HAPPY FOREVER AFTER

The days passed slowly, the nights increasing Emma’s restlessness. Was it really that slow? Emma didn’t think it was. It only seemed that way because she missed Daniel. And the fact that she missed him so much scared the crap out of her. She was actually looking forward to his return. So much for all her ‘I don’t care about you speech’.

She missed him. Not that she was ready to admit that to him. Hell… she was having a hard time admitting it to herself.

It was Tom’s birthday. And even if he said he didn’t really celebrate his birthday, Emma had baked a two layer chocolate cake with strawberry frosting.

Even if Tom wasn’t going to celebrate. He sure as hell didn’t have anything against cake. I mean… What kind of person doesn’t love cake? She thought

When she got to work the next morning, a new white van stood in the employees’ parking lot, a dealer’s tag still on the window. She wondered why it was there. Well it wasn’t her business, Barrett probably put it there.

Emma packed her car, picked up chocolate cake from the passenger seat, and walked straight into Daniel.

“hello, my lady”. He purred.

Dressed in a light gray suit with a pink dress shirt, Daniel looked ruggedly appealing. Emma hated that she felt kinda happy to see him.

“You are back a day early”. She said simply

“Mmm, and ready. I worked around the clock to save a day. You missed me. I hope”

His eyes glistening, he grabbed her and kissed her with an intensity that made her ache. Emma looked around. Thank God there was no one else in the parking lot. She didn’t want to earn a reputation as the lady who fools around with her boss.

“Not at all”. She denied. “I didn’t miss you”

“I will make you take back those words, lady. I’m having a hard time not taking you back in my arms right now”. He murmured. “What is the special occasion?” he asked, indicating the cake.

“It’s Tom’s birthday. Do you want me to save you a piece?”

“That is a leading question for a hungry man, sweetheart,” Daniel laughed. “Someday you are going to welcome me with an offer of more than a piece of cake. And I will take everything you can give”

He chuckled at her rising color. “don’t let me keep you”. He said. “you better get to work”

One thumb lightly brushed her nipple. Emma’s gasp widened his grin.

“Come on, no one can see us”. He said. “Not that I care if someone does”

Prying her gaze from the intimate devastation of his, Emma asked, “Did you bring that van?”

“Yeah, Barrett asked me to get it for him,” he replied. “So about that date… How’s tomorrow evening?”

“Ermm..” Emma started to say

“Don’t bother to look for an excuse. I know you are not going to be busy then.”

She laughed. “Tomorrow evening is good, Daniel”

“Great. I will pick you up then”

———————————-

Emma wore a simple dress that evening. She didn’t want to look too available. She hadn’t been able to concentrate on her work during the day. She was looking forward to her date with him. Funny how she went from minding her own damn business to daydreaming about the man.

He was right on time and by 7:05 his car was in the driveway. She walked downstairs and he opened the car door for her.

“you are right on time” she said

“Well… A gentle man should keep his word… And I like to think I am”

“Yeah right” she said smiling.

“You look beautiful” he said as she got in.

“Thank you”

He closed the door, then went to open his.

In the close confines of the car, Daniel noticed the sweet, light fragrance of her skin. The fruity scent of her hair. And the earthier scent of pure, unadulterated woman. He was, quite simply, unable to resist her any longer.

He had reached for the ignition, but he paused.

“Emma?” he said

She turned to give him her full attention. “Yes”

“You know I wanted this to be like an actual first date. You know… Without all the arguing we have been doing since we met.. And I know this isn’t exactly protocol for a first date. But I can’t help it.

“Help what?”

“Help this” he whispered.

And without another word, he leaned over, caressed her smooth cheek with the tips of his fingers, and covered her beautiful, soft lips with his own.

She tensed for the slightest moment, then, with a little sigh of acceptance, relaxed. The tension left her jaw, the stiffness departed from her mouth, and she parted her lips slightly, to share a warm breath with him.

Daniel inhaled it, tasting her, letting himself be filled by her essence. The kiss remained light, sweet, innocent. They were joined only by the softest brush of lips and scrape of his fingers on her cheek. And he knew that despite how desperately he wanted to sink his tongue into her for a fuller taste, he couldn’t deny himself the sweetness of this simple, innocent pleasure. Finally, when he no longer trusted himself to keep it simple and innocent, he slowly pulled away.

“I’m sorry”

“Sorry you kissed me?” she whispered, blinking a few times as if she’d just awakened from a dream.

He shook his head. “Sorry I had to stop”. He shifted in his seat, trying to stretch his long legs in the front seat, wondering if she’d noticed how much tighter the fit was now that he had let himself give in to the need to taste her. Especially the fit of his jeans.

“That was supposed to be a friendly kiss,” he said.

Emma couldn’t help laughing. “Aren’t those usually on the cheek?” she asked. “I think they’re usually in the air an inch from the cheek, aren’t they?”

He nodded. “Yes”

Emma smiled. Her choppy, audible breaths finally slowed. Then, not meeting his eye, she said, “I think I like your way better”.

———————————

Sitting at a gouged and pitted oak table at a popular downtown pub that evening, Daniel watched carefully for the first sign that Emma wasn’t enjoying herself. So far, he’d seen absolutely nothing.

“I can’t believe I’m eating like this.” She said

They’d been munching on chicken wings and a mountain of nachos. Emma had opted for beer, sharing a half pitcher with him, instead of some sweet, girlie drink. She seemed relaxed. If not outright laughing, she at least smiled more than once.

” Don’t be too hard on yourself. I don’t think they even serve salads here, unless they’re topped with deep-fried chicken and a mountain of cheese.” he replied.

One fine, delicate brow arched and she stared at him with quiet reproach, though a hint of a smile lurked on her beautiful mouth.” What are you suggesting, Daniel? That I should only be eating salads?”

He backpedaled, holding up a quick, defensive hand. Damn, how could guys avoid these basic traps women always set out for them?

“No way.” Grinning, he added, “I’m not saying that at all.. Just seems like the only thing my sister ever ordered. God forbid she should ever have taken a bite out of a hamburger, especially if her boyfriend was around.”

“It’s a female thing” She sighed heavily, as if accepting something that was inevitable. “To watch what we eat, so we can look like what all the media images tell us we should look like. Is your sister married?” she asked

“Nah. But my brother is, with three kids. Twin boys and a girl. Do you have other siblings apart from Isabel? He asked.

“No,” Emma replied. “It’s just the both of us… And my mom ”

“What about your dad?”

“Don’t know,” she said. “He left when I was a kid. Haven’t seen or heard from him since then”

“That sounds terrible. I’m sorry”

“You don’t have to be Daniel,” she said. “It was a long time ago, I honestly don’t care anymore”Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“I’m just…” he started to say. But she stopped him.

“And I don’t like to talk about it,” she said.

“Fine”. He said.

“So should I be flattered that you’re on your fourth wing? He asked, changing the topic. “You don’t need to worry about impressing me?”

Emma simply smiled

He wondered what she would say if she knew he was more impressed by her adorable honesty and the way she licked the tips of her fingers after each nibble. Yum.

He risked a quick, appreciative look across the table at her curvy figure, so incredibly sexy in her dress.

“By the way, in my opinion you don’t have anything to worry about.” He said suddenly. “your body looks amazing”

“Ha” she said “I have huge breasts, what some people call childbearing hips and a big backside.”

As if any man would complain about a single one of those things? You’re beautiful, he said firmly,” not allowing her to argue about it.

“Thanks” she said. Her pulse fluttered visibly in her throat. “You look great too. It was one of the things I noticed about you”

Then when he smiled, she added “–That and the fact that you are super annoying”

He laughed. “You just had to ruin the moment.. Didn’t you?”

“I’m sorry but it is the truth..” she said. “You seem to think that you can just boss everyone around. Just walk in and take anything you want.. The world doesn’t work that way Daniel”

“I have to be that way,” he said. “I believe that when you want something, you shouldn’t just sit back and do nothing. When you want something, especially something special, you have to reach out and take it.. And it has always worked for me”