Chapter Twenty-two
Darcy opened her eyes and stretched, again feeling the weight of Emerson’s arm slung over her. Apparently, if they were going to continue sleeping together, this was something she’d have to get used to. Not that it was a bad thing. A sliver of sunlight shone through the blackout curtains, making it impossible for her to determine the time. She glanced at the clock on the bedside table and discovered it was after ten. “Holy crap.”
“Huh? What?” Emerson lifted her head and squinted at her. “What’s wrong?”
“Sorry, sorry. Nothing’s wrong. I just can’t believe how late it is.”
Emerson blinked a few times, looking around the room. “What time is it?”
“Almost ten-thirty.”
Emerson rolled onto her back. “I thought you were going to say two in the afternoon.”
Darcy laughed. “You really aren’t a morning person, are you?”
“I thought we’d already established that.”
“Yes, but you’re much worse than I thought.”
“One is not better than the other.” Emerson tickled Darcy’s ribs until she squirmed.
“Okay, okay. Let me rephrase. As a morning person, I can’t believe how late we slept.”
“Well, we were up pretty late.”
That was putting it mildly. After the initial sex, they’d dozed for a little while. But the light had remained on and Emerson’s roaming hands led to a second round. After Emerson made her come for the fourth time, Darcy stopped counting. And she had no idea what time they finally fell asleep for good. “True. It was way past my bedtime.”
Emerson rolled again, this time until she lay on top of Darcy. “Would you like to file a complaint?”
Darcy shook her head. “I couldn’t possibly find a single thing wrong with last night.”
“Good. I’ll buy you a huge breakfast, too. Brunch, technically.”
Darcy couldn’t remember the last time she’d gone out to brunch. “With a Bloody Mary?”
Emerson leaned down and kissed her. “With a Bloody Mary.”
The kiss, more of a peck than anything sexual, stirred something in Darcy. While she wouldn’t have thought it possible to be turned on after everything they’d done every which way, it seemed she’d become insatiable. She hooked a leg around Emerson’s thigh and pulled her closer. “Not that we need to be in any rush.”
Emerson rotated her hips, pressing even further against Darcy. “All the time in the world.”
By the time they walked out of the hotel lobby, it was after noon. “Will anyone still be serving brunch?” Darcy asked.
“I know just the spot. And it’s only a short walk away.”
Darcy turned her face into the sunshine and allowed Emerson to take her hand. They had the entire day in front of them. Really, they had the next two weeks ahead of them. She had to work, but with Liam not home, Darcy would have a huge amount of free time. The thought of being a little reckless—of spending most of it with Emerson—sent a wave of excitement through her. She hadn’t been irresponsible in so long, probably since college. The idea of it made her giddy.
Emerson delivered on her promise of brunch, complete with Bloody Mary. After, they walked off a few of the calories along the Charles, soaking up the sunshine they’d been denied the day before. Without waiting for Emerson to take the lead, Darcy asked her, “When we get home tonight, will you stay over?”
“On one condition.”
The sternness in her voice made Darcy curious. She considered asking what it was, but decided she’d be unlikely to refuse anything Emerson requested. And she’d decided to be reckless. “Okay.”
Emerson smiled. “You didn’t even ask what it was.”
Darcy lifted a shoulder. “I have a feeling I’ll be on board.”
“Tomorrow, spend the night at my place.”
“What about Will?”
“She’s officially gotten her own place. Well, not all on her own. She’s moving into an apartment with a couple of other people.”
“That’s great.” Darcy studied Emerson’s face. “It is great, right?”
Emerson nodded. “Definitely. It’s good for her and I think it makes it more likely she’ll stick around.”
Given what she’d learned about Will’s recent past, Darcy knew that was a good thing. “I’m glad.”
“It also means I get my apartment back. Not that it hasn’t been fun having her there, but…”
Darcy grinned. “She’s been cramping your style?”
“Fortunately, I have a very understanding girlfriend.”
“Is that what I am?”
“Understanding? Absolutely.”
“No. Your girlfriend.”
Emerson stopped walking and looked at Darcy. She was the last one to obsess over labels, but she couldn’t think of another way to define them “Aren’t you?”
Darcy put a hand on her arm. “I’m not denying it, we’ve just never discussed it.”
Something in Darcy’s tone felt forced, like she was trying to keep it light. “I think of you that way.”
Darcy angled her head and narrowed her eyes, as though it was a test. “I guess I do, too.”
“And, for the record, I’m not seeing anyone else. I don’t want to see anyone else.”
Darcy nodded slowly. “Same here.”
“I guess it’s settled then.”
They started walking again, but Darcy continued her slow nod. Emerson wanted nothing more than to know what she was really thinking. Eventually, Darcy made eye contact and asked, “Is this a big deal?”
Emerson picked her words carefully. She wanted to be honest, but not scare Darcy off. Of course, she didn’t even know which extreme would scare her off at this point. “Sort of, but it doesn’t have to be.”
Darcy laughed and hooked her arm through Emerson’s. “A perfect answer.”
What did it mean that Darcy was completely satisfied with such a non-answer? Did it matter? It didn’t today. For now, she was going to enjoy having Darcy all to herself.
They meandered back to the hotel. Since they’d checked out before leaving, Emerson got their car from the valet and they were on their way. The sun really seemed to be making up for lost time and the drive down and along the Cape was bright and beautiful. They got back to Darcy’s apartment early evening. They climbed the stairs and went inside. For all the times she’d been there, only once had it been when Liam wasn’t home. It felt oddly quiet without him. “Can I be excited to stay over and also miss Liam?”
Darcy’s smile told Emerson it was the right thing to say. “I know what you mean.”
“Oh, good. So, what time do you have to be at work tomorrow?”
“Nine.”
“God, that’s early.”
“You know Alex is in by five, right?”
If she’d thought about it, Emerson would have known that. But she never had. “I appreciate the profound sacrifice you both make so we can have coffee and pastries and macaroni and cheese.”
Darcy shook her head. “Thanks.”
“I promise I won’t keep you up as late tonight.”
Darcy stepped closer, ran a finger along the neckline of her V-neck tee. “Don’t be making promises you might not be able to keep.”
Emerson put her hands on Darcy’s hips. “I’m figuring if I drag you to bed now, we’ll get to sleep at a reasonable hour.”
Darcy bit her lip. “I see.”
“I mean, unless you’re hungry. We could eat first.”
“Food is so overrated sometimes.”
“And we did eat a huge brunch.”
Darcy took one of Emerson’s hands. “Exactly.”
Emerson allowed herself to be led to Darcy’s bedroom. “I’m so glad we agree.”