Mandy and Jill pulled the stools around to the other side of the breakfast bar and settled across from her as she told them what happened. "Does Ethan know about this?" Jill whispered.
"I told him everything," Emma said.
"What does he think?"
Emma shrugged and took a sip of her coffee. "Probably that he got messed up with a girl with far too much baggage for his liking."
"Emma," Mandy said in a disapproving tone.
"He was really understanding," Emma admitted. "But would you blame him if he did feel that way, especially if Tristan is here? That is beyond insane."
"And it sounds like something Tristan would do," Jill said.
Mandy rested her hand on Emma's arm. "And we'll kick his psycho ass if he thinks about coming anywhere near you."
Emma couldn't help but smile at Mandy's ferocious tone. "I know you will."
"Are you okay?" Jill asked.
"I'm scared," she admitted. "If he was on the beach and sent those flowers, that's a whole new level of craziness. If he followed me here then how long has he been following me without my knowledge, and what else is he willing to do?"
Emma didn't want to think about what he might have seen her doing without her being aware. When he'd been harassing her daily, she'd been extremely conscious of her surroundings and what she was doing nearly every second she was awake. A few months without him in her life had loosened her vigilance of her surroundings and actions. As more time passed, she'd returned to a nearly normal life—a life he may have been hiding in the shadows and spying on for a year. The thought almost made her throw up the eggs, but she managed to keep them down.
"You're not going to find out," Ethan said.
The three of them jumped in surprise. They were so intent on their conversation, they hadn't heard Ethan approach until he spoke and rested his hands on her shoulders. He bent down and kissed her cheek before straightening.
"Want some eggs?" Jill asked and swung her legs to the side of the stool.
"No, thank you," Ethan answered. "I need to run home for a bit; I forgot to pack a toothbrush."
"Then you must go," Emma teased him.
"Are you going to be okay here?"
"I'll be fine," she assured him. "Jill knows Karate."
"Hiya!" Jill said and chopped at the counter. "Proud yellow belt right here."
"Isn't that the lowest one?" Ethan asked.
"What color is your belt?" Jill retorted.
Ethan released a low laugh. "You got me there."
"Don't worry," Emma said and rested her hands on his chest. "Flowers aren't really ominous or threatening."
Ethan studied her as she slid off the stool and stood before him. The last thing he wanted to do was leave, but he had to feed, and he needed to do it soon if he was going to remain around her and her friends for the rest of the day.
This morning, he'd woke to the rhythmic pounding of her heart and the almost cinnamon scent of her blood as it pulsed through her veins. It was the first time her blood had ensnared him in such a way. He knew it was an indication their relationship was progressing faster than he’d anticipated, but that would have to wait. She had too much going on in her life right now; he refused to put even more on her.
He would have to keep himself in control and feed better from now on, but upon waking he'd been torn between taking her again and sinking his fangs into her throat. The decision was made for him when she rolled over and cupped his balls with her small hand. He grew aroused again at the thought of her tiny hand running up and down his shaft before her body slid on top of his.
Ethan bent and kissed the top of her head before he decided to pull her back into the bedroom and push the limits of his restraint. "I'll be back in a little bit," he promised.
"You don't have to be concerned about me, really," Emma said as she walked with him to the door. She didn't want him coming around because he felt he had to, or because he felt sorry for her, and she definitely couldn't handle him getting hurt because of her. She hoped their relationship would continue, but she wouldn't blame him if he walked away. "If Tristan is here, you don't want to get wrapped up in the mess he creates."
He took her hand and turned her toward him when they arrived at the door. "If I didn't want to be here anymore, I wouldn't be."
She smiled at him and turned her cheek into his hand. "Thank you."
He bent and kissed the tip of her pert nose. "I'll see you guys soon!" he called to Jill and Mandy.
Jill leaned across the breakfast bar to look at them. "We're going to hit the beach soon, so we'll probably be by the volleyball nets!" she called.
"Maybe you should stay here until I get back," he said quietly to Emma.
Emma shook her head. "Even if it is Tristan, I didn't let him win before, and I won't let him win now. I'm not going to hide from him. We'll be fine."
He didn't look at all appeased, but he kissed her again and stepped out the door. Jill and Mandy had stopped smiling when they entered the living room after she closed the door.
"You really think it's Tristan, don't you?" Mandy inquired.
Emma was tempted to deny it, she didn't want to come across as a drama queen in case she was completely wrong, but she couldn't shake the knot of apprehension in her gut. "I do."
"We'll be on the lookout for him then, and if he comes anywhere near you again, Emma, I swear I'll cut off his nuts," Jill vowed.
Emma bit her inner cheek to keep from laughing at the solemn look on Jill's face.
"Now
