She grabbed me by the towel ends I had around my shoulders and pulled me toward her. We kissed again and she spread her legs so I could move into her more on the counter.
“What brought you to my place tonight? Not that I mind.”
“Two things actually. First, why didn’t you tell me you joined the academy? And second, that kiss in the closet at Payton’s Steakhouse. I couldn't stop thinking about it.”
“Yeah, sorry about crashing your date tonight. I was just shocked, I guess.” I shyly looked away.
“You are not sorry for crashing my date. You loved it.”
I smiled. “Yeah, you’re right. Not the least bit sorry. I figured you would have already heard from Breigh about the academy. She usually tells you everything…”
“I would have loved to hear it from you. That’s really something to be proud of.”
I put up an eyebrow in amusement. “You’re proud of me?”
She smiled sensually.
“Why don't you take me to your room, Mr. Galloway? Let’s finish what we started at Payton’s.” Emma paused. “Unless of course your date exhausted you.”
I laughed, “We both know I wasn't meeting anyone, baby.”
She smiled, pulling my forehead flush with hers.
I picked her up as she wrapped her legs around my waist and rested her head on my shoulder.
“I can’t seem to get you out of my head or heart, Cash,” she whispered softly, almost like she was in a confessional, as I carried her. A message I was meant to hear, but at the same time, I wasn’t.
I had gotten worked up and was ready to take her, but now I wanted to slow it down and take my time. I didn’t want the night to pass. Slow-mo, please.
As I lay her down on my bed, we kissed and I whispered to her, “I’m sorry I was an idiot and it took me so long to recognize I love you.” I made sure I looked into her eyes so she could see the emotion I was feeling.
She pulled me down on top of her and we kissed like we were never letting each other go. Emma was the first person I could ever recall loving as much as I did, excited for tomorrow, scared for tomorrow, but yet ready for tomorrow.
If my tomorrow was with Emma, I knew we would be okay.
I woke up several times throughout the night, reaching for Emma and making sure she was still beside me. She was, and I squeezed her into me, not wanting to take for granted the warmth of her body next to me.
I had become a complete sap, and I should hate it since it was so unfamiliar, but I realized there was a reason I was feeling the way I was.
I snuck out of bed at 7:00 a.m., doing my push-ups and sit-ups in the living room and getting my body moving. I had always been a routine guy but my schedule had obviously taken a drastic adjustment.
I decided to make Emma coffee and breakfast in bed before my shower. I didn't want to risk waking her up and her leaving for the day, escaping from me before I could see her, while I was in the shower.
I wasn't sure how she was going to feel this morning, and I hoped she wasn’t filled with regret. I sure as hell wasn’t. I spent a night in heaven. Thank you, God.
I had placed everything on a makeshift tray to deliver her scrambled eggs, toast, and coffee to her. My floor squeaked just as I met the bedroom door and she lifted her head slightly off the pillow with a smile.
“Good morning, baby,” I said, holding her tray out.
“You made me breakfast?” Emma grinned and pulled the sheet up over her bare chest, covering her breasts.
I laid the tray down and sat at the bottom of the bed.
“Yum, this looks delish. I could get used to this, you know?”
“I could get used to this too.” I doubted we were referring to the same things.
I touched her knee through the sheet and watched as she drank her coffee in little sips.
“Did you already eat?”
“Nah, just some exercises and coffee. I am about to jump into the shower, but I didn't want you sneaking off. I think we both go to work at about the same time.” I winked at her and grinned.
“I do have to get to work, but I’ll wait till you get out.”
“Promise?”
“Yep.”
“I didn’t know you already had a job here in town.”
“Loan officer at Texas Republic Bank. It will work for me for now…”
I leaned in and gave her another kiss before heading to the shower with a smile on my face.
EMMA
My heart was so full this morning, waking up in Cash’s bed. The breakfast in bed was a bonus. His sheets were the softest I had ever felt, and the down comforter was like sleeping on a cloud.
I had fallen for him so fast, for other reasons, but when I lay in his bed last night and he whispered how he loved me and that he was an idiot, my heart about stopped beating. I thought I might have needed resuscitation.
With one more sip of my coffee, and bite of my toast, I tip-toed to the shower and lightly pulled back the curtain. He had his eyes closed under the water, enjoying the heat.
I got in as quietly as possible then wrapped my arms around his naked body.
“You mind if I join you?” I asked, as water was beginning to drop down my body.
“You do not ever have to ask me that, ever.” His grin said it all, sheepish but full of want.
He turned so I could get under the water, in his spot, and then stepped back to admire me.
“I love your hair wet.”
“I hate it.” And I did, always had. I never spoke it out loud though.
He grabbed his shampoo, and poured it into his hand before rubbing them together and then washing my
