“I understand that. I just…don’t want to disappoint them.”
“We’ll practice, then.”
It was a bit embarrassing that I had to practice a basic human interaction.
“Pretend they’re me.”
Both of my eyebrows rose up my face.
“I mean, not like that. Just…you’re comfortable around me.”
“I don’t know if that will work.”
“That’s why we’ll practice. I have no doubt you’ll do great, Derek. It’s just a hurdle we have to get over. And remember, your story means something to these people. They’re excited to see you. It’ll be fun.”
I had a much different idea of fun.
“I was thinking we could have your parents there too.”
“Why?”
I shrugged. “I think the fans will like it, seeing your family there.”
“I don’t think my parents would—”
“Their son is a famous author. Yes, they want to be there.”
I knew Emerson always involved my parents because she was a parent herself, and she knew how important every little thing was, even when I was a grown man. “Alright. But they’re both really busy—”
“Trust me, a parent is never too busy to be there for their son.”
I dropped my gaze and looked at my food again, slicing into the scrambled eggs before putting them into my mouth. “No wonder why they like you.”
She smiled. “I just know how it is.”
Her daughter gave her a sense of maturity that I didn’t have, that most people probably didn’t have.
“You know, one of the things I found most attractive about you is the way you talk about your parents. The way you speak so highly of your father, the way you are close with your mom…it’s really sexy.”
I lifted my chin and looked at her. “Yeah?”
“It’s nice to see a man respect his parents, appreciate them. You never know the sacrifices your parents make for you until you become a parent yourself. And you aren’t a parent yet, but you’re very kind toward them.”
Sometimes her compliments made me uncomfortable—not because I disliked them; I just didn’t know what to say. Now was one of those times. I let the silence linger for a while. “I like that you’re a good mom and take care of your parents.”
When she smiled, it reached her eyes, like that meant a great deal to her.
“You’re the strongest person I know.”
“Oh, come on…”
“I’m serious. You had a daughter before you were eighteen, but you still pursued your career and accomplished everything you dreamed of. You made it work. You didn’t make excuses. You hustled when others would have given up. You did everything you could to give your daughter a better life, even taking this job.”
“Well, this job has been nothing but a blessing…in so many ways.”
I shook my head slightly. “I know it’s tough, baby. You take care of your daughter and parents off the clock, and during working hours, you’re taking care of me…and I’m a very high-maintenance person.”
Her eyes softened. “I get paid very well to take care of a gorgeous, brilliant man who gives me the best sex I’ve ever had. Yeah, it’s a dream job.”
I stopped eating and noted what she said. “Best you’ve ever had?”
“Uh, yeah,” she said with a laugh. “You kidding me?”
My ego rose at the same time as my lips.
“But I’m sure every woman says that about you…”
I’d never asked. “You’re the best too.”
She released a scoff. “That’s impossible.”
“Why?” When we were at work, we had deep conversations, but not like this. The subject was usually related to work, probably because we were aware of our surroundings. This was the first time we’d actually gone out to eat together. The dinner with my parents didn’t count, and our pit stop to get burgers didn’t count either…because we bolted before we even got the food.
“Because…it’s impossible.” She cut into her pancakes and lifted a piece that dripped with syrup. “You’ve been with a lot of beautiful woman over a long time. Just statistically speaking, that can’t be right.”
I tried to organize my thoughts so I could convey them accurately. “Yes, I’ve been with a lot of women, but the only reason I was with them was for sex. I was never in an emotional relationship with any of them. You’re the only woman I’ve had a deep connection with. So, if you’re the only one…you have to be the best. Because having sex with someone you’re in love with is much different from just fucking to get off.”
Her expression immediately dropped, and her face turned white as milk. She was still as a statue, not even breathing. Her eyes shifted back and forth as she looked at me.
I detected the intensity of the situation, unsure what I’d said that had affected her so deeply. “What did I say?”
“I just…didn’t know you felt that way.”
“Felt what way?” I asked, genuinely confused.
She studied me for a while, as if she were trying to digest what I’d said just as I was trying to decipher what she’d just said. “What you just said…”
“What did I say?” I asked, more confused. “You’re the best I’ve ever had. I mean that.”
She cleared her throat then dropped her gaze. “I-I’m flattered.” She stabbed her fork into her pancakes and took another bite, her eyes down the entire time. Syrup dripped from her fork and onto the plate until it finally stopped and she placed it in her mouth. Then she looked out the window.
I couldn’t read her mood right now. Maybe she was just touched by what I’d said. Or maybe she didn’t like to think about the others. I really didn’t know. Instead of asking, I just let it go, knowing she would bounce back.
I removed her dress because I wanted to see the lingerie underneath, but I kept on the boots because those were sexy. Naked and on top of her, I thrust inside her with her legs wrapped around my waist, the material of her boots rubbing against me as we ground together.
Her fingers dug into my hair and she breathed against my mouth, moaning quietly for me, whispering my name, more vocal in her lovemaking than before. She held me tighter, writhed hard, became a more emotional lover than before, her nails slicing into me in a frenzy, the sound of my name more desperate than it’d ever been before. She wanted more of me, more than I could give because I already gave her everything.
She grabbed my ass and pulled me deeper inside her. “Derek…yes.” She kissed me between her moans, kissed me hard as her body became wetter than ever before, as she flooded me with her arousal, getting so slick it was becoming more difficult to feel her. But her desire was such a turn-on that I didn’t care.
Not one bit.
4
Emerson
“I’m going to work a party for my boss.” I hated lying to my daughter, getting dressed up to go out to dinner with Derek and his friends. I wore a simple black dress with heels and a clutch, my hair was big and curled, and I had smoky eye makeup like this was not a work function at all.