~ Nick
The alarm rings out, the loud noise shattering the early morning peace. Emma groans as she reaches over me and silences it. I use the opportunity to slip an arm around her waist and pull her against me.
“Nick,” she whispers, hands on my chest. “I have to get up.”
“Mmmm,” I murmur, pulling her closer. My lips find the warm skin of her shoulder. I can feel her squirming against me, hands pushing on my chest as she tries to escape. As much as I know she wants to go though, I don’t let her, tightening my hold as I pull her closer, my mouth trailing up her neck till it finds hers. “Stay,” I whisper as I press a kiss to her lips.
She kisses me quickly before pulling back. “I can’t, I have to go,” she whispers. “I’m sorry.”
She slips out of my grasp, cold air filling the bed as she throws back the covers and leaves. I force my eyes to open and watch as she creeps about my room, looking for her clothes. “Em,” I say, the word loud in the silence of my room.
She glances over at me, surprised maybe that I’m actually awake, knowing I shouldn’t be because of what time I finally came upstairs last night. The bar was heaving and despite wanting to see her, I knew I’d be stupid to try and close early.
“You don’t need to sneak out,” I tell her. “Go take a shower, I’ll make you some coffee.”
She nods, dropping her things before heading into the bathroom, the door half shutting behind her as the sound of running water fills the early morning.
Even though I’d stayed downstairs last night, ending the night with a few drinks with the boys, I still hate this part of our relationship. The part where the two of us cross paths like ships in the night.
She’d been asleep when I finally got up here and even though just the sight of her in my bed was enough to stir the simplest of fantasies, I hadn’t woken her, knowing her job was not the kind you could do sleep deprived.
Things have been better between us these past few weeks though. Almost like that first fight, if that’s what it was, hadn’t created a rift, but instead joined us even closer together. It had been tough telling her about Amy and I know there’s a lot more she wants to ask me. But I appreciate the fact she’s giving me space, letting me do it in my own time.
The water in my bathroom continues to run and I remind myself I’m supposed to be making her coffee. I push myself up, my tired body complaining as I force it from bed. I catch a glimpse of Emma through the half open bathroom door, her body arching beneath the water.
My body bristles with desire, but as much as I want to join her in there, I don’t. I know I wouldn’t be welcome because she doesn’t have time for what I want to do. She has to get to work and I do get it, even if I don’t like it. I knew it was going to be like this and I told her we could make it work.
Promised her we would.
Still, there are times that I miss her, even when she’s here, standing right in front of me.
I pull on some track pants and walk out to the kitchen to make her coffee. The smell of it freshly brewing wakes me a little and I pour a cup for myself and one to go for Emma. Just as I’m taking my first sip, she walks into the kitchen, bag slung over her shoulder and one arm laden with books. I take them from her, ignoring the protest as I set them down on the bench along with her bag. Then I pull her into my arms, wrapping them around her shoulders as she lays her head against my chest.
“I’m sorry I woke you so early,” she whispers, hands sliding up my back.
“It’s okay,” I tell her, kissing the top of her head. “I know you have to go to work.”
“You must be so tired,” she says, her body flush with mine.
“I’m okay,” I lie, pulling her even closer. “You’re still good for tonight?” I ask. I feel her tense in my arms, even as I run my hands up and down her spine. “It’s just dinner, Em, that’s all.”
She pulls back a little and looks up at me. “No, it’s dinner with your parents,” she says.
I shrug, like it’s no big deal. “And?” Emma bites her bottom lip as she stares up at me. I can almost see her brain working, trying to think of some excuse to get out of this. I lean in and kiss her, trying to both distract and reassure her that it really isn’t something to be scared of. “It’s going to be fine,” I murmur, kissing her just below her ear.
Emma sighs as she sinks back into me. “I’ve never met someone’s parents before,” she says. “I don’t even know how to.”
I chuckle before pulling back. “There is no how to,” I say, smiling. “It’s just dinner and getting to know you conversation.”
“Yeah but that’s just it,” she says. “I don’t even know how to do that.”
I smile, lean in and kiss her. “It’s going to be fine, Em, I promise. I already know they’re going to love you, you have nothing to worry about.”
She kisses me once more before pulling away, the mumbled “I’m not so sure about that,” still loud enough that I catch it. “I really have to go,” she says, reaching for the coffee I’ve made for her. “Thank you for this.”
“Of course,” I say, stepping towards her. “Seven tonight, okay? We’ll meet you there?”
Emma nods. “Yes, seven.”
I kiss her once more and then she’s gone. I take my coffee back to bed, the sheets already cold. Oscar follows me in there, curling up on the side Emma used to occupy. He’s grown attached to her, even in the short time she’s been coming to my apartment. I’m not sure if he’s missed having a female in his life or he genuinely loves her, but he seems to spend all his time rubbing against her and sleeping on her side of the bed when she isn’t here.
I slide between the sheets, Oscar lifting his head and giving me a look of what I assume is disappointment because it’s me and not Emma. I reach over and scratch his head. “I know buddy, I wish she was still here too.”
The cat looks at me with something akin to scorn before tucking his head under his paws and going to sleep. I shake my head at the stupidity of me talking to a cat and expecting anything back in return, before picking up a book and attempting to read.