I awoke with a start. I could faintly hear my cell phone ringing in the living room. I looked over and saw Edward sleeping peacefully on his side, snoring lightly. Seeing him there flooded my mind with images of the previous night- every touch, every kiss, every whispered word. I jumped up, threw on my robe and slipped out of the bedroom and into the hallway being as quiet as possible. I glanced at the clock on the microwave on my way to the living room. 4:37. Who was calling me in the middle of the night? The phone stopped ringing and then immediately started again. I grabbed it out of my purse. It was Emmett. My heart started beating wildly. What if he knew? What if he was standing outside the building watching us?
"Emmett? Are you okay?" I said, trying to hide the panic in my voice.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just couldn't sleep. I needed to talk to you. I am so worried about this project. It could mean a promotion and I don't want to fuck it up."
"Well you've been working on it really hard. That's all you can do is do your best." I said, plopping down on the sofa. I was relieved that the secret was still safe, but annoyed that he was calling me in the middle of the night to talk about his job and didn't even seem concerned if he'd woken me up or not.
"You're right. That's why I've been putting in all these hours. I want to be CIO before I'm thirty five which gives me three years."
"You can do it. You're smart and innovative and you've proven it to them over the years."
"Damn right I have. Thank you for making me feel better, babe. Let's go to that Mexican place tonight. I need to de-stress."
"Em, I told you that I was going to a concert with Rose and Alice tonight. But we can do Mexican on Sunday."
"Come on, Izzy. I'm in the mood for loaded nachos."
"Alice already bought the tickets!"
"I'm sure they can get someone to take your ticket. Come on, babe," he pleaded.
"Fine, Em."
"Great! I'll meet you at your place at five, okay?"
"Okay." I said before hanging up. I tossed the phone onto my sofa.
"Everything okay, Izzy?" Edward was standing in the doorway, fully dressed.
"Yeah, it's fine. I didn't mean to wake you up."
"I need to get going anyway. Mike is getting the moving truck at 8am so…"
"Oh yeah. Hope the psycho bitch isn't there."
"Yeah, me too."
"Did you call a cab?"
"Yeah…should be here in a few…"
We both were quiet. In the early morning hour, the guilt weighed heavily on my mind. I didn't expect the evening to veer in the direction that it did and our actions couldn't be undone. But the pleasure I'd experienced at his hands had been exquisite.
He grabbed his olive messenger bag and slung it over his shoulder.
"The cab should be here any minute." He leaned down and kissed me on my forehead.
"I'll see you soon." He said, tucking my hair behind my ear. And then he was gone. I locked the door behind him and couldn't help the tears that formed in my eyes. Why was I crying? Because of guilt? Because I really didn't want him to go? I went into my bedroom and crawled under the covers. The sheets smelled like him. Woodsy and masculine. I hugged my pillow, inhaling the scent and fell into a fitful sleep.
~SD~
"Izzy? Izzy?" Someone was calling my name and banging on the door. I glanced over at the clock. Ten thirty. Shit. I never slept this late.
"I'm coming, I'm coming!" I yelled as I ran to the door.
As soon as I unlocked the door and pulled it open, Alice charged in. She was small, barely five feet but her personality added another ten feet to her stature. She was a quick-witted, fast-talking, fashion-forward force to be reckoned with when she was on and she was always on.
"Sorry, Izzy, were you in the shower?" Alice asked, handing me a Starbucks cup. I looked down and realized I was still in my fuzzy purple robe.
"No, I was asleep."
"This late? That's not like you." Her hazel eyes wide.
"I know, it's been a long, hot week." I said, flopping down on the sofa. I sipped my mocha frappachino and savored the sweet, icy liquid.
"Well, get dressed. We're going shopping today, remember? I need a new outfit for tonight. What are you wearing?"
"Alice, please don't be mad but I can't come with you guys tonight. I promised Em that we would hang out."
"Damn it, Izzy!" she said, putting her hand on her hip and actually stomping her tiny foot.
"I know. But he's been really stressed out about his job."
Alice rolled her eyes toward the ceiling.
"If you can't get someone else to take my place, I'll give you the money for my ticket."
"Can you at least go shopping with us today?" Alice asked, a pout marring her delicate features.
"Yes. I'm getting in the shower now." I promised. I walked down the hallway to the bathroom with Alice on my heels.
"Oh, do you have my boots that I left here a couple weeks ago? I think I want to wear them tonight."
"Yeah, they're in my closet."
She pushed my bedroom door open and started laughing.
"What?"
"I know why you slept so late this morning you dirty slore!"
My heart began thumping loudly. Did she know? Did we leave evidence of our indiscretion?
"You finally used the gift I gave you!" she yelled, pointing at the neon pink vibe that I had absently thrown on the night table.
"Shut up, Alice." I mumbled, feeling my face heating up.
"So did you finally experience the big O?" she asked, eager for more information. Well, this part I didn't have to lie about.
"I did." I admitted.
"And?"
"It was awesome." I said giggling.
"So now you can show Emmett what you like so he can get you off, too."
I had never thought about that. She was right. I could take my new knowledge and apply it to my relationship with Emmett. While out shopping with Rose and Alice, I bought a couple of sexy lingerie sets. Maybe after dinner, Emmett would be in the mood to have a little fun. When I got back to my apartment, I showered again and donned the naughty lingerie that Rose swore would give any straight man a heart attack. Since it was still hot outside, I put on a flowered maxi dress and pulled my dark locks up into a bun. I was applying waterproof mascara when I heard the door buzzer. I pressed the intercom.
"It's me." I heard Emmett's voice and buzzed him up. I unlocked my door and ran back to the bathroom to finish getting ready.
"You ready, babe?" He called from the living room a minute later.
"Yep! Let me grab my purse." I called back. I grabbed a small clutch from my closet and went to greet him.
"Finally! Let's go." Emmett said as soon as he saw me. He definitely had the tall, dark and handsome thing going on. He and Edward were the same height- six feet two, but Emmett was much stockier. He kept his dark brown hair cut short and he had two adorable dimples, one on each cheek. His deep brown eyes were framed by long lashes and thick eyebrows.
"No kiss or hug?"
"You're right. Sorry." He said. He leaned over and kissed my cheek.
"I've missed you."
"Yeah, I know, work has been taking over my life. But when I get that promotion, fingers crossed, it will all be worth it."
"I'm sure you'll get it, Em." I told him as I locked the door behind us. We made our way down three flights and out into the sweltering heat that didn't seem to be letting up.
"Em, you know the apartment management hates it when you park your car on the sidewalk like that. They get complaints from the tenants." I said, seeing his red Audi TT partially blocking the walkway leading into the building.
"The parking is so shitty around here; I didn't have time to look for a spot. They'll get over it." He shrugged.
Dinner at Arriba's was good. Emmett was happy as a clam; Mexican food was his absolute favorite cuisine. While we were enjoying our tacos carnitas, a text came through from Alice. It was a pic of her, Rose and another friend of ours Rachel in the crowd at the concert. I smiled at the picture.
"Who's that?" Emmett asked, his mouth full.
"Oh just Alice, she sent me a pic from the concert."
"I'm sure you're not missing much. If they have time to take pictures, the band must be pretty lame. Oh, one of the executives is retiring and his retirement party is next Saturday at a Brazilian steakhouse. I'll pick you up at seven."
Is this what happens in a long term relationship? I don't even get asked if I am available or if I even want to go to a retirement dinner for someone more than twice my age?
"I need to get in good with the executives on the thirtieth floor." He continued. "And you know babe, once I get that executive office, I'll be putting a ring on that finger."
The first time he started talking marriage with me, I was flattered and excited that I had finally found a man who took our relationship so seriously and saw a future with me. More and more often lately, I found myself having to push the creeping doubts to the back of my mind. A man who wasn't scared of commitment was like a fucking unicorn.
"Are you sure you want me to come with you? I don't want to get in the way of you schmoozing the executives." I said, trying to find an out.
"Nah, it'll be fun. Are you gonna eat that last taco?"
"You can have it." I said, pushing my plate toward him.
"I'm hoping I can have you for dessert?" He grinned, showing his dimples.
"I think that can be arranged." I giggled. "I have a surprise for you."
"Oh yeah? Well let's get out of here."
He paid the check, leaving exactly a ten percent tip, which was his usual. It angered me every single time because I had waitressed all throughout college and I remembered that tips were the only way I could really earn a living. When he wasn't looking, I tucked a ten dollar bill under my glass. We went back to his brownstone and as soon as we were through the door he was grabbing my boobs and squeezing.
"Slow down, Emmett!" I said laughing.
"I can't. I just want you so badly." He said, kissing me.
"Let's go to your bedroom." I said against his lips. He picked me up and I squealed as he carried me down the hallway.
He kicked his bedroom door open and put me on the bed.
"Take your clothes off." He instructed, his voice gruff with desire. I kicked my sandals off and pulled my dress over my head, revealing the slinky surprise I had bought that day-a small red lacy thong with black trim, and a red push up bra with black lace embroidery. I leaned back on my elbows and waited for him. He was busy pulling his cargo shorts off and unbuttoning his shirt. Finally he looked down at me in his bed.
"I said take everything off. Get naked." He said, not even noticing the lingerie. I was stunned for a second and then I just unhooked my bra and pulled my panties down. Emmett kicked out of his boxers and immediately entered me with his thick cock. It was uncomfortable; I wasn't wet.
"Em, honey, slow down a little."
"I can't, babe. It just feels too good." He groaned.
"Please? It kind of hurts."
"Okay, okay." He said, slowing his thrusts down marginally. He pumped into me, grunting and panting against my shoulder.
"Fuck, babe, I'm close. Shit!" he moaned as his thrusts faltered and then his hips stilled after his release. His body collapsed on top of mine.
"Mmmm Izzy, I needed that." He rasped. He pulled out of me and flopped onto the bed next to me.
"Oh yeah…what was your surprise?"