Chapter 15 Emily
EMILY
My head’s swimming, not from the alcohol this time, but from Tanner—his touch, his taste, the way he just knows how to move, how to kiss. And more. The orgasm he gave me was freaking unbelievable.
I still can’t believe that I let him eat me out in the kitchen, where anybody could walk in anytime. I get off the counter and feel my legs almost buck under me.
“You okay?” he asks as he pulls the waistband of my underwear up my legs, pressing one last kiss to my thigh before he grins.
I glare at him in answer.
Tanner steps back, breaking the moment, and moves toward the oven. “We should get this batter in before it goes flat,” he says. He washes his hands in the sink thoroughly before turning to me.
“What are you waiting for? Come on.”
I nod, stepping closer. He helps me clean myself up with a damp paper towel before doing the same to himself. My pussy is still throbbing with need. I need more. I need him inside me.
He’s steady, precise—so in control of everything. Watching him work, I realize just how good he is at this. He’s not just going through the motions; he’s adjusting the racks, checking the temperature, making sure everything’s perfect. God, it’s oddly...hot.
I’m turned on, and I hate how easily it’s happening, how he’s gotten under my skin like this.
“How are you so good at this?” I say to myself.
He raises a brow. “I told you. Secret’s still safe, right?”
I blush. I didn’t think I had said it out loud.
“I just...I didn’t think you’d be so good at this.”
“Good at what? Baking?” He adjusts the dial on the oven one more time, then looks over at me.
“Everything,” I murmur.
Kissing, especially kissing.
I want to say something more, something about how that kiss made me feel, how much I want more of him, but the words get stuck in my throat.
Before I can gather the courage, something catches Tanner’s attention. His head tilts slightly, his brow furrowing. “Wait...” He pauses, his eyes narrowing. “Do you hear that?”
“What?”
He steps away from the oven, his posture shifting, suddenly alert. “That sound...” he listens, his ears tuned to something I hadn’t noticed before. “Is that...a helicopter?”
I frown, tuning in, and there it is—faint at first, but growing louder, the unmistakable whir of blades cutting through the air. The sound is distant, but it’s getting closer by the second.
“A helicopter?” I ask, more to myself than him. “What the hell would a helicopter be doing here—”
Unless.
Shit. That can’t be right.
“What the hell is a helicopter doing here in this weather? Did somebody ask to be rescued?” Tanner says, backing away from the window.
“What a show-off,” I say, shaking my head.
When he notices my silence, he turns to face me, his brows rising when he catches the expression on my face. “Do you know anything about that?”
“Actually, I might,” I admit, swallowing hard. “I think that’s my ex.”
Tanner’s eyes widen slightly. “Your ex? Are you sure?”
“Yeah. Whit used to work with a helicopter service, and...I mean, it would make sense if he’s the one flying in. He’s the type to swoop in and make a dramatic entrance. Besides, he was also invited to the wedding. He’s kind of Sam’s best man.”
Tanner’s eyebrows knit together as he processes this. “Is this going to be a problem?”
I sigh, rubbing my face in frustration. “It’s definitely going to be...something. I haven’t spoken to him since we broke up. We didn’t part on good terms.”
“And how long ago was this?”
“Last month,” I say sheepishly.
“Ouch,” he says.
I groan. “I honestly thought he wasn’t coming.”
“The helicopter seems to be a bit too much,” Tanner agrees.
“Yeah, he does stunts for a living,” I say darkly. “And he has a penchant for being dramatic.”
“That one of the reasons you broke up?”
I shake my head. “No, he cheated on me. And later blamed me for it.”
Tanner sucks in a breath. “Fuck. Only a fool would do that…cheat on you.”
Tanner and I step outside, the cold air biting at my cheeks as we leave the warmth of the kitchen behind.
The wind from the helicopter blades whips through the courtyard, sending snow swirling in the air like tiny frozen tornadoes.
A few staff members are out there, bundled up and shoveling the snow to clear a spot for the helicopter to land comfortably.
I clutch Tanner’s arm tightly, more out of nerves than the cold.
My heart hammers in my chest, and I can feel the tension seeping into my muscles as we watch the scene unfold.
I can’t believe that not even half an hour ago, I was feeling like I was on top of the world.
Of course, the universe always finds a way to somehow humble me.
The helicopter’s rotors slow down, and I swallow hard, knowing exactly who’s about to step out.
It’s like a scene from one of those bad romance movies where the hero shows up out of nowhere, larger than life, like he owns the place.
And of course, he’s got to make an entrance, just like always. Except he’s not the hero.
The door to the helicopter opens, and out steps Whit—my ex.
He looks the same as always, infuriatingly put together and confident, like nothing in the world could faze him.
His dark hair, perfectly styled as if the wind didn’t dare mess it up, contrasts sharply with the white snow beneath him.
He’s wearing one of those expensive leather jackets, the kind that hugs his broad shoulders and shows off just how well he keeps in shape.
His sunglasses are firmly in place, even though it’s barely noon and there’s no sun to warrant them.
He moves like he’s got all the time in the world, like everyone should stop and watch him enter the room—or in this case, the middle of a snowstorm. He’s got some balls to be flying in a helicopter in this weather.
His boots crunch against the snow as he steps closer, and for a second, I think about turning around and bolting back inside.
But no—I won’t be a coward.
“Is that him?” Tanner whispers beside me, his voice barely audible over the sound of the helicopter winding down.
I nod, unable to tear my eyes away from Whit. “Yeah,” I say quietly. “That’s Whit.”
He’s closer now, his gaze scanning the crowd, and I know the moment he spots me. His lips curl into a full grin, and it’s like a punch to the gut.
Tanner feels me stiffen beside him and gently squeezes my arm. “Hey, you okay?”
I nod again, but my voice betrays me. “I don’t know.”
Tanner has his arms secured around me. My heart lurches in awareness, and I spot movement from the corner of my eye. And sure enough, it’s Jace, Axel, and Ben making their way out of the lodge. They must have been alerted by the sound of the helicopter, as well.
Jace’s eyes darken when he spots Tanner and me standing so close.
His jaw clenches, and I wonder what he’s thinking for a second, but I don’t have to guess for long.
His gaze flicks to Tanner’s arm around my waist, and the tension between them practically crackles in the air.
Axel, on the other hand, looks outright pissed, his brows drawn together in a scowl that could melt the snow beneath us.
I shift uncomfortably under their scrutiny, but Tanner holds firm, almost like he’s staking some kind of claim.
It’s bad enough that Whit’s here, and now I have Jace and Axel both fuming over something that isn’t even a thing...is it?
I shift uncomfortably in Tanner’s arms. He doesn’t let go of me, but greets his friends with a nod.
Jace looks like he’s about to say something, but he seems to change his mind at the last moment.
“Who is this asshole?” Axel says, frowning at Whit.
“That’s Whit, he always does stuff like this,” I say.
“You know him?” Ben asks.
“Yep,” I say, biting my lip. “He kind of used to be my boyfriend.”
“Kind of?”
The tension around us skyrockets.
I glance at Axel, then at Jace, who’s eyeing Whit like he’s ready to throw a punch. Ben just looks confused, but it’s Axel who seems the most affected. His fists are flexing at his sides, the muscles in his neck tight as he waits for an answer.
I sigh, rubbing a hand across my forehead. “It’s...complicated.”
“Isn’t it always,” Jace mutters under his breath, still glaring at Whit, who’s now taking his time surveying the scene, completely oblivious to the tension he’s causing.
The helicopter door swings open again before I can even process what to say or do. Another figure stumbles out, looking a bit disoriented, as if the whole thing was too much for him. I squint, trying to make out the person stepping out behind Whit.
It takes me a second to realize who it is.
“Sam?” I whisper, my heart skipping a beat.
Sam, Hailey’s fiancé, is standing there in the snow, looking dazed and confused.
He looks like he’s been through hell—disheveled and frazzled, as if the trip itself took more out of him than it should have.
His voice cracks as he starts calling out, “Hailey! Where’s Hailey?”
Hailey cuts through the crowd and goes up to hug him. “Sam. Oh my God you’re really here.” Around me, people go, “Aww.” And even I can’t help but clutch my heart. They’re so adorable.
Sam takes her in his arms before he kisses her in front of everyone.
“That’s love,” I say.
Meanwhile, Whit walks right past them.
“Emily,” he drawls, taking a step closer. “Can’t believe you’re here.”
I can feel all three of the guys—Tanner, Axel, and Jace—bristle at the same time.
Axel looks like he’s one second away from stepping between me and Jace… well, Jace looks downright murderous.
“Yep,” I just reply.
I hope that Whit will just keep walking and that he’ll recognize the tension and think better about whatever game he’s playing. But of course, that’s wishful thinking.
Instead, Whit stops in front of me, totally ignoring the other guys. Before I can say anything, he pulls me into a hug—too tight, too long. I stiffen, uncomfortable, and try to wriggle out of his grip, but he doesn’t let go.