19. Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Nineteen
Griffin's Beach Emma
H ands clench the bedspread while Emma's legs spread wider as Nash's tongue swirls and nearly makes her lift her butt off the mattress.
"Yes, Nash," she moans, her orgasm approaching quickly. "Don't stop."
He moans as he sucks her clit, and the vibrations push her off the cliff into blissful oblivion, making her cry out while his mouth makes a sucking noise. Her chest heaves, and she looks down at him through her breasts, both sagging slightly from pregnancy and age, but he seems to love them as much as he always has.
Their sex life never lacked when together, but Nash has been more attentive to her ever since their daughter moved back to Griffin's Beach. Whatever the cause for change, she's not unhappy in the least.
His lips kiss up her belly, and he pays special attention to both of her nipples before inching up further until he enters her. "I could live here," he murmurs against her neck.
"Nash," she moans again, her body meeting his with every thrust. "God, you feel good. I don't know what's gotten into you, but I love it."
Looking into her eyes as they move in sync, the passion reads loud and clear. A smirk appears, and he says, "You don't mind having amazing sex every night?"
The only nights they haven't made love in the weeks since Lex has been back have been simply because Nash was out on runs. Otherwise, she's more than satisfied before falling into blissful sleep. "Not at all. And I really love when you use your tongue. You can get me to agree to just about anything when you're between my legs."
Chuckling, he bites his lower lip, thrusting harder and making her mewl. "Same, baby, when you're on your knees sucking me dry."
She bites her own lip and reaches out to push him back gently. He looks confused, but he slides out of her. When she moves to all fours, she knows no words are required to tell him what she wants, and she gasps when he grips her hips and enters her quickly from behind.
"Hold onto the headboard," he orders.
The wetness between her legs increases at his command, and she reaches out to hold onto the metal bars of the headboard. It would surprise most people because she comes across almost demure, but after at least one orgasm, Emma likes something more primal. And nothing feels more primal than Nash letting himself go as he takes her from behind.
Strong hands hold onto her love handles as he pounds into her, but once he has a rhythm established, his hands slide up her sides to the front to fondle her chest roughly. The feeling of his calloused hands on her sensitive skin makes her moan, and she backs her ass up to meet him, taking him as deep as possible. Toying with her nipples brings her to the brink, and she cries out while her body quivers in ecstasy.
"Nash!" she calls out, and he slows down to provide long, slow strokes. "Oh God."
"You sound so good when you come," he whispers, guiding her into an upright position where her back presses flat against his chest.
He caresses her breasts again, and they match the leisurely pace of his cock sliding in and out of her. No matter how badly she feels about the way her aging body looks, his man can make her feel young and desirable again. Young and beautiful instead of mature with wrinkles and gravity-induced sagging.
The way they slowly make love brings her back to their first time. Their love story is as unconventional as they come, and she's transported back to a time almost forty years ago.
Emma and Margaret Dalton became friends shortly after Margaret's diagnosis with breast cancer, and it hurt Emma to see her new friend fade so quickly. But more than that, she hated the attraction she felt towards Margaret's husband. It was wrong on every level, but something about him felt electric in a way she hadn't found in any other man before. Drawn like a moth to a flame, she knew she had to stay away from him to make sure she never betrayed her friend.
One morning, Margaret called and asked Emma to come to the house. She'd heard how quickly Margaret had declined in only a matter of months, and she didn't have the heart to tell her no. Besides, if she had, what would she tell her? That she couldn't be around Margaret's insanely attractive husband? That would be a pain she couldn't bear to inflict upon anyone, especially someone as lovely as Margaret.
When Emma showed up, she was surprised to see Nash there. They'd nearly kissed the last time they were in the house together, and he'd avoided her as much as she had him.
"Emma, I need to talk to you about something," Margaret said.
She shared a look with Nash filled with betrayal and fear that the other confided their attraction to each other to this poor, frail woman lying in bed. A woman who deserved nothing like this.
"Wh-what's that?" she stammered.
"I know you and my husband have developed feelings for each other."
There it was. The bomb dropped. "Maggie—"
"Don't try and deny it. You think I don't know what falling in love with Nash Dalton looks like? I had the same exact look once upon a time. And I remember what he looks like when he falls for a woman. It's the same way he used to look at me. First with me, and now with you."
"Maggie, darling," Nash said and took her hand, "you're just tired."
"Don't patronize me. I know what I've seen. I also know why you disappear if Emma comes around, and it's the reason Emma avoids being here."
Tears filled Emma's eyes, and she couldn't stop the small sob. "I never meant to fall for your husband, Maggie. I'm so sorry. I would never betray you like that, and nothing's happened. Removing myself from the situation seemed like the best option to ensure I don't betray you. It's the last thing I ever want."
"I want something to happen with you two."
Emma's head snapped up, and she locked eyes with Nash to make sure he heard the same words she had. "Pardon me?"
"Nash isn't one to be alone. He doesn't do well by himself, and you would be good for him."
"Darling," Nash said and looked down at his wife, "you're not serious."
"You deserve to be happy, Nash. I'm dying. No amount of love is going to keep me alive longer, and I can't give you what you need. Emma can."
She still couldn't believe what this beautiful but terminally ill woman said. "Maggie, I couldn't—"
"Yes, you can. I have to believe things happen for a reason, otherwise I'll go insane. And I believe that you were brought into my life to take care of my husband when I'm gone. You're able to take care of the needs he has in a way that I can't, and more importantly, you're in love with him. You'll take care of him and Zane after I'm gone. That's what I need to feel comfortable with this. To know you'll stay by their sides."
"Of course, but—"
"I'd like to spend as much of the time I have left with Zane, which gives you two plenty of time to discuss and figure out what you want. I know you both care about me, and that's enough."
Nash just stared at his wife, blinking, and he seemed stunned. Never had Emma seen Nash struggle to find words before. He always came off so smooth and sure of himself, but she supposed hearing his wife give him permission to have an affair would catch any man off-guard. "I'm not sure I'm comfortable with this."
"Me, either," Emma agreed.
"Go show her the clubhouse, Nash. Take her to your apartment and talk. If you want to wait to have sex until after I'm gone, which I know you miss, that's your decision. But don't let me be the reason you don't explore what you could have between the two of you. I give you permission to start moving on and have someone to lean on and comfort you when I'm gone. You're no good alone, Nash. And I don't want that for you."
Nash took Emma to the clubhouse shortly after that, and it was awkward. Both stood in a brown room, neither quite sure what to do. But then he kissed her. The moment their lips touched, they were nothing but hands and legs and pleasure. Four rounds proved tiring enough to allow them to sleep, and they were together from that moment on. Never in front of Margaret, but Emma understood and didn't mind sharing Nash.
Many nights, Emma had lain awake, wondering if she’d done the right thing, but she had to commend Margaret for such a selfless act. She knew what Nash needed, and she loved him enough to guide him to it. Never making him feel guilty about it.
Emma was with Nash and Margaret the night she left them, and she cried with him. Held him and understood his pain. Never once has she ever felt jealous or resentful about the love she knows he still carries for his wife. That love brought them together, and even when apart, Emma still celebrated Margaret's birthday. She'd only known her for a short time, but she had such an impact on her life.
The one thing Margaret never accounted for in her request to take care of Nash and Zane was Zane's resentment. No matter how she tried, Emma was never able to fulfill the promise she made his mother. And when it came down to Zane or Lex, Emma had to protect her daughter when Nash didn't. She just hoped Margaret understood why Emma had to leave.
The languid sex starts to build Emma up again, and she's pulled from her memories. Something about them feels very familiar to today, but she pushes it to the back of her mind and brings a hand between her legs to rub her clit furiously.
"Come again for me," Nash murmurs into her ear, shifting and hitting her G-spot.
Leaning back, she rests her head on his shoulder, her eyes rolling to the back of her head. Between his cock and her hand, another orgasm rips through her. "Nash!"
"Em!" he cries, filling her as he holds his arms around her tightly, keeping her flush against him. "Fuck."
They stay in this position for a couple of minutes as they come down. She smiles at their ability to still take each other's breaths away. No matter what he's done, she still loves him with her entire heart. No one has ever come close to what she feels for him.
Pulling her down onto the bed with him, he kisses her jaw just below her ear. "So beautiful."
"So sexy," she says and smiles.
"Em, I've been thinking about something."
Laughing, she turns and looks into his hazel eyes. The skin on his face is weathered from years of sun, and she finds him even more handsome than ever. "What's that?"
"We should get married."
The laughter stops abruptly. "Pardon me?"
"I love you. I've loved you for over thirty-five years. I think it's finally time we tie the knot."
"Are you sure?"
She tries to avoid getting her hopes up. Every time marriage was brought up in the past, Zane got in the way. Or the club. Pretty much anything to dash all hope she had of the only thing she's wanted with the man she loves with all of her heart.
His eyes lock with hers, pulling her close so their naked fronts press against each other. He tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and smiles. "I am."
"What about Zane?"
"He'll have to get over it. It's time I make an honest woman out of you. Something I should have done decades ago."
Tears fill her eyes. "I've wanted to marry you for so long."
"I'm sorry it took so much time, baby," he says and kisses her forehead. "Lex will be happy and support us."
"I'm worried about her, Nash. She's not herself."
"She'll be fine. You know our girl. Tough as nails."
The comment fuels a fire she hadn't realized simmered below the surface, and she pushes herself back. "Because she's always had to be."
"She can handle whatever life throws at her."
"You know, don't you?"
He breaks eye contact. "I can't talk about it."
"That's what she said. What's going on, Nash? What has our baby so stressed?"
"I can't say."
Sliding out of bed, she slips on her robe. "Can't? Or won't?"
"Both," he says and sighs, rolling onto his back and resting an arm over his eyes.
"It has to do with Zane, doesn't it?"
Another loud sigh escapes from between his lips. "I can't say anything, Em."
"I can't marry you."
Sitting up, he stares at her. "What?"
"I love you so much, Nash. Pretty sure I have since the moment I met you, but you always put your son before our daughter. She's dying inside, and you know what it is. You could help her, but you won't. I can't accept that anymore."
"You don't know what's going on—"
"I want to!" she cries. "I made a promise to Margaret that I would take care of both of her men, but he won't let me. And you never tried to help him understand. You enabled him to treat not only me but his sister terribly. Now, you know what's happening with our daughter, and because of your loyalty to your son over our daughter, you won't let me help her. You know as well as I do that our girl never asks for help. Not until she's broken, and this club, not to mention you and your son, have broken her too many times already. Someone has to finally put Lex first, and you never will."
He runs his hand over his face. "What exactly do you want me to do, Em?"
"Let me in so I can help. She needs help, Nash. Don't you see her? She's drowning, and you saying she can handle anything and is tough as nails just reinforces how terribly everyone has treated her throughout her entire life."
"I haven't treated her terribly!"
Crossing her arms, Emma glares at him. "You have always picked Zane over her. You turn a blind eye when he hurts her. If you do happen to witness it and actually step in, you've never reprimanded him to the point he stops. You've chosen him and the club over her. No wonder she let Colt break her. It's what the man who should have protected her did to her."
"That's not fair," he says. "Our situation is anything but normal, Emma. And I can't say anything. Just like Lex can't."
"Bullshit."
His cellphone rings and interrupts them. He reaches it for it, but she grabs his arm. "Em—"
"Don't you dare."
"It's midnight, and it's Margaret calling. I can't ignore my granddaughter's call."
Accepting this, she releases his wrist and steps back. Her daughter's in pain and trouble, and her father can help fix it. He could let Emma in, but he won't tell her. Won't give her the opportunity to step in, if nothing else but to be there for Lex.
"Margaret, calm down... I'll be right there, sweetheart... I'm leaving right now."
Nash jumps up and dresses quickly. Emma looks at him with concern. "What's wrong?"
"Something with Zane. I gotta get over there."
"I'll change and come with you."
His large hand comes up in the air to halt her. "No, it's better if you stay here."
"Why?"
He doesn't answer and ties his boots. "We'll finish talking about marriage when I get home."
"We'll finish talking about marriage when I learn the secrets you keep. The ones that look like they're killing our daughter."
Looking pained, Nash stares at the ceiling. "It's always going to be this difficult, isn't it?"
"Only because you've made it this way, Nash. And only you can fix it. The day you stop putting your son before Lex."
"He's not just mine, you know. If we got married, he'd be yours, too."
She stares in disbelief. "I think you should replay that on your drive over to his house. Listen to the words over and over again because Zane will never accept me as his stepmother. But you go take care of your granddaughter. She needs you, and it's late."
"Em—"
Walking into the bathroom, she shuts the door and ends the conversation. The tears fall as she curses herself for letting herself get her hopes up. She'll never have the happily ever after she's always wanted. Not until Nash can tell her what his secrets are that affect their family. She can't walk down the aisle and start a marriage like this. She just can't.