Chapter 4 #2
“Come on.” I held out my arm, and she wrapped hers around mine like we’d done this a million times. It felt right. Damn good, too. So, I led us to the car, where I put her inside first, closed her door, and then went to the driver’s seat.
I started the engine and pulled up the GPS map to input the address. I glanced to see Emberlynn still as excited as when we’d been inside. To help her mellow out, I turned on some music before putting the car in motion.
“I know you’re a therapist. What other things do you do?” I needed something more than the information that the agency had provided. Something that only she could tell me.
“You mean for fun?” She turned toward me, catching me nodding her way. “I sing in my living room while drinking wine, video chat with my best friend who loves encouraging me to do brave things, and sometimes I even go outside.”
We both laughed at the last part.
“No, I… I used to go out and have crazy fun, but that stopped being me after I got married. My ex was controlling and insensitive. Every move that I made was wrong. In fact, he did everything right. Even when it made me out to be a bad person.” She paused, but I knew she wasn’t done.
“I love too hard when I’m giving myself to someone.
I understand he was the wrong person to sacrifice it all for, but it seemed like I’d made the best decision by giving him my heart.
” She dabbed the corners of her eyes and sniffed.
I chanced a glance her way, and it damn near broke me. Without thinking, I gently massaged her knee, offering a warmth I hoped she understood. When she was finished wiping the tears, I pulled into the parking lot of our destination.
I put the car in park and turned to her.
“Never apologize for showing up fully for something you wanted. Even if the other person doesn’t meet you halfway.
That sounds a lot like his loss. If he wanted you, if he deserved you, then you wouldn’t be here mourning what you gave him.
It’s not your fault that he couldn’t handle it.
I don’t know the situation, and honestly, I don’t want a reason to go looking for a man to make him understand he hurt you.
Instead, I hope to earn whatever parts of yourself you’re willing to share. I’ll even give you the same energy.”
Emberlynn laughed through the tears and shook her head. “This wasn’t planned. I didn’t mean to unload my bullshit on you. Talking about my ex has to be on the list of things not to say on a first date.”
“I’m glad you did. Trust that I have my horror story to tell as well.
Now’s not the time, but I get it. The people who weren’t meant for us, but that we really want them to be, are hard lessons that take a special healing.
It’s required, though. Otherwise, how do we get to the real gem?
” I reached into the glove compartment and pulled out some tissue for her.
“When you’re ready, can I have you fix yourself up?
We don’t want to take that pain in here with us.
I’d rather have your happiness instead.”
Emberlynn half smiled. “I want to get back to that version of myself.”
“I love that idea. We should start working on that today.” I took her hand and kissed it. “Take your time.”
Emberlynn nodded before pulling down the visor to get to the mirror. She opened her clutch and easily cleaned up the lines of tears, restored her makeup, and turned to me with a smile.
“Ready,” she admitted.
Kissing her was the only thing I wanted to do at that moment, but the timing was wrong.
She’d just made herself vulnerable, and I didn’t want to make myself out to be a creep who took advantage.
Instead, I got out and opened her door. The walk around the SUV had given me the space that I needed to help clear the Emberlynn-induced fog.
I’d wanted to pull her into my arms and show her exactly what she deserved, but that was much too intense for a first date.
Slow, man. But I’d be lying if I didn’t say how much she drew protective energy from me.
When she slid from the seat, it was right into my arms. She looked up at me, searching for something I didn’t understand.
I pulled her closer into my arms and held her in a hug to comfort the wounded woman hiding inside.
For a minute, she held firm, but as we stood there, she relaxed completely into my arms to allow the warmth to go much deeper than the surface.
That triumph settled in my chest, making my ego rear its ugly head.
I’d made her feel safe, even if it was just for this moment.
I held her for as long as she needed it, not rushing her need for comfort. Whatever she needed.
We didn’t speak. I kept my arms around her waist, and hers moved to my neck. Her head rested on my shoulder, and I gave her all the time she needed there.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“Queen, anytime.” I kissed the top of her forehead before we untangled. “Let’s go inside.”
Emberlynn was competitive, and I loved her energy.
Inside the fun house, we played basketball on the huge indoor trampoline.
She said she wasn’t good at it, but she made me work for every shot.
We then played air hockey, which she dominated.
But it was laser tag that gave me a good look at who she was.
She was strategic. Hiding in spots a woman of her height shouldn’t be able to get into.
She didn’t let her size dictate what she was capable of, and when she ended up above me, shooting from a rafter I never knew was there, I was doomed.
Then we played against another couple and came out victorious.
Emberlynn communicated not only with words but with her body too.
Hand gestures and silent movements. And when we were hiding together, her body moved against mine to slow my heart from beating too quickly.
I’d been breathing too hard, and she’d stepped in to help me calm down.
The dark spaces had set off something inside me that stirred my anxiety.
Shots whizzed around me, hitting rocks, trees, and even bodies. The cries of wounded soldiers sang out in a harmonious defeat.
“Get out of there, Curie! You’re surrounded on the west. Abort the mission. Move your ass!”
I was spiraling quickly, and just when I thought I’d crash and burn, I felt her hands on my face. That was how she got me to see her instead of the terrors from prior combat missions.
Caught in the moment, I focused on her until our breathing matched.
Her hand moved up my face, touching the scars there.
She traced them with her fingertips before she outlined my lips too.
Trapped under her spell, I wrapped my arms around her waist, holding onto the curves at her hips.
The horrors of my past disappeared, and all that was left was Emberlynn.
We both wanted to go for that kiss that dangled between us and probably would have if we hadn’t heard something to our left.
I ducked inside the corner we were in, pulling her with me just as she fired toward the dark figure lurking. We heard the buzzer that registered the laser shot and ended the game.
“Yes!” she shouted as she did this wiggling dance of hers.
I threw my head back, laughing as she carried on like she’d won a million dollars. “Happy?”
“And you know it.” She grabbed my hand to pull me off the wall. “Let’s go celebrate.”
“Whatever you want, Queen.” As long as she kept touching me, she could have whatever she wanted. Emberlynn made the demons disappear, and my heart slowed down from all the rapid drumming it did. She was good for me.
“You’ve got to stop calling me that.” She tossed over her shoulder as we exited the laser room.
“Why?” I searched my mind for ways that would be offensive, and I found none.
“Because…” Emberlynn slipped on her jacket and turned toward me. “Because I like it. I can’t get used to all this niceness from you that I can’t keep.”
“Why can’t you?” I reached over and soothed the worry lines on her face.
She moved away from my touch. “Hardison, don’t…” She sighed.
I raised my hands in surrender. “I won’t.”
She turned, throwing the cutest fit as she stomped to the car. If she thought I would make this easy for her, she was wrong. If I had to work to win her over, she would have to work hard not to surrender. When she gave me her submission, it’d be even sweeter than taking it.
An exchange…