April Embers_A Second Chance Single Daddy Firefighter Romance Page 32

  Her legs tightened around my waist, I could go anywhere if I wanted to. Her other hand was in my hair, holding me close to her. I kissed her neck, her collarbone, and sucked each of her nipples generously until she came.

  “Oh my…yes—yes!” She cried out, it spurred me on even more.

  I felt it building up inside of me, but I was holding off because I didn’t know how she would react afterwards. I wanted to savor it. How tight she is, how perfect I fit. How good her soft body feels against mine. I buried my face in her neck as I climbed higher, and higher.

  I thought the words; I’m in love with you. I have fallen so in love with you. But I couldn’t say them. I just came instead, shooting my load inside of her until I was empty and spent. Collapsing against her.

  Flowers and sex still smelled pretty damned good.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Emilia

  The mental kicks I was giving myself could permanently bruise me. I mean, I told myself not to do this. Not to get with him anymore, but I did. We had sex on my desk. And it was good. So damn good.

  So, good I was screaming. What if a customer had walked in? I was being an idiot. He made me crazy. I have to be professional. I can’t keep doing this…

  “Do you want to grab dinner?”

  I was fixing myself up, making sure I at least looked like I hadn’t just had sex. I avoided his gaze because those emerald green eyes would make me do anything.

  “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.” I whispered. I felt his eyes on me, finally I turned to look at him.

  His hair was disheveled, a messy mop of brown and blonde. His eyes still flashed with arousal, his full pink lips parted. He was so hard to resist.

  “You’ll have sex with me, but you won’t have dinner with me?” His brows tightened as he gritted his jaw. Yeah, he wasn’t happy. But I didn’t know how else to look after myself. How else to make sure this didn’t affect my work anymore.

  “It isn’t like that.” My voice was quiet but trembled with uncertainty. I had no idea what it was like. I didn’t have any idea of anything at this point.

  “Really? Then what the hell is it like, Emilia?” His voice rose in the slightest. He was definitely pissed. My cheeks burned with all the attention being on me. I didn’t know what to say or do because everything got all mixed up. In my head and in my heart.

  “I don’t know. I just know that I need to focus on work right now, but you’re…hard to resist.” I felt tears prick at my eyelashes. No. I couldn’t believe I was about to cry. I held back the tears trying to escape, burning the rims of my eyes. And the way he was looking at me, an intensity I couldn’t place.

  “Right, it’s my fault then.” With anger, he snatched up his keys and wallet, not giving me another look. “Call me when it has something to do with work.”

  I gasped as he left, shutting the door behind him with a slam. I let my tears fall then. From frustration and confusion. And I was so confused. I wanted him. I couldn’t resist him. But I knew I couldn’t be distracted from my work. Hell, I was aroused during a meeting with a client and had to cover it up with a sketchbook. A fucking sketchbook.

  I almost lost my head in my meeting with my investor that morning. Getting distracted, thinking of Tristan. Something had to give.

  I busied myself with work until I left at sundown. I finally stopped crying, but I was still confused and angry. Sad, too; because I felt like Tristan didn’t want me anymore. I understood. I’d strung him along, and he didn’t need that. Not after what his ex did to him.

  Once I got home, I called Ivy, knowing she would have something helpful to say.

  “Hey, I was just about to call you.” She sounded so happy. I didn’t want to dampen her mood with my shit.

  “Really? I was wondering if you want to come over for dinner.” I was never good at hiding my feelings.

  “Sure. But what’s wrong?” She asked me.

  “Nothing. Honest. I’ll see you soon.”

  I hung up before she could pry. I took a quick shower and got dressed in a soft pair of leggings and a large tee shirt. I officially looked like a relationship just ended, even though it wasn’t really a relationship.

  The feelings were real though. I burned for him and ached. I had dreamed of him every night since that ball. I was sure I would tonight to. He just drew me in with his charisma, honesty, and good looks of course. He’d been hurt, and he deserved…he deserved something good. I definitely wasn’t giving that to him.

  Ivy knocked rapidly, pulling me from my cloud of thoughts.

  I opened up and she was complete with two boxes of pan pizza. She could read my mind, it was proven.

  “Hey, how was your day?” I feigned my best smile, but she was still eyeing me.

  “Great… yours?”

  I shrugged.

  “I met with the bride and groom, from that wedding. They liked my plans.”

  “Oh, that’s good! When is the wedding?”

  She got plates and cups out, I helped myself to three slices and some soda.

  “Weekend after next. The rehearsal dinner is this weekend. They said I could bring someone, so you want to come?” She shot me a look as she sat with me on the couch.

  “Sure, but you have to tell me what’s going on first.”

  I sighed, I guessed I should start from the beginning, so I did.

  “How could I have missed all of this in a week?!?” She exclaimed.

  I just shrugged. I never told her about seeing him again because I thought it would make it too real. But she had been busy this week anyway, so I hadn’t actually seen her.

  “But when I saw him today we had sex again, despite what I said. I couldn’t resist him…but he left angry. With good reason. He doesn’t want to get played again. I don’t know what to do.”

  “Well it’s obvious you like him. So, you should consider his feelings, you don’t know what you want so don’t go to him again until you do.” She really was the voice of reason.

  “I know. I want to be professional, but I want him too. And I don’t want to choose.” She nodded, understanding as she thought more.

  “But this wedding won’t last forever? What about after?”

  That would be ideal. But I still had to stay focused. On getting a new shop, getting my funding for it. Growing my client base. I still had Sasha. But she couldn’t float me forever. And I had my walk-ins. But I could have even more if I was in a better part of town. There was too much to do that couldn’t involve the natural distraction a relationship would bring.

  “I don’t know, I still have to stay focused. My career has been exploding since that gala, I want to capitalize on that.”

  “But you like him. He won’t stick around forever.”

  I nodded in agreement. He wouldn’t.

  “So, you need to figure out how much you really like him. Maybe you’re even…”

  “No, don’t say it. Please.”

  She held her hands out in defense, dropping the subject.

  “Well I’m here for you.”

  I nodded, thanking her. I really needed that. Even when she brought it up I couldn’t entertain it. It would be too real and way too hard.

  So, we just ate pizza like pigs and watched trash television. It was perfect. My hands itched to text Tristan. To at least apologize. I hadn’t realized how much I was hurting him and confusing myself. But it would just open the floodgates. He even said to only call him when it was about the wedding. It hurt, but it was what I wanted.

  Wasn’t it?

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Emilia

  A week felt like an eternity. I kept busy packing new orders and talking with Gabriella a lot. But I heard nothing from Tristan.

  I supposed I should be relieved, it was what I wanted. He didn’t speak to me at all, but I had gotten used to his morning texts and daily antics. I had gotten used to him.

  I thought not being involved with anyone would make my work better, but it seemed my arrangements
were only getting worse. It was like I met him that first night, and my work got better. Then I decided I couldn’t be with him, and my arrangements lost their luster. I heard some customers talking about it in hushed whispers around the flower shop.

  And Gabriella sent back four of my wedding ideas. We were going back and forth for the past three days over email. She finally told me she would just discuss it with me tonight when I dropped off the flowers for the bridal shower. She was having it at her mother’s house.

  Anything relating to the wedding made me think of Tristan, but I was somehow relieved I wouldn’t see him tonight since it was the bridal shower. I was even curious to see what kind of friends she had and wondered if she was as picky with them as she was with me.

  I thought I would be the same way with my wedding anyway, it was her special day after all. So, everything should be perfect. And I was happy to oblige to help her with that.

  I walked to the bus station to go down to the rental place where I rented a truck out to transport all the flowers. Gabriella confirmed she paid the retailer, so I picked up everything I needed and headed her way.

  The truck was full when I arrived at her mother’s estate. And I do mean estate. It was huge. The front of the house looked like a castle with its pillars and semi-circle outputs. It was an old cream color, lined with darker trim. The van looked out of place even at the service entrance—they had a service entrance.

  I rang the doorbell there and waited. I didn’t know why I hadn’t expected Gabriella to be the one to answer the door.

  “Hey, you look amazing!” I wasn’t just saying that to flatter the bride either.

  She had on a beautiful floral maxi dress with a slit on the side. Levi was a lucky guy.

  “Thank you so much, do you need help unloading?” She gestured to the van, stepping out of the threshold. “I have people for that.”

  “Oh no, I’ll be done soon.” I assured her.

  I kind of felt my heart panging, wanting to be making the floral arrangement for my bridal shower. But I shoved the thought away and got to work. She showed me the main room and then I was otherwise alone. All the trips back and forth had me a little sweaty, and mostly tired. But I was done carrying them in after thirty minutes.

  It took an hour to set everything up. We finally decided on azalea side pieces, and a mix of orchids and camellias for the centerpieces. Their large main living room had been changed to a seating area with eight tables. I wanted each piece to be perfect, she would have these photos forever. Her theme was artsy. The other sitting room had easels set up where they would be doing a painting session with a nude model. It sounded fun. I could imagine how her bachelorette party would be, which was tomorrow.

  It was my understanding she didn’t have many friends though, so I wondered who she was going with. But as I was setting up, I found out she had seven sisters. Seven. Suddenly I was glad to be an only child. They were all yelling at each other while getting ready. Running all over the giant house, it didn’t seem big enough to fit them all.

  I was finishing up the accent wall with white, hot pink, and fuchsia touch-me-nots when the girls moved outside. They all smiled at me as I arrive the touch-me-nots. They did well indoors. I strung them out and lined both pillars with them. The living room had a large entryway, so I wanted to decorate it as well.

  I heard Gabriella outside with her sisters the entire time, they seemed very happy. I tried not to eavesdrop, but I couldn’t help it.

  “Gab, if you don’t have naked men at the bachelorette party, it didn’t really happen.”

  “I don’t want to go to a strip club!” She exclaimed.

  “What about an entertainment club? The dancing is more tasteful.”

  There was more chatter and discussion.

  “Fine. Fine. Just help me with this.”

  Their conversation slowed down, and I got back to work. Two hours later I was putting the finishing touches on the centerpieces. I wished Ivy would get married so I could do this for her someday.

  “It looks beautiful.” My fingers froze around the dome of the vase. My body softened at the sound of his voice, like it was tight and bothered before.

  Tristan.

  Dressed in faded jeans and a crisp, blue button up. He was impeccable; even his shoes were on point, a pair of casual black oxfords. His hair was kept, more so than usual. His eyes green and wide, yielding a smile.

  “Tristan, what are you doing here?” His hands slipped in his pockets as he took three steps towards me, closing the space between us.

  I inhaled his scent, soap and a woodsy scent, like pine. I had missed it, but it feels I never left it.

  “I had to drop off the cake and party favors.” He explained. His eyes searched mine warily.

  It was definitely awkward, but not unbearable. We didn’t leave off on the best terms. I wondered if he was still mad. And I wondered what the hell I was thinking. My body still wanted his. I regret not wearing a bra with my shift dress, I felt my nipples tightening just from him looking at me.

  “Oh. I didn’t know you were coming.” I said. He shrugged.

  “Hadn’t planned on it.” It kind of warmed my heart, how sweet he naturally was. He was really kind to be doing all of this for them.

  “You need help with those?” He gestured to the stack of empty flower bins. Ugh. I dreaded taking those out.

  I wouldn’t deny I wanted to spend more time with him. But I was afraid I would lose control again. Better yet, I wasn’t sure I didn’t want to lose control.

  “Um yes, please.”

  It would help get me out of here faster anyway. I didn’t exactly want to be around when all the girls started piling in. He didn’t hesitate to start lifting the boxes and take them out. He was done in only a few minutes.

  “They seem really excited.” I said.

  “Yeah. Her sisters are wild though.”

  He leaned against the pillar in front of me. Effortlessly relaxed. I wondered how well he really knew her sisters, I assumed a lot since him and Levi had been friends for over ten years.

  “They’re just happy for her.” I teased the camellias even more. But I was ready to leave so I grabbed my bag and headed out.

  “And jealous,” he countered.

  I rolled my eyes. But I did see it in their faces sometimes.

  I stopped outside to tell her I was finished. I stuck around for her to check it out, but she said it was perfect, so I was free to go.

  “Thank you so much. I love it!” She hugged me, much to my surprise. She just didn’t seem like much of a hugger.

  “No problem.”

  Her mother thanked me too and I took my leave. I hadn’t noticed Tristan had left until I saw him leaning by my truck. My heart leapt towards him, quickening in pace. My fingers twitched as I approached him, looking like a god under the lowering sun light.

  “Hey.” I said.

  He nodded at me. “Hey.”

  “You’re still here.” I stated.

  He nodded at me again. I could see it behind his eyes, there was so much he wanted to say. “You have a minute to talk?” He asked. I fiddled my keys in my hand, nodding once.

  He stared back at me, stepping closer. He was about to speak, his lips parting but he stopped when we heard voices. The guests were arriving now, a bunch of women who made no secret of stopping and starring.

  “In here.” He took me to the back of the truck. I unlocked the door and we climbed in.

  The space was tight, but without the flower plenty of space for the two of us. He sat on the bench across from me, hunched over in the small space that didn’t fit his tall frame. I set my purse aside and crossed my legs nervously.

  “I should apologize.” He said. My brows furrowed. I hadn’t expected him to say that at all.

  His eyes stayed on mine before fleeting elsewhere, his jaw tightened. I cocked my head to the side, studying him. He was so handsome, even in the dim lighting that I was sure didn’t flatter my porcelain skin.

>   “You want to apologize? Why?”

  I thought I should be the one apologizing.

  “I should have respected your wishes. I shouldn’t have been flirting with you and teasing you. It isn’t your fault, what happened last week. And I made it seem like it was.”

  I took in his words. Really thinking them over. I still felt guilty. If I were stronger, we wouldn’t have been in that situation.

  “It’s no one’s fault. It isn’t like I minded you flirting with me, even though I said I did. I do want to focus on work but… I want you too and I don’t know what to do.”

  His eyes found mine. He seemed so sad and…dejected. “You said you don’t do casual sex. I’m not sure I ever want to be in a relationship again.” He said honestly. I nodded in understanding.

  “Maybe…maybe that’s better in our situation.” I whispered.

  The air grew hotter. I was suffocating, and the only thing that could give me air was him. I crossed the space and he didn’t miss a beat, grabbing my hips and pulling me onto his lap. I felt him against my thigh, not hard, but obviously there. He peered at me, like he was studying me.

  I knew a relationship would distract me. But just sex would be completely different. I did like him, and my feelings were real for him. But I knew it was worse if I couldn’t have him. Couldn’t be around him. Maybe a casual sex relationship wasn’t super appropriate, but it seemed best.

  “I just think you deserve more than that.” His voice was husky, hooded with desire already.

  I ground myself against him, pressing my chest to his as I linked my arms around his neck.

  “This feels right. I only want things to feel right.”

  He gazed at me, studying my expression. Like he wanted to be sure. He cared about me. I cared about him. We could figure the rest out later. Right now, I needed him. For the first time I initiated a kiss, but he quickly took over.

  My lips parted, allowing his tongue to lap over mine. My breasts pillowed against him, the thin fabric of my chest did little to keep the warmth of our bodies from meeting. I felt my nipples harden from the desire coursing through me. My fingers seared through his luscious tuft of hair, latching him to me.