish. "Are you sick, Mara?"
"No," I replied, laughing. "Jake is gonna recommend a therapist for Jane. Em and I want her to have the best help we can find for her."
She stared at us for a moment, and then shook her head.
"You two are something else," she said. "Who else would try to help their stalker? I always knew you had a big, soft heart, Mara, and it seems that you, big guy, do too. I love you both."
After an awkward, embarrassed silence, Em took a deep breath.
"Well since I'm free for the day, what would you girls like to do?" he asked with a grin. "Your wish is my command."
"You're off today, really?" I asked excitedly. "How?"
"I took the day off, with the director's blessing," he replied. "He has some editing to do, so it was a win win situation."
"Great," I said. "There's only one problem."
"What's that, babe?" he asked, frowning.
"I don't have any clothes to wear," I replied. "At least not until Alice's care package arrives.
"Hmm…maybe we could occupy our time in other pursuits." He growled playfully wriggling his eyebrows.
"Oh, God!" Sheri groaned. "I'm going upstairs where I don't have to witness such displays!"
I giggled as she ran up the stairs.
Just as we headed for the bedroom, there was a knock at the door.
"Stay right here, sweetness," he whispered, kissing my neck. "I'll be right back
He answered the door and signed for a large package. Closing the door, he carried the box to the bedroom. I followed him, curiously.
"What do you have there, sweet cheeks?" I asked, looking over his shoulder.
"I believe that this is your care package from Alice," he said, setting it on the end of the bed.
"How in the world did she get it here so fast?" I ask incredulously. "Did she hire a plane or something?"
"No," he said chuckling. "She went to Neiman Marcus in Hollywood and charged a few things and had them sent from the store here in Toronto."
"Neiman Marcus?" I exclaimed. "I can't afford those prices, Emmett! Please, we have to send them back."
"Don't worry about it, babe, it's taken care of," he said.
"What do you mean, taken care of, Emmett?" I asked suspiciously.
"Well, Alice has a copy of my black Amex," he said. "And I told her not to worry about the cost."
"Emmett, I'm perfectly able to take care of myself," I said defiantly. "I won't let you do this."
"You'll hurt Alice's feelings…" he began.
"Alright, alright!" I interrupted, pointing a finger at him. "But I will pay you back every penny!"
"But…"
"No buts," I said, poking him in the chest. "I don't want any argument from you, either. That's final!"
"Humph!" He growled as he opened the box on the bed.
I pushed him out of the way and began to sort through the clothes.
Alice had gone overboard and the box was crammed full. She had included five sexy bra and panty sets, four sexy nighties, four pairs of jeans, two pair of yoga pants, six nice blouses, six T shirts, two hoodies, a nice wool coat, and a down jacket. She even included a beautiful jade green silk, wrap around dress…suitable for day or night.
"How long does she think I'm going to be here?" I asked, shaking my head. "I have to be back to the club Friday night."
"Well, actually," Sheri said from the doorway. "I was just coming to tell you that I called Demitri to see how things were progressing and he says that the renovations are going to take longer that expected. We aren't needed until a week from Friday."
Emmett sat next to me on the bed, running one of the silk nighties through his fingers. I quirked an eyebrow at him.
"When are you finished here, baby?" I asked
"This coming Saturday," he replied. "But we can stay longer if you want to. You do have these, you know." He added holding up the nightie.
"Ooh, can I borrow one for when James gets here?" Sheri asked with a twinkle in her eye. "Because we don't have to be back for another week, he's coming in on Friday night."
"Of course you can," I smiled, tossing her a bright pink one. "You can keep it as a gift from Emmett; he paid for all of this."
"I thank you, Emmett," she said, crossing over and kissing his cheek. "James will thank you, too!"
Emmett's laughter filled the room.
"I don't think that we should stay after the weekend, Em," I said, sobering. "We need to get back to check on…things."
Immediately, heaviness came into the room. Sheri kissed my cheek and left, closing the door behind her. I stood and began putting all the clothes in the closet and dresser.
For a few moments, the reason for my being in Toronto had been forgotten. It had suddenly come crashing back. Emmett stopped me and pulled me into his arms.
"I love you Mara," he said softly. "I promise that I'll always take care of you. Nothing like this will ever happen again."
He captured my mouth in a gentle, comforting kiss.
I looked up into his face and touched his cheek.
"I feel so safe in your arms, baby," I murmured softly. "I know that nothing or no one can hurt me when I with you."
"Mara, I've never felt like this, so protective of you," he said, taking my face in his hands. "I know that you're a strong, independent woman, and can take care of yourself, most of the time. But, when I look at you, I want to shield you from all the pain and unpleasantness out there. It's like my heart and mind are saying mine; and it's so strong that I want to shout it to everyone."
His lips caught mine possessively.
"I used to tease Edward whenever he talked about Bella like this," he continued, pressing my cheek to his chest. "I guess I'll have to apologize to him."
I tightened my arm around his waist and spoke quietly.
"I am yours, Em," I said. "Just like you're mine. Together we can face anything thrown at us."
He kissed me again. Reaching down, he untied the belt of the silk robe I was still wearing, revealing my bra and thong clad body.
I let it slide down my arms and fall in a pool at my feet. Picking me up, he carried me over and laid me down in the middle of the bed.
"Beautiful," he murmured, pulling his shirt over his head and taking off his jeans, slid down beside me. "You are the center of my world, sweetness, and when I look at you I can't believe that I was lucky enough to find you.
Rising up on his elbow, he used gentle fingers, from his free hand, to caress my face and glide them down my throat to my collarbone, resting them against my rapid pulse there.
He looked up and smiled at me.
"That is what you do to me, baby," I spoke breathlessly, twining my finger in the curls at the nape of his neck. "I only have to look at you and my heart begins to race. I can't tell you how many times I've had to change my panties just thinking about you."
"You think you've got it rough," he smirked and chuckled. "I haven't been comfortable in my pants since we met. You know, there are only so many was a man can discreetly adjust himself. I feel like I'm back in high school again whenever I'm with you."
"Is that when you had your first encounter with a girl, high school?" I asked curiously, giggling. "I'll bet she was the head cheerleader and you were captain of the football team."
"Actually, no," he replied. "I was in junior high and she was a sophomore. I was a shy, self conscious guy back then, because I was so much bigger than any of the other guys. Siobhan was a big girl, herself, and so, when she started appearing wherever I went, I started paying attention. She was gorgeous and had been around, but she wasn't a whore, or anything like that, she just loved sex.
"She knew that I was inexperienced and decided to take my sexual education upon herself…and I'm glad she did. She didn't laugh at my fumblings and taught me how to treat and please a woman. I saw her regularly for about six months, before her family moved back to Ireland. But she left a much more mature boy behind. Then came the cheerleaders!"
"Well I wish I could thank her," I said with a grin. "She sure taught you well, dimples. I'll bet she made it so that your high school experience was a very heady one."
"Ooh, that was bad, sweetness," he teased. "A real groaner. How about you? Surely you had the guys sniffing after you at an early age."
He paid for all of thisI looked down; contemplating my answer, then looked up and smiled softly.
"There were a few that were "sniffing around", as you put it, but there was only one that caught my eye. His name was Chase and he was gorgeous; tall, dark hair and eyes so green you'd swear that they were real emeralds. I apparently caught his eye, too, because, in my junior year of high school he was suddenly the center of my life. He was a senior and the star player of the basketball team. I felt like I was the luckiest girl in the world because he had chosen me.
"It was the night of the Senior Prom and I was feeling like a princess; he was treating me like one, too. The night was every girl's fantasy, a gorgeous guy, a beautiful dress and surrounded by friends. We danced and laughed and had a glorious time.
"After we left, we drove out to the lake where some of the other kids were continuing the party. We sat around the campfire and someone brought out the beer. Well, to make a long story short, I drank too much and so did he. We ended up groping in the back seat of his car, and suffice it to say that it was not the best experience.
"We continued to see each other for six months and, after a pregnancy scare, he decided that we needed to step back for a while. Next thing I knew, he was seeing a leggy, beautiful blonde about as big around as a pencil; the complete opposite of me.
"Typical teen angst, but it taught me that I was in charge of me. My choices were just that, mine. If I made a mistake, it was on my head, the same with the good choices, they were mine. Brian was the worst choice I ever made, but I think that you, sweet cheeks, are the best."
I wound my arms around his neck and pulled his face to mine, just touching my lips to his. His tongue slid gently across my lips before begging for entrance. Soon we were lost in our own little world of tender loving and I indeed felt like a princess, his princess.
We lay wrapped in each other, a tangle of arms and legs, trying to be as close as we could.
"Mmm." I murmured against his neck. "Em, I love you."
"I love you, too, Mara," he whispered, his sweet breath fanning my face.
On Friday night, Sheri, Em and I met James's plane. It was enjoyable to watch the reunion between husband and wife. Even after seven years of marriage, they still acted like newlyweds. His hand slid down to cup her ass as their bodies collided and their lips locked.
I looked up at Emmett to see him actually blushing. I laughed, taking his arm and turning him to walk toward the baggage claim area.
"I guess I'm just used to their PDAs," I said with a chuckle. "They won't be able to do that when we become known, will they?"
He stopped and looked down at me.
"Why not?" he asked. "Why should celebrity prevent two people from showing how much they love and care about each other?'
"Uh, privacy?" I questioned.
"I'm not saying to be intimate in public, but witnessing a good passionate kiss will usually make strangers smile." he replied, turning me to face him, wrapping his arms around me, and pulling me tightly against him. "So what if there is a celebrity involved? They're only people who live and love just like anyone else."
Suddenly his mouth was on mine as he molded me to his body. My hands found their way into his hair and I pulled gently. He groaned as his hands slid down, grinding my hips into his.
There were multiple flashes that lit up the area around us, and I gasped, trying to pull away from him. He held me in place.
"You'd better stay right where you are, sweetness," he murmured, letting me feel his hardness. "Otherwise we'll both be embarrassed."
I looked up into his face to find him laughing, his eyes twinkling merrily.
"You knew that were there, didn't you?" I accused with a shake of my head. "I should move and let you face the consequences."
"Okay," he replied, starting to step away from me.
"No!" I hissed, pulling me back to him.
He threw his head back and let his big, booming laugh fill the air, causing the cameras to flash again, creating a strobe like effect around us. I tucked my face against his chest and began to laugh with him.
"What's going on here?" Sheri's amused voice asked behind me.
"Just acquainting Mara with the ways of the paparazzi," Emmett replied, finally able to safely step away from me.
Hey, Emmett," a voice called out from among the papps. "Who is she? Care to share?"
He looked down at me, then over at Sheri and James, raising a brow, silently asking for permission. Sheri smiled up at her husband and he shrugged his shoulders, nodding. Sheri turned to look at Em, and grinned at me.
"Why not, Mar? It could help when the CD comes out," she said quietly.
I smiled and nodded to Emmett. He grinned and turned me to face the cameras with him, pulling Sheri to his other side with James following her.
"This is Mara Brannigan," he began. "You need to remember that name. She and her accompanist, Sheri Connery, are to be watched; they have a CD coming out soon, and they are awesome. This lucky gentleman is Sheri's husband, James."
Em, switched me to his other side, next to Sheri, and stepped back. The first pictures of Torch would soon hit the tabloids.
"Are you together, Emmett, you and Mara there?" another voice called out.
He looked down at me and caressed my cheek.
"Oh, yeah," he said and kissed me.
I smiled against his lips
"Should we give them something to really take a picture of?" I whispered, slipping my arms up around his neck.
He chuckled.
"You're a wicked woman, Mara Brannigan," he whispered back, sliding his hands to my ass and pressed me tightly to him.
"Whoo Hoo!" someone shouted. "Looks like it's contagious, too!
Again, the lights were strobing around us. I glanced out of the corner of my eye to see Sheri and James in a similar clinch.
"Looks like Torch is getting some pretty "hot" exposure," I said, pecking Em's lips before stepping away.
He kept his arm around my waist as we turned back toward the cameras and Sheri and James. Her face was bright red when they broke apart, and James was laughing at her.
With a friendly goodbye to them, we left the papps and headed back to the apartment to get changed for a night on the town.
When we got back to the hotel, Sheri and James went upstairs to get ready, agreeing to meet us in the living room at 8:30 pm. That gave us two hours. Emmett had made dinner reservations at the hotel restaurant for 9:00.
As the door to our bedroom closed behind us, Emmett's arms came around me and his lips gently moved on mine. With a soft mewl; I wound my arms around his neck, pressing my body flush with his. His hand slid up my back to cup the back of my head.
Damn," I groaned against his lips.
"What, sweetness?" he asked, pulling back to look down at me.
"I just soaked another pair of panties," I replied with a playful pout. "I guess I should just start going without."
"I wouldn't mind, babe," he replied, trying to suppress a grin, his eyes twinkling merrily. "Easy access at anytime would be nice."
I just smiled at him, stepping away.
"I'd better get in the shower," I said, turning toward the bathroom. "We've only got a couple of hours before meeting Sheri and James."
After setting the water to heat and, after taking off my clothes, I stepped into the huge multi-headed shower. I sighed at the feel of the hot water sluicing down my body. Leaning my head back under the pulsing spray, I smoothed my hair back from my face. I was turning to pick up the bottle of shampoo when I felt Em's strong arms slip around me from behind and his large gentle hands cup my breasts.
"Mmm," I hummed, leaning back against his water slickened chest. "I was hoping you'd join me."
"Did you really think I wouldn't?" He breathed into my ear, taking the between his teeth and biting gently. "We have some unfinished business from earlier, remember?"
He reached around me to turn the main showerhead toward the opposite wall, allowing the steamy water to continue to flow away from us.
I shivered and turned to face him. With a groan, I wrapped myself around him, capturing his lips with mine. Swiping my tongue across his lower lip, I sought entrance to the sweet moist cavern behind it.
In an instant, I found myself turned and pressed against the cool hard tiles of the shower wall, Emmett's hot wet mouth trailing kisses down my throat to my chest. Taking my ass in both hands, he slid me up the wall to take my nipple into his mouth, sucking hard and biting gently. Then he was sliding me up further while trailing kisses down my stomach, stopping to give extra attention to my navel.
"Put your legs over my shoulders, babe," he commanded hoarsely.
"But…" I stated.
Just do it!" He growled. "I won't let you fall, but I've just got to taste you …now!"
I hesitantly slipped one leg and then the other over his wet, broad shoulders as he pushed me even higher up the wall. With his hands still holding my ass, he raised me up so that he could bury his face between my legs.
"Oh, f*ck!" I groaned, throwing my head back against the wall, my arms spread out to the sides, palms flat against the tiles. "Emmett!"
I felt his tongue begin to move over me, just a tiny swipe at my entrance first, then a flick up and a kiss on my clit before he nipped with his teeth. Flicking back down, he dipped his tong deep inside, lapping up my essence like a thirsty man. Then he flat-tongued me again and again, swirling my nub causing my legs to quiver around his neck.
"Ohh, God…Em," I moaned, grasping his head, twining my fingers into his hair; my shoulders pressing hard against the wall as I thrust my hips closer to him. "Oh, f*ck, baby…doesn't stop, please!"
The coil in me began to wind tighter and tighter as his amazing tongue swirled and dipped faster and faster
"Let go, babe," he said breathlessly. "I want you to come on my tongue, let it go."
I exploded as spasm after spasm after spasm shot through my body.
"Ahhh…OhGodohGodohGod…Uhhhhnnn!" I cried, panting heavily
He continued lapping up all I gave him as my spasms slowed and ceased. My body went limp and he ran his hands up my back to catch me as I began to slide down the wall. He held me as I weakly lifted my legs from his shoulders and slid down his body.
When my feet touched the floor, I turned and faced the wall and stood on my tip toes, arching my back to press my ass to his engorged cock.
"You don't have…" he started, grasping my hips.
"Just shut up and f*ck me, Em, hard and fast," I begged, looking up at him over my shoulder. "Please."
I felt him place the tip of his cock at my entrance and then, bending his knees a bit, thrust up into me. I felt his groan resonate from his stomach. Then, placing one arm across my stomach, he turned us and backed up to the built in seat and keeping me joined to him, sat down, my legs on either side of his.
"Ride me, cowgirl," he murmured into my ear, running his tongue down behind my ear to my shoulder.
I began to slide up and down his hard cock, clenching my muscles with each up stroke and loosening them on the down, milking the release from him.. I felt his legs begin to shake and I reached down to grasp his balls firmly but gently, squeezing and rolling the spheres within the sac. With my other hand I began to rub myself, picking up the pace.
"Ahh, sweetness…so close," he groaned, biting down on my shoulder. "Come with me, Mara…oh…holy f*ck…unghh!" He shouted his release.
The coil in me snapped as he filled me with his cream.
"Oh baby…yesss…yesss!" I hissed, stiffening back against his chest.
Slowly we began to relax, our hearts slowing. We sat, his arms wrapped around me, basking in the post coital afterglow.
Reluctantly I stood up and turned to face him. Reaching out, I cupped my hands around his face ad leaned in to kiss him.
"I love you Emmett McCarty, "I said softly, looking into his clear blue eyes.
"Oh, babe, I love you, too," he crooned, pulling me to him, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his cheek against my stomach. "More that you'll ever know."
I leaned down and kissed him again and stepped back.
We need to get ready, my love," I said. "Sheri and James will be waiting on us if we don't get a move on."
Standing, Emmet reached over and turned the showerhead back on us and we quickly washed each other and our hair. Stepping out of the shower, we dried each other. Then wrapping a towel around his hips, Em went into the bedroom while I dried my hair, powdered and lotioned, and put on my make up; with just a slightly heavier hand.
Walking into the bedroom, I found Emmett sitting in a leather chair reading a book. He was dressed in tight fitting black dress pants and a blue button down shirt, the first two buttons undone, and dress black loafers. Over the back of the chair was a darker blue blazer.
The dress that Alice had picked out for me fit like it was made for me. It was a light green confection with a deep décolleté, high waisted with a self belt. The flaring skirt fell to mid thigh. I had paired it with silver, high-heeled, strappy sandals.
I was standing before the mirrored closet door for a last minute check when Emmett stepped up behind me.
"You look beautiful," he whispered, placing his hands on my shoulders and kissing the back of my neck. "Mmm…and you smell delicious. I love that fragrance on you"
"Thank you, baby," I replied, leaning back into him. "It just amazes me."
"What does, sweetness?" he asked, meeting my eyes in the mirror.
"That Alice knew what size I wear," I replied. "It's a perfect fit. How does she do it?"
"She's always been able to," he replied with a chuckle. "And her fashion sense is impeccable. She even dresses me and the whole family. It's her passion and stands her in good stead as a costume designer."
"Well she's a master at it," I commented. "This dress is absolute perfection."
A knock sounded at the door. Em slipped into his jacket and I grabbed my silver clutch and silver lace shawl. We joined Sheri and James in the living room. Sher was resplendent in an off the shoulder, curve hugging, little black dress and heels; while James was dashing, dressed in black slacks and a lack button down, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
"Wow," James whistled under his breath. "I think we'll have to keep a watchful eye on these two. They'll be coming out of the woodwork for them."
"We'll definitely be the luckiest men there," Emmett added, a merry twinkle in his eyes.
Sheri and I just looked at each other and rolled our eyes, chuckling. I grabbed Emmett's hand and headed for the door.
Soon we were on the elevator taking us to the ground floor and the entrance to the hotel's Chrystal Dining Room