Chapter 10

Emma

“So, they want the product in the background and kind of a whitewash of their logo over the top,” I said to Greg. “When I did it, it didn’t come out like I’m assuming they’re picturing in their heads. So I did a second version, the one in your hands. I figured you could send them both proofs and see which one they like better. The second one is the same idea, just a little less washed out.”

“I like it,” Greg said. “Good work. I’ll let you know what they decide.”

“Thanks, Greg,” I replied, walking out of his office.

I headed back to my office and sat down behind the desk, looking at the project on the screen. It was a simple one, a car sale ad where they wanted a rabbit driving the vehicle. Apparently, they had tried to get an actual photo of that, and it didn’t quite work out, so I was doing some Photoshop magic on it and hoping it came out okay. Right as I started on the project, my office phone rang.

“This is Emma,” I said answering.

“What are you wearing?” a voice said on the other line.

“A parka, galoshes, and a red wig,” I said seductively.

“That’s weird,” Caroline replied, laughing.

“Hey, you’re the one calling me with raspy creepo voice.” I chuckled. “What’s up?”

“I wanted to see if you wanted to go out to the pub tonight? This guy I’ve gone a couple of dates with, his band is playing,” she said. “I figured it would be good for you to continue the streak of living your life and not stopping because you’re home from New York.”

“Um, honestly? I have a huge workload, and I’ve been coming in super early,” I said. “I love you, but I’m really not feeling like going out tonight. Maybe this weekend, we can do something, you know, when I don’t have to be up and using my brain.”

“This doesn’t happen to have anything to do with that guy from New York, does it? Because if so, you have to let it go,” she said.

“No.” I chuckled, brushing her off. “I’m over it. Don’t be crazy.”

“Right.” Caroline didn’t sound like she was buying it. “Well, I guess we could all do something before I go out of town again.”

“Just not any surprise weekends for a while.” I laughed. “It was awesome, but Greg is not going to be that giving again. He freaked out about the day I missed, worried I wouldn’t get my work done.”

“You tell Greg to go home to that pretty little wife and get la—”

“Whoa! I don’t need that vision in my head. I’ll call you later.”

I hung up the phone and tried to go back to work, but I couldn’t. I sat there staring at my screen, knowing I had lied to my best friend. Again. I knew in the back of my mind that Brandt was exactly the reason I didn’t feel like going out that night or any night in the future. He was the reason I was trying to get out of the situation I knew would end up in, with her trying to set me up with someone else. At first, I thought it was because I wasn’t ready for something like that, but then I was honest with myself. I liked the guy. It was that simple. I really liked being near him, around him, talking to him, laughing with him, and feeling his hands on me. I felt like I had been drawn to him from the first moment he walked up to the bar. That was why I’d said something to him in the first place, something I don’t normally do. It took me mustering courage for at least twenty minutes, waiting for him to come get a drink so I could joke around with him.

Then again, no matter how attracted I was to him, on whatever level, so was his wife. Those pictures were branded in my memory. Smiles of a small child being held by her mother and father. A happy family with a happy home that I had come into and intruded on in the worst way. Alex had done that to me, and as the woman, I knew how bad it felt. As the other woman, I almost felt worse about it, not that I thought Alex’s girlfriend had any remorse for what she had done. She knew about me from the beginning. I sighed and went back to my project, working the best I could with visions of everything flashing through my mind.

When it hit five, I decided not to work late, knowing I had been there late the last two nights. I just wanted to go home to the comfort of my house, the soft blanket, and my couch. I said good night to Greg and headed back. When I pulled up in the driveway, though, I cringed. Alex stood at my front door. I parked and slowly got out of the car, preparing myself for him. He didn’t look happy in the least, and without doubt, I was not happy to see him either.

“What do you want?” I asked, searching for my house keys.

“I want to know when you’re going to give me half of that savings account.”

“Uh, never.” I laughed at his audacity. “We’ve talked about this. I’m the one who contributed ninety-nine percent of it. My name is the only one on it. Therefore, you don’t have any right to it. You’re the one who screwed up our happy home.”

“We started that as a nest, and I deserve my fair share,” he said.

“Your fair share? Are you fucking kidding me? You’re lucky I gave you anything from this house,” I scoffed. “Go back to your girlfriend. I’m sure she’ll be happy to support you.”

“Fuck you, Emma,” he said as I slammed the door in his face.

I leaned up against the door and listened as he jumped in his car and sped out of the neighborhood. I sighed, shaking my head. That was the last thing I needed that day. I couldn’t believe I’d dated that asshole for that long. He had never been that much of a prick when we were together, but it was obvious he had it in him. I was glad I hadn’t married him to find out down the road that he was such a jerk when it was too late to get out of it.

I threw my stuff down on the floor and climbed the steps, slowly making my way to the bathroom. I turned on the hot water and added some bubbles, walking back out to get some clothes as the bathtub filled. When I got back in there, it was almost full, so I turned it off and got undressed. I lit a few candles and turned off the light, turning on some calming music from my phone and sinking down into the hot water. I sighed as my body relaxed, leaning my back against the side of the tub. I closed my eyes and let my mind wander, trying to get rid of all the thoughts keeping me awake at night.

As I lay relaxing with the music lightly playing in the background, I pictured Brandt in my mind, his amazing smile, his sexy eyes, and that rock-solid body. His arms pulsed, flexing and releasing as he stood there in my mind, staring at me with a look of lust in his eyes. I could feel the heat increase between my legs, and I took my loofah and began to wash my body, my eyes still shut, while my imagination combed over his entire naked self. As the sponge moved down between my legs, I gasped slightly, the warm water and dim light heightening my sense of touch.

I set the sponge to the side and lifted my foot up on the side of the tub. I closed my eyes and imagined Brandt there, crawling toward me in a bed full of pillows. His eyes were dark, and his hands were ready to shower me with pleasure, just like the first time we’d had sex. I moved my hand between my folds, thinking about the way he licked me, the way his fingers felt pressed inside of my pussy. I let myself go, picturing every moment of my ecstasy in his hands.

He pulled himself over me, lifting my legs up on his shoulders and grabbed my waist, pulling me toward him with power. He reached between my legs and fingered me for a moment, priming me for his intrusion. I moaned, as he pulled his fingers out and replaced them with his rock-hard shaft, thrusting his hips forward and pushing deep inside. He waited, holding his cock inside of me, staring down into my eyes. He reached up to grab my hips and pulled himself almost all of the way out of me, smiling a coy smile.

Almost immediately, he started to fuck me, his dick rolling in out of my pussy, the sound of our bodies echoing through my head like a dream. I groaned, leaning my head back and feeling the power of his body. He picked up his pace, swirling his hips around as he pushed down on my clit with his stomach. I moaned, grabbing onto the satin sheets around us. He leaned forward and gently kissed my lips, keeping his eyes latched onto mine. When he released, he sat up and put his hands on my thighs, moving his body forward and back, sliding in and out hard and fast. My tits bounced as he pushed my body forward and back, the sound of my screams echoing around me. He pressed my thighs forward, opening me further, diving deep inside over and over, groaning as my juices pulled him back into me. I breathed heavily, wanting release, but not quite ready for it yet.

He pulled his cock out of me and flipped me over on my stomach, pulling me up on all fours. I groaned as he scooted forward on the bed, pushing his cock inside of me again, this time with force. He bent down, wrapping his arm around my waist and rubbing his hand over my clit. I screamed out, whipping my head back as the feeling of him filling me up took over. I rocked back and forth, meeting his body as he slammed into me over and over. I could feel the lust in my chest as his fingers moved fast and hard against my nub.

I cried out in ecstasy, the passion between us palpable as I turned my head and looked into his eyes. He groaned, digging his fingers harder against my pussy, trying to pull me to orgasm. I let loose, tilting my hips and feeling him dive deep down inside of me. I gasped unable to make a sound as he pushed against me over and over again. The heat in my belly was bursting, and I could barely hold on any longer. I took in a deep breath and reached down, helping his fingers move faster against me.

He pumped his hips as I groaned, licking my lips and frantically breathing. As he slapped my clit, I exploded, holding tightly as the waves of orgasm rocked me from head to toe. I could feel my body shaking wildly, the air in my lungs tightly squeezing at my chest. As the waves began to slow, I relaxed, tilting my head back and opening my eyes.

I stared up at the bathroom ceiling, all alone with no idea where Brandt actually was.